Commodore VIC-20 Top 20 Games
by romhoard-research ยท 2026/02/14
The Commodore VIC-20 was the first home computer to sell over one million units (ultimately reaching 2.5+ million sales). Released in 1980 at the revolutionary price of $300, it featured 958 games released between 1980 and 2023. The VIC-20's limited memory (3.5K-5.5K unexpanded, expandable to 35K+) required creative arcade conversions and original games that remain beloved by retro enthusiasts today.
20
games
vic20
Loading...
Loading...
to
""
Import this Collection
Copy this URL and paste it into your RomHoard's "Import Collection" dialog.
Games in this Collection
Sort:
Commodore VIC-20
Shoot'em Up
The sequel to Gridrunner, this is considered Jeff Minter's masterpiece on the VIC-20. It's harder and more varied than the original, with unexpected surprises and improved gameplay. The intense, fast-paced action makes it one of the most playable shooters on the platform.
Commodore VIC-20
Shooter
Space Invaders Like
A Phoenix-style shooter featuring 84 waves of demon birds. The VIC-20 version maintains the look, feel, and difficulty of the original arcade. Features unpredictable enemy patterns and maintains excellent arcade authenticity - frequently appearing in top-10 community rankings.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
A remarkably faithful port of Pac-Man with amazingly large software sprites. Developed by HAL Laboratory, it was renamed "Jelly Monsters" to avoid litigation with Atari (who held Pac-Man rights in North America). Consistently rated 5/5 stars and praised as the best Pac-Man port for VIC-20.
Commodore VIC-20
Shoot'em Up
A surprisingly accurate arcade port of Midway's only vector arcade game. Though it lacks true vector graphics, the conversion retains complete look, feel, control, and playability of the original. Asteroids-inspired gameplay with inertia management as a key skill. Praised for exceptional replay value.
Commodore VIC-20
Platform
Possibly the best sprite handling in any VIC-20 game. The game plays quickly and smoothly with an arcade feel. Hard, fair, unforgiving, and highly playable - a really impressive effort that shocked reviewers with its quality given the platform's limitations.
Commodore VIC-20
Adventure
RPG
An arcade-style dungeon crawler with randomly generated levels. Descend multiple levels searching for the legendary sword while managing inventory. Requires returning to surface with the sword intact. Strong RPG elements combined with action gameplay make it stand out as a unique adventure title.
Commodore VIC-20
Shoot'em Up
Significantly faster than Centipede, it's one of the most intense games on VIC-20. Vastly superior to the Commodore 64 port. This is the game that launched Jeff Minter's career toward worldwide recognition, establishing his signature gameplay style.
Commodore VIC-20
Shoot'em Up
One of the few advanced arcade conversions on VIC-20, featuring 4 levels each with space-ship flying and upward shooting mechanics. Boss battles appear on levels 4, 8, 12, etc. For its time, this was an advanced and ambitious shoot 'em up.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
Labyrinth
Frequently appears on top VIC-20 games lists alongside other classics. While similar to snake-style games, it brings arcade authenticity and challenge to a small format. Community consensus places it consistently in top-10 rankings.
Commodore VIC-20
Platform
Run & Jump
More than a fast-action game - it's a game generator allowing players to design custom puzzles and scenes. Manipulate ladders, floors, trap doors, and more. Works on unexpanded VIC-20 with keyboard or joystick support. Pioneering game design approach for the platform.
Commodore VIC-20
Shoot'em Up
Unique dual-ship mechanic where players control one ship on the bottom and another on the right side, enabling both vertical and horizontal firing. Innovative control scheme makes tactical gameplay more complex and engaging.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
Two-part stages: first crossing a drawbridge, then retrieving treasures from inside the castle. Medieval fantasy setting with action gameplay provides variety from space shooters that dominated the platform.
Commodore VIC-20
Shooter
Space Invaders Like
Classic arcade shooter featuring multi-colored sprites and enemies that divebomb with kamikaze-like maneuvers. Official Atarisoft port [RX8541] that delivers strong arcade authenticity on an 8K cartridge.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
Unique premise where a salmon navigates upstream facing fishermen, seagulls, and bears. Adventure game format provides narrative variety among action-focused library while maintaining arcade-style gameplay.
Jet Pac
Commodore VIC-20
Rare's debut title featuring an astronaut assembling and fueling a rocket while avoiding aliens. Quality conversion despite VIC-20 color limitations. Excellent sprite animation and responsive controls make this a standout action game.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
A Lunar Lander-inspired arcade game frequently cited in community top-10 lists. Provides a unique take on the landing simulation concept with arcade sensibilities, offering different gameplay from shooter-dominant library.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
Published as a cartridge [CCL-401], this action-shooter features arcade and shooter themes with creepy aesthetics. Frequently appears in community discussions of top VIC-20 games, indicating strong player appreciation.
Commodore VIC-20
Action
A 2D shoot-em-up where players blast robots and navigate between rooms. Original Amok used 4K EPROM, with sequel Super Amok doubling memory to 8K for expanded content. Early prototype of first-person shooter mechanics.
Commodore VIC-20
Platform
Run & Jump Scrolling
Taito's original side-scrolling platform-action game ported by Atarisoft as a 16K cartridge [RX8529]. Swinging vines, crocodile river crossings, and platforming challenges. Frequently appears in fan top-10 lists for its variety and arcade authenticity.
Commodore VIC-20
Racing
Atarisoft's 16K cartridge [RX8535] conversion of Namco's arcade racing classic. One of the few racing games available for VIC-20. Provides gameplay variety on platform dominated by shooters and action games. Created by Shinichiro Okamoto and Galaxian designer Kazunori Sawano.