Commodore 64
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As Apple relaxes App Store rules, C64 emulator for iOS gets BASIC again
If you weren't already convinced that Apple is seriously easing back on some of its more annoying App Store restrictions with the appearance of titles like GV Voice (a Google Voice client), this news might help. After a wild ride of ping-pong approvals and pulls, Manomio's C64 emulator has reappeared in the Store with its BASIC interpreter fully intact, and available for your coding pleasure. We've tested the software and can confirm that you will indeed be able to revisit your youth (provided your youth took place in the early 80's) via the newest version of the software. Of course, it's not super fun to program using the tiny, virtual C64 keyboard provided onscreen, but couple this with a Bluetooth keyboard of your choosing, and you can pretty much go wild. The emulator is available right this moment for $4.99, and obviously it's a free upgrade for those who've already bought in.
Commodore USA announces the PC64, an Atom-powered PC in a replica Commodore case
We have a fondness for Commodore computers (as you've probably noticed by now) and we are psyched that Commodore USA is still flying the flag for the once-ubiquitous brand, but as they always are in this biz, things are a little... complicated. We were first contacted way back in March when the company shared the news that it had acquired the rights to sell PCs under the name. Then what happened? Turns out this was not exactly the case... although CEO Barry Altman assured us that they were on their way towards hammering out a deal. And here we are, in possession of a press release saying that indeed, Commodore USA, LLC, and Commodore Licensing B.V. have finally come to an agreement, meaning that your subsequent purchases will at least come with a Commodore decal. But that ain't all! This also paves the way for the company's newest offering, the Commodore PC64, an Intel Atom-powered PC featuring 4GB DDR3 memory, SATA 1TB HDD, HDMI output, optical drive (either DVD/CD or optional Blu-ray), and more -- all in "an exact replica" of the original beige C64 chassis. Of course, doing any significant amount of work with the original Commodore keyboard will probably be a challenge, but we like to think we're up to it. As always, we'll believe it when we see it, but in the meantime we'd like to be the first to formally request a review unit. If everything goes according to plan, this bad boy should be out in time for the holidays. PR after the break.
iPhone Commodore 64 emulator back on the App Store
Having been rejected, accepted and subsequently removed, developer Manomio has finally gotten its iPhone Commodore 64 emulator back on Apple's App Store. The emulator had originally been rejected by Apple, thanks to its inclusion of a BASIC interpreter. Access to the interpreter was later removed, and the app was accepted, only to be later removed after some users figured out how to hack it and access the interpreter. Now, with further revised code, the emulator has reappeared on the App Store. In addition to the revised code, Casualgaming.biz reports that the application has received a boost in performance as well as three new games, International Basketball, International Baseball, and International Tennis. These new titles join the other bundled games, Dragons Den, Le Mans, Arctic Shipwreck, Jack Attack and Jupiter Lander. C64 ($4.99):
VC in Brief: Wonder Boy III (SMS) and Cybernoid (C64)
This week's Virtual Console update is quite the doozie, giving us one obscure C64 title and one game we've played a billion times. We don't mean to sound bitter, but we're pretty sure there's a baker's dozen Wonder Boy games littering the lands of the Virtual Console. Check 'em out above! Cybernoid (C64, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.
VC in Brief: Last Ninja 2 (Commodore 64)
Last Ninja 2 (Commodore 64, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)We say: Save your sawbuck This week's VC in Brief is all about Last Ninja 2, the story of one ninja trapped in 1988 New York city. For me, it was more the story of ninja persecution at the hands of the NYPD, but, to be fair, juggling clowns in the park didn't seem to like me either. Regardless, I found that Last Ninja 2 -- much like its predecessor -- just isn't for me. Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.
NintendoWare Weekly: You, Last Ninja 2, Family Tennis and the Cubes
Studies show that American consumers are most receptive to downloadable content at the beginning of the week. It's true! Why do you think Nintendo dumps its releases out on Mondays? It's not rocket science, people. But, we digress. Hop past the break to check out what's new this week for download on Wii and DSi.
Apple pulls C64 App after Manomio shenanigans revealed
Come on Manomio, what did you expect? Did you really think Apple would leave your C64 emulator in the App Store after it was revealed that the BASIC interpreter was still in your software, exposed with a little up, up, down, down, left, right trickery? That's a clear breach of the SDK and well, downright sneaky. In a blog post to its site, Manomio claims that it had "no intention of tricking basic into the app" and only left the code in to be remotely activated later should Apple change its policy. Of course, with so much money left on the table, Manomio promptly submitted a new, presumably BASIC-free app for approval. Something we're sure Apple will get right on.[Via The iPhone blog]Read -- Enable BASIC in C64 hackRead -- Manomio's plea for mercy
C64 emulator ready, running on iPhone
Earlier this summer, developer Manomio's officially-licensed Commodore 64 emulator app for iPhone hit the news -- not because it was released then, but rather because it wasn't. Apple rejected the app because it "launched other executable code," specifically, C64 games. Now, Apple Insider reports that the app has been given a second chance. Apple approved it, now that the 3.0 SDK allows in-app purchases -- and therefore, we supposed keeps the emulator part, and the ROMS, closed and inaccessible. Now we just have to wait for the official release of the app! Oh, except it's already in the App Store right now for five bucks, with included copies of Dragons Den, Le Mans, Jupiter Lander, Arctic Shipwreck, and Jack Attack.C64 (Manomio, $5.99) [Via Engadget]
If you only watch one 8-bit Lego animation today, make it 8-bit trip
Rymdreglage's 8-bit trip (see it after the break!) combines an original chiptune composition by Daniel Larsson with a ridiculously amazing Lego animation by Thomas Redigh to create a memorable tribute to the Commodore 64 and NES. The video is composed almost entirely of Lego pixel animation, with stop-motion nods to International Karate, Tetris, Super Mario Bros., and Pac-Man. The Pong sequence is especially jaw-dropping, featuring the proto-game playing on the interior of a spinning structure as it constantly destroys and rebuilds itself. The animation, according to the video's YouTube description, took 1,500 hours, and it shows. More work by Rymdreglage can be found at the duo's website. Not right now, though, because the Internet has crushed the site with its love. [Thanks, Darric]
NintendoWare Weekly: Final Fantasy IV, Mighty Flip Champs
Even though we're beginning our hellish descent into the mouth of madness that is E3, Nintendo is still taking the time to unload the downloadable goods to fans. This week, you'll find some fresh DSiWare, and your usual doses of WiiWare and Virtual Console goodies to boot. So, head past the break to check out what's available this week on Nintendo platforms.
Nintendo / C64 purse is runway-caliber fashion accessory
Look: there are purses, and then there are purses. Well, this one is none of those things. It's a decent looking bag to begin with, but then... well, things get really fantastic. Jeri Ellsworth took it upon herself to cram a Nintendo-on-a-chip and a Commodore 64-on-a-chip (her own creation) into the bag, along with an LCD. Then she connected up some NES controllers, which are velcroed onto the outside of the bag. The result looks awesome, and is also actually useable. We haven't heard anything about these guys being offered for sale, but we're fairly certain that the august House of Dior will probably be ringing her up any day now. Seriously: this thing is a work of art. There's a video of Jeri talking about her creation after the break. [Via Make]
ESRB rates Tecmo's Wiimote-shaking WiiWare game, more C64 VC games
Tecmo's Atsui 12 Game Furi Furi Party was initially revealed at TGS as a barebones WiiWare game that did nothing but score players based on the speed of their waggling. When it was released in Japan late last month, it appeared to be much more full-featured, with multiple modes and, you know, graphics.We'll have our chance to experience the Furi Furi Party in the future! The ESRB has posted a rating for a Tecmo Wii game called 3-2-1 Rattle Battle. Rattle Battle! It's pretty catchy.In other ESRB news, two more Commodore 64 games have been rated for release on the Wii: Impossible Mission and Boulder Dash.[Via Siliconera]
Ben Heck's Commodore 64 laptop mod: like 1982 without the feathered hair
Benjamin J. Heckendorn seems unusually enthused by his latest hack'n mod, calling the Commodore 64 laptop "probably one of, if not my favorite project I have done." That's saying something from the man who brought the "Benheck" finesse hammer down upon just about every modern and classic PC / game console and accessory you can think of. The C64 lappie features a C64C motherboard, a Gamecube power supply, and special 1541-III DTV device that emulates a floppy drive using a FAT-32 formatted SD card -- all while keeping true to the beige 8-bit spirit of the original. And if we're not mistaken, he's controlling it with an Atari joystick seen in the video posted after the break. Then again, there could be an Xbox 360 controller hiding in that joystick knowing Ben. [Via Nowhereelse]
VC Friday: Let the Games Continue
European Wii owners this week are treated to something they must have known was coming sooner or later: Epyx's Winter Games. The multi-event Olympic games seem like canonical European games of the era, and Summer Games 2 is already out. Eventually, North American gamers will get to enjoy things like this! Personally, the last time this blogger played Winter Games, it was on the Atari 7800.Also available this week for PAL downloaders: last week's North American release, Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS. It lacks the multiplayer of the arcade game, but it's a pretty okay action game on its own, full of ridiculous attitude and 16-bit bombast. Overall, it's not the greatest week, but neither is it Urban Champion. Winter Games -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Videos of the Games: CLIPS after the break.
Commodore 64 emulator brings retro joy to Symbian S60
Have a Symbian S60-based handset in your pocket, do you? If you've a fever that can only be cured by more Commodore 64, you're in luck. The FrodoS60 application brings C64 emulation right to your N95, N96 or any other S60 mobile, and the updated version (1.5) even includes accelerometer support. Head past the break for a quick look at how much joy this little app could bring to your life, and hit the read link if you're interested in getting in on it. Which you are, so stop denying it.[Via digitoday, thanks Antti]
Did LucasArts invent the avatar-based virtual world in 1985?
The computer gaming industry of the 1980s was akin to the automotive industry in the 1950s: experimental and courageous. LucasArts (through a branch known then as Lucasfilm Games) had the money to throw around in game development at the time. As we can read in a new book, one of their experiments was at least a decade ahead of its time.This book, entitled Rogue Leaders: The Story of LucasArts, chronicles the history of George Lucas' vision through more than just his films. A project entitled Habitat enabled Commodore 64 users to create an avatar and chat with other players in a simple virtual world via a modem. Despite the fact that this game never got off the ground, its ideas were still brand new to everyone. Why didn't the project ever see the light of day? There were several reasons, but mainly the fact that C64 users were paying CompuServe $12 an hour for network access back then. This innovation also pushed Commodore to invest in a new company called Quantum Computer Services to undercut CompuServe with rates "as low as" $3.60 an hour. Quantum Computer Services eventually changed their name to America Online. Sound interesting? There's much more to the story, as you can read over at GameSetWatch, or the book itself, found at Amazon.
VC Friday: Impossible Mission II on PAL Wii Shop ... FOREVER
We've talked about our love of Impossible Mission in a previous VC Friday, and now the PAL Wii Shop has the sequel! That we never played! Oh, happy days. If you haven't downloaded the first game, why on earth not? Beyond the crude visuals lies a highly entertaining and surprisingly atmospheric puzzle-based platformer. The sequel sounds like more of the same but with a few new robots, which is fine with us.Meanwhile, Last Ninja 3 is the second C64 title available this week. Has it aged as poorly as the first two? Probably. It certainly looks similar in footage, though Reyn Ouwehand's soundrack still rocks our socks. Then there's Boogerman, which you really shouldn't download. Here's a video explaining why. Last Ninja 3* -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points Impossible Mission II* -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points * Europe only, obviously. As usual, make the jump for videos of all three.%Gallery-39158%
Beloved C64 Mario clone now on a Nintendo system
Time Warp Productions' The Great Giana Sisters is highly regarded as one of the Commodore 64's best platform games. It was also an unsubtle Super Mario Bros. clone, a fact which resulted in the removal of the game from the market. Even handicapped by total retail unavailability, the game propagated enough to become a classic, as did its much more original soundtrack. Developer Spellbound Entertainment is bringing the sisters back, with a new game on the DS. The graphical style has changed quite a bit, with smooth backgrounds reminiscent of Cave Story, but the Mario influence is still as clear as ever. Publisher dtp Entertainment is planning a June 2009 release (presumably in Europe, where people know what The Great Giana Sisters is).It's not new, but if you're so inclined, you can play the original Great Giana Sisters on the DS right now in the form of a homebrew remake.%Gallery-38929%[Via press release]
MMOGology: The price to play
October 20th marked the 30th anniversary of the very first Multi-User Dungeon (MUD). For those that don't remember MUDs, these text based multiplayer computer games were the precursors of modern MMOGs. I think it's safe to say that multiplayer computer gaming was the exclusive domain of hardcore gamers and geeks back then. People playing MUD1, Elendor MUSH or Pern MUSH were nerds, like myself, that knew computers, knew gaming, and loved roleplaying online. With the advent of online games with graphics, MMOGs like Everquest and Ultima Online began to attract a wider variety of gamers. The gaming demographic began to shift.Modern MMOGs like World of Warcraft ushered in a new era of gaming and a very different demographic of gamer. WoW's colorful, friendly style, easy to use interface and simple gameplay concepts make it very easy to pick up and play. WoW appeals to almost everyone: parents, kids, men, women, and people that might not normally play video games. It's about as close to mainstream as you can get in a MMOG. While the Wii is often credited with finally capturing traditional non-gamers, I submit that MMOGs like WoW did it first and continue to do it well. A key to WoW's success also lies is its low system requirements. Recent MMORPGs like Age of Conan and Warhammer may have more sophisticated graphics, but their higher system requirements work against their success in capturing a broad demographic of gamer. High system requirements are not just problematic for those particular games, but for the health and growth of PC gaming in general. Let's face it, when compared to console gaming, computer gaming isn't as cheap, accessible or simple. In order for MMOGs to continue to thrive, something needs to change at the hardware level. Without competitive pricing and standardization, PC gaming will continue to wither.
VC Friday: A trip to the Fantasy Zone
After last week's fairly abominable update, Space Harrier is back to save us all. The last time we played Sega's classic rail shooter was in the arcades of Shenmue, and we seem to recall it feeling a bit ancient, but still being a bit of a hoot.Also appearing is Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition (which, rather ludicrously, is the third variation of Street Fighter II to appear on the PAL Virtual Console) and Mayhem in Monsterland, one of the very last of the Commodore 64's 20,000 or so titles, and a graphical stunner for the time. Footage of all three is past the break. Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition -- Mega Drive -- 800 Nintendo Points Mayhem in Monsterland -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Nintendo Points* Space Harrier -- Master System -- 500 Nintendo Points
