Before Resident Evil came out in 1996, these influential zombie games came out.
Since the 1980s, zombie games have been a popular subgenre of horror games. It wasn’t until 1996, when the first Resident Evil game came out, that zombie games really took off. Resident Evil, which was made by Capcom, brought the genre back to life and got people interested in the survival horror subgenre.
But before Resident Evil, zombie games were pretty rare and mostly only found in arcade games like Area 51 (1995) or Night Slashers (1993). Even though the most popular zombie games are now from the Resident Evil series or other franchises like The Last of Us, many fans still love games from before 1996 because they were the ones who started the zombie subgenre.
Area 51 (1995)
Area 51 is a first-person shooter set at the famous military base Area 51. The story of the game is about a team of special forces that is sent to investigate a mysterious virus outbreak at a base that has turned the people who work there into bloodthirsty mutants.
Players have to fight their way through different levels and use a variety of weapons and skills to get rid of the monster hordes and find out what caused the outbreak. The game’s mix of horror and science fiction, as well as its impressive graphics for the time, made it popular with fans, but critics were very quiet about it.
Isle Of The Dead (1993)
Isle of the Dead is a first-person shooter that takes place on a strange island where a virus made in a lab has turned the people who live there into zombies. Players take on the role of Jake Dunbar, a survivor of a plane crash who tries to find out more about an island using different weapons and special skills.
The game doesn’t go in a straight line, so players can explore the island and find out what’s on it at their own pace. Isle of the Dead is known for its scary atmosphere and challenging gameplay, but its graphics and story didn’t impress fans.
Horror Zombies From The Crypt (1990)
Horror Zombies from the Crypt is a survival horror game that has been around for a long time. It came out in 1990. Players take on the role of Count Frederick Valdemar, who is stuck in a crypt with zombies and other undead creatures.
The goal of the game is to find a way out of the maze-like crypt while avoiding the monsters. Players have to solve puzzles and find things to help them move forward. The game’s dark graphics and creepy sound effects make for a tense and unsettling atmosphere. Fans of old video games love it because it was one of the first survival horror games.
Sweet Home (1989)
Sweet Home is a role-playing game that came out only for the NES in Japan. The story of the game is about a film crew that is making a documentary and gets stuck in a haunted mansion. Players must lead the crew through the mansion, fighting ghosts and other supernatural beings and solving puzzles to find out what happened in the dark past of the mansion.
Permadeath is a feature of Sweet Home that makes it stand out. This means that if a character dies during the game, they can’t come back to life. The game became a cult classic among RPG fans because of its complicated story, challenging gameplay, and creepy atmosphere.
Ghoul Patrol (1994)
In Ghoul Patrol, which is the sequel to Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Zeke and Julie continue their adventures as they try to stop an alien invasion and other kinds of monsters. The game is a lot like its predecessor in terms of how it is played. Players take on the roles of the two main characters and fight through hordes of enemies to save the world.
Ghoul Patrol has dangerous enemies, cool weapons, and new levels, so fans of the first game will find it fresh and fun to play.
Night Slashers (1993)
Night Slashers is an arcade beat-em-up game about three monster hunters who have to stop an invasion of undead creatures from taking over the world. The game has a wide range of weapons and special moves, as well as bosses and settings that stand out.
Night Slashers is known for its action and heart-pounding music, which make for an exciting and immersive game. It was a commercial success, and many fans still think of it as a hidden gem because its horror elements and details make it the perfect example of a zombie-themed old game.
Alone In The Dark 3 (1995)
Survival horror game Alone in the Dark 3 takes place in the Old West. Players take on the role of detective Edward Carnby, who is sent to the frontier town of Slaughter Gulch to look into a series of supernatural events.
The game has a mix of exploring, solving puzzles, and fighting, and it is known for its tense mood and creepy graphics. Players must use all of their weapons to survive the dangerous situations they will face, and they must be ready for the radioactive monsters that live in Slaughter Gulch. Alone in the Dark 3 is the first game in the series to come out on CD-ROM. It is faster and more responsive than the game that came before it.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993)
In Zombies Ate My Neighbors, players take control of Zeke and Julie, two characters who have to save their neighbors from hordes of zombies and other monsters made by a mad scientist named Doctor Tongue.
The game has many levels and bosses, as well as different weapons and power-ups. The game is a classic because of its bright graphics, strange humor, and hard gameplay. Fans liked the game’s co-op mode, music, and the overall fun atmosphere it gave.
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge (1991)
LeChuck’s Revenge is a point-and-click adventure game that follows Guybrush Threepwood as he goes on a quest to find the legendary treasure of Big Whoop. Guybrush is a charming but clumsy main character. Even though the game is not scary, the zombies are funny and make the story more interesting.
Eggy Car game is known for its funny jokes, memorable characters, and beautiful art, all of which come together to make a pirate-themed world that is interesting and fun to explore. Monkey Island 2 is a classic game because players have to solve puzzles and talk to a colorful cast of characters to move through the game.
Ghosts ’n Goblins (1985)
Ghosts ‘n Goblins is a popular arcade game that has been around for many years. The game tells the story of Arthur, a brave knight who must fight his way through hordes of undead monsters to save his beloved princess. The game’s damsel in distress has different names depending on which language it is translated into. This is something that makes her stand out. People call her “Prin-Prin,” “Guinevere,” or just “the princess.”
The game is famous for its difficult level, which requires players to master the tight controls and remember the patterns of the enemies in order to move through the stages. Ghosts ‘n Goblins also has bright graphics and catchy music, which have helped it become one of the most famous games ever.
