Halloween Retro Gaming: C64 – Friday the 13th.

Halloween eh?, perfect excuse to fire up a few themed games and scare one self silly I think. Going through my retro gaming vault there’s so many to choose from and it’s quite easy to go straight for the classics like Castlevania, Resident Evil or the Splatterhouse series. However, as I’ve got the Commodore C64 setup this weekend I thought I’d load a game both my brother and I used to play way back in the day when a few simple black sprites would bring us out in a sweat……lots of imagination required of course!

Here’s the loading screen to Friday the 13th complete with blood curling digitized scream to get the adrenalin pumping……as I said, you need to use your imagination here

Friday the 13th by Domark c1985….and might I say, our own copy on tape cassette was a right ****** to load!

‘You and your nine friends are spending the summer holidays at crystal lake holiday camp, miles away from civilization, unaware that Jason Voorhees has a filthy grotto close to the camp. At midnight on the first day, while unpacking, you notice a bloodstained mask and with horror, you realise that Jason is waiting

Terrified, you protect your friends from the marauding Jason and finally dispose of him..

before he disposes of you!’

O……K

So, the premises of the game is quite simple. Wander around the various locations looking for Jason who is cunningly disguised as one of your friends. Uncover his disguise by smacking your friends about a bit (not too much, you’re not the maniac killer here) and once uncovered, hit Jason a few times to kill him whilst avoid being hit yourself. Once that’s done, do it again…and again…and again….and why not, it’s fun!

Right, first things first, need to grab me a weapon. That spear should lying around in the church(?) should do nicely as the some of the other melee weapons means you have to get a bit too close to Jason and I’m way too scared for that.

Each location has its own music score and the one around the grave yard is rather eerie. No time for grave rubbings though, I’ve got a killer to catch.

Hanging about in the spooky forest…hang on, isn’t this Treasure Island from the Commodore Plus/4?

There’s Jason (the one in black), quick, give him a tap with that white chainsaw…or is that the TV remote?

Yay, Jason is toast…or is he…mwah ha ha ha!

Friday the 13th’s graphics are crap, the animation is crap and even the music can get on your nerves, but for those moments of sweaty palm, run like hell, cat and mouse chases with Jason who is forever one step behind you it’s well worth having a go.

..and if you get bored, you can always enter the ‘photoshop’ POKE cheat mode like I did

JiffyDOS loading comparison.

Haha, awesome Jon, can’t wait to get my mitts on one!

http://www.jammarcade.net/2011/loading-times-with-jiffydos/

 

 

More C64 music…on a BBC Micro?

Check at this YouTube video from my friend Andy posted. A Commodore C64 SID chip installed in a BBC Micro. It’s Voodoo I tell ya!

You can read all about it, and drool over Andy’s monster collection of retro computers via this link

http://www.retrocomputers.eu/

Look forward to seeing this in person Andy.

Commodore C64 Load-IT magazine scan

I was browsing through some online archive scans of various old computer magazines from the late 80′s (the 16-bit explosion) and came across advertisements for the Mills Load-IT Datasette & c64 Australian case I mention in yesterday’s post.

£39.99 for a tape deck..ouch!

C&VG magazine Dec ’89

Evesham Micros was such a great store and one of the best places for Commodore gear. I didn’t get my Datasette from here but I did purchase, among other things, the Freeze Machine Cartridge….I was getting fed up with the paper clip DIY reset hack

Commodore User magazine Oct ’88

SD2IEC – New toy for my Commodore 64

The SD2IEC interface is a modern mass storage device for Commodore computers and is best described as an emulated floppy drive. However, unlike Commodore disk drives that require actual floppy disks with their limited storage size, the sd2iec uses more modern SD storage media. Just imagine how many 100′s if not 1000′s of c64 program’s you can fit on just one 4GB SD card!

I’ve actually had this item stored away in my desk cupboard for a few months now and not really had the chance to play with it that much but after seeing my ozzy c64 up and running again, thought I’d take another look.

Mine was hand built by one of our members at the Retro Computer Museum (thanks Charlie) and it made me smile when it arrived in the post complete with ‘retro’ packaging!

Box contents included the sd2iec board, connecting cables….

…and as an extra bonus, a JiffyDOS chip for my Commodore 128 to dramatically speed up loading times. Sadly my C128 is poorly at the mo, so that will have to wait for another day.

Front side, showing the status LED, buttons and components.

Rear side showing the SD card slot and Sirmorris’ very well made circuit board.

After formatting a 2gb SD card (fat16) with my netbook, I copied over a few Commodore disk images of both .d64 and .prg type. To keep things organised the sd2iec supports directories Therefore i created folders for games (sub folders a-z), music and demos.

To make life easier browsing through the directories on the actual C64 I’ve copied over a file manager based on recommendations from my friends Jon and Stu.

With the sd2iec board plugged in to the c64 serial port (and cassette port for power), switched it on and was greeted by a brief self test LED light show!

On screen, the familiar C64 boot screen…and no puff of smoke.

To do anything useful you need to load the file manager into memory by typing – LOAD”browser”,8 (where ‘browser’ is the name of the file manager).

After a second, Type RUN to load the File Manager.

All of the folders created earlier are now presented onscreen and can be browsed through with either the cursor keys or joystick.

It’s very basic but it does the job perfectly and is lightning fast.

Select a file to load and the C64 thinks it’s loading from floppy disk.

There’s a whole host of homebrew program’s available online and one of these is a rather natty SID tune player called SIDPlay64.

I’ve copied the program to my SD card and a few of my favourite SID tunes from the High Voltage collection. The front end is really easy to use and all the controls via keyboard are clearly explained on screen. It’s so nice to hear the original C64 SID chip do it’s stuff!

Game time!

As you can see, loading time is about the same as if from original floppy disk and although it’s pretty rapid, it can be increased dramatically by installing a JiffyDOS rom chip inside the C64.

Chatting to my mate from the Retro Computer Museum today, Jon has offered to send me switchable JiffyDOS roms for both my C64 and C64c. Huge thanks Jon, I can’t thank you enough! I’ll be following your ZX Speccy composite mod soon!

Classic horror comic book covers

Halloween is just around he corner and all this week I’ve have been enjoying the daily uploads on Aeron Alfrey Flickr stream containing classic horror comic book covers from the 60′s and 70′s.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mutantskeleton/

If you have an iPad, may i suggest you install Flipboard and configure the Flickr stream so that pictures are presented and browsable in a brilliant magazine format.

Ouch that’s gonna hurt in the morning!

My very first Commodore 64 lives again

Last weekend I received a call from my parents asking for my help to remove lots of storage boxes out of the loft area prior to them having some remodelling work done up there. About half of the boxes are mine anyways so rather than put them back after the work is complete, thought that after all these years since moving out, it would be best to take them with me.

Spending an afternoon Looking at all those items in their boxes was just an amazing trip back through the years. In particular it was the boxes full of computer hardware and software that caught my attention the most. Some, I remembered being stored up there, but others I’d completely forgot about. For example I’d forgotten about my Dragon 32 and Commodore 16!

Of the items I was keen to find was my Commodore 64. This particular one was special because it was my very first Commodore 64 I owned. My parents brought it me for Christmas in ’83 and for a good five or six years afterwards, this was my most prized item.

Shortly after 1986, Commodore revamped the ageing bread bin aesthetics of the original 64 and subsequently released the c64 model C with a new slimmer designed case that looking something like the C128 and newly released Commodore Amiga 500.

I really liked this case with its all white modern looking keys and slimmer design but I certainly didn’t want to buy this new C64c just for the sake of a new case (at the time, I was saving like mad for my first Amiga).

Thumbing through one of the computer magazines back in the day (think it was 1986 issue of Commodore User), I remember reading about a replacement case, similar in style to the C64c that was being sold for £19.99. It wasn’t white, and I’d still have the drab brown keys but anything was better than the ageing old fashioned brick that was starting to loose it’s appeal – it’s funny how, after 25 years, that same brick is now my preferred c64 case.

After more happy years with my new cased 64, the Amiga came, followed by various consoles and PC’s and my C64 was in the corner, unloved and finally boxed and placed in my parents loft. It’s been there ever since…..until now.

Here she is in all of her Pink-ish glory. Thankfully, being boxed and in a dry loft, she was still in pretty good shape with only a mild layer of dust.

After a good blast with a can of compressed air,a bit of a wipe with a damp cloth and prodded with Q-tips.

I removed the case screws to have a poke inside just to check that all the main board components at least looked o.k. They did, but you never know

Next to my other C64. Which case do you prefer?

The origins of these third party replacement cases

So, would it work after all of these years? Only one way to find out!

I also have the original power supply but for this first initial test, I’ll be using a known working one to start with.

It was so great to see the familiar c64 boot screen again. I wondered if I’d have the same luck with the datasette unit?

This is a third party tape unit sold by a company by Mills in the 1980′s. It’s called a ‘Load-IT’ datasette which, thansto the addition of acoustic signal LEDs and adjustable tape head screw, helps to load even the most stubborn of tapes. The idea is that you would play a game tape and adjust the tape head for optimum reading. The more LEDs lit, better the signal and thus increasing you chance of loading the game. No more frustrating long only to find after 10 minutes it didn’t load.

After attaching the unit and powering on the unit, the LED’s lit up and after testing the play, rewind and fast forward buttons, the tape motor appeared to be working.

Testing the tape head adjuster (oops, uploaded upside down).

Would it load a game though?

Me getting rather carried away with the US Gold loader music (Bruce Lee)

I’m so chuffed that everything still works after all these years (including the original power supply) To all, this may seem just like any other Commodore 64, but to me, it’s mine and my very first one…and after locking it away in the loft, I have some making up to do

First job, restore it to it’s former glory by replacing the case.

Treat my Commodore to a few new toys…more on this in a later post.

The story of Freeload aka Ocean Loader

When you think of Commodore 64 gaming, you probably think of titles released by Ocean/Imagine and if you’re thinking about them, you’re probably humming the tune from the Ocean Loaders.

The Ocean Loader is by far the most well remembered game loading sequence bar none and loved by many Commodore fans including yours truly. But who wrote it, where did it come from and how was it done?

Thanks to a link posted by a Facebook friend, you can read all about it from the chap who actually wrote it.

http://www.pauliehughes.com/page3/page3.html

I’ve linked the following before, but though it’s worth doing again. This is Mordi’s remix of Ocean Loader tune no.2 and is perfect for playing in the background whilst you read the above link.

Which Movies for Halloween?

With Halloween just around the corner, out comes the projector for a few nights of  terror and creaky floorboard shenanigans and I’ve been browsing through my back catalog of movies, trying to decide which ones to show.

Originally I was was thinking, retro teen slashers films like Friday the 13th, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street but after browsing Tom Whalen’s Deviantart gallery this evening, I know exactly what I’m going to be playing.

Tom’s  artistic style is so fantastic and is rapidly becoming my favorite Deviant artist. I think any one of his prints would grace any wall.

Here’s his own interpretation of classic movie posters from some Universal Studios best horror flicks.

Sorry Jason, Mike and Fred….maybe next year

 

To see more of Tom’s outstanding work, please visit his gallery pages -

 

http://strongstuff.deviantart.com/

Atari 2600 Harmony Cartridge videos

Here’s a few videos and pictures I’ve shot this afternoon as I finally get to give my Harmony cartridge a spin on my Atari 2600

Here’s the first video, showing the Harmony cartridge, menu system and me playing a hacked voice enhanced version of one of my favorite games – Berzerk. Sadly, holding my iPhone camera in one hand and joystick in the other, doesn’t make for the best gaming experience

The second game played (Hero) isn’t one i’ve actually played before up until a few weeks ago when Andy at the Retro Computer Museum introduced me to it…ever since then, I’ve been completely hooked!

Now this second video is just bizarre. I was going through some of the hacked games listed on AtariAge – http://www.atariage.com/software_hacks.html?SystemID=2600 and came across a version of Missile Command that’s been programmed to accept input from an Amiga Mouse instead of the Atari Joystick! Commodore….on Atari

It works perfectly and anyone who’s played Missile Command with a joystick will know it’s terrible with digital controls. Add analogue control from a mouse gets you one step closer to the arcade original (I’ve got to hunt down a 9-pin trackball now!)

All in all, a wonderful bit of kit and rumours are that there might be one produced for the Atari 5200 and 7800. Fingers crossed!

Movie behind the scene pictures.

For movie buffs who love behind the scenes photographs, you should check out this link as there’s so many from many popular film and classic scenes.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45958

My personal favourite has to be the one from Metropolis. Hard to believe that this movie is 84 years old!

Retro Demake: VipeUT

Earlier today I’ve been online researching MB Vectrex transparent overlays and I came across one I’d not seen before.  Curious, I thought, especially as the number of original games released for the Vectrex was quite low it’s easy to remember what each game overlay looks like. This one eluded me.

As I clicked on the link it became instantly clear that this was a not in fact a new,  but a cleverly produced  Retro Demake of the Playstation classic – WipeOut,  in the style of a vintage Vectrex game. Outstanding!

The author has gone to great lengths to provide the look of a Vectrex game complete with sharp vector graphics and an fake transparent color overlay. He’s even included the original Vectrex console startup sound and for that total Vectrex experience he’s also included that annoying  buzzing sound you get on the original console

..and for a final finishing touch, he’s included Vectrex fake box art complete with distressed cover

I’ve been playing this on my laptop and thought it would look amazing in it’s Vectrex native portrait screen mode. I have a rotating 23″ TFT monitor hooked up to my PC so I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Here’s my YouTube video -

You can find out more and also download a copy of VipeUT here.

http://astrofra.com/wordpress/2008/09/13/vipeut-bootleg-demake-finished-well-almost/

IOS Retro Gaming: Snake HD and Duck Hunt AR

Both of these games have kept me entertained today during lunch break and so on and at the moment are both being offered as free downloads via the Apple app store.

First up is Snake HD for the iPad.

Snake needs no introduction and is one of those classic games that excels because of its pick up and play nature to provide minutes or hours of fun.

The concept is simple – navigate the play area and eat the various objects on screen. The more you eat, the more points you get but the longer your snake becomes and ups the difficulty level because you have to avoid crashing into your ever increasing body.

This iPad version offers a superb vector graphic makeover and add touch control which work so well on this game.

Two modes are on offer. First there’s the classic mode with simple up, down, left and right control.

…and then there’s modern mode complete with those lovely looking vector graphics. Control has been changed so that the left/right button rotates your snake (er-hmm) through 360 degrees.

Add a coloured overlay and it’d pass for a Vectrex game

The second game today is Duck Hunt AR for the iPhone.

This is such a great port of the NIntendo classic game and not only adds tilt support – you aim you gun by moving/tilting you phone, but the dull blue background of the original NES game has been replaced by the live video being picked up by your iPhones camera. It’s quite surreal in reality and so funny when trying it out at work and had various colleagues in the background superimposed into the game.

Here’s a picture of my iPhone using my iPad.

After a while, I must admit, the game loses it’s appeal, but for it’s quirkiness and one to show your fellow retro gamers to raise a smile it’s definitely worth a look.

Atari 2600 Harmony Cartridge

Last weekend before heading down to the Retro Computer Museum I finally had chance to check out my new Harmony Cartridge for the Atari 2600 (see previous post http://stiggyblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/harmony-cartridge-for-the-atari-2600/ ) and thought it might be cool to populate the cartridge and take it down with me to show the fella’s.

Would you believe it, my new (old) Atari 2600 refused to work and wouldn’t even power on

Pressed for time I packed up the the Atari, Harmony cartridge and my netbook containing the rom images and headed to the museum in the hope that A) I could figure out what’s wrong with my own console and B) If it has died, at least be able to see the cartridge in action on another console.

At the museum and after further testing it looks like the problem is withactual insoles mains adaptor and a loose wire. Sadly, these PSU’s are an all-molded affair so getting inside them to repair is very difficult. They’re easily replaceable so i’ll have to look online. At the moment a piece of strategically placed electrical tape appears to be doing the job!

The second problem I had that I’ve also got a dodgy power switch on the console itself. Again, repairable but in the meantime, Andy gave me another 2600 VCS to take home with me…cheers Andy!

Getting the actual Harmony Cartridge up and running wasn’t as straight forward as I’d thought, but this was mainly due to my netbook and not the cartridge itself. The Harmony Cartridge is built in the US therefore is shipped by default with a NTSC bios file. No problem when playing games on modern LCD TV as most support the NTSC format, but the old CRT TV we were using to test out the cartridge was a standard European PAL TV. With the default NTSC bios the picture on the TV screen rolled and was unuseable.

Replacing the Bios file is very easy and the detailed instruction manual supplied with the cartridge are easy to follow. Simply download the development software from Atari Age and connect the Harmony Cartridge to a PC via the mini USB socket.

Here’s were i had a few issues though. Despite the software being compatable, i couldn’t get it to show under Windows 7. Following the instructions, I had to download a set of virtual comm port – USB driver and for some reason they didn’t work the first time i tried it (bizarrely, by switching the Harmony Cartridge to another USB port on my Netbook fixed the issue).

With the software loaded and the Harmony Cartridge detected, I could reprogram the cartridge and load any one of the three regional Bios files – NTSC for US/Canada, PAL50 for European or PAL60 for Brazil etc. It only takes a few minutes for the transfer of file.

This time the menu remained stable but it disappeared after a few seconds

Refering back to the manual, it indicated that this may be normal on some older TV’s and advised to reboot the Atari and set the toggle switch from Color to Black and White.

Much better on this attempt time and the menu remained stable (and in color) and we were able to use an attached Joystick to browse through the games I’d copied to the SD card.

Moving the Joystick left or right enables you to scroll per page and holding the fire button in addition to moving the joystick increases the scroll speed. Two very handy features for very long file lists.

The game list is in a bit of a mess at the moment because I’ve dumped everything in the root directory (folders are supported). In time I’ll group these into separate folders such as Games, Homebrew, Prototypes etc etc. File names can be quite long, but the menu will only display the first 26 characters per file.

Back home, the electrical tape fix has failed so I’ve not been able to use it since to get some more photos.

During this week I’d ordered a new PSU and it arrived today. I’ve only had time for a quick test this evening and now that everything is working as it should I’d be back at the weekend with more pictures and maybe a video or two.

Blog house keeping

I’ll be adding a few more categories this evening and regrouping some of my previous posts as it’s all starting to get a little messy in certain categories.

Hopefully ‘stuff’ will be easier to find.