28
Mar
If You Like This, You’ll Like That: TheC64 Collection 3 Edition
While we’ve made a point of ensuring the Evercade library is carefully curated to contain a combination of big hitters and cult classics from over the years, we know that sometimes everyone needs (or wants) a helping hand to decide what they should play next. And that’s what these blog posts are about: taking a recently released cartridge as a starting point, we suggest some similar games from the rest of the catalogue that you might want to try for yourself!
Today’s topic is TheC64 Collection 3, which, like its predecessors, features a broad mix of games from a variety of different genres. Let’s take a closer look — and remember, we’d love to hear your suggestions, too! Be sure to share them on our social channels: you can catch up with us on Twitter, Facebook or Discord and let us know your best ideas!
If you like Summer Games II, you’ll like…
World Games
The “Games” series of multi-sports titles was everywhere in the ’80s. Released across a multitude of 8-bit and 16-bit home computers and consoles, they provided excellent and highly varied multiplayer fun themed around (but not officially licensing) the summer and winter Olympic games. World Games (found on TheC64 Collection 2) is a little different in that it focuses on more unusual seasonal sports from both summer and winter, many of which have a strong association with a specific country. One minute you’ll be log-rolling in Canada, the next you’ll be pumping iron in the former USSR! Like its peers, it’s a hoot in multiplayer, and worth spending some time getting to know.
If you like Boulder Dash, you’ll like…
Crystal Mines II
Boulder Dash is the original “dig up shiny things while trying to prevent heavy things falling on your head” game. Crystal Mines II, found on Atari Lynx Collection 1, provides a slightly different twist on the same formula. It’s still puzzle-centric and still demands good timing and reactions, but the way your little robot dude handles slightly differently from good ol’ Rockford makes for a distinct experience. Plus with the added “Buried Treasure” levels by Songbird Productions, there’s over 300 challenges to keep you busy.
If you like Heavy Metal Paradroid, you’ll like…
Operation Logic Bomb
This is a tricky one because there really is nothing quite like Heavy Metal Paradroid, so the closest match is some sort of top-down action adventure. We have a fair few of these to choose from, but one that deserves a bit more love is Operation Logic Bomb from Jaleco Collection 1. Offering a tense atmosphere and interesting mission objectives beyond just “blow everything up”, this is a great top-down action game that is well worth taking the time to explore.
If you like Super Cycle, you’ll like…
Motor Psycho
Racing games on two wheels are somewhat less common than those involving cars and/or futuristic vehicles, but they’re out there! Motor Psycho from Atari Collection 1 is a fun racer from a similar era to Super Cycle. And like Super Cycle, there’s an element of score chasing as well as simply attempting to beat the clock: in Motor Psycho’s case you’ll be wanting to make big jumps over the heads of your opponents while going as fast as possible. Just be careful if a sharp corner comes up while you’re in mid-air!
If you like Jumpman Junior, you’ll like…
Arabian
Single-screen platformers where the focus is on collecting things are a little less common than those where the aim is to defeat all the enemies, but Arabian from Sunsoft Collection 1 is a solid example. Like Jumpman and Jumpman Junior, each stage in Arabian has its own distinctive gimmicks that you’ll need to master in order to succeed — with the added twist of attempting to spell out words for bonuses!
If you like Cyberdyne Warrior, you’ll like…
Switchblade
Both Cyberdyne Warrior and Switchblade (found on Piko Interactive Collection 1) are platformers with an emphasis on exploring environments. Their overall goals are a little different — in Cyberdyne Warrior you’re attempting to track down rogue droids, while in Switchblade you’re travelling ever-deeper into a complex in search of a powerful weapon — but they both feature maps you’ll need to investigate thoroughly and a selection of weapons with which to tool yourself up.
If you like Cybernoid II: The Revenge, you’ll like…
Spacegulls
While Cybernoid II: The Revenge places more of an emphasis on blowing things up than Spacegulls (found on Morphcat Games Collection 1), both games have an interesting and unusual movement system that you’ll need to master in order to succeed, and a flick-screen structure that presents you with distinct challenges in each new “room” you uncover.
If you like Netherworld, you’ll like…
Granada
Multi-directional shoot ’em ups in which you have a scrolling map to explore blend satisfying elements of action and strategy, and Granada from Renovation Collection 1 is a great example of this style of play. In both games you’ll have to hunt down your targets: in Granada you need to blast your enemies to proceed to the next stage, while in Netherworld you’re in search of valuable diamonds. In both cases, there are plenty of enemy forces ready to stop you in your quest!
If you like Deliverance: Stormlord II, you’ll like…
TH Strikes Back: Thunder Hoop II
While the first Stormlord game fell into the “arcade adventure” category with its item-based puzzle-solving, Deliverance: Stormlord II veers closer to “run and gun” territory with relentless enemy encounters and tricky platforming. TH Strikes Back: Thunder Hoop II from Gaelco Arcade 2 is a great example of this genre: plenty of explosive action, with a bit of jumping around for good measure.
If you like Anarchy, you’ll like…
Go! Dizzy Go!
Anarchy is an interesting game that might look like an action game at first glance, but it’s actually more of a puzzler. Of a similar (though not identical) ilk is Go! Dizzy Go! from The Oliver Twins Collection, which involves collecting fruit from block-based mazes while avoiding (or crushing) the unwanted attentions of a varied lineup of enemies.
If you like Exolon, you’ll like…
Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death
Exolon is another one of those games that initially looks like one thing — in this case, a run-and-gun platformer — but actually reveals itself to be something a little different. Specifically, it’s a game where each room is a puzzle of sorts, challenging your strategy and dexterity to proceed ever onwards. Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death from The Sydney Hunter Collection is a twist on this: rather than each individual screen being a self-contained traversal puzzle, the game is split into small, multi-screen stages for you to figure out one at a time. Careful thought and dexterity are both still required to succeed!
If you like Street Sports Soccer, you’ll like…
Sensible Soccer
Street Sports Soccer plays fast and loose with the rules of football in a “factory doors for goalposts” sort of way. Likewise, Sensible Soccer from Codemasters Collection 1 provides an easy to understand, uncomplicated and arcadey kickabout on its default settings, with plenty of customisation options to tweak your experience.
If you like Break Dance, you’ll like…
Megapak Vol. 1
Break Dance is split into several distinct minigames, each with straightforward, simple controls. Those of a certain age may feel its gameplay bears a resemblance to dedicated LCD handheld games — something which Megapak Vol. 1 from Atari Lynx Collection 1 pays homage to with its “Parafly” minigame. Play on an Evercade handheld or HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket for the authentic experience.
TheC64 Collection 3 is available now. Find out more on the official cartridge page.