Mid-generation hardware upgrades are nothing new in gaming. Whether it’s the Sega 32X for the Mega Drive or the PlayStation 5 Pro, companies have often looked for ways to extend the lifespan of their consoles. The Amiga 1200, released in 1992, was a similar leap forward. With its improved chipset, it supported up to 256 colors on screen at once, packed in 2MB of RAM, and ran on a 32-bit processor. Many games took advantage of these upgrades, improving both visuals and gameplay. Here’s a look at ten titles that made the most of the Amiga 1200’s enhancements, as selected by Zoidberg, host of UK Gaming Network.
Rick Dangerous (2023 Remake)
Rick Dangerous was a go-to platformer for many Amiga players, known for its tricky gameplay and charming visuals. The 2023 remake by Zed Team gave it a striking graphical overhaul, making it one of the best-looking versions of the game. Unfortunately, the controls were altered, and moving feels less responsive than in the original. With no option to revert to the classic control scheme, this version, while visually impressive, doesn’t quite match the playability of its predecessor.
Turrican II (2022 Remake)
Unlike Rick Dangerous, the 2022 remake of Turrican II keeps everything about the gameplay intact while delivering a stunning visual upgrade. The expanded color palette makes a huge difference, especially in the gradient-shaded sky of the opening level. The original soundtrack, composed by Chris Hülsbeck, remains untouched, ensuring the experience is as immersive as ever. This remake is based on the PC version and is available on Itch.io under a pay-what-you-want model.
Nick Faldo’s Championship Golf
The original Amiga 500 version of Nick Faldo’s Championship Golf, developed by Arc Developments, was a solid golf game, though the visuals left something to be desired. The enhanced Amiga 1200 and CD32 version, developed by Images, takes full advantage of the improved hardware. The courses look much more detailed, and the color depth makes for a far more realistic experience. If you’re looking for one of the best golf games on the platform, this is a great choice.
Shadow Fighter
Among the many Street Fighter II-inspired games on the Amiga, Shadow Fighter stands out, particularly on the Amiga 1200. The Amiga 500 version suffered from dull colors and lacked polish. The 1200 version, however, looks significantly better and plays smoothly, making it one of the best one-on-one fighting games available on the system.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Based on the hit movie, Jurassic Park for the Amiga 1200 improves on the Amiga 500 version by making the environments richer in detail and giving the dinosaurs a more distinct presence. But the real highlight is the addition of first-person shooting segments, which were absent from the original version. These levels add a level of tension that still holds up, thanks in part to the game’s atmospheric music.
Jetstrike
Like Wings of Fury, Jetstrike requires players to master complex aircraft controls, making crashes an inevitable part of the learning process. The Amiga 500 version was already enjoyable, but the enhanced Amiga 1200 and CD32 release adds a ton of graphical improvements. The backgrounds are more detailed, and the game includes digitized speech for radio communications, adding another layer of immersion.
Civilization
Sid Meier’s Civilization is one of the greatest strategy games ever made, and the Amiga 1200 version makes it even better. The additional colors improve the interface and in-game graphics, while the extra memory allows the game to run slightly faster than it did on the Amiga 500. If you’re in the mood for a deep, time-consuming strategy game, this is a top pick.
Alien Breed II
The Alien Breed series was hugely popular on the Amiga, but Alien Breed II was a letdown for many players. The opening level is notoriously frustrating, and unfortunately, the Amiga 1200 version doesn’t fix that. However, the upgraded visuals make everything much clearer, with more detailed backgrounds and better-defined alien designs. If you’re planning to play this game, skipping the first level might be a wise move.
Exile
Audiogenic’s Exile is an open-ended exploration game that provides little in the way of guidance. It took many players years to truly appreciate its depth. The Amiga 1200 version features a huge graphical upgrade, making every detail look significantly sharper. It also supports the CD32 gamepad, making controls feel smoother.
Simon The Sorcerer
Point-and-click adventure games thrive on atmosphere, and the Amiga 1200 version of Simon the Sorcerer delivers that in spades. The original Amiga 500 release was limited to 32 colors, but the enhanced version jumps to 256, making everything look far more vibrant. Even better, the CD32 version includes full voice acting, featuring Chris Barrie (best known for Red Dwarf). His performance adds another level of personality to the game’s already witty script.
Final Thoughts
The Amiga 1200 gave developers a chance to breathe new life into existing games, improving graphics, sound, and sometimes gameplay. While some upgrades were purely cosmetic, others significantly changed how a game felt. Whether you’re looking for a classic adventure, a strategy challenge, or an action-packed platformer, these ten enhanced titles are a great way to experience the best of what the Amiga 1200 had to offer.
Zoidberg, host of UK Gaming Network, shared these picks based on his personal experiences with these games. If there are any titles you think should have been included, let us know!
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- Title: 10 Amiga 1200 Enhanced Games That Took Full Advantage of the Hardware
- Meta Description: Discover ten Amiga 1200 games that made the most of the upgraded hardware, featuring improved graphics, better controls, and enhanced gameplay.
- Keywords: Amiga 1200, Amiga games, retro gaming, Commodore Amiga, Amiga upgrades, classic gaming, Amiga 1200 enhanced games
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