Space Orbs on the Commodore 64 is a modern (2019) co-op match-3 puzzle game where one or two players pilot tractor-beam ships on opposite sides of the screen, shunting “biological” alien orbs around to stop them reaching critical mass and destroying Earth. Instead of falling pieces on a timer, the playfield only advances when a player makes a move: you slide, pull, and push rows of colored orbs, lining up groups of three or more to clear them and lower threat bars at the sides of the screen; let those bars fill and it’s game over. Special pieces like bugs, armored bugs, bombs, and colorless “beans” add extra tactics as they react to nearby matches in different ways, and the game supports thoughtful solo play (controlling both ships) or relaxed, talk-it-through local co-op across many waves and difficulty levels.

** Please consider supporting the author at https://spacemoguls.itch.io/space-orbs