The Cheetahmen
The trio featured in the final game of the compilation and the main focus of the game's marketing.
Documented for this version
Controls vary by the selected game.
No single complete control scheme applies to all 52 entries.
How it plays
The cartridge presents a menu containing 52 individually selectable games. The perspective and objective change from one entry to another: players may shoot enemies, guide a vehicle, clear a puzzle, survive an arena, or reach the end of a short platforming stage.
Most games have minimal progression and few lasting systems. Some offer two-player play, but support and rules vary by title. Because the compilation lacks a unified campaign, players normally choose games from the menu and retry them for higher scores or longer survival.
Plan your run
Treat each entry as a separate experiment rather than expecting consistent controls or difficulty. Read the selected game's on-screen instructions, learn its scoring or survival condition, and restart quickly when a stage becomes unwinnable.
For Cheetahmen, remember that the NES version is incomplete, so normal completion is not possible. Two-player entries are generally easier to evaluate with a second player, but their quality and stability vary considerably.
Meet the cast
The trio featured in the final game of the compilation and the main focus of the game's marketing.
Before you begin
Check the title-screen instructions before playing an unfamiliar entry.
Expect inconsistent controls, collision detection, difficulty, and technical stability.
Use short sessions when sampling the collection; many games repeat quickly.
Editorial context
A historically interesting compilation, but its large game count does not translate into consistent quality.
Best approached as a retro curiosity rather than a polished collection.
Action 52 is a 1991 Nintendo Entertainment System compilation published by Active Enterprises. It contains 52 separate games covering action, shooting, platforming, racing, sports, puzzle, and arcade-style formats. Most entries are extremely short and simple, with limited variation between stages or screens. The collection is notable for its ambitious scale, inconsistent quality, technical problems, and unusually poor critical reputation. Cheetahmen, the advertised headline game, is unfinished in the NES release. Action 52 is now mainly discussed as a curiosity of the early-1990s unlicensed-game market and as an example of quantity taking priority over polish.
Catalog entry maintained by EmuGamers Editorial Team
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