Obscured PC Titles I Never Heard of But I'm Interested

๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux + ๐ŸŽฎ Steam Deck compatibility
From the late eighties to present
The PC games you probably never heard of or not a lot of players talk about it. I update this list frequently. Here, you'll find games info along with links (including interviews and videos), Linux compatibility (including Steam Deck), and more! If you happen to play a certain game on Linux and/or Steam Deck and found the suggested settings, let me know!
The updates archive list will be posted soon.

๐Ÿ“ฆ๏ธ 400+ titles found and listed! (as of Apr 16th, 2024)

โš ๏ธ NOTICE:
โ— (New feature 05/12/24) Playability for non-Japanese people is a feature which shows you how the game is playable for those who don't understand Japanese.

โ— (in-progress) I am currently making the Steam Deck Playability and Settings list here on Backloggd. It will be published as soon as I feel it's ready! The reason why I decided to make this list is to make the game's notes here less messy and shorter. The list I'm making shows all of the settings I've made were thoroughly tested by myself. I am also welcoming users with suggestions on whatever the game they own. The list will be frequently updated.

๐Ÿ“ƒ ๐Ÿ”— Titles not listed on IGDB List (Update frequently) (Google Docs - Online Spreadsheet)
Last Update: Mar 31 '24 ๐ŸŒ™

โ—๏ธ MangoHud info (Linux only): For more info on how to install and use MangoHud, see the GitHub page: ๐Ÿ”— LINK You do not need to install it again on Steam Deck, as it's already pre-installed though you can edit the .conf file while in Desktop mode.

โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•
Latest update: (โœณ๏ธ = not listed on IGDB) (๐ŸŒŸ = MiyaKa's Favorite!)
โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•
27 May '24
Added the new titles to this list:
โ— Horgihugh
โ— Koi
โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•
26 May '24
Added the new titles to this list:
โ— Dextram
โ— Killjoy Hunter Yuuko

Updated the notes to the following titles:
โ— Banshiryuu (added JP name)
โ— Harpoon Shooter Nozomi (Linux and Steam Deck compatibility)
โ— Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade (notes about Steam version)
โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•
19 May '24 (I haven't updated that much for couple of days due to being sick, but now I'm back!)
Added the new titles to this list:
โ— Bike Banditz
โ— Blaze & Blade: Eternal Quest
โ— Demon Hunter Mai
โ— The Queen of Heart '98
โ— The Queen of Heart '99: Dream Match Never Ends
โ— The Queen of Heart 2001 ~Party's Breaker~

Updated the notes to following titles:
โ— Erst Kerf (added info)
โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•โ€•

๐Ÿ”— Links underlined. The national flags represents where the game is made from. The colored circles represents the rarity.

The following titles I removed from this list (w/ reason):
โ€ข Black Crypt (Amiga exclusive)
โ€ข PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo (โœณ๏ธ)
โ€ข Sixtar Gate: STARTRAIL (โœณ๏ธ)
โ€ข Total Annihilation (โœณ๏ธ)
โ€ข Touhou Gensou Mahjong (not released on PC yet; originally Japan-only Nintendo Switch exclusive. No English language support, sadly.)

โœณ๏ธ = Doesn't feel obscured as I thought, judging by the games' estimated ownership and Twitch all-time peak stats (Steam releases only; info taken from SteamDB.info).

Key Legend:
โš ๏ธ = Warning (one thing to be aware of)
๐Ÿšฉ = Warning (Red Flag)
๐ŸŒ = Country of origin unknown (not sure where the game is made from)
๐ŸŒŸ = MiyaKa's Favorite Game (my personal favorite)

Rarity:
๐ŸŸข = Common (accessible)
๐ŸŸก = Uncommon
๐ŸŸ  = Rare
๐Ÿ”ด = Very rare (or extremely rare)
โŒ = Impossible (discontinued or no real copies existed)
โ” = Unknown

1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Simulation - Dating Sim
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95 and Mac
โ” Retail (Japan only)

This installment of Graduation series focus solely in live action rather than anime.
1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Action - Run n Gun; Multidirectional
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail
1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
2020 Fan-made remake
Genre: Action - Fighting; 2D
DOS (Original); Windows PC (Fan-made)
โŒ Retail (South Korea only)
๐ŸŸข Fan-made remake via ๐Ÿ”— Itch.io (Currently Beta, but playable)


History:
Originally planned to release as an Neo Geo MVS (arcade) game, but it was never released. It went instead release it on 3DO and DOS PC solely for South Korean market. As of today, both versions are extremely rare.

Decades later, Pico Interactive have acquired the rights of this game. Unfortunately, like the original, a re-release version had a very limited release and only pre-ordered exclusively via Limited Run Games.

It's not all doom and gloom though! There is fan-made remake on Itch.io subtitled "Tsunami Edition / Saiki". Currently, it's still beta but playable. The page says it is not a direct port of the original. Rather, a complete overhaul based on the graphics and sound material designed by Viccom. While not an actual 1996 build, it's a rather interesting remake to say the least. You can play either a native PC port or emulation.
1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Adventure - Point & Click
JP Name: Death Mask (PlayStation and Saturn title)
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS, Macintosh
โ”Retail (NA/EU)
1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ
Genre: Action - Rail Shooter
๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ DOS
โŒ Retail (Asia and Poland only)

๐Ÿ—’ NOTES: The game's cover used on IGDB is the Polish version.

โ—‰ About this game:
A budget Virtua Cop. Made by same developer who brought us Sideline.

A year later, the game receives a re-release version under the name, A.D Cop: Overseas Mission. It was sold with a LightGun, featuring enhanced menu graphics and a new level.

๐Ÿ“ผ Videos:
๐Ÿ”— 1CC Run by QuakedoomNukem
๐Ÿ”— Overseas Mission 1CC Run by QuakedoomNukem
Expansion pack for 'Hexen'.
1995 Release; 1996 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Edutainment/Flight Simulation
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 3.X (or later)
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (NA only)

Originally 3DO console exclusive. A tie-in to the 1995 documentary on Discovery Channel. Game produced in Japan, but only released in North America (US and Canada).
1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Adventure - Point & Click
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95, Mac
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (Japanese exclusive)

โ” Playability for non-Japanese people:
โšช Unknown
1995 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
Genre: Roleplaying & RTS Hybrid
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โŒ Retail (South Korean-only)

โ—‰ About this game:
As what the description suggests, it's a totally unknown RPG with real-time strategy hybrid.

Not to be confused with the late-PS3 kusoge (rubbish game) with the same name.
1995 Release; 2023 Digital re-release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Action - Rail Shooter
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail; ๐ŸŸข Digital - Steam
1995 Release; 1998 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
JP Name: ๅนปๆƒณๆฐดๆปธไผ (Genso Suikoden)
Genre: Roleplaying - Turn-Based; JRPG
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (Japan and South Korea only)

โ—‰ About this game:
Very well known on PlayStation, but not so much on Sega Saturn and Windows PC. The PC Port is developed by Media Entertainment Inc. and produced by Konami Computer Games Aoyama.
1995 Release; 1996 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Action - Rail Shooter
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (NA/EU/JP)

Originally PlayStation exclusive. A year later, it was ported to Windows 95 by Kinesoft Software Development and Digital Dialect under the name Zeitgeist.
1995 Release; 1996 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Puzzle - Matching; Action Puzzle
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
โ” Retail (Japan-only)

โ—‰ About this game:
Action puzzle spin-off of Tokimeki Memorial series. Port of arcade game; based off PS1 version. PC port developed by Konami Computer Games Aoyama (which later merged with KCEJ and renamed to KCEJ West).
1995 Release; 1996 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Vehicular Combat - Automobile
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
โ” Retail (Japan only)

โ—‰ About this game:
Largely remembered as PlayStation original game, but this port is widely not known. What's weird is, despite the game originally developed by American studio, this version was only released in Japan.
1995 Release; 1996 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Action Strategy
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 3.X (or later), Macintosh
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (NA only)

Originally 3DO console exclusive. An action strategy game with shooter and puzzle elements. It also contains a level editor made exclusive to PC version.

A sequel was planned for 3DO as well, but it was cancelled. A video footage exists on YouTube.
1995 Release; 1997 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Simulation - Dating Sim
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
โ” Retail (Japan-only)

โ—‰ About this game:
A port of PS1/Saturn enhanced version. PC port developed by Konami Computer Games Aoyama (which later merged with KCEJ and renamed to KCEJ West). Sadly, no English fan translation existed for this version, leaving only the down-scaled Super Famicom (SNES) version translated (under the name Heartthrob Memorial: Under the Tree of Legends).
1995 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
Genre: Shooting - Vertical
๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ DOS
โŒ Retail (AS, NA, EU)

โญ๏ธ Trivia: The 1997 arcade port is South Korean exclusive release.
1995 Release; 2019 PC Port Release ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Action - Beat 'em Up - 2D
Also known as Gourmet Sentai Barayarou (Rose Rascals: Gourmet Squad) in Japanese version.
๐ŸŸข Digital - Steam

Originally Japan-only Super Famicom exclusive released late in its lifespan. Developed by Winds and Fupac.

The game was rather unknown and never released in The West until the re-release PC (Windows) version by Piko Interactive. It is an emulation port. It is also one of the few Japanese-made games being re-released by Piko Interactive along with Blender Bros..
1995 Release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Racing - Arcade Racing
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail (NA/EU)

โ—‰ About this game:
Largely remembered as PlayStation original game, but the later PC port is forgotten. Unfortunately, this version is single player only (as oppose to PS1 version containing 1vs1 modes).

โญ Trivia:
When the game was re-released on PlayStation in 1998, the game was renamed to 1Xtreme due to expiry of ESPN license.
1995 Release; 1997 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
JP Name: Henry Explorers (ใƒ˜ใƒณใƒชใƒผ ใ‚จใ‚ฏใ‚นใƒ—ใƒญใƒผใƒฉใƒผใ‚บ)
Genre: Action - Rail Shooter; Light gun
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (Japan only)

Ported by System Sacom Business Co., Ltd. and produced by Konami Computer Games Aoyama.

In NA and EU market, the game only saw its PlayStation and Saturn versions. In Japan, while it receive console ports, it also received a PC port. It's odd given how light gun games on PC is rather rare.

๐Ÿ—’ Notes: While the in-game text is Japanese only, the speech is entirely English (just like the arcade version). Not to mention, it's extremely easy to play.
1994 Release ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ
Genre: Shooting - Vertical
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
๐ŸŸ  Retail
1994 Release; 2023 Digital re-release ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
Genre: Platformer - 2D
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail; ๐ŸŸข Digital - GOG (non-Steam, DRM-Free), Steam
1994 Release ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ
Genre: Shooter - First Person
๐ŸŸฃ Alternative Titles:
โ— Rock 'n Shaolin: Legend of the Seven Paladins 3D (working title - English)
โ— Qi Xia Wu Yi (ไธƒไฟ ไบ”็พฉ) (working title - Chinese)
โ— Euijeok: Im Kkeokjeong (์˜์  ์ž„๊บฝ์ •) (Korean title)

๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โŒ Retail (Korea and Taiwan only)

๐Ÿ—’ Notes:
โ— The cover art IGDB shows is a Korean version. This could mislead people thinking it's Korean-made. In actuality, it's developed by Taiwanese developer.

โ— Differences between two versions:
On the original Taiwanese release the game's setting is China; whereas the Korean version changes the setting to Korea.

โ—‰ About this game:
description taken from PCGamingWiki
First commercially released game to use the Build engine. Illegally produced, as licensing talks between Apogee (publisher) and Accend (developer) never reached an agreement.

โญ Trivia:
Some sound effects you hear is sounded exactly from Diablo I!
1994 Release; 2020 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Shooter - First Person
๐ŸŸข Digital; Steam, GOG; Worldwide

Notes: This game does not have achievements and cloud support.

Originally Mega Drive/Genesis exclusive. Later ported to Windows PC and released on Steam and GOG by Piko Interactive.

Emulation port of MegaDrive original.

Unfortunately, the additional contents is exclusive to later console ports (all digital-only). ๐Ÿ‘ฟ
1994 Release; 1998 PC Port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Action - Rail Shooter
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 95
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (JP only)

Originally 3DO console exclusive. Four years later, it was ported to Windows 95, but only released in Japan.
1994 Release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Shooter - First Person
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail; ๐ŸŸข Digital - Official Website (non-Steam)
1994 Release; 1996 Windows 95 port ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
JP Name: ๅ’ๆฅญII Neo Generation (Sotsugyou II: Neo Generation)
Genre: Simulation - Dating Sim
โ” Retail (JP release); ๐Ÿ”ด Retail (NA release)

โ—‰ About this game:
A sequel to Soutsugyou. Reading on the game's front cover, it says "The first anime game to hit American Shores!!!". Do I think it's the very first game to do so? I don't think so.

โญ Trivia:
To date, Sotsugyou II is the only installment being released in North America (USA). One day, we may see a remake of Sotsugyou I & II, but we don't know who is the current rights holder since Headroom closed long time ago.
1993 Release; 2008 Freeware ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Alternative Title:
The Xargon Trilogy (title screen)
Genre: Platformer - 2D
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
๐Ÿ”ด Retail; ๐ŸŸข Freeware - Desktop (non-Steam)

Originally released in 1993 as a shareware game. In 2008, the game was released as freeware.
1994 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
Genre: Cinematic Platformer; 2D
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โŒ Retail (South Korea-only)

A very obscured cinematic platformer in a vein of Another World and Flashback.
1996 Release ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ
Genre: Shooting - Top Down
๐Ÿ–ฅ MS-DOS
๐ŸŸ  Retail (NA, EU)

โ—‰ About this game:
A helicopter shooter. Originally Amiga and Amiga CD32 exclusive from 1994.

๐Ÿ“ผ Videos:
๐Ÿ”— ADG Episode 79 - Seek and Destroy by Pixelmusement
1993 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
Genre: Adventure
๐Ÿ Mac
โ” Retail
1993 Release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Shooting - Multidirectional
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail
1993 Release ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต
JP Name: ไบฌ้ƒฝๅƒๅนด็‰ฉ่ชž (Kyouto Sennen Monogatari)
Genre: Adventure
๐Ÿ–ฅ Windows 3.X/95, Macintosh
๐Ÿ”ด Retail (NA, JP)

First release in Japan in 1993. The Windows 95 port was released in North America in 1995.
1994 Release; 2005 Re-release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Puzzle - Matching; Action Puzzle
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS, Windows XP (or later)
โ” Retail; ๐ŸŸข Freeware; non-Steam
๐Ÿ”— Official Site

๐Ÿ—’ Notes: This game is formerly a commercial product. The 2005 freeware version is fully uncensored.

Game design by Jennifer Diane Reitz.

๐Ÿ“– History: (taken from Wikipedia (EN))
Originally released on Amiga in 1991. The Amiga version in fact is very rare due to low print run.

When the DOS version was released on November 15, 1994 it had updated audio, levels and graphics and came in four releases. The first release was the shareware version which had only 26 levels that made up the first episode. The second release was titled Basic Boppin' which had two episodes with 80 levels in all (the first 26 are different from the Shareware version). The third release released on December 9, 1994 was titled Super Boppin', came on a CD, had all four episodes with 160 levels plus a level editor and all violent features censored. The final release released on August 19, 2005 was freeware simply titled Boppin', had all the features of the third release and was the very release ported to Windows.

Links:
๐Ÿ”— Jennifer Diane Reitz Interview - RGB Classic Games
1992 Re-Release ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช
DOS
Genre: Action
๐Ÿ”ด Retail

Basically, the contents of this game is entirely the same as 1989 version, except this time it replaces the main character to Snoofer.
1992 Release ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Genre: Shooting - Vertical
๐Ÿ–ฅ DOS
โ” Retail

Not to be confused with the 1996 PS1 game, Project Overkill.
Original 1989 Release ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช
DOS
Genre: Action
๐Ÿ”ด Retail

This version shows a main character being Pac-Man.

1 Comment


2 months ago

To those who are wondering what happened to titles not listed on IGDB in the list's description, I have moved to my spreadsheet online. I provided a link in the description.


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