Lord Thag

Thanks, I'll check these out. From what I'm seeing, it seems like the c64 and Atari, for all the inter-community 'which one is best' arguing, actually complement each other well. They have quite a few games in common that are great on both systems, but outside that, the 'great' stuff is completely different.

I generally get repros of games that are stupidly overpriced and unavailable elsewhere. Plenty of places sell nice, high quality stuff now too. They're great for putting english translations of overseas games on actual hardware too.

I have one of these now, and I've been playing it extensively over the last week. It's a nice, cheap option. Looks good on a big tv, though like most of these, I'd prefer a slightly better upscaler. The console itself feels sturdy, solid, and of quality build. In addition, it literally plays everything I throw at it, so there's that. Combined with one of the new 8-bit do pads, this thing is the first modern console clone I can see using as a daily driver. It's not perfect, but for $30 on Amazon? It's pretty damn close for the price range for a modern clone.

I've been playing/collecting Atari since the beginning, and I use a Genesis Ascii Powerclutch stick on ALL my ataris. Seriously, a nice genesis arcade stick and an edladding adaptor make the 7800 actually playable, and I get way better scores on 2600 stuff like HERO, River Raid etc. Atari made some great hardware. Their controllers were, to a one, primitive, unreliable, and painful to use. I see no reason to use them now. Before genesis controllers were a thing, I liked slik sticks and Tac-2s. I've never like Atari's controllers, and none of the kids on my block did either. We all had 3rd party.

Hey all. I've been an Atari 8-bit person since the thing was being sold in stores, but I've always been curious about the c64. I never owned one back in the day, but I did use them in school computer labs (mainly to play Sword of Fargoal). I've bought a couple, and sold them, over the years, mainly due to not having software to take advantage of them (this was way before SD card interfaces). Anyway, long story short, I have a c64 mini and VICE set up now, and have been diving into the library... ...only to be pretty disappointed. I know the late release rpg/gold box/origin/ssi stuff is great, but outside of that, I'm finding a lot of the arcade ports to be slow/clunky in comparison to the Atari or even Spectrum. I had better luck finding stuff to play on the ZX Spectrum, honestly. Which means I'm playing the wrong stuff. This computer has a huge following for a reason, but I'm unfamiliar with the library, and all the stuff I'm trying is just ok at best, probably because it's the stuff that's great on Atari, which hit it's peak in the arcade era, when the c64 was just getting off the ground. So, what are some of your favorite games? Point me in the right direction!

Awesome, I'll be playing this weekend after the game show. I played the older one quite a bit, one of my favs,

I've seen a few arcade conversions like this where you plug the game into a slot in the joystick panel (which basically has a VCS board bolted underneath with home-made joystick cables run to the arcade controls, reset/select buttons wired etc). It's easy enough to buy some lumber and build a cab and wire it up to a spare TV. You can get custom vinyl and overlays printed. Best advice, having done stuff like this is: don't underestimate the amount of work involved. And don't do it half-assed. Make it a 6 month project and do it right and it'll be pretty amazing. Had one on display at a retro expo I went to that was really neat, and got lots of play.

Yeah, same. Most of the kids I know who were dedicated games did just fine with both games. I beat both of them many times as a kid, and I read both manuals. The people who struggled were more of the occasional players who just wanted something simple like Pac Man or Galaxian.

In terms of skill, in general, I'd say I'm better now for sure. It's a combination of experience and analytical ability, and my reflexes are still pretty good. That said, there are way, WAY more games to play now, so it's rare I devote the time to master a single one, to wrap the score or whatever like I did as a kid. Hard to keep interest in some of the more simple VCS games for hours upon hours. Modern games have replaced the marathon sessions. The retro stuff tends to be the daily 'quick fix' or late night before bed kinda thing, while marathon sessions of games are generally only occasionally when a game (usually your Skyrim/Fallout/Dark Souls kinda deals) really grabs me. A lot of the 'my reflexes are still pretty good' is due, I think, to my wife an I choosing not to have kids (WAY more free time than most adults and we're free to pursue our interests), and the fact that I've never stopped playing regularly. Some studies have shown that gaming keeps your reflexes in decent shape as you get older, which is also an excellent excuse as to why I didn't get to the dishes. 'Sorry honey, I'm just keeping my reflexes sharp as I age!" Then I usually have to dodge a throw pillow, which also helps keep them in good shape.

Try it now, clicked the wrong setting when uploading.

Yeah just pattern memorize the first level so you can get powered up, then you can steamroll most of the rest of the game. If you die though, ANY spot you are in is just murdertown, so hit reset, get powered up, and try again. It's a lot like the old Gradius games that way.

I know you're sold on wired, and so was I, but the new 8bitdo Genesis M30 controllers are, I kid you not, the most amazing retro controller -past or present- I've ever used. Amazing D pad, switchable 3/6 button config, turbo, and an amazingly great feeling, heft, and quality. For $25. I bought 3 and use them on everything. Way better than any wired stick/controller I have. That said, if you want wired but new, the Hyperkin controllers are pretty decent. For original era, I'm very fond of the Asciiware Power Clutch joysticks. 3 button, but man, they are great arcade sticks.

Thanks! I'm hoping it will be. First time trying something like this on a retro console, though I've done some programming in the past on the side. Once I get a way to test it on hardware, I'll get back to working on it.

It is at first. I just found out it doesn't stay that way. The first level, when you're not powered up is murder... but if you can last long enough to get fully powered up you can blaze through the other levels fairly simply. I'd never gotten past the first and then I got to the end on the first try. It's one of those games where if you die with full powerups, just start over. There's no point. Definitely needs some rebalancing, but it's a very good shmup.

Here are some screen shots of what I have so far. Early days yet, still some placeholder graphics etc. Just waiting on a hardware dev solution.

Yeah, same, hence the sequel. I just need a way to test it on actual hardware to continue development. It's a several screen kinda deal. First screen is a higher res version of the mothership first level of the original, only with the ships from Atlantis added making attack runs in addition to the meteors. Gets pretty hectic. Second screen is you piloting your lander through an asteroid swarm picking up escape pods from all the destroyed Atlantean arks. Third level is a collection screens with floating islands, survivors to rescue and defense bases firing at you, where you have to contend with gravity and inertia. A 4th planned (but not programmed) screen will have you piloting the lander through a cave system, and finally a boss battle with the gorgon flagship.

I'd love to come out to this, can't get the time off though. Be sure you guys post plenty of pics after!

For sure, that's a GREAT remake. I still find myself playing Crystal Quest a lot. I beat it when it came out, but it's a fun game. I find I prefer the Adventure Island style of platformer, where it's less about powerups and more about timing. I also enjoy all the hidden secrets to be found. Rikki and Vikki is great that way too, there are all kinds of little extras and things squirreled away. Good time to be a 7800 fan.

Yeah I really want one of these as well. It'll motivate me to get my setup dialed and working so I can jump online.

Yeah the lack of a hardware flashcart solution really sucks. I have a 75% finished spiritual sequel to Cosmic Ark done, but I need to be able to test it on hardware to continue developing. I'll buy the first one that becomes available.

I like both, but tend to play the original more. Probably due to the fact that I usually play it on consoles, and the home DKJr ports were never as good, generally.