DONKEY.BAS — IBM PC (1981)

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DONKEY.BAS is a browser-based port of the classic 1981 IBM PC game originally developed by Bill Gates and Neil Konzen as a demo for early IBM PC DOS showcasing color graphics and sound in BASICA. The simple lane-switching game challenges players to avoid hitting a donkey, preserving the original CGA gameplay with some modern adaptations in JavaScript. This web version serves educational and preservation purposes, making the early computing experience accessible today.

https://donkeybas.com/

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Mean Hamster Software

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Mean Hamster Software has developed AGI-64, an interpreter bringing Sierra’s AGI adventure games to the Commodore 64, with Space Quest 1 already about 75% playable. The free tool compiles original game files into EasyFlash-compatible CRT images for use on real C64 hardware, supporting saves on 1541-compatible drives and optimized to run smoothly on the system’s 1 MHz processor.

https://meanhamster.com/news/agi-64-brings-sierra-adventures-to-the-commodore-64

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Commodore Is Bringing Back a Legendary ’80s Joystick, and I’m Hyped to See the Microcomputer Maker Delve Into Retro Controllers

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Commodore is reissuing the classic Suncom TAC-2 joystick, a popular 1980s peripheral, in five new colorways that complement its C64 Ultimate and C64C models, including a limited gold edition. The redesigned TAC-2 features a more durable steel shaft replacing the original tire valve and brass ball mechanism while preserving the precise, quiet operation gamers remember. This revival reflects Commodore’s ongoing push into retro gaming hardware, appealing to enthusiasts seeking authentic and enhanced vintage controllers.

https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/retro/commodore-is-bringing-back-a-legendary-80s-joystick-and-im-hyped-to-see-the-microcomputer-maker-delve-into-retro-controllers/

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I Played These Special Edition C64 and ZX Spectrum Remakes to Settle the 8-Bit Feud Once and for All

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The reviewer compares special edition remakes of the Commodore 64 (TheC64 Mini Black) and ZX Spectrum (The Spectrum White Edition), noting improvements like a better joystick and a modern game selection on TheC64 Mini, while The Spectrum stays more authentic with a classic keyboard and nostalgic extras. Despite prior preference for The Spectrum due to its authenticity and fun, the updated games lineup and improved controls give TheC64 Mini Black the edge this time, making it the better buy for fans seeking 8-bit nostalgia.

https://www.stuff.tv/features/i-played-these-special-edition-c64-and-zx-spectrum-remakes-to-settle-the-8-bit-feud-once-and-for-all/

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Os8088 — a Mac-style GUI OS for the IBM PC XT

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os8088 is a graphical operating system that boots directly from a floppy on an Intel 8086/8088-based IBM PC/XT, providing a Macintosh System 1-style desktop with overlapping windows, pull-down menus, and pre-emptive multitasking—features not present in the original 1984 Macintosh. Written entirely in real-mode assembly and fitting within 256KB of RAM, it supports VGA, Hercules, and CGA displays, runs multiple loadable programs simultaneously, and includes applications like Minesweeper, a text editor, and a MOD music player. This hobby project revives an early Macintosh-like GUI on original-era hardware without relying on DOS, offering a modern take on retro computing through open-source code and real hardware demonstrations.

https://os8088.com/

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Fun Little Review by Marcin Wichary of a 1984 Flying Video Game Called Sopwith

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Marcin Wichary reviews Sopwith, a 1984 flying video game that was never intended for public release, a fact its creator only discovered years later. The game’s unexpected availability and nostalgic gameplay have sparked fond memories and discussions among retro gaming enthusiasts about similar vintage titles and experiences with early computer programming.

https://kottke.org/26/08/0049463-fun-little-review-by-marc

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“The Circle Is Closing” – Duo Of Deals Establishes a “Clear Framework For Commodore And Amiga”

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Two new licensing agreements have clarified the complex ownership of Commodore and Amiga intellectual property, with Commodore International obtaining rights to produce software and documentation for Commodore’s 8-bit computers under license from Amiga Corporation, which retains rights to Amiga software, hardware designs, and trademarks. Additionally, Hyperion Entertainment will continue developing AmigaOS 4 under license, establishing a clearer framework that could pave the way for new hardware releases, including a potential reproduction of the Amiga computer alongside Commodore’s FPGA-based C64 Ultimate.

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/08/the-circle-is-closing-duo-of-deals-establishes-a-clear-framework-for-commodore-and-amiga

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IBM I (OS/400) The Database Operating System

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IBM i (formerly OS/400) is a unique operating system developed by IBM since the 1980s, notable for integrating a relational database (Db2 for i) directly into its kernel, treating all system resources as objects rather than files. Its architecture includes a technology-independent machine interface (TIMI) ensuring software compatibility across hardware generations, and a Single Level Storage model that unifies memory and disk addressing, enabling efficient data management and high reliability. While deeply tied to specialized IBM Power hardware, the system provides a distinctive approach to application hosting, security, and workload management, exemplified by features like message-based error handling and a text-based 5250 terminal interface alongside modern web-based tools.

https://osadmins.com/en/ibm-i-os-400-the-database-operating-system/

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Proving Doom Can Actually Run on Anything, One Programmer Has Made a Working Build for Commodore 64

Programmer Steve McCrea has developed a working version of Doom for the Commodore 64, an 8-bit computer that predates Doom by over a decade and was not originally designed to handle such games. This port uses ray casting with variable floor and ceiling heights, elevators, opening doors, and visible weapons to simulate a Doom-like experience, with levels E1M1 through E1M8 completed so far. While not true 3D, the project demonstrates impressive technical feats on retro hardware, reigniting interest in the Commodore 64’s capabilities and classic game preservation.

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/proving-doom-can-actually-run-on-anything-one-programmer-has-made-a-working-build-for-commodore-64/

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“We Didn’t Want To Simply Revisit The Past For Nostalgia’s Sake” – Gremlin Graphics Is Being Revived As a Heritage Label

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Gremlin Graphics Classics, a new heritage label dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the games and legacy of the British developer Gremlin Graphics, is set to launch in October with involvement from founder Ian Stewart. The label, led by Allan Turvey of Midnight Brew, aims to celebrate Gremlin’s pioneering 8-bit era and support new projects, including a deluxe physical edition of the new Monty Mole game “Dreamtime Monty” for the Spectrum NEXT. Beyond mere nostalgia, the initiative seeks to honor the creative spirit behind Gremlin by collaborating with developers, archivists, and enthusiasts to inspire future generations while maintaining commercial sustainability.

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/07/we-didnt-want-to-simply-revisit-the-past-for-nostalgias-sake-gremlin-graphics-is-being-revived-as-a-heritage-label

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