Need some C64 experts here

[Pyromaniac605]

Cartridge - instant.

 

Disk - if it has a fastloader, go make a coffee. If it doesn't, go make a coffee machine.

 

Tape - if it has a fastloader, go make some toast, if not, go out and buy some dinner.

seriously though i need aprrox. times or something funny though.

 

It all depends on the game. If you are looking for instant gratification, the 64 isn't for you. If you are willing to put up with load times, there are a lot of treasures to be found.

 

I think i can i've heard the C64 port of Maniac MAnsion is good, true?

Off TOpic: YOur avatar is the best! Doctor "Tron" Tran. wow thats a mouthful to say.

 

-Darren-

[cimerians]

 

I think i can i've heard the C64 port of Maniac MAnsion is good, true?

 

-Darren-

 

 

In my opinion its the best version of Maniac Mansion, I do like the PC version of course but I cant help but like the quirkiness of the C64 version.

 

There's so much to do with a C64 and its got an overwhelming following. Checkout lemon64.com.

 

[Pyromaniac605]

Lol that website looks like the Abandonia.com of Commodore 64.

 

-Darren-

 

Edit:Theses are the games that come with the one im bidding on are any of these particularly good?

VISIBLE SOLAR SYSTEM

 

THE WAY OF THE TIGER - TAPE

 

SUMMER GAMES 11 - TAPE

 

INVADERS AND 3D JUMPIN JACK -TAPE

 

ARCADIA AND PEDRO - TAPE

 

COSMIC CRUISER AND BIG BILL - TAPE

 

FIRE TRAP ,X-15,BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA - TAPE

 

LABRYNTH-THE COMPUTER GAME - TAPE

 

THE LAST NINJA - TAPE

 

MIKRO.GEN -TAPE

 

THE PATRICK MOORE ASTRONOMY ONLY 2 TAPES IN CASE

 

PITSTOP 11 ONLY 1 TAPE IN CASE

 

DAM BUSTERS ONLY ONE TAPE IN CASE

Edited March 7, 2010 by Pyromaniac605

[HatNJ]

Here's a site for alternatives and JiffyDos

 

http://www.jbrain.com/estore/

[Pyromaniac605]

Might get one of those if the load times get really tedious. but how are the games?

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

Pitstop II and Summer Games II are good, but I can't imagine loading those off tapes?! I didn't even know those came on tapes. Most of the rest I don't even remember except the science ones.

[Pyromaniac605]

Pitstop II and Summer Games II are good, but I can't imagine loading those off tapes?! I didn't even know those came on tapes. Most of the rest I don't even remember except the science ones.

 

They must be pretty obscure half them dont have wikipedia pages just a quick line saying who made it and when it was released with a red link.

 

-Darren-

[Herbarius]

To my knowledge, The Last Ninja is also a good game, but definitely takes time to get used to it. You propably should start reading the manual.

 

If "Labyrinth" is the one I know, it's a game by Lucas Arts. It's kind of an Adventure game, but nothing like Maniac Mansion. You wander through a huge labyrinth or maze of sorts, hence the title, and you directly control your character. And there are "enemies". I have only played it once briefly, didn't know what to do. Maybe reading the manual will help here, too. Don't be fooled: It starts as if it were a text-based adventure, but just keep going, soon you'll get to the real game.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Herbarius

[Pyromaniac605]

To my knowledge, The Last Ninja is also a good game, but definitely takes time to get used to it. You propably should start reading the manual.

 

If "Labyrinth" is the one I know, it's a game by Lucas Arts. It's kind of an Adventure game, but nothing like Maniac Mansion. You wander through a huge labyrinth or maze of sorts, hence the title, and you directly control your character. And there are "enemies". I have only played it once briefly, didn't know what to do. Maybe reading the manual will help here, too. Don't be fooled: It starts as if it were a text-based adventure, but just keep going, soon you'll get to the real game.

 

It is the one your thinking of cant wait to play it and why does last ninja take time to get used to it looks pretty basic to me.

 

-Darren-

[Herbarius]

I had very much trouble getting the proper feel for the controls. Start playing it and after 10 minutes or so you'll see what I mean. Or maybe you won't, maybe it's just me

[Pyromaniac605]

Well i guess il have to wait and see for myself when i get it.

 

-Darren-

[Pyromaniac605]

Also can anyone suggest any good adventure games similar to Might and Magic that are available on either cassette or cartridge?

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

I always liked Master of Magic by Mastertronic. Also the old Epyx standby Gateway to Apshai. I'm sure people who are more into RPG's can suggest more obscure ones. I was never that into them. I've heard Bard's Tale is quite well regarded, and maybe The Hobbit, though I don't remember too much of those games, and I think they're going astray from exactly what you're looking for.

 

You do know about Lemon64.com, right? You can search or browse through many C64 games there. Also gb64.com

[Pyromaniac605]

thanks and with the floppy disc drive do you need a commodore one or will any 5 1/2" floppy drive work?

 

-Darren-

Edited March 10, 2010 by Pyromaniac605

[Pyromaniac605]

<Snip>

Edited March 10, 2010 by Pyromaniac605

[cvga]

I remember playing Phantasie a bunch as a kid and really enjoying it. It's an older Ultima-style game.

 

I also loved playing several of the Infocom Text Adventures (such as the Zork series of games).

 

Although they're not adventure games, I'd also recommend Jumpman, Jumpman Jr., and Oil's Well.

[Pyromaniac605]

I remember playing Phantasie a bunch as a kid and really enjoying it. It's an older Ultima-style game.

 

I also loved playing several of the Infocom Text Adventures (such as the Zork series of games).

 

Although they're not adventure games, I'd also recommend Jumpman, Jumpman Jr., and Oil's Well.

 

I played zork online once and didnt get it i tryed hitting the door with the mal box and evertyhing but i couldnt find a key or anything to open the door might get it if i can figure it out though but was it released on cart or cassette coz i cant buy a floppy drive right away.

 

-Darren-

[cvga]

I remember playing Phantasie a bunch as a kid and really enjoying it. It's an older Ultima-style game.

 

I also loved playing several of the Infocom Text Adventures (such as the Zork series of games).

 

Although they're not adventure games, I'd also recommend Jumpman, Jumpman Jr., and Oil's Well.

 

I played zork online once and didnt get it i tryed hitting the door with the mal box and evertyhing but i couldnt find a key or anything to open the door might get it if i can figure it out though but was it released on cart or cassette coz i cant buy a floppy drive right away.

 

-Darren-

 

I haven't played in a long time but try looking under the door matt.

 

I think Zork was only released on disk for the C-64. However, if you really wanted to play it, you can play free online.

[cvga]

I remember playing Phantasie a bunch as a kid and really enjoying it. It's an older Ultima-style game.

 

I also loved playing several of the Infocom Text Adventures (such as the Zork series of games).

 

Although they're not adventure games, I'd also recommend Jumpman, Jumpman Jr., and Oil's Well.

 

I played zork online once and didnt get it i tryed hitting the door with the mal box and evertyhing but i couldnt find a key or anything to open the door might get it if i can figure it out though but was it released on cart or cassette coz i cant buy a floppy drive right away.

 

-Darren-

 

I haven't played in a long time but try looking under the door matt.

 

I think Zork was only released on disk for the C-64. However, if you really wanted to play it, you can play free online.

 

 

Here's the link for Infocom Online Adventures

 

Infocom Online Adventures

[Pyromaniac605]

I remember playing Phantasie a bunch as a kid and really enjoying it. It's an older Ultima-style game.

 

I also loved playing several of the Infocom Text Adventures (such as the Zork series of games).

 

Although they're not adventure games, I'd also recommend Jumpman, Jumpman Jr., and Oil's Well.

 

I played zork online once and didnt get it i tryed hitting the door with the mal box and evertyhing but i couldnt find a key or anything to open the door might get it if i can figure it out though but was it released on cart or cassette coz i cant buy a floppy drive right away.

 

-Darren-

 

I haven't played in a long time but try looking under the door matt.

 

I think Zork was only released on disk for the C-64. However, if you really wanted to play it, you can play free online.

 

 

Here's the link for Infocom Online Adventures

 

Infocom Online Adventures

 

 

I already said that i played it online and i tried moving the mat but that didnt work anyway i guess this is on my to get after i get a disk drive list.

 

-Darren-

[Mirage]

thanks and with the floppy disc drive do you need a commodore one or will any 5 1/2" floppy drive work?

 

-Darren-

 

You keep asking this, and since it's been answered several times, I guess I don't understand what you're asking.

 

For the C64, there were a lot of drives offered, but you do need a C64-compatible drive.

 

The main drive available, and the one you will find more of, by far, is Commodore's own 1541. Most of them are in the light brown color that matches the original breadbox C64. Before that, there were white ones that matched the color of the Vic-20 and PET computers. After the brown 1541's, they made some lighter colored ones that matched the color of the later C64c, and they called these the 1541C. Then there is the 1541-II, which is smaller. Alternatively, there is the 1571, which was made for the C128, but will work with the C64 in single-side mode. Further still, there were numerous third-party drives offered for the C64, and these have varying degrees of compatibility with the original 1541.

 

So, if by "any floppy drive" you mean something other than a Commodore-64 compatible drive, NO, you cannot just grab an IBM drive or an Atari drive or anything else like that. You need a 1541-compatible drive. Just grab a 1541 and be done with it.

 

Of all these 1541-compatibles, you will want to look for a regular 1541 (any color, doesn't matter, but you will likely find the regular brown the most easily). I wouldn't bother trying to find a 1541-II, as it will cost you more, and there are some compatibility issues. I would likewise avoid any third party drive, unless you run into one for free, and you could use it as a second drive. You shouldn't pay much, if anything, for a regular 1541 (in the US anyway, don't know about AU), because they're practically impossible to give away to begin with. They are huge, weigh a ton, and cost a lot to ship. Hardly anyone wants them anymore due to all the 1541 alternatives mentioned before like the uIEC and 1541-Ultimate devices. Many of the real drives still work fine, but when you have one of these devices, dealing with the real 1541's becomes a pain and pointless. Really, so many people in the hobby have moved on from them, so if you want to use one, you're in luck, because as I said, they're a dime a dozen, literally. I still have a dime's worth in my basement that no one wants.

 

I'd still, again, recommend getting one of those alternative devices after experiencing the authenticity/novelty of a real 1541. It's night-and-day difference in real-world usage, and it'll save you a ton of money and space just using disk images rather than storing and using piles of real floppies. But, decide that later after using the real 1541.

 

Read here to see the 1541's that I'm talking about:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_1541

 

I hope this clears up any confusion.

 

EDIT: The nice thing about the 1541-II and many of the aftermarket drives is that they offer DIP switches to change the device number, whereas the regular 1541 does not. That's one reason they're nice to use as a second drive. A stock 1541 will be device "8", and you can change this, but only by opening the case and making some simple modifications. If you don't want to do that, you can get a 1541-II or a third-party drive with DIP switches, switch it to device "9" easily, and use them both. I wouldn't bother with this though, unless you run into a 1541-II or third-party drive for pretty much free, don't go out of your way to get a second drive just for gaming. If you're going to do that, do yourself a favor and just get a uIEC device instead of a second unit and have best of both worlds.

[Pyromaniac605]

thanks and with the floppy disc drive do you need a commodore one or will any 5 1/2" floppy drive work?

 

-Darren-

 

You keep asking this, and since it's been answered several times, I guess I don't understand what you're asking.

 

For the C64, there were a lot of drives offered, but you do need a C64-compatible drive.

 

The main drive available, and the one you will find more of, by far, is Commodore's own 1541. Most of them are in the light brown color that matches the original breadbox C64. Before that, there were white ones that matched the color of the Vic-20 and PET computers. After the brown 1541's, they made some lighter colored ones that matched the color of the later C64c, and they called these the 1541C. Then there is the 1541-II, which is smaller. Alternatively, there is the 1571, which was made for the C128, but will work with the C64 in single-side mode. Further still, there were numerous third-party drives offered for the C64, and these have varying degrees of compatibility with the original 1541.

 

So, if by "any floppy drive" you mean something other than a Commodore-64 compatible drive, NO, you cannot just grab an IBM drive or an Atari drive or anything else like that. You need a 1541-compatible drive. Just grab a 1541 and be done with it.

 

Of all these 1541-compatibles, you will want to look for a regular 1541 (any color, doesn't matter, but you will likely find the regular brown the most easily). I wouldn't bother trying to find a 1541-II, as it will cost you more, and there are some compatibility issues. I would likewise avoid any third party drive, unless you run into one for free, and you could use it as a second drive. You shouldn't pay much, if anything, for a regular 1541 (in the US anyway, don't know about AU), because they're practically impossible to give away to begin with. They are huge, weigh a ton, and cost a lot to ship. Hardly anyone wants them anymore due to all the 1541 alternatives mentioned before like the uIEC and 1541-Ultimate devices. Many of the real drives still work fine, but when you have one of these devices, dealing with the real 1541's becomes a pain and pointless. Really, so many people in the hobby have moved on from them, so if you want to use one, you're in luck, because as I said, they're a dime a dozen, literally. I still have a dime's worth in my basement that no one wants.

 

I'd still, again, recommend getting one of those alternative devices after experiencing the authenticity/novelty of a real 1541. It's night-and-day difference in real-world usage, and it'll save you a ton of money and space just using disk images rather than storing and using piles of real floppies. But, decide that later after using the real 1541.

 

Read here to see the 1541's that I'm talking about:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_1541

 

I hope this clears up any confusion.

 

EDIT: The nice thing about the 1541-II and many of the aftermarket drives is that they offer DIP switches to change the device number, whereas the regular 1541 does not. That's one reason they're nice to use as a second drive. A stock 1541 will be device "8", and you can change this, but only by opening the case and making some simple modifications. If you don't want to do that, you can get a 1541-II or a third-party drive with DIP switches, switch it to device "9" easily, and use them both. I wouldn't bother with this though, unless you run into a 1541-II or third-party drive for pretty much free, don't go out of your way to get a second drive just for gaming. If you're going to do that, do yourself a favor and just get a uIEC device instead of a second unit and have best of both worlds.

 

Thanks ill just have to hope that i can either find one at a cash converters somewhere or find someone who is a bit generous with shipping prices.

 

-Darren-

[Herbarius]

In my experience most C64s come already with an 1541 drive... I think barely anybody who had a C64 did not have a floppy drive, so unless it's broken most people who have a C64 to sell also offer the drive with it.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Herbarius

[JamesD]

If you want to experience the C64 without taking up all the space and gory details, try to find a C64DTV. That's the C64 in a joystick.

[Pyromaniac605]

In my experience most C64s come already with an 1541 drive... I think barely anybody who had a C64 did not have a floppy drive, so unless it's broken most people who have a C64 to sell also offer the drive with it.

 

Not the one i won it comes with the cassette drive.

 

-Darren-