Summary
Stealth games were popularized byMetal Gear Solid, which placed players in the saddle of protagonist Snake and his sometimesoutright bizarre adventuresin the game’s world. Originally released in 1998 for the PlayStation 1, it is often viewed as the earliest stealth game.
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Gamers may be shocked to know that there are games in the stealth genre that were released beforeMetal Gear Solidhit the shelves.MGSwas instrumental in makingthe genre popular, but these games had a hand in the franchise’s inception, making them the parents of the stealth genre, a label often contributed to the firstMGSgame.
5Shoplifting Boy - 1979
The stealth genre dates all the way back to 1979 in the form ofShoplifting Boy, orManbiki Shounenas it is known in the country it was developed in, Japan. Players could experience this early stealth game on the Commodore in the simplistic graphics of the era, with its limited gameplay.
As the title suggests, this game places the players in the shoes of someone who is attempting to shoplift from a store. Players must walk around the aisles to collect as many dollar signs as possible without being detected by the owner. If caught, they will be led away by the Police, and the game will be over. Though very simple in presentation and premise, it is still an impressive game considering the era that it was released. In the following year, the sequelShoplifting Girlwas released, which featured similar gameplay but afemale protagonistin place of a male.
4Lupin III (Lupin the 3) - 1980
Anime or manga fans might recognize the title of this game, and it is indeedbased on the beloved series. Developer Taito took inspiration from the previously released stealth gameShoplifting Boyfor its own stealth gameLupin III;it was released to arcades across Japan in 1980. It was the very firstLupin the Thirdvideo game that was ever released and among the earliest stealth games to ever be released.
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In this stealth title, players take on the role of the titular protagonist Lupin as he attempts to steal bags of money in order to please his sweetheart. He must obtain them from the top of skyscrapers and deliver them to his stash at the bottom while avoiding being caught by the guards. If the player is detected by one of the guards, they will be hauled off to jail. Its premise is very similar to that ofShoplifting Boybut with the legacy of a huge IP behind it.
3Castle Wolfenstein - 1981
When players hearWolfenstein, they probably don’t think of a stealth game and instead rememberbloody, gun-touting carnage, but it might surprise some gamers to know that the originalCastle Wolfensteinincorporated stealth mechanics into its gameplay. Players would sneak into an area in order to steal secret plans and then try to escape, all the while avoiding detection. Alternatively, players could disguise themselves as a guard in order to slip past the other guards undetected.
As it was released all the way back in 1981, the graphics forCastle Wolfensteinare simplistic, as was the gameplay, yet it was still a fun andchallenging stealth experienceand one of the games that paved the way for Konami’s hit stealth game series. With the gameplay elements of being able to disguise the player character to avoid recognition by the guards,Castle Wolfensteinwas ahead of its time in some aspects.
2005 - 1981
005is an arcade game developed by Sega that was released in arcades in 1981. One of the earliest examples of a stealth game, and the first that utilized ‘cone vision’ for its NPCs,005was an innovative title for the stealth genre, bringing fresher and more challenging stealth gameplay for early fans of the genre to enjoy.
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As players might have guessed from the title, this game took majorinspiration from the spy film seriesJames Bond, tasking the players with the mission to stealth into enemy territory and steal briefcases full of documents before delivering them to the awaiting helicopter, all the while avoiding detection of the patrolling enemies. Players will have to use the boxes provided on the maps to avoid falling into their flashlights or line of sight; otherwise, it’s game over.
1Beyond Castle Wolfenstein - 1984
1984 saw the release of anotherCastle Wolfensteingame and the last title in theWolfensteinfranchise to make comprehensive use of stealth mechanics. Though released three years after the original, the graphics and gameplay were largely the same, with the only difference being some additions toBeyond Castle Wolfensteinto innovate and expand on the gameplay of the firstCastle Wolfenstein.
The 1984 title put more emphasis on the stealth gameplay, as players were given a knife for quiet, close-range kills and encouraged to take the uniform from a downed guard to disguise themselves as they infiltrate enemy bases.
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