Better Dead Than Alien!

About

You and a partner take on waves of slimy, eye-popping aliens as Brad Zoom or another hero in this chaotic co-op shooter. Blast, dodge, and laugh through increasingly absurd boss fights as the game leans into its 80s B-movie aesthetic. Controls are simple but responsive, with split-screen multiplayer that’s prone to accidental elbow checks. The pixel art might not win any awards but it’s loud, ugly, and unapologetically over-the-top. The game’s cult following keeps it alive among retro arcade fans, with forums buzzing about its absurd humor and brutal difficulty spikes. Critics at launch called it “a messy blast” (pun intended) and modern speedrunners still tackle its seven-level campaign. If you’ve ever wondered what a horror movie poster might look like as a DOS game, this is it. Released on New Year’s Eve 1988, it’s a relic best approached with a strong stomach and a bag of gummy worms.