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Best Commodore 64 strategy games

The Matrix has 108 strategy games on file for the Commodore 64, released between 1983–1991. 18 of them support multiplayer, including 1 with co-op. They're ranked below by legacy score, so the games that shaped the genre on the C64 come first, with lesser-known picks further down.

Strategy games reward planning over reflexes: command armies, manage resources and outthink opponents on turn-based or real-time battlefields.

Typical commitment: weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours). Tip: Read the manual or tutorial if one exists: retro strategy games often assume you know their rules. Save between missions.

Just pick one for me

Iwo Jima Strategy Classic

#2 Battles of Napoleon

Battles of Napoleon Strategy Classic

#3 Falklands '82

Falklands '82 Strategy Classic

Legionnaire Strategy Classic

#5

Airborne Ranger box art

Airborne Ranger 1987 · Action

#6

Defender of the Crown box art

Defender of the Crown 1987 · Strategy

#7

Mail Order Monsters box art

Mail Order Monsters 1985 · Action

#8

Strike Fleet box art

Strike Fleet Strategy

#9

War of the Lance box art

War of the Lance Strategy

#10 King's Bounty

King's Bounty RPG

#11 NATO Commander

NATO Commander Strategy

#12

M.U.L.E. box art

M.U.L.E. Strategy

#13

MicroLeague Wrestling box art

MicroLeague Wrestling Sports

#14 Colonial Conquest

Colonial Conquest 1985 · Strategy

Broadsides Strategy

#16 Decisive Battles of the American Civil War Volume 1: Bull Run to Chancellorsville

Decisive Battles of the American Civil War Volume 1: Bull Run to Chancellorsville 1987 · Strategy

#17 MacArthur's War

MacArthur's War 1988 · Strategy

#18 The Cosmic Balance

The Cosmic Balance Strategy

#19 Decisive Battles of WWII: Battles in Normandy

Decisive Battles of WWII: Battles in Normandy Strategy

Modem Wars Strategy

#21 Sid Meier's Pirates!

Sid Meier's Pirates! Strategy

#22 Imperium Galactum

Imperium Galactum 1984 · Strategy

#23 Classic Empire

Classic Empire Strategy

#24

Battlefront box art

Battlefront Strategy

#25

Ocean Ranger box art

Ocean Ranger Strategy

#26

The Lords of Midnight box art

The Lords of Midnight Strategy

#27

Ultima VI: The False Prophet box art

Ultima VI: The False Prophet RPG

#28

Operation Whirlwind box art

Operation Whirlwind 1983 · Strategy

#29

Laser Squad box art

Laser Squad Strategy

#30

Lords of Conquest box art

Lords of Conquest Strategy

#31 Europe Ablaze

Europe Ablaze 1985 · Strategy

#32 Cover Girl Strip Poker

Cover Girl Strip Poker 1991 · Strategy

#33 Crush, Crumble and Chomp!

Crush, Crumble and Chomp! Strategy

#34 Everest Ascent

Everest Ascent Strategy

#35 Quake Minus One

Quake Minus One 1985 · Action

#36 Carriers at War 1941–1945: Fleet Carrier Operations in the Pacific

Carriers at War 1941–1945: Fleet Carrier Operations in the Pacific 1984 · Strategy

#37 Decision in the Desert

Decision in the Desert Strategy

#38 Germany 1985

Germany 1985 Strategy

Rampart Strategy

Starflight Strategy

#41 Wooden Ships and Iron Men

Wooden Ships and Iron Men 1987 · Strategy

#42 Battle of Britain

Battle of Britain Strategy

#43 Gangbusters

Gangbusters Strategy

Oil Barons Strategy

#45 U.S.A.A.F. - United States Army Air Force

U.S.A.A.F. - United States Army Air Force 1985 · Strategy

#46 Battlefield Germany

Battlefield Germany Strategy

#47

Alien box art

Alien Strategy Deep cut

#48

Archon II: Adept box art

Archon II: Adept Action Deep cut

#49

Bombuzal box art

Bombuzal Strategy Deep cut Co-op

#50

Deactivators box art

Deactivators Strategy Deep cut

#51

E-Motion box art

E-Motion Strategy Deep cut

#52

HeroQuest box art

HeroQuest RPG Deep cut

#53

Dino Wars box art

Dino Wars 1990 · Strategy Deep cut

#54

Koronis Rift box art

Koronis Rift Strategy Deep cut

#55

The Seven Cities of Gold box art

The Seven Cities of Gold Strategy Deep cut

#56

War in Middle Earth box art

War in Middle Earth Strategy Deep cut

#57

Wicked box art

Wicked Strategy Deep cut

#58

The Pit box art

The Pit Action Deep cut

Godzilla 1983 · Strategy Deep cut

#60 Dragonriders of Pern

Dragonriders of Pern Strategy Deep cut

More C64 strategy games

Strategy games on other systems

2600 strategy games ColecoVision strategy games Intellivision strategy games

Other C64 genres

Platformers Action games Action-adventure games RPGs Adventure games Shoot 'em ups Shooters Beat 'em ups Fighting games Racing games Sports games Puzzle games

Best Commodore 64 games Best Commodore 64 games to play with friends Underrated Commodore 64 deep cuts Quick-session Commodore 64 games