Robocop

RoboCop - the 1988 side-scrolling action shooter for Commodore 64 from
Ocean Software.

Play as Officer Murphy reborn as RoboCop, cleaning up Old Detroit across
streets, factories, and hostage scenes in a mix of shooting and timed
objectives.

Core loop
- patrol scrolling levels, shooting gang members and robots
- arrest key criminals before time expires
- rescue hostages or retrieve data to advance missions

Systems and items
- limited ammo - conserve shots; punch to save bullets
- power meter - health slowly recharges between stages
- weapon upgrades - three-way shot and machine gun pickups
- timed encounters - hostage or ID scenes require quick reflexes

Level design and feel
Tight corridors and vertical ladders break up steady side-scrolling
shootouts. The gritty palette and digitized movie stills anchor the
cinematic tone. Bonus sequences adapt movie moments like the shooting
range and hostage rescue.

Why it is notable
- Ocean’s hit adaptation of the 1987 film with multiple gameplay styles
- includes digitized speech and visuals rare for C64
- became one of the system’s best-selling licensed titles

Tips
- use punches at close range to conserve ammo for later bosses
- shoot low enemies first—they drain health faster if ignored
- memorize item spawns; power-ups rarely repeat per life

At a glance
Year - 1988
Developer - Ocean Software
Design and programming - Dawn Drake - Paul Hughes - Mike Lamb
Graphics - Dawn Drake - Ivan Horn
Music - Jonathan Dunn
Publisher - Ocean Software
Genre - Action shooter
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2