The 10 Best Commodore 64 Games Ever

The Commodore 64 still stands as one of the most iconic and influential home computers of all time. While it was technically discontinued way back in 1994 after more than a decade of dominance as the best-selling single model of computer ever made, the legacy of the C64 lives on today. A huge part of that legacy has to do with the extraordinary game library that could be found on the C64 during its peak years in the 1980s into the early 1990s.

Thanks to its advanced graphical and sound capabilities, not to mention the sheer computing power packed into this 8-bit machine, the C64 played host to some flat-out incredible gaming experiences. But which games stand out as the absolute best of the best? Which titles are ingrained in the memory of those who owned and played the Commodore 64 back in its heyday?

To help determine our list of ten, we delved into the archives to pull insights from Commodore 64 enthusiasts, journalists, and publications that reflected on the system‘s impact in retrospective gaming analyses and rankings. Special attention was given to those who experienced these pioneers firsthand. With their insights, plus a dash of our own nostalgia, we‘ve curated and ranked the definitive list of the 10 best Commodore 64 games ever made:

1. The Sentinel (1986)

The number one spot rightfully belongs the The Sentinel on the Commodore 64. This 3D puzzle game pioneered solid-filled rendering on a home computer and delivered an engrossing, addictive gameplay experience with tense one-on-one showdowns against The Sentinel.

The strange worlds you encounter are filled with an abundance of abstract structures and terrain for you to strategically traverse and absorb. The Sentinel, meanwhile, sits motionless… watching you. You and the Sentinel essentially compete to occupy the highest ground, absorbing or creating objects until one of you has no valid moves remaining or your energy runs out.

A glance at the trippy, blocky graphics today might not seem impressive, but The Sentinel was absolutely groundbreaking in 1986. This detail is often lost on those too young to have experienced the darker, simpler animated worlds these early 3D games produced.

Acclaimed as one of the greatest games ever created in multiple publications, The Sentinel set a standard for 3D games on the Commodore 64 that has never waned for those who recognize and appreciate the innovation and imagination that went into crafting those dark worlds.

2. Paradroid (1985)

Another genre-defining title, in this case for the shoot ‘em up category, Paradroid built upon the foundation set by games like Scramble to deliver a wholly unique take on the classic space shooter. The game throws you directly into the action aboard an abandoned spaceship inhabited by rogue droids you must destroy.

However, the twist is that rather than piloting a ship yourself, you actually take control of the droids, jumping between them in an attempt to wipe out the hostile forces. With each possession your goal is to access terminals, upgrade the droid‘s abilities, download codes to gain control of higher-functioning droids, and turn their weapon systems against the more advanced adversaries.

This innovative style of flip-flopping protagonist/antagonist fueled an addictive gameplay loop centered on gradual upgrades. It was supported by some genuinely great sci-fi atmosphere and world building contained just within this singular derelict spaceship setting.

Reviewers praised just how different and fun the experience was despite limitations in graphics and sound, two areas where the Commodore 64 was already showing its age by 1985. Paradroid overcame any hardware limitations through addictive and clever core design, cementing its status as a true original that still holds up shockingly well compared to its shoot ‘em up contemporaries.

3. Elite (1984)

The sheer vastness and freedom afforded players as they journeyed across hundreds of Universe galaxies, each with thousands of solar systems to explore, was almost incomprehensible considering Elite launched in 1984 on 8-bit architecture. It arguably established the entire space trading and combat genre as we know it today.

That sense of scale was bolstered by the game‘s emphasis on economics. Like a spacefaring Wall Street trader, players needed to juggle financial instruments like commodities and futures trading to afford better vessels and equipment for traversing the cosmos. Economic prosperity supported deeper exploration and more lucrative missions, while reckless choices resulting in the loss of cargo or a pricey ship could set you back.

For a game with wireframe 3D graphics composed of simple shapes and designs even by 1980s standards, the underlying gameplay complexity and economic realism was staggering. Adding in military ranks earned through victories in space combat with pirate foes, and you have a dynamic, ever-changing experience each time you play. While modern entries in the genre like Eve Online and No Man‘s Sky owe a clear debt to Elite, the 1984 original remains the standard-bearer for innovation and immersive emergent gameplay.

4. Uridium (1986)

The shoot ‘em up category appears multiple times on this list, highlighting the technical capabilities shooters were able to showcase that paired well with the C64 hardware. Uridium is no exception – the smooth side-scrolling, explosive space combat设计 stands the test of time and rivals anything found on home consoles of the mid-80s era.

The game differentiates itself from typical side-view space shooters by allowing you to land your ship and engage enemies on foot across various planets, opening up gameplay variety and additional mission objectives. Blasting apart space stations and asteroid bases using an arsenal of specialized ammunition before getting back behind the controls of your nimble fighter created stellar risk-reward dynamics and silky smooth run-and-gun action.

For years Computer and Video Games magazine championed Uridium‘s "#1 C64 Game Ever" status thanks to its flawless blend of technical competence, design and presentation. With its zoomed-out view allowing players to soak up more of the impeccably-drawn landscapes and environments, Uridium stands right alongside the very best shoot ‘em ups the entire decade produced thanks to its excellence in nearly all facets.

5. The Last Ninja (1987)

The Last Ninja kicked off one of the most revered action-adventure franchises on the Commodore 64, blending smooth side-scrolling action with an engrossing ninja revenge storyline. The game seamlessly combines fluid platforming and combat with adventure game-esque inventory management and environmental puzzles across nine expansive levels.

Rather than a single mechanic like shooting or jumping, The Last Ninja succeeds through the quality and diversity of gameplay. Fighting dangerous guard dogs with nunchucks before hunting down keycards to unlock doors helped create a dynamic, exciting atmosphere that mimicked what a vengeful ninja might encounter when infiltrating an enemy compound.

Even combat itself opens up strategic considerations – should you charge into a swarm of henchmen swinging your katana, or tactically take them out from afar with shuriken projectiles? This freedom of approach combined with console-rivaling visuals and audio marked The Last Ninja as a showcase for not just the action-adventure genre‘s potential, but the Commodore 64 platform as a whole when it launched to widespread acclaim in 1987.

6. Wizball (1987)

A strong case could be made for Wizball claiming the title as the most visually impressive title found on the Commodore 64. The psychedelic shooter is a feast for the senses, bombarding players with an array of vibrant colors and patterns backed by one of the catchiest gaming theme songs from the era.

The result is a hypnotizing shooter crafted around wizard-in-training Wiz and his trusty feline companion, Catelite. Having lost and regained magical color from his home planet, Your planet‘s restoration becomes the central objective behind a rapid fire, high score-chasing shooter experience with power-ups that literally shift entire levels between different palettes and graphical styles.

Few games so flawlessly combined audio and graphics to create not just an entrancing gameplay experience, but an atmosphere. When those elements then provide the actual narrative framing device for an already rock-solid shoot ‘em up, the result is genre excellence that feeds all the senses. For many, Wizball is the game that defined the Commodore 64 experience thanks to its assault on the eyes and ears.

7. California Games (1987)

While traditional sports like football and basketball have carved out a large footprint across gaming platforms, California Games took an unconventional yet refreshing approach to replicating athletic pursuits: focusing on alternative outdoor sports popular across California in the late 80s extreme sports craze.

Skateboarding, jet skiing, street surfing and BMX headline an eclectic cast of events, capturing the rebellious, carefree spirit of West coast youth culture. The variety of gameplay makes for quick pick-up sessions across any event while mastery of techniques like aerials or finding optimal routes down hills takes considerably more practice.

Nailing a 360 McTwist after catching sweet air from the half-pipe or outracing opponents in an intense street luge battle delivers an unmatched adrenaline rush that California Games replicates perhaps better than any extreme sports title that has followed in its wake. Even today, California Games stands out as the premier extreme sports video game experience that both mainstream gamers and niche enthusiasts can enjoy.

8. The Bard‘s Tale (1985)

One of the earliest Western RPGs helped usher in roleplaying experiences for consoles starting in 1985 with the ambitious Bard‘s Tale games. The series introduced players to the city of Skara Brae where magic flows freely and monsters roam cavernous dungeons beneath the metropolis streets. After assembling a custom party, you guide your wannabe heroes from tavern regulars to esteemed warriors – if they survive.

With challenging combat and puzzles to solve across complex crypts and catacombs housing villainous wizards and creatures, progression often requires careful attention given to party composition and equipment purchases. Permanent consequences including character death help instill high stakes that amplify rewards reaped from each new milestone of power gained by your band of adventurers.

The Bard‘s Tale carved out a whole subgenre of RPGs on PCs and consoles leading into the 90s, but none captured that addictive loop of party progression, loot acquisition and dangerous dungeon crawler quite like the original Commodore 64 classic that started it all.

9. Archon (1983)

Way back in 1983, Archon: The Light and the Dark introduced Commodore 64 gamers to a fiercely competitive future favorite – one best enjoyed battling family or friends. The gamechallenged players not just through strategic positioning, but also quick tactical thinking since matches played out in real-time.

The chess-inspired setup pits two sides against each other, with players taking turns summoning characters possessing unique strengths and abilities onto one of nine power squares on the board. What follows resembles a fusion between chess and Mortal Kombat, as occupying the same space initiates a quick bout of action-oriented combat.

Careful positioning allows you to gain positional advantages with certain pieces over vulnerable counterparts, but you must be prepared to out-duel the opponent directly if and when conflict arises – or even chase them off power points in real time before they can act. Mastery over both tactical battles and overall board strategy made Archon one of the first true multiplayer masterpieces of the home console era.

10. Impossible Mission (1984)

Many gamers likely recognize the name Impossible Mission as it launched a franchise spanning several sequels and platforms beyond its humble Commodore 64 beginnings. As a spy infiltrating an evil genius‘s underground bunker, the game challenged both mind and reflexes with an eclectic blend of platforming, puzzle solving and hacking mini-games.

While imperfect translations led the popular "Stay awhile….stay FOREVER!" quote becoming etched in gaming‘s pop culture lexicon, Impossible Mission back in 1984 brought movie-like tension and drama to one of the computer era‘s first truly cinematic gaming experiences.

Racing against the clock to uncover clues and codes necessary to thwart a deadly missile plot by unlocking doors or computer terminals introduced high stakes to elevate above a standard platformer or puzzler. Capping things off with a final showdown against the madman Elvin himself at the heart of the reclusive liar cemented Impossible Mission‘s status as one of the most memorable – and replayable – Commodore 64 titles ever crafted.

Honorable Mentions

Our final list contained plenty of classics across a variety of genres, but the Commodore 64 library expands far deeper. Here are just a few more all-time greats that barely missed the cut:

• Summer Games II (1984) – Iconic Epyx sports compilation with expanded roster of events
• Pitstop II (1985) – Sequel perfects formula of predecessor, one of the PC‘s earliest racers
• Bruce Lee (1984) – Groundbreaking martial arts platforming gameplay
• Raid Over Moscow (1984) – Cold war era shooter with incredible graphics pushes hardware limits
• Battle Command (1987) – Top-down run and gun eviscerates aliens in co-op glory
• Project Firestart (1989) – Cinematic platformer channels Alien vibes into pulse-pounding action
• Conan: The Cimmerian (1991) – Epic hack and slash adventure brings Robert E. Howard‘s fantasy hero to life

C64 Legacy – How To Play These Games Today

While the Commodore 64 has been discontinued for over 25 years now, the magic of these amazing games lives on and can be experienced even by those born long after the C64‘s heyday thanks to modern ports and emulation software.

Entire C64 game libraries can be emulated right within your browser over at the Internet Archive. More robust open source emulators like VICE or CCS64 also recreate original C64 hardware with solid compatibility for games, saving states, loading times and more.

Options exist to play original C64 releases on retro hardware setups, but emulation provides the most convenience and accessibility. Controllers from original joysticks to modern gamepads ensure the feel isn‘t compromised either.

While visuals and sound may feel dated to modern gamers conditioned to current-gen expectations, the golden age gameplay design that catapulted these titles to classic status still shines brightly, not to mention the wave of nostalgia. Now you can assemble your very own definitive collection of the best Commodore 64 games to enjoy for decades to come!