Unearthing Forgotten First Star Games
In the ninth episode of Deep Cuts, YouTube creator BastichB 64K turns his attention to two forgotten First Star games for the Commodore 64: Millennium Warriors and Security Alert. While First Star Software is best known for classics like Boulder Dash and Spy vs Spy, these late-era titles are often overlooked—and undeservedly so.
Released in 1989, both games came at a time when the Commodore 64 was already falling out of the spotlight as gamers shifted to 16-bit platforms. Yet as BastichB demonstrates, these overlooked titles deliver far more than mere footnotes in C64 history.
Millennium Warriors: A Fighter with Flair
First up is Millennium Warriors, a C64-exclusive versus fighting game that landed right before the genre exploded in popularity. Players take on the role of Prince Kronos, battling through five distinct time zones to claim the galactic throne. From prehistoric duels with cavemen to laser battles in zero gravity, the game switches up its formula with clever twists.
The game features both single and two-player modes, with added depth through health, energy, and weapon meters. Running out of energy not only disables attacks—it temporarily removes weapons, leaving players wide open. Strategic item collection and energy management are key to survival.
While the gameplay is fast and visually appealing, some drawn-out battles can slow the pace. Still, detailed sprite work, solid animations, and satisfying sound effects bring each era to life. Despite decent reviews—Zzap!64 gave it 68%—Millennium Warriors faded into obscurity. But as BastichB argues, it’s worth revisiting for fans of the genre and C64 diehards.
Security Alert: Stealth with Strategy
The second of the forgotten First Star games is Security Alert, also from 1989. It casts the player as a thief tasked with infiltrating five different locations, including banks, embassies, and museums. Think of it as Mission: Impossible meets They Stole a Million, with a splash of puzzle-solving.
What seems overwhelming at first quickly reveals itself as intuitive. You sneak, hack, disable alarms, and dodge security cameras. A deep toolkit of gadgets—including infrared goggles, wire cutters, and floor plate sensors—adds layers of strategy and discovery.
The user interface is surprisingly sophisticated for a C64 title. It offers an overhead map, camera toggles, clue-tracking notepads, and inventory windows. The visuals are bold, the gameplay complex yet accessible, and all controls are joystick-friendly. BastichB highlights its originality, comparing it to LA Crackdown while praising its creative mix of gameplay styles.
Why These Games Deserve a Second Look
BastichB 64K’s presentation does more than showcase two overlooked titles. It challenges viewers to reconsider what makes a C64 game memorable. These forgotten First Star games weren’t failures—they were just released at the wrong time. Packed with creativity and technical ambition, both Millennium Warriors and Security Alert reflect a studio still pushing boundaries at the end of an era.
Whether you’re a collector, a C64 enthusiast, or simply curious about gaming’s lesser-known chapters, this episode of Deep Cuts is well worth your time.
