Play Forgotten Worlds Online

Summary

Forgotten Worlds (originally Lost Worlds) stands out as a horizontally scrolling shooter that lets you pilot a hulking soldier while juggling a rotatable "roll switch" for sixteen‑direction aiming. The satellite module that orbits your character mirrors every shot, and you can even spin it around you for a tactical edge. A rapid‑fire press triggers a screen‑clearing megacrush at the cost of a slice of your vitality gauge.

When the arcade classic landed on the TurboGrafx‑CD, NEC added a dedicated three‑button pad that mimics the original’s rotation controls: two buttons to swivel left or right and a third to fire. If you’re using the standard TurboGrafx‑16 controller, the Run button doubles as a left‑rotate command, making the experience still feel authentic. The CD version is single‑player only, but you can choose between the two unknown soldiers at the start, each retaining the long‑range rifle or short‑range spread from the arcade.

Throughout the nine stages you collect blue Zenny coins, which act as currency for on‑the‑fly shops. These kiosks sell satellite weapons, health kits, armor upgrades, and even boss‑tipping hints, all within a tight time limit. The blend of constant movement, aim‑adjustable fire, and strategic purchases keeps the action fresh.

Critics praised the title for its vibrant graphics—earning the 1988 Gamest Best Graphics award—and its smooth, inventive gameplay, even as the market was flooded with shooters. The TurboGrafx‑CD port preserved that visual punch while offering a uniquely tactile control scheme that still feels fresh today.

Storyline

Forgotten Worlds, the TurboGrafx‑CD sci‑fi shooter, throws players into the bleak 29th‑century aftermath of a divine cataclysm. An evil deity called Bios has razed most of Earth, reshaping it into a barren expanse known as the Dust World.

To combat this menace, humanity engineers two nameless supersoldiers. Their mission: hunt down Bios and the eight subordinate evil gods that serve him, restoring hope to a shattered planet.