Several years ago, a friend of mine acquired an arcade cabinet powered by emulation—a sleek machine in black and gray, delivered by a somewhat questionable company. Despite its unreliable interface and noisy internal fans that often required increasing the volume to hear the games, it housed nearly 3,000 arcade titles from the ‘80s and ‘90s, showcasing a wealth of iconic games from that era.
Upon my first encounter with the cabinet, I quickly became captivated. I immersed myself in various genres, from classic beat ‘em ups like Final Fight to more obscure titles such as Ninja Baseball Bat Man. I was struck by the technological advancements evident from the early ‘80s through the late ‘90s. My gaming journey led me to become a fan of Joust, experience the unsettling effects of Sinistar, and master Makoto’s combos in Street Fighter III: Third Strike. While I often selected familiar titles, I also enjoyed the thrill of discovering random games that I had never played before.
Though my experience was unique, I believe many others have embarked on similar nostalgic adventures. Whether through purchasing vintage consoles loaded with games on platforms like eBay, inheriting old systems from relatives, exploring the Wii’s Virtual Console, or diving into MAME and emulation, there are numerous ways to explore these vast gaming libraries.
Surprisingly, I never anticipated encountering a new title that would evoke the same emotions as sifting through old game collections— the heightened anticipation that comes with booting up classic software. This brings me to UFO 50, a newly launched compilation featuring 50 brand-new, retro-inspired games. Developed by Mossmouth, the studio behind Spelunky, this project took eight years to complete, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship involved. Positioned as a collection of fictional ‘80s games from a made-up developer (UFO Soft) for an imaginary console (the LX), it successfully captures a sense of uncertainty and excitement about what lies ahead.
When you first launch UFO 50 and see the rows of dusty cartridges, there’s an exhilarating sense of potential; each game could be a hidden gem or a miss, spanning any genre conceivable. This alternate timeline, free from the influence of marketing hype, allows for genuine discovery. Even for those familiar with the real gaming era being referenced, UFO 50 takes unexpected twists, ensuring a fresh experience. While it draws heavily on the 32-color aesthetic and design principles of ‘80s games, it isn’t afraid to blend in modern elements from various genres, such as idle games and platform fighters. Many titles echo the challenging gameplay of classic arcade games, yet they tend to be more forgiving and less clunky compared to early console offerings. Although it might not adhere strictly to the historical progression of gaming, it effectively captures the evolution of game design and genres over time.
Recurring characters, like the company mascot Pilot, appear throughout the collection, with several sequels and spin-offs in the Campanella series. What stands out is how game design concepts evolve across the collection. For example, the initial game Barbuta is notably difficult and slow-paced, but it hints at ideas that are refined in later titles. Warptank introduces a gravity-reversal mechanic reminiscent of Terry Cavanagh’s VVVVV, which is later utilized in the impressive Metroid-inspired platformer Vainger and the fighting game Hyper Contender. Additionally, each digital cartridge includes snippets about their development, enriching the lore of this fictional company and deepening our connection to this alternate reality.
This carefully crafted experience mirrors the challenges of accessing gaming history in reality. The collector’s market has inflated the prices of vintage games and systems, subscription services have largely replaced comprehensive digital storefronts like the Virtual Console, and companies like Nintendo increasingly restrict emulation. While sporadic compilation collections surface, the majority of legacy games remain less accessible compared to other media such as films, music, or literature. The gaming industry has a poor track record when it comes to documenting its past, and even if UFO 50’s history is fictional, it offers players a chance to enjoy a rich and affordably priced retro library. Moreover, the quality of these games is commendable; I found myself completely engrossed in Party House, playing until the credits rolled. Even if a particular title doesn’t resonate with you, each game presents intriguing concepts, largely because they encapsulate the broad strokes of retro exploration rather than getting bogged down in the details.
The 10 Best UFO 50 Games of 2024
UFO 50’s Strategy Game Party House Deserves a Standalone Release
Every individual with even a modest interest in gaming should try out classic titles, despite their imperfections. What makes UFO 50 stand out is its ability to innovate without being overly focused on replicating past experiences. It captures the eccentricity and creativity that characterized many vintage games before the constraints of budget and development timelines took hold. The collection features a variety of genres, including sports, fighting, and strategy games, each introducing clever twists that merge ideas from different eras to create something new. In fact, it often feels as if this collection taps into a broader range of genres than what was available in earlier releases. While some games were groundbreaking, many adhered to established formulas, leading to a plethora of titles that were often compared to classics like Pac-Man or Space Invaders.
Nostalgia can be deceptive, as it often leads us to seek hyper-specific experiences that were once familiar, but what we truly yearn for are the emotions tied to those experiences. UFO 50 astutely recognizes this longing for the past and crafts a collection that is not constrained by it, delivering a vibrant array of games that evoke the excitement of uncertainty about what lies ahead. It holds the potential to inspire a new generation of players to explore their retro gaming journeys while reminding seasoned gamers that innovative ideas still exist, such as creating a game that encompasses 50 titles set within a fictional ‘80s gaming industry that never came to be.
