ActionFit check
Is Commander Keen worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Players seeking classic side-scrolling action with episodic structure
- Fans of science-fiction adventures featuring a child protagonist
- Players interested in games from the 1990-1991 era
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a single continuous campaign rather than five separate episodes
- Players looking for non-action gameplay without hazards or hostile creatures
- Players who prefer modern settings instead of space-travel locations such as Mars and the Shadowlands
Our take on Commander Keen
The game places a child genius in the role of a space defender, pairing side-scrolling hazards with a pogo stick, homemade spacecraft, and neural stunner. Its episodic structure spans five adventures rather than presenting one continuous campaign.
What is Commander Keen?
Commander Keen collects five episodes from two adventures: Invasion of the Vorticons and Goodbye Galaxy.
Players control Billy Blaze, an eight-year-old boy genius who becomes Commander Keen when Earth faces danger. The game presents side-scrolling stages with deadly hazards and hostile creatures. Keen uses equipment including a football helmet, homemade spacecraft, pogo stick, neural stunner, and Megarocket while traveling through locations such as Mars and the Shadowlands. The first adventure contains three episodes: Marooned on Mars, The Earth Explodes, and Keen Must Die! The second contains Secret of the Oracle and The Armageddon Machine. The episodes were released between 1990 and 1991.
How Commander Keen plays
- 01Five story episodes
- The collection includes three Invasion of the Vorticons episodes and two Goodbye Galaxy episodes.
- 02Side-scrolling stages
- Play across scrolling areas filled with hazards and hostile creatures.
- 03Keen equipment
- Billy uses a pogo stick, neural stunner, homemade spacecraft, and Megarocket during the adventures.
- 04Child protagonist
- The player character is Billy Blaze, an eight-year-old boy genius who adopts the Commander Keen identity.
Games like Commander Keen
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Commander Keen: platforms & release
Is Commander Keen worth it?
It is worth it if: players seeking classic side-scrolling action with episodic structure. Skip it if: players seeking a single continuous campaign rather than five separate episodes.
Where can I download Commander Keen?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Commander Keen's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Commander Keen on?
Windows only.
