Retro Specials Feature
My Favourite Arcade Games – Commodore 64 & Amiga Ports Reviewed
A personal look at favourite 80s arcade games and how they translated to the Commodore 64 and Amiga, comparing gameplay, performance, and overall experience across platforms.
About this video
This video explores a selection of classic arcade games from the 1980s and examines how they were adapted for the Commodore 64 and Amiga. Featuring titles such as Dragon’s Lair, Out Run, After Burner, Space Harrier, R-Type, Golden Axe, Double Dragon, Rolling Thunder, and Street Fighter, it combines personal reflection with detailed comparison. Arcade hardware delivered speed, scale, and spectacle that home systems often struggled to replicate. As a result, many of these conversions required significant changes, whether through reduced visuals, altered gameplay, or entirely different design approaches. In some cases, the Commodore 64 versions prioritised playability over accuracy, while the Amiga often aimed to preserve the look and feel of the originals. The video highlights how each version performs, what was lost or gained in translation, and how these games hold up today. It offers insight into the challenges of porting arcade experiences to home computers and why these titles remain memorable despite their differences.