GamesNostalgia's Top 20 Commodore 64 Games of All Time

20. The Last Ninja

Mark Cale's idea was simple: take the concept of the original Atari2600 Adventure, and put it in a fantastic isometric environment where the hero is a ninja, able to explore, jump, fight and use ninja weapons. Doing this on an 8-bit machine like the Commodore 64 was not an easy task. In fact, System 3 had to stop the development at some point and restart from scratch. Finally, programmer John Twiddy was able to rewrite the game engine, and The Last Ninja became a reality. If you add a fantastic soundtrack written by Ben Daglish, you now have a real masterpiece.

The only game that was able to improve this fantastic idea was, unsurprisingly, Last Ninja 2. One of the few cases where the sequel is even better than the original game.

19. Pool of Radiance

SSI's Pool of Radiance, the first game in the legendary Gold Box series, brought Advanced Dungeons & Dragons to the Commodore 64 in authentic form. The game featured turn-based tactical combat, character creation following AD&D rules, and a rich fantasy world to explore. The technical achievement was in creating a complex RPG system that handled all the intricacies of tabletop gaming while remaining accessible to computer users. The game's interface was innovative, using a combination of text and graphics that effectively communicated complex information. Pool of Radiance proved that sophisticated pen-and-paper RPGs could be successfully translated to home computers, establishing the foundation for computer RPGs that continues today.

18. Commando

The arcade conversion of Capcom's Commando, developed by Elite Systems, was a masterpiece of adaptation. The game successfully translated the frantic run-and-gun action of the arcade original while adding enhancements that made it feel at home on the C64. The scrolling was smooth, the sprite animation was fluid, and the gameplay was perfectly balanced. The technical achievement was in maintaining the arcade's speed and intensity while adapting the controls for home play. The game's level design and enemy patterns were faithfully recreated, proving that arcade conversions could be more than just pale imitations when handled with skill and care.

17. Gunship (aka Gunship: 21st Century Warrior Apache)

MicroProse's Gunship, designed by Andy Hollis and Sid Meier, was a helicopter combat simulation that brought unprecedented realism to the C64. The game featured detailed Apache helicopter physics, realistic weapons systems, and dynamic mission generation. The technical achievement was in creating a believable 3D world with smooth flight mechanics and complex systems simulation. The game's attention to detail - from authentic cockpit displays to realistic ballistics - made it feel like a genuine military simulation. Gunship proved that the C64 could handle complex simulations that rivaled those found on more powerful platforms, establishing MicroProse as masters of the simulation genre.

16. Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior (aka Death Sword)

Palace Software's Barbarian, created by Steve Brown, was famous for its brutal combat and controversial marketing, but it was also a technical achievement. The game featured large, detailed character sprites with smooth animation that brought sword combat to life. The fatality system was groundbreaking, with finishing moves that were both spectacular and visceral. The game's control system was innovative, using joystick combinations to execute different attacks and defensive moves. Despite the controversy, Barbarian's technical prowess and responsive combat system made it one of the most engaging fighting games on the C64, proving that mature themes could be handled with technical sophistication.

15. Laser Squad

Julian Gollop's Laser Squad, originally created for the ZX Spectrum, found its perfect home on the Commodore 64. This turn-based tactical combat game was the precursor to the legendary X-COM series. The game featured destructible environments, line-of-sight mechanics, and deep tactical gameplay that was unprecedented in home gaming. The C64 version benefited from improved graphics and smoother interface design. The game's mission-based structure, with different objectives and scenarios, provided incredible replay value. Laser Squad proved that complex strategy games could be both accessible and deep, establishing the foundation for tactical gaming that continues to influence game design today.

14. Wasteland

Interplay's Wasteland, designed by Brian Fargo and Michael Stackpole, was a post-apocalyptic RPG that pushed the boundaries of what role-playing games could achieve on the C64. The game featured a vast open world, complex character creation, and branching storylines that responded to player choices. The technical achievement was in creating a persistent world with meaningful consequences for player actions. The game's paragraph book system was innovative, using external references to expand the story beyond the computer's memory limitations. Wasteland's influence on future RPGs, particularly the Fallout series, cannot be overstated. It proved that deep, complex role-playing experiences could thrive on home computers.

13. Summer Games

Epyx's Summer Games, designed by Chuck Sommerville and Scott Nelson, was a technical showcase that exploited many previously hidden features of the C64's graphics capabilities. Released in 1984, it was one of the first games to use advanced sprite techniques, smooth scrolling, and detailed character animation to create realistic sports simulations. The game's events - from swimming to gymnastics - each pushed different aspects of the C64's hardware. The timing-based gameplay was precise and challenging, requiring genuine skill to master. Summer Games established the template for sports compilation games and proved that the C64 could handle complex, multi-event experiences while maintaining high visual standards throughout.

12. Turrican

Manfred Trenz's original Turrican was a revelation when it appeared in 1990. This run-and-gun platformer combined elements from Metroid, Contra, and R-Type into something uniquely spectacular. The game's technical achievements were staggering - huge sprites, smooth scrolling, and detailed backgrounds that seemed impossible on the C64. The weapon system was innovative, allowing the player to transform into a rolling ball and use various power-ups. Chris Hülsbeck's soundtrack was epic, using the SID chip to create orchestral-quality music that perfectly matched the game's scope. Turrican proved that a single developer with vision and technical skill could create experiences that rivaled big-budget arcade games.

11. Pitstop II (aka Pitstop 2)

Epyx's Pitstop II, developed by Steven Landrum, was the definitive arcade racing experience on the Commodore 64. This wasn't just a conversion - it was an enhancement that added split-screen multiplayer racing, making it one of the first true multiplayer racing games on home computers. The technical achievement was in the smooth scrolling, detailed car sprites, and the complex pit stop mechanics that required genuine skill and timing. The game's physics model was sophisticated for its time, with realistic car handling and damage systems. The multiplayer aspect was revolutionary, allowing two players to race simultaneously with impressive performance. Pitstop II proved that arcade-quality racing games could not only be ported to home computers but actually improved upon.

10. Neuromancer

Based on William Gibson's cyberpunk novel, Neuromancer was developed by Interplay in 1988 as a groundbreaking adventure game. The game successfully translated Gibson's vision of cyberspace into interactive form, featuring both real-world adventure elements and cyberspace hacking sequences. The technical achievement was in creating two distinct gameplay environments - the gritty streets of Chiba City and the abstract digital realm of cyberspace. The game's interface was innovative, using a combination of text and graphics that perfectly captured the novel's atmosphere. Timothy Truman's artwork and the game's dark, moody presentation made it one of the most atmospheric adventures on the C64, proving that literary adaptations could be both faithful and innovative.

9. Impossible Mission

Dennis Caswell's Impossible Mission for Epyx was a masterclass in atmospheric game design. Released in 1984, it was one of the first games to use digitized speech on the C64, with the famous "Another visitor... stay a while... stay forever!" greeting. The game combined platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration in Professor Elvin Atombender's underground fortress. The technical innovation was in the smooth character animation, the random puzzle generation that made each playthrough unique, and the integration of speech synthesis. The game's time limit created genuine tension, and its non-linear structure encouraged exploration and experimentation. Impossible Mission proved that the C64 could deliver cinematic experiences that were both technically impressive and emotionally engaging.

8. Last Ninja 2: Back with a Vengeance

System 3's Last Ninja 2, designed by Mark Cale and programmed by the team including Vivid Image, perfected the isometric action-adventure formula that made the original famous. The game featured even more detailed environments, smoother character animation, and more complex puzzles than its predecessor. The technical prowess was evident in the seamless scrolling, the detailed character sprites, and the atmospheric sound design. Matt Gray's soundtrack was particularly noteworthy, creating mood and tension that perfectly complemented the ninja's journey. Last Ninja 2 represented the pinnacle of isometric adventure gaming on the C64, combining exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving in a way that few games have matched.

7. Elite

David Braben and Ian Bell's Elite, originally created for the BBC Micro, became a legend on the Commodore 64. This space trading simulation created an entire galaxy of 2048 star systems using just 22KB of memory through ingenious procedural generation. The 3D wireframe graphics were a technical marvel, running smoothly on the C64's modest hardware. Elite's open-ended gameplay, where you could become a trader, pirate, or bounty hunter, was revolutionary. The game's influence on space simulation games is immeasurable, and the C64 version proved that complex 3D environments and deep gameplay systems could thrive on home computers. Elite wasn't just a game - it was a proof of concept for what interactive entertainment could become.

6. Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders

Ron Gilbert and David Fox created this LucasArts masterpiece in 1988, pushing the SCUMM engine even further than Maniac Mansion. Zak McKracken featured a globe-spanning adventure with multiple playable characters, complex puzzles, and a science fiction plot that was both humorous and engaging. The technical achievement was remarkable - the game managed to create a believable world spanning Earth, Mars, and beyond, all within the C64's memory limitations. The inventory system, character switching mechanics, and the sheer scope of the adventure were unprecedented. The game's quirky humor and creative puzzle design established it as one of the finest adventure games ever created, proving the C64 could handle epic, story-driven experiences.

5. Archon: The Light and the Dark (aka Archon)

Archon is not a Commodore 64 original game since it was developed initially for the Atari 8-bit computers. This is probably the only reason why I cannot place Archon in the #1 position. However, it was the C64 version that determined its success, and this is a title that deserves to be in the top 5. The idea of mixing chess with arcade fighting is simply brilliant, and the player vs. player mode is a masterpiece. Different pieces, each one with his own melee or ranged weapons, defensive or attacking skills, plus the spellcasters. The light and the dark side have different pieces, which creates exciting fighting mixes.

You can have games with great graphics, music, presentations, and stories, but in the end, what matters is having fun. And Archon is precisely this: social fun at its best. I remember countless hours spent playing Archon against my friends and improving our strategies and attacking skills. That satisfaction when you kill a unicorn with a simple goblin? Ahh.. amazing stuff.

4. Sid Meier's Pirates!

Sid Meier personally crafted Pirates! for the Commodore 64 in 1987, creating what many consider the first true open-world adventure game. This wasn't a port or adaptation - Meier designed every aspect specifically for the C64's capabilities. The game seamlessly blended multiple genres: strategy, action, role-playing, and simulation, all wrapped in a Caribbean pirate theme. The technical marvel was how Meier managed to create such a vast, persistent world with meaningful choices and consequences within the C64's memory constraints. The elegant interface and the way different gameplay elements flowed together set the template for countless future games. Pirates! proved that the C64 could handle complex, ambitious designs when crafted by a master.

3. Turrican II (aka Turrican 2 - The Final Fight)

When people saw Turrican, they could not believe it was running on a Commodore 64. Manfred Trenz was able to create something that was considered impossible on this machine. Then Turrican II arrived, and it was bigger and better. Amazing graphics, perfect animations, awesome soundtrack composed by Markus Siebold. Technically speaking, Turrican 2 is probably the most advanced game ever created on the Commodore 64. You will also find this game in every Amiga chart, as the Amiga version is a masterpiece too, but the original one is for the C64.

2. International Karate + (aka Chop N' Drop)

Archer MacLean's IK+ (International Karate +) from 1987 represents the pinnacle of fighting games on the C64. Building on the success of the original International Karate, MacLean added a third fighter to create dynamic three-way battles that were both strategic and spectacular. The fluid animation system used advanced sprite techniques and careful timing to create some of the most realistic martial arts movements ever seen on the platform. Rob Hubbard's iconic soundtrack perfectly complemented the action, with tracks that have become legendary in their own right. The game's technical achievement lies in its smooth 50fps animation and the complex collision detection system that made every fight feel authentic and responsive.

1. Maniac Mansion

Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick at Lucasfilm Games created something revolutionary with Maniac Mansion in 1987. This wasn't just another adventure game - it was the birth of the SCUMM engine (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion), which would power countless classic adventures. The game's non-linear structure, multiple character system, and dark humor were groundbreaking. Technically, it pushed the C64's capabilities with detailed character animations and a complex script system that managed multiple storylines simultaneously. The fact that you could complete the game in different ways with different characters was unprecedented, and the game's influence on adventure gaming cannot be overstated.