In his latest video, Just Jamie dives deep into SNK Commodore Ports, ranking every C64 adaptation of SNK’s arcade classics from worst to best. With comparisons to their arcade originals, the video doesn’t just spotlight the games—it dissects them with scalpel-level precision (and a few comedic jabs for good measure).
The video kicks off with a brutal takedown of the U.S. version of Ikari Warriors, a release so bafflingly bad it seems almost like sabotage. From there, Jamie doesn’t hold back. Victory Road, Guerrilla War, and Athena all fall under the microscope, revealing just how wildly SNK’s arcade brilliance was fumbled on the Commodore 64. These SNK Commodore Ports often suffer from oversized sprites, clunky controls, and music that feels more “SID-saster” than soundtrack.
However, the deeper Jamie digs, the more diamonds begin to emerge. The European version of Ikari Warriors, released by Elite in 1988, stands tall as a shining example of what SNK ports could be when developers respected the source material—and the C64 itself. Faithful gameplay, satisfying controls, and great SID music make it a highlight among the rubble.
Just Jamie saves one of the best for last: SNK vs. Capcom, a modern homebrew fighter that feels like a love letter to everything the official ports got wrong. Developed for both the Commodore 64 and 128, it stands as a benchmark for how far passionate developers can push 8-bit machines today.
So, whether you’re reliving the frustration of Fighting Soccer or marveling at fan-made redemption, this retrospective on SNK Commodore Ports is both educational and wildly entertaining.
