- For the Genesis compilation with the same name, see Action 52 (Genesis).
Action 52 is the name of two unlicensed multicarts released by Active Enterprises. Each cart consisted of 52 individual and original video games. The first was released in September 1991 for the NES. The second was released for the Sega Genesis. A SNES version was advertised in some magazines, but never released. It initially retailed for the comparatively high price of US$199 (or "less than $4 for each game"), and became notorious among gamers for the abysmal quality of its games. Many video game collectors value Action 52 for its notoriety and rarity.
The boxes state that the carts contain "52 'new and original' exciting games". The games cover a variety of genres, although the most common are scrolling shooters and platform games. Among the games is The Cheetahmen, Active's attempt at creating a franchise similar to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Games
- Firebreather (a.k.a. "Fire Breathers" on the title screen)
- Starevil (a.k.a. "Star Evil" on the title screen)
- Illuminator
- G-Force FGT. (a.k.a. "G-Force" on the title screen)
- Ooze
- Silver Sword
- Critical BP. (a.k.a. "Crytical Bypass" on the title screen)
- Jupiter Scope
- Alfredo (a.k.a. "Alfred N The Fettuc" on the title screen)
- Operation Full-Moon
- Dam Busters
- Thrusters
- Haunted Hill (a.k.a. "Haunted Halls of Wentworth", according to the manual)
- Chill Out
- Sharks
- Megalonia
- French Baker
- Atmos Quake
- Meong
- Space Dreams
- Streemerz
- Spread Fire
- Bubblegum Rosy (a.k.a. "Bubble Gum Rossie" on the title screen)
- Micro Mike
- Underground
- Rocket Jock (a.k.a. "Rocket Jockey" on the title screen)
- Non-Human
- Cry baby
- Slashers
- Crazy Shuffle
- Fuzz Power
- Shooting Gallery
- Lollipops (a.k.a. "Lolipop" on the title screen)
- Evil Empire
- Sombreros
- Storm over the Desert
- Mash Man
- They Came...
- Lazer League
- Billy Bob (a.k.a. " ", on the title screen)
- City of Doom
- Bits n Pieces
- Beeps n Blips
- Manchester
- Boss
- Dedant
- Hambo (a.k.a. "Hambos Adventures" on the title screen)
- Timewarp (a.k.a. "Time Warp Tickers" on the title screen)
- Jigsaw
- Ninja Assault
- Robbie Robot
- The Cheetahmen (a.k.a. "Action Gamemaster" on the title screen)