Computer Shopper - UK (2019-10)

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RETRO

ISSUE 380|COMPUTERSHOPPER|OCTOBER 2019

forYouTube in videos that can attract
hundreds, sometimes thousands, of views.
It’s not bad going foracomputer that,
one has to admit, looks rather ugly –the
hideous tan colour and the chunkyplastic
‘breadboard’ casing borrowed from its
predecessor,the VIC-20, did it very few
favours at all. But, as everyone knows,
it’s what is inside that counts, and in that
sense,the C64 not only made up forits
unattractive appearance,italso helped it
to stand the test of time.
Although anumber of other 8-bit
computers appeared to match or surpass it
on specs –the C64 boasted 64K of RAM,
16 colours, afull-stroke keyboard with 66
keys and a6510 processor running just
short of 1MHz –ithad some special
ingredients. Chiefamong them was the
VIC-II graphics chip,which supported
numerous modes at different resolutions
and controlled sprites, something that
was unique at the time.
However,the C64 also contained
an innovative programmable sound
generator chip designed by MOS
Technology,the output of which was
so good that it not only rivalled many

dedicated synthesisers, but it also spawned a

strong music scene around the C64, which

continues to exist today. That chip –the

Sound Interface Device (or SID) –eschewed

the traditional sound and envelope

commands of other machines in favour of

poking values intospecific memory locations.

Digital composers such as RobHubbard and

Martin Galwaymade the most of the

technology,and some people would buy

games such as Monty on the Run and

Wizball purely to hear their work.

There were also many 8-bit computer

exclusives, such as Maniac Mansion,

innovative titles as crazy as Revenge of

the Mutant Camels written by JeffMinter,

and huge-selling games including The Last

Ninja, which shifted 750,000 copies on

the C64 in Europe alone.Epyx, Synapse,

Infocom and Broderbund became

intrinsically linked with the computer,

producing acclaimed games such as

Impossible Mission and Lode Runner.

It definitely made foraformidable

machine that struck fear intoCommodore’s

rivals. Indeed, when the C64 was unveiled at

the Consumer Electronics Show in Las

Vegas, Atari executives were reported to

have pondered how this magnificent machine

could be sold for$595. And once the price

fell, the gloves really were taken off.

MAXING THE POTENTIAL

Revivals of the Commodore 64 are not

entirely new.In2004, the computer was

squeezed on to asingle chip and inserted into

⬆Impossible Mission’s opening speech, “Stayawhile,stayforever”could be applied to the C64’s sticking power

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➡The text adventure Planet of Death
can be played on THEC64 thanks to the
machine’s built-in keyboard