List of Classic Console Games with Native American / Indigenous Representation

[flickertail]

Hey all,

 

I'm looking to build a list of classic console game titles featuring representations of Native American or other indigenous peoples. This could include fictional indigenous peoples where relevant storytelling tropes may apply, such as those on other planets or under the ocean.

 

For transparency, we are going to use the list in writing an academic paper on the topic. I will include an appropriate acknowledgement of the participants in this thread in the paper, should it ever be published.

 

If willing, please list any title suggestions you may have in this thread.

 

The one title I am immediately aware of is "Custer's Revenge" for the 2600. But beyond that, I'm hoping that their might be more positive portrayals as well.

 

For those (if any) who sometimes read my scattering irregular Atari Age blog posts, this is in the furtherance of my team's Native Dancer video game / metaverse project. A link to the project website can be found here if interested: https://NativeDancer.UND.edu/ 

 

Publications in the gaming space will help the project get funding in the future.

 

Even just a list of a few titles will provide us with a starting point to research any academic papers that already exist on the subject.

 

Thanks,

 

Aaron

[Tanooki]

So like Whomp 'Em on NES and also Tonto is in Lone Ranger on there too, and Tomahawk Man in Megaman 6.  Arcade/Ports -- Super Street Fighter II's T.Hawk.  Depending how much you want to stretch indigenous, there are some old civs within the original  Civilization from PC/SNES (etc.)  This what you're after?

[flickertail]

25 minutes ago, Tanooki said:

So like Whomp 'Em on NES and also Tonto is in Lone Ranger on there too, and Tomahawk Man in Megaman 6.  Arcade/Ports -- Super Street Fighter II's T.Hawk.  Depending how much you want to stretch indigenous, there are some old civs within the original  Civilization from PC/SNES (etc.)  This what you're after?

Tanooki - Yes, this is exactly what we are looking for. I very much appreciate these examples. Whether positive, negative, or neutral representations, we are just looking for as large of list as possible. Thank you.

Edited September 18, 2022 by flickertail

[roadrunner]

Turok Evolution 

[flickertail]

16 minutes ago, roadrunner said:

Turok Evolution 

Thank you - Yes, the entire Turok franchise, which also seems to be tied into the comic book series, which I did not know before today.

[MrMaddog]

For more current examples, the original Prey game from 2006 has a Native American protaganist.

 

I've also played Never Alone for the Xbox One which is a platformer based on Inuit culture.

 

That's all I've got top of my head for now...

 

 

[flickertail]

10 minutes ago, MrMaddog said:

For more current examples, the original Prey game from 2006 has a Native American protaganist.

I've also played Never Alone for the Xbox One which is a platformer based on Inuit culture.

Excellent! Thank you for adding these to the list!

[carlsson]

Indian Attack:

https://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/indian-attack

 

Not sure if it any better than Custer...

 

I wonder if e.g. Aztec Challenge qualifies, are the Aztecs, Mayas etc indigenous?

 

Edit: Sorry, I forgot that you specifically are looking for console games, not computer games?

Edited September 19, 2022 by carlsson

[Steven Pendleton]

I guess there is Pocahontas on Genesis/Mega Drive. I've never played it, but I know it exists.

[Hakogame 箱亀]

Magical Tree for MSX

[Hakogame 箱亀]

Also, Aztec Adventure on the SMS. Originally released in Japan as Nazca 88 (which is a more accurate name for the game)

[+GoldenWheels]

Kind of a stretch but the final boss for the NES game Adventures of Tom Sawyer is "Injun Joe".

[Hakogame 箱亀]

One of my favorite bosses in the monsterworld series: Ice Bomber (the native american snowman chief boss... Seriously WTF?)

https://wonderboy.fandom.com/wiki/Ice_Bomber

[Hakogame 箱亀]

20 em 1 for the SMS (game 9)

https://www.smspower.org/Screenshots/20Em1-SMS

[Hakogame 箱亀]

Don't forget general's retreat / westward ho, the reversed scenario of custer's revenge.

 

https://atariage.com/software_page.php?SoftwareLabelID=1630

[Hakogame 箱亀]

Sunset Riders (arcade, snes and genesis )had several native american enemies.

[flickertail]

13 hours ago, carlsson said:

Indian Attack:

https://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/indian-attack

 

Not sure if it any better than Custer...

 

I wonder if e.g. Aztec Challenge qualifies, are the Aztecs, Mayas etc indigenous?

 

Edit: Sorry, I forgot that you specifically are looking for console games, not computer games?

Thanks for this. Ultimately, I hope to make a somewhat complete list. Listing computer games is welcomed. I'm only focused on console games to get started. And because I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole of phone apps/games.

[flickertail]

13 hours ago, Steven Pendleton said:

I guess there is Pocahontas on Genesis/Mega Drive. I've never played it, but I know it exists.

Excellent! Disney games count too!

[flickertail]

4 hours ago, Raccoon Lad said:

Magical Tree for MSX

Raccoon Lad - Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the obscure titles!

[flickertail]

4 hours ago, GoldenWheels said:

Kind of a stretch but the final boss for the NES game Adventures of Tom Sawyer is "Injun Joe".

Not a stretch at all, even games with single characters count. Thanks for this one!

[carlsson]

I understand that the original Oregon Trail has quite a bit of negative representation of native Americans, but it was recently remedied in an updated version of the game.

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/21/1087806591/a-twist-on-a-classic-video-game-gives-native-americans-better-representation

[+Black_Tiger]

Tengai Makyo The Apocalypse IV has Inuit, North and Central American Indigenous characters and settiings.

 

 

[CapitanClassic]

Wahan, a native Metaviran, is a playable mercenary in Jagged Alliance.

PS: missed the “console” release, but then was pleasantly surprised that the Nintendo DS got a release of this DOS strategy gem.

Edited September 20, 2022 by CapitanClassic

[Hakogame 箱亀]

Gun.Smoke for Arcade/NES had a lot of native american enemies.

 

Also, there was a French gameboy game "Un Indien Dans La Ville" based on a movie which was remade in the US as Jungle 2 Jungle with tim allen and martin short

[Hakogame 箱亀]

Based on the title, "Indian no bouken" on the MSX might qualify for this list, but the only thing even remotely native american about the player or anything else in the game would be the feather in his hat. ...unless the boomerang qualifies?

https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/hudson-soft/indian-no-bouken/release/101/