Play Commander Keen Online

Commander Keen on Game Boy Color feels like a throwback to the old-school platformers, but with a brighter, almost Saturday-morning-cartoon look. You’re Billy Blaze, a kid who turns into this space hero by strapping on a football helmet—because why not? The story’s goofy (some evil droid stole magic crystals, naturally), but the jumping and shooting hold up surprisingly well.

What I like is how it doesn’t take itself seriously. One minute you’re blasting aliens, the next you’re collecting candy like it’s Halloween in space. The controls are simple—run, jump, shoot—but some of those later levels get sneaky with hidden paths and enemies that pop out of nowhere. If you’ve played the older PC versions, this one’s a little different, but still has that same weird charm.

Just don’t expect anything deep—it’s pure, silly fun with a helmet-wearing kid saving the universe between homework sessions.