PET Top 16 Games
by romhoard-research ยท 2026/02/14
The Commodore PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) was one of the three legendary computers in the "1977 Trinity" that pioneered personal computing. Released in 1977, the PET was particularly appealing to gaming enthusiasts because it included Commodore BASIC in ROM, allowing users to start programming immediately after powering on without needing to load an operating system. The PET's character-based graphics and limitations forced developers to innovate with gameplay mechanics rather than relying on visual spectacle, resulting in a diverse library of text adventures, arcade-style games, strategy games, and educational titles. Over its lifetime, approximately 787 games were released for the PET and its variants between 1977 and 2024.
16
games
pet
Loading...
Loading...
to
""
Import this Collection
Copy this URL and paste it into your RomHoard's "Import Collection" dialog.
Games in this Collection
Sort:
Zork I: The Great Underground Empire
Commodore PET
One of the most critically acclaimed text adventures ever created, Zork I pioneered interactive fiction on personal computers. Developed by Infocom, this game was based on the earlier mainframe game "Dungeon" and offered extensive gameplay, witty writing, and complex puzzles. The game's success established the adventure game genre and demonstrated the narrative potential of computer gaming.
Dog Star Adventure
Commodore PET
One of the most beloved text adventures for the PET, Dog Star Adventure is a Star Wars-inspired game where players take the role of a robot restoring a spaceship and rescuing a princess. It was among the first text adventures to be published in a magazine (SoftSide, May 1979) and became widely distributed through user groups, making it one of the most played PET games.
Miner!
Commodore PET
One of the most downloaded PET games with 126 downloads in community archives, Miner! represents the arcade-style games that thrived on the PET. Published in Cursor #19 (1980) by Ron Longfellow, this mining-themed gameplay became iconic on the platform.
Space Invaders
Commodore PET
A legendary high school student named Satoshi Matsuoka created a masterpiece replica of Space Invaders for the Commodore PET in 1980. The game included a demo mode and became so popular at some schools that certain keyboard keys wore out from excessive playing. This exemplifies how arcade classics were adapted for PET's character-based graphics.
Cosmic Jailbreak
Commodore PET
A creative twist on Space Invaders-style gameplay, Cosmic Jailbreak features aliens trying to rescue criminal friends imprisoned in the center of the screen. The player controls a tank with bunkers for cover, exemplifying the PET's strength with "left-right" invader games that utilized character graphics effectively.
Millipede
Commodore PET
Created by Nybbles and Bits (formerly On-Line Software), Millipede is a notable variation of the Centipede game. The developer created it to "show everyone I can do better than that," responding to poor quality games and went on to create several acclaimed titles for PET, VIC, and Commodore 64.
Lode Runner
Commodore PET
The Commodore PET version of Lode Runner, created by Jim Orlando and others, adapted the influential platformer to the PET platform. The original Space Panic (1980) inspired the Lode Runner series, and the PET version demonstrates how complex arcade platformers were successfully ported to early microcomputers.
Draw Poker
Commodore PET
Among the best games in its category for the Commodore PET, Draw Poker was one of Commodore's officially published titles. It showcased the PET's ability to handle complex rule systems and player interaction, making it a popular game for extended play sessions.
Black Jack
Commodore PET
Another Commodore-published card game and one of the best in its category for the PET. Black Jack's accessibility and replayability made it a staple of the platform, appealing to both casual and experienced gamers.
Pirate Hangman
Commodore PET
With 66 downloads in community archives, Pirate Hangman was a popular variation of the classic Hangman word game, adding a pirate theme to increase player engagement. Word games were particularly well-suited to the PET's text-based interface.
Mastermind
Commodore PET
A digital adaptation of the classic board game Mastermind, this PET version challenged players to crack a code through logical deduction. The game's turn-based nature made it ideal for computer adaptation and offered extended replay value.
Tunnel Vision
Commodore PET
A dual-mode game featuring fast 3-D maze navigation alongside a top-view maze game called "Kat & Mouse" where players must reach the exit while avoiding a pursuing cat. The game showcased the PET's capabilities for creating varied gameplay experiences within a single title.
Breakout
Commodore PET
A classic paddle game adaptation for the Commodore PET with sound effects, Breakout represented the arcade-to-PET ports that were popular during the early home computer era. The game's simple mechanics translated well to the platform.
Dragon's Eye
Commodore PET
With 50 downloads in community archives and a PET-to-C64 BASIC conversion available, Dragon's Eye represents another entry in the text adventure catalog that appealed to PET players interested in fantasy narratives and exploration gameplay.
Hangman
Commodore PET
Multiple versions of Hangman existed for the PET with varied difficulty levels and word sets. The game's educational value and accessibility made it popular for all age groups, demonstrating the PET's strength in educational entertainment.
Commodore PET
Strategy
A strategy game involving nuclear warfare scenarios, Nukewar with 58 downloads represented the strategy game genre on the PET. These simulation games showcased the platform's capability to handle complex rule systems and strategic gameplay.