Seb from Seb’s Place returns with Commodore 64 Game Evolution, an engaging look at how early and late games on the classic system stack up. Inspired by his popular ZX Spectrum comparison, Seb tests whether developers improved their craft or simply chased movie licenses as the years went on.
To keep things balanced, he selects three British and three American publishers, plus magazines representing both sides of the Atlantic. Using adverts, reviews, and mail-order catalogs, Seb pieces together the timeline of each company’s first and last Commodore 64 games.
Early Simplicity vs Late Ambition
Ocean Software leads off with its first release, Rollerball, and ends with Sleepwalker. Seb finds the early effort more addictive, giving it the edge. Activision’s Hero follows, standing tall against the later shooter Dragon Breed. Despite improved visuals, Seb favors Hero for its charm and design focus.
Thalamus, a British favorite, launches with Sanction and ends with Nobby the Aardvark. The latter wins for stronger gameplay, even if platforming isn’t Seb’s cup of tea. Across the pond, Broderbund’s Serpentine faces Centauri Alliance, a sprawling sci-fi RPG. The latter’s depth secures a point for the later era.
From Quirky Birds to Galactic Warriors
Gremlin Graphics’ early Potty Pigeon loses out to the much richer Space Crusade, while Electronic Arts’ classic M.U.L.E. narrowly beats out Budokan: The Martial Spirit for originality and replay value.
Seb then examines magazine picks, from Elite earning ZZAP!64’s first Gold Medal to Doc Croc’s Outrageous Adventures closing its C64 chapter. The American Info magazine weighs Suspended against Rick Dangerous, with the latter’s sharp controls sealing the win.
A Retro Showdown Worth Watching
The result? A perfect tie—four wins for early releases and four for later ones. Seb concludes that while Spectrum games lost polish over time, the Commodore 64 maintained a remarkable balance between playability and technical growth.
From addictive simplicity to sophisticated storytelling, Commodore 64 Game Evolution proves that the beige powerhouse never stopped inspiring creativity. Watch the full video to relive every comparison and see which era earns your vote.
