The best ever Commodore 64 music

Computer game music never sounded as good as it sounded on the Commodore 64
  • (PC World Australia (online))
  • — 28 March, 2011 09:49
OMG! Commodore 64 music is the best ever!

OMG! Commodore 64 music is the best ever!

If you're anything like us, you'll often reminisce about the console or computer games you played as a child. For us, it's the Commodore 64, on which we wasted countless hours and broke countless controllers. It turned out to withstand much keyboard abuse, too — they don't build them like they used to, is what get-off-our-lawn types like us like to say.

But the main reason for reminiscing over our childhood C64 games isn't the gameplay, nor the destruction we tried to inflict upon the poor computer when the gameplay became frustrating — it's the music. The C64 had, hands down, the most awesome music in the business. It's amazing what some very talented people (such as Rob Hubbard) were able to do with its SID chip.

So for your listening pleasure, here are some of the best pieces of gaming music (both in-game and intros) to ever come out of the Commodore 64.

Skate or Die

The Great Giana Sisters

Rambo III

Batman

Boulder Dash

The Way of the Exploding Fist

Commando

Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo

R-Type

And finally,

Skyfox II: The Cygnus Conflict

This is our favourite piece of music. You can listen to it on the Lemon64 site. Do it, you won't be sorry!

For more information on Commodore 64 music, and for modern remixes, check out Remix64.

Become a fan of PC World Australia on Facebook

Follow PC World Australia on Twitter: @PCWorldAu

Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and features. Sign up to PC World’s newsletters

Keep up with the latest tech news, reviews and previews by subscribing to the PC World newsletter.

PC World Staff

PC World Australia (online)
Topics: music, Commodore 64

Comments

Hans_1

1

You should include Double Dragon! That had excellent music also!

Ivan

2

Some great tracks here, but my all time fave still stands as "Drill" by Matt gray if i recall. I actually had an Amiga MOD updated version that was equally awesome .. and NEVER released. I should MP3 it and chuck it on youtube.

Ivan

c64glen

3

@Ivan

Think you mean Driller.

This list could do with more Martin Galway and Jeroen Tel

Nicholas Fellows

4

All good ... Agree Driller was a legendary piece. I have to admit though - not sure why that is on the list - its not a particulary innovative or exciting example of SID tunage IMHO.

Pylori

5

There are many classics out there. For me personally they include the loading music for Delta that you could mix yourself. The main theme from Parallax, an 11 minute blast of pure pollyphonic perfection. Cybernoid 2 main theme, a technical marvel on the SID and Hunters Moon by Andrew Braybrook, pure atmosphere for the game. I have these on my iPod Touch and still listen to them to this day. Pure nostalgia!

Trent

6

Visit SLAYRadio dot org for Commodore 64 music galore! :) C64 Rules! \o/

Kwed

7

Other C64 music ressources: http://Remix.Kwed.Org + http://C64Takeaway.com

Michael

8

Although the tunes chosen in this are all wonderful and deserve mention, they are also quite a cliche choice and i would have like to have seen games such as Driller (as mentioned by others), The Last Ninja, Vendetta, Myth, The Vindicator, Robocop...etc.

I know there are "MANY" great game tunes on the C64 but what's gets me is that some of the BEST are never mentioned.

Comments are now closed.

Best Deals on PCWorld

Networking, Wireless & VoIPView all »
NotebooksView all »
TabletsView all »
Mobile PhonesView all »
Printers & ScannersView all »