Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Name: Action Hall of Fame
Item: Action Hall of Fame
Author: Retro Replay

Action Hall of Fame brings together four very different classics—Carmageddon, Interstate ’76, MDK, and MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries—into a single package, showcasing the breadth of late-’90s action titles. Each game introduces its own signature loop: vehicular carnage in Carmageddon, vehicular tactics fused with RPG elements in Interstate ’76, fast-paced third-person shooting in MDK, and tactical mech combat in MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries. This compilation allows players to hop seamlessly from one genre to another, keeping each session fresh and surprising.

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In Carmageddon, you’re dropped into an open arena with nothing but your car and a clear goal to cause mayhem—whether by smashing up rival vehicles or outperforming them in a twisted demolition derby. The physics are loose and exaggerated, and the freedom to cause pedestrian chaos remains as wickedly fun today as it was at launch. While modern racers focus on realistic handling, Carmageddon thrives on over-the-top collisions and destructive set pieces.

Interstate ’76 offers a more measured approach, blending a story-driven road war with customizable vehicles and a funky ’70s soundtrack. The driving mechanics strike a balance between arcade and simulation: you’ll feel the weight of your car while still being rewarded for daring drifts and well-timed side-swipes. The addition of RPG-style upgrades keeps progression meaningful, rewarding players for completing missions and choosing upgrades that suit their play style.

Shifting gears, MDK throws you into a sci-fi rescue mission where precise aiming and fast reflexes are key. The game’s “sniper rifle” view and rolling head armor mechanic still feel innovative, and the level design encourages exploration and experimentation. Finally, MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries delivers deep cockpit simulation, tasking you with purchasing, outfitting, and piloting giant BattleMechs across a non-linear campaign. While the learning curve is steep, the sense of piloting a hulking war machine is immensely rewarding once you master the controls.

Graphics

Given the age of these titles, the visual presentation leans heavily on nostalgia. Each game has been emulated or wrapped in DOSBox to run on modern systems, so you’re looking at original low-res sprites, unfiltered textures, and classic UI overlays. While sharpness can be lacking on large monitors, the pixelated charm is part of the package’s appeal—it’s like a trip back to gaming’s earlier PC era.

In Carmageddon, the car and environment models are blocky by today’s standards, but the gory detail on each wreck is handled with surprising creativity. Interstate ’76 uses a pre-rendered 3D engine that holds up better in close-ups, with vibrant color palettes and dynamic lighting effects that still pop. The sun glinting off metallic panels and the haze of desert highways remain visually striking in a retro context.

MDK’s mix of 2D backgrounds and 3D characters feels dated at times, but the game’s art direction—particularly its bizarre enemy designs and industrial levels—retains a sense of originality. MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries arguably looks the most “modern” by comparison, thanks to its early use of hardware acceleration and detailed cockpit HUD. You’ll appreciate the radar blips, weapon readouts, and mech shadows convincing you that you’re truly inside a battlefield cockpit.

Story

The narrative framework in Action Hall of Fame varies widely from title to title. Carmageddon is essentially story-light: you’re an unhinged racer who wins by destruction. Its minimal plot lets you dive straight into chaos, which is fine if you’re after pure, unadulterated action.

Interstate ’76 delivers a surprisingly engaging storyline set in an alternate 1970s America. You play as an ex-police officer seeking revenge and justice on the open highways, interacting with memorable NPCs and uncovering conspiracies. The witty dialogue and period aesthetics give it a cinematic road-movie feel rarely seen in driving games.

MDK offers a campy sci-fi rescue plot that, while simple, is elevated by the game’s surreal art direction and dark humor. As Kurt Hectic, you’re up against a giant mining ship that’s turned the Earth into a slaughterhouse for alien experiments. The story serves more as a framing device for inventive level design and set-piece battles than a character-driven epic.

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries provides the deepest narrative, immersing you in the political and military conflicts of the BattleTech universe. You start as a small-time mech pilot and carve out your reputation through contracts, alliances, and mech upgrades. The branching missions and multiple endings give you agency, making each run feel personalized.

Overall Experience

Action Hall of Fame is a time capsule of PC gaming’s golden age, offering four distinct experiences that showcase the ambition and diversity of late-’90s design. While none of these titles has aged to modern standards in graphics or user-friendliness, the core gameplay loops remain engaging and surprisingly replayable. Nostalgia factor aside, each game brings something unique to the table.

Technical polish varies: setup and configuration through DOSBox wrappers can feel fiddly, and resolution support is limited. However, once everything is running, the compilation is remarkably stable, with consistent frame rates and minimal crashes. For players who remember these games fondly, the ease of having them all in one place outweighs the setup hassle.

If you’re new to any of these franchises, Action Hall of Fame offers an affordable way to sample four classics without hunting down old CDs or hardware. The variety alone—racing, shooting, driving, and simulation—ensures you won’t get bored any time soon. Whether you’re chasing vehicular mayhem in Carmageddon or plotting your next mech mission in Mercenaries, this collection delivers a broad spectrum of action-packed nostalgia.

Ultimately, Action Hall of Fame is best enjoyed by retro enthusiasts and curious newcomers willing to embrace its quirks. Its legacy titles may not compete visually or ergonomically with today’s blockbusters, but their innovative gameplay mechanics and timeless premises guarantee that this compilation remains a worthwhile addition to any gamer’s library.