Elite

Elite (1984)

by Acornsoft, David Braben, Frontier Developments, Ian Bell, Digital Integration, Firebird, Hybrid Technology, Imagineer, Merlin Software U.K.
Genres:Strategy, Shooter, Simulator
Themes:Open world, Action, Science fiction, Sandbox, Business
Game modes:Single player
Story:Elite is a space trading video game, written and developed by David Braben and Ian Bell and originally published by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers in September 1984. Elite's open-ended game model, and revolutionary 3D graphics led to it being ported to virtually every contemporary home computer system, and earned it a place as a classic and a genre maker in gaming history. The game's title derives from one of the player's goals of raising their combat rating to the exalted heights of "Elite". Elite was one of the first home computer games to use wire-frame 3D graphics with hidden line removal. It added graphics and twitch gameplay aspects to the genre established by the 1974 game Star Trader. Another novelty was the inclusion of The Dark Wheel, a novella by Robert Holdstock which gave players insight into the moral and legal codes to which they might aspire.Show more
user avatarAdded by @X3r0
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
3 442
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (6)
What’s your memory of Elite?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@paci2020user avatar@paci2020
February 06, 2025
Before Elite Dangerous, there was this game. It had a reputation system based on your kills which increased access to more dangerous areas and more lucrative missions. Starting from the bottommost Harmless, all the way up to Dangerous, then Deadly then Elite. The higher your reputation, the more you would be hunted by others wanting to raise their own reputations. Tempted to try this again just for nostalgia but I honestly don't miss the days when every sound from your game came out of a single pc speaker in some kind of variation of beep or bop. Or monitors back in the day that were all green, or orange. Later upgrading to the amazing EGA, with 16 COLOURS!!! Then VGA, then...I kind of lost track after that. Why do we even need 8K? Was painfully reminded of this trying to replay old Sierra games. There is a reason why remasters are necessary for retro classics like this. I do wish Elite Dangerous was available as a single player offline experience though. Like all online games, it will die with it's server, while this old thing will go on and on. Such a tragedy, really.
user avatar@GoodGuyAuser avatar@GoodGuyA
February 02, 2025
The seminal piece of early British game software. There are many, many versions and different types of support that would need to be added - but it would be worth it to have one of the most important video games of all time available.
first space game i played,i played on a AMIGA 500,their wasnt anything at the time anywhere near it,it would be fun for younger memebers to see what it was like back in the day.
user avatar@Ianmanuser avatar@Ianman
February 20, 2025
An amazing experience that started my hobby of gaming. it was revolutionary at the time and I couldn't believe the scale of the game. It just brings back a lot of memories!
user avatar@shenron666user avatar@shenron666
February 26, 2025
This is the most advanced game of its time. No game at the same period could argue to propose a tenth of Elite. In fact, this game is a masterpiece, far above any other game, more than technicaly advanced for the computers capabilities of the era.
Played this game from tape on BBC micro. Still love it. :)
Those games also need your vote!
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VIIDirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII is an action role-playing third-person shooter. As the first shooter game in the Final Fantasy series, the action is viewed from an over-the-shoulder perspective similar to Resident Evil 4, although players can switch to a first-person perspective if they wish. Defeating enemies yields EXP, and at the end of each stage, the player can either use that EXP to level up, increasing Vincent's stats, or convert it to Gil (the in-game currency), which can then be used to purchase items and equipment upgrades.
Action
Fantasy
Science fiction
Action
Fantasy
Science fiction
2 046
2
The Darkness II
The Darkness IIThe Darkness II is an intense first person shooter that delivers a twisted and gripping narrative of tragedy, modern crime drama, and supernatural horror. Players will be taken down the brutal and personal path of Jackie Estacado, head of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient and ruthless force of chaos and destruction known as The Darkness.
Open world
Action
Horror
Survival
Open world
Action
Horror
Survival
2 934
1
Monster Hunter
Monster HunterMonster Hunter is an online action-hunting game by CAPCOM for the PlayStation 2 released on March 11th, 2004 in Japan, and September 21st, 2004 in North America. The game is a fantasy hunting simulator filled with many deadly monsters. Like actual hunting, successfully killing or capturing the monsters requires significant strategy, skill and involved resource management. While initially considered a commercial failure, Monster Hunter would go on to become one of CAPCOM's highest selling franchises. Despite featuring an offline mode, Monster Hunter was primarily an online game. The official servers were shut down on December 31, 2007 in North America and Europe, and July 1, 2011 in Japan. This means that it is now impossible to play online on official CAPCOM servers. Despite this, the game still features a small active community on private servers.
Action
Fantasy
Survival
Action
Fantasy
Survival
7 512
4
Phantom Crash
Phantom CrashIn the wake of massive air pollution and economic disaster in Tokyo, Japan has relocated its capital. Old Tokyo has become the battleground for a new breed of public entertainment called Rumbling. Observing from a massive airborne viewing station, spectators watch Scoobees battle to the death. More than just high-speed, heavily armed Mechs, Scoobees have an unprecedented stealth capability, turning invisible at will for brief periods of time. The stakes are high. The enemies are ruthless. The action is intense. Are you ready to rumble.
Action
Action
82
9
Breath of Fire II
Breath of Fire IIThe incredible sequel to the best-selling RPG hit Breath of Fire is here! You are the last member of the Dragon clan, fighting to rid the world of a growing evil. A cast of unusual and exciting companions joins you in your adventures across a wondrous land full of magic and mystery. You'll find strange mystic items, memorable monsters and exotic locations in your quest to conquer evil. There's strategy and spellcasting galore in the hours of compelling action and adventure that awaits you. Breath of Fire II is the ultimate in RPG excitement!
Action
Fantasy
Action
Fantasy
4 282
16
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil SurvivorTokyo is in full lockdown, the government's swift, coldblooded response to a surprise demon invasion. Trapped within the sprawling metropolis is the city's helpless populace, forced to turn on each other in order to survive. A mysterious piece of technology, the COMP, falls into the hands of you and your peers. This device allows you to form contracts, forcing demons to serve you in battle against the otherworldly creatures. There are others with COMPs, so-called demon tamers, who seek to use the demons to satisfy their own whims-be they for justice, peace, or power-in the chaos that was once downtown Tokyo. Where did the demons come from? Why did they appear? Who created the COMPs, and what is their purpose? These questions must soon be answered, for if you fail to solve the mystery, much more is at stake than your own lives.
Horror
Horror
2 137
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Resident Evil: The Umbrella ChroniclesResident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles is the first natively developed for the Wii console. Unlike the other games focused on free exploration, this title is an on-rails shooting game with fixed movement and perspectives. While playing, the camera floats to different areas and players shoot enemies on the screen, picking up ammo, weapons and health kits in the progress. In some situations, the controller can also be used as a melee weapon or in timed sequences. Some levels feature multiple paths and there are regular checkpoints. At the end of a level, the player's performance is awarded by stars, which can be exchanged for weapon upgrades. The game supports the Wii Zapper and features cooperative gameplay for up to two players.
Action
Horror
Action
Horror
3 588
9
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Resident Evil: The Darkside ChroniclesResident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles is an on-rails shooting game and the second title exclusive to the Wii platform in the Resident Evil series. The player do not control the character's movement but only the shooting aspect, shown from a first-person perspective. The player's partner is also shown on the screen and there is an cooperative option for two players.
Action
Horror
Survival
Action
Horror
Survival
3 582
3
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy TacticsLead epic battles in a new Final Fantasy world. Betrayal and darker dealings await in Square Soft's game of war. Fight hundreds of battles across dangerous 3D terrain as an ancient blood feud awakens a deadlier foe. * Command knights, mages, ninjas and more * Based on Final Fantasy characters and magic * 19 character classes, 400 abilities * Deep customization options * In-game interactive manual * Only on PlayStation.
Fantasy
Historical
Fantasy
Historical
8 804
28
The 3rd Birthday
The 3rd BirthdayThe game is an action role-playing game described by Square Enix as a "cinematic action RPG". Director Hajime Tabata noted that the gameplay and plot are intertwined due to a newly introduced ability called "Overdive," an ability that lets the player switch bodies with one of their team members, allowing them to control friendly NPCs. Teammates can be ordered either to target specific enemies or to defend themselves in combat. The player is able change their controlled character in real-time, intermixed with their combat actions. The game is played over-the-shoulder, comparable to games such as Resident Evil 4, Dead Space and the Mass Effect series. An array of different costumes will be available for Aya to choose from throughout the game, but only after they are unlocked by completing the game in various difficulty modes. Clothing in the game deteriorates due to battle damage, revealing Aya's skin to various degrees.
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Science fiction
Survival
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Science fiction
Survival
759
1