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OCTOBER 2019|COMPUTERSHOPPER|ISSUE 380
ajoystick resembling the Competition Čro.
The resulting C64 Direct-to-TŚplug-and-play
device with its 30 built-in games sold 70,000
on the first dayofsale and more than 250,000
overall. Some 14 years later,and THEC64 Mini
was seen to be doing an equally sterling job.
The latter,which remains on sale,
replicates the Commodore 64
experience,emulating the original
machine and allowing forsix display
modes. It can boot to the blue
prompt screen, although acarousel
allows users to select its built-in
games. The non-working keyboard
is frustrating, but aUSB keyboard
can be plugged in, turning it intoa
more versatile machine.
The latest, full-size iteration of the
C64 hopes to build upon this. As with
the Mini, the larger machine connects
to atelevision via HDMI and it offers
720p HD visuals at 60Hz or 50Hz.
͓This is the most appropriate
specification forthe machine,the
old games and most televisions,͕
Andrews tells us.
The new machine will also have
four USB inputs, as well as innards
that improve upon the Mini’s Dual-Core
Cortex A20 ARM CČU.
͓While it is similar,the chip is bigger and
better,͕ Andrews continues.
͓The chip we are now using is twice as
powerful as the one used in the Mini, and it
allows us to do abit more this time.͕
How farTHEC64 goes in replicating the
original, however,remains to be seen.
Andrews says afirmware updateinthe
near future mayallow adisk drive to be
connected via USB using asimple connector.
There’s aslim chance acassettedrive
could be added, too.
Fornow,users can take advantage of
64 pre-loaded C64 games, and it will be
possible to load and save your own files
and games via aUSB stick (just like on
the Mini), opening up the computer to
the Commodore 64’s vast catalogue.
͓Most original software files should
work, and we’ve included atext
adventure so that people can test
the keyboard out as well,͕Andrews
says, referring to Članet of Death,
which was originally released by
Artic Computing in 1˰81.
This game will sit alongside some
classics including California Games,
Chips Challenge,Cybernoid II, Monty
On The Run, Speedball 2, Spindizzy,
Uridium and Ƃynaps. As abonus,
the machine is also emulating the
ŚIC-20 (͓Čeople asked if we could
do this, so we did͕) which is why
Gridrunner is also included.
Each of the games will be
playable using abundled joystick
and, once again, there have
been improvements.
⬆California Games is one of the classic titles bundled with THEC64 in aline-up that differs to the one offered by the Mini
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➡The classic C64 magazineZzap!64has also
been revived in the form of an annual
