Want to play classic C64 games on Switch, PS5, and PC? Look out for Cosmi: Forbidden Forests.
If there is anything that is going to make me put my hand in pocket, it is classic C64 games for the Nintendo Switch. Sure, PC might be more convenient, but I am pretty convinced that the Switch is the best mass-market retro platform out there.
Cosmi: Forbidden Forests is the name of this collection, courtesy of Ziggurat Interactive, who have squeezed 10 Commodore 64 titles into it. Better still, they’re including digital comics, which leads us to think that there might be a chance of a physical release.
The 10 classic C64 games
This is quite an interesting collection, as only a few of them are big hitters. In fact, it has the feel of a C64 Evercade cartridge, with a couple of well-known titles alongside some lesser-known classics.
From a personal point of few, Forbidden Forest, Aztec Challenge, and Delta Man are the only oned I was previously aware of, and Aztec Challenge is — from memory — the only one I’ve played. When I get hold of this collection, it should be quite the experience!
So, what’s included?
- Forbidden Forest (1983)
- Beyond the Forbidden Forest (1986)
- Aztec Challenge (1983)
- Caverns of Khafka (1983)
- SEAL (1989, aka Navy Seal)
- Delta Man (1986)
- Chomp! (1989)
- Chernobyl: Nuclear Power Plant Simulation (1988, aka The Chernobyl Syndrome)
- Spite & Malice (1989)
- Navcom 6: The Persian Gulf Defense (1988)
There is also a remastered Forbidden Forest, which adds smoothed Bayeux Tapestry-esque graphics.
All in all, a nice collection of games from the Cosmi catalogue.
What’s included in Cosmi: Forbidden Forests?
With these games you can expect the following features:
Save States and Rewinds: While we had the benefit of creating save states with tools like the Action Replay cartridge, for most of us it was a one-shot attempt with game sin the 8-bit era. The Arsenal Engine supports saves and rewinds, meaning you can learn how to complete challenging sections without a full replay.
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Archival Ads and Artifacts: The collection includes a digital gallery of original manuals from the games histories. Look out for various other artifacts, as well as the original promotional ads.
Get hold of the Cosmi: Forgotten Forests collection
Cosmi: Forbidden Forests will be released on PC via Steam and GOG, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on May 27, 2025. Fingers crossed that it also comes out in a nice boxed edition with some physical bonuses!
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
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