If there was one thing that was perhaps always something that Commodore 64 owners would mention in the playground computer debates of the 1980s, it would be the SID chip that was used for sound and music. It was a chip perhaps a little ahead of its time as to what could be done, even if there were only three channels traditionally available. Needless to say, once musicians and programmers started harnessing the power of the chip, it would produce a considerable number of memorable soundtracks that are still fondly remembered to this day by many.
Several years ago, I took an in-depth look at the sound ratings given to games by Zzap! 64 magazine, the leading Commodore 64 magazine in the UK, for an article for the Remix64 website. Zzap! 64 was an often well-respected magazine, and even if you did not agree with the reviews or ratings (a fact that these are still debated says something) you knew that most of the time, they were expressing their opinions and having multiple reviewers gave different angles. Zzap! 64 also did their best to big up the likes of musicians who were making great tunes, and many of their profiles increased due to this.
For this article, I am going to concentrate on ratings given to original release Mastertronic games for the Commodore 64 only – no re-releases are here. Due to the prevalence of the likes of Ricochet, Americana and even later Mastertronic + handling those, I will be doing a follow up with those too, as many of the original releases would have been reviewed by the magazine. My many thanks to Mort and all the maintainers of the Zzap! 64 website, as their resources were invaluable when writing my original article for Remix64 and indeed this one.
Some Notes about the Ratings
It is important to note that there are some caveats around the Zzap! 64 reviews and indeed the sound ratings, which we will be concentrating on. It may also explain why some of your favourite Mastertronic games, despite having good soundtracks, are missing from this list too. So, these points to consider are:
- No adventure game got a sound rating. So, for those games with music such as Kentilla by Rob Hubbard, they will not be here – although I should add that the review did rave about the soundtrack.
- No strategy game got a sound rating either. That would include the likes of Master of Magic by Rob Hubbard.
- Budget games from late 1987 to early 1992 did not always get a full ratings review – a lot would only get a small review with an overall rating. This was rescinded in 1992 as a lot of budget games were all that was being released as new games. This however will mean most of the games here will be between 1985 to 1987.
- Some games (mainly those where the UK soundtrack was to be added) were reviewed by Zzap! 64 minus their soundtracks – one case in point, confirmed by Julian Rignall, was Ninja on the Entertainment USA label.
- Not every single budget game got a Zzap! 64 review, so there may be some favourites missing – simply because they were not reviewed.
- Sound ratings also dealt with sound effects as well as the music, so if the game has superb sound effects (see the Epyx games series for example) that also helped boost the ratings too.
So without further do, and in reverse order, here are the top 10 Commodore 64 Mastertronic original release games by their Zzap! 64 sound ratings:
10 – Scumball (Bulldog, Tim Follin, 81%)
Listen to Scumball via DeepSID
Tim Follin had already cemented his reputation amongst Spectrum users with the superb Chronos soundtrack (just how did he do that on the beeper?) – and as a result when it turned to the Commodore 64, you were in for a treat. Although not the longest soundtrack, something mentioned in the review, the fast pace along with its multitude of chords and instruments really does give the game that sense of urgency as you play. There are some beautiful filter effects on the start and end whooshing noise, and the melody in the main part is simply lovely with a sense of progression and being up-tempo too. Not Tim’s best Commodore 64 soundtrack, but one that stayed with you when playing this competent game that reminded you of the classic Starquake.
9 – Formula 1 Simulator (Mastertronic, Rob Hubbard, 82%)
Listen to Formula 1 Simulator via DeepSID
Whereas the Z80 releases of this game were a re-release, for the Commodore 64 and 16 versions, it was down to Shaun Southern and Mr Chip Software to produce the game. What made the Commodore 64 version memorable was that as soon as the game loaded, the engine sounds and fast paced intro left you in no doubt that you were in Rob Hubbard territory. A three-and-a-half-minute piece complete of fast pace, catchy drums, and a nice progression to give you that sense of driving around a circuit at speed. In fact, life on this tune started out in Rob’s demo 5 Title Tunes, where a simpler version of the tune is present, and used on the Amstrad CPC and MSX releases of the game.
8 – Hollywood or Bust (Mastertronic, Rob Hubbard, 84%)
Listen to Hollywood or Bust via DeepSID
John Ferrari as a programmer had built up a reputation for making decent games that for some were just a little too difficult, and this was no exception. However, the premise of being on a potential Hollywood film set, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd style meant that you needed to have some ragtime numbers to add to the feel of the game, which is exactly what Rob Hubbard provided here. The three main themes have a different pace and feel with versions of the Dill Pickles Rag and the Twelfth Street Rag amongst them, with a catchy bouncy melody to play along to, and all suit the game well. It was just a shame that the game was just too hard for most people.
7 – Hunter Patrol (Mastertronic, Rob Hubbard, 87%)
Listen to Hunter Patrol via DeepSID
This game, programmed by Steve Lee, had you heading in an older aeroplane in a 3D environment, flying into enemy territory and shooting and destroying targets. Despite reviewers being reminded of the Buck Rogers game, as the game had a military theme, you needed something that sounded that way. Indeed, at the start of this, the drums really do give way to a nice lead chorus that would have been perfect in a military film. However, the mid sections in between are not that pleasant to listen to, and even in the review it mentioned it got monotonous. For me, this tune is good, but it was over-rated, maybe around 70-75% would have been more accurate.
Did You Know?
There is a hidden tune within the code of Hunter Patrol, which happens to be a faster playing version of the music that appeared in Falcon Patrol II. This may have been a test tune or planned to be included in the game, but an interesting curio nonetheless.
=4 – The Last V8 (MAD, Rob Hubbard, 91%)
Listen to The Last V8 via DeepSID (note: 100% bug fixed version unlike the game)
One of three games scoring 91% for sound, this was a game of presentation over substance and ruined by one of the worst control systems in a game. What did increase its sales considerably, apart from the speech, was the excellent Rob Hubbard soundtrack. It develops and flows throughout its two and a quarter minutes, adding to the more panicky feel of not having much time left, and having a great double melody line to keep you occupied as you play – complete with a driving second section and some nice backing too. It all sounded futuristic and was a perfect accompaniment. Shame then that the bugs in the game meant the music did not play as intended, and needed to be fixed to be heard correctly.
=4 – Phantoms of the Asteroid (Mastertronic, Rob Hubbard, 91%)
Listen to Phantoms of the Asteroid via DeepSID
A cartographer’s dream, and set in space, Phantoms of the Asteroid really was a huge challenge and although maybe too difficult for some, did have an enjoyable game underneath. That was made more so by the Rob Hubbard soundtrack, with its fast-paced title tune really setting the scene well before play and by third minute you are almost in progressive space rock territory with the way that the solo lead has its own space to flow. There is also a game over and completion theme, with the in-game being solo channel but setting the feeling of being lost in space rather well – more than people realise to be honest. One of my personal Hubbard favourites too.
Did You Know?
As part of the new game loading systems Mastertronic introduced for their Commodore 64 games, Load ‘n’ Play was the first one that they tried, coded by Richard Aplin and looking akin to more a Jeff Minter game – heading around the outside screens shooting enemies before they deflect their enemies back at you. The title theme from Phantoms of the Asteroid was also used here too as the game played and the main game loaded, and gave a new life to the soundtrack.
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