Whether you're an old Lynx owner hoping to get those memories back, or a newcomer looking to catch up on what you missed, right now is the best opportunity you'll have. Most Lynx games can be found at auction for paltry sums, but some are getting harder to find, and the situation will only get worse. As of right now, there are still a few outlets that sell new games, including Go Atari and Songbird Productions, but expect to pay a premium for rarer games. Some games, like Raiden and Hyperdrome, are very difficult to find, no matter where you look.
So if you're just getting started, these are the essentials. Classic arcade ports, unique originals, and adaptations that did things differently. This is what the Lynx is all about.
Battle Wheels
Developer: Beyond Games
Year Released: 1993
Why You Need It: Ok, I'm going to level with you: It's pretty hard to get a bunch of Lynx owners with the same game together for multiplayer. But if you ever do, mark the occasion with this game. Before there was Twisted Metal, Rogue Trip, and Vigilante 8, there was Battle Wheels. It's a post-apocalyptic vehicular death-match, with remarkably fluid gameplay for the time. It's a bit like Battlezone, but completely chaotic, and perfect for quick, competitive bouts.
Battlezone 2000
Developer: Hand Made Software
Year Released: 1995
Why You Need It: Battlezone 2000 was part of the same series of mid-'90s retro-revivals that brought Tempest and Defender back from the dead. On the surface, it appears to be a pretty simple death-match game with a very similar look and feel to the vector classic. But there's another game in there: Press Option 1 at the Tank Configuration screen three times, hold it on the third time, and hit pause. The game will reset, and a whole new game will load up.
This is the real Battlezone 2000, the original design that the developers wanted, but management wouldn't approve. It's a deep, complex, and strategic shooter with filled polygonal graphics, 2000 levels, extensive customization, and open-ended progression. It was clearly a labor of love, and more than vilifies Atari for forcing Hand Made to hide their creation with a code. If you find this game, it probably won't be cheap, but it's worth the money.
Blue Lightning
Developer: Epyx
Year Released: 1989
Why You Need It: This launch title is usually regarded as the undisputed classic of the Lynx's library. With incredible graphics and massive sprite scaling that completely blew away the consoles of the day, it was the perfect showcase for the raw power of the Lynx's video chip. On the surface, it appears to be a tip of the hat to Sega's After Burner, but underneath the arcade veneer lies a more consolized design involving actual missions, and a good deal of variety between stages, making it more than just a brainless shoot 'em up. If we had to choose one game to show what the Lynx was all about, it would be this one.
Chip's Challenge
Developer: Epyx
Year Released: 1989
Why You Need It: Another of the first-generation Lynx games published under the Epyx name, Chip's Challenge is one of the few Lynx originals to gain some popularity on another platform, thanks to its later Windows version. The original is still the best, with a lot of challenging puzzles that are just the perfect length for a quick pick-up-and-play. If you like old-fashioned block-pushing puzzlers like Sokoban and Rescue Rover, this is one of the best.
CyberVirus
Developer: Songbird Productions, Beyond Games
Year Released: 2002
Why You Need It: For the longest time, the Lynx just refused to die. Even after Atari folded, there was a steady trickle of third-party releases, ranging from late Telegames releases like Raiden and Fat Bobby, to some more amateurish independent games that you wouldn't want to pay for.
CyberVirus was one of the last Lynx games to make it out, and it gave Lynx owners a reason to believe again. Originally developed by Beyond Games as the follow-up to BattleWheels, it was canceled before it could be completed. Songbird decided to pick up the rights and actually finish the game, and they did a fantastic job. It's a mission-based first-person shooter with amazing graphics, and that signature Lynx feel. It may have taken eight years to make it out, but it's worthy of standing with the best on the system. This game is still available directly from the publisher, but virtually impossible to find in the wild, since it was never mass-produced.
Electrocop
Developer: Epyx
Year Released: 1989
Why You Need It: Originally conceived as the third game in the Impossible Mission series, Electrocop is about as polarizing as the series that spawned it. There's no denying that this is a showcase game for the hardware, with expansive 3D levels and gigantic sprites. But it's much more than the slightly awkward third person shooter it first appears to be – more of a sprawling action-adventure in a giant labyrinth. It's not a game that can be played casually, making a handheld platform seem like a questionable choice, but if you can invest the time and patience to experiment and write down notes, codes, and maps, you'll find a unique and rewarding game.
Gauntlet: The Third Encounter
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1989
Why You Need It: Like Rampage, this is an Epyx original that got retooled to fit an existing series after the Atari buyout. From the screenshots, it certainly looks a lot like Gauntlet, but as soon as you see a character roster that features a robot, a punk rocker, and a pirate, you'll immediately know something is a bit off. That doesn't mean it won't make fans of the arcade game happy, though. The premise is still the same, working your way through top-down mazes and being swarmed by ludicrous numbers of enemies. But there's a bit more of an exploration component and an actual inventory system to add a bit of depth. Either way it makes a great entry in the series, even if it is a bit weird.
Hydra
Developer: NuFX
Year Released: 1992
Why You Need It: This early-'90s arcade game was a fitting sibling to RoadBlasters, but never gained the same kind of popularity. Like that game, it's a mix of racing and shooting, but you'll trade pavement for a riverbed, and have a high-powered hovercraft to cruise the waves. Hydra definitely has its own personality, with a goofy piracy theme and some nifty aerial maneuvers. It may be the third best Lynx game in the genre, but it's still a worthy addition to the library.
Klax
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: Every handheld needs its falling-block puzzle game, and Klax is undoubtedly the Lynx's best. It's a very common, dirt-cheap pick up, and one of the better adaptations of the arcade game. The vertical alignment is a nice compliment here, and the view feels huge. Like many Lynx ports, the music is original, and most definitely classic. If you really need Tetris, you could hunt down the independently-published T-Tris cart, but you'd probably be happier just sticking with Klax.
Ninja Gaiden
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1991
Why You Need It: When Ninja Gaiden came out for the NES, most fans were just delighted to have a good game, but loyal arcade goers knew something was amiss. "This isn't Ninja Gaiden!" we cried, but the damage had been done. The original arcade game was an excellent beat 'em up for its day, but it got shafted for home console conversions. Luckily, Atari picked up the slack with their faithful adaptation of Strong Team's classic. A couple levels have been cut for space constraints, but all the mid-air throws, kick-flips, and sword slashes are intact, and it plays just as well as it did in the arcades. For fans of the NES series, Ninja Gaiden III also made it to the Lynx, but it's a disappointingly straightforward conversion.
Raiden
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1997
Why You Need It: Raiden had a tough time getting to shelves. Demonstrated in complete form at CES in 1990, it sat on the shelf for years before becoming one of Telegames' final releases. The retail version of the game still says "CES Version" on the title screen, but you'd never guess it to be unfinished. In fact, it's a strong port of the Seibu Kaihatsu original, down to its vertical "tate" orientation. There are a handful of great shooters for the Lynx, and Raiden might be the best – if you can find it.
Rampage
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: Rampage is yet another Epyx game that had its license changed part of the way through development. That doesn't mean it's not really Rampage though – in many ways it's the ultimate version, with reworked gameplay that allowed for greater strategy. It's best not to think of this as a port, but rather a re-interpretation of Rampage for a new format.
RoadBlasters
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: There is certainly no shortage of quality arcade racing/shooters on the Lynx, but RoadBlasters remains a fan favorite. At the time, it was the best of the game's home conversions, thanks in no small part to the ridiculously smooth scaling. The controls have a very tight feel, which really helps in a game that emphasized accuracy the way this does. If you have any love for the arcade original, this is a must-have.
Robo-Squash
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: Robo-Squash is a very simple, old-fashioned game. It's essentially a 3D version of Pong with some power-ups and Break-Out elements thrown in. While that might not sound too exciting, it ends up being a really addictive game, and wraps the ball-and-paddle action around a 16-stage conquest mode that helps provide a larger structure for the instant action.
Shadow of the Beast
Developer: Digital Developments
Year Released: 1992
Why You Need It: The Lynx seemed to attract a number of Amiga platform game conversions like Switchblade II and Viking Child, but the best of these is one of the crown jewels of the Amiga era, Shadow of the Beast. Reflections Interactive's original was an incredibly atmospheric game with large, inter-connected levels and a surreal and imaginative world. A lot of love and attention was put into the Lynx port, and while the overall game is trimmed a bit for space, it doesn't just feel like a watered-down version. It makes excellent use of the Lynx's hardware effects, and the level design has been reworked for the small screen. Digital Developments also made the wise decision to rethink the original music substantially to make it work on the lesser Lynx sound hardware. Obviously nothing beats the Amiga original, but this is an excellent conversion, and about as good as platforming gets on Atari's handheld.
S.T.U.N. Runner
Developer: Atari
Year Released: 1991
Why You Need It: If you frequented arcades in the late '80s or early '90s, you probably remember being wowed by Atari's polygonal tube racer, S.T.U.N. Runner. Unfortunately, the game never got a home console conversion until 2005's Midway Treasures, and the computer versions left a lot to be desired. The Lynx proved it could do what others could not with a faithful adaptation that traded polygons for massive amounts of sprite scaling, but still managed to stay true to the feel and gameplay of the original. It might look a bit chunky, especially to newcomers, but it still plays great.
Todd's Adventures in Slime World
Developer: Epyx
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: Back in the late 80s and early 90s, the video game market revolved around the platform game genre, and the Lynx, for all its brilliant pseudo-3D action titles, really struggled to compete in this genre. There were a few decent ports of existing games, but most of the Lynx platformers were dreadful. There was, however, one original that proved to be an exception: Slime World.
And interesting mix of puzzle and action, Slime World sent Todd crawling through diverse levels that oozed and pulsated. Each of these levels has its own concept and design ethic, lending the game a lot of variety. It also supported up to 8 players, though I'm not sure anyone has ever actually managed to bring 8 copies of this game together at once. You might have seen Slime World on the Genesis, or on PC Engine CD, but the original Lynx version does everything so much better.
Toki
Developer: TAD Corp
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: The Lynx might not have a Mega Man, but at least it has Toki. The tiny fire-spitting ape starred in a quality arcade game, and the Lynx port is a very solid conversion, and the only good arcade platform/shooter you'll find on the system. Thanks in part to mediocre ports on some other platforms, Toki isn't really remembered as a classic, but if you're building a Lynx library, you'll be glad you picked this one up.
Xybots
Developer: NuFX
Year Released: 1991
Why You Need It: Atari Games' arcade corridor shooter could be the casual game that many hoped Electrocop would be. Like that Epyx classic, you'll work through sprawling labyrinths with hidden areas, multiple exits, and warps to different levels. But in Xbyots, you're still playing for high score, and it's a fast-paced, challenging, and fun arcade experience. The Lynx was one of the only places to play this game at home, and even without the unique twisting joystick controller, the gameplay carries over perfectly.
Zarlor Mercenary
Developer: Epyx
Year Released: 1990
Why You Need It: Quite simply, Zarlor Mercenary is the best shooter on the platform, and a showcase for just what a 2D monster Atari's handheld could be. Pushing massive amounts of sprites around, Zarlor Mercenary could fill the entire screen with nary a sign of slowdown or flicker. The backgrounds seemed more detailed than the limited resolution and color palette of the Lynx should allow, and nearly everything was destructible, leaving a satisfying path of ruin and destruction in your wake. And really, isn't that what shooters are all about?
Once you've gotten these essentials in your collection, you shouldn't just stop shopping. There are plenty of middle-tier Lynx games worth buying, like Dracula the Undead, Gates of Zendecon, California Games, and Remnant, but be cautious of a lot of lame side-scrollers like Dirty Larry, Gordo 106, or Fat Bobby. Also make sure to steer clear of Kung Food and Pit Fighter – their availability and low price will make them tempting, but they're just worthless games. Most of all, just be patient. Building a great library is going to take some time, but the Lynx a unique slice of gaming well worth the effort.