Forgotten Worlds

About

Forgotten Worlds is a 1988 arcade shooter from Capcom that pairs two players as flying super-soldiers battling biomechanical gods. Each character has distinct weapons, one with a long-range rifle, the other a burst-fire short-range gun, and uses a joystick and a unique rotatable "roll switch" to control movement and aim independently. The "megacrush" button obliterates enemies but risks damage, while a satellite module orbits the player, offering ranged support. Players collect "zennies" from enemies to buy upgrades like new satellite weapons, armor, and boss-defeating tips in stage-specific shops. Five stages and eight bosses await as you fight through Emperor Bios’ desolate wasteland. The roll switch’s ability to separate movement and aiming adds mechanical flair rarely seen in shooters. Co-op play remains fresh, with each player’s strengths complementing the other’s. Retro fans praise its tight controls and resource management; it holds a 92% on Metacritic. Despite its 1988 release, the balance between action and strategy feels purposeful, especially when using zennies to customize the satellite module. It’s a niche pick for those craving cooperative chaos with a tactile twist.

Storyline

Set in a distant future, an evil god known as Emperor Bios has destroyed most of the Earth, turning it into a desolated wasteland known as the "Dust World". Two nameless super-soldiers are created by the people to defeat Bios and the eight evil gods who serve him.