Last updated on October 13th, 2025 at 04:28 pm
The Great Giana Sisters is a 1987 platform game developed by German studio Time Warp Productions and published by Rainbow Arts. The game heavily borrows elements from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. (1985), which led to production being stopped shortly after release, but it later inspired a number of sequels. The game is available on various platforms, including Commodore 64, DOS, and arcade machines.
The Great Giana Sisters remains a beloved classic platformer for the Commodore 64, still providing enjoyable gameplay decades after its original release. Inspired heavily by Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros., it features colorful, smooth graphics, energetic sound design including a soundtrack composed by Chris Huelsbeck, and tight, precise controls that make the platforming action satisfying.
The game allows players to control either Giana or her sister Maria, navigating through 33 levels that are divided into overworld and underground stages, each filled with hazards, enemies, and power-ups. Enemies can be defeated by jumping on them, and players collect dream crystals to boost their score and gain extra lives. The game’s physics—although slightly floaty—are accurate and contribute to its fast-paced, arcade feel. Special items such as lightning and strawberry power-ups give Giana temporary attack and defense capabilities, adding strategic depth.
While clearly borrowing elements from Super Mario Bros., The Great Giana Sisters introduces unique themed levels and a charming pixel art style that endears it to fans. Its soundtrack and sound effects are still heralded as some of the best on the C64, making it a timeless title that combines nostalgia with solid, fun gameplay.
The Remakes
About Giana’s Return
Giana’s Return aims to be a worthy UNOFFICIAL sequel of “The Great Giana Sisters”. There is an official sequel for Nintendo DS named “Giana Sisters DS” ( http://www.giana-sisters.com/ ) and also has slightly more levels than Giana’s Return. In other words, it’s worth the money
It’s very important to us, that you don’t mix up both projects – Giana’s Return is UNOFFICIAL and FREE – Giana Sisters DS is OFFICIAL and COMMERCIAL.
Downloads
Posted January 1, 2010 on 12:00 am by Gianas-Return Team
Download Giana’s Return
Hello, we are glad you found this page! Here we provide you with all the latest versions of Giana’s Return. Enjoy!
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Status: Runs stable
Current Features:
– DirectX compatible
– 32ch CD-quality music
– Highcolor gfx (with transparency effects)
– Hard-Sid hardware support
– Lots of levels (far more then in previos versions)
– Runs in 85fps on P200MMX+
– Extensive MMX support
– Joystick/Gamepad support
Downloads:
German downloaders and publishers may want to download a selfextract version that extracts an installshield version from where you can do a clean in/uninstall. You can use this version if you want to burn it on CD or just want a complete installable version: GiantWorldsInstaller.exe (6034kb)
Please note that the original “The Great Giana Sisters” game has been developed by Armin Gessert and is a registered trademark of Spellbound Entertainment AG. Giana Worlds is a freeware game based on “The Great Giana Sisters” and is published with permission from Armin Gessert.
