Exploring TheC64 "Maxi" Full-Size Commodore 64 Replica

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  • Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
  • We take a deep look at the new TheC64 full-size: how is it for programming in BASIC and assembly language, how does the keyboard and case compare to a real C64, and how is that new joystick for playing games? We'll also look at a couple workarounds and hacks, and deal with some of the (minor) controversies about the product. Also, we look at the new Christmas-themed shoot-em'up, Santron, by Sarah Jane Avory. And Santa himself makes a strange appearance at the very end.
    Become a patron: / 8bitshowandtell
    One-time donation: paypal.me/8BitShowAndTell
    Links:
    Santron: sarahjaneavory.itch.io/santron
    Full manual: retrogames.biz/thec64/support...
    Turbo Macro Pro: turbo.style64.org/docs/table-o...
    Minimal TMP: 8BitShowAndTell.com/prg/tmp.d64
    Blank D64: 8BitShowAndTell.com/prg/blank...
    Blank D71: 8BitShowAndTell.com/prg/blank...
    Blank D81: 8BitShowAndTell.com/prg/blank...
    File to enable REU hack in TheC64: 8BitShowAndTell.com/prg/snaps...
    Index:
    0:00 Intro and disclaimer about my involvement in TheC64 and C64DTV
    2:25 Comparing with real breadboxes - colour, size, ports, weight!
    5:50 Comparing the keyboards
    9:15 Improvements over TheC64 Mini
    10:33 Power it up and configuration 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz - important!
    13:30 Carousel mode
    14:05 Impossible Mission - The Pitch Controversy & Workaround
    16:15 Display mode
    17:40 Device Settings
    19:26 Classic Mode - BASIC programming
    22:52 Using TheC64 without a joystick - keyboard controls
    24:56 Assembly language programming with Turbo Macro Pro
    26:40 Virtual Super Snapshot cartridge
    29:28 I want a reset button please
    31:36 REU hack
    35:10 Would I use this instead of a real C64?
    37:00 Playing Santron - new Christmas-themed shooter!
    41:36 Thanks to my Patrons
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 639

  • @JanEspen
    @JanEspen 4 роки тому +168

    THIS is how a video/review should be done. Glad to see a reviewer that knows his stuff. Finally something else than 10 print "hello", 20 goto 10. I do hope Retro Games improve firmware based on your suggestions. I would give this video 10/10 but WHY did you mention about the 0 key not aligned properly ? Now I cannot sleep at night ;)

    • @merouby
      @merouby 4 роки тому +2

      Agreed Jan. What an awesome video - Merry Xmas

    • @MrEDET
      @MrEDET 4 роки тому +3

      Actually seeing 10 print " hello" in EVERY video made me laugh each time ;) Delivery in the Netherlands has again been postponed, now it's december 31. I do hope they will add a 50/60 forced choice in a future update. I only have one tv, older Sony Bravia, so if it decides to choose 60hz automatically I'm screwed :-/

    • @vbrigham
      @vbrigham 4 роки тому +3

      I will save this video for later, when I purchase one. I need a way to transfer programs from a floppy disk, to a thumb drive. I have hundreds of programs on 5 1/4. Many are programs I wrote, so I can't get them any other way. Any suggestions?
      Oh yea, I have several c64 and 1541 drives.

    • @greggregson9687
      @greggregson9687 4 роки тому +1

      @@vbrigham Either use an SD2IEC (copy to blank d.64 image), same with a Pi1541, or get a Zoomfloppy device and use that to copy your disks to a PC with the correct software. I am sure there are other ways, but those are what I have used (and writing d64 images to real floppies as well).

    • @mac70
      @mac70 4 роки тому

      At www.nedgame.nl/afbeeldingen/the-c64-microcomputer/screenshots/3_5066541970.jpg I see a perfect aligned '0' on the zero-key. Perhaps this picture is of a new serie/batch of C64's?

  • @mrscruffy8045
    @mrscruffy8045 4 роки тому +32

    I would have really loved it, if they had kept the old power-flick-switch - it was so iconic (to me, anyways).

    • @Magisktification
      @Magisktification 2 роки тому +1

      Yeah why would they not do that? Never mind i dont want a preyellowed one that infact is more expensive than a working original...

  • @cpdrobert7329
    @cpdrobert7329 4 роки тому +16

    26:59 "so you know I'm not violating any licenses. This is, THIS IS MINE."

  • @Zhixalom
    @Zhixalom 4 роки тому +10

    I don't know why it took until now to sink in, that you had worked on the C64DTV. This just makes mine so much more precious to me.

    • @JeanB-br9nw
      @JeanB-br9nw 4 роки тому +2

      I second that!

    • @WarrenPostma
      @WarrenPostma 4 роки тому +2

      I have five. I treasure them

    • @Zhixalom
      @Zhixalom 4 роки тому +3

      @@WarrenPostma Well, I only have the one... so I guess I'll just go view it through a kaleidoscope then :P

  • @TrickysFlyingBurrito
    @TrickysFlyingBurrito 4 роки тому +22

    Excellent video, its refreshing when someone with actual knowledge provides a balanced view of these products.
    And I definitely think a PAL vs NTSC gamer competition should happen!!

    • @stevesstuff1450
      @stevesstuff1450 4 роки тому +2

      Well said..! Too many people around the internet going on about Raspberry Pi is better.. Really? this thing looks like, and feels like a genuine C64, and as this video proves, it's emulation is so deep it even does assembler/machine code programming perfectly
      I just got one of these, as I remember them from 40+ years ago selling and using them, and it seems perfect (except for the lack or original ports in the back ;-) ) , and for general use; game playing, brushing up on basic skills, reliving the past, this machine is more than perfect.....!
      It's a fantastic new computer for hobbyists wanting to tinker with newer USB/HDMI equipped hardware, or the general 'target' audience, to relive those old memories - even down to typing-in endless pages of programmes only to get "syntax error" messages all over... but they can be edited, fixed, and then saved to a USB stick just as they would have been saved to disk years ago.
      It's a real feel-good machine that love these older days of computing, and yet is still totally relevant today.... ;-)

  • @oktup
    @oktup 4 роки тому +9

    I can't like this video enough because of the TMP+REU instructions. Thank you so much!

  • @rodmunch69
    @rodmunch69 4 роки тому +13

    This was an excellent review, answered all my questions about using this as a basic machine. With the built in keyboard that seems like the big draw, yet all the other reviews I've seen have glossed over the keyboard and basic, which made no sense. This was great!

  • @madyogi6164
    @madyogi6164 4 роки тому +1

    BIG WOW. Great "Reintroduction" of this famous computer. Real blast to watch and admire! Never thought a toy from my childhood be so popular! I played with assembly on it in early 90's. But soon to be forgotten and replaced with i686...

  • @harag9
    @harag9 2 роки тому +1

    I spotted these were being made and was thinking of getting one for my 50th... got a C64 here in the uk when they came out, how I loved it back in the day. Many thanks for a great review, didn't think it could do all that.

  • @papalaz4444244
    @papalaz4444244 3 роки тому +6

    I'm so tempted to get one of these. I'd love an Amiga 500 done this way, too :)

    • @bitwize
      @bitwize 2 роки тому +1

      THEA500 Mini is coming out later this year!!! It doesn't just emulate an Amiga 500, but an Amiga 1200 as well!

  • @Vector_Ze
    @Vector_Ze 2 роки тому +1

    9:00 From the 'for what it's worth' department; my unit, delivered 6-weeks ago on October 29, 2021, has a serial number 48,535.

  • @MindFlareRetro
    @MindFlareRetro 4 роки тому +2

    A great exploration of TheC64, Robin. I've watched quite a few reviews but yours covers details the over folks missed. Great video. Well done!

  • @medinachete73
    @medinachete73 4 роки тому +11

    I've heard that differences in size comes from the VIC 20, which align perfectly with theC64 Max.
    There must be some Commodore 64 batches in VIC 20 frames, maybe the firsts.

    • @francistaylor1822
      @francistaylor1822 2 роки тому

      There were a few different sizes of theC64, there was another youtuber (cant remember which one) who showed them next to each other - thec64 is matches that one.

    • @medinachete73
      @medinachete73 2 роки тому

      @@francistaylor1822 8bitguy?

    • @francistaylor1822
      @francistaylor1822 2 роки тому

      @@medinachete73 might be

  • @Xantaxia
    @Xantaxia 4 роки тому +3

    The clicks of the micro-switches on the joystick provided untold amounts of joy in me :D

  • @ciesinsk
    @ciesinsk 3 роки тому +4

    Oh man, these videos are so good. The voice is so pleasant. The information is just spot-on. There is a jump-to section. Really nice. Bless the internet that something like this is made.

    • @Tech-geeky
      @Tech-geeky 6 місяців тому +1

      that's because he's got a cold... Wait till you hear his actual voice :)

  • @Di3mondDud3
    @Di3mondDud3 3 роки тому +2

    Its amazing to see how involved you have been with this community for almost/over 20 years now. Personally i show up to see weird old hardware, but its not often someone is as skilled and interesting as you can be. Loving the content!

  • @TheTonyMellonChannel
    @TheTonyMellonChannel 4 роки тому +4

    Thank you so much, sir! i'm doing a Zelda game for thec64 and really i was needing a blank disk like those D81 formats. i've watched your video and now my problems are solved. great, you're awesome!

  • @doktor6495
    @doktor6495 4 роки тому +3

    Many Many thanks for that "different to others" review! That's exactly what I was looking for! Merry Christmas! Greetings, Doktor64!

  • @marciomaiajr
    @marciomaiajr 4 роки тому +1

    Your channel is great. I'm so happy I found it. Best regards and happy new year.

  • @uplinkx1126
    @uplinkx1126 4 роки тому +6

    Mine is coming next week :) Haven't been this excited since I was 8.

  • @stefanocrespi5424
    @stefanocrespi5424 4 роки тому +5

    Thanks Robin, this is the review this machine deserved. May I suggest to tryout, in eventual upcoming videos for thec64, error codes, original bugs, easter eggs and fastloaders?

  • @sebastianstark8517
    @sebastianstark8517 4 роки тому +1

    Loved this video and for the record, I didn't feel you were biased one way or the other. I found your review very objective and informative. Thanks so much!

  • @gabrielsroka
    @gabrielsroka 4 роки тому +31

    Chuck Peddle (1937-2019), rest in peace.

  • @AndyHewco
    @AndyHewco 4 роки тому +6

    Great coverage and information on getting the assembler running with 512k. I guess you could just save a state on The C64 once all set up?
    You also asked what advantages The C64 has and why you might choose to use it? I would add a huge feature (which you said you’d save for another time) is it also has a Vic 20 inside. If you are short on space, or want a better Vic output on a modern TV, The C64 does a good job here. :)

  • @baardbi
    @baardbi 4 роки тому +13

    Thank you for the best C64 review on UA-cam. I just love your channel. I really appreciate it when someone on UA-cam really knows what they're talking about. The fact that you're sharing your knowledge here is greatly appreciated.

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому

      It's not a C64, it's an emulator with half-decent keyboard.

    • @baardbi
      @baardbi 3 роки тому

      @@NuntiusLegis Well. You're kinda right about a few things. It's not a C64, it's a "TheC64". And yes. It's emulation. I have two 64c's and two breadbins so I understand what you're saying about the keyboard. Still I can't help liking TheC64. Now I can lie on my sofa and easily program in Basic on my living room TV. I used to do it with a real C64, but TheC64 gives a sharper and more stable image with HDMI. It's all in good fun.

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому

      @@baardbi Ordinary PC with VICE plus keyboard with C64 key stickers also works on the sofa and is way cheaper. ;-)

    • @baardbi
      @baardbi 3 роки тому

      @@NuntiusLegis Absolutely. I just need to get those stickers.

  • @alankerrigan
    @alankerrigan 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent review. Love the song at the end too.

  • @jameslewis2635
    @jameslewis2635 4 роки тому +2

    The speed issue is clearly that the games loaded on this machine were the EU/International versions which were designed to run on PAL. The fix in the video is totally valid but the simplest way to get around it is to just select PAL at the system setup. Since this version of the system was built for these markets I would imagine that the majority of the games that are pre-loaded would also be designed for PAL mode. The NTSC mode is most likely there as a compatibility feature so that those with a collection of NTSC based roms can use them without too much issue.

    • @rossdtool
      @rossdtool 4 роки тому

      Selecting the pal version in the setup doesn't change the speed of Impossible Mission on my one.

  • @Dazlidorne
    @Dazlidorne 3 роки тому +1

    I have a feeling there is going to be a huge demand for the Commodore key and logo to make this look more authentic.

  • @whitstodghill6128
    @whitstodghill6128 2 роки тому +1

    This is an INCREDIBLE review! Saved all your The C64 videos to watch again and again. Thank you!

  • @stefanjohansson3578
    @stefanjohansson3578 4 роки тому +1

    Happy New Year Robin!
    Great video as always, probably THE best The64 review online,
    and it's going to help sell a lot of The64 because you really do know
    what your'e talking about and hack into it. :)

  • @svenpetersen1965
    @svenpetersen1965 4 роки тому

    Excellent review, Robin. A couple of things, that I wanted to know about it were mentioned. Back in the 1980s, I liked to play David‘s Midnight pinball. That is now possible, too. I might still wait a bit, but finally, I want to get one, I think.

  • @mjdxp5688
    @mjdxp5688 4 роки тому

    I'll definitely use this and your other Q&A video as references when I get my C64 Maxi, great review!

  • @sandyd6602
    @sandyd6602 Рік тому +2

    I love your content 8-bit guy! You are a powerhouse of c64 knowledge. God bless you

  • @diyknutti8220
    @diyknutti8220 4 роки тому +1

    Amazing pro review. Looking forward to you take a look at vic-20 mode. Merry christmas.

  • @dodgierodders3217
    @dodgierodders3217 4 роки тому +1

    Great review mate! Super informative and detailed... especially with the icon placement on the keyboard, it's going to probably bug me now! Looking forward to getting this for Christmas and writing games out of the old c64 books. Happy Holidays!

  • @jm131719
    @jm131719 4 роки тому +1

    Simply one of the best reviews I've ever seen. Thanks. In my declining years, some things that gave me great joy when younger are coming back...The C64...going back to the Moon. Too much to hope for another Golden Retriever puppy? Time will tell...

  • @stupossibleify
    @stupossibleify 4 роки тому

    Great, in depth review! Was waiting for this

  • @branchonequal
    @branchonequal 4 роки тому +1

    I was looking forward to this! Great review, thanks! :) And pretty good SHMUP skills as well if I might add. ;)

  • @mmadmic
    @mmadmic 2 роки тому

    Probably the best technical review I found on this device, Thanks a lot !

  • @c64customs
    @c64customs 4 роки тому

    Hehe. very nice ending, Merry Christmas Robin, well done :)

  • @faridmehcer6517
    @faridmehcer6517 4 роки тому +3

    (Almost) comprehensive review!! Great and very informative stuff!
    Now if I may ask a couple things not covered here:
    1- How faithful/accurate is the emulation? How does it fare with running hardware limit-pushing and demanding demos and other taxing software of the sort that rely sometimes heavily on specifics of internal workings and quirks of the original machine?
    2- Is the joystick useable as a standard USB joystick? Can we plug and use it on a PC (great to play with other emulators), or is it exclusively working with theC64 Maxi?
    Thank you loads for this excellent review!

  • @Ironlord2015
    @Ironlord2015 4 роки тому

    17:20 the infamous scream also used in another absolute classic game 'Beach Head 2'. The sounds/speech in that game were also incredible!!

  • @MiharuHiramu
    @MiharuHiramu 3 роки тому +1

    What a great video and the ending was very heartwarming.

  • @hansoak3664
    @hansoak3664 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome review. Thank you!

  • @msthalamus2172
    @msthalamus2172 3 роки тому

    Most thorough review I've found. Thanks for making this!

  • @donaldklopper
    @donaldklopper 3 роки тому

    What a brilliant video. This is not just a review, but it's a wealth of tips and tricks and pointers to info...

  • @xotmatrix
    @xotmatrix 4 роки тому +2

    I'm not at all in the market for one of these but I greatly enjoyed this examination of it.

  • @markjohnson3737
    @markjohnson3737 4 роки тому +4

    I actually feel better about the machine knowing you had a hand in it!

  • @jovmilos
    @jovmilos 4 роки тому +2

    Nice review. That Wasteland box in the background though...

  • @paulmurgatroyd6372
    @paulmurgatroyd6372 4 роки тому +8

    The 'brown rainbow' of C64 colours! 😂

    • @mal2ksc
      @mal2ksc 3 роки тому +2

      Would a rainbow of brown candy be called Shittles?

    • @paulmurgatroyd6372
      @paulmurgatroyd6372 3 роки тому

      @@mal2ksc I'm not sure the marketing people would go for that, but a C64 themed bag of skittles would be ace.

    • @OfficialRainsynth
      @OfficialRainsynth 3 роки тому

      64 shades of brown.

  • @iamtheoneorg
    @iamtheoneorg 4 роки тому

    Great Video! Love the 512k hack. I managed to make it work on thec64 mini too. BUT for the super snapshot cart to work with the 512 i had to make a save state snapshot in vice 2.4 like you did but including the snapshot crt with it. love your videos and i like more thec64 hack and assembly tuto. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

  • @superx9619
    @superx9619 2 роки тому

    Oh wow you did the programming on these, that's really impressive and cool!

  • @joakimbrewitz2393
    @joakimbrewitz2393 Рік тому

    Thanks for another fantasic video!!! I just ordered my own "The C64". Hope to get it before the weekend, Greetings from Sweden ;)

  • @kobe3576
    @kobe3576 4 роки тому

    Loving your videos so far. They are very informative and well built. You are totally spoiling us. 😂😂😂

  • @ZxSpectrumplus
    @ZxSpectrumplus 7 місяців тому

    I have both a MAXI and a real C64. Both are good for their own purposes. Maxi will probably less likely to die in the foreseeable future...i have spent a good amount of money to resurrect my C64 including new ARMSID, CIAs, a bunch of other chips, kung fu cart, SD2IEC+fastload carts, S-video cables and PSU....But i can use real Paddles which i have built on the real C64, so plus point to the real thing there. Still trying to make a USB Paddle...but very freaking complicated unlike the C64 paddle...just analog signal input, no micro controllers. Anyway, this is probably the best review of the C64 MAXI yet...shows you all the stuff you can do with it in simple step by step, especially good for people like me who don't own a C64 back in the heydays.

  • @meneerjansen00
    @meneerjansen00 4 роки тому

    That hack to enable the additional REU memory is great!!!! Thanks man.

  • @alanpwhelan
    @alanpwhelan 3 роки тому

    A fantastic review, many thanks for showing what THEC64 is really capable of 👍🏻

  • @Horos_de_Vega
    @Horos_de_Vega 4 роки тому +2

    Fantastic review. Fantastic.

  • @Zion767318
    @Zion767318 4 роки тому +1

    Great Review and you earned another Subscriber! I haven't messed around on a C64 since the mid to late 80s. I look forward to picking one of these up and re-living my childhood memories with playing the C64 with my Dad and starting to dabble in learning to use BASIC! I look forward to watching more videos from you for "TheC64" and have a good day! :)

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому

      Emulator on PC and / or real C64 should cover your needs better for less money.

    • @Zion767318
      @Zion767318 3 роки тому

      @@NuntiusLegis Since leaving this comment my dad and I uncovered our Commodore 64, 1541 Disk Drive and 1702 Monitor. We also found all our accessories and software. It’s currently out of order, but I’m going to be sending it out for inspection/repair tomorrow afternoon. I look forward to getting it up and running again.

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому

      @@Zion767318 Good luck!

    • @Zion767318
      @Zion767318 3 роки тому

      @@NuntiusLegis They specialize in servicing vintage computers like the Commodore 64. I’ve dealt with them before, very professional.

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому

      @@Zion767318 Great. I got my C64C and !541 II out a few months ago, connected it to a 4:3 TFT TV from Ebay via s-video and enjoy better picture quality than ever in the 80s when I only had a worn out CRT TV. But a proper CRT monitor like your 1702 should be even better.

  • @xenorac
    @xenorac 2 роки тому

    Bookmarking this as it seems to be the go to for how to use this newfangled whatchamacallit, great video!

  • @SL-sz9mj
    @SL-sz9mj 4 роки тому +1

    Great review. Thank you

  • @ice2642
    @ice2642 2 роки тому

    Congratulations! great video! This C64 appears to be very cool!

  • @PaulRoneClarke
    @PaulRoneClarke 3 роки тому

    My C64 - which I loved - was grey and slightly larger than my friends. Turns out that some were put in old Vic 20 cases which were almost identical - but maybe 3 or 4 mm taller. The colours varied. There was beige, cream and grey that I saw brand new. Most sold and made in Europe (put together in Germany I think) were grey and many used left-over Vic 20 cases.. No one cared at the time. Seems people care more now and think that some are "wrong" - which strikes me as a very strange attitude to have.

  • @danielkarlsson156
    @danielkarlsson156 4 роки тому +1

    Very informative review!

  • @NeilRoy
    @NeilRoy 4 роки тому

    Nice review. I have to say, this looks like a nice machine. I may look into one myself. I love the look and feel of a classic C64 with modern conveniences. This would be nice for a great number of other machines as well. A classic Amiga 500 perhaps or even Atari 2600 etc... with the same look and feel.

  • @robinbrowne5419
    @robinbrowne5419 Рік тому

    My brother and I have a tradition of playing Christmas Lemmings every Christmas. While this is hectic enough, it is far less frenetic than Sarah's Santron game. So congratulations to Sarah for creating the game and to you for making it so far without getting blown to smithereens :-)

  • @satan3959
    @satan3959 4 роки тому +5

    Just wanted to point out to people: if you're not too sure how to make a D64 image in VICE, that there is a program called DirMaster that makes it very easy.

    • @imbezol
      @imbezol 4 роки тому

      c1541 utility comes with VICE.
      # create a new d64 disk image
      c1541 -format "my disk,01" d64 "mydisk.d64"
      # add a file to it
      c1541 -attach "mydisk.d64" -write "myfavgame.prg" "myfavgame"
      # list the contents
      c1541 -attach "mydisk.d64" -list

  • @scottbreon9448
    @scottbreon9448 4 роки тому +1

    It's a good system overall, but there are a couple of things that I personally would have liked to have been implemented (perhaps in a future firmware update...)
    1. mouse support (would come in handy if you want to fool around with programs like GEOS)
    2. Support for memory expansion modules in VIC-20 mode (perhaps with a flag(s))

    • @8_Bit
      @8_Bit  4 роки тому

      Yes, mouse support would be great. I was under the impression that the VIC-20 mode already does support different memory configurations, but I haven't played with it myself yet. I know there's a section about it, anyway.

    • @paulweston1106
      @paulweston1106 4 роки тому

      8 Bit Guy has a demo showing how to use VIC-20 expansion modules by way of flags.

    • @tym0tym
      @tym0tym 4 роки тому

      I'm waiting for mine. But it seems that it could be done using the same method as REU hack - preconfiguring snapshot of GEOS and VICE settings to use 1351 mouse

  • @bgelais
    @bgelais 4 роки тому +1

    can't wait to see this one in sales in Canada...I defenitively will buy it!

  • @kalle1453
    @kalle1453 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you Retro Games for truly having done a remake of the C64. I love you.

  • @purelyconstructive
    @purelyconstructive 4 роки тому +1

    This device seems pretty awesome! Thank you for doing such an in-depth review...and for the hearty laugh at the end. Hahaha!

  • @bitwize
    @bitwize 2 роки тому

    I've seen videos where the original Commodore 64 keyboard sounds identical to THEC64's keyboard. What I think is happening here is that different Commodore 64s were released with different keyboards: some have membrane keyboards like THEC64, some have something a little more robust. I *know* this is true of the TI-99/4A. The one I bought has Stackpole keyswitches (making it relatively easy to fix the key glitches I experienced), but some TI-99/4As shipped with Alps or membrane switches, even considering just the silver model.
    Darn... now I want a THE99/4A. Maybe with emulated PEB, 32k expansion, and certainly speech synthesizer!

  • @justjoe78
    @justjoe78 4 роки тому

    I’m an Apple II fanboy, but the quality of C64 games is far superior than the Apple ports in most cases. You’ve done a great job of showing that TheC64 can emulate the actual functionality of a real C64. Will buy. Also, the PAL vs NTSC thing is what killed the PS Classic out-of-box experience. Sony used PAL versions of some of the games to cut costs. This was fixed in the modding community by allowing users to change settings either in the emulator or by just using NTSC images via USB. Thanks for the detailed review.

  • @Ensign_Cthulhu
    @Ensign_Cthulhu 4 роки тому

    This thing seems like the best of both worlds. I have what is in effect a very fast hard drive, yet I can load and save from and to a (virtual) floppy with good old comma-eight commands.
    The one thing this needs now is support for an external Commodore FDD, with some sort of adapter to connect through the USB. Pull all my old files off the floppies I kept all these years.

  • @brianmertens5954
    @brianmertens5954 4 роки тому +11

    much better review than the 8-bit guy

  • @JasonGambacort
    @JasonGambacort 7 місяців тому

    Great vid! Nice to know there's a bit of a Canadian connection to the development of TheC64, even if you were just a lowly contractor. :) It's been a few years now since the release of this box and it's unfortunate that there never was any real Canadian distribution. Feels like Retro Games really dropped the ball on that.

    • @8_Bit
      @8_Bit  7 місяців тому

      Yes, I don't understand why they couldn't at least have Amazon dot ca be an official distributor along with dot com.

  • @habitek
    @habitek 4 роки тому

    Amazing. Your skills are impressive!

  • @deadscenedotcom
    @deadscenedotcom 4 роки тому +2

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому +1

      Keyboard with C64 stickers and all needs are covered.

  • @CRCO1975
    @CRCO1975 3 роки тому

    I don’t know if you’ve seen the Full Sized “The VIC 20” but i bought one recently and have been having fun with it. The issue you noted with the keyboard number 0 being not lined up with the rest of the numbers has been fixed. My “0” lines up with the 9.

  • @mikerobertson4057
    @mikerobertson4057 4 роки тому +1

    I am glad that you also noticed the ZERO misaligned. It drives me crazy.

    • @mac70
      @mac70 4 роки тому

      As an almost 50 year old Dutch 'kid', I certainly have to get this device, although I have an original CBM64 as well! ;-) I pre-ordered The C64 Maxi at www.nedgame.nl and see a picture of a C64 with the '0' on the zero-key that is aligned perfectly. See: www.nedgame.nl/afbeeldingen/the-c64-microcomputer/screenshots/3_5066541970.jpg. Perhaps a new serie/batch of C64's?

  • @paulvanderlaak700
    @paulvanderlaak700 3 роки тому

    I would love a show from you with a 1541 ultimate or an ultimate 64 ! For sure you will love that device. The latter has an HDMI and a ton of possibilities. I like to watch all your shows. Keep em coming. 😃👌🕹

  • @G.B...
    @G.B... 4 роки тому +1

    Easily the best review of the C64 maxi. Most reviews just show this machine playing C64 games or running two-liners written in the useless CBM Basic 2. I was curious how this replica works with TMP and not only you gave an answer, but also provided a "hack" to make it work with TMP+REU. My C64 died several years ago, and I am considering buying the C64 maxi, since it is way cheaper than the alternative options. The information you provided was really helpful. Thank you, and keep up the good work!
    A few questions, if you have time... Can this machine emulate the NEOS mouse (or any of the old C64 mouses) by plugging in an optical mouse in one of its USB ports? Can it emulate two disk drives? Also, I noticed that VICE often slows down while running TMP. Even cursor movement is noticeably slower after some time working on TMP; sometimes VICE also pops up a window saying memory is "dumped" (and that without messing up with reserved memory). Did you notice anything similar on "the C64"? A soft reset solves the issue in VICE, but this replica does not have a soft reset, so I wonder how it performs when working more "seriously", with larger assembly code.

  • @Tauchteamhh
    @Tauchteamhh 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you. My main question how to save files to USB-Sticks you answered in this video - and many other thing. I hole that many people start programming for C64 again. I love this machine! May be next year we get with the new Atari a ebirth of competition against C64- and Atari-Systems again ;-)

    • @NuntiusLegis
      @NuntiusLegis 3 роки тому

      Competition against real C64s, even against VICE on PCs will be harder.

  • @rolandgerard6064
    @rolandgerard6064 3 роки тому

    This is a really a good review. Thanks a lot.

  • @Nick_R_
    @Nick_R_ 2 роки тому

    Good to see you have great gamer skills as well as tech skills!

  • @greggregson9687
    @greggregson9687 4 роки тому +1

    Excellent, excellent review. I felt ambivalent towards this thing when I first heard about it, and after I received no replies to emails I sent to the devs, but you have answered all the questions I asked them, and more. How do you find the SID sound vs an original?
    Now all we need is a 'The Amiga500' to come out ;)

    • @jonniefast
      @jonniefast 3 роки тому

      nothing is as good as the original SID (hence the crazy prices in synthland) - however i still enjoy my mini

  • @monolalia
    @monolalia 4 роки тому

    Great overview/review! I especially wanted to know about mounting cartridge images.
    Been wondering about the speed and 50/60 Hz/PAL/NTSC issues. I watched RetroManCave's stream about the TheC64, and *everything* seemed too fast whether he booted into PAL or NTSC mode. Games like IO and R-Type (D64) were *unplayably* fast, the Monty on the Run music was on overdrive, and so on. (Video output was always shown as 60 Hz and we didn't notice any way to change it.)
    But! When I run VICE on my PC, which also outputs 60 Hz video, everything feels much like it does on my real hardware PAL C64s. So the hertzitude of the video signal to the monitor doesn't seem to be an inherent problem. 'course my PC isn't a tiny system on a chip. I dunno how it all hangs together.
    Just... pretty sure I wouldn't make it far into sped-up Cybernoid or IO (can't make it far into them at regular speed, either)... I can't believe NTSC gamers played like that... surely those European games weren't made for that breakneck pace!

    • @8_Bit
      @8_Bit  4 роки тому

      I think TheC64 is really striving for a tight, no "tearing" sync between the HDMI display and the emulation, so the ideal is to run the HDMI at the same Hz as the VIC emulation. Presumably if you run VICE full-screen with a 60 Hz display and 50 Hz (PAL) emulation on your PC, you will see some visual artifacts from it. But maybe not! :) It'd probably be most noticeable when running games with full-screen fast scrolling.
      And yeah, we really did play Cybernoid at 60 Hz. It was such a relief to finally play it at 50 Hz many years later :)

    • @monolalia
      @monolalia 4 роки тому

      @@8_Bit I can imagine. :)
      I don't "feel" that 50 fps VICE on a 60 Hz monitor causes any issues. PC games also run with all sorts of 'mismatched' and situationally shifting fps as a matter of course...
      But -- I do have to use Nvidia's "ForceCompositionPipeline" option or a compositing window manager to prevent screen tearing (Linux here; don't know about Windows or Mac). So maybe that's a step the TheC64 would have to perform but can't or decided not to. (Speculation!)

  • @sergeant5848
    @sergeant5848 4 роки тому +1

    Almost perfect. Just need the C128 to be reborn with C64 and VIC20 emulation included and I'll be in Commodore 8-bit heaven again.

  • @timmckishen4226
    @timmckishen4226 4 роки тому

    How does the new C64 maxi and \ or The C64 mini handle playing text adventures? The mini of course with a USB keyboard? I haven't been able to find anyone on Google, on UA-cam or anywhere mention this for neither device. Thank you in advance for any information on this. Tim

  • @skideric
    @skideric 4 роки тому

    Great Review from an Actual C64 Programmer. Love It ! Best Yet !

  • @karlfoley
    @karlfoley 4 роки тому +2

    What were Retrogames Limited like to work with?

  • @LeftoverBeefcake
    @LeftoverBeefcake 4 роки тому +10

    What would be really nifty is if you could plug in a modern USB printer and use old software like Print Shop and geoWrite like the good old days for some nice retro signs and cards and stuff. Or hook up a Raspberry Pi via a USB cable, and run tcpser on the Pi so it can be used as a modem for dialing into telnet BBS's. Guess we'll see how hackable this thing is in the months and years to come. Excellent video as always, and I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas! :)

    • @DaveGagliardi
      @DaveGagliardi 4 роки тому +2

      I second this... is it possible to plug in a usb serial device and have it show up on "The C64"?

    • @Curt_Sampson
      @Curt_Sampson 4 роки тому +1

      Given that the old printers themselves need to be emulated, it would probably make more sense to write an emulation of those that just generated output in PDF format, and then you can move the output documents to whatever system you like to print them, or just send the PDFs to whomever needs them.

  • @Shamino0
    @Shamino0 4 роки тому

    Great review. Thanks.
    One question: is there a way to attach a genuine Commodore floppy disk drive? As I understand it, C64 drives are serial devices, so it would seem to me that a USB serial port and a custom cable might make it possible (possibly requiring a C64 firmware update).
    Maybe this doesn't really matter, because people with C64 floppies probably also have a computer to attach the drive to, but I'm thinking that someone without an computer might want to buy old software on floppy disk on eBay or from a flea market and would then need some way to load it into the C64, or at least transfer the content to an image file.
    Ditto for cassettes. Could you attach an audio cassette player via a USB audio interface and use it to load C64/VIC20 software? Again, it seems that this should be possible, although it might require firmware support for the USB audio interface.
    What do you think? Does this make sense or am I making too many assumptions about Commodore's hardware?

  • @AstAMoore
    @AstAMoore 4 роки тому

    The common Spectrum control keys would be QAOP and M (or Space). They’ve got some sort of hybrid keyboard controls.

  • @Pappy55
    @Pappy55 3 роки тому

    I have a real C64c but this just looks so conveniant as hassle free for playing and doing C64 stuff. I might have to pick one up. Also cool for picking out one of Sarah Jane Avory's games. I have met her in person a few times. She is one of the delevops at Frontier Developments. She does a lot of C64 stuff in her own time and is working on a new game atm.

    • @8_Bit
      @8_Bit  3 роки тому

      Yes, Sarah is extremely talented!

  • @azzajohnson2123
    @azzajohnson2123 4 роки тому +9

    Canadians literally apologise for everything, such nice people. Great content! Keep it up!

  • @WhatALoadOfTosca
    @WhatALoadOfTosca 3 роки тому

    Brilliant review. May I ask what the Commodore Security badge is about?

  • @5kehhn
    @5kehhn 4 роки тому

    Good, thorough review.

  • @charleswidmore5458
    @charleswidmore5458 4 роки тому

    What hardware is under the hood on this thing?
    I have an electronics background and would love to see a breakdown of it.
    Many others here would probably love it as well.
    How does the new chip stack against the 6502/ 6510 of the older designs?
    Do you think we will see an Amiga or ST soon?

    • @arjanvanraaij8440
      @arjanvanraaij8440 4 роки тому +2

      It is based on an ARM CPU and Linux operating system running the VICE emulator.

  • @RMoocher
    @RMoocher 4 роки тому

    Thank you for the video and blank disk images. I don't own "The C64", but I do own an SD2iec for my original C64's. There's programs I've saved to tape that I'd like to put on disk.

    • @RMoocher
      @RMoocher 4 роки тому

      Programs which I've now just saved directly to my SD card, lol.