OIL PANIC (Commodore 64, C64)

The pipe is leaking, the customers are waiting, and your boss is losing his patience!

Step into the shoes of the hardest-working Service Attendant in the 8-bit world. In this faithful C64 tribute to the dual-screen LCD classics, your mission is simple: Catch the oil. Fill the drum. Don't soak the customers.

Why You’ll Love It:

• High-Octane Pressure: Watch the drip rate climb as you juggle a three-drop bucket. One wrong move and it’s game over!
• Two Ways to Play: Take it steady in Game A or jump straight into the chaos of Game B for a true speed challenge.
• Perfect Accuracy: Meticulously tuned gameplay dynamics ensure every catch and every miss feels exactly like the golden age of handheld gaming.
• Double Trouble: Hit the 300 consecutive point milestone to trigger a high-scoring frenzy with double bosses and double points!

Can you handle the pressure, or will you slip up? Grab your bucket and find out!

Core Gameplay Mechanics

• Collection: A damaged pipe constantly drips oil. You must position your bucket to catch every falling droplet.
• Capacity: Your bucket is limited; it can only hold a maximum of three drops at any given time.
• Scoring:
  • Catching: Each drop caught earns 1 point.
  • Depositing: Emptying your bucket into the manager’s drum grants points based on the volume: 1 point for a single drop, 2 points for two drops, and a 5-point bonus for a full bucket of three.
• The Objective: Once the drum is filled, the manager delivers the oil to the vehicles lined up at the non-functional pumps.

Increasing Difficulty & Penalties

As your score climbs, the drip rate accelerates, demanding faster reflexes. You must avoid the following "Misses" to stay in the game:

1. Letting a drop hit the floor.
2. Allowing the bucket to overflow.
3. Accidentally splashing a customer with oil instead of hitting the drum.

The Life System

The game tracks two separate "Miss" categories: Environmental (drops/overflows) and Service (soaking customers). If you accumulate three marks in either category, the game ends. You start with a total of four lives to buffer these mistakes.

The "300-Point Streak" Bonus

The game rewards sustained precision! If you manage to earn 300 consecutive points without a single miss, you trigger a high-stakes Overtime Mode:

• The Second Manager: A second boss appears with an extra drum for 30 seconds, giving you more targets to dump oil.
• Double Rewards: Every drop deposited into either drum during this window is worth 2x points.
• The Clean Slate: Upon triggering this bonus, all existing misses are wiped clean, giving you a fresh start!

How to Play

• Catch: Position your bucket under the drips.
• Dump: Move to the managers to empty your bucket.
• Don't Overflow: Watch your count! Three drops is the limit.

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Technical Specifications

Feature: Multicolor Bitmap background with multiplexed sprites

Game Modes: Game A (Standard) & Game B (Advanced Speed) 

Input: Keyboard with customizable mapping

Features: Local High Score tracking

 

Development Period: February 2nd – February 19th, 2026

The Toolkit

To bring this retro experience to life, I utilized a specialized suite of modern and classic tools:

• Programming: Written in Assembly using Visual Studio Code + Kick Assembler (8-Bit Retro Studio extension).
• Environment: Tested via VICE64 v3.10 and Commodore 128 in C64 mode, fine-tuned with C64Debugger.
• Art Assets:
  • Main Screen: Crafted in Multipaint (Bitmap Mode).
  • Intro/Menu: Designed using Charpad Pro.
  • Animation: Sprites handled via SpritePad Pro.
• Audio: Soundtrack composed in Goattracker v2.76.
• Research: Gameplay dynamics verified via DeSmuME to ensure mechanical accuracy.

 Disclaimer

Oil Panic for Commodore 64 is a fan-made conversion. This is a non-profit fan project created for educational purposes and to celebrate the history of Commodore 64 programming. All characters and original game designs are trademarks of Nintendo Co.Ltd. This project is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo.