Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Topshots on CD: Volume 4 delivers one of the broadest gameplay experiences you’ll find in a single compilation. With 15 titles ranging from brain-teasing puzzles to arcade-style sports and deep role-playing adventures, there’s something here for nearly every taste. Whether you’re chasing high scores in Starbyte Super Soccer or losing yourself in the intricate riddles of The Fool’s Errand, the sheer variety keeps each session feeling fresh.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The puzzle offerings, including Invest, Tie Break, Puzzle Gallery and Rolling Ronny, are especially noteworthy. Each presents a different spin on logic challenges—wordplay, spatial reasoning, numerical brain-teasers and reflex tests—so you won’t burn out on a single format. The Fool’s Errand, in particular, stands out for weaving its puzzles into a clever overarching mystery, rewarding patient players with a real sense of accomplishment.

On the more action-oriented side, titles like Circus Attractions and Spy vs. Spy III: Arctic Antics provide fast-paced mini-games and competitive two-player modes. These bite-sized experiences are perfect for quick bursts of fun or couch competition, balancing the slower, contemplative puzzle segments. Meanwhile, Transworld and Starbyte Super Soccer bring a surprising depth to retro sports mechanics, complete with customizable teams and tournaments.

For strategy and simulation enthusiasts, Traders: The Intergalactic Trading Game and Black Gold offer engaging economic challenges. Juggling resource management, market fluctuations and risk-reward decisions, these games feel remarkably modern despite their vintage roots. And if you prefer a more traditional narrative quest, Sword of Honour and The Faery Tale Adventure provide open-world exploration, character progression and emergent storytelling that rival early RPG classics.

Graphics

Visually, Topshots on CD: Volume 4 is a time capsule of late-’80s and early-’90s PC and Amiga aesthetics. Many titles embrace the 16-color EGA palette, while others push into 256-color VGA territory. The result is a diverse gallery of pixel art styles—from the whimsical, hand-drawn look of Lollypop to the blockier, utilitarian UI of Invest.

Puzzle games like Tie Break and Puzzle Gallery favor clean, high-contrast visuals that prioritize clarity over flourish. Icons are sharp and easily distinguishable, which is essential when you’re racing the clock or scanning a crowded playfield. The Fool’s Errand, although simpler by today’s standards, uses clever shading and typography to give its puzzles personality.

Action and sports entries show off more dynamic sprite work. Circus Attractions features fluid animations for its acrobatic feats, and Spy vs. Spy III’s Arctic Antics boasts charming character movements that capture the mischievous spirit of its comic-strip source. Transworld and Starbyte Super Soccer, in particular, feel surprisingly detailed for their era, with animated crowds, scrolling arenas and well-designed pitch layouts.

Adventure and RPG titles lean into richer backgrounds and sprawling maps. The Faery Tale Adventure presents a vast overworld with varied terrain tiles, while Sword of Honour’s feudal England setting is brought to life with ornate castles, villages and battlefields. These games demonstrate that, even within the constraints of early hardware, developers could achieve a strong sense of place and atmosphere.

Story

As a compilation, Topshots on CD: Volume 4 doesn’t offer a single unified narrative, but each individual title brings its own flavor of storytelling. Puzzle aficionados will appreciate The Fool’s Errand’s layer-upon-layer mystery, while those seeking epic quests will find plenty to love in The Faery Tale Adventure and Sword of Honour.

The Fool’s Errand wraps its puzzles in a tongue-in-cheek fairy-tale premise, sending you on a journey through literary landscapes filled with riddles and rhymes. It’s a refreshing break from puzzles that exist purely as standalone challenges, adding context and humor that reward players who engage with its narrative hints.

In contrast, Traders and Black Gold provide minimal plot frameworks, focusing instead on emergent stories driven by your economic decisions. Buying low, selling high and managing scarce resources becomes its own form of narrative as you climb the ranks from corner-store merchant to interstellar tycoon or oil baron.

RPG entries like The Faery Tale Adventure immerse you in sprawling quests with side-stories, hidden treasures and NPCs that spark your curiosity. While the writing can feel dated—dialogue boxes often read like bullet points—the sense of exploration and discovery remains potent, especially for fans of retro role-playing classics.

Overall Experience

Topshots on CD: Volume 4 is a love letter to retro gaming, offering an unparalleled collection of genres and playstyles on a single disc. The included menu launcher is straightforward, letting you jump into any title with minimal fuss. For the price, this compilation delivers tremendous bang for your buck, especially if you’ve been craving a nostalgia hit or simply want to explore gaming history.

Compatibility can be a mixed bag: some titles run flawlessly under modern emulation or legacy Windows support, while others may require tweaking or third-party launchers. The CD’s readme files and basic installation scripts make it accessible for most users, but complete newcomers to retro setups should be prepared for a small learning curve.

Replay value across the 15 games is high, thanks to the varied content. Quick puzzles are perfect for daily brain workouts, while deeper RPG and strategy experiences can occupy hours on end. Multiplayer modes in Spy vs. Spy III and Circus Attractions add another layer, turning the compilation into a fun party piece for local gatherings.

Ultimately, Topshots on CD: Volume 4 shines as a retro anthology that caters to both collectors and curious newcomers. Its eclectic mix of puzzles, sports, strategy and adventure ensures there’s never a dull moment. If you’re seeking a diverse snapshot of early computer gaming—complete with its quirks, challenges and nostalgic charm—this compilation is a must-have addition to your library.

Retro Replay Score

null/10