Game Boy Color · Platformer / Adventure
Commander Keen
Deep cut
| System | Game Boy Color |
|---|---|
| Released | 2001 |
| Genre | Platformer, Adventure |
| Developer | David A. Palmer Productions |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Commander Keen |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 2 |
Commander Keen is a platformer released in 2001 for the Game Boy Color, developed by David A. Palmer Productions and published by Activision. It blends platformer and adventure elements.
It landed about 3 years into the GBC's life. Other notable GBC releases from 2001 include Pokémon Crystal, Resident Evil Gaiden and Mega Man Xtreme.
It is part of the Commander Keen series. David A. Palmer Productions also made Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy, Gex: Enter the Gecko and Men in Black 2: The Series for the GBC.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the GBC hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Commander Keen is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Commander Keen cheats & codes
8 codes on file (GameShark). Here are a few GameShark codes to start with:
| Have All Keys | 91FF95C9 |
|---|---|
| Infinite Continues | 91633DC9 |
| Infinite Lives | 916334C9 |
| Have All 3 Crystals | 91FF3AC9
91FF3BC9 |
| Max Score | 917F35C9
919636C9
919837C9 |
Commander Keen walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Commander Keen.
If you like Commander Keen, the Matrix also picks…
Donkey Kong 64 Classic
Wario Land II Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic Co-op
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Classic
Donald Duck: Goin' Quackers Classic
Playing GBC games today
GBC games are compact and colorful, and many are available on Nintendo Switch Online. Cartridges also play on the Game Boy Advance.
Commander Keen FAQ
When did Commander Keen come out on the GBC?
Commander Keen was released for the Game Boy Color in 2001.
Who made Commander Keen?
It was developed by David A. Palmer Productions and published by Activision.
Is Commander Keen multiplayer?
No. Commander Keen is a single-player game.
How long does Commander Keen take to play?
As a platformer, Commander Keen typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Commander Keen 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.