The most interesting action games released in 1996

All the best and most popular games of the year, upcoming releases, and hits from the past. Use filters to narrow down search.

Action
Krazy Ivan

Krazy Ivan

PlayStation

Action

January 30, 1996

A first-person shooter in which players take control of a Russian combat robot pilot who defends various regions of the Earth from alien invasion.

Assault Rigs

Assault Rigs

PCPlayStation

Action

February 1, 1996

Action game with elements of a simulator, in which we sit behind the controls of virtual tanks and take part in brutal games. In addition to dozens of missions designed for solo play, Assault Rigs offers levels designed for multiplayer play. Noteworthy is also the graphic design, maintained in a style evoking associations with the cult film Tron.

Franko: The Crazy Revenge

Franko: The Crazy Revenge

PC

Action

February 23, 1996

Franko: The Crazy Revenge is a Polish answer to the battles like Double Dragon or Golden Axe, which once made a dizzying career in local gaming salons. We see our hero from the side, and the whole philosophy is to constantly walk to the right and delete the coming delicatessen.

Alien Trilogy

Alien Trilogy

PCPlayStation

Action

February 29, 1996

The first person shooter is a summary of the adventures of brave Ellen Ripley from the first three parts of the film series. Alien Trilogy was created by Probe Entertainment studio. The game was launched in 1996.

Exhumed

Exhumed

PCPlayStation

Action

March 12, 1996

The action of the game Powerslave (known in Europe as Exhumed) takes us to Egypt, specifically to the ancient city of Karnak, which was captured by the mysterious forces of evil. Many daredevils entered a valley forgotten by mankind to find out what is the cause of the terrifying events that took place shortly after the intervention of supernatural forces, but none of them returned....

EarthSiege 2

EarthSiege 2

PC

Action

March 19, 1996

Continuation of the dynamic action game with powerful mosses in the lead role. In the game, we once again take control of modernised HERCs in order to once again face up to the rebellious cyborgs who, after the defeat suffered in the first part, rebuilt their power in a secret lunar base.

Amok

Amok

PC

Action

April 11, 1996

Amok is a three-dimensional shooting seen from the perspective of a third person, in which we play the role of Gert Staun - a mercenary piloting a combat vehicle called Slambird.

Return Fire

Return Fire

PCPlayStation

Action

April 12, 1996

An arcade military shooter in which the action is presented in an isometric view. Players take control over vehicles, fighting on successive maps to take over the enemy flag.

Final Doom

Final Doom

PCPlayStation

Action

April 15, 1996

Developed in collaboration between id Software and GT Interactive, this is the official expansion to the 1994 cult FPS shooter Doom II: Hell on Earth. The expansion entitled Final Doom enriches the basic version of the game with two brand new episodes: Plutonia Experiment and TNT: Evilution, in which we follow the further fate of a lone soldier, fighting hordes of hellish monsters. Each of the additional episodes of the game consists of 32 levels, but we won't find any previously unseen enemies or weapons.

Duke Nukem 3D

Duke Nukem 3D

PCPlayStationXbox

Action

May 13, 1996

One of the most famous first-person shooters and, at the same time, the third installment of the series about the adventures of an arrogant hero. The title focuses on dynamics and effectiveness, serving a lot of humour at the same time.

Shellshock

Shellshock

PC

Action

May 24, 1996

A crazy action game combining FPP shooting and a simulator. In the game, we play the role of the new members of the anti-terrorism organisation Da Wardenz, and our task is to ensure security and peace in the world. Sitting inside a modern M-13 Predator tank, we take part in 25 dynamic missions, eliminating attacking enemy units. The gameplay is accompanied by the original "rap" style and the soundtrack itself.

Fire Fight

Fire Fight

PC

Action

May 31, 1996

A popular genre of space shooting game by Chaos Works studio in Krakow. The production is distinguished by an innovative approach to the genre and impressive graphic design. The action is set in the distant future, and the player plays the role of a pilot of a combat spacecraft and carries out missions commissioned by the Spectral Council, which watches over the observance of the law in the galaxy.

Strife (1996)

Strife (1996)

PC

Action

June 12, 1996

A unique adventure game based on the Doom Engin. At Strife, in addition to massacring hordes of enemies, you'll also have to talk to passers-by you meet, carry out assignments for them and collect items.

Quake (1996)

Quake (1996)

PC

Action

June 22, 1996

A first-person shooter developed by id Software, which established new standards in the genre while being a breakthrough in terms of 3D computer graphics. The action of Quake takes place in an undefined future where government experiments with teleportation has made contact with inhabitants of other dimensions, bringing about an infestation of hellish beasts. During the gameplay, we assume the role of a nameless hero who, as humanity’s last hope, travels between the dimensions trying to deal with the danger. During the game, we explore various, climatic locations, wreaking havoc using eight weapons types. Our task is to gather the runes that unlock access to the last dimension, home to the final boss - Shub-Niggurath. One of the biggest highlights of the game is an expanded multiplayer mode offering the ability to play in several different modes, designed for up to 16 players.

Magic Carpet 2

Magic Carpet 2

PC

Action

June 24, 1996

Continuation of unusual action game made by Bullfrog in 1994. In Magic Carpet 2 we play as a wizard from the original game. This time we face a powerful demon Vissiluth and his minions. Ruler of the dark Netherworld wants to use the knowledge of our dead mentor to take control over the world of the living. In comparison to the original, the main concept of the game remained unchanged and during the game we sit on our flying carpet again to fight a host of monsters and hostile mages in a series of subsequent missions.

Crusader: No Regret

Crusader: No Regret

PC

Action

July 30, 1996

Crusader: No Regret is a sequel to a great action game that once touched the gaming community with a huge load of violence, attacking from the monitor screen at a convulsive pace.

OverBlood

OverBlood

PlayStation

Action

August 2, 1996

A survival horror in which we play Lars Karcy, one of the victims of horrific experiments carried out at the secret research facility of Lystra Laboratories. While playing in OverBlood we travel through claustrophobic locations, fight with encountered opponents and solve puzzles pushing the story forward.

Die Hard Trilogy

Die Hard Trilogy

PCPlayStation

Action

August 31, 1996

A dynamic action game based on the famous Bruce Willis film series. The production is divided into three parts, referring to the individual films and which are basically three independent games. In Die Hard Trilogy you will find both a third-person action game, rail-shooter shooting, as well as an arcade car game.

Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel

Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel

PC

Action

September 3, 1996

The only official extension to Hexen, a fantasy FPS game. The plugin offers 20 premiere single player scenarios and a completely new Multiplayer mode that can be used by up to eight players at once.

Project Overkill

Project Overkill

PlayStation

Action

September 12, 1996

Maintained in a dark shoot'em up style, in which the action is presented in isometric projection. The production hands over to the player four mercenaries with different skills.

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries

PC

Action

September 30, 1996

Mercenaries is a standalone addition to Mechwarrior 2: 31st Century Combat. We play the role of a mercenary team member, who earns a living by executing orders with his lawyer.

Bedlam (1996)

Bedlam (1996)

PC

Action

September 30, 1996

Made from an isometric perspective, dynamic science-fiction shooting. In the game we play as the commander of the squadron of modern RAT tanks, and our task is to face the army of rebellious robots, which stirred up the uprising and turned against their creators.

Hellbender

Hellbender

PC

Action

October 3, 1996

A three-dimensional action game set in futuristic climates. Humanity is attacked by an artificially created race that has slipped out of control. After the destruction of the largest pilots' school and its students, our shoulders are protected from strangers. We sit at the helm of a prototype spacecraft and start a struggle for survival.

Tunnel B1

Tunnel B1

PCPlayStation

Action

October 4, 1996

A first person view shooter where players control a hovercraft armed with modern weapons and walk through tunnels filled with enemies. The production is maintained in the dark style of science fiction.

Shattered Steel

Shattered Steel

PC

Action

October 22, 1996

Shattered Steel is a futuristic action game that uses the motif of great walking combat machines, known in the game as Planet Runners.

Syndicate Wars

Syndicate Wars

PCPlayStation

Action

October 30, 1996

Action game containing strategic elements, in which we lead a group of cyber-warriors to a number of dangerous missions. It has an interesting graphics, specific atmosphere and undeniable playability.

Twisted Metal 2: World Tour

Twisted Metal 2: World Tour

PCPlayStation

Action

October 31, 1996

Twisted Metal 2 is part of a cult series that debuted on the PlayStation in 1995. The game is a car shooting game in which we play as one of the tournament participants, competing to death and life against other opponents.

Killing Time

Killing Time

PC

Action

October 31, 1996

FPP Shooting created by 3DO Company. The player plays the role of a former student of Egyptology, whose task is to find and destroy Thoth's Water Clock, turning people into monsters taken out of the nightmares.

Soviet Strike

Soviet Strike

PlayStation

Action

October 31, 1996

The next installment of the series of arcade air shooters, in which the action is presented in isometric projection. This is the first part of the cycle released on a 32-bit console.

Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain

Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain

PCPlayStation

Action

November 1, 1996

Opening the series Legacy of Cain adventure game in which the camera presents events from the bird's eye view. The main character is an aristocrat turned into a vampire, who is looking for a way to regain his humanity.

Tomb Raider (1996)

Tomb Raider (1996)

PCPlayStationMobile

Action

November 3, 1996

A TPP action game with platformer elements, in which we play as the brave and attractive female archaeologist Lara Croft. Our protagonist sets out in search of a mystical artifact named Scion, which lies inside the tomb of Qualopec, located deep in the Peruvian jungle. After her guide dies at the very beginning of the journey, Lara is forced to face all the dangers waiting within ancient structures, tunnels, and catacombs on her own. And this is just the beginning of her adventure, which will lead her from ancient Rome, through Egyptian pyramids, and to several other exotic places. Tomb Raider’s gameplay skillfully combines the elements of an adventure game with the features of a platformer (e.g. climbing rock shelves) and action sequences, during which you will be facing wild animals and armed humans.

Stargunner

Stargunner

PC

Action

November 19, 1996

Stargunner is a space shooter created by Apogee in 1996. Although the action of the game is observed from the side, the program has a lot in common with another product of this concern - Raptor: Call of the Shadows.

Contra: Legacy of War

Contra: Legacy of War

PlayStation

Action

November 29, 1996

Prepared by the Hungarian studio Appaloosa Interactive, the next installment of the famous series of arcade shooters. This is the first part of the legendary cycle that uses 3D graphics.

Descent II

Descent II

PC

Action

November 30, 1996

A three-dimensional FPP action game that gives players freedom of movement in a state of weightlessness. Working for the PTMC corporation, a material defender tries to stop a nanovirus that turns robots into assassins.

Disruptor

Disruptor

PlayStation

Action

November 30, 1996

A first-person shooter in which the player takes on the role of one of the LightStormers - elite soldiers that neutralize any dangers that threaten humanity. Disruptor is the debut project of Insomniac Games - a studio that provided such hits as the Spyro trilogy and the Ratchet & Clank series.

Re-Loaded

Re-Loaded

PCPlayStation

Action

December 1, 1996

A brutal top-down shooter, a continuation of the Loaded game released on PlayStation and Sega Saturn. In the game we play the role of bloodthirsty antiheroes, who are sent to defeat the crazy C.H.E.B.A. - a villain whose brain was transplanted into the body of a hermit-artist. The gameplay boils down to wandering through completely twisted worlds and brutal elimination of hostile enemies using a large arsenal of deadly weapons.