COMPUTE!’s First Book of Commodore 64 Games is a 1983 collection of 19 ready-to-type BASIC and machine-language games for the Commodore 64, assembled from COMPUTE! and COMPUTE!’s Gazette. The book combines playable programs with introductory game-design instruction, explaining how the C64’s sprites, custom characters, color graphics, SID sound chip, joystick controls, and machine-language speed can be used to create games. Its selections range from maze and thinking games such as Rats!, Goblin, States Capitals Tutor, Mystery Spell, and Oil Tycoon, to dexterity and arcade-style titles including Diamond Drop, The Hawkmen of Dindrin, Minefield, Cylon Zap, and Laser Gunner, along with machine-language games such as Munchmaze, Richthofen’s Revenge, and Zuider Zee. Appendices provide typing guidance, a maze generator, the MLX machine-language entry tool, and encouragement for readers to begin designing their own games.