First published by Hit-Pak (the ‘budget’ label of Elite Systems) in 1988, the C64 version of the classic bat-and-ball action game, Batty, is more or less the same as the ZX Spectrum original, but with chunkier graphics. And, like the original, it is an excellent Breakout/Arkanoid clone.

Batty on the C64 was written by Jason Benham and features 64 different levels, which is many more than in the original Spectrum version (which has 15). The aim of the game is the same: to use the moving bat to bounce the ball and clear destructible blocks from the screen, and avoid letting the ball drop behind you.

As the ball bounces around it can be bent by magnets (that switch on and off randomly), or deflected by flying saucers or birds. Dropping bombs also have to be avoided by the bat. Destroying some blocks makes power-ups fall down for you to collect. These include: a larger bat; a sticky bat; a laser gun; faster or slower balls, or multiple balls at once. And – if you’re lucky – you might get some rocket engines, which will immediately propel you to the next level. Or, the next best thing: the power-up that turns the ball into a comet that smashes through blocks.

The simultaneous two-player game in Batty is worth mentioning too, because it’s excellent. It’s a ‘versus’ game, with each player being given half the screen, and both are playing for the same blocks. Each player has six lives and the winner is the one with the most points at the end. It’s a great idea that makes Batty a decent party game too.

More: Batty on Wikipedia
More: Batty on CSDb