Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Christmas Collection packs a diverse lineup of arcade-style classics that cater to fans of shoot ’em ups, side-scrollers, and action-packed adventures. From the fast-paced dogfights in Cybernoid II: The Revenge to the precision shooting sequences of Lightforce, each title offers its own distinct control scheme and challenge curve. Even decades later, the tight controls and responsive mechanics feel immediate and rewarding, whether you’re launching homing missiles or executing split-second jumps over pixel-perfect pits.

Uridium and Exolon lean heavily into platforming and high-speed navigation. In Uridium, you pilot a starfighter along massive dreadnoughts, weaving between turrets and enemy fighters with split-second timing. Exolon, on the other hand, mixes run-and-gun firefights with jetpack traversal, forcing you to balance aggression with careful fuel management. Both games demand memorization and reflexes—hallmarks of late ’80s design that can feel punishing yet deeply satisfying when you clear a tough section.

Eliminator and Sanxion push the envelope with multi-directional shooting and exploratory level layouts. Eliminator’s rotating arena mechanic constantly shifts your orientation, while Sanxion features dual-layer scrolling and hidden passages beneath the waterline. Hydrofool, exclusive to ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC, offers a unique puzzle-shooter hybrid set in flooded chambers, where draining water and dodging creatures create an engrossing tactical puzzle. Collectively, these titles ensure there’s never a dull moment, and each game’s short length makes it ideal for quick pick-up sessions or extended holiday marathon playthroughs.

Graphics

Visually, the Christmas Collection is a celebration of 8-bit and early 16-bit artistry. On platforms like the Commodore 64 (Sanxion) and Amstrad CPC (Hydrofool), you’ll notice bold color palettes and creative sprite designs that pushed hardware limits at the time. Cybernoid II dazzles with metallic environments and detailed enemy ships, while Lightforce’s neon-infused corridors glow against solid black backdrops, giving it a futuristic vibe that still pops on modern displays.

Exolon’s levels are richly detailed, featuring multi-layered parallax scrolling that imbues the game world with a sense of depth. Animations are fluid for their era: soldier sprites react convincingly when hit, explosions blossom convincingly, and environmental hazards animate with enough personality to keep you on the lookout for hidden dangers. Even Hydrofool’s limited palette is used cleverly, with shimmering water effects and distinctive tilework that guide your eye through each puzzle-laden chamber.

While today’s high-definition gamers might find the pixel resolution modest, there’s undeniable charm in every blocky tile and looping background element. The minimalist HUDs and functional yet stylish menus remind you that gameplay was king in 1989, and the graphical flair was designed to serve — not overshadow — the core action. Nostalgia aside, these titles still look crisp and purposeful on emulated screens, preserving the retro aesthetic without feeling dated or washed out.

Story

True to arcade tradition, most games in the Christmas Collection offer minimal narrative framing, preferring to plunge players directly into the action. Cybernoid II casts you as a lone bounty hunter on a revenge mission against space pirates, while Uridium sets up a straightforward “destroy the dreadnought” premise that justifies nonstop aerial dogfights. The loose storylines work because they let the gameplay shine and evoke the high-score-driven spirit of coin-op arcades.

Exolon and Eliminator introduce slightly more texture to their worlds, hinting at dystopian futures and alien strongholds. Exolon’s briefing screens mention a genetically enhanced super-soldier fighting off an alien invasion, and Eliminator’s arena battles are presented as televised gladiatorial events—adding stakes to every laser blast and grenade toss. Sanxion weaves a thin plot about underwater invasions, encouraging exploration below the surface to thwart subaquatic threats.

Hydrofool and Lightforce round out the roster with evocative, if succinct, premises: draining deadly floodwaters from a research facility and infiltrating heavily guarded space complexes. In each case, the story exists primarily to justify the level design and boss encounters, but it’s enough to keep you invested in completing each mission. The lack of elaborate cutscenes or lengthy dialogue may feel sparse by modern standards, but the immediacy of the setups ensures you’re always focused on the next wave of enemies or platforming gauntlet.

Overall Experience

As a holiday gift package, the Christmas Collection excels in variety and replayability. Each title can be tackled in short bursts, making it perfect for filling the time between family gatherings or ringing in the new year with some classic arcade action. The difficulty ramps up quickly, but that sense of accomplishment you get from mastering an especially nasty boss pattern or finally clearing a labyrinthine level is as potent now as it was in 1989.

Collectively, these seven games showcase the ingenuity and creativity of late‐’80s developers. Whether you’re drawn to frenetic shooters, challenging platformers, or puzzle-infused action, there’s something memorable here. The controls remain responsive and fair, the visuals retain their retro charm, and the audio (often characterized by chiptune stabs and synthesized explosions) reinforces the nostalgic mood without overstaying its welcome.

For retro enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the Christmas Collection offers a compact yet diverse journey through gaming history. It’s a snapshot of an era when simple premises and tight mechanics mattered more than sprawling narratives or lifelike graphics. As a bundled package, it delivers tremendous value and variety, ensuring that your holiday gaming calendar stays stocked with challenging, addictive fun long after the season’s tinsel has faded.