

Zapped to the Past
zappedtothepast
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
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2022 • 2h 38min
Zapped to the Past Episode 51 April 1987
In the month of April 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode fifty-one of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the dextrous Delta, the expansive Explorer, and the mystical Magic Madness and wonder why would NASA design a darts game in this day and age?
Games covered in this episode:
Aliens
Delta
Explorer
Indoor Sports
Prodigy
Krakout
Void Runner
Magic Madness
Express Raider
HyperBowl
Leaderboard (Executive Edition)
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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

Feb 7, 2022 • 3h 6min
Zapped to the Past Episode 50 April 1987
In the month of April 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode fifty of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the freaky Fifth Axis, the wild West Bank and the floaty Firetrack and wonder just what damage a bunny could do to a military death robot?
Games covered in this episode:
Gunship
Short Circuit
Zone Ranger
Jail Break
The Big Deal
Fifth Axis
Firetrack
Transformers
Thai Boxing
Leviathan
West Bank
Arkanoid
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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

Jan 31, 2022 • 2h 1min
Zapped to the Past Episode 49 March 1987
Dive into the chaotic world of 1987's Commodore 64 games, where 'Chameleon' and 'Blood 'n Guts' either entertain or frustrate. Discover the light-hearted critiques on titles like 'Footballer of the Year,' which falls short on authentic gameplay. Enjoy a whimsical exploration of the nostalgia tied to C64 music and the evolution of video game soundtracks. From disappointing experiences in 'Zub' to fond memories of 'Repton 3,' this discussion paints a vivid picture of retro gaming and the quest for innovation in a sea of mediocrity.

Jan 24, 2022 • 2h 19min
Zapped to the Past Episode 48 March 1987
In the month of March 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-eight of Zapped to the Past, we continue our look at some of those games, including the abject Agent Orange, the lyrical Labyrinth and the dreadful Dandy and wonder if you met a vampire in real life, what would be the signs that gave it away?
Games covered in this episode:
Erebus
Olli and Lissa
Terror of the Deep
Peter Shilton’s Handball Maradona
Agent Orange
Nosferatu the Vampire
Dandy
Skate Rock
Labyrinth
Terra Cognita
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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

Jan 17, 2022 • 2h 32min
Zapped to the Past Episode 47 March 1987
In the month of March 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-seven of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the mesmerising Mutants, the rotational Raid 2000 and the fiery Falcon Patrol 2 and wonder how many toilets were ruined doing the research for Tracker…
Games covered in this episode:
Mutants
Star Soldier
Future Knight
The Double
Tracker
Pneumatic Hammers
Raid 2000
Tomahawk
Falcon Patrol 2
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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:
Floy Joy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhT5vTN7mT0
FGTH final release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js_bi9Xz4wY
Text for Terence Trent D’Arby speech:
Sweetheart listen, I know the last few pages haven't been good for the both of us and I've caused you a lot of grief. But put those bags down, o.k.? Before you make a decision like that, please just listen to me 'Cos I don't want you to leave. I definitely don't want you to leave. Just hear me out.
Speech Synthesis tools:
https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/ or https://simulationcorner.net/index.php?page=sam
The Genesis Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52XlyMbxxh8
Magnum Pan Pipes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Hf7GuOmBM
Slowed down Jolene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMrfM711vXI
Message from Mark King:
Original:
Zzz-tp. Beedop pl-me tum ta-to poom. Da-dun-q-tngggg. Do-di-naaaag mob-ib p-ing-smannng dor-de-meng. Ang, de-fang-me-ting-de-chibmmm.
Translates:
ZTTP, please stop implying my thumbs are too powerful. They are just quite strong. Though this is the 9th mobile phone I’ve smashed for this message. Also, my favourite meal is chips.

Jan 10, 2022 • 2h 48min
Zapped to the Past Episode 46 February 1987
In the month of February 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-six of Zapped to the Past, we conclude our look at some of those games, including the catastrophic Cobra, the tidy Terra Cresta and the exciting Escape from Singe’s Castle and wonder if a ‘Three Fin Thruster’ is also the name of a painful and instant match winning wrestling move…
Games covered in this episode:
Escape from Singe’s Castle
Cobra
Sigma Seven
Defcom
Terra Cresta
Surf Champ
Destroyer
They Stole A Million
Judge Dredd
Molecule Man
Arctic Fox
The Vikings
1943
Championship Wrestling
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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

Jan 3, 2022 • 2h 58min
Zapped to the Past Episode 45 February 1987
In the month of February 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-five of Zapped to the Past, we continue our look at some of those games, including the horrific Howard the Duck, the scabrous Scooby Doo, and the technical Tenth Frame and wonder why something that looks like a duck and quacks like a duck drowns in water…
Games covered in this episode:
Park Patrol
Howard the Duck
Los Angeles Swat
Xeno
Legend of Kage
Scooby Doo
Tenth Frame
Light Force
Xevious
Starglider
It’s a Knockout
Tarzan
Space Harrier
Bomb Jack 2
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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.gamesthatwerent.com/2014/07/the-lost-thundercats-games-video/

Dec 13, 2021 • 2h 53min
Zapped to the Past Episode 44 February 1987
In the month of February 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-four of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the greedy Gauntlet, the hessian Highlander and the wholesome Heartland and wonder why so many games starting with the letter H appeared in one month!
Games covered in this episode:
Gauntlet
Highlander
Harvey Headbanger
Hypaball
Sky Runner
Breakthru
Heartland
Firelord
Psycastria
Infodroid
Paperboy
Storm
Avenger
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_of_the_Paradise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZxLsJjOEw4&ab_channel=ViceCommando
Rolling Stones Vs The Cult
Rolling Stones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGyOaCXr8Lw
The Cult: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6PgftKbQnQ

Dec 6, 2021 • 2h 21min
Zapped to the Past Episode 43 January 1987
In the month of January 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-three of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the bounder-alike Bulldog, the bewildering Bazooka Bill, and the craptacular Captured, and wonder…at what point did developers decide that normal jumping just wasn’t enough any more…
Games covered in this episode:
Super Huey 2
Captured
Bulldog
Crystal Castles
Donkey Kong
Bazooka Bill
Galivan
Nuclear Embargo
Dracula
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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

Nov 29, 2021 • 2h 24min
Zapped to the Past Episode 42 January 1987
In the month of January 1987 many games were released for the Commodore 64. In episode forty-two of Zapped to the Past, we look at some of those games, including the futuristic Flash Gordon, the calamitous Camelot Warriors and the peculiar Panther, and wonder… should there be more tinned meat shoot 'em ups in the world?
Games covered in this episode:
Flash Gordon
Assault Machine
Camelot Warriors
Yie-Ar Kung-Fu 2
Warrior 2
1942
Panther
Kettle
The Bard’s Tale
Find us here:
https://zappedtothepast.com/
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.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Lk-3mmTcQ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thirkell
Europe - Rock the night:
1985 version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HegBqCvd7yk
1986 version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELtpTBf-pMU
Shake you down:
Here is Greg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc8wmLul3uw
Here is Marvin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlSiASsUIs


