Zombie video games have been a popular subgenre of horror games for decades. It wasn't until the release of the first Resident Evil game in 1996 that zombie games truly exploded in popularity. Resident Evil, developed by Capcom, revitalized the genre and introduced players to the survival horror subgenre.
However, zombie games were relatively obscure before Resident Evil and mainly limited to arcade games such as 1995's Area 51 or 1993's Night Slashers. Despite the fact that now the most acclaimed zombie games are either part of the Resident Evil series or other franchises like The Last Of Us, many fans still hold dear pre-1996 games, as they paved the road of the zombie subgenre.
10 Area 51 (1995)
Area 51 is a first-person shooter that takes place at the infamous Area 51 military base. The game follows the story of a special forces team that is sent to investigate a mysterious virus outbreak at the base, which has turned the facility's personnel into bloodthirsty mutants.
Players must fight their way through a variety of levels, using a range of weapons and abilities to take down the monster hordes and uncover the truth behind the outbreak. The game's mix of horror and sci-fi elements, along with its impressive graphics for its time helped to establish it as a generally fan-liked game, but critics were severely placid about it.
9 Isle Of The Dead (1993)
Isle of the Dead is a first-person shooter set on a mysterious island where a lab-created virus has turned the inhabitants into zombies. Players assume the role of Jake Dunbar, a plane crash survivor who tries to investigate the island, armed with various weapons and special abilities.
The game features a non-linear structure, allowing players to explore the island and discover its secrets at their own pace. Isle of the Dead is known for its tense atmosphere and challenging gameplay, but fans were not impressed by its graphics and its dry story.
8 Horror Zombies From The Crypt (1990)
Horror Zombies from the Crypt is a classic survival horror game that was released in 1990. Players take on the role of Count Frederick Valdemar, who finds himself trapped in a crypt filled with zombies and other undead creatures.
The goal of the game is to navigate the labyrinthine crypt, avoiding the monsters and finding a way out. Along the way, players must solve puzzles and collect items to help them progress. The game's dark graphics and eerie sound effects create a tense and unsettling atmosphere, making it a beloved game among retro gaming enthusiasts, remembered as a pioneering example of survival horror gameplay.
7 Sweet Home (1989)
Sweet Home is a role-playing game that was released exclusively in Japan for the NES. The game follows the story of a film crew who becomes trapped in a haunted mansion while filming a documentary. Players must guide the crew through the mansion, battling ghosts and other supernatural creatures, and solving puzzles to uncover the truth behind the mansion's dark past.
Sweet Home is notable for its use of permadeath, which means that if a character dies during the course of the game, they cannot be revived. The game's complex storyline, challenging gameplay, and haunting atmosphere helped to establish it as a cult classic among RPG fans.
6 Ghoul Patrol (1994)
Ghoul Patrol is the sequel to Zombies Ate My Neighbors and follows the adventures of Zeke and Julie as they fight off an alien invasion and other types of monsters. The game features similar gameplay mechanics to its predecessor, with players once again taking on the roles of the two characters as they battle through hordes of enemies to save the world.
Ghoul Patrol features dangerous enemies, cool weapons, and new levels, making it a fresh and engaging gaming experience for fans of the original.
5 Night Slashers (1993)
Night Slashers is an arcade beat-'em-up game that follows the adventures of three monster hunters who are tasked with saving the world from an invasion of undead creatures. The game features a variety of weapons and special moves, as well as memorable bosses and environments.
Night Slashers is known for its action and pulse-pounding soundtrack, which combine to create a thrilling and immersive gaming experience. It was a commercial success, and many fans still consider it an undiscovered gem, as its horror elements and details make it the perfect zombie vintage game example.
4 Alone In The Dark 3 (1995)
Alone in the Dark 3 is a survival horror game that takes place in the Old West. Players assume the role of detective Edward Carnby, who is tasked with investigating a series of supernatural occurrences in the frontier town of Slaughter Gulch.
The game features a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, and is known for its tense atmosphere and spooky visuals. Players must use their arsenal of weapons to survive the dangerous encounters that await them and must be prepared for the radioactive monsters Slaughter Gulch hides. Alone in the Dark 3 is the first CD-ROM released game of the series, being faster and more responsive than its predecessor.
3 Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993)
Zombies Ate My Neighbors puts players in control of two characters, Zeke and Julie, who must rescue their neighbors from hordes of zombies and other monsters created by Doctor Tongue, a mad scientist.
The game features a variety of weapons and power-ups, as well as numerous levels and bosses. The colorful graphics, quirky humor, and challenging gameplay have made the game a beloved classic. Fans enjoyed the co-op mode, the music, and altogether the fun atmosphere the game offered.
2 Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge (1991)
LeChuck's Revenge is a point-and-click adventure game that follows the adventures of the charming yet bumbling protagonist Guybrush Threepwood, as he embarks on a quest to find the legendary treasure of Big Whoop. Although the game is not horror, it includes witty zombies that make the story fun and interesting.
The game is known for its humor, memorable characters, and beautiful artwork, which combined to create a compelling and immersive pirate-themed world. Players must solve a variety of puzzles and interact with a colorful cast of characters to progress through the game, making Monkey Island 2 an enduring classic.
1 Ghosts ’n Goblins (1985)
Ghosts 'n Goblins is a classic arcade game that has become a beloved franchise. The game follows the adventures of Arthur, a brave knight, who must fight his way through hordes of undead monsters to rescue his beloved princess. A unique feature about the game's damsel in distress is that she has multiple names depending on the translation. She is known as Prin-Prin, Guinevere, or simply as the princess.
The game is known for its iconic difficulty level, requiring players to master the game's tight controls and memorize enemy patterns to progress through the stages. Ghosts 'n Goblins also offers colorful graphics and catchy music, which have helped cement its place in gaming history.