mmmm...retro goodness

Commodore 64

Back in the day, the second computer I owned was a Commodore 64. This machine survived until my freshman year of college (1989). Sadly, the device was stolen :-( , along with all the software I had acquired over the years...the damn thing is probably for sale on ebay.

Luckily, thanks to the magic of computer emulation you no longer need a C64 to run a C64! But if I see mine on Ebay, I'm coming for ya.

Commodore Nostalgia

  • GB64 — a comprehensive desktop database that seeks to document all C64 games and SIDs... wow
  • Lemon64 — the C64 site, with descriptions of games, pics of adverts, music, manuals, reviews and more
  • Project 64 — an archive of printed material related to the C64, including game manuals!

Emulators

  • VICE is the emulator I use on my PC.
  • CCS64 is another good emulator I have used on my PC under WinXP.
  • Frodo is a C64 I use on my Gamepark32 (handheld gaming computer).

SID music

  • SID2MIDI — just what the name implies, it converts SID files to MIDI files. Sort of. Very cool gizmo to have when you've an itch to do a C64 SID-remake.
  • SIDPlay Software to play those SIDs. Like having a C64 and a tinny TV speaker right in your computer workstation area.
  • or... play them in WinAmp with SidAmp!
  • The High Voltage SID Collection (AKA the HVSC) contains an unbelievable number of SID files. If there was a tune in a game, you'll find it here.
  • There are lots of contemporary remixes of SID music to be found at remix.kwed.org. A good front-end to this site with lots of reviews can be found at Remix64.

VST SID emulation

Since it's not convenient for most of us to fire up a real C64 SID chip, let your CPU do the walking with a VST emulation:

Use a Real SID

OK, so you've been on ebay. You purchased my old, stolen C64 (damn you!). You've got a SID chip or 2. What to do?

  • Mssiah A catridge MIDI interface for C64 that provides 'modern' sequencer tools.
  • Cynthcart is another catridge based synth for C64.
  • HardSID is a PCI card that allows you to put a SID chip synth into your PC...no shit.

Commodore Today

Amazingly, there are companies and enthusiasts still creating new C64 related products:

  • Protovision is a company creating new commercial games for the C64.
  • Contiki is a modern OS that can run on a normal C64. No shit.
  • LUnix is another modern OS for the C64. Holy retro-revision!
  • The C-One is a FGPA (field gate programmable array) set up that can be reconfigured on-the-fly to become a working model of any number of retro-computers. I'm not making this up.
  • The Commodore Scene lives on.