Good MAME adventure games?

[DaveD]

I'm looking for recommendations for good adventure games in MAME. Games that tend to be a little more focused on exploration and uncovering new things rather than strict action and fighting. I think they're a little tough to find since arcade games were meant to earn money through quick games, not prolonged adventures. But with the occasional help from another credit some games did strike a good balance. A few that come to mind:

 

Dragon Buster

Pitfall II

Boulder Dash

Lode Runner

Spelunker

Tower of Druaga

 

While fighting/action is a part of many of these games it isn't really the main focus. When playing these I really get the feeling there's more strategy and incentive to play further and uncover more of the story, maze, environment, whatever. Whereas games like Gauntlet and a Golden Axe, while having large environments to explore and uncover, are really all about the fighting and generally don't provide the same incentive to explore IMO.

 

What are your recommendations?

[Rex Dart]

How about the D&D games? Tower of Doom, Shadow of Mystara... They're a lot like Golden Axe, sure, but have branching paths.

 

There's Gaiapolis, too.

 

 

 

Sad reality of it is, if you're looking to the arcades, you're looking in the wrong place.

Edited November 22, 2014 by Rex Dart

[DaveD]

Honestly I've never heard of any of those. But looking over youtubes of them they all look like straight fighting games.

 

When I say adventure I don't necessarily mean it has to be a typical D&D like fantasy. Boulder Dash, Lode Runner have completely different gameplay mechanics and themes but still offer a good deal of exploration and things to do other than fight. And given these are arcade games I really don't mean RPG's.

[Rex Dart]

Dig Dug? Mr Driller? I know you don't mean fantasy-themed stuff specifically, but I'm having a hard time reconciling "adventure game" with "lode runner". If you've never heard of the games I mentioned, then at least try them out. You said MAME, so I know they're cost-free for you to try.

[DaveD]

I guess it's hard to articulate and maybe it's because I've never gotten very far in any of the Lode Runner games but I get the impression there are many boards to the games and many challenges. And even though they're pretty much straight platformers the look of the levels is quite maze-like.

 

I don't know how many levels are in the game but Pandora's Palace gives me the same impression there's a lot to discover in multiple levels. I might feel different if I learned its like Donkey Kong and only has 3-4 repeating screens.

[Rex Dart]

Wardner? Tutankham? New Zealand Story? Battle Chopper? Alien Syndrome? These seem like games where you could poke around, take your time & explore a bit.

[DaveD]

Ooo...nice ones! I always forget about Tutankham. And the others you mention also offer a nice balance between action and exploration.

[DaveD]

Found another one. Lost Tomb. It has the add bonus of Robotron-like dual sticks. This one seems very cool. Not sure why it took me so long to discover this one.

[+wongojack]

Biomechanical Toy is interesting. Has an adventure feel.

 

There are several D&D games that I think transcend the arcade in the RPG realms.

[Crimefighter]

If you want an adventure game - try CADASH.

[Crimefighter]

Here's a few others - Black Tiger, Knights of the Round, King of Dragons, Magic Sword.

 

The Neo Geo had some RPG like games - Magician Lord, Crossed Swords, Blue's Journey,

Edited December 1, 2014 by Crimefighter