Probe Entertainment
Probe Entertainment was a British video game development studio that played an important role in the gaming industry throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The company became particularly well known for its action games, movie adaptations and console conversions of popular arcade titles.
Founded in 1984 by Fergus McGovern as Probe Software, the studio later operated under the Probe Entertainment name and developed games for numerous platforms, including Sega Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn and PC.
Its best-known projects include Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Alien 3, Die Hard Trilogy and Batman Forever.
🎮 A pioneer of classic console gaming
Probe Entertainment helped bring popular arcade experiences to home gaming systems.
Developers adapted graphics, animation, sound and gameplay mechanics to suit the technical capabilities of different consoles.
Its extensive experience with multiple platforms made the studio a prominent developer of licensed action games and arcade conversions.
🥊 Mortal Kombat – iconic fighting games
One of Probe's most recognisable achievements was its work on console versions of Mortal Kombat.
Probe Software developed the original Mortal Kombat for Sega Mega Drive, a version famous for allowing players to activate blood effects using a secret code.
The studio also contributed to selected home versions of Mortal Kombat II.
These conversions helped introduce arcade-style fighting, memorable characters and the series' signature Fatality finishing moves to home console audiences.
👽 Alien 3 – sci-fi horror action
Alien 3 was another important project associated with Probe.
Based on the science-fiction horror film, the game placed players in the role of Ellen Ripley, fighting against dangerous alien creatures.
Its different versions combined action-platforming, exploration and challenging objectives within hostile environments.
The game became one of the recognisable licensed action titles of its generation.
💥 Die Hard Trilogy – three action experiences
Released in 1996, Die Hard Trilogy became one of Probe Entertainment's best-known PlayStation titles.
Inspired by the first three Die Hard films, the game offered three distinct gameplay styles.
The first featured third-person shooting, the second used an on-screen shooting-gallery format, and the third focused on high-speed driving and vehicle chases.
This unusual combination gave players three different action experiences within a single release.
🦇 Batman Forever and licensed games
Probe Entertainment also developed Batman Forever, based on the 1995 superhero film.
Licensed games formed an important part of the studio's catalogue, bringing familiar movie and comic-book characters to home gaming systems.
Its projects covered fighting games, platformers, shooters and other action genres.
🕹️ From home computers to PlayStation
Probe began developing games during the era of eight-bit home computers, including the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC.
The studio later expanded into sixteen-bit console development before moving into the PlayStation and Sega Saturn generation.
Its history reflects the transformation of video games from early two-dimensional experiences to more ambitious console productions.
🏆 The legacy of Probe Entertainment
In 1995, Probe was acquired by Acclaim Entertainment and later operated under the name Acclaim Studios London.
Although the original Probe Entertainment brand eventually disappeared, many of its games remain familiar to retro gaming enthusiasts.
