Commodore User


Cheapo Round-Up
By Players
Commodore 64

 
Published in Commodore User #66

Shanghai Warriors (Players)

Given what a complete pig's ear Melbourne House made of Double Dragon, this clone looks like an attractive proposition. The cocky strut of your fighter is just the same, the only substantial difference is that you get a machine gun as well as a baseball bat. Not as impressive as it sounds as the gun is little more than a stick in fact, firing miniscule bullets at samey opponents.

At least it isn't expensive, because it certainly isn't any better. Only worth it to deter you from making a more costly mistake. Leave this alone and throw a few plastic shurikens at your teddy. Much more fun.

Hacker (Activision)

One from Activision's glorious past, this. Move your robot around continents in an attempt to stop the machinations of a group of nasties attempting to create a serious world catastrophe by drilling into the earth's crust.

Belt around underground tunnels cracking codes and buying information in various countries. This was an original game when it was released and time hasn't withered it in the least. "Bloody good," said Mark Patterson. "It's definitely re-release of the month!" So it is.

Tomcat (Players)

A nice little game this, in the Sidewinder mould. Your rather large approximation of an F-14 has to negotiate screens filled with an assortment of armoured trains and turrets in the time honoured fashion. Lots of little helicopters will also be thrown at you and at the end of the level there's a virtually impotent and badly drawn centipede type beasty in your path.

What that has to do with an F-14 is anybody's guess, but this remains quite challenging, if a little unimaginative. Well worth a couple of quid and a couple of hours of anyone's time.

Road Runner (Kixx)

Roadrunner once, roadrunner twice, yet USG's conversion of the excellent Atari coin-op has reached cheapo status. the one fault of the arcade game was that you played the roadrunner rather than the coyote (let's face it, everyone hates the little bustard) but if you can forgive it that then the conversion was pretty faithful.

Avoid the coyote's clutches running down busy highways, and round awkward mazes. Erm, that's all folks.

Spy Hunter (Kixx)

One of the most ancient conversions this, and a little dated even by re-release standards. It's a vertically scrolling road chase game (predating Roadblasters, and Chase HQ by a good four years) in which you control a well-armed Bond-like mobile, shooting and running into anything that gets in your way before you 'dock' with a large truck.

This one's for nostalgics only really.

Super Cycle (Kixx)

Opinions seem to be divided about this re-release of Epyx's old bike racing game. It owes a lot to Hang-On certainly, but there are those that suggest that's where the similarity stops. We thought it was OK, and when you consider the quality of some of the racing games available for the C64, it makes this worth a look at three quid.

Orion (Rack-It)

The constellation of Orion is dying, unless of course you can save it by collecting the chemicals that will complete a life-saving formula.

There are four different planets, which means five levels of blasting. Each has different levels of radiation, and denser populations (i.e. more nasties).

Rack-It's latest isn't exactly inspired, but it is well up to standard, with neat scrolling and graphics, and more than enough to keep you occupied for your dosh.

Steve Jarratt

Other Commodore 64 Game Reviews By Steve Jarratt


  • Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge Front Cover
    Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge
  • Operation Wolf Front Cover
    Operation Wolf
  • Microprose Soccer Front Cover
    Microprose Soccer
  • X-Terminator Front Cover
    X-Terminator
  • The Games: Summer Edition Front Cover
    The Games: Summer Edition
  • Bubble Ghost Front Cover
    Bubble Ghost
  • The Empire Strikes Back Front Cover
    The Empire Strikes Back
  • World Games Front Cover
    World Games
  • Ocean Conqueror Front Cover
    Ocean Conqueror
  • Armalyte Front Cover
    Armalyte