Commodore 64 Recreates 1992’s Wolfenstein 3D Game
The retro gaming scene witnesses an extraordinary technical achievement as developer Jimbo brings Wolfenstein 3D's revolutionary gameplay to the Commodore
The retro gaming scene witnesses an extraordinary technical achievement as developer Jimbo brings Wolfenstein 3D's revolutionary gameplay to the Commodore 64 with Escape from PETSCII Castle.
This work-in-progress project demonstrates how 8-bit hardware can still surprise us decades after its prime, recreating id Software's groundbreaking first-person shooter using the C64's distinctive PETSCII character graphics.
Jimbo, known for previous conversions including PETSCII Bros and TREKWAR, has shared development footage showing remarkable progress. The game already features a functional ray-casting engine, complete with walls, doors, hidden passages, and collectible weapons, ammunition, keys, and gold. Furthermore, blocky enemies now patrol the corridors, bringing genuine threat to the pixelated halls.
Screenshots for the game / Itch.io
"Wolfenstein 3D broke all the molds when it was released in 1992," Jimbo stated in his development update. "This is a teased preview of my upcoming Commodore 64 game - Escape From PETSCII Castle. An 8-bit ray casting engine now with walls, doors, hidden passages, weapons, ammo, keys and gold." The developer confirmed multiple levels are planned, with current development focusing on improved enemy designs, enhanced sound, and additional level content.
Interestingly, the project began life on the Commodore PET before transitioning to the more capable C64 hardware. This lineage explains the distinctive PETSCII visual style that gives the game its unique character. Meanwhile, the technical accomplishment of implementing ray-casting on 8-bit hardware cannot be overstated - it represents exactly the kind of boundary-pushing development that keeps the classic computing scene vibrant today.
The C64's enduring appeal continues to inspire developers to attempt what seemed impossible during the machine's 1982-1994 commercial lifespan. Consequently, Escape from PETSCII Castle joins a growing library of modern games for vintage systems, proving that creative coding can breathe new life into hardware we thought we knew completely.
