Tag Archives: Commodore

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Saving a Amiga 500 retro computer from the trash (Kari Lawler)

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Bringing back to life a Commodore Amiga 500 that was heading to the trash, through replacing it’s broken floppy drive with a brand new Gotek (floppy drive emulator) drive, not from a kit bought online but from scratch using a bog standard drive bought from AliExpress.

The Commodore Amiga 500 is renowned for its vibrant gaming scene, with many classic titles that still hold a special place in the hearts of retro gaming enthusiasts. Here are ten of the top games that defined the Amiga 500 experience:

  1. The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)
    • A legendary point-and-click adventure game from Lucasfilm Games, known for its witty dialogue, memorable characters, and challenging puzzles.
  2. Lemmings (1991)
    • A puzzle-platformer where players guide a group of lemmings to safety, overcoming various obstacles and traps.
  3. Sensible Soccer (1992)
    • A fast-paced and highly addictive soccer game, famous for its simple controls and deep gameplay mechanics.
  4. Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe (1990)
    • A futuristic sports game combining elements of handball and ice hockey, with a heavy emphasis on violence and power-ups.
  5. Cannon Fodder (1993)
    • A military-themed action game with a satirical tone, featuring small squads of soldiers undertaking various missions.
  6. Shadow of the Beast (1989)
    • Known for its stunning graphics and atmospheric soundtrack, this action-adventure game challenges players with its difficulty and intricate level design.
  7. Another World (1991)
    • Also known as Out of This World, this cinematic platformer is praised for its storytelling, visual style, and innovative gameplay.
  8. Turrican II: The Final Fight (1991)
    • An action-packed run-and-gun game with sprawling levels, impressive graphics, and a memorable soundtrack by Chris Huelsbeck.
  9. Worms (1995)
    • A turn-based strategy game where players control a team of worms using a variety of weapons to defeat opposing teams.
  10. Chaos Engine (1993)
    • A top-down run-and-gun game set in a steampunk world, featuring cooperative gameplay and diverse character classes.

These games showcase the diversity and creativity of the Amiga 500’s game library, spanning multiple genres and leaving a lasting impact on the gaming industry.

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I’ve got a pile of broken C64s, let’s fix a couple!

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Who doesn’t love a good C64 repair session? These machines are both easy to fix and also can be tricky sometimes. So let’s break out the schematics and oscilloscope and fix a couple of these machines!

The Commodore 64, introduced in 1982, stands as one of the most iconic and beloved home computers of its era. Featuring an impressive array of hardware specifications for its time, the C64 boasted a MOS Technology 6510 microprocessor running at 1 MHz, 64 kilobytes of RAM, and advanced graphics and sound capabilities. Its graphical capabilities, including sprites and a wide color palette, allowed for visually impressive games and applications. Additionally, the SID (Sound Interface Device) chip provided the Commodore 64 with rich and distinct audio capabilities, enabling it to produce music and sound effects that were far ahead of its competitors.

Beyond its technical specifications, the Commodore 64 had a massive software library, ranging from games to productivity software and educational programs. Its affordability and widespread availability made it a staple in households and schools, contributing to its popularity and longevity. The C64 also served as a platform for budding programmers and hobbyists, offering accessible programming languages like BASIC and assembly, empowering users to create their own software and games. Its robust hardware and extensive software support cemented the Commodore 64’s status as a legendary computing platform, leaving an indelible mark on the history of personal computing.