Astros Productions' 1989 classic — its history, how the press received it, how it plays today, and what a copy costs.
- Released
- 1989 · PC (DOS / Windows)
- Developer
- Astros Productions
- Publisher
- Ocean Software Ltd.
- MobyScore
- ★ 8.07
The history
Developed by Astros Productions and published by Ocean Software Ltd., The Untouchables arrived in 1989 as a licensed tie-in to the cinematic world of Prohibition-era crime. It sought to translate the pursuit of Al Capone into a digital experience, blending action with the atmospheric tension of the Interwar period.
The title mattered as a high-profile movie conversion during an era where such licenses often varied wildly in quality. By focusing on the hunt for the ruthless Mafia boss, it attempted to capture the specific aesthetic of 1920s Chicago.
How it plays
Players step into the shoes of Elliot Ness in a side-scrolling action game. The core loop involves navigating six levels, completing various tasks, and fighting through waves of Capone's henchmen.
Combat is central to the experience, with players picking up a variety of weapons to clear the path, including shotguns and the iconic Tommy gun. The game mixes side-view platforming and shooting elements to simulate the crackdown on the mob.
How it was received
The game was an overwhelming critical success upon release. It earned high marks across the board, including 94% from YSinclair and CRASH, 95% from SUser, 85% from CVG, and 96% from both rev2Score and Zzap!64, the latter of which also provided an award. The Games Machine called it a "winner," and Paul Rand of Computer and Video Games noted it was a "well thought out package" that would not disappoint buyers.
Reception was not universally glowing for every platform; Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Super NES version a 5.8 out of 10, noting that the title would have been improved if it were Super Scope compatible, as using the pad during shooting sequences was difficult.
In the magazines
The period press.
CRASH gave the game a 94% and described it as "Great stuff" with "beautifully detailed graphics" and an "atmospheric title tune." Sinclair User awarded it 95%, calling it a "cracking conversion" and one of the most "accurate movie licenses to date." CVG provided a score of 85%.
The box & the art
Cover art, and real copies photographed in the wild.
Legacy
While Astros Productions does not have a widely documented trajectory following this era, The Untouchables remains a testament to the peak of late-80s licensed action titles. It is worth seeking out today for those who appreciate the authentic Twenties feel and the specific challenge of retro side-scrolling shooters.
What it's worth
Copies surface on the second-hand market from time to time, but listings are sparse enough that there's no reliable price band to quote — check the live search for what's available right now.
See current copies on eBay →How to play it in 2026
Easiest today: GOG or the original disc under DOSBox. Either way the core game is intact.
Verdict
With such high scores from the period's most influential magazines, the game clearly delivered on its promise of "trigger-pumping fun." Its ability to blend atmosphere with challenging gameplay made it a standout in the licensed genre.
Whether it holds up today depends on your patience for early shooting mechanics, but as a piece of atmospheric crime cinema in game form, it remains a compelling relic of its time.
Sources: MobyGames, Steam, and period/web coverage. Prices reflect the second-hand market and change over time.