game

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/

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

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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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

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

Maximum Overkill | OS/2 Museum

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The 1992 game Comanche: Maximum Overkill by NovaLogic uses a nonstandard DOS extender and an unconventional method to enter protected mode, which works on 386 and 486 processors but can fail on Pentium and later CPUs due to changes in how the Intel Pentium handles the writability of the CS segment in real mode. This subtle CPU architectural difference, combined with variations in system BIOS behavior, causes the original game to crash on some Pentium systems, especially after the first run, though patched and updated versions improve compatibility.

https://www.os2museum.com/wp/maximum-overkill/

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10 REM”_(C2SLFF4

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The article investigates the mysterious first line of the 1980 Exidy Sorcerer BASIC game The Wizard’s Castle, which contains a REM statement embedding machine code for seeding the pseudo-random number generator (PRNG). By analyzing the Sorcerer’s memory and instruction set, the author and collaborators reveal that the REM text is actually tokenized machine code stored in BASIC’s linked-list program memory, executed via the USR() function to seed randomness using the Z80 processor’s R register. This illustrates a unique, low-level technique to embed executable code in comments on early microcomputers, highlighting the interplay between BASIC and machine code in vintage gaming and software.

https://beej.us/blog/data/mystery-comment/

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Thin Ice Is a “Fun New Arcade Action Experience For The Commodore 64” From Ex-Gremlin & Core Design Devs

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Thin Ice, a new arcade action game for the Commodore 64, is set to release digitally on July 22nd. Developed by Christian Shrigley and Terry Lloyd, veterans of Gremlin Graphics and Core Design, the game features the Ice Dragon Binky navigating caverns to defeat various enemies by pushing ice blocks and activating fire breath abilities. Published by Thalamus Digital, it will be available as a D64 file compatible with retro hardware and emulators, with a physical edition planned soon.

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/07/thin-ice-is-a-fun-new-arcade-action-experience-for-the-commodore-64-from-ex-gremlin-and-core-design-devs

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Remembering the Best 1980s Computers for Gaming

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The article highlights key 1980s home computers that significantly influenced gaming and coding culture, including the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC 464, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga 500, and IBM PC/MS-DOS clones. These systems offered innovative graphics, sound, and expandability that shaped early PC gaming, and modern recreations like the Speccy, Commodore 64 Ultimate, and A500 Mini enable contemporary players to experience their classic game libraries. The piece emphasizes how these open, experimental platforms provided alternative gaming experiences alongside popular consoles of the era.

https://www.keengamer.com/articles/features/remembering-the-best-1980s-computers-for-gaming/

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