In one of the most popular platform games of all time, you play Billy Blaze, the intrepid Commander Keen, who has built a space ship and flown to Mars to stop a Vorticon invasion. You get a gun and can find a pogo stick to help you make your way through levels with a number of different aliens, some of which are friendly. Suitable for all ages, this game has universal appeal. Originally there was a cutscene in which a Vorticon is seen stealing parts from Commander Keen''s ship, but this was cut from the final version. It can be seen in the beta version. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Marooned on Mars
Episode 2 - The Earth Explodes
Episode 3 - Keen Must Die

Graphics

Downloads

Complete version history:

Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons v1.31 Shareware Episode (244,484 bytes)	23 January 1991	DOS	Play online
Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons v1.3 Shareware Episode (159,730 bytes)	1 January 1991	DOS
Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons v1.1 Shareware Episode (196,245 bytes)	1 January 1991	DOS
Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons v1.0 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	14 December 1990	DOS
Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons Restored Beta from 5 Sampler (238,605 bytes)	5 December 1990	DOS	Play online

Help running DOS games

Availability

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download. id Software still sells the registered version of this game with Commander Keen: Goodbye Galaxy for $10 by download.

Cheat Codes

Customer Cheat

Either of these cheats will work with either the shareware or registered versions of the game. The key combinations need to be pressed at the same time.

[C] [T] [space] - Gives pogostick, all keycards, and full ammo.
[shift] [tab] - Pass through an unplayed level on world map.

Debug Mode

[G] [O] [D] - pressing all three of these at the same time will put you in god mode, and will give you a "jump cheat," which means when you press "jump," you fly.