MAsk III: Venom Strikes Back

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MArk III: Venom Strikes Back is a 1988 platform shooter from Gremlin Graphics that pits you as Matt against a lunar base controlled by the villainous V.E.N.O.M. Your mission: rescue your son, hijack a rocket, and escape the moon. You navigate through levels brimming with enemies and hazards, using a limited set of masks that grant temporary powers. One mask lets you fire bullets, another lets you glide over water, a third turns you briefly invulnerable. The twist is each mask has 99 uses before it depletes, forcing you to manage their energy carefully while switching between abilities mid-level. The game’s charm lies in its tight, action-packed pacing and the strategic depth of its mask system. Early 8-bit hardware limitations mean every choice feels impactful, whether to conserve a flying mask for a tricky jump or use it to dodge fire. Available on Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and other retro systems, it’s a product of its time but remains memorable for its resourcefulness. The single-player focus and escalating difficulty keep tension high, even if the pixel art and chiptune soundtrack hew close to the era’s design norms.