While video games today have come a long way in terms of graphics and control technology, they still can’t capture the nostalgia of playing classics.

When talking about classics, people often refer to Doom or Mario as a reference for comparison. However, several long-lost gems in the adventure and strategy genre follow the tales of a well-known folk hero: Robin Hood. Here’s a list of the best classic Robin Hood games that have won the hearts of many.

1. Super Robin Hood

A passion project developed by the Oliver Twins, Super Robin Hood, was a revolutionary game set to defy expectations with its riveting gameplay and fresh graphics. Well, for the year 1986, that is. It ran well on 32 and 64-bit consoles, including the NES, Amiga, Atari ST, and Commodore 64. However, the story behind the development is much more enjoyable.

The two brothers developed the game on their home computers by taking shifts to code for about 20 hours daily. They gave 30-minute breaks to allow the computer to cool down, during which they wrote the code on paper. It took them a few months to get the game to an alpha stage. At that point, Codemasters approached them to purchase the rights for the game for GBP 10,000. That is what we call dedication.

2. Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon

Developed by Adventure International, Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon was a tie-in with a Robin Hood TV series scheduled for release in 1985. It was one of the first full-scale commercial endeavors to adapt folklore to a gaming audience. Initially designed for the ZX Spectrum, it eventually found its way to the Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC. There was even a port for the NES.

The game’s plot also helped the players immerse themselves in the world. It was about Robin Hood escaping Nottingham Castle and finding Herne the Hunter in a nearby forest. They would join forces to search for six sacred talismans and overthrow the kingdom’s oppressive ruler.

3 Robin of the Wood

One of the less-known games due to its 8-bit design, Robin of the Wood was one of the first digital adaptations of the hero that came out for the ZX Spectrum. It was an arcade adventure maze game like the initial versions of Wolfenstein. The premise was that Robin Hood needed to navigate the forest while hiding from and defeating the enemies of the king in a bid to bring justice to the land.

Robin of the Wood received plenty of positive reception, especially with Crash magazine calling it ‘so addictive that you can play for hours.’ Eventually, the game found its way to MS-DOS and Commodore 64, the latter being its most popular platform.

4. Defender of the Crown

If you’re looking for a classic Robin Hood game with multiple official ports, Defender of the Crown is the ideal choice. In the 1980s, you could play it on a Game Boy Advance, NES, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Macintosh, and any other digital machine that met the benchmark. Later, there were even versions compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android.

Defender of the Crown was a strategy RPG that put you in the shoes of Saxon as you battle the Norman hordes and wrestle for control of England. The game is set during the Middle Ages and allows you to engage with enemy armies or lay siege to castles. As a strategy game, you must regain control of your territories, even calling upon the help of the legendary hero Robin Hood.

5. Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood

One of the only games on this list that you can purchase on Steam, Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood, was released in 2002. Keeping up the tradition of a strategy RPG, it’s a point-and-click adventure game developed by Spellbound and published by Microids. If you purchase the game for Windows, you might notice that the game fails to run correctly. You will likely need to tweak your PC to make the game work.

The game is set in England in 1190 when Prince James assumes control of the throne after imprisoning his brother. He rules over England with an iron fist, and it’s up to Robin Hood and his band of misfits to fight back, freeing the deserving ruler.

Despite its dated graphics, the storyline and gameplay are engaging. Your characters can interact with their surroundings, defend against cavalry charges, and prepare for ambushes. Even IGN gave it a Great rating with a score of 8.2.

As you know, prices on Steam highly depend on your location. Thus, if you find yourself working abroad, you might notice higher prices than usual. A VPN for Windows can help you connect to your home country and buy games for the prices you are used to seeing. A Virtual Private Network is a useful app that encrypts internet traffic and reroutes through servers of your choice.

Summary

Robin Hood games can remind you of simpler times, and these games can certainly trigger some positive memories. We hope this guide on Robin Hood games leaves you nostalgic and helps you refresh old memories or make new ones if you want to try them out for the first time.

Old School Gamer (1126 Posts)

This is the general editors account for Old School Gamer Magazine. Press releases and other general information sent to Old School Gamer are often posted here.