Left out on purpose will be the scores of Japanese mahjong games and anything similar. Also, while I've played a lot of arcade games in person, it's not very realistic to expect me to have played all of them in their native environment. Games for this list will therefore be mostly played via emulation, so I will also be leaving out games I can't get running on an emulator, and also ones that can't realistically be played (such as ones that need a machine-specific control method).
That will still leave hundreds, probably thousands of games for me to cover here though, so I'd better get started. Next up is:
O is for...
Ocean Hunter, The by Sega (1998)
I am lucky enough to have played this one for real but it's not common, perhaps due to its size. It's a Model 3-powered light gun game pitting you against all the terrors of the deep and more besides - basically House of the Dead but underwater - and the cab comes equipped with a big screen and two mounted guns.
I am lucky enough to have played this one for real but it's not common, perhaps due to its size. It's a Model 3-powered light gun game pitting you against all the terrors of the deep and more besides - basically House of the Dead but underwater - and the cab comes equipped with a big screen and two mounted guns.
Off-Road Challenge by Midway (1997)
Although it doesn't have 'Thunder' in its name, this one plays a lot like Midway's series of high-octane racers, and was in fact followed by Off-Road Thunder (which I can't get running). It's as much fun as the Thunder games too, and has some great courses and trucks (which you can even customise), but it's bloody hard too.
Although it doesn't have 'Thunder' in its name, this one plays a lot like Midway's series of high-octane racers, and was in fact followed by Off-Road Thunder (which I can't get running). It's as much fun as the Thunder games too, and has some great courses and trucks (which you can even customise), but it's bloody hard too.
Off the Wall by Atari (1991)
It's always good to find a bat 'n' ball game I didn't know about. This one, however, is unique in that you don't actually have to destroy all the bricks on a stage, just get the ball in the exit, which is of course surrounded by bricks. It's tough to play with a control pad though, and wasn't converted to any home systems.
It's always good to find a bat 'n' ball game I didn't know about. This one, however, is unique in that you don't actually have to destroy all the bricks on a stage, just get the ball in the exit, which is of course surrounded by bricks. It's tough to play with a control pad though, and wasn't converted to any home systems.
Oh My God! by Atlus (1993)
I'm not quite sure how this one got its name but it's basically a 'falling blocks' puzzle game, except the blocks here are actually different coloured smiley face creatures which drop down the screen grouped as snakes. The longer you last, the bigger the snakes get. It takes some getting used to but at least it's a bit different.
I'm not quite sure how this one got its name but it's basically a 'falling blocks' puzzle game, except the blocks here are actually different coloured smiley face creatures which drop down the screen grouped as snakes. The longer you last, the bigger the snakes get. It takes some getting used to but at least it's a bit different.
Oli-Boo-Chu by Irem (1981)
This strangely-named game was an early Irem release and features Oli, a strange pink creature. It's apparently his job to run around each mazey stage catching the many Chu's (mice/rats) that are scampering about the place. It's simple and doesn't look particularly nice, but it's pretty good fun in short bursts.
This strangely-named game was an early Irem release and features Oli, a strange pink creature. It's apparently his job to run around each mazey stage catching the many Chu's (mice/rats) that are scampering about the place. It's simple and doesn't look particularly nice, but it's pretty good fun in short bursts.
Omega Fighter by UPL (1989)
For reasons known only to UPL, this vertical shooter was never converted to any home systems, and that's a shame as it's actually rather great. Instead of traditional stages, you get tasked with taking out different parts of the same huge alien battle cruiser. It's a nice idea and it works well. An enjoyable and addictive blaster.
For reasons known only to UPL, this vertical shooter was never converted to any home systems, and that's a shame as it's actually rather great. Instead of traditional stages, you get tasked with taking out different parts of the same huge alien battle cruiser. It's a nice idea and it works well. An enjoyable and addictive blaster.
Omega Race by Midway (1982)
For some reason I was expecting a racing game with this one but it's actually a vector graphics shooter. The score panel is in the middle of the screen giving you a basic 'track' to fly around, but the emphasis is very firmly on destroying the many drone ships that keep turning up. It's as addictive as most vector shmups though.
For some reason I was expecting a racing game with this one but it's actually a vector graphics shooter. The score panel is in the middle of the screen giving you a basic 'track' to fly around, but the emphasis is very firmly on destroying the many drone ships that keep turning up. It's as addictive as most vector shmups though.
Oni - The Ninja Master by Banpresto (1995)
Perhaps better known as Metamoqester, this one is a unique kind of one-on-one fighting game - instead of choosing a character and then fighting through all the rest of the characters, here you fight against what basically amounts to a series of huge bosses, with two players teaming up against them! Great idea but it's a toughie.
Perhaps better known as Metamoqester, this one is a unique kind of one-on-one fighting game - instead of choosing a character and then fighting through all the rest of the characters, here you fight against what basically amounts to a series of huge bosses, with two players teaming up against them! Great idea but it's a toughie.
Onna Sanshirou - Typhoon Gal by Taito (1985)
In my experience, games with 'gal' in their name usually turn out to be pervy, but this one is not. The 'gal' of the title here is actually a fighter who must defeat a series of male opponents to defend the honour of her dojo. There isn't much variety here and it basically goes on forever, but it's an interesting one.
In my experience, games with 'gal' in their name usually turn out to be pervy, but this one is not. The 'gal' of the title here is actually a fighter who must defeat a series of male opponents to defend the honour of her dojo. There isn't much variety here and it basically goes on forever, but it's an interesting one.
Opa Opa by Sega (1987)
I've always been a big fan of Sega's Fantasy Zone maze-based collect 'em up for the Master System, but who knew it started life as an arcade game? Not me at least, but it's virtually identical to the MS version since it runs on the MS-based System E board. It's still great fun anyway, especially for two players, and the music is ace. (full review here)
I've always been a big fan of Sega's Fantasy Zone maze-based collect 'em up for the Master System, but who knew it started life as an arcade game? Not me at least, but it's virtually identical to the MS version since it runs on the MS-based System E board. It's still great fun anyway, especially for two players, and the music is ace. (full review here)
Operation Thunder Hurricane by Konami (1997)
There doesn't seem to much talk of this awesomely-named Konami release but it seems pretty noteworthy to me. It's a military-themed light gun rail shooter which puts you (and a friend) on the side(s) of a chopper taking out the evil army that has set upon you. It doesn't work well via emulation but the real cab must be a corker.
There doesn't seem to much talk of this awesomely-named Konami release but it seems pretty noteworthy to me. It's a military-themed light gun rail shooter which puts you (and a friend) on the side(s) of a chopper taking out the evil army that has set upon you. It doesn't work well via emulation but the real cab must be a corker.
Operation Wolf by Taito (1987)
It wasn't the first light gun game to grace the arcades, but this Taito classic was definitely the best for many years, and probably still is! Who wouldn't get a kick out of letting rip with an Uzi submachine gun (complete with force-feedback) and a handful of grenades? One of my all-time arcade favourites.
It wasn't the first light gun game to grace the arcades, but this Taito classic was definitely the best for many years, and probably still is! Who wouldn't get a kick out of letting rip with an Uzi submachine gun (complete with force-feedback) and a handful of grenades? One of my all-time arcade favourites.
Operation Thunderbolt by Taito (1988)
Just a year after we were blessed with the legend that is Operation Wolf, we got this sequel, and while it's probably not as highly regarded these days, it arguably improves on the original in most ways. For starters, it's two-player, and the missions are more varied as well. Nice sequeling, Taito.
Just a year after we were blessed with the legend that is Operation Wolf, we got this sequel, and while it's probably not as highly regarded these days, it arguably improves on the original in most ways. For starters, it's two-player, and the missions are more varied as well. Nice sequeling, Taito.
Operation Wolf 3 by Taito (1994)
They may have been quick with the first sequel but it took Taito six more years to bring us this follow-up. It doesn't feel much like a Wolf game though. They seem to have taken inspiration from Konami's Lethal Enforcers with the digitised visuals but it's not as much fun. Didn't receive any conversions either.
They may have been quick with the first sequel but it took Taito six more years to bring us this follow-up. It doesn't feel much like a Wolf game though. They seem to have taken inspiration from Konami's Lethal Enforcers with the digitised visuals but it's not as much fun. Didn't receive any conversions either.
Orbit by Atari (1978)
This one is an oldie, even for Atari standards, but not as old as the game it's basically a copy of - Spacewar, the first video game ever made back in 1962! It's for two-players only and tasks each with destroying their opponent's ship around a gravity well, though you can seek the safety of a space station.
This one is an oldie, even for Atari standards, but not as old as the game it's basically a copy of - Spacewar, the first video game ever made back in 1962! It's for two-players only and tasks each with destroying their opponent's ship around a gravity well, though you can seek the safety of a space station.
Orbitron by Signatron USA (1982)
With its chunky colourful graphics, this initially looked like it might be a Scramble clone but it actually plays more like Missile Command. The player is charged with the defence of a city at the bottom of the screen and must shoot down enemy bombers using a crosshair. A loud, addictive, very arcadey game!
With its chunky colourful graphics, this initially looked like it might be a Scramble clone but it actually plays more like Missile Command. The player is charged with the defence of a city at the bottom of the screen and must shoot down enemy bombers using a crosshair. A loud, addictive, very arcadey game!
Ordyne by Namco (1988)
Perhaps better known as a PC Engine game in the West since the arcade version never left Japan, this Namco horizontal-scroller is probably best classed as a 'cute em up', but it's pretty good in any case. The colourful stages and appealing sprites and music make it a pleasure to play, and it offers a good challenge too. (full review here)
Perhaps better known as a PC Engine game in the West since the arcade version never left Japan, this Namco horizontal-scroller is probably best classed as a 'cute em up', but it's pretty good in any case. The colourful stages and appealing sprites and music make it a pleasure to play, and it offers a good challenge too. (full review here)
Oriental Legend by International Game System (1997)
This little-known game is yet another based on the 'Journey to the West' story and takes the form of a scrolling fighting game. There are three characters to choose from, and while they don't have many basic moves, they do have lots of magic attacks to make use of. Gameplay is a bit stiff but it's not a bad game.
This little-known game is yet another based on the 'Journey to the West' story and takes the form of a scrolling fighting game. There are three characters to choose from, and while they don't have many basic moves, they do have lots of magic attacks to make use of. Gameplay is a bit stiff but it's not a bad game.
Osman by Mitchell Corporation (1996)
Though it's known to some as Cannon Dancer, this is better known as an unofficial sequel to Strider since many of that game's Capcom team worked on it - a fact that is immediately obvious upon playing it thanks to it's leapy star. The stages almost seem like remakes at some points too, but it's a great game in its own right.
Though it's known to some as Cannon Dancer, this is better known as an unofficial sequel to Strider since many of that game's Capcom team worked on it - a fact that is immediately obvious upon playing it thanks to it's leapy star. The stages almost seem like remakes at some points too, but it's a great game in its own right.
Otomedius by Konami (2007)
Most people who have played this probably did so on an Xbox 360 but it was originally an arcade game, although sadly no versions of it saw release outside of Japan. It's worth the effort to play though, especially for Konami fans, as there are nods to many of their past shooters here, notably Gradius.
Most people who have played this probably did so on an Xbox 360 but it was originally an arcade game, although sadly no versions of it saw release outside of Japan. It's worth the effort to play though, especially for Konami fans, as there are nods to many of their past shooters here, notably Gradius.
Outfoxies, The by Namco (1995)
This is an interesting one. Besides having a weird name, it's a one-on-one fighting game, but the fights take place in or around larger areas than normal such as an office block or aboard a moving train, and you also get to use various weapons scattered around too. A riot for one or especially two players.
This is an interesting one. Besides having a weird name, it's a one-on-one fighting game, but the fights take place in or around larger areas than normal such as an office block or aboard a moving train, and you also get to use various weapons scattered around too. A riot for one or especially two players.
Outline by Century Electronics (1982)
This little-known release is probably better known as Radar Zone. It's basically an Amidar rip-off which means it's your job to colour-in all the squares by going around the outside edges with your... whatever it is. But while I think I slightly prefer this game aesthetically, the controls are a bit too 'sticky' for serious play.
This little-known release is probably better known as Radar Zone. It's basically an Amidar rip-off which means it's your job to colour-in all the squares by going around the outside edges with your... whatever it is. But while I think I slightly prefer this game aesthetically, the controls are a bit too 'sticky' for serious play.
OutRun by Sega AM2 (1986)
What more can I say about this one? It's an important game to many (myself included) and for some it's the best arcade game ever. It's best played in the huge deluxe hydraulic cabinet of course, but even the basic stand-up machine allows you to enjoy the glorious sights and sounds of this all-time great. (full review here)
What more can I say about this one? It's an important game to many (myself included) and for some it's the best arcade game ever. It's best played in the huge deluxe hydraulic cabinet of course, but even the basic stand-up machine allows you to enjoy the glorious sights and sounds of this all-time great. (full review here)
OutRunners by Sega (1992)
For some reason this, the third OutRun game to grace the arcades, is far less highly regarded than the previous two games in the series, but I really like it. It supports up to eight players, offers multiple cars to play as, and has gorgeous graphics and some great courses. An underappreciated gem. (featured here)
For some reason this, the third OutRun game to grace the arcades, is far less highly regarded than the previous two games in the series, but I really like it. It supports up to eight players, offers multiple cars to play as, and has gorgeous graphics and some great courses. An underappreciated gem. (featured here)
OutRun 2 by Sega AM2 (2003)
Lord only knows why it took Sega so long to bring us OutRun 2, but when they finally did it was well worth the wait. It featured lots of gorgeous and more varied/complex courses and of course lots of Ferraris to drive, but crucially it also kept the relaxed feel of the original game. How to do a modern sequel to a beloved classic right.
Lord only knows why it took Sega so long to bring us OutRun 2, but when they finally did it was well worth the wait. It featured lots of gorgeous and more varied/complex courses and of course lots of Ferraris to drive, but crucially it also kept the relaxed feel of the original game. How to do a modern sequel to a beloved classic right.
Out Zone by Toaplan (1990)
Toaplan are heralded by many today, perhaps more than they were in their own time, but this is probably one of their less talked-about titles. It's a fast-paced overhead run 'n' gunner with lasers and monsters and all that stuff, and it's pretty darn excellent. Why it never received a console release is a real mystery.
Toaplan are heralded by many today, perhaps more than they were in their own time, but this is probably one of their less talked-about titles. It's a fast-paced overhead run 'n' gunner with lasers and monsters and all that stuff, and it's pretty darn excellent. Why it never received a console release is a real mystery.
Over Rev by Jaleco (1997)
Sega's mighty Model 2 board was amazing in its day but it wasn't only Sega who used it. This was a racing game by Jaleco which, for some reason, was not ported to any consoles, nor released outside Japan. It seems pretty good though, with several selectable cars and nice circuits around which to drift them.
Sega's mighty Model 2 board was amazing in its day but it wasn't only Sega who used it. This was a racing game by Jaleco which, for some reason, was not ported to any consoles, nor released outside Japan. It seems pretty good though, with several selectable cars and nice circuits around which to drift them.
Ozma Wars by SNK (1978)
This one was also released as Space Phantoms and Solar Flight, but whatever you call it, it's notable for being one of SNK's first ever releases. Like most games from this far back, it's a repetitive Space Invaders/Galaxians-style fixed shooter, but the black and white graphics and wonky controls don't help it today.
This one was also released as Space Phantoms and Solar Flight, but whatever you call it, it's notable for being one of SNK's first ever releases. Like most games from this far back, it's a repetitive Space Invaders/Galaxians-style fixed shooter, but the black and white graphics and wonky controls don't help it today.
Ozon I by Proma (1983)
Going forward into the early 80's, we still had a lot of fixed shooters. This strangely-named example uses a military theme, with tanks acting as your shields and jets as erratic enemy craft which swoop about shooting missiles and dropping bombs. It's not a bad effort but doesn't really do much to stand out either.
Going forward into the early 80's, we still had a lot of fixed shooters. This strangely-named example uses a military theme, with tanks acting as your shields and jets as erratic enemy craft which swoop about shooting missiles and dropping bombs. It's not a bad effort but doesn't really do much to stand out either.
Left out on purpose: Off-Road Thunder (can't be emulated yet), various Ojanko games (Japanese tile games), Ollie King (skateboarding game - needs special controller), Operation Tiger (fourth Op Wolf game - can't be emulated yet), One Shot One Kill (lightgun game), Oriental Legend Special, Oriental Legend 2, Oriental Legend Super (none of these can be emulated yet), Outlaw (70's light gun game), Outrigger (needs trackball), Over Drive (mental-looking racing game by Konami which can't be emulated yet).
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