K&A plus 01 [english] by Ramos

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Editorial

The End is just the Beginning So it finally happened - „Komoda” and „C&A Fan” are now working together! Both editing teams are now grouped up under the „K&A Plus” umbrella. We came to the conclusion that our magazines were too infrequent, so we’ve joined our forces to increase the quality and quantity of our writings. Additionally, we’re now targeting a larger retro-scene audience, so the new magazine will be issued in two languages: Polish for our native readers and English for the entire rest of the scene. The content of „K&A Plus” shouldn’t significantly change from the previous titles and we’ve also decided to keep some classic sections with their old names. Some of them were especially enjoyable, so they are still going to be part of the new magazine. Our goal is to continuously support the Commodore scene, bring up good memories and refresh dust-covered titles, so that C16/VIC-20/Plus 4/C64 and obviously Amiga computers remain alive. We also invite our readers to visit our official forums at www.ka-plus.pl, which is going to make our relationship a bit closer. Our editors are looking for your input and feedback, so let us know what you think of the first issue of our magazine. To conclude this brief introduction I invite you to go through the magazine and get some good retro feelings. I hope you will enjoy the content and embrace the spirit from our 3 previous magazines: „C&A Fan”, „C&A Games” and „Komoda”. Enjoy,

Komek translated by Atreus and Tomxx

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

contents C64

Alter Ego

Evil Wizard 2

Aviator Arcade

Wacky Waste

Little Sara Sister Trilogy

Arctic Shipwreck

The Vice Squad

Mr. Robot and

X-Force

his Robot Factory

C16

MEMENTO

AMIGA

HISTORY LINE: 1914-1918

Tetris 30th anniversary

Varia Fresh News

C64PERSIAN

Stars and Planets aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;la Commodore

Ressurection: Mortal Kombat

The soul of the retro computer hardware

Talking Heads: Emulation or real hardware 56 Leave those games and start doing something serious

Changing C64 into PC

Komoda & Amiga Plus Magazine of Commodore computer users Chief Editor Komek Editors: Ramos, Uka, Noctropolis, Bobikowoz, Tomxx, Minimoog, Mr. Mat

in less than one hour

Johnny show: Lunch

Design and DTP: Neurocide Drawings: Johnny Corretions: Atreus Translations: Slayerpl, Atreus, Bobikowoz, Tomxx Cooperation: Hery, Hal, Mufa, MA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Fresh News C64

C16/116/Plus

GRAVITRIX - PREVIEW

Temple Of Terror

drive, player manual with the

2014, Robot Riot

2014, Legion Of Doom

introductions and instructions, the procedures of rendering graphics and texts were also optimized. The game needs 64kb memory and because of a high level of difficulty is probably only for fans or really good players. //noctropolis

I see that we have a lot of

Releasing games for Plus 4,

fun and nights spent by the

that appeared originally years

computer screen ahead of us!

ago on C64, became quite a

JAM IT

I have not seen for a long time

popular trend lately. This is the

2015, Throwback Games

so interesting and well done

case with Temple of Doom,

logical game. To be honest

text – graphics adventure

not yet finished, because

game made for C64 in 1987.

when I’m writing this text I’m

The game was an adaptation

using the program in preview

of an eponymous book (or to

version, but I hope that it will

be more precise, a one person

be soon finalized. The first

book role play game) and it

level is very easy, you need

told the story of reaching 4

to place three green squares

dragon artifacts in the lost city

When I watched trailers of

so that they stand next to

called Vatos, before the ma-

“Jam it”, I saw a really good

the other. The second level is

levolent sorcerer Marbordus

successor of one of my fa-

similar but more difficult. We

gets them. The group Legion

vorite sports games “One on

still have squares in different

of Doom decided to make a

One:Dr vs Larry Bird”. We can

colors and new rules which

conversion of this title in the

again play a couple of inte-

make the game more difficult.

most similar to the original

resting matches in the middle

Moreover, we have 3 minutes

way, while simultaneously

of the basketball court. The

for fulfilling every task, that’s

removing all the nuisance

game will include a lot of

why we have to act quickly.

bugs, because the original

flashy slum-dunks, desperate

Something more? That’s eno-

game had quite a number

throws from behind the three

ugh, I’m back to the game.

of bugs. New titular screen

point line and pretty cheerle-

//Komek

was added(based on the

aders during the breaks. Two

book cover), a possibility of

teams of two players will take

saving the game on the hard

part in these matches. The

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

producers promise support for

C64

4 joysticks and challenging AI

HONEY BEE

PAPER PLANE

of the computer opponent.

2014 , The New Dimension

2014, Roy Fielding

The playable version of the release was presented on the PAX fairs, which means that the release delay should not happen. I wait impatiently for February 2015 to check how “Jam IT” works in reality. //bobikowoz Who did not play during his Fresh bun with butter and ho-

or hers childhood with paper

VOIVOD ATTACK

ney, something really delicio-

planes? All you needed was

2014, RGCD

us. Have you ever wondered

simply a sheet of paper and

how much work a bee has to

you could have fun, in your

do to gather all the pollens

home, on the playground, or

from miscellaneous flowers

what is worse, during the les-

to transform it into a sweet

sons in a school. The differen-

honey? Thanks to Richard

ce was that that the released

Bayliss from The New Dimen-

paper plane often flew in an

sion and RGCD (RGCD C64

unexpected direction. In this

16KB Cartridge Game Deve-

release of Roy Fielding we

Friends! Achim Volkers prepa-

lopment Competition 2014)

can control the paper pla-

red for you something good.

we can see how it really is to

ne. Our goal is to avoid the

Fourth part of THE FARM? No,

be a hardworking bee. While

obstacles by turning left or

this time it is a shooter against

impersonating her we have

right while descending. The

the waves of hostile space-

to gather the pollens from the

game works fluently, a small

ships in the space, a classic

flowers and then take it to the

commotion (at least at the

Shoot’em up titled VOIVO-

hive. During this activity we will

beginning) can be caused by

DATTACK. The game is a part

encounter various obstacles

the steering. Intuitively we try

of RGCD C64 16KB Cartridge

which are trying to hinder your

to steer the paper plane just

Game Development Compe-

progress. Colorful and quite

like in the bird eye view race

tition 2014 and is one of the

nice graphics and the jolly

games, and the requirements

better releases which take

music together with a consi-

here are quite different – you

part in this contest. We control

derable entertaining ability will

have to see it for yourself. The

a space jetfighter during the

give you a lot of fun. It is an

graphics look nice, animation

game in both directions, just

another example that small

and music also, the game is

like in URDIUM and TANGENT.

and uncomplicated games ca

an adaptation of a produc-

There are also some necessa-

n provide quite a lot of fun.

tion made for Iphones.

C64

ry bonuses, which boost the

//Komek

//noctropolis

weapons or repair the damage caused by the enemy. The most important are however these that have the bombs needed to destroy the heart of a space base. Now I can only sit behind the steer of a space jetfighter and ..... ATTACK!!! //Komek

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

VIC-20

Graphics is colorful, simple

C64

SUPER STARSHIP SPACE

and clear. The music together

THE ADVENTURES OF ALAIN

ATTACK

with the sound effects is also

2014, wile coyote (wec)

2014, Misfit

pretty good. What the game lacks are flying obstacles, such that appear in ARKANOID or BATTY, because there are none of this sort in BRICK BUSTER. There is one more thing, one small accent from SPACE

When the weather is lousy and

INVADERS. Play it and you will

The Christmas of this year

you feel bad, it is nice to play

see what I mean. And I would

brought us also a new

a good arcade game or a

have forgotten, the game

interesting SEUCK project:

shoot’em up. SUPERSTRASHIP

participates in RGCD.

horizontally scrolled arcade

SPACE ATTACK is a combina-

//Komek

game made almost exclusively by Wec – a well-known

tion of these two in a good, classic style. While steering a

C16/116/Plus 4

scene graphic. The quality

small spaceship inside a huge

XPLODE MAN

of his work Is striking and I

mother spaceship you have to

2014, Assassins (ASN)

will admit that I did not see

find assemblies creating huge

a SEUCK game with such a

power. These devices cause

beautiful graphics. What is

that the frequency of fired

also good, you have no cha-

shots from our spaceship incre-

os in this game, thousands

ases and gathering adequate

of points to achieve, we are

amount (three assemblies) lets

not attacked by hordes of

us enter another level. If you

opponents and we don’t

like this type of games, you

throw anything at somebody.

should like this because of fast

Attention! A treat for BOMBER-

The story s quite funny, even

action and simple but clear

MAN fans. A game appeared

though I think that the author

production.

that is a reflection of this po-

did not know completely

//Komek

pular arcade game. This time

where he put his protagonist:

C264 users can play XPLODE

we wake up in the morning

MAN. It is because of Hunga-

in the hotel somewhere in

BRICK BUSTER

rian group called Assassins

the middle of nowhere and

2014, Software of Sweden

(ASN), which always tries to

we see that we don’t have

surprise with an interesting pro-

money to pay the hotel bill.

gram. Even though the game

Out of unknown reasons we

is not so diversified as other

begin to race down the main

games from this genre, you

road of the town and we are

can have a lot of fun while

encouraged by the hotel

playing. //Komek

owner to perform good. We

C64

are supposed to make a lap through the surrounding hotel nature but you will

Do you like games from the

admit that the premises of

Breakout/Pong genre? Becau-

the game are pretty strange.

se I have one here and a pret-

But we run forward and the

ty good one. We cannot hide

surrounding tries to stop us:

that BRICK BUSTER is one of the

we are attacked by sunrays,

many ARKANOID clones, but is

dog feces or the sound of

it bad? Surely not. Even more

a cow hits our back of the

so that is produced nicely.

head – these are priceless

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

experiences, that await

the already long list of logical

tank from the enemy projecti-

you in this beautifully drawn

puzzles and we place it some-

les. Unfortunately, the enemies

world.

where near our Polish Dia-

will systematically destroy it.

monds from 1992. We look this

What can I say more? A nice,

time for the toys scattered aro-

not so complicated game with

und the garden by our younger

a simple graphics. //Komek

//tomxx C64

brother and our objective is to

SHOOTIN’ PUTIN

match the identical elements

2014, Technische Maschinenfabrik

with each other. The game is

BRILLIANT MAZE

thoroughly done, it has a nice

2014, Geir Straume and Sean Connolly

C64

graphics and interesting music, it is nice to play it because of the challenging tasks. We have 5 minutes for the solving of the puzzles, and not the time, but the complexity of the puzzles is the problem here. I recomThis game released a couple

mend the game because it is

days ago is still technically un-

interesting and the genre of

RGCD C64 16KB Cartridge

derdeveloped, but we look at

logical games for C64 even

Game Development Compe-

it because of two reasons, the

nowadays can compete with

tition (2014) – this event can

first is the fact that it supports

releases for other platforms,

be easily called a real gift bag

the light gun, and the second

including mobile platforms.

, even more so because the

reason that it ideally sums up

//tomxx

majority of the participating games was released close in

the anti-Russian atmosphere after the last year’s Russian

VIC 20

time to the Christmas. One

incursion on East Ukraine. The

TANK BATTALION

of these gifts is a game titled

concept of shooting at the

2014, Beamrider

BRILLIANT MAZE, in which a

photo of president Putin is of

protagonist is a nice-looking,

course pretty controversial and

green creature. It moves

I’m aware that not everybody

through a gigantic labyrinth

will like it. Nonetheless not a lot

to find 4 diamonds. He uses

of people thought that 2014

four flickering arrows to find them which show the direction

will commemorate Vladimir Putin in the annals ofC64 releases

Oh boy! So many arcade

and lead to the entrance to

and it will become a small ad-

games in the FRESH, that I will

the next level (of course you

dition to the 80’s games about

become the master agility and

have to find the appropriate

the Cold War. //tomxx

reflex. To write even a short

amount of diamonds). You

review, you have to play the

are interrupted in your task

game first. TANK BATTALION is a

by other bad creatures which

TOYZ

tank battle in the maze, in reali-

move very fast. Personally, I

2014, Pyramidenkopf

ty one tank fights against whole

like games of this type very

group of tanks. The projectiles

much and the fact that it was

which come out of the can-

done properly increases the

non have a limited frequency,

value of the game. //Komek

C64

that’s why you have to shoot during the right moment to hit the target. Wall made of bricks, from which the maze is made, can be destroyed by the proAnother good release from last

jectiles, but does it have any

year’s RGCD! We add Toyz to

sense? The wall protects our

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

2014 successor is a strategic

you of Lode Runner, it has a

TIGER CLAW

war game, deeply rooted in

couple of levels and elements

2014, Lazycow

fantasy theme and made for

to unblock. The more impor-

2 to 4 players. This game was

tant thing is the process of its

inspired by Magic.The Gathe-

development, known from

ring, Dark Legions and Chaos

English Amiga Board Jim-

– The Battle of Wizards. The

my2x2x came back to coding

objective in BK II is defeating

games after a long time and

all other sorcerers which can

he made a commitment to

be done mainly by casting

make a working version in

spells and calling the creatu-

4 weeks. He borrowed the

Tiger Claw is from the art side

res ready to fight for us. The

graphics and the sound from

one of the most beautiful re-

game is pretty developed in

other productions, he worked

leases, that appeared in 2014.

sense of abilities which will

on his assembler and met the

The graphics as well as sound

draw the fans of this genre

deadline, staying in the 64k

made by saulc12 are on a

but at the same time may

memory! We are satisfied with

very high level. Just after the

discourage beginners. Fortu-

such comebacks to coding

first launching of the game it

nately, a lengthy manual was

retro games and we hope that

may seem that we encounter

included in the text file which

other programmers from the

the continuation of the classic

explains in details every part

past will follow his footsteps.

which is “Bruce Lee”, but it is

of the gameplay. The game

//tomxx

a completely independent

can be praised for its’ music,

production. The gameplay is

which reminds us of the epic

not one of the easiest becau-

and lofty fantasy atmosphere.

BOXX 2

se of the peculiar sliding of the

//noctropolis

2014, Lemming880

C64

Amiga

characters which makes the steering more difficult, but the

Amiga

variety of the opponents and

LOVE DUNGEON

gathered throughout the loca-

2014, Jay Aldred (Jimmy2x2x)

tions secret objects do not let you leave the computer even though you die often. //bobikowoz After the success of the first version, the author decided

C64

BATTLE KHAOS II

to create the second part of

2014, Tinnitus

Boxx. After three months of Amiga fans also received a

work we have a completely

gift for Christmas: mini-game

new release. Typical arcade

Love Dungeon which takes

game, where you go forward

place in the world of Bru-

and gather the coins and try

ce Lee. This time we do not

not to lose your life. We have

gather lanterns, but the red

to remember to launch all

hearts scattered around the

the encountered levers which

level. Maybe a debut during

will open the blocked entran-

the Valentine’s day would be

ces to us. Every three levels

Inactive for a couple of years

more appropriate, even tho-

we meet the boss. A simple

Polish group Tinnitus unexpec-

ugh you can play pleasantly

graphics (only 8 colours), ple-

tedly releases the sequel of its

because of the fluent anima-

asant, dynamic music (chosen

previous game Battle Khaos,

tion and time quickly flying

appropriately by the author)

issued over 10 years ago. This

by. The game has something

are the advantages of this

released before the end of

from the old Bruce, it reminds

game. //Ramos

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

C64

ZOMBI TERROR 2015, Kabuto Factory

Nowadays retro-releases are usually prepared only for one platform. Zombi Terror is a complete aberrationto this theory, because the game appeared on PC, Spectrum, MSX, ZX81, Sega Mega Drive and during the beginning days of February on our beloved C64. Adventure game full of atmosphere which can be characterized by high level of difficulty was divided into two parts. The objective is simple: to escape from the hordes of undead. If you encounter during the gameplay difficulties, wait for the second issue of â&#x20AC;&#x153;K&A Plusâ&#x20AC;? where we will publish more materials about this game. //bobikowoz

The Picture maked by ourEditor in the Krakow bookstore "Fankomiks"

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Alter Ego

The Game Alter Ego is the

see on the screens) is the titular

result of the work of a small,

alter ego of our protagonist,

currently one-person Retrosouls

which moves constantly on the

studio. This studio comes from

basis of mirror reflection. The

Russia and is created by Denis

target of the game is gathering

Grachev. He has created a

of the scattered on the every

couple of projects, but this one

level here and there squares,

is the first on C64. The Alter Ego

which will be possible only

game first appeared on Pc, ZX

thanks to the right planning of

Spectrum, Nes (2011), and now

route of passing through the

the version for C64 appeared.

given level.

This is a logical arcade game that will not only make your

It is not as simple as we can

gray matter burn, but will also

think at the beginning because

not let your hands keeping the

not the whole screen is availa-

joystick be bored.

ble for our main protagonist. For example, the skulls serve as ob-

The game doesn’t really have

stacle and are hunting for the

a plot (at least I didn’t see it

player, ponds, gaps in the plat-

there), that’s why I will describe

forms or them being placed too

what the premises of the game

high or the bridges falling down

are. Even though we can see

after the first passing are also

two persons on the screen that

the hurdles. To reach some of

are controlled by the player,

the squares, it will be necessary

we really control only one per-

to use on the “FIRE” key the

son. The second one (the one

switch ( I don’t know how to

which flashes which we cannot

better call it) of the character,

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

which will cause an immediate

too much, because everything

change of places. However we

that this game has graphically

must reach these squares first

to offer, we can see on the at-

with our “twin”, which is easy

tached screenshots (not really

because he penetrates the

great, but nice and neat). The

obstacles and flies in the air, just

sounds on the other hand are

like a ghost. It may sound good,

simple, single sounds (it is a pity

but the whole problem (and

that there is no music during

the main cause of overheating

the game).

of our brain) that the number of switches of characters is on

Generally speaking, I recom-

every level strictly limited.

mend Alter Ego to everyone who likes to think when playing

Another novelty is that during

the computer games. The

the game the switch of the

game is really good and let’s

characters on some levels

hope that’s not the last project

happens not horizontally but

on C64 from the Retrosouls (on

vertically. On the other levels

ZX Spectrum Alter Ego : Dream-

besides the standard, coloured

walker appeared , so we can

squares also white squares

hope that the sequel appe-

appear which can be gathered

ars soon on C64). To persons

only by our blinking alter ego.

wanting to learn assembler, the

Generally, the number of levels

source code of the game was

is 26 and to reach the very end,

added to the game.

visual setting we cannot talk

Graphics: Music: Playability:

you have to show a significant shrewdness. About the audio-

Alter Ego

noctropolis translated by Slayerpl

RetroSouls, 2014

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Aviator Arcade

“C64 16KB Cartridge Game

This time, as a military pilot who

opponents, when there are 6

Development Competition”, or-

defends the city of Suburbia,

of them (such moments also

ganized yearly, presents always

we have to stop the incoming

happen in the game), small

to the C64 fans a huge amount

forces of rebels. Our another

mayhem begins on the screen

of interesting games, it was

objective is defending the port,

and when we dodge one mis-

also like this this time. Among

from which the reinforcements

sile, we very often fly into ano-

other entrants, one of the par-

of our enemies come from. At

ther. Regardless of the situation

ticipating games in this year’s

the end, we will have to deal a

and with how many opponents

competition, is pretty old-scho-

final blow to their desert base.

we currently fight, the featured

ol, but at the same time pretty

autofire proves to be extremely

diligently done shoot’em up

The most important when play-

useful, because it allows us to

Aviator Arcade. When we look

ing the game is being in con-

shoot out a constant burst of

at the storyline, the introduction

stant motion. It is connected

bullets without getting tired.

to the game is not so detailed

with the fact that the enemies’

We have bombs under the

or overwhelming, but in this

aircraft, ships and vessels con-

space key, which obliterate

type of games it is not particu-

stantly fire their shots at our cur-

everything in our line of sight

larly important. The important

rent position. When we move

immediately, but it is not so

matter is only that as the good

wildly through the screen, we

easy, because their quantity

guys we fight the bad guys.

have the advantage that they

is very limited. What can we

try to fire their

also mention….. you don’t die

guns at the

in this game because of one

place which

hit, when this happens, only

we luckily

your level of energy decreases.

have left

When your energy indicator is

(at least we

empty, you lose your life and

should have

the level is restarted. Good

left). Howe-

idea of the authors.

ver, if this

strategy suc-

There are, unfortunately, only 3

ceeds, when

levels in this game, but what I

we are being

like about them is the fact that

attacked at

they are completely different

the same

from each other. We can feel

time by,

satisfied, when we end one

let’s say 2-3

level and we are taken to a

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

completely different place as a

sic. Maybe it is not the most

a fine game. The programmer

gift, and not to a simple clone

sophisticated kind, but it can

was supported in his work by

of previous scenery. It is impor-

be associated with the action

Richard Bayliss, who made the

tant for the game pleasure.

games from the second half

music and Andre Hogbom,

At the end of every level we

of 80ties and it looks here nice.

who was responsible for the

encounter, instead of a single

It is also great that during the

part of the graphics. Gene-

boss, the situation, where the

levels the author managed to

rally speaking, if you like the

scrolling of the screen stops

simultaneously play the music

shooters with a pretty classic

and we have to deal with a

and the in-game sound effects,

atmosphere and design, you

couple of waves of enemies

which are not so many, but it

will have a lot of fun with this

who shoot at us aggressively.

is always nice to hear a co-

game. The game has been

The exception to that rule is the

uple of explosions. Graphically,

met with a good critical acc-

last level, where after the afo-

the game is also good, even

laim in the C64 scene and the

rementioned waves of enemies

though the game gathers here

only thing, which some people

we have to defeat the pro-

points mainly for the mentio-

will miss, is the lack of power

totype chopper stolen by the

ned diversified sceneries than

ups (even though I didn’t noti-

rebels (quite durable). Between

for the general awesomeness.

ce that). To make the game in

the levels we also receive pro-

Variety of enemies’ vessels and

16 KB certain limitations were

motions in the military hierarchy

vehicles is also impressive. We

necessary and the author thinks

(depending on the number of

can see here a variety of diffe-

about working on the exten-

points we have) to finally be-

rent military vehicles, tanks, gro-

ded version soon. Now we can

come a general. If you are not

und and sea cannon towers,

play with pleasure in the main

able to achieve this rank, when

smaller and bigger ships and jet

edition.

you play the game for the first

fighters. noctropolis

time, don’t get discouraged, because the point results in

The author of the game is the

every game are connected,

working in “Hindsbosoft” Mark

the achieved result and the

Hindsbo, who comes back to

military rank will be kept and

coding after a 20 year hiatus.

will increase when you play the

What is interesting, he worked

game next time.

earlier mainly with Amiga, but he also always wanted to

When we look at the audio-

make a game for C64. The time

visual design, a lot of praise

has finally come and we have

has to be given to the mu-

to congratulate the author for

Translated by Slayerpl Aviator Arcade Graphics: Music: Entertaining: Hindsbosoft, 2014

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

LITTLE SARA SISTER TRILOGY I think that there is no C64 user

on THE GREAT GIANA SISTERS. I will

that has not come into contact

not make a mistake if I say that

with the game The GREAT GIANA

the resemblance between these

SISTERS. I can certainly say that

two games is huge, but the enter-

this is one of the best and the

taining ability of the games varies

most captivating games for C64.

considerably....

Two twin sisters- Giana and Maria

(main protagonists of the game)

LITTLE SARA SISTER TRILOGY are

are 27 years old. I suspect that it

the released earlier 3 parts of the

is more than the age of many of

game - LITTLE SARA SISTER (2004),

our readers. I mentioned this cult

LITTLE SARA SISTER 1, 5 (2006) and

platform game not without a re-

LITTLE SARA SISTER 2 (2012). We

ason because LITTLE SARA SISTER,

can treat the first one as the pre-

which is mentioned in the later

lude, because these are only two

part of the text, is strongly based

short levels. The situation changes

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

in the part titled „1,5” because it

no use in banging your head

was lengthened by 7 levels ( in

against the brick wall”). What

total 9) and the soundtrack was

can we say more? Oh, I know!

changed. The most important

When I played, I found only two

among the adventures of Sara

bonuses. The first one means

is the one titled LITTLE SARA

that when you find 15 diamonds

SISTERS 2, the participant of

(incredibly simple), you receive

the RGCD C64 16KB Cartridge

an additional life. The second

Game Development Competi-

one looks like a flower (level 36)

tion 2014 and we will deal ma-

and also increases the number

inly with this. The game has 38

of lives by 1. The situation with

levels, so we are dealing with a

the defence looks also bad.

pretty extensive gameplay. As

You will destroy the opponents

far as the music is concerned, it

only when you jump on them (

is similar as in the case of Giana,

this does not include the snails).

because they used the same division: court – jolly melody

At the beginning of the review I

(apart from a couple of levels),

mentioned the significant diffe-

underground – dark melody,

rence in the entertaining ability

keeping the tense atmosphere.

of both games, to the disa-

Gathering the scattered around

dvantage of LITTLE SARA SISTER.

diamonds is the next and not

The play is in both cases almost

the last common part of both

identical, but the animaton

games. Opponents such as

of Sara is worse and the same

owls and wasps, even though

problem is with the steering of

they are differently drawn and

the character. The difficulty

animated, are still very similar.

level is pretty similar, but some

There are also different kinds

levels are a little bit shorter. I do-

of platforms, walls and blocks

n’t know, maybe I expect too

which look similarly to the ones

much from a game, that takes

in THE GREAT GIANA SISTERS.

up so little of disk space?

I started to feel while playing

To sum it all up, I conclude that,

that I’m missing something. I did

however the game has some

not have to think long that the

shortcomings, LITTLE SARA SISTER

missing part is the action, the

is not the worst release and the

variety and the flexibility. Exac-

game is able to keep the player

tly, the variety is not so good,

for a moment, or even longer,

because the levels are not

interested. I know, it is far from

diversified and look the same.

GIANA, but it at least tries to

During some moments I wonde-

give a tribute to this great and

red if I was not, by coincidence,

cult platform game. Of cour-

taken a couple levels back.

se, everyone who will play the

And where are the dragons or

game, will have its’ own opinion

other huge monsters? It would

about the LITTLE SARA SISTER. For

be nice if one of those giants

the record, I wasn’t dissapoin-

appeared from time to time on

ted.

Graphics:

the end of the level. The great change, because of which with

Komek

the use of punk haircut we can

Translated by Slayerpl

destroy the brick walls, does not happen ( and they say „there’s

LSST

Music: Entertaining: Filmsoft, 2014

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

THE VICE SQUAD

I tend to divide currently rele-

contains games created by

Finally, the third category

ased 8-bit titles into 3 separa-

more experienced program-

includes the titles that can

te categories. First one inc-

mers, and the results usually

be half-jokingly, half-seriously

ludes rather simple products

present higher professionalism

described as Triple-A, or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

developed by inexperienced

in terms of solutions used, as

(by definition these are games

coders and fresh designers,

well as much nicer fx. These

of the highest quality, with the

and usually features quite

titles are still not complex and

highest development bud-

straightforward audiovisuals.

can be rather simple in terms

gets, levels of promotion and

They can obviously steal some

of mechanics but can be

an extensive advertising cam-

of my playtime as long as the

attractive due to the various

paign). So what am I referring

idea and concept behind

advanced solutions put in

to while moving this concept

them are interesting and ad-

place which make the enti-

back to our retro scene? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m

dictive. The second category

re concept highly playable.

thinking of the greatest titles

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

recently created, for instance

combined scenes of super-

To get you quickly up to spe-

Knight’n’Grail, that turned in

cars street races (not sure if

ed with the gameplay, I will

2009 the Commodore scene

they were taken from existing

bring up the old good and still

totally upside down some.

clips or made exclusively for

famous Spy Hunter title. The

Or Soulless, or the port of

this trailer, but it doesn’t really

idea behind The Vice Squad is

Prince of Persia, both being

matter after all) and in-ga-

similar, although much fresher:

mind-blowing pieces of C64

me footage, all topped with

the screen scrolls horizontally,

software and turning into the

well-composed background

the variety of in-game ele-

top entertainers in our small

music by Linus. Intros like this

ments is much higher, and the

Commodore world! Do not

one are not produced for an

audio-visual content is much

think, however, that I’m that

average game, but only for

deeper. Our car is always

picky to only demand the hi-

those ambitious titles, that are

heading rightwards and your

ghest possible quality. Frankly

about to make an impact on

goal is to eliminate bad du-

speaking it’s quite opposite,

a retro scene. Before going on

des’ vehicles, while trying to

but the releases of highest

with my review, I just recom-

avoid and protect the civi-

quality titles on C64 scene are

mend that you take a look

lians’ ones.

still being considered in the

at the official promotional

categories of top events. They

video to get the first grasp on

let us get back in time to the

the mood we’re facing here:

old good days, with maga-

https://www.youtube.com/

zines’ front pages featuring

watch?v=_54HXH-e8-o.

new productions and players discussing them vigorously

Okay, enough with this quality

all over again. Don’t get me

bar-rising introduction, let’s

wrong: simple, professionally

move on to the review itself.

designed games come out

For us, the Commodore-users

quite regularly, but the high-

born in 80s, the word „Vice” is

end titles, carefully planned

usually associated with both,

and in production for months,

an awesome piece of softwa-

are the drivers of the gaming

re used for emulating our ma-

The entire game consists of

scene. They keep our lovely

chines, and with an American

nine separate missions, alto-

8-bit machines running at high

TV series call „Miami Vice”.

gether giving us quite large

speeds and don’t let them die

The latter one mainly tells

variety of levels. Initially we’re

out of boredom. I apologize

the stories of cops and drugs

about to get rid of a certain

for this lengthy introduction,

smugglers and distributors.

number of black, unmarked

but it’s all in order to finally

And this is actually the direc-

drug cars, but further missions

move on with The Vice Squad,

tion we’re about to hit in the

bring us some fancy fights

another great AAA title for

super-fast gameplay of The

against heavily armored

C64!

Vice Squad: as a cop named

trucks, tanks or helicopters.

James Hutch we’re on a hunt

Obviously, El Guato himself

The game’s announcement

of the ruthless local Mexican

is personally awaiting us in

by Psytronik Software was a

drug baron, El Guato. It’s a ri-

the final mission to save the

good sign that something gre-

sky mission, as due to the high

city: fighting against a stolen

at is coming up shortly. Psytro-

level of corruption in local po-

stealth bomber will be fun!

nik is well known not only for

lice departments we can only

The story nicely develops into

polishing up their products,

count on ourselves and on our

an interesting adventure with

but in most cases also for fo-

partner. El Guato is a highly

ever rising level of hazard,

cusing on highest quality rele-

dangerous individual and our

and although it might not

ases. The game trailer posted

cops have to use all possible

be a peak of diversity, every

on YouTube reveals everything

means for winning the war

other mission brings up some

I’m talking here about: the

and claiming back the city.

more challenges to beat. Prior

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

get up to full speed on wide

large diversity. The number of

and less crowded roads, but

vehicles we meet on our way

also to slow down on packed

is large, with all different kinds

sections to skillfully maneu-

of cars, vans, motorbikes and

ver between other cars. Our

trucks. In addition to this, we

car is initially equipped with

obviously fight against enemy

single standard gun, but can

baron’s fleet of various military

be easily powered-up with

vehicles, on top with tanks,

oil slicks, reverse fire, forward

planes, and helicopters. Sepa-

and reverse missiles and side

rately to foreground sprites, I

beams. Single power-up is

also send a big praise to the

dropped after destroying

background graphics: it’s co-

to the start of each mission

8 enemy vehicles during a

lorful, full of details and most

we can watch the dialogue

single life. Additionally, at

importantly - very diverse.

between our hero cops di-

the end of each level we’re

Each single mission not only

scussing next steps and tasks

being awarded with a mission

consists of a different color

assigned to given level (by

badge (gold, silver or bronze)

palette, but also of different

the way, very cool animation

depending on how well we

approach on roads, buildings,

of their faces).

performed with the civilian

obstacles, elements of the

cars. Obviously, lower dama-

environment, you call it. There

The game comes with a very

ge to civilians results in more

are obviously some recurring

pleasant and highly intuitive

precious badge.

objects in the subsequent

control scheme. Accelerating

scenes, but after all this is not

and slowing down smoothly

The game features high-

something that can be avo-

reflects your joystick move-

quality audio-video: graphics

ided in a large, but sill 64 KB

ments and make your drive a

can really impress with the

productions. All of these are

pleasant experience. It’s easy

finishing touch quality and

wrapped up with an extreme-

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

ly good scrolling – so smo-

ther amazing work has been

Finally, The Vice Squad can

oth, that High Speed Pursuit

delivered by RGCD (Retro

be considered to be the 80’s

Syndrome was mentioned on

Gamer CD) by preparing a

police action movie tribute.

RGCD website as a possible

Cartridge version. The game

So if you’re often getting

consequence of too much of

was tested on C64/C128/

back to your childhood times

the playtime. The music and

C64GS in PAL system, but

and still miss the uncountable

in-game sound effects nicely

NTSC users report that it’s still

hours spent in front of your

correspond with fast-paced

playable, obviously accep-

TV set watching films about

action and make every mis-

ting occasional slowness and

cops and villains, road chases

sion extremely enjoyable.

refresh glitches. Nowadays the

and street shootings, this is the

game is also available for free

game for you! The quality of

The Vice Squad was created

digital download from the Bi-

work is high and it’s definitely

by Achim Volkers (Program-

naryZone.org website: http://

worth to dive in and keep it in

ming and Design), Trevor Sto-

binaryzone.org/psytronik/

your C64 games archive.

rey (Graphics, Concept, De-

ViceSquad_Download_2013.

sign & Box/Poster Artwork) and

zip. In my opinion it was a

Sascha “Linus” Zeidler (Music,

nice player-focused decision,

Player & Sound effects). There

as the game already turned

are obviously some more folks

one and whoever planned

listed down in Credits but I’m

on purchasing the Premium

not going to mention all of

editions had probably alre-

them over here. The final pro-

ady done that. The remaining

duct, available on beautifully

players can now try it as well,

designed disks and tapes, was

so the awareness and product

released by Psytronik Software

visibility has been definitely

back in December 2013. Ano-

increased.

noctropolis Translated by Tomxx

The Vice Squad Graphics: Music: Entertaining: Filmsoft, 2014

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

X-Force “I always dreamt about

a little bit like advertisement

who extracts the precious

creating the first, futuristic,

slogans used when releasing a

minerals from the mine un-

vertically scrolled shooter and

real blockbuster, announced

der the surface of the planet

that dream finally became the

for many years and exciting

Darx. After another hard day

reality…. The New Dimension

huge amount of fans. Ok, I

of work, we go for the well-

proudly presents the game,

won’t criticize more, maybe

earned night rest to our ship

for which you all have been

the game is really that good.:)

which also serves as our bedro-

waiting for…. And here is the

om. It appears in the mean-

game, X-Force…” We are we-

I will start the review not typi-

time that our presence was

lcomed with these words in the

cally, writing about the in-ga-

noticed by the not so friendly

me music. It is a result of the

aliens. When we wake up in

fact that the music “attacks”

the morning, we immediately

us during the intro and then is

notice that something’s wrong

present also in the game. The

and we are horrified to disco-

music is really good and what

ver that we have been abduc-

is important, you don’t have

ted, transported to the aliens’

to like this type of atmosphere

headquarters and trapped

to appreciate that the music

with something that resembles

is made with a high quality

an invisible shield. We manage

and matched ideally with the

to destroy this shield using our

game theme. As many people

laser equipment which helps us

have probably noticed, SID will

during the mining, and additio-

make the game more pleasu-

nally we reach soon our taken

intro of the aforementioned

rable through emitting extre-

away jet fighter X-Force.

game, created by the well-

mely technical sounds based

known to us Richard Bayliss,

on rhythmic bass and certain

Our escape route through long

who was busy with the music

amount of the trance-like

tunnels of the bases and mines

and code, the graphics were

melody typical for

made by Saul Cross. And now

this type of games,

I wonder whether they made

which, as I have

an exaggeration with these

mentioned, sounds

claims? The fact that the

pretty good and

author always dreamt about

matches the theme

creating this type of game

nicely.

and he is very satisfied with the

end result appears to be pretty

The theme of this

natural. But the claims that it

game is as follows:

was the game that we have

we play the role of

all been waiting for, sound

the futuristic miner,

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

is full of hordes of aliens who

We can see here the typical

Is X-force, considerably influ-

want to stop us, escaping this

representatives of aliens’ fleet

enced by the titles such as

place won’t be so easy….

in the type of various small

Subterranea or Powerama

ships or other, normal for this

(which is explicitly admitted

Appropriately matched is the

type of games, not so closely

by the author), the game we

level of the difficulty of the

defined interrupters, but also

have all been waiting for, as it

game, which even though is

cosmic animals which resem-

is mentioned in its’ intro? I will

a kind of a challenge, is not

ble wasps or medusas. To

answer it diplomatically; it is

exaggerated to the point, that

perform better, here and there

a good game, for sure, done

we cannot survive longer than

await us ready to use power-

in a nice way, with a good

a couple of seconds (which is

ups which increase to some

degree of entertaining ability.

a weak point of many ga-

extent the firepower of our jet

Will it be a real hit for some-

mes). You can control the ship

fighter. The whole game consi-

one, remembered after many

comfortably; the ship is quite

sts of 16 levels and it is a pretty

years, to which he will come

manageable and responds

big number. There is a boss on

back often and regularly? This

quickly to the commands of

the end of every level (whom

question has to be answered

movement. The weakness

we can defeat and receive

by everyone of us separately.

involves the shooting, our

an additional life, or simply

cosmic jet fighter doesn’t have

pass him by), every level offers

automatic cannon, and we

a different scenery. Level of

have to push the fire button

development of these scene-

manually and as quick as

ries is not maybe particularly

possible, when there are many

overwhelming or breathtaking

enemies on the screen. What

with the great details, but also

is interesting, the author of the

in this matter the sceneries are

game, as if he noticed this

made at least properly (and

small inconvenience, sha-

the whole game has a pretty

red with everyone willing to

fluent scrolling). Additional-

use them a bunch of POKE’S

ly, the backgrounds are not

which introduced autofire

only the elements of faraway

(POKE 30057,176POKE 30058,32

scenography, but also intro-

POKE 30059,234 POKE 30060,44

duce additional obstacles in

POKE 30063,44 POKE 30065,44).

the way of controlling our ship. Apart from annihilating of the

The opponents who we meet

aforementioned enemies we

on our escape route, are

have to be aware of the rock

created nicely, they move in

debris or alternately opening

bigger groups and are of a

and closing gates.

great variety of different kinds.

noctropolis Translated by Slayerpl

X-Force Graphics: Music: Entertaining: The New Dimension, 2014

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

SEUCK is not so scary

Evil Wizard 2

Ghosts, skulls and specters.

a lot of games came out that

you will read shortly, is also

Black fields, forests, groves.

were made with the use of this

pretty gloomy and scary.

Castles, dungeons and caves,

program, which theme are

one who is scared, dies qu-

spooky creatures, banshees

ickly! We have to kill the bad

and other monsters. An exam-

sorcerer to restore the order.

ple? Here you go: VAMPIRE

Strike with enormous force,

HUNTER, ANOTHER DAY- ANO-

Surely, when you launch the

as the torch during the dark

THER ZOMBIE, ZOMBIE BRAIN

game, you will ask: “Why a

night.

EATERS, DANTE’S DEPARTMENT

ghost is a protagonist of the

Angry ghost and the theme of revenge

STORE, FORGOTTEN FOREST,

game?” I explain. Earlier he

I noticed lately that SEUCK

GOD SLAYER, POLTERGEISTS ON

was a man, who apprenticed

has got more dark and scary.

FLOOR 12, SYLPHWYRM, LE-

by the benevolent sorcerer

No! Do not think that it haunts

GION OF THE DAMNED… brrrr,

who fought the bad wizard.

me during the nights he he,

I’m scared now. The game

Because the evil wizard had

nothing like this. I mean that

titled Evil Wizard 2, over which

great powers, he changed him

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

into a ghost. The kind sorcerer

placed in the recesses on the

1000 points. Unfortunately,

got very angry and casted a

walls. The end of the dungeons

you will not encounter other

spell on the ghost and gave

is the encounter with a dragon

bonuses.

him powers necessary to

which spits with fire. We are

inflict revenge. This is how the

getting closer to the objective,

adventure in the scary world

because the third level takes

begins. Furious ghost goes on

place in the halls of the dark,

a journey to the gloomy castle

gloomy castle. And what do

To sum it all up, I would like

of the bad wizard to defeat

we have here? Haunted gno-

to write a couple of the most

him.

mes, moving blades, falling

important issues. The music is

down rocks, snakes and the

chosen accordingly, it creates

earlier mentioned cannons.

the proper atmosphere, its’

The end of this level is the fight

scariness relates nicely to the

And the journey will be long...

Yo, mate! Does this game kick ass or not?

against the mutant knight, the

graphics. The dungeons, cor-

We begin the game on the old,

one we fought earlier. Maybe

ridors, graveyard are drawn

secluded graveyard. Blood-

not so interesting, because I

nicely, which is a testament to

thirsty bats and creatures fly

expected a new boss and they

the fact that the graphics are

around and venomous spiders

could have made another

on a high level. The enterta-

come down on the thin, barely

monster, or something equally

ining ability is also pretty high,

visible threads. To make things

horrifying… It is now the time

this way we get a nice SEUCK

harder, all the opponents

for the final fight on the top of

mixture.

throw at us some red balls.

the castle, in the chamber of

The ending of the first level is

the bad sorcerer. We will stand

Komek

the duel against dangerous

with him face to face, the time

Translated by Slayerpl

mutant knight. The second le-

of retribution has come, but

vel takes place in the dunge-

will we manage to do it?

ons of the aforementioned castle. It is very dangerous here

During the game, you will be

because of poisonous snakes,

able to collect appearing

spiders and quickly moving

sometimes diamonds. For the

birds of prey. Look out also for

gathering of every diamond

the small cannons which are

you will receive additional

Evil Wizard 2 Graphics: Music: Entertaining: The New Dimension, 2012

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Wacky Waste Seuck, even though it was

achieve that, he has to take

sometimes even our quick

supposed to be the envi-

part in 4 races and show to

reaction doesn’t help when

ronment for creating simple

his opponents, that he is the

confronted with danger. We

shoot’emups, has a second

best (and to get, as a prize,

cannot also omit our oppo-

face. Of course we have a

his ideal car). To reach a

nents and their bullets while

lot of SEUCK-based shoot’em

start of every race, he has

moving vertically, because

ups, sometimes the games

to take care of opponents

we can make only forward

appear which break this

blocking the passage to

and backward movements. It

pattern. We had, for instan-

the race start. Practically, it

is good that we can shoot in

means, as it was mentioned

every possible direction, even

earlier, interchangeability of

at a slant, which is a very

shoot’em up levels and car

useful solution. Unfortunately,

racing levels.

another oversight appears (or maybe it is deliberate), that

Because the whole plot

we can’t shoot backwards

of the game takes part in

while standing still, we can

city called Garbageville,

shoot only when we make a

the scenery is full of trash,

movement in this direction. If

dirt, metal scraps etc. The

we are being attacked from

opponents adjust to this

behind by the quickly moving

ce, pointers, pseudoplatform

atmosphere; among them

opponent- we encounter a

games, pseudo 3d games,

are cockroaches or rotten

serious problem (especial-

and what do we have here?

tomatoes. They are treated

ly when we encounter an

This time around we look at

accordingly by the protago-

opponent that we must shoot

the release, which is a com-

nist Ratty, which uses as pro-

at numerous times). The fact

bination of classic scrolled

jectiles…his own, green sa-

that some opponents do not

shoot’em up and ….. car

liva. Even though the game

appear somewhere in the

races.

may appear initially as

safe distance by the edge,

quite simple, this estimation

and practically next to the

Wacky Waste lets us imper-

quickly changes. The level of

player, does not help. To sum

sonate the persona of an

difficulty doesn’t depend on

it all up, the game is not easy

amusing Ratty, who because

the particular special chal-

and the levels where we walk

his greatest hobby are cars,

lenge, but a certain level of

on foot can be assigned to

has decided to become the

clumsiness of the game. Our

this sort of games where the

local king of the roads. To

rat moves quite slow and

further progress is reached

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

are uneven, because interesting and done nicely locations contrast with the more empty and boring. We can sense an unfulfilled potential in this matter, I think that we could place in this game more “garbage” variety. Over the music, which plays constantly during the game, we cannot say much. It is a quite energetic melody, quite pleasant and fitting the game. There is nothing special to listen to and we often forget during the game about the music. I will admit honestly that when I saw the screenshots from this game (which provided an incitement to write this review), I hoped that the game would be more unique. The work of Alf Yngve (graphics, project), Richard Bayliss (muthrough the trial and error

odd solution which involves

sic) and Martin Piper (SEUCK

method, through remem-

the changing of joystick port

extensions) disappointed me

bering the patters of mo-

between on foot levels and

to some extent. The game is

vements and places where

racing levels. To be honest, I

definitely not bad, but, to be

opponents appear.

don’t really understand what

frank, I would not put it above

was the aim of this solution.

an average game. We have

If the player has to struggle

This game is not a typical

to remember that the asses-

during on foot missions, the

two players game, and if two

sment is increased because

racing levels are of better

players wanted to play alter-

of the interesting racing levels

quality and are a lot of fun. It

nately, they can pass the joy-

(for the sheer presence of

is obvious that these are not

stick to each other. However

them it is good to play this

typical races (because you

the bigger number of people

game).

are not supposed to reach

will play Wacky Waste as a

the finish line first, but destroy

single player, and then they

your opponents), but some-

have to choose between

thing racelike (to the extent

using the second joystick

that SEUCK allows), but it is

every level, or putting in the

more dynamic, a little bit

plug between ports (if they

easier and more interesting.

have one joystick), or swit-

The circuits are made quite

ching the active port ( in the

nice; full of the more intere-

emulator).

sting surroundings, as well as

noctropolis Translated by Slayerpl

Wacky Waste Graphics:

many obstacles (moving ba-

OK and how is the situation

nana peels look nice). These

with the graphics? Generally

missions increase the general

speaking, the graphics are

assessment of entertaining

not that impressive. Maybe I

ability. However there is an

should say that the graphics

Music: Entertaining: The New Dimension, 2014

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

MID’S 80

Arctic Shipwreck The group of castaways from

The described game is the

a sinking ship shudder from

first work of Hungarian group

the cold, squeezed on a quite

called Fº451. I will say im-

I remember that when I first

big floe, but being nothing in

mediately that if someone is

encountered the game, the

comparison to the grandeur

more interested in the wider

physics of the described floe

of the arctic waters. Around

background of creation of this

made a huge impression on

them only the hum of waves,

game, the lot of the program-

me. Even though it takes up a

whistle of a cold wind and

mers and the general com-

huge part of the screen, it is

arctic vacuity. Is there a hope

puter atmosphere in Hungary

nicely animated and reacts in

for them? The rescue expedi-

in the beginning of 80ties – I

a great way with its’ tilt cau-

tion should leave but the floe

recommend the interview with

sed by the mass of the mam-

under the influence of a strong

Viktor T. Toth (if you have

moth moving on it. The floe

wind moves side to side and

not yet read this), one of the

does it with the proper delay,

often dangerously tilts. What

members of the group and

which shows clearly its’ enor-

can they do ? Wait passively

the creators of Arctic Shipw-

mous, ice mass. The creators

if someone is be able to save

reck in the C&A Games 4. I will

were pretty proud from this

them? Wait a minute…. there

mention here that the idea

algorithm and I have to admit

was one friendly mammoth

for the aforementioned game

that I’m not surprised. Even

around somewhere here….

didn’t come from them, but

more so, that we talk about

had fun like no other time.

what is inte-

the beginnings of C64 era. If

resting was

even today it is something to

the result

look at, back then it was even

of a com-

more impressive.

petition.

And the

The game is based on the

program-

fact that, impersonating the

mers, even

aforementioned mammoth,

though

we have to move on the sur-

they wor-

face of the floe to decrease

ked on the

with our mass its’ tilt. When the

borrowed

floe tilts too much, the part

equipment

of the castaways (and in bad

and for the

situations even all of them) will

ridiculously

fall into the water. We have

low remu-

to be careful not to fall to the

nerations,

ground with the mammoth be-

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

cause it is an immediate end

when we get near him with

of game. You have to keep

our mammoth. However,

the survivors on the surface of

this may seem a problem. It

the ice as long as it takes the

happens sometimes that the

ship visible on the horizon to

direction from which the bird

reach us. Generally speaking,

flies is completely different in

to end the level the saving

comparison with the direction

of one castaway will suffice,

to which we have to move to

but if more of them survives,

tilt properly the floe. Someti-

the more impressive our result

mes we have to think what is

in points will be. Aside from

better for us. To leave one of

the bonus for the number of

the survivors to be devoured

survivors, we get additional

or to take care of the bird

of Arctic waters. Besides the

points for the amount of time

and at the same time create

praised earlier floe, the gra-

we managed to stay on the

a danger for the majority of

phics is placed nicely in the

floe. When the ship of the

survivors to fall in the ice cold

times when it was done. Even

rescue expedition reaches

water? The choice is difficult,

if it is a little bit economical, I

us, (or when we manage to

but no one told that the life of

like the design of the enormo-

survive to this time) we see a

the mammoth will be easy.

us mammoth, as well as tiny

short sequence with fireworks,

people as the survivors.

after which… we land on the

Sound background of this re-

floe with another survivors, in

lease is heard the title screen

Even though audiovisual

a different colour setting and

the fragment of popular sea

design from the beginnings

what is more important, a hi-

shanty “Drunken Sailor”. Even

of C64 era is not so good for

gher level of difficulty, caused

though its’ interpretation was

today’s standards, the idea

by the stronger wind.

simplified and played out on a

and entertaining ability didn’t

simple, single sound, but these

age a bit. Arctic Shipwreck is

Certain variation In the ga-

were the times and it has a

an ideal game to play to relax

meplay is the huge bird which

certain charm nowadays. Du-

and also the kind of game

is attacking quite often our

ring the game we encounter

you can come back to often

colony of survivors. When we

only the limited sound effects

without getting bored. Mo-

not defend ourselves, the bird

and I think that it is a good

reover, the idea behind the

will catch one of the fellow

solution. The hum of waves

game (and the simplicity of

survivors and will fly away. You

and single steps of the mam-

controlling the game charac-

can scare him quite easily,

moth show nicely the infinity

ter) I consider that good that I’m surprised that no remake of the game was made for the contemporary computers (or maybe I don’t know about this because I will admit that I do not follow this market). If someone did not play this game, I recommend this game, and if you played… I also recommend to play once again and refresh your experiences with this game. noctropolis Translated by Slayerpl

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Mr. Robot and his Robot Factory There are things in life, that

step on every inch of a floor,

does not change over the

keeping track of the time

years. As it was in the 80’s of

constrains and a bunch of

twentieth century, as same it

malicious opponents. I do not

is nowadays - if a game has

recall calling this kind of inspi-

a level editor, it can expand

ration as „a clone of” at the

the games lifespan. If the

time when these games were

gameplay is interesting and

premiered. I will not use that

the author would be able to

term today, as it would be

find someone to check his

unfair to „Mr. Robot”, because

joyful creations, I believe that

the game has a lot to offer.

the authors imagination is the only limit. First game in my

Collecting every power pill on

life which had a level editor

every platform is the goal of

included was „Mr. Robot and

every consecutive screen. It

his Robot Factory”.

sounds like a job for a simple janitor. Why would anyone

Did the Robot came out of a cave?

hire an elegant tin man to do it? The answer is really simple - each room is a gravedanger

After looking at the gameplay

zone. Do you know anyone

in „Mr robot” you could get

crazy enough to clean a

an impression that it’s another

warehouse, where some kind

part of Bounty Bob adventu-

of a joker have built the floor

res. He was the main charac-

with landmines? If you com-

ter in a short series of games

bine this madness with some

started by „Miner 2049’er”. In

elevated, hardly available

both games it is required to

platforms and a group of

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

self-aware cosmic flames it all becomes clear. Mister Robot is the only choice for this dirty job. How big is the Robot Factory? Developers of the game created a set of 22 screens. It is a good number, and it gets even better as it can be doubled with the use of a level editor. In my opinion, the numbers are not as important as the quality of the design of the screens. I find the original set of levels as quite diverse and seems like a thought-out set. The amount of different elements available in the factory is at least satisfactory. There are platforms, before mentioned obstacles and more: elevators, conveyors, trampolines and even a set of magnets. With this amount of diversity all you need is some stimulation to your creative imagination. As a conclusion I would like to give you a warning about the little note appearing on the first screen. It could be tempting to collect it for a hundred points, but this is also a very special switch. Every time the note is taken by the Robot it switches the sound effects on and off.

Mr. Robot... Graphics: Music: Entertaining:

Â&#x201E;Â&#x201E;Bobikowoz

Datamost Inc, 1984

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

C64PERSIAN

C64 is a computer which doesn’t know borders and its’ expansion throughout the world resulted in reaching the places which from our point of view seem exotic. One of those places is Iran, where our C64 also appears and was there earlier the most popular computer. We succeeded in establishing contact with Peyman – the creator of a Persian C64 forum, the result of this contact is this interview.

Can you introduce yourself?

know how to open or record

In general, during that time,

a computer program! We had

many people began to get

My name is Peyman and I’m

to write almost 200 lines of the

interested in IT and compu-

the webmaster of the Per-

code in BASIC to play a game.

ters. A lot of people wanted

sian C64 forum (http://www.

When we tried to do it for the

to purchase the computers,

c64persian.tk).

first time and we were around

but because our country was

100th line, suddenly, becau-

at war with Iraq, the ability to

Can you tell something more

se of an air raid (our country

buy things was limited. Either

about yourself, what do you

was at war with Iraq during

case, C64 was during that

do for a living etc.?

that time) there was a power

time the most popular compu-

failure in the whole neighbour-

ter in our country.

I was born in 1976. I work as

hood. All our work was in vain.

the hardware technician. I

After some time the electricity

When did you purchase your

have a bachelor degree in ICT

was restored and we deci-

C64?

(Information and Communica-

ded to try again, we have

tion Technologies). I’m intere-

successfuly written the code

I bought my C64 in 1989 for

sted in the design of Internet

and played the game. I don’t

300 000 Iranian Rials (I don’t

websites and, of course, what

really remember what was the

really remember how much

I couldn’t not mention, the

name of the game, however

that was when converted to

best computer in the world,

I remember that there was

dollars). Not long later I began

which still brings the feeling

a blimp in the game which

programming in BASIC first

of nostalgia to Iranian users –

shot at everyone and that the

and then I started tuning the

C64.

game was pretty simple. That

games , to gather the sprites

was my first my game on C64.

or the music from them, or

How did your interest in C64

One month later I saw my unc-

enable some tricks.

begin?

le playing a ninja game (as we thought, after contacting our

Tell us something about the

I came across C64 in 1988,

interviewee one more time,

Iranian community of C64

when I attended the primary

we confirmed that the game’s

users, were there a lot of C64

school. There was a newly bo-

name was „Last Ninja”). I liked

fans? Do you know something

ught C64 at my uncle’s house.

the game very much and this

about any Iranian productions

My uncle had no games on

was the moment when my

( games, demos, collections)?

the tapes and we didn’t even

interest in C64 began for real.

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

C64 and Amiga were extre-

Most of the software was

There are a couple of demos

mely popular among Iranians

cracked, there weren’t many

on CSDB from Iran. Did the

and a lot of people interested

originals. A particular Iranian

demo scene exist in Iran? Did

in computers had this type of

company created programs

C64 fans meet at the organi-

hardware. I didn’t know much

for the learning of the Com-

zed rallies?

about games and demos,

modore use (these programs

you would have to ask this

are currently available and I

I don’t know anything abo-

question to the user Amirta-

will place them on CDSB) but

ut this. I placed on CSDB a

va from our forum (this user is

there were no Persian games.

couple of demos from our co-

Amir Morteza Tavakolnia – one

Another company made

untry, however it is only a be-

of the programmers of the

cartridges, but we still cannot

ginning and we need a lot of

Iranian sequel of ‘Last Ninja’

reach any of the producents.

time to find all the data. There

– THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

We try to create a comple-

were only a couple of websi-

(http://www.gamesthatwe-

te list of the authors of the

tes in the Persian language

rent.com/gtw64/beauty-and-

hardware and the software on

during last 20 years and those

beast) – editor’s note.).

the C64 forum .

websites contained not a lot of information. I thought that I

Were there also Atari compu-

Was there a possibility to pur-

will create this forum and the

ters in Iran ?

chase a legal software in the

former users of C64 and A500

computer shops?

from Iran will have a place

ere weren’t many Atari com-

to meet and we will gather

puters, however the video

Yes, I remember that my uncle

a lot of forgotten information

game console Atari 2600 with

had 4 or 5 original games and

coming from our country

a game River Raid were very

programs. I had the original

popular and you could find

version of the game Platoon,

Can C64PERSIAN community

them in every iranian house-

but without a cover. The pur-

be treated as a scene group ?

hold in 1986.

chase of the original software was very difficult, the availabi-

Yes, we have people who are

What are your favourite ga-

lity in the computer shops was

busy with programming, but

mes, now and then ?

low and the majority of shops

we need more time to find

sold copies.

somebody for other activities.

Currently, I get to know a lot of games, which I didn’t know back then. My favourite games back then and now are : The Last Ninja 1, Battleship, Battle Valley, Commando, Turbo Out Run, Heli Drop, ACE, International Karate, Soldier One, Beach-Head, Skool Daze, Little Computer People and many more... My favourite music comes from Jeroene Toel and Rob Hubbard and the best Persian music comes from the Computer Saz demo, whose author is Hamed Ranjbar Navazi.. What was the situation with software in Iran?

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Unfortunately, couple talented

cartridge’s port. It showed on

ceed, I showed them how to

individuals connected with

the screen a graphic scheme

do it by POKE and other tricks.

C64 scene are no longer with

of this port, it checked all the

When we programmed back

us. A graphic designer and

pins and finally it displayed a

then in BASIC, we used only

coder Reza Shamsian died

message : “Your cartridge port

C64 manuals and information

because of a sudden heart at-

does not work”. This messa-

from “Home Computers”.

tack, the music designer and

ge and the whole program

coder Hamed Ranjbar Na-

was 100% fake. We took this

What was he main reason for

vazi died in a car crash. C64

program to Hooman so he can

creating C64PERSIAN forum?

Persian works currently on the

test his cartridge port in his

new demo. It will be placed

C64. When Hooman saw the

I have whole years of memo-

on our forum when the demo

message, he, horrified, wan-

ries connected with the use of

is ready.

ted to take out immediately

C64 and I decided to create

his cartridge while C64 was

this forum as a tribute to the

Do you remember some

turned on! I stood behind him

golden era of computeriza-

interesting or funny situations

and said that he shouldn’t do

tion, during which I lived, and

connected with Commodore?

this because the program was

also to create a place for

a joke. When we wrote our

mutual discussion between

In 1991, one year after I

programs in BASIC (really basic

Iranian fans of Commodore.

bought my first C64, a friend

programs such as minipro-

The forum has existed for two

from my neighborhood Ehsan

gram consisting of questions

years now and I hope it will

also bought C64. We wrote

and answers, sprite controlled

allow the fans of Commodore

the programs in Basic, we

by the joystick – all of them

in Iran (there were a lot of fans

recorded them on tapes and

done in a humorous way) we

of C64 in Iran, unfortunately

gave them to friends, mainly

used safety measures which

during the last years C64 was

for fun…. One time, when my

hid the code of the program

almost completely forgotten)

power supply adaptor was

during the attempt to see it

to meet once again.

damaged, I was at his place

with LIST command. A couple

and he came up with an idea

of our friends from the neigh-

to write a certain program for

borhood tried to override the

fun. My other friend, Hooman,

safety measures to see how

Yes, I have. Other users of our

was supposed to be the butt

everything works and use the

forum also have C64, A500

of the joke. I wrote on Ehsia-

code in their programs. They

or other videogame consoles

n’s C64 a program that was

tried many times but to no

such as Spectrum or A1200.

supposed to pretend to check

avail. When they did not suc-

Do you have currently C64 ?

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Thank you for the interview!

as Kmvdvr. It can be treated as a curiosity. Another thing is

Word from the editorial staff:

that the forum, even though

We are aware that the inte-

it is called C64PERSIAN, has a

rview may seem a little bit

separate section concerning

chaotic. It is a result of cer-

Amiga, however this section is

tain problems in the mutual

less popular. Peyman shared

communication, which wasn’t

with us his collection of scans

easy, because we do not

of of covers of the aforemen-

know Persian and Peyman

tioned „Home Computers”. We

doesn’t know a lot of English.

use some of them as an illustra-

Moreover, we had to ask addi-

tion to the interview. The covers

tional questions, clear out

are from 1988-1994 (according

inconsistencies and sometimes

to the Persian calendar 1366-

the conversation became

1372, the years are counted

even more entangled…. We

beginning with the escape of

had to put in a lot of effort to

Mohammed from Mecca in AD

turn the received information

622) and it appears that the

into the coherent and logic

magazine was regularly issued

text. We tried with all our he-

(every month) - it looks that it

arts to achieve the end result

was succesful. It proves that

which would be understanda-

C64 and other computers users

ble to the reader. We hope

in Iran is not a folclore but a

that we succeeded.

pretty large group.

When we analyze the answers

Ramos & noctropolis

sent by Peyman, we notice that

Translated by Slayerpl

the computer names such as Amiga and Spectrum have their counterparts in Persian langu-

‫اگیمآ‬, and Spectrum ‫)مورتکپسا‬, C64 does

age (Amiga

not have such a counterpart , it is written as ‫رودومک‬, which can be fonetically transscribed

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Stars and planets a’la Commodore

Every day, incessantly throughout the billions of years, the night begins. People throughout the ages observed

these phenomena, which happen during that time on the sky – stars, nebulae, planets....Probably almost everyone among us is able to recognize the The Plough. For every self-respecting aficionado of the firmament, eyes and the map of the sky ( image of the placements of the stars and the nebulae consistent with a given time) are important instruments. It can appear on paper but also on the screen of a computer or smartphone. Other similar, useful devices in researching and discovering the mysteries of the visible Outer Space were also released for Commodore. I decided to prepare a list of these devices and compare them with each other.

Sky Travel in the New York area on 1st January 1985. Of course, it is not a problem at all, because we can easily set the parameters adequate to our city, date and the time. By the use of joystick we can move through the whole sky, even the sky under the horizon, an interesting and concise note is made about every element. We can follow the current positions of such object as the stars, planets and nebulae. The useful option available in this program is Definitely the most professional from the cho-

looking for the objects on the sky – we can

sen programs. It was released by the Com-

choose this command, the name of the ob-

modore company in 1984. Its’ full name is “Sky

ject and wait a moment. Waiting – that is one

Travel: A Window to our Galaxy”. The time to

significant drawback of this virtual map of the

load the program completely and launch it is

sky. Every operation takes a lot of time, even

almost 4 minutes, this is an evidence to the

moving the observed area in a random direc-

abundance of the data, that this program

tion takes a lot of time and this decreases the

has. After finishing all the necessary calcula-

functionality of the program.

tions we are placed at the sky around noon Ocena: Functionality:

Congruity:

Clarity:

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Planetarium setting the time and date was way simpler. The map of the sky is nice – looking and clear, when you push the SPACE button all the constellations are connected by the lines. We can change the angle of view in the scope of 360 degrees, moving by 5 degrees. The possibility to enlarge the observed area by 3 times is definitely an useful option. The shortcoming of this map is the fact that we cannot change the geographical positioning of the observer, Under this very original name is a release

who was limited to some place in the Middle

issued by Heinz Heisse and Input 64 in 1985.

Europe. Interesting option in this program is

This program is, as we can imagine, in Ger-

the earlier mentioned long term simulation. It

man, therefore to use it you have to be fluent

slowly shows on the screen the chosen frag-

in German. After loading and launching the

ment of the sky, registering the changes of its’

program, we see clear, German language

placement during the given amount of mi-

menu with four options – instructions, settings,

nutes ( at most 9999), which provides with an

map of the sky and long term simulation. The

effect similar to the photographing the night

instructions are written in specialized German,

sky with a long exposure.

so I had considerable problems with understanding the instructions completely, but Ocena: Functionality:

Congruity:

Przjerzystość:

Solar system Halley’s comet and the Moon. The choice of these options shows accurate and current information about the chosen object, such as the distance from the Sun, the time of sunrise or the positioning on the sky in the parallel system. In the case of the Moon, the computer draws the current phase, but it takes a lot of time. The other options in the menu allow us to correct the date and the position of NUnfortunately, I’m not able to find out, in

the observer, writing in the readable table of

which year and who made this program,

the most important observational data of the

but it is not a necessary matter. It is a very

objects of the Solar System and even showing

precise and praiseworthy instrument, almost

its’ current positioning. It is a very precise

scientific. During the launch of the program,

tool, which can draw the orbits of all the

we are asked about the precise geographical

planets with the one day accuracy, while ke-

positioning of the observer and the date with

eping up their eccentricity. The shown settings

the accuracy to a minute, which promises

can be printed, we need a printer to do it.

a good release. There are 16 options in the main menu. The first eleven are the object of the Solar System – all the planets, the Sun, Ocena: Functionality:

Congruity:

Clarity:

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Patrick Moore Astronomy Program fied. If the previously mentioned programs used advanced algorithms to calculate the positions of the stars, in this case we deal with a simple map, similar to the paper map, with a constant positioning of the constellations against each other. The only changes that we can make in the areas of time and the positioning of the observer, is the month. The upside is that we can choose the stars from the night sky and read some information Yes, it is connected with this Patrick Moore,

about them. The more interesting option is the

English amateur astronomer. This released aro-

option of inner and outer planets – it shows

und 1984 astronomic program is issued with his

the outline of the Solar System, the planets

name and is a pretty useful instrument. The

move on the orbits. During this time the infor-

great advantage, distinguishing this program

mation is shown about the currently moving

from the two other, earlier mentioned pro-

planet. The test is available on a good le-

grams is the fact that it works fast and effi-

vel, you have to answer in it 20 randomized

ciently, probably because of its’ pretty simple

questions. I will admit that I answered correc-

interface. The creator of this program offered

tly 11 questions. I was disappointed with an

to us 6 options in the menu – the map of the

astronomic glossary, because it doesn’t work,

sky from the north and the south, inner pla-

typing even the most basic words crashes the

nets, astronomic glossary and astronomic test.

computer and the only solution is resetting it.

The map of the sky is useful but pretty simpliOcena: Functionality:

Congruity:

Clarity:

Solar System by Scott Talling with a clear, simple encyclopedia. There are 19 options in the main menu. The first nine shows the planets of the Solar System with the statistics. Legible view of the planet, the most important data, in appropriate units or in relation to Earth – everything properly done and quite accurately. The remaining 10 options show the same data, but it compares the planets with each other, for example we This program is a great source of data con-

see at the same time all the planets, one after

cerning the planets of the Solar System. The

another. It is a useful and legible device worth

loading of the program does not take long,

of praise, even though it was created in 1984.

as in the case of Sky Travel, and we end up Ocena: Functionality:

Congruity:

Clarity:

C64

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

The Solar System about the Solar System will certainly value this program. The program shows the planets moving on the orbits - it is interesting, even more so because they are drawn using only PETSCII signs. When we push the SPACE button, the simple information about the additional planets are shown, and after the information about Pluto, who was back then recognized as a planet, the test starts, the knowledge which you got by using the program is being Very creative names… “The Solar System” is

tested. According to the information in the

an educational program made by Commodo-

program, The Solar System can be launched

re company in 1983. It is not useful for the ob-

not only on C64 but also on PET. If I was suppo-

servations, however the layman with the sense

sed to describe this program with one word I

of humor who wants to get to know something

would say: you can use it but is it worth it?

Ocena: The evaluation: I will abstain from it

Visible Solar system can watch moving models of four planets together with its’ moons: Earth, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. The animations are nice and smooth, the data about the watched objects of the Solar System are shown. Too bad that Mercury and Venus were not included…. When we push the buttons of the numbers, a detailed information about all the seen planets is shown on the screen, and when we push “A” button we can set with which This program is quite interesting. Released

planet the data has to be compared. Maybe

in 1982 by Commodore, this program from

this program is not as scientific as previously

the very beginning makes an impression with

mentioned “Solar System” , but it is certainly

pretty graphics. If we push “P” button, we

more accurate.

Ocena: Functionality:

Congruity:

Clarity:

This way I reviewed and appraised the most important programs which in the somewhat specialistic approach deal with astronomic scope of knowledge. If they are not useful for you, because you are not interested in the Outer Space, the astral shoot’em ups or other sci-fi adventure games always wait for you. Minimoog Translated by Slayerpl

C16

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

MEMENTO The human mind is an extremely powerful device, the factory of good and evil, sleeping volcano. Kind, but at the same time dangerous, having a huge influence on our world. How much can we achieve? How great is his power? Supposedly the human uses only 10 percent of his brain? So the remaining 90 percent is dead? It is a stupid myth, repeated throughout many years. Every day itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range is occupied by work, because we see, hear, feel, think, move so it is a controversial statement that such a huge amount is not used. What would happen if people had supernatural abilities? Probably every one of them would have wanted to rule the world, because the seed of greediness is in every mind and the question if it will grow or not, depends on us. Praise the

C16

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

ones who have good inten-

that after turning a given card

I will admit frankly that I like

tions and use their knowledge,

we have to find another card

the graphics of Memento very

skills and abilities.

with the same drawing, then

much, it is clear and colourful,

the two cards will disappear.

and the silhouette of a certain

OK, so you want to increase

We repeat this activity until

lady with a coquettish glance

the ability of your brain? Me-

all the cards disappear. We

increases it. The music is also

ditate hours long, eat handfuls

have four minutes to fulfill the

very good, because it sounds

of walnuts, and use lecithin.

task on every level. If you do

really nice and does not inter-

Oh boy! Let’s not get crazy,

not succeed the GAME OVER

rupt you to focus. Good reali-

because too much of some-

screen appears.

zation and high entertaining

thing is not healthy. To start I

ability cause that it is really

propose to launch from time

The creator of this absorbing

to time an interesting logical

game is Hungarian group cal-

game, which will not only

led Assassins (ASN), which has

Komek

bring great entertainment, but

earlier created the adventure

Translated by Slayerpl

will stimulate our grey matter

game ADVENTURES IN TIME

in our brain.

and a very good conversion

good to play this game.

from ZX Spectrum UWOL – Memento is a traditional

Quest for money. Getting into

logical game which trains our

details, I will add that Memen-

brain through remembering. It

to was decoded by Gabor

was based on the same idea

(Skoro), graphics was done

as the C64 version from 2013

by Robert (Kichy), and the

under the title MEM64! The le-

music by Csaba (Csabo). The

vel includes thirty upside down

game was presented on the

cards, under which different

12th November of 2013 in the

signs, subjects hide. The game-

internet website Commodre

play is based on the premise

Plus/4 world.

Memento Grafika: Dźwięk: Entertaining: Assassins (ASN), 2013

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

HISTORY LINE: 1914-1918 The computer games from

carries with impetus the play-

xities. The scene showing the

the turning point of 80ties

er, like a good book, through

lonely soldier on the battle-

and 90ties showed only a

the events of the World War

field titled „Somewhere on the

small portion of war actions:

One. HL is basically, a history

Western front. Summer 1916”

a couple of good aircraft

lesson: it involves the skirmishes

introduces us to the game-

simulators were issued, but

played in 2 month intervals

play.

generally it lacked a complete

and the course of the war is shown through 24 missions

Theatre of war events

during the 4 year conflict. They

took into consideration the hi-

The first decision involves cho-

storical background, the units

osing the sides: France or Ger-

are thoroughly characterized,

many. It is a simplified choice,

every mission is preceded by

because a majority of deve-

the summary of the course of

loped countries participated

fights in the last weeks. The

in the war, but it immediately

player learns about the world

places us on one of the figh-

events, technological novel-

ting sides. The gamescreen is

ties or even the trivial matters

divided into two parts, which

described in the newspapers’

enables us to play the rounds

depiction. This gap was filled

of this period. Even the intro

at the same time, and the ga-

in 1992 by German studio Blue

makes us feel the atmosphere

meplay involves two separate

Byte who released for Amiga

and the historical background

rounds: the movement phase

and later MS-DOS History Line

nicely: the cutscenes show the

and the attack phase. When

1914-1918. The titular History

assassination in Sarajevo and

one of the players starts the

Line is based on the engine of

the animated map of Europe

engines of their machines,

the popular series Battle Isle; it

explains the political comple-

the second player burns the

On the 28th June of 1914 Austrian successor of

Hungary gave Serbia ultimatum which is decli-

the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand Habsburg

ned by them. The situation in Europe is tense: as

is assassinated. The assassination was made

the result of many of different agreements and

and done by the group of Serbian nationali-

treaties made in the beginning of the Bismarck

sts, then citizens of Austro – Hungarian Empire

era, the continent was divided into the hosti-

who were trying to incorporate Bosnia to their

le alliances. At one side the forces of entente

country. In the result of the attack, Austria –

(Great Britain, France, Russia) and the Central

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

fuse in his cannons. In 1992

is usually smaller. On the maps

Graphically the game looks

it was an original approach,

we can also find depots and

great, the battle scenes are

which was copied in the next

factories which can help us re-

animated. The steering is sim-

years by a couple of games

pair the existing or create new

ple: joystick or the mouse and

of this type. The objective of

units. The buildings neutral at

the use of a couple of buttons

the game is taking over the

the beginning we first have

from the keyboard.

hostile headquarters or simply

to take over (we sometimes

destroying all enemy units. The

receive as the prize the units

map is seen from the bird view

residing there), and from their

and is divided into the hexa-

number depends our ability

The game begins In August

gon fields and different ele-

to produce (manufacturing

of 1914 with the attack of

ments of scenery (hills, rivers,

points). AI of the computer

Germany against France. In

lakes, forests, roads), influence

is set into an ultra optimistic

the first months of war caval-

the properties of units (com-

attack and with a little bit of

ry, infantry and light artillery

bat as well as movement). The

calculation and cunning we

dominates on the scene of

time of the year also influen-

can defeat him quite easily.

war, but with the passage

ces the properties of the units,

There is no fog of war in Hl

of time armoured vehicles,

for example on the winter

and the realism of the strategy

airforce and navy become

maps the mobility of our army

decreases because of that.

the main forces. Consecutive

bayonets READY!

Powers (Germany, Austria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hungary and Italy).

by the complex system of international allian-

Europe mentally enters the military conflict and

ces. The greatest military conflict starts, which

all the negotiations, talks and ways of resolving

will take 4 years to end and will cause death of

the frictions does not succeed.

16 millions of people.

On the 28th July Austria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hungary declares war to the Serbia, starting the domino effect caused

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

missions introduce new formations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we are the witnesses of industrialization of units with early bombers, tanks, airships and submarines in the forefront. The picturesque green meadows and hills from the summer of 1914 in the next months transform into full of bunkers, trenches and ditches the points of fortifications â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the conflict was a positional war. When possessing the similar amounts of soldiers and

them be destroyed, because

port vehicles such as lorries or

equipment, the key to victory

the reinforcements created

ships.

is of course the strategy and

in depots have at the begin-

the level of training of your

ning a small fighting prowess.

army. You gather an expe-

Every unit is characterized by

rience during the fights, so the

completely different combat

Great graphics, music helping

important part of our decisions

features and various mobility.

to create the proper atmo-

will be removing from the

Some of them, for example

sphere, good working anima-

battlefield the damaged units,

huge cannons, are slow and

tions and the whole historical

and then restoring them to

they receive a punishment

depth make HL a really great

use in depots. The experien-

for the move and restore their

strategy. Of course a realism

ced units fight more efficient,

combat ability only in the next

of the game has a big gap

that is why we should not let

round. It is good to use trans-

between the later releases

Great War, great joy

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

from the Panzer General gen-

Amiga (earlier Commodore

connection and realization of

re, but the entertaining ability

User) in their review suggested

many different ideas was the

is really good and the game-

the possibility of issuing the ad-

first that developed strategy

play is absorbing. For many

ditional editions placed in the

for Amiga, setting the stan-

players from our generation it

Roman, medieval or Napole-

dards for next years. Blue Byte

was the first professional multi-

on times. Unfortunately those

exists to this day (the studio

player game and nothing cau-

plans never succeeded. In

was taken over by Ubisoft in

sed more joy than destroying

the USA, because of a greater

the January of 2001) and suc-

the enemy cavalry from the

recognition, this game was

cessfully produces and issues

hill. It is worth mentioning that

issued under title „The Great

games for different platforms

for two player mode additio-

War 1914-1918”.

creating the beautiful, almost

nal 12 maps were made. The game takes a lot of disk space

30 years long, history among

BLUE BYTE SOFTWARE

(7 amiga diskettes) which was

the computer games producers.

a big obstacle in the past,

HL 1914-1918 was definitely

changing diskettes very often

a good release, but what is

(map mode, cutscenes, fight

more important, considerably

simulations) was exhausting, so

made it easier for the Blue

the majority of players resi-

Byte studio to develop. Smaller

gned from the animated fight

at the beginning developer

scenes choosing the simu-

from Dusseldorf invested in the

lation in the shortened ver-

complex projects – difficult

sion. The name of the game

to realize, but ambitious and

suggested the beginning of

visionary. This is how the main

the whole series of historical

series of the studio developed,

games: British magazine CU

The Settlers, which through

general tomxx Translated by Slayerpl

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Tetris 30th anniversary 6th June 2014 was a special day. It was the

but also on every kind of a electronic device,

day during which Internet was flooded with a

which has a screen enabling to show more than

plethora of information about some seemingly

digits: mobile phones, palmtops, TV-sets, tablets,

insignificant game. This anniversary was mentio-

watches and TV decoders. Not so long ago a

ned not only by computer magazines such as

group of aficionados organized a session of the

Chip or PC World, but also the weekly magazine

game on the walls of 133 meter tall skyscraper.

Wprost. Not a lot of titles are able to bring the

The classic over which we are talking about is

attention of the magazines not dealing with

Tetris. This logical game was originally created

computers and video games, as this game

for the computer called Elektronika 60 by the

which is 30 years after the premiere, no other

Russian scientist Aleksey Pazytnov with the help

game can dream about the popularity of the

of his two coworkers Dimitri Pawlowski and Va-

described product. The game works not only on

dim Gerasimov.

the computer and the video game consoles,

In normal circumstances

situation linked with the ob-

these people should become

taining of the profits from the

millionaires. Unfortunately,

copyrights of the computer

they were unlucky, because

games created by the citizens

they were born on the wrong

of Soviet Union, they took over

side of the iron curtain. In the

these rights. One of the first

end even Pazytnow did not

people claiming the copyrights

make huge money out of

for the game was the CEO of

Tetris, which cannot be said

English company called An-

about some people living west

dromeda â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Robert Stein, who

of Elbe. These people took

sold the license to the British

advantage of unclear legal

Mirrorsoft and the American

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Spectrum Holobyte couple

on OS4Depot. We should add

months before the meeting

to that commercial titles and

with Pazytnov. Mirrorsoft issued

these which were included on

official version of this game for

the various compilations or CD

Amiga.

covers and never came into official Amiga servers in the

The game was completely co-

Internet. We have a lot to cho-

nventional. The titular picture

ose from. Below I will present a

is a compulsory for the Tetris

couple of examples, that got

of 80ties Orthodox Church of

my attention in different pe-

Saint Basil. After that there is a

riods of my over 20 year long

traditional game with a typical

Amiga use.

7 element set of tetromino. Graphics, considering the

Tertis Pro - released in 1993

Amiga capabilities, were not

Logic System game has shown

overwhelming.

that arranging fallen down elements, has undergone a consi-

Another Tetris appeared year

derable evolution. Besides the

later, this time promoted by

usual blocks, bonus blocks also

Infogrames, authors here tried

appeared in this game, which

to significantly diversify the

were supposed to make the

game. Even though the titular

game easier or harder by, for

screen is still an Orthodox

example, turning the screen

Church, later when we pass

upside down. In later stages

into another level we can

we begin with a partially built

admire the pictures showing

level, because of that arran-

the landscape of Russia such

ging every block correctly be-

as the harbor, launching site,

comes more difficult. There are

Caucasus mountains, forests

also elements which enrich the

etc. Another upside is the fact

graphics. Together with the a

that this game as one of the

number of connected lines we

not many game from this pe-

discover consecutively a part

riod works in accordance with

of pictures which are a back-

an operational system.

ground of the level. However the graphics was rendered by

Here ends the official history of

using the ECS chip and even

Tetris on Amiga, but I am not

though it looked neat, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

going to end this text. Tetris,

very pretty.

maybe beside Breakout, is probably the most cloned

Probably even bigger whiff

game in the world and the

of freshness in Tetris genre

case is not different as far as

was Blockout. This game was

our computer is concerned

issued in 1989 in USA, but it

where miscellaneous varieties

was made by Polish program-

of this title can be counted in

mers. It was without a doubt

hundreds.

the biggest Polish hit among the computer games and it

We should just mention that in

has achieved a huge acclaim

the resources of Aminet there

in the world. The reason for

are around 85 Tetris games,

success was moving the Tetris

and the owners of newer

into 3rd dimension. Now the

Amigas can find another 30

player was supposed to bring

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

down the blocks into a well

better looking productions

while looking into it from abo-

than these that I described.

ve. The playing was because

Sep Five was one of them, the

of that more interesting but

plot took place in the atmo-

also more difficult. This game,

sphere of an old, abandoned

even though that the Amiga

monastery. The player saw

version was way better than in

the table on the screen, the

the PC version, did not have a

feather used to write, the can-

particularly good graphics., we

dles, some tinctures and the

had to wait for a really nice

book, after the book opens

looking Tetris.

it becomes the main field of the game. This quite nicely

The last title issued for A500

created scenery was accom-

that I will present is Amotrix,

panied by equally good music.

created by Chris Hodges, praised also for other projects. This

Ineptris shocked during itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

released in 1992 program was

time with a completely rende-

supposed to refer to the gol-

red graphics. When we take

den times of 8 bit computers.

into consideration, that the

The background to the game

majority of Amiga releases

was a colorful rainbow which

around this time had a hand

reminded of the ZX Spectrum

drawn scenery, rendered

logo. Typical chip music plays

graphics on the screen made

in the background. We have

quite an impression. It was not

to admit that even though

so good with music. During

it was stylized to look like a

the game we heard only

game from a bygone era, it

the sound effects. However,

had a remarkable graphics,

they used a quite interesting

a better one that the previo-

solution in the form of a juke

usly mentioned games. What

box. We could launch it as we

is striking, is the fact that the

made our progress though the

animation of the falling blocks

game and choose a music

in the game is really fluent

fragment which was played

(and pretty fast) . The blocks

through a short period of time.

are not limited to a standard set of blocks. The player could

Petris is one of the many simple

choose from three sets. The

games working in the WB win-

bonus feature was a falling

dow. During the time when the

down from time to time water

graphics cards were not yet

drop, which filled our empty

popular in Amiga computers,

spaces.

99% of workbench games was characterized by a very simple

In the times of A1200 every

graphics, which used in most

possible thing or novelty was

cases only 4 default system

created as far as Tetris is con-

colors. Petris broke this pattern,

cerned. The best way to make

it was not only in color but also

your game special between

it had some small graphics

a tens of similar games, was

novelties. From contemporary

a good graphics. I have no

point of view it was not some-

doubts, that in the middle

thing special, but back then it

of 90ties there were a lot of

was one of the better looking

AMIGA

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

visually games for WB.

commentary, played during the game. Even though the

Tetrys 95 is in my opinion the

works of Freddy Mercury and

best Tetris for classic Amiga.

company is not my cup of tea,

Great graphics and music and

for the fans of this band it may

but above all ideally fluent

be the best Tetris ever…

animation is a main feature of this release. The game offers a

Falling UP - the last title, that

couple of types of gameplay,

I present, environment GL is

from a very simple junior to

needed to launch it, it is not

classic and fantasy, where the

however another 3D Tetris. The

blocks can be destroyed with

field of the gameplay con-

the use of a a shooting bird or

stantly changes its placement,

a dynamite. They found a very

because of that the player

original solution for 2 persons

has to deal with placing the

gameplay, they didn’t play on

blocks on the level being, for

separate levels, but coopera-

example, in the vertical or ho-

ted on one level, subsequently

rizontal reflection. Not an new

putting the blocks in right pla-

idea, playing upside down was

ces. Various levels and huge

offered by TetrisPro, where this

dose of entertaining ability are

reflection was made in a static

additional arguments for the

way, in Falling UP the level

thesis that Tetrys 95 should be

fluently rotates around and

definitely installed on every

during that time the blocks

hard drive of an Amiga fan of

don’t stop to fall down. During

Tetris genre.

some moments we feel like in a shooting range in a fairgro-

After buying Amiga One, the

und, where we have to aim

first Tetris that I played was

at rotating shield. As you can

Ltris. The game is characteri-

see, the game because of this,

zed by nice graphics, rich in

is not simple. I advise it to the

interesting effects and very

patient players.

fluent animation. Not only this gathered my attention, I

The twelve games that I pre-

valued Ltris for a rich choice of

sented, is only a small part of

difficulty levels and gameplay

a huge collection of similar

types. Besides the one for he

games for our platform. As I

single player, there are some

mentioned in the beginning

gameplay types for multiplay-

of the article, the varieties of

er, where we can play with a

Tetris for Amiga can be coun-

live or a computer opponent.

ted in hundreds, I don’t doubt that the same is true for C64.

Tetris Queen - This Tetris is a

Probably everyone of you

tribute to the legendary British

has their favorite, maybe one

rock band. It does not have a

not mentioned in the article. I

nice graphics or the original

propose to launch our favori-

gameplay types. The one thing

te computers and spend the

that distinguishes the game

anniversary of the never aging

is a huge collection of music

classic actively.

in .mid files with Queen hits, which are, with an adequate

Rafał „Mufa” Chyła Translated by Slayerpl

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Resurrection the old shown in a new manner: Mortal Kombat giving the food for thought to all “the defenders of morality”. It would be extremely harmful to say that it was the only feature that distinguished the game from many others. The huge impression was also made (at least on the players, not on the previously mentioned detractors) by the beautifully digitalized characters, impressive combat mechanics and harsh, overwhelming atmosphere (regardless of the sheer, previously mentioned brutality). The second part of the game raised the bar even

Mortal Kombat is a game

higher, becoming the game

which caused a significant

which is still highly valued by

commotion during 1990ties not

many. I still remember the

only among the players but

never-ending conversations

also in many other communi-

about the characters from the

ties theoretically not connec-

game, their storylines, their

ted with the game industry.

punching styles, fatalities etc.

This title defined the concept

conducted during the school

of a “brutal computer game”,

breaks. Third part of the game

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

created the image of the trilo-

ting from the original atmo-

gy, even though I valued MK2

sphere parts 5-8 (fourth part is

higher. The Amiga users were

in my opinion partially success-

also badly treated, because

ful). Creators of the game,

the game was not released for

NetherRealms Studios (with

this platform and they did not

very well-known Ed Boone in

have the opportunity to play

a crucial role) also knew that

this game.

the MK brand slowly dies out and to achieve the old spark,

Ok, it is enough about the

they must make a sudden

history and the short intro-

turn. They decided to return

duction into the climate of

without any concessions to

beginnings of the dragon

the everything that is the best

series. I want to write about

in the first parts of the series

the released in 2011 for PC

and it turned out that it was a

computers and PS3, PS Vita

great decision.

and XBOX360 ninth part of the game (yes, because even tho-

What made the fans of the

ugh the game is titled Mortal

first parts of the game the

Kombat, it is sometimes called

most was the fact that the

MK9). Someone may ask: why

producers stopped adding to

should we make a big fuss

the roster of warriors new, not

about ninth part of the series,

influential and not interesting

if the MK series was continued

characters to replace the

throughout the years with a

known and loved classic cha-

new part of the game once

racters. This way, everyone

in a while? Because of two

who had a favourite fighter in

reasons: the game is an offi-

one of the parts of the trilo-

cial reboot of the series and

gy, will find him or her here.

it cleverly defines the three

Second important matter (and

first tournaments (interesting

a wink to the classic fans) is

idea about sending by Ray-

the fact that the game returns

den the telepathic message

to fighting in 2D. Of course,

to the past to himself). The

the graphics in the game

second reason is the fact that

are completely 3D, because

according to many fans only

it can’t be different in the

this part of the game is a true

modern times, but the fighting

continuator of the trilogy, after

occurs in two dimensions –

not so successful and depar-

you cannot go freely around

In Resurrection: the old shown in a new manner, presentations of games for contemporary hardware will appear (PC, game consoles, and portable devices) which are continuations, adaptations, remakes of classic games, known from Commodore or Amiga. Of course, we have to remember that we are retro magazine and these reviews won’t be complete and contemporary, but more of a referrals written from the point of the beginning of the classic game. A lot of place will be devoted to how a given title relates to its’ predecessor and how much he takes from it, but also new novelties will be shown, which will bring some freshness to the old concept. Reviewed games won’t be evaluated with points in a standard way, because it would be difficult to use an old range of estimation for old and new games, which may lead to discrepancies. To put it short, we hope you will like this section.

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

your opponent or even make

of standard playing modes

small dodging movements to

known from the previous parts

the sides. It is a great idea.

of the game such as VS or

Regardless of that, the atmo-

tournament brackets (about

sphere of trilogy appears with

which we don’t have to write),

every second of the game.

“Story mode” and “Challenge

The characters of the game

mode” were added. First of

have their classic attacks and

these modes is cinematic tour

punches, well – known fata-

through the first three tourna-

lities, the fights take place in

ments’ history, where the par-

the classic, but modernized

ticular fights are interrupted

arenas, classic music with new

by the cutscenes. This mode

arrangements plays in the

is pretty long and interesting

background. Do you want to

and gives us the possibility to

throw someone in the acid in

play as one of the character

Dead Pool Chamber or throw

of good side one by one (eve-

somebody of the bridge in

ryone of them is a separate

The Pit like in the good, old

chapter, in total 16 chapters).

times? Treat your opponent

The fun is really great and

with a Scorpion’s lace, Cage’s

absorbing, the whole mode

scrambled eggs or cut into

is viewed like a full of action

pieces by Baraki? Kick horrify-

interactive movie. Second of

ing Goro’s or the conceited

the aforementioned modes is

Shao Khan’s ass, hitting him

300 challenges in the form of

with an uppercut precisely in

tower, on every floor we have

the moment when he laughs

to do a given task. They can

at us with a pity or points a

be pretty ingenious, from figh-

finger at us with impuden-

ting with multiple opponents

ce? This is not a problem. The

one by one, through the de-

producers did everything to

mand to use the given attacks

ensure that the player expe-

or the need to finish off your

riences the new game in an

opponent quickly, to the com-

older form. The older games

pletely crazy ideas such as

were criticized for making the

fighting with torn off limbs or

game less crude, this part is

with the screen turned upside

again dark, bloody and brutal like never before. It is certain that we cannot call this part of the game an old cutlet, because even if the former paragraph may sound as MK9 has nothing new to offer, actually the situation is different. We will find a lot of novelties and new additions in Mortal Kombat reboot, which, what is important, are not added for kicks, but to make the gameplay more interesting. A great new addition to the game is the fact that outside

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

attacks, which are possible to use after the indicator fills up) and what is nowadays standard – possibility to fight against other players online. To sum it all up, if someone feels a constant nostalgia towards MK1/2/3, MK9 is a must-have for them. He will find practically everything that attracted to this series during the times of trilogy and a lot more in addition. I value the game the most for its’ atmosphere, which is a great return to dark, gloomy beginnings of MK. This release is a proof that if you really want it, you can make nowadays a game which is a great continuator of the classic game, and not only down. What can we say more,

an attempt to earn money on

it is a really great idea, which

the old name value and the

lengthens the durability of the

nostalgia. Additionally, elated

game. Another interesting

by the great approval of the

matter is The Crypt, in which

game, Ed Boone announced

you receive additional outfits,

that Mortal Kombat X is in the

fatalities, many different con-

works, releasing time from

cept arts for the points won

time additional details over

during the game. Additions

the upcoming and planned

also include four mini – games

for 2015 anniversary edition of

(among them well – known

Mortal Kombat.

destroying of the wooden planks in “Test your might”), possibility of fighting in tag-teams, X-ray system (brutal and

noctropolis

very graphic, X-ray like shown

Translated by Slayerpl

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

About the soul of the retro computer hardware The statement that we usually

To explain the fascination with

idealize the past, because of

the old computer hardware

the longing for the careles-

to someone, who looks with

sness of childhood and youth,

surprise at a audio cassette

is not so exploratory. Equally

or VHS recorder, we have to

obvious is the fact that pe-

outline the unique color of the

ople with passion have an

half of eighties and nineties,

inclination to overestimate the

mention the life which wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

subject of their interest. We

driven and alienated by the

can assume that it is not so

novelties of the electronic line

extraordinary that, we, decla-

which came later; mention the

red fans of old computers, still

childlike naivety with which

see retro computer hardware

we watched the blockbusters

as special. Let us be inquisiti-

of those years such as Ram-

ve and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s think about the

bo, Predator, American ninja

uniqueness of this hardware

and many others; to mention

and why we think that these

the unbelievable time for us

machines have a soul.

, when the watch with electronic display was the end of our dreams, desired wonder of technology was the calculator, and the pocket video game console from behind the eastern border with the tireless wolf gathering eggs promised never-ending fun. In those times and those circumstances, with our heads full of thoughts and hopes so different than current, we watched with excitement

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

consecutive editions of Bajtek

inment, a lot of us discovered

Early computers opened

and Mikroklan, we returned

that microcomputer is not

enormous possibilities for the

time after time to the sections

only an original toy, but also

creative mind for the reali-

devoted to the computer in

a device capable of doing

zation of many ideas, that’s

Młody Technik, we studied to

great things. This is shown by

why they were the means

boredom the advantages and

the long, at the beginning

of creative self – expression.

disadvantages of this or that

mysterious looking program-

Everyone could put life into

computer, and the weak qu-

me listings, which – if not not

the already owned hardwa-

ality pictures of C64, Atari and

meant only for entertainment,

re replacing the potential of

ZX Spectrum games captured

solved real problems. What

silicon circuits into the shape

our imagination.

could be more real for the

of calculation or impressive

pupil of 7th, 8th grade of pri-

presentation bringing its’ au-

For the very young people,

mary school than homework,

thor deeply felt satisfaction.

who we were during the half

which made life unbearable?

A lot of programmes which

of eighties, the games were

That’s why second planned

came to life during that time

the main area of use for

area of computer use was

is to this day a masterful

microcomputers. We pretty

making the computer achie-

display of algorithm creating,

naturally identified with the

ve considerable effects by

which logic astounds regar-

characters created in the

doing the homework and let

dless of the capabilities of

virtual worlds. With all of our-

people have more free time.

hardware. Games and de-

selves we walked in the vast

Even though these plans

mos still delight us. We don’t

labyrinths, we ventured with

were not always successful,

look at them only from the

our heroes from adventure

the charm of early computers

perspective of their histori-

to adventure. Watching on

didn’t weaken, they were still

cal value. They didn’t lose

our screen the cockpit of the

an amazing discovery, which

their value, only because

jetfighter, we ventured thro-

could replace our mind in

the contemporary releases

ugh the virtual skies, we took

the complex work, help out

are difficult to discern from

on the character of F1 driver

in making decisions or fore-

reality. Realism is not the only

or submarine captain. Our

see future with a huge dose

and not the most important

imagination never before had

of probability on the basis of

criteria of judgment (comics’

such a real extension.

credible premises.

and cartoons’ authors also use significant simplification

Currently, it is more difficult to get seduced with 16 color images with the dimensions of 160 x 120 pixels. But also the virtual worlds created by contemporary computers often fail to seduce us. Simply, we lack our previous trust. Our consciousness of the practical capabilities of computers is also greater. The computers are not unusual boxes, which are capable of generating magical sceneries. We began to treat them more as standard house appliances, such as tv or audio set. After the satisfaction of the electronic hunger of enterta-

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Number: 5793 Creditentials of Alojzy Bąbel in „ Journeys of Mr. Inkblot” (Movie -1986)

and the effects of their work

Electronic equipment pro-

still are very popular.)

ducers did a lot to establish – which is understandable

In our imagination the com-

- only the positive image of

puter was not only a device

microcomputers. Since the

efficiently executing time –

beginning of its’ presence on

consuming arithmetic equ-

the market they were shown

ations, but also more or less

as an irreplaceable work and

intelligent creation based on

entertainment companion

the human. People educated

(we can guess that the con-

on science fiction books and

tinuation of this marketing

films such as 2001 Odyssey,

strategy was the adoption

Star Wars or Star Trek we

for the first 16-bit construc-

came to conclusion that the

tion the name Amiga, “The

computer has a human face

Friend” was supposed to

– at least in the sense that it

make the work pleasant,

communicates with a human

help people with the respon-

like a human. Almost every

sibilities, it was supposed to

history which is in the future

become a member of the

shows the progress as far as

family). In the contemporary

the changes are concerned,

information technology press

which were brought by the

and literature we could find

development of digital tech-

a conclusion that computer

nology. Even though the dan-

is a universal device, which

gers of the developing digital

brings work, learning and

technology were shown, it

entertainment into another

seemed a bright future for us.

new dimension. Because of

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

the previous, traditional form

computers, and more frequ-

We will not remake the reality,

of education and enter-

ently about the whole com-

into which the older games

tainment microcomputers

puter infrastructure, we say

and programmes brought us.

definitely brought new qu-

“system”, “system generates”,

The convincement about the

ality, which favored the high

“ system downloads”, “system

uniqueness of our experiences

assessment of their value,

counts”…There is no previous

and emotions connected with

including the attribution of

friendliness in this description,

retrocomputers should not

their extraordinary properties.

on the contrary, we can feel

leave us .In our own way we

Finally, we couldn’t see com-

certain unpredictability in this,

were witnesses of the history

puters other than exceptio-

unexplained force, the com-

and active participators of the

nally friendly devices.

plexness which is cannot be

historic breakthrough: transfor-

fully subdued. When we hear

ming the counting machines

From the eighties to the cur-

about the complexness of

into the personal computers.

rent times electronic industry

the contemporary informatics

For us retrohardware is still

made a significant technolo-

solutions, the thousands lines

more than the relic of the

gical progress, which sepa-

of code, about the patches

past.

rated even more previous

immediately improving the

generations of computer

bugs, about the patches for

Even though we have the

users from the sentimental

patches, about the need for

consciousness of the emotio-

proportion to 8 and 16 bit

refactoring, technologies

nal background of our opi-

constructions. Currently, the

which rival, piling up stan-

nions, we will not step back to

youth grows up in different

dards – it’s easy to get a

say that the first home com-

social-economic circumstan-

headache keeping up with

puters had a “soul”. They had

ces. For them the computer

the constant chase about the

a “soul” – for us, the devoted

became a centre of home

novelties in IT.

users.

entertainment and the work utensil. The “spiritualization

We will not recreate the spe-

of computers” happens also

cific climate, in which around

now, but it took a different di-

8 bit computers aura of extra-

rection. Nowadays about the

ordinariness was created.

Hery Translated by Slayerpl *all scannes from Bajtek Magazine (polish computer magazine published 1985-1995).

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

TALKING HEADS Emulation or real hardware? Bobikowoz: I like it very much. The possibility

Sid sounds of the loader and finally the fun of

of playing 8bit games on the hardware that I

playing – these are priceless impressions.

currently have. Computer at home, laptop at work, tablet in the tram – emulator on every

Retro hardware has its’ soul which speaks to us

hardware, ROM collection and the ability of

with the whole range of feelings and no emu-

downloading the saved games from the clo-

lator will ever give us this.

ud. When I find a couple of moments of free time, I can try to achieve a high score in River

Noctropolis: Yes, it is completely true. Real

Raid or continue visiting dungeons in Sword of

hardware provides us the good atmosphere

Fargoal.

which cannot be given by the emulator. For me this atmosphere is completely linked with

Tomxx: I inserted C64 emulator on the

staring at flickering on the screen red-

portable PSP and I am probably the only person in the morning train in Dublin playing Commando and other Bomb Jacks. This device has such a small joystick that is ideal for fast arcade games. On the other hand, I choose for a peaceful playing real computers. The feeling of plugging in the hardware, its’ yellowlike physicality and the scent which reminds us of the past, the process of loading programs,

black stripes and the charming hum

The and the slow, majestic typing amount of old RUN on the brown or creamy computers will decrease keyboard. However with gradually, year by year. The the passing of time people moment will happen that they become more lazy.... I will completely leave the hardware admit without hesitation market, and if they appear the that I use more often Pc prizes will be horrendous and the emulators. You don’t average Joe will not be able to have to deal with harbuy it. dware, plug in cables and

- Ramos

it is above all comfortable if you only want to launch a given game for an half of hour and do not play half a day. I will

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

CC BY-SA 3.0 - author: Ubcule source: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_16#/media/File:Commodore_16_002a.png

not mention a great convenience which

operations or entertainment I use mainly

are save states, without which

emulators.

finishing any game would be Komek: I also created a

almost impossible..... Minimoog: Right, for example I would not finish 1985 Day After without save-stats... Emulators are over compatible, I think. They often

The pile of cassettes and diskettes looks way better than the humming chest with virtual written data (PC). I heard an opinion that no one creates games or programs on the real C64.

give us so huge technical abilities and therefore

while ago small C64 post. I bought an ordinary small cupboard for RTV with three shelves, in which there are: TV set, joysticks, cassette player and 2 cables, therefore I have no problems with

- Minimoog

a convenience which are

constant switching of the cables. I launch my C64 and

difficult to achieve on har-

my favorite game and I travel

dware. I do not say that it is a

into the past. When I am visited

shortcoming, why should we give up

by my friends (not necessarily fans or

on something that works better, however we

C64 aficionados), they often ask to launch

cannot feel the retro hardware fully without

some games. I often do this and then the par-

the hardware or the software from itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; heyday

ty starts and everyone feels great while feeling

and it is true not only for Commodore. I prefer

this unique atmosphere. However concerning

to play on Pegasus also on real hardware.

the PC emulators, of course I use them, mainly

The pile of cassettes and diskettes looks way

when I need to act quickly to describe a given

better than the humming chest with virtual

game.

written data (PC). I heard an opinion that no one creates games or programs on the real

Bobikowoz: I like your approach to real

C64. It is not true, because for example I do

hardware. The special post, adequate atmo-

this (or maybe I am nobody then they are

sphere from the past, I feel envious that I have

right). Besides, what kind of a C64 program is

only the modern junk in my home. I feel also

this that works on the emulator but does not

ashamed that as a retro hardware aficionado

work with a real C64? My pc starts loudly and

I perform halfheartedly, but in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy,

long, while C64 works silently and launches

full of activities world it is very hard to find an

practically with the switch of a button. When

additional time to adjust the recording head,

I need immediate use of a device, e.g.

waiting for the loading of the game and

to write a small program for mathematical

other similar pleasant experiences. Moreover,

estimations, then I use a real C64. For longer

I would have to take out every time C64 from

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

the inside of the wardrobe, which when we

case is the fact in which proportions every one

take into consideration the limited surface

of us needs these two factors. Another factor is

of the panelak building, and this is another

the fact that using real hardware becomes more

thief of the precious time which is meant for

and more expensive hobby. Not long ago you

the pleasures.

could buy a proverbial Commodore practically for peanuts, nowadays its’ price is higher, but still

Komek: Yes, the unfortunate issue of time. In

acceptable. However we have to get ready for

my case it is also stretched beyond

a situation that with time it will get worse

imagination but I said resolutely “I will not let myself go crazy”. Let this C64 post be my oasis. And believe me, I will always find time and small place to create this place. When we take the purchase of new hardware into consideration, it also should

so if someone plans to buy a physi-

I will admit cal version of our favorite hardwawithout hesitation re, should not wait long. that I use more often Pc emulators. You don’t Uka: Emulators and real have to deal with hardware, hardware have its advanplug in cables and it is above tages and drawbacks. In all comfortable if you only want most cases you can choose to launch a given game for an between one and the other half of hour and do not play depending on the prefehalf a day. rences and other factors. I

not be a problem. So I urge you to work actively,

will not say how the situation

- noctropolis

because there is no other as original hardware.

is in my case and from which it results because it would be secondary. The emulation for sure is very useful, makes some things easier and that is

noctropolis: In my opinion, the real solution

why we often use it. For me the most important

is using the advantages of emulators and

thing is that it gives us the possibility to launch

real hardware interchangeably. The former

the machines which I do not have (if it is only a

one has a bigger comfort and speed, and

substitute of a real hardware it is still better than

the latter better atmosphere and is a more

nothing). We have to know also that you cannot

tangible return to the past. The individual

perform certain operations in the emulators, and

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

you cannot do other on real hardware, be-

a current for all the drives and

cause for example does the graphics rende-

C64. There a lot of possibilities.

red in the Vice window look the same as on the screen of a C64? Are you, in both cases,

Minimoog: I would have loved to

able to slow down or stop the working of the

have such possibilities! I have a lot of

program during a given moment to decide

Pcs in my home, floppy drives, disket-

in which cycle of rastra network the change

tes, a lot of electronic junk, one thing

from white into black appears in your intro?

which limits is my lack of knowledge about

Does the installation of the classic Workbench

electronics ( and limited amount of money

under WinUEA take the same amount of time

sometimes). The second thing is the fact that

as in the case of real diskettes on the real

such configurations as SID or MOS we can usually

Amiga with a very old HDD?

purchase on Western markets for a huge price for shipping to Poland. Because of this shipping I

Ramos: The amount of old computers will

gave up on the idea of buying Apple, because I

decrease gradually, year by year. The mo-

would have pay 200% of the price of the compu-

ment will happen that they completely leave

ter.

the hardware market, and if they appear the prizes will be horrendous and the avera-

Uka: Yo can always buy a decrepit C64 (still

ge Joe will not be able to buy it. For young

available for 15-20zl) on allegro.pl and perform

people willing to have some fun with such

cannibalism.

a hardware the emulator is the answer. The programming on PC is more comfortable for

noctropolis: I, on the other hand, which may

contemporary coders. Of course, nothing will

surprise us, am quite resentful to the fact of

replace launching the demo or a game on

mixing emulation with a real, classic hardware

the old hardware. Unfortunately, the emu-

because it is does not match with each other. I

lators are not yet perfect, even though they

use this type of division: either full emulation or

become every year better and better. We

the realism, this concept works the best for me.

cannot hide one fact, the era of 8bit compu-

I never felt the need to incorporate into PC ele-

ters domination ended. C64 Direct-To-TV and

ments from the old hardware (floppy drives, SIDs,

other gadgets, which appear on the har-

joysticks etc.)I’m totally against placing add-ons

dware market, are emulations which barely

in C64. One thing are add-ons connected with

reminiscence the old, cult machine.

the emulation of data carriers (such as SD2IEC etc.)which are OK, such devices as additional

Atreus: However I will try to look at the whole

RAM or SuperCPU are a profanation which kills

situation differently. I try very hard to use

the atmosphere. I do not know if we can join this

old hardware together with new. Because

concept with the concept of emulation, but is

of that, I have in PC (Core2Duo) CatWeasel

without a doubt an emulation on C64 to provide

Mk4 with SIDs 6581 and 8580 and PC Floppy

the abilities which it originally does not have.

drives 3,5” and 5,25”.I use SIDs to emulate C64 and the drives to make images of Amiga

Bobikowoz: The discussion goes on and on, but

and C64 diskettes. To use its abilities fully I

we have to close this edition. Our talking heads,

have to modify my 5,25” floppy drive. So far

as we can see have different approaches to our

I can make one side images. The second

favorite hardware and software, but regardless of

PC has HardSID and XU1541. It is PIII 600 Mhz

the differences, we can find a consensus. Regar-

on Win98. I have also Keyrah interface and

dless of the fact if you have home altar with a

digital-analog joystick switch for the old

real hardware, hybrid or an emulator on a tablet,

joystick PC port (DB-15) and joysticks taken

if you read this text you are just like us a fan of

from the attic and a couple of emulators. In

retro entertainment. We await your opinion under

C64 I used a couple of add-ons issued not

our editorial staff mail: k.a.plusmagazine@gmail.

long ago, which expand and make more

com

pleasurable playing C64. I talk here about RetroPlay, SD2IEC and PC feeder to provide

Translated by Slayerpl

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Leave those games and start doing something serious How many time in your life

person by this mythical “com-

is where it came from. It can

have you heard such words

munity”.

be generally assumed that

directed towards you? Some-

video games came into Polish

times they were spoken by the

On the other hand I, so as not

homes more or less in the

members of your family while

to be misunderstood, must

mid 90s. Surely during 80s you

you were practicing one of

point out that generally I’m

could find some Spectrum or

your favorite hobbies, other ti-

completely not interested in

Commodore units, but let’s

mes you could hear them from

what other people think about

be honest, these were just

your friends or ever complete-

my ways of spending free

individual cases. A person

ly strange people, who would

time. This text is not written in

who owned such a piece of

find out about your ways of

order to excuse myself from

hardware was considered

spending free time.

anything. It is created only to

to be lucky and half of the

show you my point of view

neighborhood visited such a

Among a big part of our socie-

and to show how ridiculous

whizz-kid for a chance to play

ty there is still this notion of

the notion mentioned earlier

games using that computer.

video games (without the divi-

is. I must also say that currently

Speaking about the broader

sion into PC, consol or mobile

I don’t experience such pro-

scale of this phenomenon

games) being something not

blems but while speaking with

we must come back to 1990s

serious, infantile and basically

my friends I am able to notice

when brands such as Atari, Pe-

meant only for kids. Due to this

that that opinion is not rare.

gasus, Amiga and generic PCs

fact they are treated only as

While hearing or reading such

started to appear at our ho-

fun and you are expected to

opinions I can feel my hair rise

useholds. As it usually happens

grow out of them at certain

(at least what is left of it :)

with such a novelty, the first

age. You are expected to

people who get interested are

do that so that you can be

Ok, but if there is such a no-

the youngest as their minds

treated as a serious, grown

tion in our society the question

are the most receptive. For the

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

older it often appears as so-

why should we apply that rule

mething “out of space”. At

to gamers?

first it often happened that a parent or parents were

It is quite a characteristic

convinced by their children

conclusion that mostly people

to buy such a piece of tech-

who criticize games as being

nology and later as it turned

not serious and childish spend

out that they had no idea

their free time in front of a TV

what to do with it, they no-

set watching all the TV pulp,

ticed, with fear I might add,

filled with all those serious

that their offspring wande-

and adult content. Such

red inside countless virtual

people prefer mostly highly

worlds. It must have been at

intelligent programs (where

that time that the notion of

without screams and shouts,

video games being for the

quarrels, insults and artificially

young ones was created. It

created controversies there is

was probably at that very same time that it started to become considered as a distraction from more serious duties (studying or working). Let’s be honest, it’s been almost two decades since the 90s. People who at that time were in their teens today are in their 30s or their 40s. According to a proverb “What youth is used to, age remembers”, all those people replaced their old 8bit and 16bit units with modern PC and current-gen consoles (although not everybody, we are an excellent example that you can connect both worlds). The question that arises is why we should give up our hobby if it gave us so many great ways of spending time while we were younger. Only because somebody else, in their limitless wisdom, decided that it is juvenile and senseless? Let’s not joke here… Should we convince a cinema lover or post stamp collector who got interested in his/her hobby only because it happened while they were kids? So far I haven’t noticed that, so

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

no good show), artistic soap

a few hours long TV mara-

operas (where if a character

thon, have a tendency to

falls down in one episode, it

say “You’re playing that

takes them the following four

stupid game again”. I’m

ones to get up and where the

not really sure if I should be

romances between vario-

crying or laughing at that. If

us characters are more like

I applied such an approach

football league system – eve-

I probably should attack all

rybody plays with everybody)

those magazines for women,

or other types of shows such

where you can mostly read

as docu-soaps. Those people

about all kinds of diets and

are among those who, after

glamorous lives of celebrities or magazines for men where you can read all about working out at the gym but where there are more photos done in Photoshop than real ones. In my opinion there is no point in such comparisons and complaints. Some might say that I generalize too much, because there are also really worthy TV shows and many people tend to watch them as well. From all available magazines and newspapers you are also able to choose some valuable titles. I don’t deny that, but my aim was to show that it can work both ways, when all games are treated as something you have to leave behind while growing up. The idea is that since games are made for fun only and fun is associated with being a child then there is no point in sticking to them when you become adult. Meanwhile among different game titles you can find those that are created for pure fun only (and there is nothing bad about it, everybody, no matter what age you are, has a right to have fun) and those that can teach you something as well. A good example of the latter is a popular series Assassin’s Creed which is strongly based

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

on interesting historical events.

cinematic (which some play-

a good movie, a good book

While playing you can learn a

ers consider to be a disadvan-

or a good game. It is just a

lot of interesting facts.

tage). So what is a difference

matter of personal preferen-

between a good movie and

ces and not the question of it

Additionally there is one inte-

a good game, except for the

being more or less serious. It

resting fact that comes to my

fact that the latter is interacti-

is not a coincidence that the

mind that the same people

ve? For instance a game like

average age of a gamer has

who describe games as a

“The Last of Us” is a master-

risen recently. It keeps on rising

juvenile and childish time killer

piece of a screenplay which,

together with the people who

attack them as being too vio-

after finishing the game, is on

fell in love with the games in

lent and even full of eroticism,

your mind for a long time (and

the 1990s and who don’t even

which in the end qualifies tho-

by the way there are movies

consider giving this habit up.

se as a product directly aimed

to be directed based on that

In the past a typical gamer

at the adult person. Here we

game).

was associated with a juveni-

can witness a big amount of

le student who after coming

hypocrisy and the will to bend

back from school tossed his

one’s opinion to whatever

backpack aside and turned

they are trying to prove at the

on his C64. Today it is more

moment. And who cares if it

often a grown up man who,

is illogical and contradictory at the same time. The fact is that the electronic entertainment some time ago made a big leap from being little important to the media mainstream. The com-

The idea is that since games are made for fun only and fun is associated with being a child then there is no point in sticking to them when you become adult.

in order to relax, turns on his PC, console (or still the C64) and the fact that some other people have some problems with that…? Well let’s not bother our minds with that, it’s just their problem.

mercials for the biggest game titles are broadcast noctropolis

during commercial breaks

Translated by MA

on the biggest TV networks among other commercials for

To sum up this a bit personal

such products as crisps and

opinion, I just wanted to say

washing powders. It also hap-

that if you had ever had some

pens that they are mentioned

doubts (be it because of your

by media normally not con-

not so young age as I assume

nected with electronic enter-

that most of us are over 30)

tainment. It is a normal thing

whether you should explore

that you can buy games in a

virtual worlds (no matter what

supermarket or in a shop that

hardware you use) I think you

sells all kind of electronic equ-

ought to put your worries asi-

ipment. Still there must pass

de. Don’t let yourself be told

some time before games are

that games are not meant for

treated as equals to movies or

you because you’re too old. If

TV. The games are growing up

they allow you to disconnect

today together with their au-

from the real (and sometimes

dience who is doing the same.

boring) world and you love

They tend to provide us with

them than stick to them. Eve-

not only fun topics but those

rybody has a right to entertain

more mature and difficult as

themselves, no matter the

well. They become also more

age or the way you do it. Be it

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Modification of the damaged C64 to the fully working PC in several minutes – how to story

I decided immediately that the basis of my modification will be as small interference in the original cover as possible. The first challenge was finding the right motherboard, which we could place in the small space inside C64. The main problem weren’t the dimensions across and along, because we can buy without any problems

When you have a damaged C64 in your closet, with small

MICROITX motherboards, but

chances to repair it, not exceeding the cost of buying used

the height of the motherbo-

C64 (damaged VIC system – artifacts on the screen). I started

ard. The keyboard in C64 is

to think how I can use the remaining parts. C64 could lie in the

pretty thick and it does not

closet and keep its’ place, I couldn’t throw it out.

leave a lot of space at the bottom.

I will add that the damaged C64 is the C64G version – the popular “breadbasket” with a white keyboard. Finally I used for

I decided to choose the

my modification brown keyboard from the 1st version, but we

motherboard in the NANOITX

will talk about it later…..

format. I still didn’t know that something like this exists but

I thought that it would be nice to see C64 everyday in your

it appears that on the Chi-

living room, as HTPC or a platform to emulate other retro

nese auction sites we have a

hardware. Browsing the web and the forums I found ready

pretty big choice. The price

projects which served as an inspiration. Later it appeared that

of around 130 dollars with

we can buy the KEYRAH Interface and use the original C64

the delivery. It is a motherbo-

keyboard as a PC keyboard and use classic joysticks. I tho-

ard with the dimensions of 12

ught – “I got it figured out”, but as we all know the details are

cm by 12 cm and the height

sometimes tricky.

of 2 cm. The type, that I chose has an integrated CPU Celeron 1037u 1.80GHz dual core, graphics card Intel HD 3000, one socket of memory SO-DIMM DDR3 and two sockets miniPCI ( including one dedicated for HDD mSATA, and the second we can use as e.g. WIFI card – what I did). Additionally the socket for the external SATA disk and what’s interesting LVDS socket to connect, for example LCD panel. Additionally on the motherboard we have of course HDMI 1.4 VGA, USB 2.0

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Components that were used: original cover of C64 with a keyboard (~20$) Keyrah interface v2 to connect C64 keyboard to the PC motherboard through USB (http://www.vesalia.de/e_keyrahv2.htm) (~40$) Nano ITX motherboard (12 cm x 12 cm) with Celeron 1037U 180GHz CPU dual core i7 on the Ivy Bridge (105$ +VAT) The whole computer works pretty fine. In configuration

2 GB DDR3 SO-DIMM (~20$)

with 2 GB RAM and mSATA disk Windows 8 starts prac-

2,5’ hard disk OCZ 64GB SSD SATA (45$)

tically in a matter of couple seconds. Every emulator

Old USB panel 2x, 2x audio output, from the old PC casing (2$)

such as WinUAE and Vice64 and others work without

Power supply unit 12V, 3,5A, 35W, I used in this modification the power supply unit

problems. Also playing MKV

for LED tapes (this amount of power is enough) (~15$)

FullHD Files with the surround sound in the home area

The complete amount is ~270$. Only new components are the motherboard Nano-

network also works without

ITX and Keyrah interface.

problems. Someone could have asked why we could not use Raspberry Pi? Mainly because of the efficiency and the compatibility. But let’s look at the most important things, the modification. The first thing is adjusting the Keyrah interface to connect with the PC motherboard through the external connector. Unfortunately it is not factory placed in the printed board of the interface, that’s why we have to do it ourselves. It is not difficult, we can buy the correct connector in the electronics store. The red circle on the screen is the place where I soldered the 4 pin USB connector.

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Another step is preparing the USB cable to connect to the Keyrah interface. I made it from an ordinary USB cable. I cut of the cable and soldered the plug to the formerly soldered connector.

And I connected it to the Keyrah interface.

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Quick test â&#x20AC;&#x201C; It works!

It is the time to place the motherboard in the cover. To create a place for the motherboard connector, we had to cut out the part of the C64 cover. Additionally, I drilled 4 holes with a 3 mm drill. I had to also use gum measures to keep a distance for the motherboard â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the place for the SO-DIMM memory and the better cooling of the motherboard.

To mask the connectors I used the protecting screen from C64. It is ideal, it is rigid enough, but we can easily make drilling holes. It is the best to use for this purpose the ordinary wallpaper knife.

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It is the time for the switch and the power diode. To the original C64 diode I connected the HDD activity indicator, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I had to add additional diode for the power indicator.

A little bit of work with the soldering ironâ&#x20AC;Ś.

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Voila!

We have almost finished. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s add the additional USB ports, Wi-fi card on the miniPCI connector.

Wi-fi antennae (normal antenna removed from the old laptop)

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Additional USB ports

And at last hard drive. Originally I used 2,5â&#x20AC;? SSD disk, however later I replaced it for the mSATA disk (which at the moment of writng the article are cheaper than the standard SSD SATA drives) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of course nothing stops us from using the ordinary SATA drive together with the mSATA drive.

Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Finally we achieve the prettiest PC that I have ever seen.

As a summary we can with certainty say that Keyrah in connection with the connected classic joysticks + Vice64 and WinUAE emulators during playing in classic games, give us real retro experiences;) I managed to buy cheaply the C64 keyboard – brown version – according to my subjective estimation it is much prettier than the white, used for the G version. As a curious detail, my girlfriend wrote on the modified C64 her Master Degree Thesis. It was nice to see how C64 is used in everyday’s work. Strona projektu: http://arekneubauer.com/pl/ projekty/przerobka-c64-na-pc hal translated by Slayerpl

Lunch Translation: She: Is it tasty? He: So now is it not enough that I eat this?

JOHNNY SHOW: LUNCH How it began? One Day, Arek (Komek) sent me a message on MY SPACE portal and asked “Could You help me with my KOMODA e-zine about Commodore 64?” To be honest I don’t like playing video games because It takes too much time, but I had an Amiga once and played in the past. So I wrote that I can share my drawings and they were finally published in KOMODA in the column called “Johnny Show”. At the beginning the comics were complemented by my biography. Lately I added some texts. It’s very nice that with the passing of time my drawings became an element of the magazine. We decided that “Johnny Show” will be transferred to K&A Plus Magazine. Today I will show You my very small comic from 2014 and picture that I made before finishing the work. Jan Lorek