Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits (USA)
Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits (USA) - Arcade Classic
Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits is a compilation of six classic arcade games from the early 1980s, brought to the SEGA Genesis in 1996. This collection includes iconic titles like Defender, Joust, Robotron: 2084, and Bubbles, all originally developed by Williams Electronics. Published by Williams Entertainment, it was one of the first arcade compilations on home consoles, offering a slice of arcade history on a cartridge.
The games retain their original arcade feel, with simple controls and high-score chasing. In Defender, you pilot a ship across a scrolling landscape to rescue astronauts from aliens. Joust pits you against enemy knights on flying ostriches, while Robotron: 2084 throws waves of robots and humanoids at you. Each title is a quick-arcade-action experience, with no overarching story linking them. The Genesis version includes a simple menu for selecting and launching each game.
This compilation holds up as a solid retro fix for fans of arcade classics. It captures the pick-up-and-play intensity of Williams' golden age, though the games are challenging and sometimes punishing. Compared to later compilations, it feels slightly barebones, but the six games included are well-emulated and play smoothly. If you enjoy vintage arcade action without the quarter-crunching, this is a worthy addition to any Genesis library.
How to Play Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits (USA) Online
On the title screen, press Enter to start the game. You will see a menu listing all six arcade titles. Use the Arrow Keys to move the selection cursor and press X (A) to select a game. Each game has its own instructions displayed briefly before the action begins. The core loop is simple: survive as long as possible, score points, and try to beat your high score. There are no continues or save points - each game is meant to be played in short, intense bursts.
New players should start with Joust or Defender as they are more forgiving. Robotron: 2084 is notoriously hard. Use the D-Pad to move and the appropriate action buttons to shoot, jump, or interact. Some games support two-player simultaneous play; to enable that, set the Genesis to 2-player mode using the controller mapping (Enter for Start, V for Select) before picking a game. The collection does not have a manual, but each game's original arcade controls are replicated faithfully.
Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits (USA) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button
- S: B button
- Z: C button
- A: X button (6-button pad)
- Q: Y button (6-button pad)
- E: Z button (6-button pad)
- Enter: Start / Mode
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