Floppy Deep Dive returns with another classic faceoff in the Letter O showdown between the Commodore 64 and Atari 800XL. Host Tom from Texas compares six unforgettable titles across both systems, testing graphics, gameplay, and sound to see who rules the 8-bit court.
The lineup kicks off with One-on-One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, where the Commodore 64 edges out the Atari by a single free throw. Its darker color palette and expressive sprites give every dunk and shattered backboard more energy. Atari fans still have reason to cheer, as the gameplay feels nearly identical on both machines.
Next comes Oil’s Well, Sierra’s clever clone of Anteater. Both versions share tight joystick control, tense background music, and nerve-racking action. However, the Atari 800XL wins this match for being the original. The C64 offers slightly clearer audio, but history favors the first release.
On-Track puts both systems through their paces in a top-down racing test. The Atari features a nice title screen, yet the Commodore 64 takes the win with cleaner sound and sharper graphics. The SID chip’s hum makes every turn feel alive.
Then there’s Ollie’s Follies, a single-screen platformer packed with tricky jumps. The Atari version edges ahead this time with brighter colors and a more detailed main character. Gameplay is identical, but presentation gives it the nod.
O’Riley’s Mine adds pure tension as players dig through collapsing tunnels and rising floods. Both ports perform smoothly, but the Atari edition wins again for its cleaner visuals and polished layout. It is the original, after all.
Finally, Orc Attack ends the set in dramatic fashion. The Commodore 64 version works perfectly, ladders grow, and sword fights erupt at the top. The Atari version breaks down with missing mechanics and strange sprite glitches. Commodore takes this one by a mile.
After six fierce battles, the Letter O showdown ends in a draw. Each system takes three wins. The Atari 800XL and Commodore 64 prove once again that both belong in the 8-bit hall of fame. The next match, Letter P, promises even tougher competition.
