I’m about to show just how old I am.  I remember when my dad got our first computer.  I was around kindergarten age, and the computer was an Apple ][+.  We had it through most of my Elementary School years I think.  Anyway, after we got it, sometimes my dad would bring home a case of floppy disks home from work.  I would put each one in, not knowing what I’d get.  Sometimes it would be a boring application.  And sometimes it wouldn’t work at all.  But sometimes it would have games that I’d like.  That’s how I discovered titles like Snack Attack, Lode Runner, Drol, Hard Hat Mack, Spare Change, Choplifter, Aquatron, and more!  Now granted, looking back on it now, I think most of those games were pirated, but I don’t think either me or my dad knew what that was at the time.  Anyway, that grab bag of gaming fun is the feeling I get when playing UFO 50, a collection of 50 8-bit styled games.  It’s available on Switch and PC, but reviewed on Switch here.

When you first turn on the game, it shows low res digital photos of someone opening a box from storage and seeing a computer and gaming disks inside.  Then you can choose from a menu of the 50 games.  These are all made from a fictional video game company called UFOSoft, and some of the games even feature the same characters.  In that way, it reminds me of other fictional retro game collections like Arcade Paradise and Retro Game Challenge.  The games run the gamut of genres.  There are vertically and side scrolling shooters, platformers, strategy games, RPGs, sports games, and many more.  I thought about writing an article about all the games on here you can play, but I decided not to since half the fun is discovering them on your own, and plus there’s 50 of them.  But if you’d like for me to write an article like that, just let me know in the comments section.  Even boring genres get creative here, like the two RPGs are either set underwater or in the Wild West!

On the menu screen, you can also read descriptions of the games and instructions on how to play.  I do wish the instructions were more clear, though, as some of the games were harder to figure out.  The only other problem I had with the game is a more personal one.  The games just didn’t click with me like the ones in Retro Game Challenge and Arcade Paradise did with me.  They don’t feel like NES 8-bit games or arcade games.  Maybe more PC-ish, like the C64 or whatever.  I just thought I’d like them better. But that doesn’t mean the games are bad.  They are all of very good quality and you should find at least a few you’ll like.  Some of these games you’d even have to pay full price for on the eShop, but this game one gives you 50 for a low price, so it’s a good deal as well.  So if you like retro styled games, you should give this one a try.

Kid Factor:

UFO 50 is rated T for Teen with ESRB descriptors of Blood, Simulated Gambling, Use of Drugs, and Violence.  One of the games is a beat ‘em up with zombies, so there are blood and guts, and one other game is a point and click adventure murder mystery horror game.  There’s an alien racing game that’s like horse racing, so I guess that’s where the gambling comes in.  But there are plenty of other games on here that all ages can play.  So with a little parental supervision, I’d say younger kids can find something to like here, too.

Tags: Game Reviews