Play Punisher, The Amiga Online

I first played Punisher on the Amiga in 1990, a game developed and published by Psygnosis. It arrived during a time when the Amiga was full of arcade-style action games, and this one stood out for its gritty, comic book source material. It wasn't trying to reinvent the genre, but it offered a solid translation of the Marvel character into a side-scrolling format.

You control Frank Castle, the Punisher, moving through urban environments from left to right. Your main objective is to fight through waves of thugs and eventually face off against Marvel villains as end-level bosses. The gameplay combines melee combat with punches and kicks alongside firearm use; you can pick up enemy weapons like knives or submachine guns to clear screens more efficiently. The pacing is relentless, with enemies swarming from both sides of the screen, and the difficulty can feel punishing if you're not careful with your health and ammo. It feels satisfying to mow down rows of enemies with a well-timed spray of bullets, though the constant pressure keeps you on edge throughout each stage.