Llamasoft’s Batalyx isn’t just another oddity from the 8-bit era—it’s a full-blown experimental playground that turns the idea of Commodore 64 subgames into something far more ambitious. Released in 1985 and published by Ariolasoft, Batalyx doesn’t follow the usual script. Instead of offering a single gameplay loop or a few simple modes, it crams six unique experiences into one load, then dares you to manage them under pressure. It’s weird, it’s creative, and it might just be one of the most inventive uses of the C64’s modest hardware.
The video from Beyond The Scanlines digs deep into these Commodore 64 subgames, breaking down what makes each one tick and how they link together into something larger. The core idea revolves around five fully playable subgames (plus a light synth tucked into the pause menu), each one contributing to an overarching mission against the evil Zaxian Empire. But this isn’t a sequence of levels you play one after the other—Batalyx gives you the freedom to switch between subgames at any time, retaining your progress in each. That freedom is where Commodore 64 subgames turn from gimmick to strategy. Your choices impact how efficiently you tackle objectives, especially as the in-game timer makes things harder the longer you play.
Each subgame stands on its own. Hallucin-O-Bomblets plays with physics-based shooting. AMC 2 revisits Attack of the Mutant Camels, but turns up the chaos. Iridis Base Activation channels a Simon-like memory challenge. Cippy on the Run adds platforming twists with traps and enemies. Synchro II turns into a real brain teaser with directional tile-based puzzles. Every mode offers a different kind of challenge, keeping the player shifting gears constantly.
Even the sixth “game”—a scaled-down version of Psychedelia—acts as a reward: a little moment of visual meditation before diving back into the mission.
The video breaks all this down with clarity and enthusiasm, offering not just a look at each game mode but also explaining how they interact within the larger system. The genius of Batalyx lies in this very system: the way it ties everything together and lets you choose your path forward. In 1985, this kind of design was rare—and on the Commodore 64, it was basically unheard of.
If you’re curious about how deep Commodore 64 subgames can get when a developer like Jeff Minter decides to break the rules, this video is worth a watch. And yes, if you’re not firing this up on real hardware, there’s a playable version included in Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story by Digital Eclipse. Just know it’s not quite the full experience—game switching is disabled in that version.
