Crack Down C64 box art

Commodore 64 · Shoot 'em Up

Crack Down

Deep cut Co-op

SystemCommodore 64
GenreShoot 'em Up
DeveloperSega
PublisherSega
Players1–2 players (co-op)
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 2

Released for the Commodore 64, Crack Down is a shoot 'em up developed by Sega.

Sega also made Golden Axe, Altered Beast and Zaxxon for the C64.

Crack Down supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you want a game to beat together with a friend
  • you've played the C64 hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you dislike high difficulty and screens full of bullets

What playing Crack Down is like

Shoot 'em ups (shmups) put you in a ship facing waves of enemies and bullets. Runs are short and intense, and the goal is to survive, collect power-ups and push your high score.

Tip for newcomers: Focus on your ship's small hitbox rather than the flood of bullets, and learn which power-ups suit each stage. Most shmups are designed to be replayed many times.

Crack Down gameplay screenshot on C64
In-game screenshot (C64)

Crack Down walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Crack Down.

If you like Crack Down, the Matrix also picks…

Zaxxon box art
Zaxxon C64 · 1984 · Shoot 'em Up
Gradius box art
Gradius C64 · 1987 · Shoot 'em Up Classic
Delta box art
Delta C64 · Shoot 'em Up Classic
Defender box art
Defender 2600 · 1981 · Shoot 'em Up Classic

Playing C64 games today

C64 games loaded from cassette or floppy disk, and many reward patience and practice. The THEC64 reissues make original-style play easy on modern TVs, and Rec0m88 supports the C64 if you own your games.

Crack Down FAQ

Who made Crack Down?

It was developed by Sega.

Is Crack Down multiplayer?

Yes. Crack Down supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.

How long does Crack Down take to play?

As a shoot 'em up, Crack Down typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Crack Down on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you