Retro Games Limited has promised 25 preloaded titles on the A1200, but a handful of them already tell you a lot about the machine’s ambition. Here’s a closer look at the games confirmed so far…
Beneath a Steel Sky
A 1994 cyberpunk point-and-click adventure from Revolution Software and designed by Charles Cecil and Tony Warriner, this atmospheric title also features art by renowned British comic artist Dave Gibbons (2000AD, Watchmen, etc.). The dystopian world is portrayed with a 3D style in 2D art, it looks amazing, and it’s a great title to kick off your play on the A1200.
Lure of the Temptress
Another point-and-click classic, this time from 1992, is also courtesy of Charles Cecil and Revolution Software, your task is to overthrow an evil sorceress and restoring freedom to the land.
I’m looking forward to playing this one, as I never got far the first time around thanks to a corrupt disk (yes, it was a pirate, and yes, I’m sorry).
The Settlers 2
The announcement of The Settlers 2: Gold Edition for the A1200 was very warmly received. It is a notoriously demanding title for the original Amiga hardware. With a 68040 at 40 MHz and 32 MB RAM required back in the day, running this on the A1200 proves the ARM-based emulation is no joke. It’s real-time strategy fun, complete with city-building and resource management.
Ruff n’ Tumble
A run-and-gun action-platformer that adds variety to the lineup. It’s not as famous as some of the other titles, and isn’t one that I’m familiar with. Ruff n’ Tumble was originally released in 1994, by which time I was deep into football management sims and strategy titles, which explains why it passed me by.
However, based on the video, it looks a lot of fun, so I will definitely be putting this at the top of my games to play list when the A1200 lands.
Defender of the Crown and Defender of the Crown II
These legendary strategy-action hybrids by Cinemaware were released in 1986 and 1993, respectively. The first came out on the Amiga as Cinemaware’s first title, making a solid impact for the company to later bring titles like Wings and the movie-esque It Came From the Desert. Defender of the Crown II was originally released on CDTV and CD32.
The Turrican Trilogy
Fast, colourful, and relentless run-and-gun action. The Turrican series is probably my most-loved, particularly on the Amiga. From seeing the review in Zzap!64 in 1990, I was instantly hooked, picking up the C64 version as soon as I saw it, and progressing to the beautiful Amiga version 12 months or so later.
I never played Turrican 3 (I don’t even recall it being released in the UK) but these games are so closely associated with the Amiga that it would be madness not to include them.
Beyond the preloaded titles
The machine also supports WHDLoad, so you can drop in your own Amiga games via USB. With multiple save slots per game and full Workbench access, the A1200 becomes more than a preloaded console — it’s a fully functional Amiga system. HDMI output and upscaling make older graphics look crisp, and the included tank mouse and retro-style gamepad give you options for different play styles.
Bottom line: the A1200’s preloaded line-up spans adventure, strategy, platforming, and action, all while proving the ARM hardware under the hood can run even the most demanding Amiga titles.
We’ll add more games to this list as they are confirmed.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
