C64 Mini

Mr E · 14-04-2018 1:54pm

This is a cool development. The standard size of a c64 disk is 170k. D82 files (higher capacity disk images) work with the mini if you rename them to D64. The upshot is you'll have 1mb to play with instead.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242/permalink/214382775814015/

Tom Mann Centuria · 14-04-2018 3:05pm

Not linking directly to a site because of boards concerns re copyright, this fella is worth following on twitter, he has links pertaining to what Mr E. explained above. (no idea what the Facebook link is, as I'm not in that group)

https://mobile.twitter.com/C64_endings

Mr E · 14-04-2018 3:13pm

Yeah that's what I said.

Link is in tweet by the way....

Tom Mann Centuria · 14-04-2018 6:16pm

Mr E wrote: »

Yeah that's what I said.

Link is in tweet by the way....

Edited my post.

Mr E · 14-04-2018 7:11pm

Had a good go at the mini today. Sorry but I can't look past the joystick. It's horrible. I had some lovely responsive microswitch joysticks back in the day. I associate leaf switch joysticks with those big quick shot pros.

What are my alternatives for a joypad that won't drive me bananas? I have a wired 360 pad and a generic USB pad at home. Would they work?

Inviere · 14-04-2018 7:42pm

^^ The 360 d-pad is an abomination. Much improved by the Xbox One controller.

Asus X540L · 14-04-2018 7:51pm

Mr E wrote: »

Had a good go at the mini today. Sorry but I can't look past the joystick. It's horrible. I had some lovely responsive microswitch joysticks back in the day. I associate leaf switch joysticks with those big quick shot pros.

What are my alternatives for a joypad that won't drive me bananas? I have a wired 360 pad and a generic USB pad at home. Would they work?

The cheetah (iirc) was awesome

Tom Mann Centuria · 14-04-2018 8:07pm

There was a German company making proper repo competition Pro joysticks, nine pin and USB, I'm sure they're still around. Forty odd euro though iirc.

Asus X540L · 14-04-2018 8:40pm

DinoRex wrote: »

Yeah. They made it as far as releasing games for the N64.

From 64k to 64bit... not bad.

I remember they published The Raiden Project on PS1 as well.

I know cause I kept buying it in second hand shops and selling on Ebay for a tidy profit. I used pay 5-10 euro for it and sold it for up to 50 sterling.

Those were the days 2003-2007 I used trawl Gamestop, second hand shops, charity shops for rare games. Stuff like Kula World, Star Ocean, Tombi, on playstation, ICO with the cardboard box on ps2 etc.

Those kind of niche games get put on the Xbox or PS stores these days mind you.

sham69 · 16-04-2018 8:33am

Mr E wrote: »

Had a good go at the mini today. Sorry but I can't look past the joystick. It's horrible. I had some lovely responsive microswitch joysticks back in the day. I associate leaf switch joysticks with those big quick shot pros.

What are my alternatives for a joypad that won't drive me bananas? I have a wired 360 pad and a generic USB pad at home. Would they work?

I found an old ps3 controller and it works wired.
Problem is the mappings are all over the place.
I managed to delete one of my savestates by mistake so just ended up going back to the joystick.
there has to be a better alternative to use..

Asus X540L · 16-04-2018 8:46am

Eire 32
Commodore 64!

r3nu4l · 17-04-2018 8:38am

Mr E wrote: »

Had a good go at the mini today. Sorry but I can't look past the joystick. It's horrible. I had some lovely responsive microswitch joysticks back in the day. I associate leaf switch joysticks with those big quick shot pros.

What are my alternatives for a joypad that won't drive me bananas? I have a wired 360 pad and a generic USB pad at home. Would they work?

The cheetah and the zipstick pro had lovely microswitches.

Not sure how I feel about the 64mini to be honest. It's just an emulsion board with a fake keyboard case attached.

I used to own the C64 and 64 DTV. The mini just seems to be the same as the DTV, just with more games. They could have just stuck the PCB board into the joystick and not bothered with the case.

Hell, retropie does it better, although most people use unlicensed ROMs for retropie so there's the legal downside.

That said, I admire anything that gets people playing 8-but games again, some games should not be forgotten.

CiDeRmAn · 17-04-2018 10:04am

r3nu4l wrote: »

The cheetah and the zipstick pro had lovely microswitches.

Not sure how I feel about the 64mini to be honest. It's just an emulsion board with a fake keyboard case attached.

I used to own the C64 and 64 DTV. The mini just seems to be the same as the DTV, just with more games. They could have just stuck the PCB board into the joystick and not bothered with the case.

Hell, retropie does it better, although most people use unlicensed ROMs for retropie so there's the legal downside.

That said, I admire anything that gets people playing 8-but games again, some games should not be forgotten.

That's kind of the whole point of this forum!

r3nu4l · 18-04-2018 12:01am

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

That's kind of the whole point of this forum!

My point is that this machine doesn't do the Commodore 64 justice at all and the 64 DTV format was just as good... (Game selection aside).

The mini is a small PCB stuck inside a non functioning keyboard case that was added only for aesthetics and is a waste of plastic.

Doge · 19-04-2018 12:46am

r3nu4l wrote: »

My point is that this machine doesn't do the Commodore 64 justice at all and the 64 DTV format was just as good... (Game selection aside).

The mini is a small PCB stuck inside a non functioning keyboard case that was added only for aesthetics and is a waste of plastic.

I don't think he was disagreeing with you, just pointing out the the whole point of this forum is to not forget games!

CiDeRmAn · 19-04-2018 9:10am

In truth a bit of hacking and you'd probably convert a C64DTV into a RPi0 powered C64, with a great menu system and easy support for any controller or keyboard you could wish for.
But the people this device is marketed towards aren't the enthusiasts, who would prefer an actual C64 and the SD drive, but rather those recapturing a certain time and place, when they were playing IK+ with their mates.

Mr E · 24-04-2018 4:46pm

Just in case you didn't know, there is a Zzap! 64 Annual coming out later this year (hopefully). A kickstarter is launching on Friday.

Some of the writers from the good old days are back on board to write some content, like Julian Rignall, Paul Rand and Robin Hogg. Oli Frey is doing the artwork.

Facebook Group for the project: https://www.facebook.com/groups/370835800027675/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rlhG_TANg

Asus X540L · 24-04-2018 4:52pm

Mr E wrote: »

Just in case you didn't know, there is a Zzap! 64 Annual coming out later this year (hopefully). A kickstarter is launching on Friday.

Some of the writers from the good old days are back on board to write some content, like Julian Rignall, Paul Rand and Robin Hogg. Oli Frey is doing the artwork.

Facebook Group for the project: https://www.facebook.com/groups/370835800027675/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rlhG_TANg

Got my name in Zzap for the top score in the c64 version of Strider. 23,500 I think it was

Cyrus · 24-04-2018 5:02pm

i think when i look back on it the c64 was the time in my life i played the most games,

Flimbos quest, turrican 1&2, microsoft soccer, dizzy, tracksuit manager, all the outruns, creatures, rambo etc etc etc:cool:

Tom Mann Centuria · 24-04-2018 5:07pm

Mr E wrote: »

Just in case you didn't know, there is a Zzap! 64 Annual coming out later this year (hopefully). A kickstarter is launching on Friday.

Some of the writers from the good old days are back on board to write some content, like Julian Rignall, Paul Rand and Robin Hogg. Oli Frey is doing the artwork.

They did a very good job on the Crash Annual last year, so I'd definitely back this if I had any kind of nostalgia for the c64.

Fortunately for me they're doing a Crash Annual again this year.

CiDeRmAn · 25-04-2018 9:58am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

They did a very good job on the Crash Annual last year, so I'd definitely back this if I had any kind of nostalgia for the c64.

Fortunately for me they're doing a Crash Annual again this year.

Crash is where the kool kidz be at, Zzap is just so full of losers.

Mr E · 11-05-2018 2:27pm

Bit of tumbleweed in here for the last 3 weeks.

I only turned on my C64 mini once, hated the joystick and put it back in the box.

I've ordered compatible joypads, plus a HDMI audio splitter for my monitor from Amazon so I will try again next week.

In the meantime, firmware 1.0.8 came out today.

Version 1.0.8 – Changes

– Includes firmware optimisations and improvements to THEC64 input response times

Coming Soon!

Planned Changes for upcoming firmware includes:

– Choose from a selection of disks on a USB memory stick
– Allow multi-disk files/games to be easily accessed and switched between
– Other update features to be confirmed ASAP!

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

Asus X540L · 11-05-2018 4:55pm

Still haven't taken mine out of the box

Los Lobos · 11-05-2018 7:33pm

Mr E wrote: »

Bit of tumbleweed in here for the last 3 weeks.

I only turned on my C64 mini once, hated the joystick and put it back in the box.
I've ordered compatible joypads, plus a HDMI audio splitter for my monitor from Amazon so I will try again next week.

In the meantime, firmware 1.0.8 came out today.

I would be interested to know if those joy pads work, please update when you get them

djsim101 · 14-05-2018 9:13pm

Asus X540L wrote: »

Still haven't taken mine out of the box

Same as you bud, still in the box, when the next firmware is released, I will try it out -> Playing games from a USB memory stick :pac::pac:

sham69 · 15-05-2018 9:52am

i bought some ps1/2 to usb adaptors and they work kind of...
I think there is a bit of lag though ( I am still on the original firmware though)

The mappings are a bit all over the place but they're grand for basic games.
Spacebar is not accessible on them though and as far as I can see there is no spacebar on the virtual keyboard either which is strange.

Would be interested in joypads if they work..
I havent played it in 3 weeks now...

Mr E · 28-05-2018 12:03pm

I've been following the C64 mini group on Facebook with interest over the weekend. The proper modding has begun.
This guy has added 18 new games to the carousel and has changed the music to the Ocean Loader music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4xIM7XrCCk

TinCool · 29-05-2018 12:50pm

Kinda glad I cancelled my order for one of these what with the crappy joystick that's on offer. I'm quite happy with my RetroPi setup and a cheap buffalo SNES type controller. Can happily relieve my old C64 favourites and dip in to SNES and MAME too.

If they do ever release the larger version with an actual working keyboard with plug and play joyports than I may reconsider.

DinoRex · 29-05-2018 1:37pm

If you don't mind spending the money then the Ultimate 64 is the way to go:

https://ultimate64.com/Ultimate-64

Or you can source an original C64 and just the get the Ultimate II+ Cartridge:

https://ultimate64.com/U2P_Cartridge_Red

Danick · 29-05-2018 8:01pm

DinoRex wrote: »

If you don't mind spending the money then the Ultimate 64 is the way to go:

https://ultimate64.com/Ultimate-64

Or you can source an original C64 and just the get the Ultimate II+ Cartridge:

https://ultimate64.com/U2P_Cartridge_Red

This is a really good setup - I have the SD card reader that looks like a disk drive myself - if only we could have all this with a hdmi port for modern tvs - my missus isn't a fan of leaving my Amiga MKII screen on display in the sitting room - to be honest - I don't leave it out too often anyway as I have 3 kids under 4 and I'm afraid they would break it.

DinoRex · 30-05-2018 11:16am

The Ultimate 64 will have a HDMI output and it comes with the Ultimate II+ fully integrated.

Note you'll still have the original load times, but it does let you run cartridge files as well.

Dr Bob · 30-05-2018 4:35pm

DinoRex wrote: »

If you don't mind spending the money then the Ultimate 64 is the way to go:

https://ultimate64.com/Ultimate-64

Or you can source an original C64 and just the get the Ultimate II+ Cartridge:

https://ultimate64.com/U2P_Cartridge_Red

If you dont mind building a few extra circuits and a bit of soldering you can do it on the cheap with a Pi3

https://hackaday.com/2018/05/07/raspberry-pi-becomes-cycle-exact-commodore-drive-emulator/

Mr E · 06-06-2018 1:07pm

Mr E wrote: »

I've ordered compatible joypads, plus a HDMI audio splitter for my monitor from Amazon so I will try again next week.

Just to follow up on this. I set up my new joypads and HDMI splitter on Monday and played the c64 mini for an hour. I have a much better opinion of it now. The HDMI splitter means I can play it through a PC monitor and use external speakers.

I played some of the stock games and played some external games, all worked well.

On the joypad, the main fire button was mapped to one of the shoulder buttons (not ideal). I think I'll pack it away until the firmware is updated to support custom button mapping and multiple d64 support.

I must blow the dust off my SNES mini and play some Zelda and Super Metroid.

Mr E · 07-09-2018 2:11pm

New update from Facebook. Sounds like the new firmware is making progress, and they are adding support for other file types (I assume T64 and PRG?)

Still in its box since April, waiting for the new update....

THEC64 Update 7th September 2018

As we move forward with the new firmware, we can tell you a little more about what we have been doing behind the scenes!

Over the last week of work on the USB file management update, we've started to look at including support for additional C64 file types over .d64. We're having to rework the internal file management and user interface a little for this to be successful and simple to use. The product vision of THEC64 Mini is to be 'pick up and play', so we have to introduce these advanced features sympathetically, such that they do not intrude into the non-expert user's playing experience. Getting the balance right and creating a process that is as simple and easy to follow is one of the many challenges we've enjoyed working on in recent weeks!

As a bonus, we've also added support for sub-directories to help users organise files, a feature many customers have suggested would be really useful.

Until next week!

Verkenner · 07-09-2018 2:32pm

Can't wait for this

Mr E · 28-09-2018 1:26pm

Launch trailer for the US version. Jump to 27 seconds for something cool.

Out October 9th (this day fortnight) so hopefully the firmware will be out by then too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dgCYNS7mi8

Inviere · 28-09-2018 1:59pm

Is that the one with a functional keyboard?

Mr E · 28-09-2018 2:09pm

Nope, that's a while away yet. The US version is a mini (like the one that came out here in March).

Inviere · 28-09-2018 2:14pm

Mr E wrote: »

Nope, that's a while away yet. The US version is a mini (like the one that came out here in March).

Ah, so they’re only getting it now? I think I’ll hold out for the keyboard version. I had the current one preordered but cancelled it early on

eddhorse · 29-09-2018 10:23am

Why are they only getting it now?
Something to do with the 60hz ?
Will it do well over there?

Mr E · 05-10-2018 2:36pm

This was just posted to their YouTube channel. No sign of new firmware yet, but could it be today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXmIyNpJxNM

CiDeRmAn · 05-10-2018 4:05pm

Mr E wrote: »

This was just posted to their YouTube channel. No sign of new firmware yet, but could it be today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXmIyNpJxNM

Looks like it's time for me to buy one of these!
Superb, I have a ton of games in mind that I want to play.

5rtytry56 · 05-10-2018 4:38pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Looks like it's time for me to buy one of these!
Superb, I have a ton of games in mind that I want to play.

I thought you were a Zx spectrum fan?

Mr E · 05-10-2018 4:38pm

This update is out on Monday.

https://www.vintageisthenewold.com/usb-loader-for-thec64-mini-coming-out-next-week/

Tom Mann Centuria · 05-10-2018 10:16pm

5rtytry56 wrote: »

I thought you were a Zx spectrum fan?

It's a disgrace quite frankly!

CiDeRmAn · 05-10-2018 10:27pm

I'm non system specific, I can swing either way baby!

Fancy Paradroid followed by Quazatron, I can do it no problem!

Mr E · 08-10-2018 2:49pm

v1.1.0 is out now.

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

1.1.0 includes:

New File Loader functionality. Please see ‘File Loader’ for full details
Further improvements to response times
Fixing one small issue with the German Virtual Keyboard
Adding the missing help function in ‘Avenger’ to a joystick button

Danick · 08-10-2018 5:07pm

Mr E wrote: »

v1.1.0 is out now.

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

I have been waiting patiently for this update - I only took it out of the box to look at it on release day. I also want to use a usb joypad with it or is there any way to use my original zipsticks or cruisers with it?

Thanks

Mr E · 08-10-2018 7:40pm

Nope. Needs a joystick with at least 8 buttons. No way to map buttons either, so support for gamepads is patchy too.

djsim101 · 08-10-2018 8:47pm

Think it's time to open this baby up, unopened since launch. Although might wait till Xmas at this stage to relive Christmas youth of 1990 :-)

C64 Mini

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