In the majority of linear 2D games, the player character has to travel from left to right (Mario, Sonic, R-Type, Double Dragon, etc.) or from bottom to top (Commando, Ikari Warriors, Xevious, Road Fighter, etc.). This got me thinking about games where this is reversed. Honestly, I can’t think of too many examples.
Lunar Lander-style games come to mind.
Also, Taito’s Jungle Hunt.
Sure, there are some games where you travel in an unconventonal direction for a bit (Streets of Rage’s final level and every other level in Kung Fu Master, for example), but games where you exclusively travel from right to left or from top to bottom seem to be quite rare.
Oh man, this game makes me laugh… the c64 is hilariously bad, as you need to have almost pixel perfect jumps to clear the fireballs. It’s extremely unforgiving.
I do like the Coleco and TRS-80 versions though, they are fun.
Abbadox for the NES had normal horizontal scrolling levels but the vertical scrolling levels all scroll from top to bottom. This game was tough as nails but I really loved all the body horror. I got for it for Christmas in second grade. Glad I got a Game Genie the same year.
You control a mech left and right, and aim your guns with the mouse. Really awesome concept for the time, and it’s animation and sounds were really satisfying.
I only ever had the demo for my Amiga when I was a kid, but I always thought it was a cool game.
Heavily influenced by Forgotten Worlds by the looks of things.
Pitfall which managed to come out on pretty much everything at the time had left and right scrolling. I often wondered if going one way was meant to be harder than the other.
