• Gods and Devils
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Beat ‘em Up
Players: 1–2
• Description - The original name is Tian Wang Xiang Mo Zhuan. Chinese beat 'em up based on mythology. There is a choice of 4 characters.
• Co-op Experience - Two players work together to beat down all enemies.
• Xybots
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1–2
• Description - A very impressive NES port of the arcade game with a pseudo-3D third-person perspective.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously in split screen, progressing through levels together.
• Tagin’ Dragon
Release Date: Unlicensed
Genre: Action / Maze
Players: 1–2
• Description - A maze-based game where you fight other dragons by simply walking into them. It’s a simple concept, but the execution is very poor.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, moving through the maze together.
• Rock Ball
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1–2
• Description - A maze-based puzzle game where you push balls into specific locations and use them to defeat enemies. It’s simple, but surprisingly fun and one of the better unlicensed games.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, moving through levels together.
• Magic Tower
Release Date: 1993 (or 94)
Genre: Puzzle / Action
Players: 1–2
• Description - A single-screen game based around rock, paper, scissors mechanics. You switch forms by grabbing upgrades and use the correct one to defeat enemies. It’s a unique idea, but not executed very well.
• Co-op Experience - Two players each control their own character and work on clearing the enemies.
• Krazy Kreatures
Release Date: 1991
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1–2
• Description - A fast-paced puzzle game where you move a cursor and match animals. It doesn’t look very interesting at first, but it’s actually very addictive once you play it.
• Co-op Experience - Each player takes control of their own cursor and work together to match the animals.
• Gaiapolis
Release Date: 1994
Genre: Action
Players: 1–2
• Description - A vertical-style beat ’em up that looks good in screenshots, but the gameplay is very clunky and not good.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, progressing through stages together.
• Final Fight 3
Release Date: 1995
Genre: Beat ’em Up
Players: 1–2
• Description - A bootleg NES port of the Super Nintendo game. This is actually very impressive with full combos, playable characters, and solid visuals. There is slowdown and flicker, but it’s still one of the best unlicensed games.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, fighting through stages together.
• Dudes with Attitude
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Puzzle Platformer
Players: 1–2
• Description - Also known as Trolls on Treasure Island, this is a weird game where you control bouncing heads wearing sunglasses and collect jewels. The gameplay can be hard to get the hang of.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play at the same time each controlling their own head.
• Double Strike
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Shoot ’em Up
Players: 1–2
• Description - Double Strike is also known as Twin Eagle. But different from the officially licensed game with the same name. It’s a standard horizontal shooter.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, controlling separate ships.
• Death Race
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Vehicle Combat
Players: 1–2
• Description - A top down vehicle combat game where players drive armored cars, running over pedestrians, and upgrade their vehicles.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously in their own vehicle.
• C.J. the Elephant
Release Date: 1991
Genre: Platformer
Players: 1–2
• Description - C.J. the Elephant is a side-scrolling platformer with large open levels.
• Co-op Experience - Two players control their own elephant and platform through stages.
• Chiller
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Light Gun Shooter
Players: 1–2
• Description - Chiller is a controversial light gun game where players shoot targets in a torture chamber setting.
• Co-op Experience - Two players use light guns simultaneously to shoot targets.
• Baby Boomer
Release Date: 1989
Genre: Light Gun Shooter
Players: 1–2
• Description - Baby Boomer is a light gun shooter where players protect a crawling baby by shooting enemies on screen.
• Co-op Experience - One player control uses a cursor, the other a light gun. Both players work together to clear a path for the baby.
• Alien Syndrome
Release Date: 1989
Genre: Run and Gun
Players: 1–2
• Description - Alien Syndrome is a top-down shooter where players explore space stations, rescue hostages, and fight alien enemies.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, moving through stages together.
Gauntlet
Release Date: 1987
Genre: Dungeon Crawler
Players: 1–2
• Description - Gauntlet is a top-down dungeon crawler where players explore mazes, defeat enemies, and manage health resources.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, navigating dungeons together.
• Master Chu & the Drunkard Hu
Release Date: 1989
Genre: Action Platformer
Players: 1–2
• Description - A side-scrolling kung fu game where you search for hidden items and fight enemies. Overall, it’s just not a very good game.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, progressing through levels together.
• Mission Cobra
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Shoot ’em Up
Players: 1–2
• Description - Also known as Sidewinder, this is a vertical shooter that feels very generic and mediocre.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously, flying together.
• Ms. Pac-Man (Tengen)
Release Date: 1990
Genre: Arcade
Players: 1–2
• Description - Tengen’s version of Ms. Pac-Man includes a simultaneous two-player mode, unlike the licensed NES version.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously on the same maze.
• Skull & Crossbones
Release Date: 1991
Genre: Action Platformer
Players: 1–2
• Description - A pirate-themed platformer where you fight enemies and move through stages. The game uses split screen, but the second player only appears as shoes on your screen, which is strange. Overall, it’s not very good.
• Co-op Experience - Two players play simultaneously in split screen.