Games part of the Commander Keen series

The Commander Keen series is a classic platforming game franchise developed by id Software. It was created by Tom Hall and released by Apogee Software (now 3D Realms) in the early 1990s. The series follows the adventures of an eight-year-old genius named Billy Blaze, who dons a homemade spaceship and helmet, transforming into the hero known as Commander Keen. The series primarily consists of six main episodes released as shareware games.

The Commander Keen series features side-scrolling platform gameplay, with players controlling Commander Keen as he jumps, shoots, and explores various levels filled with enemies, hazards, and secrets. The games incorporate colorful graphics, catchy music, and a light-hearted, humorous tone.

Commander Keen became known for its smooth controls, challenging level design, and the inventive use of the PC's hardware at the time. It was one of the first side-scrolling platformers on the PC to feature smooth scrolling and fluid animation.

The series was well-received by players and critics alike, garnering praise for its engaging gameplay, charming protagonist, and nostalgic appeal. It contributed to the popularity of platformers on the PC and influenced future games in the genre.

While the original series concluded in 1991, there have been attempts to revive the Commander Keen franchise over the years, including a canceled project called "Commander Keen" in 2001 and a mobile game titled "Commander Keen" released in 2019. However, these revivals received mixed responses from fans of the original series.