Top 15 Best Phillips CD-i Games of All Time

The Phillips CD-i has gone in history as one of the worst consoles of all time. Some circles consider it significantly worse than either the Atari Jaguar or Panasonic 3DO. Me? I certainly don’t like it, but that’s not to say that the CD-i doesn’t have any good games. It does, but these are few and far between. In Phillip’s defense it was never meant to be a full blown console. Their original intention for the CD-i was to create multi-media focused hardware with some games on the side. Because all of the educational software and videos are no obsolete we’re left with a rather meager line-up of games. With that said it gets a bum rep, and today I’d like to set the record straight by highlighting the best Phillips CD-i games of all time. Yes, that’s a tall task but I found some gems. Let’s dive right in!

#15. – Zelda’s Adventure

Yes, I’m well aware that for fans of the franchise this is a downright offensive installment. It’s a result of the deal Nintendo made with Phillips which allowed the latter to use the big name franchises in select CD-i games. The final title Phillips released under this deal was Zelda’s Adventure. Unlike the other titles using the franchise name this an overhead action adventure title. The problem here is they went with a more realistic CG style. This is first witnessed in the live action video, but even the backgrounds and characters are pre-rendered. Unfortunately these are awkward as all heck. Zelda’s Adventure is not the greatest game, but it’s one of the more playable titles for the platform.

#14. – 7th Guest

This is the first fully FMV title on the list, and I’m aware this is a widely hated game. The horror theme really resonated with me. Basically you wander through a mansion (it’s slow paced and plodding due to the FMV animations and backgrounds). You have the occasional puzzle, and it is these that I find to be the highlight of the experience. These are surprisingly in depth and well though out on occasion. The problem is that the rest of the game is kind of a slog. Atmosphere in 7th Saga however is on point, and I actually liked the cheesy acting in the video sequences. Honestly this one is better on a number of platforms. It’s not great, but it’s still one of the best games for the Phillips CD-i. I promise we’ll get to some actual good games soon.

#13. – Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon

Remember how I said Phillips made multiple Zelda titles for the CD-i? Well, this is the next one, and I promise there’s one more on this list. The Wand of Gamelon is obviously better than Zelda’s Adventure, but not by much. This time around the gameplay is more akin to a side scrolling action platformer. It’s also rife with full motion video complete with that trademark horrible voice acting. If you’ve been reading this far into the list then you’ve probably discovered a trend here with this. The action is very clunky, and hit detection is a major problem here. The most interesting part of this game is that you’re allowed a fair amount of exploration. Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon is awful, but when compared with the rest of the library, this is one of the best Phillips CD-i games. Unfortunately.

#12. – Litil Divil

Here’s an oddball game. I’m not even completely sure how to classify this one. Litil Divil is sort of an action platformer mish mashed with some timed elements. At times it feels like an FMV adventure (minus the video) because of the precise timing you need to defeat foes. In other instances there are some 3D caverns that you can explore, and while boring these represent the neatest part of the package. Other areas have you wandering around like a beat ’em up but the gameplay mechanics are ill defined and controls are all over the place. Litil Divil is a step above other titles on this list, so far, but no by much to be honest. At least it’s playable.

#11. – Whack a Bubble

You know how every console needs a good puzzle title? Well this is the CD-i’s, and it’s one of the first decent titles on this list as far as I’m concerned. I’m a big fan of the original Arkanoid, and this is basically that, but with a few twists. You have objects of various colors that you have to eliminate. The thing is you’re a paddle on the bottom of the screen. Your only offensive technique to do so is reflecting a ball that bounces back and forth at them. The twist here is that you can only eliminate objects of the same color as your ball, but this can be changed during gameplay. You’ll need to take advantage of this technique because you need to eliminate objects of different colors. It’s a decent game, but it’s not going to give the original Breakout a run for it’s money.

#10. – Alien Gate

Shmups were big when the CD-i released. Because developers barely considered the CD-i a video game platform you won’t find the likes of Gradius or R-type on it. Instead we have Alien Gate. This one is an overhead shoot em up that scrolls vertically. You play as a space ship that looks like it’s equipped with brooms on both sides (don’t ask me because I honestly don’t know). Near as I can tell you play a variety of different stages with a weird face creature spitting foes at you. The problems rear their head immediately. For one thing there’s almost no diversity. The premise never changes and there aren’t even environmental hazards. You play as a huge ship with a large hit box which makes gameplay frustrating. I mildly enjoyed my time here. I feel comfortable claiming this is one of the best CD-i games released on the market.

#9. – Mutant Rampage

For a console Phillips never meant to be an actual video game system it sure has a lot of games in a variety of genres released for it. Mutant Rampage is the obligatory beat ’em up on the platform. The thing I liked most about this title is the pure unadulterated attitude it has. The premise, as well as the full motion videos it uses just scream mid 90s in the best way possible. As is the case with most games for the Phillips CD-i this one is pretty slow paced. You view the action from a side view as you can move in all directions to defeat foes. This one actually feels like a poor man’s Final Fight, but that’s a high compliment for titles on the platform. Mutant Rampage is one of the best games for the Phillips CD-i because it actually feels like a real game.

#8. – Link: The Faces of Evil

Here we have it. This is the best Phillips CD-i Zelda game. As we all know that isn’t saying too much. It uses the same gameplay engine as Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon but it does a number of things better. For example the hit detection is just slightly more accurate. I also find that Link isn’t qutie as slow as his princess of Hyrule counterpart. Controls are still a major issue and depending on the controller you’re using this game could be a real chore. Despite that the Faces of Evil still feel more like a proper Zelda title than the other two. This is no doubt because of atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong you still have to be patient to dive into this one, but it at least isn’t as bad as the others.

#7. – Escape From Cyber City

Normally I’m apprehensive about light gun shooters when there’s no actual peripheral you can use for the game. That’s the case for Escape From Cyber City. What’s unique about this title is that as far as I know it’s the only title on the platform that uses an anime aesthetic. Either way this is first and foremost an FMV adventure title. You watch video and react to what’s happening. I rather like the fact that this one plays like a choose your own adventure book. You can select between multiple paths, and this affects the overall storyline. Action sequences have you moving a reticule around the screen to shoot. It’s an underrated game that’s clunky but rewarding all the same.

#6. – Christmas Crisis

There aren’t enough video games that star Santa Claus. To be fair I only said that after playing Christmas Crisis. This 2D platformer has you hopping and bopping your way through a variety of Christmas themed stages. Yeah, it doesn’t sound like anything exciting but it’s the CD-i we’re talking about after all. It’s a decently fun game but Christmas Crisis has a few issues. For one thing the level designs are a bit lame overall. They’re at least a few steps above what other similar titles on the platform offer. What’s nice about this game is how smoothly your character moves. Unfortunately the action is a little big fast, but it doesn’t take long to get used to it.

#5. – Arcade Classics

This is one of the original Namco Arcade classics compilations. I know that it actually began as far back as the MSX, but for all intents and purposes this predates Namco’s most popular efforts. On this disc you will find three nearly arcade perfect ports of Galaxian, Ms Pac-Man, and Galaga. That’s a pretty small list for a CD-rom but hear me out. All three are completely playable even today, and Ms. Pac-Man in particular is a pure joy to play. The interface may be derivative but if you’re hungry for an arcade compilation, and the CD-i is your only option (god help you) you can’t go wrong with this disc.

#4. – Tetris

Tetris is Tetris, absolutely. The gameplay is largely unchanged in this port but at the very least the controls are good. It doesn’t matter which controller you use you’ll still be able to play this one. That’s not something you can say for a lot of other CD-i games. You manipulate falling formations of blocks so that you can fill the play field in a horizontal fashion. What sets this version apart from the others is the music and backgrounds. You have a series of FMV playing in the background. These are all nature based, and they’re actually pretty calming. The music is also smooth jazz pop which really lets you hone your skills. The animation is on point, and the rules are the same as always. Tetris may be Tetris, but it’s one of the best games for the Phillips CD-i even now.

#3. – Pac-Panic

Oh look, another puzzle game. If developers were smart they would have focused more on the genre for this platform. This is also one of the few times developers used their most popular licenses for the system. Pac-Panic is a Tetris clone of sorts. Instead of lining up blocks horizontally you have various Pacman shaped blocks you set up for combinations. These can be activated with special items at which point Pac-Man eats everything and then there’s several eliminations. Pac-Panic plays well into the franchise as a licensed title, and as a puzzle title it’s really good. Honestly this one would be one of the best games on any niche console.

#2. – The Apprentice

The Apprentice is one of the few really good original games for the platform. It uses it’s slow pacing to allow for a lot of frames of animation. Gameplay is rather simple with you playing as a wizard who can cast spells with his wand. This is your primary means of attack. Levels are set up in a vertical fashion and your goal is to reach the top of any stage in order to complete it. On any other platform this would be a forgettable title. Because of how smooth it is and the decent level design however it’s one of the best Phillips CD-i games. Overall I most love how charming this one is. It reminds me of a simpler time, and the arcade gameplay is still compelling.

#1. – Hotel Mario

Yes, the only Mario title released on the platform is still the best Phillips CD-i game. It makes decent use of the license while doing something different from the main games at the same time. In Hotel Mario you play as the titular plumber and your job is to defeat all foes in every single screen stage. Unfortunately you will find that foes can come from any open door. This makes things significantly more difficult and changes your strategy. Later on you’ll find that doors don’t always lead you to the next floor. This further enhances the memorization skills you’ll need in order to proceed. Hotel Mario is a bottom tier Mario title, but it’s still the best game for the Phillips CD-i.