116
RETRO
116 OCTOBER 2019|COMPUTERSHOPPER|ISSUE 380
YetProtovision nevertheless plans to
start supplying configuration files forits
games to ensure theywill run easily on
THEC64, and Cronosoftsaysits titles are
available forfree download, so there will be
no harm in giving them atry.
“It’ll just be amatter of copying the files to
aUSB stick and attaching it,”Voos says.
Doing so would open the machine to
critically acclaimed titles as Space Moguls
and Galencia, although the latter –ahomage
to the 1981 classic Galaga created in 2017 –is
already being bundled with THEC64.
Indeed, Galencia is agreat example of how
more recent developers are getting the most
out of the C64. This game exceeds the
eight-spritelimit of the original VIC-II graphics
chip,and employs lots of neat little developer
tricks. The waythe technology has been
pushed is an indication of the C64’s potential.
GAME ON
“There are so many new games pushing the
C64, not just technically but in terms of
gameplay–games such as Planet Golf and
Shadow Switcher,” says John Kavanagh, editor
ofEight Bitmagazine.
“The newest topgames forthe C64 that I
would consider to be the best would be
Aviator Arcade 2, Steel Ranger and Rocky
Memphis: The Legend of Atlantis, all of
which Ican confirm playexcellently on
THEC64 Mini” (and, we’d assume,onTHEC64).
Even so,getting these games under the
noses of new users is going to take alot of
promotion, and there’s every chance that the
new machine will only appeal to users after
their nostalgia fix. Wilkins hopes covering such
games in the fanzines and annuals will assist.
“Having worked on twoZzap!64annuals,
Ihavebeen impressed by how busy the
Commodore 64 community is, especially in the
development and release of new games and
I’m sure THEC64 will help the scene as more
people look fornew games to play,”hesays.
One potential sticking point, however,may
be the price.THEC64 costs £110, whereas a
second-hand Commodore 64 can cost half
60fps, it remains abit
of agamble.Atari
doesn’t want it to be
seen as aretro-box,
but it’s not at the
same level as the PS4
or Xbox One,either.
CREATEYOUR
OWNDIZZYGAME
While the world awaits the ZX
Spectrum Next release of
Wonderful Dizzy –the first
new game featuring the
egg-shaped character for27
years –apromising tool has
emerged that allows you to
make your very own.
Developed in Java and created
in Russia, where the series was
apparently hugely popular,the
Dizzy Scripting Engine makes use
of asimple language and the
results can be played on any ZX
Spectrum with at least
128K of memory.
Youcan also download
spritesets, graphics
and aframe,
ensuring your
Dizzy games will
look very similar to
those created by developers
Philip and Andrew Oliver for
Codemasters all those years ago.
“Weweren’t asked for
permission forthis tool, but
we don’t object,”Philip Oliver
tells us.
“It looks like something
that will appeal to hobbyists,
and we’re happytosee
people keeping Dizzy alive in
the community.”
As forWonderland Dizzy,
Oliver reveals that it’s set to
be finished by the end of
this summer.
Spectrum
Wonderful
new game
egg-shape
years –a
emerged
make your
Develo
in Russia
apparentl
Dizzy Scr
ofasimp
results can
ATARI GEARS UP
FOR LAUNCH OFITS
NEWVCS
The long-awaited Atari VCSretro
console should find its wayinto
gamers’ hands in December,
although if you didn’t back this
retro-inspired machine during
its Indiegogo crowdfunding
campaign, you’ll have to wait a
while longer.That’s because Atari
is pencilling in the official retail
launch forMarch but, with an
all-in price of $389 (£300) forthe
8GB machine including ajoystick
and controller,the extra thinking
time maycome in handy.
On the face of it, the console
looks rather attractive,since it
not only comes with 100 classic
games, it also apes the style of
the original Atari VCSfrom 1977.
But while you can boot it into
Windows 10 or Linux via aUSB
stick and take advantage of an
AMD Ryzen processor and
support for4KHDR video at
mains abit
Atari
it to be
tro-box,
the
the PS4
either.
YOUR
Spectrum
128K of m
Youca
spr
and
look
those cre
⬆Pre-orders are being taken forTHEC64, with an
expected launch dateset forDecember
