Issue #25 of Zzap!64 has landed, and it’s a special one. The magazine turns 40 this year, and the team has leaned into the occasion with a lightly celebratory issue that doesn’t get too sentimental—but still nods to where it all started.
This edition opens with a generous stack of game reviews, covering both new titles and a couple of nods to classics. Among the fresh releases getting the Zzap treatment are Avalan, Captain Ishtar 2, Golf Dash Extended, and Tank in a Dungeon. If you’ve been curious about Ultima: Escape from Mount Drash, yes, it’s here too—and yes, it’s as strange and fascinating as its history suggests. There’s even a ZzapBack feature on Boulder Dash, giving the classic a second look with 2025 eyes.
Elsewhere in the issue, Centipede Arcade gets put through its paces, and there’s a spotlight on Grazers, Ladybird, The Last Z8, and Mike Mech 2—each one bringing something slightly different to the C64 scene, whether it’s arcade vibes or experimental storytelling.
The article lineup goes broad. There’s a roundtable “Zzap Chatz” where the staff talks about the magazine’s past and present. Andrew Braybrook sits down for an interview, sharing stories that go well beyond his legendary work on Paradroid. Tommie Hansmar fields ten sharp questions, and there’s a review of the new Too Much Fun book, which dives into the excess and oddities of retro game culture. Oh, and make space on your bookshelf—the first part of Zzap’s Top 64 Games of All Time has finally arrived.
Rounding things out are the usual features: the demo scene recap, the art gallery, a look back at Issue #25 from the original run, and a handful of extras that long-time readers will appreciate.
If you’re following the Commodore 64 revival—or never left in the first place—this issue is worth your time. It’s a reminder that Zzap isn’t just keeping up; it’s still having fun doing it.
