Is the all time great Commodore 64 C64 mini still worth playing in 2024? We take a look.
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- Опубліковано 28 сер 2024
- Please note, this recording actually turned into more of a chat about gaming 'back in the day' but I hope you enjoy the memories it might trigger for you if you were around then! .....
The C64 mini has been out for a while now, but growing up back when the Commodore 64 was launched and playing it to bits, I had to get around to giving this a go. This mini adaptation of the best selling home computer of all time, pre-loaded with 64 classic C64 games; plugs straight in to your TV via USB and HDMI support. But is it worth playing in 2024 when you have the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X and PS5 demanding your attention? We take a walk down memory lann.
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Thank you for taking the time to watch this video. One thing I did think about after I uploaded this - was perhaps if you used another joystick with this console, one with snappier controls, as the joystick that comes with this console, although very well made, isn't the most responsive, you have to push in one direction quite a bit for it to respond, some of the games might be easier to play. And clearly a lot of passion and love has gone into reproducing the Commodore so well and the games emulation is excellent as well, so they need to be commended for their hard work. Thanks!
The joystick that comes with mini makes the whole thing completely useless imo. I bought the joysick that comes with maxi (to use with my mini), and it's 1000x better, with proper micro-switches instead of whatever dead-flesh system they use in the other one.
The other issue I have is that when hooked up to my TV, the delay is terrible and makes games unplayable. It works fine with the monitor that I use with my PC, but my monitor doesn't have speakers. I did buy a box to split the audio out so that i could run it to my separate speakers, and while it works, its a mess.
I should probably mention that I don't have these delay issues with my Xbox on the same TV.
As a side note, Mega Apocalypse was mega-hard, but great fun as a two-player game, and the music was awesome too. Wizball was probably my favourite two player game back in the day.
thanks for letting me know your thoughts on the joystick that came with this - i thought it might just be me - I found it really hard to use - shame they didn't invest in the better one as essentially its the most important part of this package. I didn't realize you could buy the maxi joystick seperately, I might try that, where did you get it from? @@kyorin6526
@@thenintendohub3873Amazon have them for just under £30. Just search for "maxi joystick".
If there was a rock n roll hall of fame for retro gaming music the C64 music would be in there 🤘🏾it’s a wonder they didn’t put ikari warriors SNK in there
I totally agree - WizzBall - Rambo - Thing on a spring - Monty Mole - imagine those tracks made with todays tech? It was amazing when you think about it. Rob Hubbard was a legend. What a talent. Thanks for taking the time to drop a comment. best wishes, Sparky
So many great memories! Still have my Commadore 64 and picked up a new tape desk at a car boot for £5 bargin (and it works!) I had a few cartridge games as well.
Ah that's awesome. I booted up my OG C64 recently and played Exploding Fist. There were some great games on it, which are not on the mini - Wizzball, Forbidden Forest, Gladiator etc games that I loved at the time. You really need a good joystick though I think to really enjoy them. Another classic was Airwolf and of course DropZone! £5 for the tape deck was a steal! Let me know what you've been playing and that's for the comment!
Such great memories. As soon as West Bank appeared, i could hear the whole tune in my head, including the duel at the end if each level. Great video.
thanks so much, that's very kind of you. They are good memories aren't they - a time when you felt you could play games for ever!
I got the C64 Maxi a couple of years ago, and it's close enough to the original with how the keys feel, I get major nostalgia feels from when I was a kid and owned a C64.
thanks for dropping a few words. Have you ever got around to programming the C64 Maxi? I thought the basic language was a tough one to learn. It would be cool if you could attach the original tape deck and boot up some of the old games on that wouldn't it. Do you use it much?
@@thenintendohub3873When I first got it, I downloaded PDFs of a magazine series from the UK called 'Input' in the 1980's onto a tablet. It was a weekly that ran for at least a year and it taught basic in a few formats (CBM64, Spectrum, Acorn etc.). My dad bought it each week for me to learn how it worked. It was a real blast from the past. You can't load from a tape deck, but if you want the experience, you can load .tap format. I use it occasionally. The biggest benefit of the Maxi is the working keyboard, so you can play text adventures and stuff that needs keyboard inputs. Ghostbusters ('84) comes to mind as the Marshmallow Trap is bound to the B key, and you need to use it at least once when the Marshmallow Man randomly spawns in if you want to "win".
Had a Commodore 64 back in the 80's. (actually still own it). Had such great fun with the system. Especially when The Bard's Tale came out. Me and my buddies staying up all night dungeon crawling. I'm told you can load games to the mini via a thumb drive. I wonder how that works on games with multiple disks like The Bard's tale. I'm still deciding whether a C64 mini is a decent purchase.
I adored it back in the 80's - it was my best Christmas present ever - had the 1541 drive with it as well - and I loved the Bards Tale too. Remember putting a book on the cassette deck to help game load! For the price you can pick these up now it's good value though. Can't really go wrong, esp if you invest in a better joystick. Thanks for the comment, Sparky
Had a VIC-20 and Spectrum back in the day. Didn't get my first C64 until 2020. Now I have quite a few in my collection including the mini and maxi versions. Love playing all the old games and they are so easy to just pick up and play when you don't have much time.
That's really interesting. At school when I was much older I actually picked up a Commodore Pet and started to program it! What do you think of the Maxi version - that looks very cool and a good replacement for the original. Be able to use the keyboard and actually code basic , and save projects seems really interesting. What joystick do you use? And what is your favourite game so far? Have you tried the original Elite? That was a huge at the time. thanks for the comment!
As the owner of two Commodore 64s (the breadbox and the C, both in the attic now) this is a good bit of the old nostalgia! Some all time classics there (Mission Impossible ... "OMG, it talks!"). I used to have the Quickshot 2, before moving onto the Powerplay Cruiser (the garish one).
I had those 2 models as well - then 'upgraded' to the Amiga - that was a big step up. There were some great games on the C64 such as Wizzball, Head over Heels, Airwolf, Forbidden Forest but perhaps these are best left in my memory banks, not many of these games have aged well. Another great title was DropZone, Archers take on Defender, now that was great come to think of it. A better joystick would make these more fun to play.
@@thenintendohub3873 Every time I dig out a C64 emulator to play the old games I realise they're better in my memory!
Still own 3 c64s one complete and boxed, a breadbin and a custom 64c with all the bells and whistles. The good games, the really good ones are still to this day fantastic to play. Wizball, Nebulus, Cybernoid 2 the list goes on and on. Pure playability.
I loved Ocean's WizBall - such a creative game with tight controls. The music was awesome too. I always loved Return to Forbidden Forest. Proper 64 bit scares! You really need a good joystick though to really enjoy them. Thanks for the comment!
The newer firmware and the 64 Maxi Tool saved this device. Not enough classic games on the carousel from the factory firmware. And the original joystick should have got the boot for the amiga gamepad out the box, or better gamepad support overall in the firmware, out of the box.
the Amiga gamepad is a great shout - that would have been way better.
1982 was indeed one of the best years I can remember. I was 10 years old, and while the C64 wasn't on my radar for at least another year (when I first heard the soundtrack for Ultima III and it as much as the game itself completely changed me) and I wouldn't get one until 1985 after 3 years of mowing lawns and saving pop can profit that I would have otherwise plunked into arcade machines of the time (Love you Xevious, Crystal Castles and Star Wars Arcade at the Mar Mac corner grocery store!) 1982 is a year that stands out in my memory for so many cool and amazing things that my young hungry brain first encountered. Now on with the video!
that's very cool as I too was ten years old when it launched! I was lucky to get it for a Christmas present, and it was the best present I ever got, period. Very special memories of that era. Well done to you for saving up for it for so long, they were expensive back at the time. Loved those arcades games too - what a special age. We were looking to the States at the time for the next exciting thing - films, fast food and games, and the US GOLD stamp on games added to the excitement too! I have fond memories playing Beach Head anyone remember that?
@@thenintendohub3873 oh damn Beach Head was an EXCELLENT game!! Dodging torpedoes, then aiming those guns first for bombers then at the enemy fleet itself, one of the best of the era! It's sequel was fantastic too, right down to the knife throwing duel at the end complete with digital speech. Also great by the same dev was Raid over Moscow. I feel bad for pirating those games now, but it's how we all rolled back then.
wow you just opened a new memory there for me with Raid Over Moscow! What a game. I mean a lot of those games replied on your imagination to fill in some of the gaps, but boy there were fin to play at the time. Ideally you'd have titles like these in the Mini console. Yep, there was a lot of 'tape to taping' going on back then!@@exidy-yt
I am very happy with my Mini, like someone mentioned before some firmware updates improved the latency. Besides with a retrofun adapter you are able to use an oldskool joystsick, I use a Wico red ball and it peforms great on the mini.
that's great to hear. What game are you spending most time on? I'll look into that Wico red ball option, as the supplied joystick was so laggy. Cheers, Sparky
@@thenintendohub3873 My favorites are the Llamasoft classics, Burnin Rubber and Super Pipeline.
Wish the Maxi had a v2 update with better hardware, newer VICE version, SID and pallette options and a USB out to use it as a keyboard to control an emulator on pc
The only time I used a 64 was in high school back in the 80s they had a 9 week elective course in high school and was kind of testing to see if teens were interested in learning about computers. I remember being amazed by the programming...wish I had further learned about it.
thanks for the comment. I think programming it was quite hard work. I remember trying to create an animated sprite, a hot air balloon at the time and it was pretty tricky. I did manage to create a very simple text adventure ' A=Go WEST' 'B=GO NORTH' Nice to see the computer was in schools though.
If i had to criticise the mini, it'd be I think the keyboard overlay could have been done better-it needs to be bigger and only with essential keys, and not shoved to the side.
100 percent agree. it's just a really afterthought. I wouldn't have minded paying a little extra for this for the better features really such as the joystick. I think this would be the same for most folks.
I kind of looked at getting one, however you have to use the supplied joystick because of the extra buttons, and you cannot connect anything to it.
yeah the supplied joystick sucks really compared to the Kempston Pro I used back in the day. Really, really sluggish. That's where they shouldn't have cut corners.
Love these mini computers!!!
thanks, do you have any yourself?
@@thenintendohub3873 not right this moment, but I really want one!
based on Monty Mole and the music running too fast it seems you're running at NTSC? and I'm guessing you originally gamed in pal? I've read that a lot of the uk stock mini C64's came as NTSC for some reason but there is a way change this if it's a bother
I never considered the PAL/ NTSC, that's really interesting, you're right I did play in PAL originally. That was a huge difference at the time.
When he holds up the retail box, you can see by the ESRB rating printed on the box that he's got the NTSC version of THEC64 Mini. Please let us know how to change it to PAL.
@@endwigast5212 I only know that it is in fact possible on these machines because of this issue being reported on some forum I stumbled across. Apparently it's not too difficult but unfortunately that's all I can help with you. I presume it's possible because of this
@@adroharv5140 Sounds like you're talking about thec64community online forum that makes available a file to soft-mod the NTSC version to the PAL version.
@@adroharv5140 Sounds like you're talking about thec64community online forum that makes available a file to soft-mod the NTSC version to the PAL version.
It's taken until recently for that record the C64 had of the biggest selling computer to be surpassed, the mantle is now held by the Raspberry Pi, and what's the most common thing it's used for? Retrogaming by emulating systems like the C64.
that's really interesting I didn't know that, what a record to hold though for so long, it's crazy. And how funny as you point out that the Pi is being used to emulate retro software! It's a huge complement I guess. Thanks for the comment, appreciated!
This video is about the C64 in 2024. Do you realize that since 2019, you can download every game made and just put them on a USB flash disk and play them? That is extremely relevant information about this little thing. The system with only the built in game, can not be compared to this system with all games, including technically brilliant games made after 2011. Not in any way.
thanks so much for the comment, can you download all the additional titles for free or do you pay for them? I think you'd absolutely need to get another joystick though to play them, this one is almost unusable. be interesting to do a similar feature looking at those new games o the system ith a better joystick. Have you done this with yours? Are you using it much? thanks for the comment, best wishes, Sparky
There is a joystick called SpeedLink Competition Pro which is both cheap and excellent quality.
Just for you I am going to order one of those SpeedLink Competition Pro , load up some more games onto the system, and give it another go. And share my thoughts! @@HaukLanglo
@@HaukLanglo quick question for you @HaukLanglo : would the SpeedLink Competition Pro you suggest be better than the THE C64 MAXI JOYSTICK? thanks!
I do not have the C-64 joystick, still waiting for my own C-64 mini to arrive. But I know that the one with 4 buttons extra on the back side, has very different contacts inside. The SpeedLink Competition Pro use solid microswitches and is considered the King by many old school fanboys. It is the same solid and proven construction as back in the days but with a USB connection. The stick that is included with the 64 Mini looks the same, but register movement in a different and much cheaper mechanical way. Making it harder to move the joystick "Up and Left" at the same time etc. Something that let you decide for yourself, with confidence, if your character should perform a high kick or a closed fist attack in games like IK+. It is probably useable for games like that also, but not at competitive levels. And it will give you a hard time reaching the highscore tables in games like 1942 where precision and reaction means everything.
I guess young people growing up with dual analog sticks, have no idea what kind of different type of art playing games on digital joysticks are. But it is an art that require a very reliable and responsive digital stick :) I am not able to play well on sticks without mechanically confirmed movement. I like to hear and feel the clicks inside the base of the stick as I move it.
He is so reticent about it. Surprised he made this video.
Yep I'm liking the Look at the Maxi Amiga - loved my Amiga- had two of them! You're right about the tape/ disk thing too - I had a 1541 disk drive but not much on that in the way of games. How are you finding the Maxi C64? thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciated. Sparky
hi there and thanks for the comment. Sorry if I came over that way, it was a massive part of my life, and jumping back into all those titles was a strange experience, and the joystick made them a little underwhelming as they were tricky to play with the sluggish controls, and I know they weren't really like that. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks
We DID know about the ZX Spectrum in the US. It just wasn't that successful here.
generally speaking, I believe personal computers were bigger in the UK and Europe, and consoles were bigger in the US - do you agree with this?
@@thenintendohub3873 Maybe once the NES was released that’s true. But before then we all had Apple, Atari, Commodore or Texas Instruments computers. I started on the Atari 800 then got a 130XE when those came out.
The C64 Maxi is worth getting since it has a full PETSCII keyboard, but I don't know why anyone would get the C64 Mini instead of just playing those games in an emulator on their PC.
I totally agree and the price difference isn't massive either is it. The mini is a really neat idea though in principle.
I like retro games but never play old school pc games I have rest of mini console is wort picking up for retro game fan who comes for console background amazon has bundle with system and 2 joy sticks for $88 with shipping tax
it's that balance now between playing on the OG hardware for a retro game - or a version for example of the Switch N64/ GBA app. Nostalgia can certainly makes some games seem better than you remembered - but playing on a proper CRT monitor can make a big difference too. I started using my PSP again to play a monkey ball game - and that still looks amazing! But playing some of these C64 games wasn't much fun. And there are literally 1000's to play aren't there? And with limited time available to play sometimes, what's the best place to spend your time! Don't think I have answered your question but had a good ramble! Thanks for your comment and keep in touch. Sparky
Weak selection of games. They went cheap on the titles. Having Epyx, though, is clutch.
I agree, most of my favourite games aren't on here like Elite, Barbarian, Wizzball, Head over Heels etc, IK plus. Must been a licensing issue I imagine.
When you buy an Playstation it come without games at all. You know you can download every game ever made and play them from an USB flash disk right?
@@HaukLangloYeah I really don't get the criticism. Some of the games are decent. Yeah there are some mediocre games in the selection, but these games are there for the convenience. The real power is in the ability to download and play any game you like, from a library of thousands of games for free. It's honestly amazing.
I bought one just before Xmas for myself, with the microswitch Pro controller. Even with side loading more games I still sent it back to Amazon for a full refund last week. Just wasn't pulled in by it.
That's really interesting and thanks for sharing. Do you think the pro controller added to that, as I found it pretty unresponsive with most of the games I tried. After playing them when they originally released back in the 80's it certainly felt very different. Would you consider getting a Maxi version with full working keyboard?
I did consider that the maxi version might be more useable with a non virtual keyboard, but not enough to drop the cash. I worked in an independent computer shop in the late 80's and 90's and got to play everything, but really from that era my favourites were the Spectrum, Amiga and SNES.
I loved my Amiga, Speedball could have one of my favourite titles ever, I would love a modern take on that game. Bitmap books make a great hard back on classic Amiga titles, it was amazing for its time. I used it at University too for assignments as well. I used to enjoy the Amira vs Atari ST debates at the time, with the Amiga always clearly winning them (!) @@kristianTV1974
@thenintendohub3873 unless someone really wanted an Atari specifically, I would always steer the to one of the Amiga bundles (Cartoon capers/Batman etc.). I must have sold literally hundreds of Amigas over the years. If only I'd been on commission!
Batman was awesome on the Amiga. Real shame that even though Commodore had such success at the time, it still ended up with financial woes - I'd love to see an alternative present day when Commodore went on to bigger and better things. Who knows what they would have gone to to develop, they might have been the Apple of today. Well done you for playing your part though steering folk down the right path!@@kristianTV1974
I own and still use a commodore64c with the kung fu flash cartridge and it is a joy to use..games load in seconds..poor old commodore cassette player is now redundant...with this setup i see no benefit in using the c64 mini as much as a great bit of kit that it is...
you are absolutely right, that really is the best way to go. What game are you playing the most on it out of interest?
@@thenintendohub3873I have hundreds of games installed on the kung fu sd card...if i had to pick one it would be r-type.
@@thenintendohub3873 oh if i have to pick just one then it would be R-type...i have thousands on the sd card lol
@@doctorsocrates4413 I'm going to pick that up on the Switch, on sale at the moment and looks awesome. Great one to just jump into when you have 15 mins spare. Hope all's well with you, Sparky
It's not a perfect replacement for the original machine. But for nostalgia's sake, it is good enough. Sadly, that exclusive controller it comes with is complete rubbish. It does not feel good to use. Nor is the build quality up to the task of enduring any real hard gaming sessions. I've actually done a tutorial video on how to DIY upgrade it into a stiffer stick that won't snap at the weakest point. But that's like turning a one star rated product into a one-point-one star. Thankfully, the emulation permits for some options, which I highly recommend. Like some of these USB plug in S-NES styled controllers. Just like upgrading an Atari 2600 controller with a Sega Genesis pad. And a USB keyboard. Because, let us face the facts, that virtual screen keyboard is a clunky round-a-bout solution from day one. You can also get a USB memory stick put into the works to add more games. Now with my experience, I had to order one preloaded with everything from E-Bay, as the format used was just not within my PC's standard capacity. With all of these USB devices, you need a powered USB hub to plug it all into. As you really do need that stupid copycat joystick for its interface button set. It also helps to get the OS update, so that new features like multi-disk support are in place.
At the end of the day, you are getting an OK emulation box inside a nostalgic case with plenty of upgrade potential. I hear the sequel, the Maxi came with more horsepower and a functional keyboard. But those came out when the world fell apart. Which made finding one in America harder then finding a bar of gold while walking about the neighborhood.
On another note, I tried out that Basic interface a couple times and tried typing in some Sprite manipulation program. The emulation proved itself by outright crashing upon trying to run the little program. So, for serious C-64 users, there are far better options. But this isn't too bad for the price tag... once you get away from that poorly made stick.
That's really interesting and thanks for taking such time to comment with some really interesting opinions. What shame about the issues with programming basic, that shouldn't happen. I had a lot of fun drawing sprites onto a grid back in the day and trying to reproduce them with basic. With a decent joystick, as you say you're getting s good enough experience, take care, Sparky
No Leisure Suit Larry!? Pass.
How good was that in the day!! This they released a remaster on the Switch not that long ago? But haven't played it. thanks for the comment
I dont think the mini are a wasre of time. Yes the maxi has nostalgic factor but a usb key board works just as well i use my c64 mini as a word processor and financial assistant.
That's very cool. I wonder how many other folk around the world are doing the same as you. I often ask myself when I might be playing a very old retro game, am I the only person playing this in the entire world right now?! But I am sure there are always a few others out there with the same passion doing the same as you! Thanks for the comment and take care.
Nah. Waste of time. Either get yourself a C64 Maxi or a Raspberry Pi. This thing is utterly pointless.
the Maxi seems like a good solution. thanks and have a great weekend.
Respectfully I disagree. All you need is a USB hub, a USB keyboard and a PS4 controller and C64-mini is hard to beat for the price. I mean if you want to spend more on a Maxi go for it but I had all those peripherals laying around, and I actually appreciate the small size of the mini. Not pointless at all. The C64-mini has ran every C-64 game I threw at it with no issues.
for retro computing hobbyst, the Commander X16 is the machine to get - for those only interested in playing retro games, then TheC64 Maxi is plenty adequate
Seems like mostly all the mini nes,SNES, genesis, c64's are all pointless junk.
Yep I can see that. My Switch is awesome for being able to run the old classic NES/SNES/GameBoy titles etc and good upscaling to HD as well. It's not worth jumping on these mini consoles really.
I think the minis are great for kids to get into the platform