GameTap Thursday: Robotron 2084, Metal Slug, Space Invaders, Root Beer Tapper, King of Fighters

Once again it is Thursday and it is time to give you the goods on the latest additions to the GameTap library.

This week, the following free games were welcomed into the Game Player fold:

• Robotron 2084: If ever a game defined run-n-gun, it’s Robotron: 2084. There’s no need for deep thought here — heck, there’s not even time for it. You play as a blast-happy superhuman with the ability to shoot and move in all directions. Your mission: destroy all attacking Robotrons, an evil robotic race bent on ridding the world of “inefficient” humans, while at the same time protecting the last human family in the world.

• Metal Slug: When it comes to run ‘n gun military shooters, few can compare with Metal Slug! This game has dazzled arcade goers and Neo-Geo fans for over a decade, and now it’s your turn to experience its frantic gameplay, thunderous explosions, and delightfully twisted sense of humor!

• Space Invaders: THE classic shoot-’em-up that requires both fast fingers and careful precision. You pilot a lone laser base, face-to-face with a host of stellar invaders marching toward you in tight formation, dropping bombs as they go. The alien horde moves faster as it approaches, and if it reaches the ground, you’re toast! There’s little room for error in this grandfather of all shooters.

• Root Beer Tapper: In arcade gem Root Beer Tapper, the frantic pace continues to escalate as you try to serve beverages to an increasingly thirsty (and rowdy) bunch. Keep your customers happy by slinging root beer at record pace, keep your boss happy by not breaking any of the glasses…and keep your wallet happy by collecting all the tips you can find. It’s not an easy life, but it sure is a tasty one.

• King of Fighters ‘96: After a climactic battle, the sinister Rugal has met a deserving end. However, the King of Fighters tournament that he started isn’t over yet! The intense competition is hotter than ever thanks to a mysterious new sponsor. Use your refined fighting skills to conquer new foes and rearrange familiar faces, all in the hopes of taking the King of Fighters crown for the third time!

Two new gold member titles were also added this week:

• Inca Ball: The balls continually roll down a predefined track, level after level, and it’s your job to clear them out by adding balls to the track and matching colors. When all the balls are gone, you’re whisked off to the next twisty track. All with a familiar Central American motif!

• Freespace 2: The Terrans and Vasudans put aside their differences three decades ago and united to battle an ominous new menace. Now that enemy has returned…along with political infighting that threatens to tear the alliance apart. Freespace 2 is a high-adrenaline interstellar dogfighting sim that offers a rich, complex and unpredictable storyline to go with the unforgettable space battles.

This brings the total of browser based games (Game Player required) to a whopping 141, free online games to 44, subscription games to 888, and retail games to 489.

For the full list of titles or to get in on the action, check out the official GameTap site.