VAN HELSING (C64)
A downloadable C64 game
Psytronik Software is thrilled to announce the launch of Van Helsing, GriffonSoft’s most ambitious Commodore 64 title to date. Players embark on a dark adventure to rescue Lucy from Dracula's domain, confronting treacherous foes across eight expansive, beautifully designed, scrolling levels.
STORY
Autumn 1893. A terrifying shadow falls over London, casting a dark pall of fear across the city.
As guests gather at the Harker house to mark Jonathan's return from Transylvania, a bloodcurdling scream cuts through the air.
A shadowy creature violently drags Lucy Westenra from the high balcony into the night.
Guided only by a trail of blood, Van Helsing leaps into the fray, determined to rescue the girl and destroy the vampire.
FEATURES
• Superbly animated main character.
• Ultra-responsive controls.
• Intricately detailed backgrounds.
• Multiple weapons to collect and use.
• Eight beautifully designed scrolling levels to explore.
• 2-button joystick support for fire / jump.
• Deluxe download bundle includes all versions of the full C64 game, soundtrack, artwork + printable disk sleeve & label!
• PAL and NTSC compatible!
• Compatible with the C64 Mini/Maxi/Ultimate!
CREDITS
Code - Ola Zandelin
Music + SFX - Saul Cross
Graphics + Inlay Artwork - Dennis Gustafsson
Key testers - Daniel Zandelin, Mikael Linusson, Dan Saedén, Åke Forslund, Ditlew.
Tape Loading + Cartridge intro music - Richard Bayliss
Tape Loader Source - Martin Piper
Tape Master - Richard Bayliss
Cartridge Coding + Disk Loader - Mike Robertson
Packaging - Jason 'Kenz' Mackenzie
** SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS **
VAN HELSING is a game for the Commodore 64. You can play the game in an emulator (we recommend VICE for the C64), on a C64 Mini/Maxi/Ultimate or you can port the game onto the real hardware if you have the resources to do so. The download file features the .tap (tape), the .d64 (disk), the .crt (cartridge) and the .prg (program) versions of the game for the C64.
The game is also available as beautifully presented physical editions exclusively from the official Psytronik Software Online Store.
Purchase
In order to download this C64 game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $4.99 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Comments
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Hey, I checked out your game and honestly, I really loved it! The retro pixel-art style and gothic atmosphere look amazing. Just wanted to ask, are you looking for any additional pixel-art assets, promotional illustrations, or YouTube thumbnails for the game? Let me know!
The second button on my gamepad doesn't work for jumping. I can only jump by pressing up on the D-pad.
I'm playing on MiSTer FPGA, and I haven't had this issue with other Griffonsoft games.
For anyone wondering, the ghoulish AI Van Helsing in the featured video review wasn't made by the developer.
Awesome game! A big fan of Ghosts n Goblins :-)
Thanks for keeping up the quality (human made) releases!
It's fun enough, some classic jump and shoot action a-la Ghouls and Ghosts. The controls are some of the most responsive on the C64. It also looks stunning, especially in action, when everything is so smoothly animated. On a technical level this game is a marvel. I personally played it on RetroArch via the VICE core and had no issues whatsoever. No slowdown, no input lag, nada.
Gameplay-wise, I found it somewhat lacking. I got the good ending in about two hours. As far as I can tell there is no second loop or a hard mode of any kind, and I believe this game would benefit greatly from one. Correct me if I'm wrong though! I'd love to have an excuse to play more.
What surprises me is how cheap this game is, for what seems like massive amounts of effort, technical know-how and talent that has been poured into it. I absolutely recommend it, be it for people looking to get into C64 gaming, or people who just want to kill an afternoon.
Outstanding Game
Would you be interested in bringing this to the browser?
i have try on c64 ultimete, very great game il buy also a phiscaly edition of it
Thank you for making this game. As I bought it recently, I had to wait until today to download it because Spanish Football League blockades (which affects to itch.io downloads too) during this last weekend.
Quite enjoyable with big gameplay, it makes me keep going more and more ahead from the beginning.
It looks fun to play. Keep the good work
Looks so fun! How long is the game?
Dear boys, mi auguro sia lungo e difficile con almeno 5 ore stimate per finirlo !!! E' bellissimo !!
Fun game ...Cheers
Great Game 😊
This looks good!
Also just saw you now have all Griffonsoft games as USB Cassettes! AWESOME! Getting all of them! Thank you so much for that!
Really enjoyed Van Helsing! Fantastic graphics, smooth controls and a wonderfully spooky atmosphere. Another impressive C64 release from GriffonSoft and Psytronik! 🕹️
I've also made a gameplay video on my YouTube channel:
Best Psytronik!
Awesome game!
Bought!, this is quality, love the graphics and all none AI too.
Can you confirm whether generative AI was used for development of this game? If so, to what extent?
Psytronik Software has never used AI before with these games, muskateer etc.
That's why we love them.
No generative AI was used for the development of this game, it's pure C64 code and pixels produced by very talented people!
Thank you for keeping it real.
Please fill in the "AI generation disclosure" so people like me who use the tags to search for games won't miss this.
Wonderful. Buying now
GriffonSoft (Musketeer, Sherwood, Joan of Arc) don't use AI.
So soon after Joan of Arc! They must have been sitting on this for a while! Can't wait.
FEATURED! :) https://www.indieretronews.com/2026/10/van-helsing-could-this-be-another-c64.htm...
Awesome game, many many thanks for this release !
Oh that looks lovely.
Just bought this , What's the difference between arcade and complete editions please?
one has cutscenes and the other doesn't. pressing runstop on the disk loading pic will also disable the cutscenes too.
many thanks for the answer from me too.
Please do NOT post Van Helsing walkthrough videos in this comments section. It spoils the enjoyment for people who have not completed the game and it gives away the ending. Thanks!