The Commodore 64 was the first home system that I fell in love with having first seen and played one at a friend’s house in 1984. From this point onward throughout the 1980’s this was the home computer that I wanted but the wait to get one was long. I eventually got a C64C (the newer C64 model) for Christmas 1989. From that moment onward I bought so many C64 games as there was a huge selection of budget titles available in 1989 as well as new games still being released regularly for the system. I was finally able to immerse myself into the world of the best C64 games.
My Top 10 Best C64 Games
Below are my best C64 games that I enjoyed playing back in the day and still play to this day. In no particular order let’s take a look what I consider to be the best Commodore 64 Games.
- Ghostbusters (1984, Activision)
- Buggy Boy (1987, Elite)
- Batman (1989, Ocean)
- Wizball (1987, Ocean)
- Boulder Dash (1984, First Star Software)
- Kikstart II (1987, Mastertronic)
- Stunt Car Racer (1989, Micro Style)
- Rainbow Islands (1990, Ocean)
- Rescue on Fractalus (1984, Activision)
- Commando (1985, Elite)
1. Ghostbusters (1984, Activision)
The first game I experienced on the Commodore 64 back in late 1984 and I was won over as soon as it loaded and the digitized speech screamed Ghostbusters. Not just one my favourite C64 games this is one of my favourite games of all time. A games I go back to time and time again as it has variety to it and at times is challenging as you get closer to the end stages of the game.
I have made a video of Ghostbusters by Activision that goes into the history of the games and looks at some of the other ports too. You can watch it below or here.
Related Posts:
- What Happened to Mastertronic Games
- Batman on the Commodore 64
- Ghostbusters 1984 on the Commodore 64
- Rescue on Fractulus on the Commodore 64
2. Buggy Boy (1987, Elite)
Buggy Boy was one of many budget title games that I would purchase for my Commodore 64. In fact I think I paid £2.99 for the budget version and it was worth every penny. This game is an arcade conversion that was ported to most home computers in the late 1980s. What I love about the Commodore 64 port is that is so playable. I can literally play this game s for hours racing my buggy around each track collecting flags and points. This game is all about simple but effective playability and this makes this my top Commodore 64 racing game.
3. Batman (1989, Ocean)
Based on the 1989 Tim Burton movie this Ocean title follows the movie with the first level being based inside the Axis Chemicals building where you will eventually shoot down Jack Napier who will then fall into a vat of Acid transforming him into the Joker. You also get a Batmobile level followed by a puzzle level, then a Batwing level leading to the final level based in Gotham Cathedral like the final act of the movie.
There may not be a lot of levels but the difficulty level is very challenging meaning it would take some time to master this game. This makes my list as back in 1989 Batman was massive which makes this a very nostalgic pick but I have always enjoyed the game and it one of the very good Ocean Software movie licenced games.
You can read more about Batman on the C64 here.
4. Wizball (1987, Ocean)
How do you describe Wizball as it is such an oddity of game but a classic. You control Wizball in what is a side scrolling shooter where you can travel left and right shooting enemies to collect colour droplets to add the lost colour to your Monochrome world. Set across 8 levels this games is very playable but the sprites are fantastic and the soundtrack to this games is something else. The title music by Martin Galway is something else. This is in fact an early Sensible Software game that was published by Ocean.
5. Boulder Dash (1984, First Star Software)
Boulder Dash is a fun and simple game but one that I absolutely love playing on the Commodore 64. The game play is smooth and although this is a game from the early years of the C64’s life it is very addictive. Get through mines safely and in time collecting the required amount of gems and diamonds avoiding getting crushed by boulders or getting killed by the various baddies. This is a game that most old school gamers have played as it was ported to most 8 bit systems but the C64 port is a great game providing play ability along with being addictive too.
6. Kikstart II (1987, Mastertronic)
Mastertronic were the masters of providing value for money for Commodore 64 owners back in the day. Games costing £2.99 or £1.99 were affordable and I would regularly buy Mastertronic games with my Pocket Money. Kikstart 2 stands out as I had played it before I got my own C64 and I bought the game before I got the system (I Knew I was getting for Christmas).
I was a fan of Junior Kickstart that used to come on British Terrestrial TV back in the 80’s and this games gave me a chance to have a go myself. This side scrolling motorbike games was challenging as you had to work out how fast you need to be for different obstacles and how to control your bike but it was addictive too. The fact that this version also had a course designer meant you were getting superb value for your £1.99. A great budget bargain and a great game too.
7. Stunt Car Racer (1989, Micro Style)
Another game that I didn’t get until its budget release but one that I still enjoy it today. From the moment you are lowered down by chains (via a crane) on to the stunt course this 3D racer is a lot fun. You have gaps to jumps, twists and turns to navigate all whilst trying to not fall off the side of the track. With various leagues to play through the games provides a good challenge for players willing to try and master the game.
A game that is also worth checking out on the Amiga too but it is the Commodore 64 version that I first played and is still one of my firm favourites.
8. Rainbow Islands (1990, Ocean)
The follow up to Bubble Bobble and like its predecessor was ported to pretty much every popular home system at the time of release was a game that I first experienced on the Commodore 64. The C64 port is a great version and the simplistic game play of reaching the top of each level by jumping or throwing rainbows before the sea level rises whilst defeating/avoiding the baddies is a lot of fun.
As with Bubble Bobble the music is great and Rainbow Islands is such an easy game to get into and play. The reason this sequel make the list is because I owned this before Bubble Bobble and have always played it more on the C64. A great 8 bit home port.
9. Rescue on Fracatalus (1984, Activision)
I originally bought this game for £1.99 and what a bargain that was. I was always a fan of Sci Fi (I still am) and flying a spaceship down onto a mountainous planet to rescue other pilots sold the game to me without knowing a lot about it. Using both joystick and keyboard to fly your ship, turn off your shields, and open your airlock let in stranded pilots to me felt like a more immersive gaming experience. Plus you had the jump scares when you land. You land thinking you are going to rescue a pilot only to have a green alien jump in front of your cockpit. This still makes me jump to this day.
You can read more about Rescue on Fractalus here.
10. Commando (1985, Elite)
Commando was a hugely successful arcade port to home systems in the mid 1980’s and I first played the Amstrad CPC464 version which impressed me. By the time I eventually got my own Commodore 64 I was of course looking to find the budget release of Commando. The C64 port provides great game play in this vertical scrolling shooter and an absolutely classic soundtrack from Rob Hubbard. The music alone is good enough reason to play this game just to hear it but when the gameplay is strong too then you definitely have one of the best C64 games.
A game that you need to keep playing to master it but is a lot of fun so this doesn’t become a chore. Load it up enjoy the music and get shooting those baddies in this classic 8 bit shooter.
Although I got my Commodore 64 late in its life span I was lucky that when I did that there were so many great games available at affordable prices. I was able to immerse myself in some classic 8-bit gaming and these Commodore 64 games have stayed with me and I will continue playing them for many years to come.
The Best C64 Games – My Top 10 Games
After much deliberation and thought I finally decided to rank my top 10 Commodore 64 games. Believe me this was not easy and you can also find out the results in the video below.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my top 10 best C64 Games if you have please do share the article so others can enjoy it and it helps support my website and my writing.
You can find my previous post here. You also might like:
My Top 10 NES Games of All Time
My Top 10 Arcade Games of All Time
Thanks for stopping by and keep it retro.
Daz
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