Commander Keen (USA)

Commander Keen for the Game Boy Color is the sole console entry in this classic PC series. Released in 2001, it brings the side-scrolling action to Nintendo's handheld. The game was developed by a third-party team and published by Activision, though exact credits are sometimes disputed among fans. What is certain is that this version adapts the original DOS platformer for a portable audience, retaining the core run-and-gun gameplay that made Billy Blaze's adventures popular.

Players control the young genius Billy Blaze, known as Commander Keen, as he jumps and shoots through levels filled with alien enemies and hazards. The goal is to reach the exit of each stage while collecting items like ammo and health. The Game Boy Color version features level maps inspired by the earlier PC titles, but controls are simplified for the handheld. Jumping and firing are handled with the A and B buttons, and you can switch between weapons you find along the way. The gameplay is straightforward: explore, avoid or shoot enemies, and find the door to progress.

If you are a fan of the original Commander Keen games, this GBC version is an interesting curiosity. It does not have the same level of polish as the PC titles, but it captures the spirit of the series well enough. The graphics are colorful and the music is decent for the hardware. It is a simple platformer that holds up as a quick playthrough. While not essential, it is a neat piece of gaming history that shows how classic DOS franchises made the jump to handhelds.