GamesNostalgia's Top Commodore 64 Games of All Time
By: Maddie
Published: 26 June 2025, 6:45 pm
The Commodore 64 wasn't just a computer - it was a revolution that brought arcade-quality gaming into millions of homes. With its powerful SID sound chip, advanced graphics capabilities, and 64KB of RAM, the C64 became the canvas for some of the most innovative and technically impressive games ever created.
Creating this top 20 list wasn't easy. With thousands of incredible C64 games to choose from, many deserving titles inevitably didn't make the cut. Our selection process wasn't purely objective - these are the games that left the deepest impression on us, the ones we remember most fondly from our childhood gaming sessions. We prioritized original C64 games wherever possible, but couldn't ignore masterpieces like Archon, Elite, or Pitstop II that, despite originating on other platforms, became defining experiences on the C64 and consumed countless hours of our youth.
This list represents both technical excellence and personal nostalgia - the games that didn't just push hardware limits, but created memories that lasted a lifetime. In the future, we plan to release a dedicated chart focusing exclusively on C64-original games, but for now, these 20 titles represent our most cherished Commodore 64 experiences.
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.