Ed Hunter

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Ed Hunter is a 1999 greatest-hits album and video game by Iron Maiden (with Synthetic Dimensions). The three-CD package includes CD1 with 14 songs, CD2 with six songs plus the game installer, and CD3 with the game data. The soundtrack features Iron Maiden’s most popular tracks as voted by fans on the band’s official website. The US edition adds a hidden bonus track: a new vocal version of Wrathchild with Bruce Dickinson.

The game follows Eddie, Iron Maiden’s mascot, through levels based on past album covers. It’s a rail shooter: you shoot enemies with the mouse, but you don’t control movement—only occasional route choices. You can pick which song plays in each level, but only one song per level, which some critics felt made the soundtrack repetitive. Levels unfold from London’s East End to locations like a hospital and hell, all drawn from old album artwork.

The Ed Hunter Tour supported the release and featured songs from the compilation. It was notable for the return of Bruce Dickinson to vocals (the first since 1993) and Adrian Smith back on guitar (returning since 1988).

Background: plans for a different game called Melt were announced in 1996 but canceled in 1997. Ed Hunter was introduced as the new project. The release was delayed several times—originally planned for spring 1998, then Christmas 1998, and finally July 1999 to match the tour. The details are noted in the album’s liner notes.