C64 Mini

McDermotX · 02-04-2018 12:56am

Ah, it's more than likely just one of the microswitches going, which is not a surprise given how old the stick is. Easy fix if that's the case anyway, juts haven't got back to it yet.
Will probably end up replacing them all whenever I next get around to it.

CathalDublin · 02-04-2018 1:01am

The selection of games is pretty **** to be honest, missing so many classics and has some **** on it too, I wonder how the 64 games were chosen, at random it would look like!
I will have to add:
Rick Dangerous
Microprose soccer
Bluemax
Klax
Commando
Outrun
Bomb-jack
Bionic commando
Flimbos quest
Kung fu master(think it was c64 I played this first on)
Metro run
Rampage
Renegade
Skate or die
720degrees
New Zealand story
Midnight resistance
Batman returns
And so many more as they spring to mind

The joystick’s petty poor but might loosen up after a couple hours. Will take it apart for a look in a couple days but definitely not the quality or feel of the original.
Been playing IO today, **** me its difficult, about 1 minute is the max I can last without loosing a lifeðŸ€£

Mr E · 02-04-2018 6:38am

All games were individually licensed. They got permission for all games that are there now. Arcade games and movie tie ins would have been the most difficult to get permission for - that's the reason some classics are missing from the list. Hopefully when they open things up a bit when the firmware, we can fix that situation ourselves.

Dr Bob · 03-04-2018 11:11am

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

So, a campaign for a Commodore forum about to start, and start here?

+64
(only if boards creates a new "muddy brown" theme to view it with)

ninja 12 · 03-04-2018 2:38pm

Well ,
Mine arrived at lunch time

It really is smaller than it looks in pictures .

All set up in it's new home

First impressions -

The unit itself feels solid enough , and looks great .

There a decent selection of games .

Looks decent on my TV ( connected through my AV receiver ), with several different display options .

I've seen some negative comments about the joystick and I have to agree to an extent .
It does feel a little vague although I'm probably remembering my Zipstick with rose tinted glasses .

It's not too bad with Boulder Dash , but a quick play of IO didn't end well .

The controller cable could do with being a little longer for me so I can leave it connected and set up on my TV stand , but if it's something that's going to plugged in and out for occasional use it's probably fine .
Luckily I have a USB extension cable so I can sit on the couch while playing

I tried my Logitech USB keyboard but it doesn't get recognized , neither does my wireless Xbox controller .

Happy enough with it , will play more later

ninja 12 · 03-04-2018 6:40pm

ninja 12 wrote: »

The ones on the new list I remember owning are -
Armalyte
Boulderdash
California Games
Chip's Challenge
Creatures
Cyberdine Warrior
Cybernoid (Can't remember if I had the first / second or both )
Gribbly's Day Out
Hunter's Moon
IO
Paradroid
Speedball
Thing Bounces Back (looks familiar , I think I owned it , can't remember )
Uridium

I was browsing the game list and recognised some more that I had owned / played , but had forgotten about .

In total , out of the included games that means I owned / played about 25-30 of them :cool:

I also realised that the newest game on the C64 Mini is from 1992 :eek:

Now I officially feel old

Mr E · 03-04-2018 7:26pm

TheC64 Mini - updates:

Firmware upgrade version 1.0.6 will be available on 5th April 2018

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

Version 1.0.6 – Changes

– Maps additional functions to joystick buttons for some games
– Makes minor changes to descriptions for some games
– Fixes an occasional scenario where an additional USB joystick is not detected until a restart
– Fixes an intermittent audio click when opening the THEC64 Mini’s MENU in-game

Coming Soon!

Firmware upgrade version 1.0.7 will be available here ASAP after version 1.0.6

Version 1.0.7 – Planned Changes:

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

Danick · 03-04-2018 11:34pm

Mr E wrote: »

TheC64 Mini - updates:

Firmware upgrade version 1.0.6 will be available on 5th April 2018

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

Version 1.0.6 – Changes

– Maps additional functions to joystick buttons for some games
– Makes minor changes to descriptions for some games
– Fixes an occasional scenario where an additional USB joystick is not detected until a restart
– Fixes an intermittent audio click when opening the THEC64 Mini’s MENU in-game

Coming Soon!

Firmware upgrade version 1.0.7 will be available here ASAP after version 1.0.6

Version 1.0.7 – Planned Changes:

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

Thanks for this - going to wait to use mine until I can play the games I used to own from usb as I didn't really play many of the internal games to any great extent even though I got the C64 in 1984 - the games listed above are far more recognisable.

monkeysnapper · 04-04-2018 12:10am

I'd be tempted to buy if my favorite games were on it .

Midnight resistance
Target renegade
Shadow warriors
The dizzy collection
Way of the exploding fist

I will say tho its always peed me off I was only a few levels from finishing snare which I see made it, but I'm terribly dissapointed none of my favorite games made it .

MarcusP12 · 04-04-2018 6:47am

Was a C64 fanboy back in the day before upgrading to the Amiga.....there's only a few of the pre installed games which i'd be interested in so not so sure i'd bother. The snes mini is more tempting as i'd say my little fella would get a kick out of those games more.....but for the record, some of the games I remember fondly would be the following which would tempt me back:
- Ferrari formula 1
- Turrican
- Last ninja 1 and 2
- Robocop
- Platoon
- Batman the movie
- The great escape (yep it was the Hollywood pack I got back in the day!)
- IK+
- Kick Off 2
- Barbarian 2
- Afterburner 2
- Ace of Aces
- Return of the Jedi

alpahaeagle · 04-04-2018 12:58pm

Wife got me one yesterday, have it sitting next to my Snes mini...Looks a nice bit of kit.

Mr E · 05-04-2018 4:15pm

v1.0.6 of the firmware is out now.

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

ninja 12 · 05-04-2018 4:31pm

Mr E wrote: »

v1.0.6 of the firmware is out now.

https://thec64.com/upgrade/

Literally took 2-3 seconds to copy from memery stick / install , followed by a quick reboot .

5 seconds in total

Doge · 05-04-2018 4:49pm

ninja 12 wrote: »

Literally took 2-3 seconds to copy from memery stick / install , followed by a quick reboot .

5 seconds in total

Just like a real c64!

sham69 · 06-04-2018 7:26am

found a video on youtube showing how to put 4 or 5 games (depending on size) into 1 .d64 file, this along with the snapshots/gamesaves means i have 9 of my own fav games installed.

Played delta last night and it was just impossible with the joystick.
Great to hear Rob Hubbards homage to pink floyd pumping through my speakers though...

Mr E · 06-04-2018 9:52am

sham69 wrote: »

found a video on youtube showing how to put 4 or 5 games (depending on size) into 1 .d64 file, this along with the snapshots/gamesaves means i have 9 of my own fav games installed.

Why not include the video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmUv8Lr8lpM

sham69 · 06-04-2018 1:13pm

Mr E wrote: »

Why not include the video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmUv8Lr8lpM

Sorry , wasn't sure if it was allowed

on a different note, I have some old ps1/2 wired controllers, I also spotted some usb adapters on amazon, anyone know if this would work on the mini?
thanks.

Mr E · 06-04-2018 2:00pm

Better have some alternative controller to hand anyway. Looks like the packaged joysticks have a short shelf life.

I just saw this video posted to the C64 Mini Group on Facebook. A joystick that buckled and broke after less than a day of use.

https://clips.twitch.tv/SaltyAlluringChimpanzeeRuleFive

CiDeRmAn · 06-04-2018 3:00pm

I'm going to guess that the coders out there are working their fingers to the bone coming up with a solution that doesn't require all that tedious mucking about with Commodore Basic and a virtual keyboard.

super_furry · 06-04-2018 6:14pm

Mr E wrote: »

Better have some alternative controller to hand anyway. Looks like the packaged joysticks have a short shelf life.

I just saw this video posted to the C64 Mini Group on Facebook. A joystick that buckled and broke after less than a day of use.

https://clips.twitch.tv/SaltyAlluringChimpanzeeRuleFive

Are the the same original nine pin ports? I used to use a Megadrive controller on my original C64.

Tom Mann Centuria · 06-04-2018 6:18pm

super_furry wrote: »

Are the the same original nine pin ports? I used to use a Megadrive controller on my original C64.

No, USB controller on this thing.

Los Lobos · 06-04-2018 8:06pm

The joystick is woefully badzhopefully a firmware update will allow any USB sticks to be used because at this moment I wouldn't recommend anyone buying this without that option.

Doge · 06-04-2018 8:10pm

Makes me feel smug to have a proper c64 with a Zipstick and the 1541 Ultimate II cartridge!

I actually thought I had broken my Ultimate II cartridge the last few days but it turns out it can't load anything if shift lock is pressed down on the keyboard. Wasn't feeling so smug then!

Asus X540L · 07-04-2018 7:59pm

Amazon doing this for 65 pounds.

Thinking of biting - what's the consensus here?

McDermotX · 07-04-2018 8:25pm

USB loader might open it up a bit......some decent games that can be worth a go in the included bunch (Impossible Missions, Games series, Paradroid etc), but it really needs the loader support.

But it's very hard to look past that joystick if you're used to proper quality sticks in the past. Might give it a go with one of the USB/DB9 adaptors and a Zipstick, but wouldn't expect much, as you can feel the latency with some modern displays and the unit already.

On the plus side, it feels relatively polished in it's frontend, and the actual video output is crisp and well defined. Obviously (outside of the feal thing) a proper full size version with working keyboard would be preferable (couple legacy joystick ports would be nice as well), which might become a thing, but there's no guaranteeing that'll happen.

sham69 · 09-04-2018 8:33am

managed to get a few games from usb into the save states.
Last ninja 1 wouldn't load for me, got to the first screen , pressed spacebar to continue loading and it just stayed on the loading screen.

got last ninja 2 working and it looks great, seems to be an issue with the multiloading though, after i completed level 1 it crashed trying to load level 2.
I also noticed that the button for spacebar wouldn't work to choose weapon unless i had the virtual keyboard open aswell which kind of defeats the purpose of having the button mapped to spacebar?

I tried to play thrust aswell but the game must use the other port (I think it only supports port 2 at the moment?)

Still loads of fun though, had the kids playing delta and skool daze and they loved them.

Mr E · 09-04-2018 10:40am

sham69 wrote: »

I tried to play thrust aswell but the game must use the other port (I think it only supports port 2 at the moment?)

Keep an eye on this page:
https://freeze64.com/c64mini-hacks/

No sign of Thrust yet, but I'm sure it will come.

Asus X540L · 09-04-2018 11:06am

Amazon dispatched mine today.

Yolo!

Los Lobos · 09-04-2018 7:53pm

Hopefully the update helps with the joystick lag, gonna try it tonight, also have buggy boy on the USB stick aw hell yea, get the tins in, it's gonna be a long night

MarcusP12 · 10-04-2018 6:00am

sham69 wrote: »

managed to get a few games from usb into the save states.
Last ninja 1 wouldn't load for me, got to the first screen , pressed spacebar to continue loading and it just stayed on the loading screen.

got last ninja 2 working and it looks great, seems to be an issue with the multiloading though, after i completed level 1 it crashed trying to load level 2.
I also noticed that the button for spacebar wouldn't work to choose weapon unless i had the virtual keyboard open aswell which kind of defeats the purpose of having the button mapped to spacebar?

I tried to play thrust aswell but the game must use the other port (I think it only supports port 2 at the moment?)

Still loads of fun though, had the kids playing delta and skool daze and they loved them.

Loved last ninja 2 back in the day....class game its time....I remember having to rely on the maps and tips in Commodore User magazine to get through the game. Wouldn't have had a hope otherwise i'd say.

Question though, "where" are you sourcing these games to put onto the C64 mini? As I posted previously, not sure i'd go for it with the packaged games but if I could somehow get the ones I did like as a kid then might be worth going for.....

sham69 · 10-04-2018 8:35am

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Loved last ninja 2 back in the day....class game its time....I remember having to rely on the maps and tips in Commodore User magazine to get through the game. Wouldn't have had a hope otherwise i'd say.

Question though, "where" are you sourcing these games to put onto the C64 mini? As I posted previously, not sure i'd go for it with the packaged games but if I could somehow get the ones I did like as a kid then might be worth going for.....

While it is not posting links to roms, even offering to provide such information from the body of the thread is not allowed.
What people do via PM is their own business, it is best that if the practice intended is in breach of the rules then it should not be discussed at all in that area.
Thanks

CiDeRmAn · 10-04-2018 4:37pm

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Loved last ninja 2 back in the day....class game its time....I remember having to rely on the maps and tips in Commodore User magazine to get through the game. Wouldn't have had a hope otherwise i'd say.

Question though, "where" are you sourcing these games to put onto the C64 mini? As I posted previously, not sure i'd go for it with the packaged games but if I could somehow get the ones I did like as a kid then might be worth going for.....

If it is such information you seek you best get Googling, as it is in breach of the rules here to look for roms/bins/snapshots etc.
This is because the files themselves are still under copyright, that is they are owned by someone.
Downloading a game rom from a site without paying for it is, well, theft.
Discussing sourcing them here can seen as facilitating theft, so it is prohibited

Asus X540L · 10-04-2018 4:40pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

If it is such information you seek you best get Googling, as it is in breach of the rules here to look for roms/bins/snapshots etc.
This is because the files themselves are still under copyright, that is they are owned by someone.
Downloading a game rom from a site without paying for it is, well, theft.
Discussing sourcing them here can seen as facilitating theft, so it is prohibited

What if you owned the original cassettes back in the day?

Tom Mann Centuria · 10-04-2018 4:55pm

This may be of use, shows copyright holders permission for various C64 games, so absolutely no grey area. Download with a clear conscience. Including Llamasoft

.

http://www.lemon64.com/?mainurl=http%3A//www.lemon64.com/games/permissions.php

Inviere · 10-04-2018 4:57pm

Asus X540L wrote: »

What if you owned the original cassettes back in the day?

You'll have to dump their contents in that case - https://greg-kennedy.com/wordpress/2011/08/19/dumping-c64-tapes/

Will the C64 even play TAP files? Unlikely, I'd say it needs disc images.

CiDeRmAn · 10-04-2018 5:31pm

Just because you own one version of the game, that is continue to own, you can probably make a convincing argument in court that you are entitled to have a backup of the game in your collection/SD card.
But as far as Boards are concerned it's a no no.

MarcusP12 · 10-04-2018 5:52pm

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Loved last ninja 2 back in the day....class game its time....I remember having to rely on the maps and tips in Commodore User magazine to get through the game. Wouldn't have had a hope otherwise i'd say.

Question though, "where" are you sourcing these games to put onto the C64 mini? As I posted previously, not sure i'd go for it with the packaged games but if I could somehow get the ones I did like as a kid then might be worth going for.....

If it is such information you seek you best get Googling, as it is in breach of the rules here to look for roms/bins/snapshots etc.
This is because the files themselves are still under copyright, that is they are owned by someone.
Downloading a game rom from a site without paying for it is, well, theft.
Discussing sourcing them here can seen as facilitating theft, so it is prohibited

Apologies and understood, not up to speed with the whole scene hence the original query and wasn't aware I was asking for anything illegal which was already being discussed....but can I ask a question in that case, how or why does the c64 mini facilitate this and explain how to do it on their website? Are they not facilitating breaches in copywrite or is this something completely different? Can they be bought legally or something?

Inviere · 10-04-2018 5:57pm

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Apologies and understood, not up to speed with the whole scene hence the original query and wasn't aware I was asking for anything illegal which was already being discussed....but can I ask a question in that case, how or why does the c64 mini facilitate this and explain how to do it on their website? Are they not facilitating breaches in copywrite or is this something completely different? Can they be bought legally or something?

A lot of C64 stuff is abandonware, and as seen above in the link, a lot of software comes with permission from the copyright holders, to use freely given the age of the software. So on that sense, the C64 Mini site isn't necessarily facilitating piracy, it's simply showing you how to add additional games onto the system. Whether you choose to stick to freeware games, or protected games, that's your call...but the instructions are valid.

It's a messy situation with old roms. Unless there's a way to give the copyright holder money by buying the game, it shouldn't be called piracy really.

MarcusP12 · 10-04-2018 6:02pm

Inviere wrote: »

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Apologies and understood, not up to speed with the whole scene hence the original query and wasn't aware I was asking for anything illegal which was already being discussed....but can I ask a question in that case, how or why does the c64 mini facilitate this and explain how to do it on their website? Are they not facilitating breaches in copywrite or is this something completely different? Can they be bought legally or something?

A lot of C64 stuff is abandonware, and as seen above in the link, a lot of software comes with permission from the copyright holders, to use freely given the age of the software. So on that sense, the C64 Mini site isn't necessarily facilitating piracy, it's simply showing you how to add additional games onto the system. Whether you choose to stick to freeware games, or protected games, that's your call...but the instructions are valid.

It's a messy situation with old roms. Unless there's a way to give the copyright holder money by buying the game, it shouldn't be called piracy really.

Cheers, that makes sense so.....is there a comprehensive list of freeware stuff anywhere or is it limited to that link? I'm guessing none of my old favourites are freeware! Seems silly that copywrite rules would still apply when the technology is long out dated and when there is a way to play that there wouldn't be a way to purchase.....

Inviere · 10-04-2018 8:44pm

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Seems silly that copywrite rules would still apply when the technology is long out dated and when there is a way to play that there wouldn't be a way to purchase.....

The likes of the Nintendo Virtual Console has complicated matters

There now IS a legit way to buy this stuff.

sham69 · 11-04-2018 11:05am

sham69 wrote: »

While it is not posting links to roms, even offering to provide such information from the body of the thread is not allowed.
What people do via PM is their own business, it is best that if the practice intended is in breach of the rules then it should not be discussed at all in that area.
Thanks

understood.
Consider me officially told off

Asus X540L · 11-04-2018 1:46pm

Pity ocean software went under I'd love to see some of their film tie ins on this. Platoon was amazing. As was Rambo 2 .Licensing must be a nightmare. Same with some of the us gold coin operated conversions. Turbo outrun was awesome

Doge · 11-04-2018 1:48pm

Asus X540L wrote: »

Pity ocean software went under I'd love to see some of their film tie ins on this. Platoon was amazing. As was Rambo 2 .Licensing must be a nightmare. Same with some of the us gold coin operated conversions. Turbo outrun was awesome

I love Turbo Outrun also. Short but so sweet to play, and the graphics were awesome for the time.

MarcusP12 · 12-04-2018 6:42am

Asus X540L wrote: »

Pity ocean software went under I'd love to see some of their film tie ins on this. Platoon was amazing. As was Rambo 2 .Licensing must be a nightmare. Same with some of the us gold coin operated conversions. Turbo outrun was awesome

Yeah I remember ocean well....almost guaranteed that it would be a good game with them....Batman the movie was a great game at the time.....Robocop too.....ah the memories!

Tom Mann Centuria · 12-04-2018 9:25am

Asus X540L wrote: »

Pity ocean software went under I'd love to see some of their film tie ins on this. Platoon was amazing. As was Rambo 2 .Licensing must be a nightmare. Same with some of the us gold coin operated conversions. Turbo outrun was awesome

They didn't go under, they were still in soundish health when Infogrames hoovered them up.

DinoRex · 12-04-2018 11:11am

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

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

CiDeRmAn · 12-04-2018 11:36am

The big three, Ocean, Imagine and US Gold, a mix of great games, gods awful games and games I never got to play

DinoRex · 12-04-2018 11:43am

Ah yes. US Gold the bargain bin Capcom.

Dr Bob · 13-04-2018 4:37pm

DinoRex wrote: »

Ah yes. US Gold the bargain bin Capcom.

I'm old enough to remember them as 'the guys who resold American 8 bit games for our * market'...They supported the Atari 800xl for a bit longer than most of the other publishers as well.

(* well the UK and then us tagged on. But I bought a lot of their stuff via Peats store in Dublin city centre when I was but a nipper )

Asus X540L · 13-04-2018 6:42pm

Dr Bob wrote: »

I'm old enough to remember them as 'the guys who resold American 8 bit games for our * market'...They supported the Atari 800xl for a bit longer than most of the other publishers as well.

(* well the UK and then us tagged on. But I bought a lot of their stuff via Peats store in Dublin city centre when I was but a nipper )

I used live in Drogheda as a kid and when we went to Dublin peats was like a Mecca for c64 games. They were sound in there iirc

Then I got older and got into metal and sound cellar was the new Mecca!

C64 Mini

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