Rockstar Games, the powerhouse behind the revolutionary Grand Theft Auto series, has an impressive lineup of titles that have shaped the gaming industry. This trip down memory lane will explore the first games ever released by Rockstar, namely Rockstar North, which at the time was known as DMA Design.
These early gems laid the foundation for the studio's future success and showcased their creativity across various genres and platforms. From battling alien invasions to guiding adorable critters and embarking on thrilling criminal escapades, these games paved the way for Rockstar's rise to fame.
10 Body Harvest (1998)
- Platform: Nintendo 64
- Genre: Action-Adventure
In Body Harvest, players found themselves amid a relentless alien invasion across different time periods. Armed with an array of weapons and vehicles, they fought to save humanity from extinction. With its open-world exploration and intense combat, the game offered a unique experience for Nintendo 64 owners.
Although it didn't receive as much attention as some of Rockstar's later releases, Body Harvest was praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and expansive environments. After all, who doesn't enjoy squashing a few bugs on their intergalactic vacation?
9 Grand Theft Auto (1997)
- Platform: PlayStation, PC
- Genre: Action-Adventure
The game that started it all! Grand Theft Auto burst onto the scene, introducing players to the thrilling world of criminal mischief. With its open-world sandbox and a multitude of missions, the game quickly became a cult classic, especially for gamers that were maybe legally too young to buy it. Players assumed the role of a small-time criminal, working their way up the criminal ladder by completing daring heists and evading the law.
While the initial release of Grand Theft Auto was a top-down 2D experience, it laid the groundwork for the famous 3D installments that would follow, such as GTA: Vice City and GTA: San Andreas. Stealing cars, causing chaos, and outwitting the authorities has never been so exhilarating!
8 Uniracers (1994)
- Platform: SNES
- Genre: Racing
Uniracers took a whimsical approach to the racing genre, featuring acrobatic unicycles competing in high-speed races. Players performed flips, jumps, and tricks in thrilling contests against opponents. The game's tight controls and addictive gameplay made it a favorite among racing enthusiasts.
Uniracers proved that sometimes all that is needed for a thrilling race is a unicycle and a touch of madness. Who knew racing on one wheel could be so entertaining?
7 All New World Of Lemmings (1994)
- Platform: Amiga, PC
- Genre: Puzzle
The Lemmings franchise reached new heights with All New World of Lemmings. Players assumed the role of a divine being, guiding a group of lovable and clueless Lemmings through perilous levels filled with traps and puzzles.
With its clever through-provoking level design that expanded on the series' previous entries and the classic Lemmings presentation, the game received critical acclaim for its addictive gameplay and brain-teasing challenges. Players soon learned that leading a pack of Lemmings to safety could be rewarding and also slightly terrifying.
6 Lemmings 2: The Tribes (1993)
- Platform: Amiga, Super Nintendo
- Genre: Puzzle
Building upon the success of the original Lemmings, Lemmings 2: The Tribes expanded the franchise with new levels, environments, and skills. Players embarked on a Lemming-filled adventure, utilizing various abilities to guide these adorable creatures to safety.
The game's quirky charm and addictive puzzle-solving gameplay captivated players and received widespread acclaim. Lemmings 2: The Tribes solidified the Lemmings' status as gaming icons, and their infectious march into fans' hearts had only just begun.
5 Hired Guns (1993)
- Platform: Amiga
- Genre: First-person shooter, Role-playing
Hired Guns thrust players into a futuristic sci-fi world, where they formed a team of mercenaries and engaged in intense combat against various enemies. The game was ahead of its time, combining elements of tactical first-person shooting with role-playing mechanics, allowing players to customize their characters and develop their skills. Think of it as 1993's Cyberpunk 2077, minus the game-breaking glitches.
With its atmospheric environments combining a multitude of differently styled locations, from dystopian wastelands to eerie underwater locales, and cooperative multiplayer mode, Hired Guns garnered positive reviews for its innovative blend of genres. It offered a unique and immersive experience for Amiga gamers seeking a thrilling and tactical adventure.
4 Walker (1993)
- Platform: Amiga
- Genre: Action
Walker was a top-down action game that put players in control of a massive bipedal war machine known as the Walker. Described in-game as 'the ultimate war weapon', players wreaked havoc across futuristic battlefields, obliterating everything in their path. Battling all the way from a war-torn Berlin in 1944, all the way to the far-flung future of 2420.
The game's fast-paced action, explosive firepower, and destructible environments, combined with fantastic atmosphere-enhancing backgrounds, received praise from critics and players alike. Walker proved to be a satisfying power trip, allowing players to stomp, blast, and annihilate their way through hordes of enemies. When in doubt, unleash the Walker and watch the world crumble!
3 Lemmings (1991)
- Platform: Amiga, PC, Atari ST, more
- Genre: Puzzle
The game that started the Lemmings craze! Lemmings captivated players with its charming and addictive gameplay. Players assumed the role of a deity, tasked with guiding a group of Lemmings through treacherous obstacles and traps.
With their limited abilities, players had to think strategically and make split-second decisions to ensure the Lemmings' survival. The game's now iconic level design, endearing characters that have stood the test of time, and innovative mechanics earned it critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Lemmings became a household name and spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.
2 Blood Money (1989)
- Platform: Amiga, Atari ST
- Genre: Shoot 'em up
Blood Money offered a classic shoot 'em up experience with a twist. Players took control of a futuristic spacecraft, battling hordes of enemy forces across diverse and challenging levels. What set Blood Money apart was its weapons system, allowing players to purchase and upgrade their arsenal, which included neutron bombs (which every game could use to be fair).
The game's intense action, stunning visuals, and memorable boss battles received positive reviews and solidified its status as one of Rockstar's early hits. Blood Money proved that sometimes the best way to save the world is by blasting everything in sight.
1 Menace (1988)
- Platform: Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64
- Genre: Shoot 'em up
Menace was Rockstar's very first game. This side-scrolling shoot 'em up plunged players into a futuristic battle against an alien menace. Armed with an advanced spacecraft and an array of powerful weapons, players fought their way through visually striking levels and epic boss encounters.
Menace laid the groundwork for Rockstar's future successes with its engaging gameplay and impressive visuals for its time. It may have been their humble beginning, but Menace showcased Rockstar's potential as a developer of thrilling and visually stunning games.