Commodore 64 & Rare SX-64 Computer Review - Gamester81

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  • Опубліковано 13 січ 2025

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  • @KindCreature1
    @KindCreature1 13 років тому +2

    Nice review. A friend of mine had a Commodore 64, back in the early 80's. He used to spend many hours typing in some kind of machine language for a video game. It seemed to totally own him. Now look at me, with my XP machine. Thanks.

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому

    @InfoTotheMax7 yeah give it a moment to finish rendering. It should clear up soon. Sorry about that.

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому

    @boverhof3 Yeah tried replacing the monitor board but with little luck. I need to do more homework to see what I'm doing wrong. I'll figure it out soon I hope.

  • @NEScapades
    @NEScapades 14 років тому +2

    Enjoyed the review! That SX64 was very interesting and the was the first time I'd ever heard of or seen it. I never knew they sold 17 million C64 units either.
    Great vid!

    • @patsfan4life
      @patsfan4life 5 років тому

      NEScapades more like 12 million

  • @NostalgiaKing
    @NostalgiaKing 14 років тому +2

    Thanks for making this! I've been interested in the Commodore 64 for awhile now, but I didn't really know much about it. Great video!

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому +1

    @lotsofgames No Jimmy I haven't replaced the fuse yet. You?

  • @dukenukem4682
    @dukenukem4682 12 років тому +2

    It is amazing how universal the DB-9 pin port was, it was even used all the way up to the Genesis, most computers today still have it, even though it isn't used that much.

  • @00Skyfox
    @00Skyfox 10 років тому +7

    As a Commodore 64 enthusiast since about 1983 or so, I need to add a few corrections and additions to this. First I'd like to point out that the very popular Atari joysticks were compatible with the C64, so anybody with an Atari system would already have controllers for games. The cassette deck plugs into the cassette port on the back, not to the peripheral port (which is actually called the serial port). The voltages never changed between the C64 and C64C; the power supplies were identical and interchangeable. The power supplies provided one 5vDC pin (to supply all the chips with a main power) and a matched (inverted) pair for 9vAC. The two 9vAC lines went to the user (modem) port and a 60Hz clock. The 9vAC pair also went through a rectifier and voltage regulator to make a second 5vDC source (to provide power for certain logic circuits), and one of the lines of 9vAC branched off to be split into 9vDC unregulated (mainly for the cassette deck motor and RF modulator), and 12vDC through a diode and voltage regulator (mainly for the SID).
    There were numerous different motherboards with slightly different schematics for the C64, but each one performed all the same functions.
    GEOS (Graphic Environment Operating System, by Berkeley Softworks) was never installed internally on the C64. It was a separate operating system software loaded from floppy disks. Turn on the C64C in that box and you'll get the familiar blue screen of BASIC.
    I'm not very familiar with the Plus/4 but as far as I know it had nothing to do with the C64. Peripherals may have been compatible as was often the case but the software was not, unless it was something written with the same BASIC commands only. The Plus/4 was modeled after the Commodore 16.
    Always fun to see videos like this about Commodores!

  • @timsmotorcyclediary
    @timsmotorcyclediary 8 років тому +2

    Brings back a lot of childhood memories. I remember when my parents bought the C64 from Woolco in Toronto, Canada for my brother and I. They also bought a monitor, disk drive, and two cartridges, Gateway to Apshai and Jumpman Junior.

    • @marccaselle8108
      @marccaselle8108 2 роки тому

      That's amazing. I'm from the US and I don't remember seeing the commodore 64 in any retail store I went to but I have heard of it.
      I managed to grab a complete collection of commodore 64 games from a place and each game has it's own region Europe USA etc. I'm eager to dive into that on my retropie to see what I missed.

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому

    @rrob78 I remember a Disney game on this too. I believe the one I played was around the Matterhorn Screamer and the character was Goofy. Not sure if it was the same game or not.

  • @DOGSAVAGE666
    @DOGSAVAGE666 14 років тому +2

    i still have my 64, and it surprises me how good some games hold up in terms of playability and originallity.

    • @patsfan4life
      @patsfan4life 5 років тому +1

      Olivia likes PANCAKES! Much like the 2600, it was way ahead of its time in many ways and also had some very talented developers making games for it

  • @19851973
    @19851973 12 років тому +1

    and you could really hear the 1541 scratch and work as it loaded up. Had a three disk game, calle defender of the crown. It took seconds instead of minutes with the black floyd program

    • @patsfan4life
      @patsfan4life 5 років тому

      Brian Klit best. Game. Ever.

  • @superdave7498
    @superdave7498 14 років тому +1

    I remember my dad had the commodore 128 computer with the floppy drive and a commodore monitor. He also had well over 1,000 floppy disks. Many of the disks had multiple games on them too. Some of the programs I remember are some art programs, a life simulator (can't remember the name), and a really good music program. There was also a program that made the disk drive "sing" ...if anyone has this program please post a video of it!!

  • @redroweneht
    @redroweneht 14 років тому +2

    I grew up with an Atari ST before the NES...Man I loved that computer

  • @capwhittaker
    @capwhittaker 14 років тому +1

    I had one of these actually it broke and I got another that the sound didn't work on so got a model 2. We had a floppy disk drive for this which made my friends jealous. Thanks for the nostalgia!

  • @megamanfan3
    @megamanfan3 14 років тому +1

    Even Prevue/TV Guide used a Commodore Amiga system for the channel listings.

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому

    @The420Northwest I think $30-$50 is a reasonable price for one of these computers today.

  • @Back2thefutureGaming
    @Back2thefutureGaming 11 років тому +2

    this was my very first computer in 1983..many a good times,loved the Last Ninja Series and IK+

  • @RPKGameVids
    @RPKGameVids 14 років тому +6

    I love the C64, nearly as much as I love the Atari 800XL.

  • @kewkabe
    @kewkabe 12 років тому

    A commodore video cable has a "composite video" line which should hook in to most TV's round "video in" ports.

  • @Audiomancer
    @Audiomancer 14 років тому +2

    4:20 Holy crap, I had that game for the c64! I played the hell out of it.

  • @19851973
    @19851973 12 років тому

    I had a c 64 back in the day. Here in Denmark we made eprom cartridges. And got a small program called black floyd to the eprom. You could tripple you load speed from the floppy drive. It was extreme back then

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому +1

    @ReaperJ21 no...thank you. =)

  • @Toosimoo
    @Toosimoo 14 років тому +1

    Still my fave computer of all time, great vid.

  • @DazManCat
    @DazManCat 12 років тому

    Interesting, I'd never heard of Quantom Link. I assume it was not available in the UK? The C16 +4 was not a version of the C64 it was a separate computer. An upgrade from the C16 (which has the same case as the Vic 20 and C64 but, in grey).

  • @terrythe2dmaniac71
    @terrythe2dmaniac71 9 років тому +2

    very nice episode john, I never knew about that other commodore 64c model I think the shell is very similar if not identical to my commodore 128 one, anyways great video and very informative, keep up the good work buddy.

  • @TheCompletionist
    @TheCompletionist 14 років тому

    I vividly remember having a whole bunch of commodore 64C at my elementary school. I do remember one of my favorite games to play on that computer were the where in the US and Europe is Carmen Sandiego.

  • @Zito773
    @Zito773 14 років тому +1

    Excellent video John. question for anyone, I live in Chicago any ideas where to find a c-64 aside from ebay?

  • @ti994apc
    @ti994apc 14 років тому +2

    Great video! Can you demo Geos on the C64? From what I remember it was actually better than Windows 3.11.

  • @dan2kxyz
    @dan2kxyz 13 років тому +2

    Wow thanks for posting this great review. I totally grew up on the C64. My entire pre-teen and early teen life was spent in obsession with this machine and writing BASIC programs for it lol. I'm 31 now.

  • @Capta1nFalc0n
    @Capta1nFalc0n 11 років тому +1

    I love my 'breadbox' Commodore! I even use my Commodore monitors for all my old consoles, too (Genesis, N64, GameCube & DreamCast), 'cause they're the best!
    I use Wico joysticks, 'cause they remind me of old arcade joysticks. They're pretty nice.
    I added a memory card reader to my C64. It's much better than messin' with old floppies and cassettes! I only wish I had gotten one sooner.
    I have a nice, early Vic-20, too...

  • @MiriOhki
    @MiriOhki 11 років тому +1

    The C64 was the first computer I ever had back when I was five or so. And I have an SX-64 (A friend was trying to get rid of stuff in storage so gave it to me), though the keyboard doesn't work worth a darn.

  • @tgbandroid17
    @tgbandroid17 14 років тому

    the star wars arcade is also an unlockable on rogue squadron 3 for gamecube

  • @Doomer170
    @Doomer170 12 років тому +1

    HEY GAMESTER! Are you coming to Portland Retro Gaming Expo this year?

  • @aneural
    @aneural 7 років тому +2

    Had one for over 7 years. SQ was such an amazing game

  • @sinistermoon
    @sinistermoon 14 років тому +1

    Commodore rocks! Awesome video, man!

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому +1

    @WWETNABRAVES That's my goal. Thanks, and I hope 2011 goes well for you moving forward.

  • @RIPmyers
    @RIPmyers 12 років тому

    I think I still have my Commodore 64 at my parents house in their attic, I hope. I didn't have too many games on it cause I had an atari back then with over 70 games.

  • @parky71
    @parky71 14 років тому +1

    i loved my c64
    the soundchip was awesome
    used to love some of the music in the games.
    had so many great games too.

  • @kaioshine
    @kaioshine 14 років тому

    When i was a kid my dad's friend had a C64 that he'd let me play, it was a really fun adventure style game where you'd go through caves, felt kinda similar to say like a Blaster Master, i still have no idea what game it was though =(

  • @walterchapman2094
    @walterchapman2094 10 років тому +3

    I think now I would have preferred a commodore 64 over a Nintendo in '87. If you added the cost of a tv and floppy drive its probably just as well I didnt get one. I think if the games had been tweeked a little and a two button gamepad had been produced, this probably would have been the best 8-bit to have in the '80s.

    • @walterchapman2094
      @walterchapman2094 10 років тому

      I agree, more stuff should have been available on cart.

    • @walterchapman2094
      @walterchapman2094 10 років тому

      I would love fully functional replicas of the old computers, complete with real keys and a place for data storage and a printer port. I wouldnt be suprised if a Turbograph 16 flashback happens within the next few years. I just want them to be cheap and they really need a SD slot.

  • @mattharvey78
    @mattharvey78 14 років тому

    Cool review! I remember the Commodore PET and 64 were the first computers I ever used. HUGE nostalgia trip!

  • @shitstorm27
    @shitstorm27 12 років тому

    gamester i got a c-64 second model in i think 1991 but it had the standard blue commodore basic O.S . ill never forget it it was the terminator 2 edition i freaked out wen i saw the box , lol didnt even know what it was . i was a kid that had a really big box with a picture of the terminator on it , then i found out i had my own computer game system . i remember the carts were so stiff not even my mum could get it out lol .this is in the uk thou scotland but defo a rare one to have

  • @AllenJeremy
    @AllenJeremy 12 років тому +1

    I received a Commodore 64 for Christmas back in 1989 when I was 12 years old & it came with 10 games, 5 games were movie tie-ins & the other 5 were based on quiz shows that were on TV at the time.

  • @rssbrry
    @rssbrry 12 років тому +1

    I went to a garage sale once, and saw a guy walk out with an SX-64. He said he got it for $1. Not a great day for me.

  • @beastglitcher24
    @beastglitcher24 14 років тому

    gamester i owe you for getting me interested in the history and the different variates of games and for that i thank you. great video as always =D

  • @SwedishEmpire1700
    @SwedishEmpire1700 12 років тому

    well, the NTSC version of SX-64 isnt that rare (PAl version kinda is though) yet, but due to weight it gets expensive to ship around.
    one of these i will get my hands on a SX-64 for my collection.

  • @bytex666
    @bytex666 14 років тому

    I was a diehard Commodore 64/Amiga fan from the mid-80's all the way up to late 90's. I refused to touch a lowly Atari or "toy game console" like the NES and SNES' and whatnot. I kinda regret that now since I missed out on some great games back in the day that I have only rediscovered as an adult. Now I have a multitude of modern game consoles, gladly.

  • @yjzep9922
    @yjzep9922 8 років тому +1

    I remember as an Atari kid being mad that they continued to support this machine and not mine. That version of Star Wars arcade is terrible compared to the A8 version. Cheaper always wins.

  • @rippy123456
    @rippy123456 14 років тому +2

    Fantastic computer in it's day with with some of the best music ever heard on any system ever. Rob Hubbard and Martin Galway worked magic with the Commodore's SID chip.

  • @bestbrother97
    @bestbrother97 11 років тому +1

    I was up set when I got my Commodore 64. I purchased it on amazon for 60$ and the disk drive from the same guy for 60$. They came in the same box full of news paper. I opened the box and the computer and disk drive were in their original packaging! First of all, they didn't mention that bit in the description, and I am horrible at keeping boxes. They didn't come with a manual but did with everything else. My favorite part is the box says "Welcome to the world of friendly computing"

  • @SelfIndulgentGamer
    @SelfIndulgentGamer 11 років тому

    I had the console version of the c64 and the major issue with it was, any cartridge games that required a keyboard rendered the game unplayable! wish i kept it, worth loads now.

  • @iMalakai
    @iMalakai 14 років тому

    hands down, u got me into collecting retro consoles and games : ) thanks for everything man.

  • @qbertaddict1
    @qbertaddict1 14 років тому

    The reason that atari did the cart for dig dug is because dig dug was published by ATARI in North America and Namco in Japan

  • @SecretTimeWarp
    @SecretTimeWarp 12 років тому

    Just for comparison... when later Apple products like the Macintosh SE were $3,200, what were other computers going for?

  • @Anthrit
    @Anthrit 14 років тому +1

    I used to use GEOS the first windows like operating system, how could you not review that.

  • @AndradaVlasDinescu
    @AndradaVlasDinescu 8 років тому

    I always thought that I was the unlucky kid because I had the C-64 instead of the NES and SNES. When you look back at it, it's the other way around. Lol I had so many games on this thing and my two favorites was Ghostbusters and Impossible Mission. OMG I spent soooo many hours playing Impossible Mission. I finally beat that game. That game was extremely hard to beat, but I was so happy when I did. I also taught myself Basic and wrote some code on that thing. Very amazing computer! I miss it!

  • @videogameaficionado
    @videogameaficionado 14 років тому

    Very informative, there was a lot of info i didnt knew about the commodore 64, nice video

  • @jferio
    @jferio 14 років тому

    I do want to get another 64 for my video game rig, actually.
    On the 'DX', I knew someone back in the day that took the effort to modify an SX to install a second floppy drive. It didn't work perfectly, as there was an issue with the internal shielding versus the drive electronics. But it did work.

  • @CreweMike
    @CreweMike 12 років тому

    Enjoyed the review and the history lesson. The SID chip was also an awesome piece of engineering for the time. Still sounds great today.

  • @RetroCore
    @RetroCore 10 років тому +1

    The Commodore Plus 4 featured in this video is actually a beefed up Commodore 16, not a C64. I owned one of these back in the 80's. It could run it's own games as well as Commodore 16 games.

    • @wayneaaron5818
      @wayneaaron5818 10 років тому

      I hade a Commodore Plus 4 back in the 80's. The best I remember it would not play Commodore 64 games. As a matter of fact I do not remember seeing any games for it at Service Merchandise, but then again it's been a long time ago.

  • @MisterMsk
    @MisterMsk 12 років тому

    It has the 8 pin din out just like the Commodore 64 does. You can get a converter cable to make it s-video compatible (which is what I do). However, it does not have the RF out so you can not hook it up to your older tv like you did with your Atari 2600.

  • @TinyTitian
    @TinyTitian 14 років тому

    Im not a pc gaming fanboy I own a console also currently playing 360 but just got 2 say its nice 2 see even in the 80s pcs owned consoles in graphics =D

  • @Gamester81
    @Gamester81  14 років тому

    @iMalakai Cool thanks dude, I'm glad to hear that.

  • @drsysop
    @drsysop 5 років тому

    C-64c also has a different SID chip for sound. You can compare games on both & you may notice sound differences.

  • @fuzzybad
    @fuzzybad 10 років тому +4

    Please, do not use Sega Genesis/Master System controllers with Commodore 64! The Sega's extra buttons will connect to the analog input of the 64's sound chip, and you risk damage by doing this.

  • @MattTheComputerGeek
    @MattTheComputerGeek 10 років тому

    I have a Commodore 64C with the box and the manuals which are in mint condition.

  • @Lachlant1984
    @Lachlant1984 14 років тому

    What country was the Commodore Plus 4 made in? I also ask the same question about the SX-64. Did I hear speech at the start of the Star Wars arcade game? I couldn't understand what it said.

  • @RetroMiller1997
    @RetroMiller1997 11 років тому

    a colecovision controler will work also

  • @JasonToddIsntDead
    @JasonToddIsntDead 12 років тому

    I found a commodore 64...the same one you have..At an antique story..how much is it worth ?

  • @DoctorJ1337
    @DoctorJ1337 14 років тому +1

    My uncle actually just gave me a vic 20 that he had when he was a kid and i love the thing. It's cool how you could program crazy stuff with it cause it is a computer. Great video john!!
    Haha and they say the game gear us big

  • @KaossFPV
    @KaossFPV 13 років тому

    thanks for this video man was a trip through memory lane for me... good times

  • @kewkabe
    @kewkabe 12 років тому

    That's an '83 (or later) model. The very first edition in '82 didn't have the rainbow stripes. I used to sell the C64 in an old kind of store called a "computer store" which sold only home computers, and most software was sold on cassette tapes in ziploc bags!

  • @JJXB2004
    @JJXB2004 14 років тому

    sweet. i still have my commodore 64's myself (model 1 and C) but the amount of tapes i have to sort through is crazy.

  • @EruIluvatar
    @EruIluvatar 9 років тому +2

    I'm waiting for that amiga review

  • @TuxedoEarth
    @TuxedoEarth 11 років тому

    Shame I never got to play this. I remember my dad buying one of those tandy computers for my sister and I didn't know it could also play games.

  • @CommodoreFan64
    @CommodoreFan64 14 років тому

    I'm a huge C64 fan, and the 1541 drive you have is actually a model II called a 1541C, which is more rare, and actually a slight bit faster, plus you can get what's called a SuperCPU, and overclock the C64 to 20mhz, and which allows you to play some new homebrew games that have come out in recent years.

  • @pandanurse
    @pandanurse 14 років тому

    How did they make games on tapes?

  • @TheOpenSourceGamer
    @TheOpenSourceGamer 13 років тому

    The 64C looks a lot like the Amiga 600, minus the arrow and fx keys of course.

  • @natemcgraw3690
    @natemcgraw3690 14 років тому

    if i wanted to get into video game system collecting where should i look for rare systems/games? maybe a list of rares so that i can know how rare systems are?

  • @josser1980
    @josser1980 13 років тому

    i remeber getting a commodore 64 for my christmas when i was 9, even today it's still one of my all time favourite systems

  • @mp4podcastDOTcom
    @mp4podcastDOTcom 14 років тому

    There is a Commodore 64 emulator for iPhone and they are working on a Amiga one also.

  • @MWilsonsGameShow
    @MWilsonsGameShow 14 років тому

    awesome video, i love watching videos like these, because i learn so much from them :)

  • @spundy08
    @spundy08 14 років тому

    great review man, lots of information, great stuff, take care man

  • @MaximumRD
    @MaximumRD 14 років тому

    Well at least I have a Commodore 64 and a 64C the later version, a big piece of classic computing history. Great video as always.

  • @JasonToddIsntDead
    @JasonToddIsntDead 12 років тому

    Mine looks like the Vic20 it has vic 20 on the sticker in the back But says commadore 64 on the front

  • @unleadedlogic
    @unleadedlogic 14 років тому

    I recently picked one up and it played about 15 minutes before I got the black screen of death on it. Got a C64-C on the way though.

  • @GamePlayerSpecial
    @GamePlayerSpecial 12 років тому

    Cool video, Gamester81 ! as always !

  • @The420Northwest
    @The420Northwest 14 років тому +1

    how much does a commodore 64 usually cost?

  • @MrSnapy1
    @MrSnapy1 10 років тому +1

    As a kid I only got consoles parents refused to fork out the money for a PC.A friend had a C-64 and I was so envious of it.While the graphics did rival the NES it was the game types that mocked me.So many interesting games that you just could not get on console.While he was playing cool sims and strategy games I was at home playing shallow platform games...
    Love your reviews btw

    • @walterchapman2094
      @walterchapman2094 10 років тому

      I didnt have a computer as a kid either. I was still playing an Intellivision until Christmas of '88 when I got a nes. Looking back on it now, if I had known how cheap the Tandy color computers were, I probably could have made a good argument about getting one of those. I think they were a little under $99 at the time and could have worked toward adding things to it. Still not as good as a C-64 though!

    • @MrSnapy1
      @MrSnapy1 10 років тому +1

      Walter Chapman
      Indeed
      This is something these young-ens take for granted these days "information".I never new the Tandy was that cheap back in the day as well.We could have mowed lawns for that! lol
      As kids we just didn't know our options without the internet and all.Simple things like game reviews price comparisons etc.If you lived away from the city odds are you never even seen these pc "in the store".

    • @walterchapman2094
      @walterchapman2094 10 років тому

      What makes it even worse is I was always window shopping computers and other tech gizmos at the mall in the '80s and usually just walked right past Radioshack. One downside is I dont think it had many rpgs or strategy games on it. I was under the impression that the Atari and Commodore computers WERE the cheap ones. Could have easily worked over a summer for a Coco.

  • @diowfj
    @diowfj 14 років тому

    One of the great and fun things about computing back in the day was anyone sat in their bedroom with some basic programing knowledge could write, publish and sell their owns games very easily.

  • @PieFights
    @PieFights 8 років тому +1

    I had the Commodre 64 model 2 key board

  • @Obi-WanKannabis
    @Obi-WanKannabis 14 років тому

    dude, you probably own all videogame systems and PCs of back then, you rock

  • @OldSchoolNYCGamer
    @OldSchoolNYCGamer 14 років тому

    Nice review John, I'm glad to own both the original C64 and SX-64 as you saw a couple of weeks back that I got. If there's a way you can make a copy of Star Wars for the C64 that would be awesome. = )

  • @artbell259
    @artbell259 7 років тому

    Always wish the C=64 was improved on in maybe 1984 after it looked like a smash hit - have a new machine compatible, but ready for a cartridge or an inside board with space for another CPU +RAM - in time CPU +Ram would be affordable, would see games and apps that would check for the extra power

  • @calumknight9178
    @calumknight9178 5 років тому

    Correction on the N64 comment the 64 had nothing to do with the graphics, it was a 64 bit cpu in it (that rarely ran in 64bit from what i have read, or worked in a weird way can't remember)

  • @dave4shmups
    @dave4shmups 12 років тому +1

    Never mind, he said you can.

  • @PieFights
    @PieFights 12 років тому

    there is actully 2 of the 1541 disc drives out there i had both and both worked fine man some of the games where real joystick killers

    • @patsfan4life
      @patsfan4life 5 років тому

      Michael Lake all the Epyx “. Games” games

  • @DrunkenPoetic
    @DrunkenPoetic 14 років тому

    C64 is where it all started for me.

  • @christo930
    @christo930 14 років тому

    The tape drive doesn't plug into that port, it has it's own port. The starwars arcade game had a great controller. There are plans on the internet to build one out of pvc parts that work really well.