31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 18 Rez on the Dreamcast (2001) This musical rail shooter has rather an experimental feel to it, but is certainly an exceptionally well crafted game that deserves to be experienced. Minimalist storytelling, but reasonable fun nonetheless.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 17 Cybernoid on the ZX Spectrum (1988) Arguably Raffaele Cecco’s best game on the Spectrum, this flick screen shooter requires a little more thought and considered approach, rather than the twitch gaming of most shooters. Looks great and plays better.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 16 Goldrunner on the Atari ST (1987) This looks like a fairly standard vertically scrolling shooter, and it is and was even then. But for gamers upgrading from 8 bit home machines, the speed, graphics and music were arcade quality in the home.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 15 Axelay on the SNES (1992) A nice little shooter that mixes up horizontal and vertical stages with some nice Mode 7 graphics and a unique weapons upgrade system that requires an element of management, Axelay is one of the better SNES shooters.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 14 Deathsmiles on the XBox 360 (2009) Gothic imagery and rather worrying cute anime girls combine in this bullet hell shooter from Cave that first appeared in Japanese arcades in 2007. Not everyone’s cuppa, as the difficulty level is high.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 13 Vulcan Venture in the Arcade (1988) The best of the Gradius series, this is the second game and boasts better weapon upgrades, a fantastic soundtrack and some inspired level design. Utterly wonderful.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 12 Soldier Blade on the PC Engine (1992) Soldier Blade isn’t the most original vertically scrolling shoot em up ever created, even on the PC Engine which had its fair share of shooters, but equally it doesn’t do anything wrong either. Unoriginal but good

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 11 Ikaruga on the Dreamcast (2002) A Japanese vertical scroller that was only available via import, Ikaruga eschews power ups, instead allowing you to absorb enemies bullets, depend on your set polarity, to power up your weapons.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 10 Apidya on the Amiga (1992) An odd horizontal shooter where you don’t fly a spaceship or an aircraft, but a wasp. The level design is interesting at the very least, and the mechanics are similar to Gradius. Odd, but one of the better shooters available

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 9 River Raid on the Atari 2600 (1982) River Raid is not only a great shoot em up, inspired by the arcade game Scramble, but it’s one of the earliest games to have a female programmer in an era that it was unheard of. Carol Shaw’s game is still a classic.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 8 Einhänder on the PS1 (1997) A traditional horizontal shooter with a few gameplay bells and whistles and some nice 3D graphics, but the game still limits your movement to the 3D plane. Fun and well made, but still a traditional shooter at heart.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 7 Twin Cobra in the Arcade (1987) A good example of how arcade shooters had developed in the years after single screen shooters. Vertically scrolling, you fly your helicopter over land and sea destroying enemies and collecting various power ups.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 6 Arcadia on the ZX Spectrum (1982) An early single screen shooter that drew on games like Space Invaders and Galaxian and became one of the first must have games on the Speccy, and showed that software house could create games that matched that arcade.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 5 Sanxion on the C64 (1986) One of the better side scrolling shooters that the C64 was renowned for, and one of the few where the scrolling speed was controlled rather than fixed. Good visuals, excellent music, and a challenging play. Decent.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 4 Space Megaforce on the SNES (1992) Despite the unimaginative title, this is actually the US release of Super Aleste. Possibly the best of the Aleste series, it’s a decent vertical shooter with a good power up system.

31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 2 Sidewinder on the Amiga (1988) An early Amiga title, and a budget one too, that was a vertically scrolling shoot em up with impressive visuals for the time and budget, especially in the explosions of ground targets. Simple but still playable.

In honour of 2026 being the 45th anniversary of Galaga, Jan 2026 is.. 31 Days of Shmups - Video Game Edition Day 1 Moon Patrol in the Arcade (1982) A classic from the Golden Age of Arcades added a side scrolling element to the shmup genre. Guide your moon buggy whilst shooting UFOs.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 31 Batman: The Telltale Series on PS3 (2016) Batman gets the Telltale Games treatment, which is a welcome departure from the more action orientated genres that he usual inhabits. Great game mechanics, but a lacklustre plot and a few bugs detract.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 30 Turok Dinosaur Hunter on the Nintendo 64 (1997) A popular game based on a little know comic character who first appeared in 1956. This FPS was one of the best of the N64 and involved battling both humans and dinosaurs in an interactive environment.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 29 Questprobe: Featuring Human Torch and The Thing on the C64 (1985) An old school style text adventure starring two of the Fantastic scour characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961. Very tricky puzzles make this one for Marvel junkies only.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 28 Lucky Luke on the PS1 (1998) Created by Belgian cartoonist Morris in 1946, who collaborated with Rene Goscinny from 1955, Lucky Luke is an affectionate parody of Westerns and the game leans into that a lot, but may be a little too easy for adult fans.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 27 Jim Lee’s WildC.A.T.S on the SNES (1995) A lackluster side scrolling beat em up based on a lackluster early 90s comic by Jim Lee. Whilst nicely presented, it doesn’t do anything we’ve not seen before. Like the comic, it’s largely been forgotten.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 26 Tintin on the Moon on the Amiga (1989) The famous character as created by Hergé in 1929 stars in his first videogame based on both Destination Moon and Explorers on the Moon. The game has two sections, getting to the moon and rescuing the crew.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 25 Superman: Shadow of Apokolips on the GameCube (2003) The most recognisable comic superhero has suffered in video game form, and this one, whilst better than most, isn’t quite up to it. It looks great, but the control method lets it down.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 24 Nemesis the Warlock on the ZX Spectrum (1987) Based on the 2000AD strip by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill, Nemesis is a single screen platform shooter wherein Nemesis has to kill a number of enemies and reach the exit, climbing over dead bodies to do so

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 23 The Rocketeer on the SNES (1992) The Rocketeer was created by Dave Stevens in 1982 who was inspired by Saturday morning movie serials like Commander Cody. The game follows the 1991 movie plot with different game genres, but also has comic interludes.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 22 The Wolf Among Us on PS3 (2013) Based on Bill Willingham’s Fables series, this game is a graphic adventure from Telltale Games where you play Bigby, once known as the Big Bad Wolf investigating a series of murders in Fabletown.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 21 Viz: The Game on the Atari ST (1991) Featuring a number of characters from the comic created in 1979 by Chris Donald, Viz is a simple racing game that’s little more than an obstacle course for the characters. Nice presentation, but little gameplay.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 20 Captain America: Super Solider on XBox 360 (2011) Today marks Captain America’s 85th birthday, being created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appearing in Captain America Comics #1. A third person beat em up, it’s a decent game if nothing special

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 19 Spy vs Spy on the PS2 (2005) Playing much like the 80s games, Sou vs Spy is a 3D update of those games, based on the famous wordless comic strip in Mad Magazine, first created by Antonio Prohias in 1961. Certainly one for fans to try out.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 18 Asterix and Obelix on the SNES (1996) One of the best Asterix games based on the famous creation of Goscinny and Uderzo in 1959, is successful because, whilst it’s a side scrolling beat em up, it brings the charm and humour of the series into it.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 17 Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday on the Amiga (1990) Based on the famous 1929 character created by Philip Francis Nowlan and utilising the TSR gold box engine that had seen a number of D&D relases, Countdown has little of Buck in it, but is fun.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 16 Slaine on the ZX Spectrum (1987) Based on the character from 2000AD created by Pat Mills and Angela Kincaid, Slaine is a graphic adventure wherein commands have to be plucked from the screen as thy float in and out. A good game despite the controls.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 15 Roy of the Rovers on the C64 (1988) Created in 1954, Roy of the Rovers was the premier British sports comic for almost 40 years, and Roy became an iconic character. His only video game is a terrible game that is poorly programmed and is of little fun.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 14 Dick Tracy on the Megadrive (1991) Based more on the 1990 movie than the original comic created by Chester Gould in 1931, Dick Tracy is still a pretty decent beat em up game with some fun shooter elements.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 13 Spider-Man on the PS1 (2000) The first 3D Spider-Man game is still one of the best representations of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s iconic character. Based on the 90s cartoon series, this game features voice actors from that cast.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 12 Dredd vs Death on the XBox (2003) The legendary future lawman in his best game, a first person shooter wherein Dredd fights against Judge Death and the Dark Judges. It’s not without its flaws, but it captures the feel of the comic well enough.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 11 Action Force II: International Heroes on the ZX Spectrum (1988) A shooting game based on the British Action Force comics, which was the UK equivalent of GI Joe. Provide covering fire for another hero as he attempts to rescue hostages.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 10 The Tick on the SNES (1994) For a comic that was meant to be a parody of superheroes, as created by Ben Godley in 1986, The Tick video game is a mediocre side scrolling beat em up that shows little of the bizarre and surreal nature of the character.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 9 Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel’s Castle on the ColecoVision (1982) Still one of the best Smurf games, despite its age, based on the Belgian comic created by Peyo in 1958. You need to guide your Smurf through journey to Gargamal’s castle to rescue Smurfette.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 8 Garfield: Big, Fat, Hairy Deal on the Amiga (1988) The first Garfield game (if we ignore an earlier educational title) based on the famous comic strip by Jim Davis. An arcade adventure in which Garfied has to rescue his girlfriend from the cat pound.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 7 Danger Girl on the PS1 (2000) Based on the J Scott Campbell comic, Danger Girl is a rather mediocre third person shooter starring the titular (no pun) Danger Girl and her friends. Fun enough, but really another missed opportunity.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 6 XIII on the Gamecube (2003) Based on the first five volumes of the Belgian comic, this is a first person shooter where you play an amnesiac man who is searching for clues to his identity. Great cel shaded graphics, but unbalanced gameplay.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 5 Andy Capp on the C64 (1987) Star of the long running Daily Mirror comic strip, Andy Capp is a perfect realisation of Andy’s world as he has to make it through the week getting enough money to give to his long suffering wife.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 4 Comix Zone on the Megadrive (1995) A nifty little variation on the standard side scrolling beat em up as this time you are doing it in the panels of a comic book. You can slam enemies against panel walls and rip though pages with special moves.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 3 Spawn on SNES (1995) The first video game to star Todd McFarlane’s hit character is rather an uninspired side scrolling beat em up, even if the graphics and levels are a cut above other games of this style. More could’ve been done with the character.

31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 2 Dan Dare III: The Escape on the ZX Spectrum (1990) The famous Pilot of the Future from the 1950s Eagle comic in his third outing is an incredible technological achievement on the humble Spectrum with large colourful graphics and fast paced gameplay.

December marks the 85th anniversary of Captain America, so this month is.. 31 Days of Comics - Video Game Edition Day 31 Marvel Super Heroes in the Arcade (1995) One of the best superhero based one on one fighting games, Marvel Super Heroes brings in ten Marvel heroes and villains to do battle.

30 Days of Simulations - Video Game Edition Day 30 Sim City 2000 on the PC (1993) The best version of the original city building game is still a classic and a major time sink even today. An improvement in a ways over the original Sim City, this is the game that made city buildings a huge genre.

30 Days of Simulations - Video Game Edition Day 29 World of Tanks on XBox 360 (2014) The popular online tank fighting game comes to XBox 360 with a reduced compliment of tanks to play, but with all the exciting online play of the original. It makes a nice change from all the online FPS games.