H.E.R.O.
H.E.R.O. is a 1984 action-adventure developed by Activision for home systems and designed by John Van Ryzin, casting players as Roderick Hero on a mission to rescue miners trapped deep underground. Equipped with a backpack-mounted helicopter unit for flight, a helmet laser that fires forward, and a limited supply of dynamite for blasting through walls, the hero descends through increasingly hazardous cavern levels.
Players must manage a steadily draining power supply, which also depletes when hovering, while flying through tight passages, dynamiting obstructions, zapping bats and spiders, and avoiding lava, water, and cave-ins. The blend of flight, exploration, resource management, and cleverly designed vertical mazes gave it remarkable depth and variety for its era, with later levels demanding careful conservation of every dynamite stick.
H.E.R.O. is fondly remembered as one of the standout titles on early home consoles and computers. It remains accessible through Activision retro compilations and emulation for players curious about this inventive and demanding classic.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to H.E.R.O., with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Downwell Indie
€ 2,99An indie vertical-descent action game with the tense cave-diving spirit of H.E.R.O.
Downwell runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
SteamWorld Dig Indie
€ 9,99Dig down through a mine, upgrading tools as the caves get more dangerous, exactly H.E.R.O.'s loop.
SteamWorld Dig runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
PlateUp! Indie
€ 16,99A modern action title that rewards resource management and quick thinking under pressure.
PlateUp! runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Jetpack Joyride
Free + in-app purchasesFree jetpack flying through hazard-filled corridors, the arcade half of H.E.R.O. on any phone.
Jetpack Joyride runs on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
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