Gaming's greatest blood sports

Carmageddon (1997)

Carmageddon’s life began as “3D Destruction Derby." It then morphed into something based on the Mad Max license, and then the Death Race 2020 (a movie that was never made) license. It was that license that introduced pedestrians, butwhenthat toodissipated, it became Carmageddon.

It turned out something like Death Race 2000 (the game), only more newer, and with fewer (possibly no) stick figures. The goal of the game was to complete the race, or destroy every other car and kill all of the pedestrians. The game is notable for its similarity to modern sandbox games and the general controversy surrounding its release and rating. In some countries, the people were replaced with zombies and robots, which made absolutely no sense. Most of all, it’s responsible for some great YouTube videos.

Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012 (1998)

The object of Rogue Trip is to show tourists various famous locations (redone in post apocalyptic style), while (for some reason) destroying them, along with any competing tour guides. The game was developed by SingleTrac, and was based on their success with Twisted Metal.

Pigskin 621 A.D. (1990)

Bally Midway's Pigskin is your typical “football only with weapons and junk” arcade game. Players score touchdowns while avoiding obstacles (bushes!) and picking up concealed weapons. They also looked a bit like elongated, bearded babies with zombie arms.


Above: Give us brains or we'll punch you in the face!

Mutant League Football (1993)

I’m compelled to quote Wikipedia here, because the sincerity of this remark is more amusing than anything I could ever write:

“The game deviates from usual football simulations in several ways. Most notably it takes place in a post apocalyptic world where radiation has caused the human race to mutate and the dead to rise from the grave.”

Yes, I’d say that is definitely the most notable way Mutant League Football deviates from usual football simulations. Aliens, robots, superhumans, and trolls battle on an obstacle laden battlefield, bribing or killing the ref as they see fit, and employing a variety of “Nasty Audibles” as they attempt to destroy the other team… or win the game, or something. Mutant League Football was followed by Mutant League Hockey, and the unreleased Mutant League Basketball.

GamesRadarTylerWilde
Associate Editor, Digital at PC Gamer