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Episodes
The Commodore 64 had lots of games. Not all of them are good. In Zapped to the Past, we cast a retrospective eye over those games reviewed in each issue of Zzap!64 magazine. Hosted by two lifelong C64 fans, we throw off those rose tinted specs and see if those games are still worth playing today.
Episodes

10 hours ago
10 hours ago
1988 is finally over! As we have swam through the dog eggs on your behalf we look back over the year and the games from the issues of Zzap from January to December 1988, selecting some of the titles we have played for our prestigious Zapped to the Past Golden Breadbin awards. Which game will be heralded as having the ‘Best Visuals’ or win the ‘Best Audio’ or the ‘Worst Game?’ There is only one way to find out!
The running order of the awards:
- Introduction + Review of 1988
- Best Visuals Award
- Crapcade Conversion Award
- Worst Game (Sunday Best) Award
- Best Audio Award
- Craziest Concept Award
- Licenced Catastrophe Award
- Best Game Award
- Patreon Awards
- Other things... Awards
- Look ahead to 1989
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:

Monday May 22, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 109 December 1988
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
In the month of December 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-nine of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the saucy Savage, the jumpy Joe Blade II and the naff Nato Assault Course and wonder… exactly how many Japanese acrobats could you balance on your shoulders?
Games covered in this episode:
- Fifth Gear
- Around the World in 80 Days
- Joe Blade II
- Savage
- Super Dragon Slayer
- Nato Assault Course
- Cheap Skate
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:
https://linktr.ee/zappedtothepast
https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/30148793/final-assault-manual-pdf-virtual-apple

Monday May 15, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 108 December 1988
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
In the month of December 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-eight of Zapped to the Past, we continue our look at some of those games, including the pedantic Pro Skateboard Simulator, the bolshy Battle Island and the bilious Bubble Ghost and wonder… are the decks of U.S. battleships often disguised as guitar necks?
Games covered in this episode:
- Pro Skateboard Simulator
- Peter Beardsley’s International Football
- Battle Island
- Pro Ski Simulator
- 1943
- Final Assault
- Bubble Ghost
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:
https://linktr.ee/zappedtothepast
https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:

Monday May 08, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 107 December 1988
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
In the month of December 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-seven of Zapped to the Past, we continue our look at some of those games, including the shooty Slayer, the shoddy Street Gang, and the horrible Hopper Copper, and wonder why police stations would be equipped with space hoppers as a last transport resort?
Games covered in this episode:
- Slayer
- Hopper Copper
- The Pepsi Challenge Mad Mix Game
- Captain Blood
- Street Gang
- Overlander
- Psi-Droid
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:
https://linktr.ee/zappedtothepast
https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BsUOZ6l9Z0&ab_channel=electrozaps
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s92bUBeFNs_6W_Ga-pv8ITxr-n0JswMo/view?usp=share_link

Monday May 01, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 106 December 1988
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
In the month of December 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-six of Zapped to the Past, we start our look at some of those games, including the booming Bombuzal, the purple crabbed Pulse Warrior, and the powerless Power Pyramids, and wonder why anyone would buy four Pyramids from someone who couldn’t even turn them on!?
Games covered in this episode:
- Bombuzal
- Power Pyramids
- Scorpion
- Pulse Warrior
- The Race Against Time
- The Games - Summer Edition
- Purple Heart
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:
https://linktr.ee/zappedtothepast
https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_Avenue_(teletext_soap)
http://newmailbox.co.uk/parkavenue/
https://www.lmg-entertainments.co.uk/entertainer/steve-tandy/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToNvjTrNlL8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CivvyStreet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Be_Cool
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqN9vY3ECZc
https://eofftvreview.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/billys-christmas-angels-1988/

Monday Apr 24, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 105 November 1988
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
In the month of November 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-five of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the crushing Cybernoid 2, the pathetic Pink Panther, and the scattershot Soldier of Fortune, and wonder how much bird seed would you need to keep the Caliph alive?
Games covered in this episode:
- Cybernoid 2
- Pink Panther
- Soldier of Fortune
- Street Sports Soccer
- Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
- Barbarian
- Mission Genocide
- Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:
https://linktr.ee/zappedtothepast
https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj3l1swuy8w
https://www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/we-need-talk-about-norman
https://www.reddit.com/r/britishproblems/comments/p7x5zm/fireman_sam_its_about_time_norman_is_held/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-H0cgE9_ns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJ-Q_snIhU&ab_channel=badwolfmultimedia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XoMYUGAQMw&ab_channel=OliverHawker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ojgKSvu1U&ab_channel=DaveBrubeck-Topic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvatzKVM2g&ab_channel=Shout%21Factory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucrJ1KFDSLU&ab_channel=VibrantMediaHub

Monday Apr 17, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 104 November 1988
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
In the month of November 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-four of Zapped to the Past, we start our look at some of those games, including the amazing Armalyte, the barren Battle Stations, and the furry Foxx Fights Back, and wonder who thought a blend of ice hockey, netball and crown green bowls was a good idea?
Games covered in this episode:
- Armalyte
- Vectorball
- 4x4 Off Road Racing
- Intensity
- Red Storm Rising
- Battle Stations
- Supercup Football
- Foxx Fights Back
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:
https://linktr.ee/zappedtothepast
https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/armalyte-v1
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/armalyte-2
http://www.psytronik.net/newsite/index.php/c64/29-armalyte
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyaDFTRQHU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh6-L98l6eE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLVgEC4dMz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLVgEC4dMz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rawv0NjH64E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iesps9w4HFw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-3ra8Jsmjk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSSpPkMlb98
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9usE58DQWY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcNZAqUsYnE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRg_erYFers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzrcb8qZg8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYuUAGXN0KM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK2U5ziV_Z8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt71d5LIV5M
https://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/c64/red_storm_rising.pdf

Monday Apr 10, 2023
Zapped to the Past Goes Back to the Past Special!
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
In this first of a series of special episodes of Zapped to the Past, we go back to our past and pick up some of those games we never looked at from the first few issues of Zzap! 64, including the bouncy Up ‘n Down, the giant Frak and the trippy Master of the Lamps.
Games covered in this episode:
- Rock ‘n Bolt
- Software Star
- Mama Llama
- Jack Attack
- Frak
- Up ‘n Down
- Master of the Lamps
- Caverns of Sillahc
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
If you want to buy a Coffee for Zapped to the Past, go here:
https://ko-fi.com/zappedtothepast
Need our links in one place - you can do that too:

Monday Apr 03, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 103 October 1988
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
In the month of October 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-three of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the hoary Hotshot, the sunny Summer Olympiad and the swimmy Scuba Kidz, and wonder if there is any animal Andy Serkis cannot play?
Games covered in this episode:
- Summer Olympiad
- Stunt Bike Simulator
- Scuba Kidz
- Scorpius
- Ball Blasta
- The Fury
- Psycho Pigs UXB
- Hotshot
- Ricochet
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
Deadl0ck site - https://online.pubhtml5.com/oowg/grrx/#p=1
https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Summer_Olympiad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxQqUhsNsGQ&ab_channel=AustralianAirLeague
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGXyaRbJvN8&ab_channel=TViNTROCHANNEL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajNxBSxL8BY&ab_channel=SormaNo3

Monday Mar 27, 2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 102 October 1988
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
In the month of October 1988 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode one-hundred-and-two of Zapped to the Past, we start our look at some of those games, including the copycat Katakis, the muscle destroying Daley Thompson’s Olympic Challenge, and the laborious LA Crackdown, and wonder just who this mysterious character on a winged horse from ancient Greece could be?
Games covered in this episode:
- Katakis
- Mr Wino
- Daley Thompson’s Olympic Challenge
- Trojan Warrior
- Tracksuit Manager
- Diamond
- LA Crackdown
- The Vindicator
Find us here:
Please visit the website of David Hearne Writer - our amazing show sponsor:
https://www.davidhearnewriter.com/
If you would like to help us out and join our Patreon, find it here:
https://www.patreon.com/zappedtothepast
Additional links mentioned in the Podcast:
https://www.atlantis-prophecy.org/recollection/?load=interviews&id_interview=105
https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/katakis/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC-_5Y7iBUk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G-u1OH9E7Q&ab_channel=Agamingchannel%28byL.R.%29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKQwgpaLR6o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWyNFiKq2A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-PgagRvL9A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoL3TUfLStg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t50ZPY8Fby4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMyxLbpxS6U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RD619rIfjs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s8glZ-efMg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY8B0uQpwZs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV9WQ32MH2Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uZQFOfMSfY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9EbR0ckb40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP3DWSDiKIU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkV-K2z357w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9TfMfmg_9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbyKo9HOyw4&t=32s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qOwDah6Qc8
http://www.c64sets.com/set.html?id=82&title=L.A.%20Crackdown