Lost to antiquity: Games that have aged badly

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Some games stand the test of time. These didn't.

Tempest (arcade)
How glad we are that games have progressed from this. Wireframe visuals, terrible sound effects… games like this can still be awesome (just look at Geometry Wars), but buying this on Xbox Live is a sad experience. Anticipation turns to bewilderment, then to disappointment and finally to loathing. Yuk.

Gauntlet (arcade, NES)
One of those games where the name alone is enough to instil awe and wonder at the magic of gaming. Or rather, it was in 1985. Forget the recent remake which was awful enough in itself – the original is now laughable. “You are full of bombs and/or keys” Well which one is it? And what’s the actual aim of the game? Seriously, the arcade original has no end. Ever. So what’s the point?

Above: You wouldn't believe it was the same game you loved as a kid, would you?

Double Dragon (Arcade, NES, Master System etc)
Time's changed just three letters in our opinion of Double Dragon, but they make all the difference.

Then: uber cool.
Now: uber crap.

Justin Towell
Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.