There’s a fresh release on the Commodore 64 scene that’s already turning heads: Sherwood, a new action-adventure platformer from Psytronik Software and developer Griffonsoft.
Sherwood casts you as Robin Hood after a disastrous archery contest leaves you exposed to Prince John’s wrath. From that moment, it’s a dash for freedom through Sherwood Forest — jumping, climbing, firing arrows and solving puzzles to outwit guards and help the needy along the way.
As a Commodore 64 user from way back, I really like the look of this. I had a Robin Hood game back in the day — The Curse of Sherwood. It was a strange mix of adventure and slash-’em-up, interesting in its own way, but also pretty awkward to play.
Sherwood feels very different. It’s more in the vein of something like Apple Knight on mobile: fast, readable, and built around smooth movement rather than trial-and-error frustration.
Classic C64 style, modern design
Sherwood looks great in motion. The pixel art is colourful and detailed, the animation is fluid by C64 standards, and the world feels busy without being cluttered. You’re not just running left to right — you’re climbing, dropping, aiming arrows in different directions, and using the environment to stay alive.
The focus is on:
- Tight platforming
- Directional bow and arrow combat
- Light puzzle-solving
- Exploration across lots of interconnected screens
It’s the kind of design that feels modern in structure, even though it’s running on very old hardware.
Multiple formats and ways to play
Sherwood is available digitally in common C64 formats, so it’ll run on real hardware, emulators, and modern plug-and-play systems like the TheC64 Mini. There’s also a cartridge version for collectors, and even a small demo if you just want to try it before buying.
For a few pounds, you’re getting a full new Commodore 64 game in 2026 that actually feels like a proper, full release rather than a novelty (hello, Farming Simulator C64 Edition).
I’ll always have a soft spot for anything new on the C64, but Sherwood stands out because it does something new for the platform, taking a familiar theme — Robin Hood — and delivers a game that feels modern, rather than straight out of 1986.
For anyone who still loves the Commodore 64, or just enjoys seeing modern design squeezed into old machines, Sherwood is well worth a look. You can find Sherwood on Itch.io.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
