14 min read

Hunter Hunted

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Overview

Hunter Hunted is a side-scrolling action computer game developed by Dynamix under Sierra’s K.A.A. (Kill All Aliens) label and published by Sierra On-Line in November 19961. The game takes players “out of reality and throws you into a side-scrolling, action-filled, gut-wrenching game” that offers a choice between playing as either a human named Jake or a beast named Garathe Den2. Set in a dystopian future where Earth has been conquered by brutal alien overlords, the game combines run-and-gun gameplay with platforming elements and an innovative multiplayer component.

The game distinguished itself from other platformers of its era by introducing what developers called “the third dimension of 2D,” allowing characters to move into doors and access different layers of the game world3. This mechanic, combined with split-screen cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, made Hunter Hunted stand out in a crowded market where “decent arcade games on PC are still hard to come by”4. Critics noted it as “a strong showing in the world of side-scrolling platform shooters” that bucked the trend of poor PC platformers at the time1.

Hunter Hunted was part of Sierra’s broader strategy during the mid-1990s to expand beyond their traditional adventure game catalog into more action-oriented titles. The game is connected to the Metaltech: Earthsiege universe, serving as a prequel that establishes the invasion of the Masters1. With 65 single-player missions and 35 multiplayer missions across cooperative and head-to-head modes, the game offered substantial content for players seeking “aimless but exciting thrills that you can play in small chunks at a time”4.

Story Summary

The year is 2015, and Earth has fallen to a technologically superior race of brutal alien warriors known as the Masters6. In a matter of days, five billion humans were exterminated, leaving humankind all but obliterated7. The Masters have invaded many planets throughout the galaxy, systematically exterminating or enslaving their populations6. Among their conquered worlds is Kullrathe, home to a minotaur-like species that has also been subjugated by these ruthless overlords.

The Masters, seeking entertainment from the conquered species, have established a gladiatorial competition where champions from different worlds are forced to compete against each other in deadly arenas. “You are the perfect specimen—the biggest, the baddest, the best of the best,” the game declares, establishing the players’ role as champions selected for this brutal contest8. The human champion is Jake, a muscle-bound, chisel-jawed warrior who represents Earth’s last hope for dignity4. His opponent is Garathe Den, the minotaur-like warrior champion of the planet Kullrathe4.

The competitions take place in abandoned urban environments—dark alleys, office buildings, and even abandoned malls—that have become the Masters’ gladiatorial arenas2. Players must navigate through these hostile environments, battling not only each other but also the various dangers the Masters have placed throughout the arenas. The ultimate goal is to collect all the car parts needed to build an escape vehicle called the SCURVe, which will allow the champion to escape from the evil Masters910.

The narrative frames the competition as a struggle for survival where “if you’ve never owed your life to someone before, you will now,” hinting at the cooperative elements where former enemies must sometimes work together against their common oppressors11. The game explores themes of resistance, survival, and the unlikely alliances that form when beings from different worlds face a common threat.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Hunter Hunted is a side-scrolling action game that supports multiple input methods including keyboard, mouse, and gamepad/joystick10. The game utilizes a side view perspective that was common to platformers of the era, but distinguishes itself with what the developers described as “the third dimension of 2D”3. This innovative feature allows characters to move into doors in the rear wall of the screen, effectively creating a layered environment where players can transition between different planes of the level12.

The control scheme accommodates the game’s fast-paced action, allowing players to run, jump, and shoot simultaneously while navigating complex level layouts. Each playable character has distinct capabilities that affect how players approach the game: Jake relies on sophisticated weaponry and ranged attacks, while Garathe Den possesses superior strength and stamina for more melee-focused combat12.

Structure and Progression

The game features a substantial amount of content spread across multiple game modes13:

  • Single Player Campaign: 65 missions where players select either Jake or Garathe Den and progress through increasingly difficult arenas
  • Two-Player Cooperative: 15 missions designed for two players working together against AI enemies
  • Two-Player Head-to-Head: 20 missions where two players compete directly against each other in split-screen

Each mission tasks players with navigating through the arena, defeating enemies, and reaching the stage exit alive14. The difficulty varies across missions, with three selectable difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, and Hard11. Head-to-head mode allows players to set timers and minimum kill requirements, adding competitive structure to the versus matches11.

The split-screen multiplayer was particularly notable for the era, providing both cooperative and competitive experiences that could be enjoyed locally. An optional add-on mission pack extended the content with 15 new single-player missions, 2 new head-to-head missions, and 3 cooperative missions1.

Puzzles and Mechanics

While primarily an action game, Hunter Hunted incorporates puzzle elements into its level design. Players must “jump and run through a great amount of levels, solving different riddles and killing your enemies”15. The environmental design includes traps and hazards placed by the Masters that players must navigate or disable.

The two playable characters offer significantly different gameplay experiences. Jake, the human champion, comes equipped with sophisticated weaponry that emphasizes ranged combat12. Garathe Den, in contrast, relies on his superior physical attributes—greater strength and stamina—making him better suited for close-quarters combat12. This character asymmetry becomes particularly important in multiplayer modes, where players can choose different characters to complement each other in cooperative play or to exploit specific advantages in head-to-head competition.

Resource management plays a role as players must collect parts throughout the game to ultimately build the SCURVe escape vehicle10. The “kill-em-all type game” design encourages aggressive play, but environmental awareness and strategic positioning remain important for survival2.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Hunter Hunted received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics praising its action gameplay and innovative features. GameSpot’s Chris Hudak awarded the game a 7 out of 10, describing it as “a level-hopping step in the right direction” for the genre1. Hudak acknowledged that while the game had room for improvement, it represented solid progress in bringing console-style action games to the PC platform.

Next Generation magazine offered praise in their March 1997 coverage, calling Hunter Hunted “a strong showing in the world of side-scrolling platform shooters”1. The publication recognized the game’s competence in a genre that was still finding its footing on personal computers.

Old PC Gaming’s retrospective noted that “decent arcade games on PC are still hard to come by, so if you’re looking for some aimless but exciting thrills that you can play in small chunks at a time, you could do a hell of a lot worse than this”4. The review highlighted the game’s accessibility and pick-up-and-play nature as strengths.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospective analysis has been kind to Hunter Hunted, with many reviewers describing it as an underrated gem from the era. MobyGames contributor Tomer Gabel wrote that it is “an innovative platform game with many twists” and declared it “a completely underrated action game”5. The Digital Antiquarian characterized the game as “a refreshingly light-hearted, fast-playing change of pace from the more ponderous epics which dominated to either side of it”16.

The game has developed a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts, with players continuing to discover and complete it decades after release. Online communities have shared their experiences finishing the game on modern hardware like the Steam Deck9.

Aggregate Scores:

  • MobyGames: 7.3/105
  • IMDB: 8.2/1014
  • MyAbandonware (HOTUD): 4.7/517

Development

Origins

Hunter Hunted was developed by Dynamix, a subsidiary of Sierra On-Line known for their work on flight simulators and action games1. The game was released under Sierra’s K.A.A. (Kill All Aliens) label, which was part of Sierra’s strategy to diversify their game portfolio beyond traditional adventure titles17. The K.A.A. line represented Sierra’s push into more action-oriented, arcade-style games during the mid-1990s.

The game’s connection to the Metaltech: Earthsiege universe provided narrative context for the alien invasion scenario. Set as a prequel to the Earthsiege games, Hunter Hunted established the backstory of the Masters’ conquest of Earth1. The story even references a religious figure named Jake Hunter within this shared universe1.

Production

Development at Dynamix focused on creating an accessible action game that would appeal to players seeking fast-paced entertainment. The team designed the game around the concept of asymmetric gameplay, with two distinct playable characters offering different approaches to combat12. The split-screen multiplayer component required significant technical work to ensure smooth performance across both cooperative and competitive modes.

The Collection Chamber noted that Hunter Hunted “bucked the trend of poor PC platformers at the time”8. PC action games in the mid-1990s often struggled to match the polish of console titles, but Dynamix’s experience with action-oriented games helped them create a more refined product.

Development Credits:5

  • Executive Producer: Jeffrey Tunnell
  • Designer: Chris Cole

Technical Achievements

Hunter Hunted’s most significant technical innovation was its implementation of the “third dimension of 2D” concept3. This allowed players to enter doors on the rear wall of the screen, creating a sense of depth in what was otherwise a traditional side-scrolling environment. The mechanic added strategic complexity to level navigation and combat scenarios.

The game supported split-screen multiplayer for both cooperative and competitive play, allowing two players to engage simultaneously on a single machine12. This local multiplayer implementation was notable for maintaining visual clarity and performance while dividing the screen between two active gameplay sessions.

Technical Specifications

System Requirements:18

  • Minimum CPU: Intel 80486 66 MHz / Pentium 90
  • Recommended CPU: Intel Pentium 133
  • Minimum RAM: 8 MB (16 MB recommended)
  • Storage Required: 30 MB
  • Graphics: VGA 256 colors
  • Operating System: Windows 95

CD-ROM Version:6

  • Media Type: CD-ROM
  • Package Size: Approximately 540 MB (full ISO)
  • Control Options: Keyboard, Mouse, Gamepad/Joystick

Cut Content

No significant cut content has been documented in available sources.

Version History

VersionDatePlatformNotes
1.0October 18, 1996WindowsInitial release7
1.0November 8, 1996WindowsWide retail release1
Rerelease1996WindowsBundled with “Arcade: 3 Thrilling Games of Action”19
Japan Release1997WindowsReleased as “Jake Burst” (ジェイクバースト)20
Germany Release1997WindowsGerman localization17

Regional Variations: The game was released in Japan under the title “Jake Burst” (ジェイクバースト), with localized packaging and documentation20. European releases included German localization17.

Technical Issues

Hunter Hunted was designed for Windows 95 and may experience compatibility issues on modern operating systems5. The game requires period-appropriate hardware specifications or the use of compatibility tools and emulation to run on contemporary systems. Some users have reported success running the game through DOSBox or compatibility mode settings.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • The game contains a reference to Mortal Kombat, reflecting the influence of fighting games on action titles of the era5
  • Hunter Hunted is part of the same fictional universe as the Earthsiege series, serving as a prequel to those events1
  • The game was part of Sierra’s short-lived K.A.A. line, which focused on action-oriented titles17
  • The soundtrack has generated interest among fans, with some attributing the music to a band called “Spine Folder,” though this has not been definitively confirmed21

Voice Cast

No voice cast information is documented in available sources. The game appears to rely primarily on text-based narrative delivery.

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

While specific sales figures for Hunter Hunted have not been publicly documented, the game saw sufficient success to warrant international releases and bundle editions. The game was included in the “Arcade: 3 Thrilling Games of Action” compilation package19, suggesting it performed well enough to merit continued distribution.

The game was assigned a Teen rating by the ESRB6, positioning it for a broad audience of action game enthusiasts.

Collections

Hunter Hunted appeared in the following compilations:

  • Arcade: 3 Thrilling Games of Action – Bundled rerelease19

The game has also been preserved through various abandonware and archival efforts, with copies available through the Internet Archive and similar preservation sites3.

Fan Projects

Hunter Hunted maintains a dedicated following in retro gaming communities. Discussions on platforms like Reddit show players continuing to revisit the game decades after release, with some completing it for the first time using modern compatibility solutions like the Steam Deck9. The GOG.com Dreamlist has featured requests from users hoping to see the game made available on modern digital distribution platforms12.

  • Hunter Hunted Survival Guide – Included with the retail release, providing gameplay tips and mission walkthroughs5
  • Game Manual – Standard documentation covering controls, characters, and game modes11

Critical Perspective

Hunter Hunted occupies an interesting position in gaming history as part of Sierra’s diversification strategy during the mid-1990s. While Sierra On-Line was primarily known for their adventure game catalog—the King’s Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry series—the company recognized the growing market for action games on PC. The K.A.A. label represented an attempt to capture this audience, and Hunter Hunted was one of its more successful offerings.

The game’s innovation in creating depth within a 2D framework anticipated later developments in the genre, where games would increasingly blur the lines between two-dimensional and three-dimensional gameplay. Its split-screen multiplayer implementation was also ahead of its time for PC gaming, offering local competitive and cooperative play that was more commonly associated with console titles.

Despite positive reviews and a solid technical foundation, Hunter Hunted never achieved the iconic status of Sierra’s adventure games. The Collection Chamber’s assessment that it was “completely underrated” reflects a common sentiment among those who have discovered the game5. As retro gaming has grown in popularity, Hunter Hunted has found new appreciation from players seeking quality action games from the Windows 95 era.

Downloads

Download / Preservation

Manuals & Extras

Series Continuity

Hunter Hunted serves as a prequel to the Metaltech: Earthsiege series, establishing the backstory of the Masters’ invasion of Earth1. The game exists within a shared universe that explores humanity’s struggle against technologically superior alien invaders. While Hunter Hunted focuses on gladiatorial combat during the occupation period, the Earthsiege games deal with later stages of the conflict involving mech warfare.

The game was part of Sierra’s K.A.A. line, which also included other action-oriented titles from the publisher during this period17. As a standalone narrative within the Earthsiege universe, Hunter Hunted provides context for the invasion that shapes the later games without requiring direct sequel or prequel knowledge to enjoy.

  • Related: Metaltech: Earthsiege series (shared universe)

References

Footnotes

  1. Wikipedia – Hunter Hunted (video game) – release date, developer, publisher, designer, composer, ratings, missions count, Earthsiege connection ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15

  2. A Games Room – Hunter Hunted – gameplay description, setting details ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  3. Internet Archive – Hunter Hunted Win EN ISO Version – “third dimension of 2D” mechanic, file size ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  4. Old PC Gaming – Hunter Hunted – character descriptions, critical assessment, system requirements ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  5. MobyGames – Hunter Hunted – rating, credits, publisher details, technical specs, Tomer Gabel review ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8

  6. Amazon – Hunter Hunted – story setting, ESRB rating, technical specs ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  7. Sierra Chest – Hunter Hunted – release date, backstory details, mission counts ↩ ↩2

  8. Collection Chamber – Hunter Hunted – marketing text, development context ↩ ↩2

  9. Reddit r/retrogaming – Hunter Hunted discussion – escape vehicle objective, player experiences ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  10. eBay – Hunter Hunted listing – control options, mission count, ESRB rating ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  11. Sierra Chest – Hunter Hunted Walkthrough – game modes, difficulty levels, multiplayer details ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  12. GOG Dreamlist – Hunter Hunted – character abilities, gameplay innovation, composers ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  13. Internet Archive – Hunter Hunted – mission counts, multiplayer modes ↩

  14. IMDB – Hunter Hunted – user rating, game description ↩ ↩2

  15. Sierra Gamers – Hunter Hunted – gameplay description ↩

  16. Digital Antiquarian – retrospective assessment ↩

  17. MyAbandonware – Hunter Hunted – regional releases, K.A.A. line, user rating ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  18. PCGamingWiki – Hunter Hunted – system requirements, technical specifications ↩

  19. Internet Archive – Hunter Hunted USA Rerelease – bundle information ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  20. Retrolorean – Hunter Hunted – Japanese title, regional variations ↩ ↩2

  21. Reddit r/ifyoulikeblank – Hunter Hunted soundtrack – soundtrack composer discussion ↩

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