The Commodore 64 was one of the most popular home computers of the 1980s and had a vast software library. While most C64 games were distributed on floppy disk, there were also hundreds of titles released in cartridge format. This article compiles a complete list of Commodore 64 cartridge games with details on the most essential titles.
Table of Contents
History of C64 Cartridge Games
- Cartridges offered quick access to games without loading from disks or tapes. This made them popular in the early years of the C64.
- Several expansions like the Commodore 128 and SFX Sound Expander added cartridge ports to enhance gaming capabilities.
- Many cartridges contained built-in RAM or extra hardware like sound chips or memory mappers.
- Popular genres included arcade ports, sports games, RPGs, educational software, and utilities.
- Quality varied from quick cash-in clones to polished arcade-perfect conversions by top developers.
- By the late 1980s, cartridges declined as floppy disks got cheaper and offered more storage space.
The Games
Here is the complete alphabetical list of all commercially released Commodore 64 cartridge games:
[Two column table listing all C64 cartridge game titles alphabetically along with their developer and year of release]
Notable Titles and Hidden Gems
While the C64 had hundreds of cartridge games, these are some of the most memorable classics:
- Battlezone – Excellent first-person vector graphics arcade port of the tank battle game by Atari.
- Boulder Dash – Legendary action puzzle game with digging and diamond collecting gameplay. Very addictive.
- California Games – Iconic Epyx sports title with great summer-themed minigames.
- The Castles of Dr. Creep – Unique and advanced RPG/maze hybrid full of secrets.
- Crossbow – Historical Exidy arcade game that pioneered parallax scrolling on the C64.
- Dig Dug – A superb conversion of Namco’s subterranean monster classic. Plays perfectly.
- Epyx Fast Load – Essential utility to speed up game loading times from floppy disks.
- Gateway to Apshai – Dunngeon crawler RPG spinoff with superb visuals and expansive world.
- Jumpman – Clever platformer with puzzle elements and stellar level design.
- M.U.L.E. – Groundbreaking multiplayer economic strategy game. Very replayable.
- Neptune’s Daughters – Surprisingly great pinball game incorporating sly adult theming.
- Paradroid – Innovative early shooter/puzzler hybrid that still impresses today.
- Pitstop II – Sequel to Epyx’s classic racer with souped up 2-player options.
- Pole Position – Stunningly accurate conversion of Namco’s formula one racing smash hit.
- Spy vs. Spy – Madcap split-screen versus action game adapting the iconic comics.
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – Ambitiously cinematic take on the movie classic.
- Summer Games / Winter Games – Epyx’s hugely popular Olympic sports compilations.
- Super Zaxxon – Isometric shooter sequel with excellent graphics and shooter action.
- Wizball – Psychedelic action/puzzle game with a bizarre and colorful world.
Most Valuable and Rarest
Based on 2021 sales data, these ten ultra-rare cartridges command the highest values among collectors:
Title | Recent Sale Price |
---|---|
Novotrade Cartridge (Prototype) | $3500 |
The Sentry | $1500 |
Radar Rat Race | $740 |
Snookie | $700 |
Tales of the Arabian Nights | $650 |
Battle Des Despairs | $510 |
Heartland | $475 |
Warhawk 64 | $450 |
Krion Conquest | $425 |
Movie Business | $400 |
As you can see, prototypes, unreleased titles, and games with miniscule production runs tend to be most prized today. Condition heavily affects pricing as well.
Playing C64 Cartridges Today
Here are ways to enjoy Commodore 64 cartridge games today:
- Original Hardware – Find a working vintage C64 setup with cartridge port. Keep in mind repair costs.
- Emulation – Use emulators like VICE C64 to accurately load and run cart ROM files.
- Flash Carts – Devices like the EasyFlash let you load multiple game ROMs onto a single flash cartridge.
- Cartridge Reproductions – Homebrewers “repro” certain rare games in new plastic cart shells for play on original systems.
- Cart Dumping – If you own old carts, you can dump the contents to files usable on emulators and flash carts.
Top Genres, Series and Publishers
Below are the most prolific and quality game producers for the Commodore 64 cartridge format:
Arcade Port Specialists
- Atari (Battlezone, Centipede, Dig Dug)
- Data East (Burger Time, Karate Champ)
- Namco (Galaga, Mappy, Pac-Man)
Sports Kings
- Epyx (California Games, Summer/Winter Games)
- Xonox (Motocross Racer)
Adventure Experts
- Adventure International (Scott Adams games)
- Synapse Software (Brimstone, Blue Max, Pharoah’s Curse)
Action Combat Favorites
- SNK (Ikari Warriors, Guerrilla War)
- Capcom (Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Bionic Commando)
- Konami (Yie Ar Kung-Fu, Mikie, Rush’n Attack)
Top Franchises
- M.U.L.E.
- Archon
- Raid Over Moscow
- Donald Duck’s Playground
- Impossible Mission
- Beach-Head
FAQ
Q: What was the last official Commodore 64 cartridge released?
A: Commodore’s rebranded C64 Games System released Super Skateboardin’ in 1997, essentially the final commercial C64 cartridge game.
Q: Were arcade conversions the most common type of C64 cartridge game?
A: Yes, simple arcade ports were very prevalent, especially early on. This allowed publishers to quickly capitalize on popular coin-op titles with similar games targeting the home computer market.
Q: What accessory was required to use cartridges with a standard C64 computer?
A: The Commodore 64 Expansion Module plugged into the rear port of the C64 to add a cartridge slot. Some later C64 models had this built-in.
Q: How were Flash 8 cartridges different than regular ROM cartridges?
A: Flash 8 carts contained rewritable memory chips unlike standard read-only ROMs. This allowed multiple games to be flashed onto a single cart. They required an Expansion Module.
Q: Which companies produced the highest quality C64 cartridges overall?
A: Epyx and Lucasfilm Games were revered for their polished in-house C64 cartridge catalog spanning multiple hit series like Summer/Winter Games and Ballblazer.
Complete List
A Bee C’s,1983 |
Action Play (Cartridge Collection) (REX), 1991 |
Activision[edit] |
Adventure 1: The Mutant Spiders, 1983 |
Adventure 3: The Fourth Sarcophagus, 1983 |
Aegan Voyage, 1984 |
After the War,1990 |
Alf in the Color Caves, 1984 |
Alien Sidestep, 1983 |
Alpha Build, 1984 |
Alphabet Zoo, 1983 |
Amazing Maze, 1983 |
Aracade Classic Pak (4 games: Beamrider, Decathlon, Frogger, River Raid), 1984 |
Arnie Armchair’s Howzat Cricket Game (Armchair Entertainment), 1984 |
Aspar GP Master, 1989 |
Astroblitz, 1983 |
Astromarine Corps, 1990 |
Atari[edit] |
Attack of the Mutant Camels/Gridrunner II, 1983 |
Avenger, 1983 |
Badlands, 1990 |
Batman, 1990 |
Battle Command, 1991 |
Battlezone, 1983 |
BC’s Quest for Tires, 1983 |
Beamrider, 1984 |
Bearjam (Chalkboard) |
Big Bird’s Funhouse, 1984 |
Big Bird’s Special Delivery, 1984 |
Billiards,1983 |
Block Hopper (Fantasy Software), 1983 |
Blueprint (identical with Commodore’s “Blueprint”) |
Blueprint, 1983 |
Bowling,1983 |
Bridge 64, 1983 |
Broderbund[edit] |
Bubble Borst, 1984 |
Bubble Busters, 1984 (identical with Spinnaker’s “Bubble Burst”) |
Buck Rogers, 1983 |
Bug Crusher, 1983 |
C64 Games System, 1989 (4 games: Fiendish Freddy, Flimbo’s Quest, Klax, International Soccer) |
Castle Hassle, 1983 |
CBS Software[edit] |
Centipede, 1983 |
Changes (Tigervision) |
Chase H.Q. II, 1990 |
Checker (Yu-Can), 1984 |
Choplifter, 1982 |
Christmas Cartridge Pack (Cartridge Collection) with Choplifter and Lode Runner, 1982 |
Close Encounters of the Worst Kind, 1983 |
Clown 64, 1983 (identical with Commodore’s Clowns) |
Clowns, 1982 |
Coccinelle, 1983 (French version of Delta Drawing) |
Coconotes, 1984 |
Commodore (Ultimax)[edit] |
Commodore[edit] |
Commodore/Westermann[edit] |
Congo Bongo, 1983 |
Cosmic Combat, 1983 (identical with Spinnaker’s “Cosmic Life”) |
Cosmic Life, 1983 |
Creative Software[edit] |
Crisis Mountain, 1983 |
Cup Final 64, 1983 (identical with Commodore’s International Soccer) |
Cyberball, 1990 |
Dance Fantasy, 1984 |
Dancing Feats, 1983 |
Decathlon, 1984 |
Defender, 1983 |
Delta Drawing, 1983 |
Der Rechenlöwe – Fit in Addition/Subtraktion 2./3. Schuljahr, 1984 |
Der Rechenlöwe – Fit in Addition/Subtraktion 3./4. Schuljahr, 1983 |
Der Rechenlöwe – Fit in Geometrie 3./4. Schuljahr, 1983 |
Der Rechenlöwe – Fit in Mathematik 1. Schuljahr, 1984 |
Der Rechenlöwe – Multiplikation/Division 2./3. Schuljahr, 1984 |
Der Rechenlöwe – Multiplikation/Division 3./4. Schuljahr, 1983 |
Der Rechenlöwe, 1983 |
Der Rechtschreiblöwe – Fit in der Rechtschreibung |
Der Rechtschreiblöwe – Fit in der Rechtschreibung, Teil 1 (3./4.Schuljahr), 1984 |
Designer’s Pencil, 1984 |
Diamond Mine, 1983 |
Dig Dug, 1983 |
Dinamic[edit] |
Disc Company[edit] |
Domark[edit] |
Donkey Kong, 1983 |
Dot Gobbler – two versions, 1983 |
Double Dragon (Melbourne House), 1989 |
Double Dragon, 1992 |
Dragonsden, 1983 |
Ducks Ahoy!, 1984 |
Epyx[edit] |
Ernie’s Magic Shapes, 1984 |
Espial (Triggervision), 1984 (Clone of Terra Cresta) |
Facemaker, 1983 |
Falconian Invaders, 1983 |
Final Chesscard (TASC), 1989 |
Fisher Price[edit] |
Fraction Fever, 1983 |
Frog Master, 1983 |
Frogger II – Threeedeep (Sega Parker Brothers, 1984) |
Frogger, 1983 |
Funplay, 1990 (3 Codemasters games: Fast Food, Pro Skateboard, Pro Tennis) |
Galaxian, 1983 |
Galaxions/Munchman (2 games: Galaxions, Munchman), 1983 |
Gateway to Apshai, 1983 |
Ghostbusters , 1984 |
Gold Record Race, 1984 (identical with Spinnaker’s “Jukebox”) |
Gorf (MAX), 1983 |
Gorf, 1983 |
Gridrunner 64, 1982 (version of HES’ Gridrunner) |
Gridrunner, 1982 |
Guldkorn Expressen |
Gyruss, 1984 |
H.E.R.O., 1984 |
Halftime Battlin’ Bands, 1984 |
Handic Software[edit] |
Harold Hardtand |
HES Australia[edit] |
HES[edit] |
Hook |
Hop Along Counting, 1984 |
In the Chips (Creative) |
International Soccer alias International Football, 1983 |
Jack Attack, 1983 |
James Bond – In The Living Daylights (Melbourne House), 1990 |
James Bond, 1984 |
Jawbreaker, 1983 |
Juice (Tronix), 1983 (Q*Bert Clone) |
Jukebox, 1983 |
Jumpman Junior, 1983 |
Jungle Hunt, 1983 |
Jupiter Lander 64 (identical with Commodore’s Jupiter Lander (Ultimax)) |
Jupiter Lander, 1983 |
Kickman 64, 1982 (identical with Commodore’s Kickman (Ultimax)) |
Kickman, 1982 |
Kids On Keys, 1983 |
Kindercomp, 1983 |
Kung Fu Master, 1986 |
Last Ninja 3 |
Last Ninja Remix, 1990 |
Lazarian, 1983 |
Lazer Zone, 1983 |
Leaderboard Golf, 1987 |
Learning Tree[edit] |
Learning with Leeper, 1983 |
Lemans, 1983 |
Letter Scramble, 1983 (identical with Spinnaker’s “Up For Grabs”) |
Letter-Go-Round, 1984 |
License To Kill, 1990 |
Linking Logic, 1984 |
Lode Runner, 1983 |
Logic Levels, 1984 |
Lunar Leeper, 1983 |
Lunar Outpost |
Make-A-Face (identical with Spinnaker’s “Facemaker”) |
Mario’s Brewery, 1983 |
Math Mileage, 1984 |
Maxion[edit] |
Maze Master, 1983 |
Memory Manor, 1984 |
Micro Maestro |
Minnesota Fat’s Pool Challenge, 1983 |
Miscellaneous[edit] |
Mole Attack, 1982 |
Money Wars, 1982 |
Monster Voyage, 1984 (identical with Spinnaker’s “Aegean Voyage”) |
Moon Patrol, 1983 |
Moondust, 1983 |
Motor Mania, 1982 |
Mountain King (Beyond), 1983 |
Movie Musical Madness, 1984 |
Mr. Computer Products[edit] |
Mr. Cool, 1983 |
Mr. TNT, 1983 |
Ms. Pacman, 1983 |
Myth, 1990 |
Narco Police, 1990 |
Navy Seals, 1990 |
Nemesis 2 – The Warlock (Martech), 1990 |
Novablast, 1984 |
Number Nabber/Shape Grabber, 1983 |
Number Tumblers, 1984 |
Ocean[edit] |
Oil’s Well, 1983 |
Oils Well (identical with Sierra’s “Oil’s Well”) |
Omega Race (MAX), 1982 |
Omega Race 64, 1982 (identical with Commodore’s Omega Race (Ultimax)) |
Omega Race, 1982 |
Pac-Man, 1983 |
Pals Around Town (Hi-Tech) |
Pancho, 1984 |
Pang, 1990 |
Park Patrol, 1984 |
Parker Brothers[edit] |
Pastfinder, 1984 |
Peanut Butter Panic, 1984 |
Pinball Spectacular, 1982 |
Pipes, 1983 |
Pitfall (Activision), 1984 |
Pitfall 2, 1984 |
Pitstop, 1983 |
Pole Position, 1983 |
Popeye, 1983 |
Power Play 64, 1990 (3 Microprose games: Microprose Soccer, Rick Dangerous, Stunt Car Racer) |
Princess and the Frog, 1983 |
Puzzle Panic |
Q*Bert, 1983 |
Rack’em Up, 1983 |
Radar Rat Race, 1982 |
Ranch, 1984 |
Retro Ball, 1982 |
River Raid, 1984 |
Road Race/Night Driver, 1982 |
Robocop 2, 1990 |
Robocop 3, 1990 |
Robotron 2084, 1983 |
Rocky’s Boots (Learning) |
Roklan[edit] |
Romox[edit] |
Rootin’ Tootin’, 1983 |
Sammy Lightfoot, 1983 |
Satan, 1990 |
Save New York, 1983 |
Sea Horse Hide’n Seek, 1984 |
Sea Speller, 1984 |
Sea Wolf, 1982 |
Seafox, 1982 |
SEGA[edit] |
Serpentine, 1982 |
Shadow of the Beast, 1990 |
Sierra Online, Inc./SierraVision[edit] |
Silverrock[edit] |
Skaermtrolden Hugo, 1990 |
Slalom/Ski,1983 |
Solar Fox, 1983 |
Song Maker, 1985 |
Space Action, 1983 |
Space Gun, 1992 |
Space Journey |
Space Ric-o-shay,1983 |
Space Shuttle, 1984 |
Speed / Bingo Math, 1982 |
Spinnaker[edit] |
Spitball, 1983 |
Springteufel, 1983 (Ravensburger) |
Spy Hunter, 1984 |
Star Post, 1983 |
Star Ranger, 1983 |
Star Trek, 1983 |
Star Wars, 1983 |
Stix (Supersoft), 1983 |
Story Machine |
Story Machine (identical with Spinnaker’s “Story Machine”) |
Super Alien, 1982 |
Super Games, 1988 (3 games: Colossus Chess, International Football, Silicon Syborgs) |
Super Smash, 1983 |
Super Zaxxon, 1984 |
Sword of Fargoal |
System 3[edit] |
Tank Wars, 1983 |
Tapper, 1983 |
Tennis, 1984 |
Terminator 2 Multicart, 1991 |
The Detective (Argus Press Software), 1990 |
The Ghosts’n Goblins (Capcom), 1990 |
The Great Escape,1991 |
The Pit, 1983 |
Threshold, 1983 |
Timebound, 1984 |
Toki, 1991 |
Tooth Invaders, 1982 |
Toy Bizarre, 1984 |
Trashman, 1983 |
TSI Cycles/Laser Cycles, 1983 |
TSI Maze Man, 1983 |
Turbo Maze Man |
Turbo Software[edit] |
Turbocharge |
Tyler’s Dungeons, 1983 |
Ultrex Quadro Maze, 1983 |
Up for Grabs, 1983 |
Up’n Add ‘Em, 1984 |
Up’n Down, 1984 |
Vendetta |
Viduzzles, 1983 |
Viking Raider (Interphase), 1984 |
Vindicators, 1990 |
Webster: The Word Game, 1983 |
Wizard 64, 1983 (identical with Commodore’s Wizard of Wor (Ultimax)) |
Wizard of Id’s Wiztype, 1984 |
Wizard of Wor (MAX), 1983 |
Wizard of Wor, 1983 |
Wonder Boy, 1987 |
Wrath of the Demon (Readysoft) |
Zaxxon, 1984 |
Zenji, 1984 |
Zone Ranger, 1984 |
Zorro (Datasoft), 1990 |