Zapped to the Past

By zappedtothepast

What's Zapped to the Past about?

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.

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Zapped to the Past episodes:

05.05.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 148 April 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-eight of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of P47: Thunderbolt, Ferrari Formula 1, and E-Motion and wonder what could go wrong with some early morning naked bike riding…?
04.28.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 147 March 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-seven of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Dynamite Dux, Mission Impossibubble, and Cyberdyne Warrior, and wonder who made tanks so damn hard to drive?
04.21.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 146 March 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-six of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Insects in Space, Neutralizer and Wild Streets and wonder how you make a game with a pet panther in such dreadful rubbish?
04.14.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 145 February 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-five of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Beverly Hills Cop, Dan Dare 3, and Spooked and wonder what happened to the Keyser Sauce in our sandwiches…
04.07.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 144 February 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-four of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Ghostbusters 2, Spitfire 40, and Iron Lord and wonder how many times you can get away with using the Eastenders drum beat…
03.31.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 143 February 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-two of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Space Rogue, Meganova: The Weapon, and Bushido and wonder why so many shmups think enemies coming from behind is a good idea…?
03.25.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 142 February 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-two of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Space Rogue, Meganova: The Weapon, and Bushido and wonder why so many shmups think enemies coming from behind is a good idea…?
03.18.2024
Zapped to the Past - Ask The Podcast 6 Special
While we go on a work related hiatus - we took the time to collect all of the questions our amazing Patreon Subscribers have asked us, and have recorded this special episode where we answer them all! Hence why we...
03.11.2024
Zapped to the Past Goes Back to the Past Special - 3
In this third of the 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...
03.04.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 141 January 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty-one of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Retrograde, Dragon Spirit, Pictionary, and wonder just what exactly the Bangler Dash is?
02.26.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 140 January 1990
In episode one-hundred-and-forty of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Moonwalker, the wacky Wicked, and the snaptastic Snare and wonder just how much information about ancient Egypt is too much information…?
02.19.2024
Zapped to the Past Presents - Battle of the Pilots Episode 5
In episode five of Battle of the Pilots, Adrian and Graham from the Zapped to the Past podcast have chosen the pilot episodes for two highly popular stolen helicopter based action shows for a head to head battle. This time...
02.12.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 139 - 1989 Golden Breadbin Awards
We look back over 1989, 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...
02.05.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 138 December 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-eight of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Stunt Car Racer, Altered Beast, and Myth: History in the Making and wonder why anyone would need to collect letters to transform a bike into...
01.29.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 137 December 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-seven of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Top Gun, Turbo Out Run, and Terry’s Big Adventure and wonder if Ice Man would still be our wingman if he played this version of...
01.22.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 136 November 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-six of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Power Drift, Firepower, and The Untouchables and wonder why anyone thought amusing credits on the Untouchables was a good idea?
01.15.2024
Zapped to the Past Episode 135 November 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-five of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Batman: The Movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game, and Kendo Warrior and wonder what a vertically stretched Miles Hunt could possibly...
12.25.2023
Zapped to the Past - Christmas Cracker 2023
Ho! Ho! Ho! Tis the most festive of seasons and in this Zapped to the Past Christmas Cracker, we look back at our fun packed and often food filled Christmas pasts - with the able assistance of our amazing Patrons!...
12.18.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 134 October 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-four of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Rodeo Show, First Strike, and Xybots and wonder why the notion of interspecies buddy films ever became a reality…
12.11.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 133 October 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-three of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Tusker, Shinobi and Mr. Heli and wonder just how many options can you fit into a game about Basketball?
12.04.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 132 September 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-two of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Rainbow Island, the Running Man and Gemini Wings, and wonder what the hell happened to Arnie’s legs!?
11.27.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 131 September 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty-one of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of New Zealand Story, Blue Thunder and Tom & Jerry … and wonder…How dangerous would a skyberg actually be?
11.20.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 130 August 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirty of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of 3D Pool, Super Scramble Simulator and Rick Dangerous and wonder…were bi-planes making some kind of gaming comeback in 1989?
11.13.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 129 August 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-nine of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Citadel, Saboteur II, and Ninja Commando and wonder how ninjas going commando managed to creep up on their prey silently…
11.06.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 128 July 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-eight of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Project Firestart, Gilbert: Escape From Drill, and Stormlord and wonder why anyone persists in genetic engineering on a ship called the Prometheus…?
10.30.2023
Zapped to the Past - Ask The Podcast 5 Special
While we go on a mini break - we took the time to grab all of the questions our amazing Patreon Subscribers have asked us in our exclusive Discord server, and have recorded this special episode where we answer them...
10.23.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 127 July 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-seven of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Navy Moves, Circus Attractions, and Street Cred Boxing, and wonder who thought releasing a flapper mapper in 1989 was a good idea?
10.16.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 126 June 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-six of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Speedball, Hillsfar, and Danger Freak and wonder how many Venn diagrams do Jedis need?
10.09.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 125 June 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-five of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of The Muncher, Forgotten Worlds, and Las Vegas Casino and wonder how Chewits managed to get a game made out of them?
10.02.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 124 May 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-four of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of The Deep, Speedzone and Ace 2088 and wonder just where US Gold are finding this slew of shonky arcades to port…?
09.25.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 123 May 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-three of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Bomb Fusion, Silkworm, and Realm of the Trolls, and wonder who thought football divisions based on magazines was a good idea?
09.18.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 122 April 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-two of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Grand Prix Circuit, The Munsters and Blasteroids and wonder why would a piece of sentient cabbage be the ultimate boss in any game!?
09.11.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 121 April 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty-one of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Denaris, Dynamic Duo, and Motor Massacre, and wonder who thought a game based on a Sunday drive down your favourite country road was a good...
09.04.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 120 April 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twenty of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Incredible Shrinking Sphere, Wanderer and Supertrux and wonder when is a 3D game not a 3D game?
08.28.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 119 March 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-nineteen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Rocket Ranger, WEC Le Mans, and Menace and wonder who thought Pongout was a good idea for a game?
08.21.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 118 March 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-eighteen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of LED Storm, TKO, and Techno Cop and wonder who can’t tell the difference between a Jet Bike and a Jet Ski!?
08.14.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 117 March 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-seventeen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders, Pasteman Pat, and SDI and wonder how many simply breads make up the town of Hucknall-on-the-Rye?
08.07.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 116 March 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-sixteen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Jordan Vs Bird, A Question of Sport and Zamzara and wonder when will the incessant, never ending respawning enemies in games end!?
07.31.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 115 February 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-fifteen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Guerilla War, Espionage, and Neuromancer and wonder at what point is too far to slap a licence on a game it was never intended for?
07.24.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 114 February 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-fourteen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Return of the Jedi, Double Dragon and Times of Lore and wonder just how bad a game must be when you have to apologise for...
07.17.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 113 February 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-thirteen of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Total Eclipse, Ocean Conqueror, and Fist+ and wonder if we will get through another thousand games without going insane…
07.10.2023
Zapped to the Past Goes Back to the Past Special - 2!
In this second of a series of special episodes of Zapped to the Past, we go back to our past and look at some of those games we never reviewed from the first few issues of Zzap! 64, including Seaside...
07.03.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 112 January 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-twelve of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Roy of the Rovers, Star Trek: The Rebel Universe, and Caveman Ugh-Lympics, and wonder why the kidnapping of a football team would not include the...
06.26.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 111 January 1989
In episode one-hundred-and-eleven of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Operation Wolf, Artura, and Serve and Volley, and wonder how Gary rests and drinks while hanging from the monkey bars…?
06.12.2023
Zapped to the Past Presents - Battle of the Pilots Episode 4
In episode four of Battle of the Pilots, Adrian and Graham from the Zapped to the Past podcast have chosen the pilot episodes for two short lived 80s Sci-Fi action shows for a head to head battle. This time the...
06.05.2023
Zapped to the Past - Ask The Podcast 4 Special
Ask The Podcast 4 is where we answer another round of questions from our amazing Patreon subscribers. If you wish to join us, you can at patreon.com/zappedtothepast for little more than a pint of beer! It’s a bute, a real...
05.29.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 110 - 1988 Golden Breadbin Awards
1988 is finally over! 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!
05.22.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 109 December 1988
In episode one-hundred-and-nine of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Savage, Joe Blade II and Nato Assault Course and wonder…exactly how many Japanese acrobats could you balance on your shoulders?
05.15.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 108 December 1988
In episode one-hundred-and-eight of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions Pro Skateboard Simulator, Battle Island and Bubble Ghost, and wonder…are the decks of U.S. battleships often disguised as guitar necks?
05.08.2023
Zapped to the Past Episode 107 December 1988
In episode one-hundred-and-seven of Zapped to the Past, we look at the C64 versions of Slayer, Street Gang, and Hopper Copper ,and wonder why police stations would be equipped with space hoppers as a last transport resort?

What's Zapped to the Past about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Zapped to the Past episodes:

Zapped to the Past Episode 148 April 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 147 March 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 146 March 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 145 February 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 144 February 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 143 February 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 142 February 1990

Zapped to the Past - Ask The Podcast 6 Special

Zapped to the Past Goes Back to the Past Special - 3

Zapped to the Past Episode 141 January 1990

Zapped to the Past Episode 140 January 1990

Zapped to the Past Presents - Battle of the Pilots Episode 5

Zapped to the Past Episode 139 - 1989 Golden Breadbin Awards

Zapped to the Past Episode 138 December 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 137 December 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 136 November 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 135 November 1989

Zapped to the Past - Christmas Cracker 2023

Zapped to the Past Episode 134 October 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 133 October 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 132 September 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 131 September 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 130 August 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 129 August 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 128 July 1989

Zapped to the Past - Ask The Podcast 5 Special

Zapped to the Past Episode 127 July 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 126 June 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 125 June 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 124 May 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 123 May 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 122 April 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 121 April 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 120 April 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 119 March 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 118 March 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 117 March 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 116 March 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 115 February 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 114 February 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 113 February 1989

Zapped to the Past Goes Back to the Past Special - 2!

Zapped to the Past Episode 112 January 1989

Zapped to the Past Episode 111 January 1989

Zapped to the Past Presents - Battle of the Pilots Episode 4

Zapped to the Past - Ask The Podcast 4 Special

Zapped to the Past Episode 110 - 1988 Golden Breadbin Awards

Zapped to the Past Episode 109 December 1988

Zapped to the Past Episode 108 December 1988

Zapped to the Past Episode 107 December 1988