That’s Not A Game. THIS Is A Game.

If you find yourself unable to take part in Australia Day traditions like throwing a BBQ, getting sunburnt, and sculling a keg of beer before rolling around in green and gold paint (that’s what we’re meant to do, right?), then the least you — nay, WE, the least WE can do — is play some of these Aussie classics.

The Hobbit (1982) — Beam Software

Developed by Beam Software (a studio that was later sold to Krome Studios) and published by Melbourne House, The Hobbit isn’t the easiest game to track down, but if you manage to find it you’ll be able to bask in the warm and fuzzy glow of one of the most successful games to come out of Australia. The Hobbit won the 1983 Golden Joystick Award for best strategy game and sold over 100,000 copies in its first two years at a retail price of £14.95 (keep in mind that this was the early 80s!). By the late 1980s it had sold over a million copies. *single happy tear*

The Way of the Exploding Fist (1985) — Beam Software

A one-on-one karate game that picked up Game Of The Year at the Golden Joystick Awards and was followed up with the sequels Fist 2: The Legend Continues (1986) and Exploding Fist +… oh Beam Software, please come back and never let us go!

The Dame Was Loaded (1995) — Beam Software

Fifteen years before L.A. Noire spent millions of dollars on motion capture technology to make the dude from Mad Men look like a video game bro, The Dame Was Loaded just… you know, filmed real people. This FMV point-and-click adventure of the noir genre was, at the time, the largest multimedia production ever made in Australia. Money well-spent, team! *CLAPCLAPCLAP*

KKnD or Krush, Kill ‘n’ Destroy (1997) — Beam Software

Yes, it’s another game from Beam Software published by Melbourne House. It would not be a stretch to say that Beam Software led the way in Australian game development, so let’s remember their contribution to the game development scene by blasting some agriculture robots.

Powerslide (1998) — Ratbag Games

Praised for its impressive graphics, Powerslide does a wonderful job of capturing a post-apocalyptic desert that isn’t too dissimilar from our own sunburnt country. We hereby award it The Brownest Australian Game Ever Made.

Shane Warne Cricket (1999) — Codemasters

We know that Shane Warne Cricket (named Brian Lara Cricket in the UK) was made over in The Motherland, but I once overheard someone say that “nothing is more Australian than Shane Warne”, so I’d be a fool to not take their word for it. It’s the Australian sport game that people still remember fondly. I don’t know why.

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger (2002) — Krome Studios

Look, I’m not trying to say that the Tasmania Tigers can only blame themselves for their extinction (because that would be a jerk thing to suggest!), but if they were anything like Ty the Tasmania Tiger then I am pretty sure they would still be around today. An animal with so much attitude and such a dashing pair of board shorts just doesn’t go extinct. This is scientific fact.

de Blob (2008) — Blue Tongue

Aside from being a joyous experience, de Blob came at a time when Australia needed (and in the eyes of many, still needs) a lesson about tolerance and acceptance. It’s about embracing differences, celebrating diversity, and uniting to judo-roll over the monochromatic, fascist Inkies.

Blade Kitten (2010) — Krome Studios

Krome Studio’s last game, Blade Kitten is the finest furry platformer. Wait, are we allowed to talk about furries on Kotaku? Well, too late! COME CENSOR ME BRO! Blade Kitten didn’t do particularly well. I can’t imagine why…

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What other Aussie-made classics do you think we should drag out for Australia Day? We’ve made our list, now it’s over to you to let us know what classics we’ve missed out on!