Jeff Minter Returns With Minotaur Arcade VR

Jeff Minter is one of the rare figures in the games industry who’s remained true to his unique style for nearly four decades. His first dive into the world of PSVR was the mesmerising Polybius—a game we proudly awarded a solid 10/10. Believe it or not, that was already over 18 months ago, so it’s safe to say another dose of Minter madness was long overdue.

VR Hybrid Games Rules: More Developers Should Follow This!

Minotaur Arcade Volume 1 features two games, both dripping with that unmistakably quirky Jeff Minter style. What really caught me off guard, though, was the inclusion of a platformer—GoatUp. I’ve always associated Jeff’s work with psychedelic shooters, so seeing a platform game in the mix was a surprise. Well, aside from Hover Bover, of course… which was, umm, about mowing lawns.

At first, GoatUp reminded me a bit of Nebulus (Tower Toppler), but it quickly proved to be far more fast-paced—and, more importantly, ridiculously addictive after just a few attempts. For those unfamiliar with Nebulus, the core idea is to climb to the top of a tower by moving around its circular structure, jumping between platforms as you go. It’s a simple concept, but that’s exactly why it works so well—especially in VR. The added immersion makes each dizzying ascent feel that much more intense.

Goat Up, Simple But Incredible Fun…

The goat you control is always positioned front and centre, while the tower itself rotates as you move, creating a clever illusion of ascent. What really surprised me was just how immersive the experience felt in VR. For such a simple concept, it delivers far more presence than I ever expected. And honestly, that’s probably exactly why Jeff Minter brought it to VR—it just works.

You control the goat using the DualShock controller, and it’s best played while sitting down (trust me, you don’t want to trip over your living room mid-jump). The VR mechanics are primarily there to enhance immersion—you won’t be flailing your head around or needing to look in every direction. That said, you’ll likely find yourself naturally glancing up, down, and slightly to the sides—not because the game demands it, but because it just feels right.

It’s Wicked, It’s Weird And It’s Absolutely Jolly Good Fun…

There’s plenty to keep you occupied as you climb and jump your way to the top. Your goat will mow the grass beneath your feet, colour the ground as you ascend, and even chew on flowers along the way. Each of these actions triggers various items to appear, which you’ll need to collect to boost your score. With 40 different types of pickups and collectables, many of them tell a story when you first encounter them. However, given how fast-paced the game is, I never quite had the time to stop and read all the details.

Gridrunner, Classic Now Finally In VR!

The other game in the package is Gridrunner, a title that many Jeff Minter fans will already be familiar with. For me, it’s the game that turned me into a fan of his work.

At first glance, Gridrunner may seem like a Centipede clone, but it quickly proves otherwise with its fast-paced action and sheer intensity. The game features a wide variety of weapons and enemies to shoot, and of course, it showcases Minter’s signature style, known as the YAK. It’s an experience that sticks with you long after you’ve played it. Some describe it as an LSD trip, but I prefer to call it a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that only Jeff Minter could create.

A Visual Feast In VR…

Choosing the best game between these two is a tough call, as they’re so different from each other. The only thing they share in common is that they’re both Llamasoft titles, each carrying the wild and inventive ideas of the king of retro gaming. Personally, I feel that this mix of games only enhances the value of the collection for fans. However, I find myself playing GoatUp the most, mainly because it was a brand-new experience for me, and yes, it works fantastically well in VR too.

The Verdict?

So, how do the games fare in flat (non-VR) mode? Well, after experiencing them in VR first, I found it hard to enjoy them in flat mode. GoatUp lost all of its immersive feel, making it difficult to see and plan ahead. Gridrunner also felt quite basic without VR. At this point, I’m not sure if releasing them in both flat and VR modes was the best choice. That said, not everyone has VR, and most players will likely still enjoy the games in flat mode for what they are.

Is Minotaur Arcade Volume 1 worth the asking price of £14.99? I’d say yes, not only because they’re great games but also because Jeff is someone we should support—he’s passionate about VR and excels at it. There aren’t many 120fps VR games out there, and these are among the few that offer it. Plus, when played in flat mode, you still get smooth 60fps 4K. These games aren’t for everyone, but if you decide to pick them up, at least you’re supporting one of the driving forces behind VR gaming’s progress.