Sanxion
Video Archive
Sanxion – The C64 Shooter That Showed the Battle from Two Angles at Once
️ Sanxion (1986) – Commodore 64 Innovative Split-Screen Shoot ’Em Up Released in 1986 for the Commodore 64, Sanxion was developed by Stavros Fasoulas and published by Thalamus as the company’s very first release. From the outset, it established Thalamus as a publisher willing to push technical and design boundaries, delivering a shoot-’em-up that felt fresh and ambitious. You pilot a futuristic aircraft through horizontally scrolling stages packed with enemies and hazards. Sanxion’s most distinctive feature is its split-screen presentation: the upper section shows an overhead tactical view, while the lower portion displays the traditional side-on action. This dual perspective allows us to anticipate threats ahead while reacting to immediate danger, adding an extra layer of strategy rarely seen in the genre. Another standout mechanic is the adjustable scrolling speed. Movement accelerates as the ship approaches the centre of the screen, forcing constant judgment calls between speed, control, and survival.
Game Overview
About the Game
️ Sanxion (1986) – Commodore 64 Innovative Split-Screen Shoot ’Em Up Released in 1986 for the Commodore 64, Sanxion was developed by Stavros Fasoulas and published by Thalamus as the company’s very first release. From the outset, it established Thalamus as a publisher willing to push technical and design boundaries, delivering a shoot-’em-up that felt fresh and ambitious. You pilot a futuristic aircraft through horizontally scrolling stages packed with enemies and hazards. Sanxion’s most distinctive feature is its split-screen presentation: the upper section shows an overhead tactical view, while the lower portion displays the traditional side-on action. This dual perspective allows us to anticipate threats ahead while reacting to immediate danger, adding an extra layer of strategy rarely seen in the genre. Another standout mechanic is the adjustable scrolling speed. Movement accelerates as the ship approaches the centre of the screen, forcing constant judgment calls between speed, control, and survival.
Game Manual
Magazine Reviews
Magazine Reviews
Magazine Reviews
Magazine Reviews · 11
Contemporary average 84% · range 70–100%
C&VG
Reviewed by Thalamus full-price release
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Commodore Force
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Commodore User
Reviewed by Mike Pattenden. Thalamus full-price release
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Commodore User
Reviewed by Rack-It (Hewson) budget release
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Info
Reviewed by Mark R. Brown
Scan Not Available
Oberoende Computer
Scan Not Available
Your Commodore
Reviewed by Marie Currie. Thalamus full-price release
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Zzap!64
Reviewed by Gary Penn, Julian Rignall & Richard Eddy. Thalamus full-price release
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Zzap!64
Reviewed by Matthew Evans. Rack-It (Hewson) budget release
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Zzap!64
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Zzap!64
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Game Music
Game Music
Original Cassette
Tape Archive
Verified C64 cassette releases linked to the Ultimate Tape Archive. CCG does not host or duplicate the tape files.
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