IMDb: Video Games to Play Before You Die - a list by Progressive-Element

1.

The Oregon Trail (1971 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X

Stars: Richard Ellman Kennedy

2.

Pong (1972 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.6/10 X

Two players play a video version of table tennis. The first to score 11 points wins.

3.

Breakout (1978 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X

You must use a horizontally-sliding paddle to bounce a ball against colorful bars at the top of the screen...

4.

Boot Hill (1977 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.5/10 X

5.

Combat (1977 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

6.

Supêsu Inbêdâ (1978 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X

"Space Invaders" became one of the first coin-op video arcade games to enjoy mega-success worldwide...

7.

Adventure (1978 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

8.

Asteroids (1979 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X

9.

Galaxian (1979 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X

10.

Lunar Lander (1979 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.6/10 X

11.

Battlezone (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X

12.

Defender (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

Defend the human population from swarms of attacking aliens.

13.

Eamon (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

14.

Missile Command (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X

15.

Rogue (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

16.

Tempest (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.2/10 X

You control a yellow crab-shaped shooter that travels along the outside rim of a 3-dimensional tunnel...

17.

Multi-User Dungeon (1978 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

18.

Pac-Man (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X

Players guide a yellow, pie-shaped creature around a single maze, munching dots while avoiding four roaming ghosts...

19.

Phoenix (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X

Image of Zork I: The Great Underground Empire

20.

Zork I: The Great Underground Empire (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.9/10 X

Told in second person, you play an AFGNCAAP (an Ageless, Faceless, Gender-Neutral, Culturally-Ambiguous...

21.

Warlords (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X

The players use shields to defend their castle walls from the fireballs that ricochet around the playfield...

22.

Centipede (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.0/10 X

The player controls a gun that can only move in the bottom fifth of the screen. The object is to shoot...

23.

Galaga (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.0/10 X

24.

Donkey Kong (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

Jumpman must save Paula from the giant ape Donkey Kong.

25.

Qix (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

26.

Scramble (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.0/10 X

27.

Stargate (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.8/10 X

The player's ship flies over a horizontally scrolling planet surface, protecting friendly humanoids from alien abduction...

28.

Venture (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

29.

Ms. Pac-Man (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.3/10 X

This update to Pac-Man changed the character to a lady, added moving fruit, smarted monsters, cutscenes and more mazes.

30.

Frogger (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X

In this arcade game, you must help a frog cross a highway and a river while avoiding obstacles so he can get to his home safely.

31.

Gorf (1981 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X

The player controls a spaceship that must blast its way through five missions, each a different challenge...

32.

Ultima (1980 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.6/10 X

Your job is to complete several quests and gather special stones to defeat the evil wizard, Mondain.

33.

Gravitar (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

34.

Joust (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X

35.

The Hobbit Software Adventure (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.0/10 X

36.

Choplifter! (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

37.

Robotron: 2084 (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.6/10 X

38.

Dig Dug (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X

Dig tunnels underground and use an air pump to inflate and blow-up your enemies. You can also drop rocks on your foes...

39.

Moon Patrol (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X

Player drives a moon buggy jumping over craters, rocks and land mines, shooting simultaneously at rocks in front and aliens above while dodging their missiles.

40.

Mr. Do! (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X

You are a clown who moves around a maze. You can dig new paths to avoid monsters and collect cherries. Kill monsters with a "powerball" or drop apples on them. Kill them all or eat all the cherries to go up a level.

41.

Q*bert (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X

42.

Xevious (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X

43.

Soko-Ban (1987 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X

You are a construction worker, who must move a certain amount of boxes on different levels of a warehouse, to look for something.

44.

Tron (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X

Can you survive the game grid?

45.

Time Pilot (1982 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

46.

I, Robot (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.2/10 X

47.

Archon (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.6/10 X

48.

Star Wars (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.7/10 X

Stars: Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones

49.

Dragon's Lair (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X

The first laserdisc game and the first to use regular cell animation for the graphics. In this game...

Director: Don Bluth

Stars: Dan Molina, Vera Pacheco, Michael Rye, Dave Spafford

50.

Gyruss (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X

51.

Mad Planets (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

52.

M.U.L.E. (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.0/10 X

53.

Spy Hunter (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X

54.

Crystal Castles (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.9/10 X

Bentley Bear gathers gems found along the paths of many three-quarters-view castles. Wear the magic hat to kill the witch, Berthilda, and eliminate the gem eaters while they are eating. Secret warps take you to higher levels.

55.

Jetpac (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

56.

Juno First (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

57.

Lode Runner (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X

58.

Manic Miner (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.7/10 X

The brilliant prequel to Jet Set Willy sees Miner Willy battling through the robot-filled underground mines of Surbiton...

Director: Matthew Smith

59.

Tapper (1983 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X

You are a soda jerk serving root beer to patrons.

60.

Track & Field (1987 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.0/10 X

61.

Ballblazer (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

62.

Bank Panic (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

63.

H.E.R.O. (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X

64.

Boulder Dash (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.4/10 X

You are Rockford, and you must guide him through a series of caves to hunt for diamonds. You must collect enough of them in order to exit each cave, while at the same time dodging deadly falling rocks, fireflies, and other perils.

65.

Bomb Jack (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

Director: Michitaka Tsuruta

66.

Elite (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X

The classic space trading game. You and your Cobra Mk III battle wagon have to become 'Elite.' but this...

67.

Kung-Fu Master (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.6/10 X

Thomas must use his punches, kicks, and jumpkicks to save Sylvia from Mr. X and his henchmen.

68.

Deus ex Machina (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.5/10 X

Stars: Jon Pertwee, Donna Bailey, Ian Dury, Mel Croucher

Image of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

69.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.0/10 X

You are Arthur Dent, and you must survive the worst day of your life. For one thing, your house is being demolished...

70.

Hyper Sports (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

71.

Marble Madness (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X

72.

Karate Champ (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.4/10 X

73.

Knight Lore (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.3/10 X

74.

Demolition Derby (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

75.

Lords of Midnight (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.3/10 X

Doomdark has woken from his slumber and the lands of Midnight are plunged into Winter. The Solstice...

76.

Jet Set Willy (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.3/10 X

Released on the Spectrum, this was a free-roaming version of Manic Miner. After a wild party, Willy woke up in the bath and had to tidy up the house (ie pick up about 100 objects in 60 rooms) before he was allowed to bed by Maria.

Director: Matthew Smith

77.

Pac-Land (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.4/10 X

78.

Paperboy (1984 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.8/10 X

You play a kid delivering papers on his treacherous route.

79.

Spy vs. Spy (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X

The lovable characters from MAD Magazine battle it out to seize important documents and escape with their lives.

Director: Fernando Herrera, Richard M. Spitalny

80.

Summer Games 2 (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.2/10 X

81.

A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

82.

Commando (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X

This is the story of a man named Super Joe. He must stop an enemy alliance, and rescue hostages.

83.

Yie Ar Kung-Fu (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X

84.

Gauntlet (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X

A nice game with One or Two players exploring dungeons and fighting monsters from a top-view perspective...

85.

Ghosts'n Goblins (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X

86.

Rush'n Attack (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X

Director: Phazer Atsuko

87.

Gradius (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.7/10 X

88.

Little Computer People (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

In 1985, the Activision Research Group found the cause all common home computer glitches: little computer...

89.

Tehkan World Cup (1986 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0.0/10 X

90.

Super Mario Bros. (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.1/10 X

Plumber brothers Mario and Luigi are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom, where they must stop the evil Koopa King, Bowser, and his reign of terror.

Image of Tales of the Unknown: Volume I - The Bard's Tale

91.

Tales of the Unknown: Volume I - The Bard's Tale (1985 Video Game)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X

The evil wizard Mangar has cursed your hometown, Skara Brae, with eternal winter. It is up to you to assemble a party of adventurers to save Skara Brae.