C64 Rick Dangerous II

Play 'Rick Dangerous II' on C64 online.

Rick Dangerous II game data

Commodore 64 game name: Rick Dangerous II | Release date: 1990 | Publisher: Core Design | Game media type: crt | Language: en
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About Commodore 64 Rick Dangerous II

Rick Dangerous II

Rick Dangerous II is a classic side-scrolling action platform game released in 1990 for the Commodore 64, developed by Core Design. It is the official sequel to Rick Dangerous and pushes the C64 hardware to deliver a challenging, fast-paced, and visually distinctive arcade experience.

Story and Setting

Set in a tongue-in-cheek science-fiction future, the game follows the fearless (and often unlucky) adventurer Rick Dangerous as he travels across various hostile locations around the world. Each level begins with a short text introduction, giving the game a comic-strip narrative style that was quite distinctive on the C64 at the time.

The story mainly serves as a backdrop for the action, but it helps give context to the wildly different environments Rick explores, ranging from futuristic cities to icy regions and underground bases.

Gameplay on the C64

On the Commodore 64, Rick Dangerous II is a pure jump-and-run platformer viewed from the side. The player controls Rick using a joystick, navigating compact but trap-filled levels where precision and memorization are key.

Rick can:

• Walk and jump with pixel-precise control

• Fire his pistol at enemies

• Use limited grenades and dynamite

• Interact with switches, levers, and hidden triggers

The game is infamous for its instant-death traps, many of which are invisible until activated. Falling objects, sudden spikes, collapsing floors, and surprise enemies are common. Progress often requires learning from repeated failures, a design philosophy typical of hardcore late-era C64 games.

Graphics and Level Design

The C64 version features smooth horizontal scrolling, detailed multi-screen levels, and colorful graphics designed in a comic-inspired visual style. Despite the hardware limitations, the environments are varied and clearly themed, making each level visually distinct.

Sprite work is efficient and expressive, and the game makes strong use of the C64’s color palette to differentiate hazards, enemies, and interactive elements.

Sound and Music

Music for Rick Dangerous II on the Commodore 64 was composed by David K. Pridmore. A short but memorable tune plays on the title screen and at the start of levels. During gameplay, the focus shifts to sound effects, emphasizing tension and concentration rather than continuous background music.

Difficulty and Reputation

On the C64, Rick Dangerous II is considered extremely difficult, even by the standards of the time. Success depends on:

• Careful movement

• Perfect timing

• Memorizing trap locations

While frustrating for casual players, this difficulty has made the game a cult favorite among experienced C64 fans who enjoy mastering unforgiving platformers.

C64 Legacy

As one of the later high-profile platform games for the Commodore 64, Rick Dangerous II showcases how much could still be achieved on the system in 1990. It remains a well-known and frequently discussed title in the C64 scene, often cited as a benchmark for hardcore platform difficulty and clever level design.

In order to play Rick Dangerous II online, click on the start button located below the Commodore 64 emulator window.