Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

The End is just

the Beginning
Editorial

So it finally happened - Komoda and C&A Fan

are now working together! Both editing teams are
now grouped up under the K&A Plus umbrella. We
came to the conclusion that our magazines were too
infrequent, so weve joined our forces to increase the
quality and quantity of our writings. Additionally, were
now targeting a larger retro-scene audience, so the
new magazine will be issued in two languages: Polish
for our native readers and English for the entire rest of
the scene.

The content of K&A Plus shouldnt significantly chan-

ge from the previous titles and weve also decided to
keep some classic sections with their old names. Some
of them were especially enjoyable, so they are still
going to be part of the new magazine. Our goal is to
continuously support the Commodore scene, bring up
good memories and refresh dust-covered titles, so that
C16/VIC-20/Plus 4/C64 and obviously Amiga compu-
ters remain alive.

We also invite our readers to visit our official forums at

www.ka-plus.pl, which is going to make our relation-
ship a bit closer. Our editors are looking for your input
and feedback, so let us know what you think of the
first issue of our magazine. To conclude this brief intro-
duction I invite you to go through the magazine and
get some good retro feelings. I hope you will enjoy the
content and embrace the spirit from our 3 previous
magazines: C&A Fan, C&A Games and Komoda.

Enjoy,

Komek
translated by Atreus and Tomxx

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Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

contents
C64 Alter Ego 10 Evil Wizard 2 22
Aviator Arcade 12 Wacky Waste 24
Little Sara Sister Trilogy 14 Arctic Shipwreck 26
The Vice Squad 16 Mr. Robot and
X-Force 20 his Robot Factory 28

C16 MEMENTO 38

AMIGA
HISTORY LINE: 1914-1918 40
Tetris 30th anniversary 44

Varia
Fresh News 4
C64PERSIAN 30
Stars and Planets
ala Commodore 34
Ressurection:
Mortal Kombat 48
The soul of the retro
computer hardware 52
Talking Heads:
Emulation or real hardware 56
Leave those games
and start doing
something serious 60
Changing C64 into PC
in less than one hour 64
Johnny show: Lunch 72

Komoda & Amiga Plus Design and DTP: Neurocide

Magazine of Commodore computer users Drawings: Johnny
Chief Editor Komek Corretions: Atreus
Editors: Ramos, Uka, Noctropolis, Bobikowoz, Tomxx, Translations: Slayerpl, Atreus, Bobikowoz, Tomxx
Minimoog, Mr. Mat Cooperation: Hery, Hal, Mufa, MA

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 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Fresh
News
C64 C16/116/Plus

GRAVITRIX - PREVIEW Temple Of Terror drive, player manual with the

2014, Robot Riot 2014, Legion Of Doom introductions and instructions,
the procedures of rendering
graphics and texts were also
optimized. The game needs
64kb memory and because
of a high level of difficulty is
probably only for fans or really
good players.
//noctropolis
I see that we have a lot of Releasing games for Plus 4,
fun and nights spent by the that appeared originally years C64

computer screen ahead of us! ago on C64, became quite a JAM IT

I have not seen for a long time popular trend lately. This is the 2015, Throwback Games

so interesting and well done case with Temple of Doom,

logical game. To be honest text graphics adventure
not yet finished, because game made for C64 in 1987.
when Im writing this text Im The game was an adaptation
using the program in preview of an eponymous book (or to
version, but I hope that it will be more precise, a one person
be soon finalized. The first book role play game) and it
level is very easy, you need told the story of reaching 4
to place three green squares dragon artifacts in the lost city When I watched trailers of
so that they stand next to called Vatos, before the ma- Jam it, I saw a really good
the other. The second level is levolent sorcerer Marbordus successor of one of my fa-
similar but more difficult. We gets them. The group Legion vorite sports games One on
still have squares in different of Doom decided to make a One:Dr vs Larry Bird. We can
colors and new rules which conversion of this title in the again play a couple of inte-
make the game more difficult. most similar to the original resting matches in the middle
Moreover, we have 3 minutes way, while simultaneously of the basketball court. The
for fulfilling every task, thats removing all the nuisance game will include a lot of
why we have to act quickly. bugs, because the original flashy slum-dunks, desperate
Something more? Thats eno- game had quite a number throws from behind the three
ugh, Im back to the game. of bugs. New titular screen point line and pretty cheerle-
//Komek was added(based on the aders during the breaks. Two
book cover), a possibility of teams of two players will take
saving the game on the hard part in these matches. The

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Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

producers promise support for C64 C64

4 joysticks and challenging AI HONEY BEE PAPER PLANE

of the computer opponent. 2014 , The New Dimension 2014, Roy Fielding

The playable version of the

release was presented on the
PAX fairs, which means that
the release delay should not
happen. I wait impatiently for
February 2015 to check how
Jam IT works in reality.
//bobikowoz
Who did not play during his
C64 Fresh bun with butter and ho- or hers childhood with paper
VOIVOD ATTACK ney, something really delicio- planes? All you needed was
2014, RGCD us. Have you ever wondered simply a sheet of paper and
how much work a bee has to you could have fun, in your
do to gather all the pollens home, on the playground, or
from miscellaneous flowers what is worse, during the les-
to transform it into a sweet sons in a school. The differen-
honey? Thanks to Richard ce was that that the released
Bayliss from The New Dimen- paper plane often flew in an
sion and RGCD (RGCD C64 unexpected direction. In this
16KB Cartridge Game Deve- release of Roy Fielding we
Friends! Achim Volkers prepa- lopment Competition 2014) can control the paper pla-
red for you something good. we can see how it really is to ne. Our goal is to avoid the
Fourth part of THE FARM? No, be a hardworking bee. While obstacles by turning left or
this time it is a shooter against impersonating her we have right while descending. The
the waves of hostile space- to gather the pollens from the game works fluently, a small
ships in the space, a classic flowers and then take it to the commotion (at least at the
Shootem up titled VOIVO- hive. During this activity we will beginning) can be caused by
DATTACK. The game is a part encounter various obstacles the steering. Intuitively we try
of RGCD C64 16KB Cartridge which are trying to hinder your to steer the paper plane just
Game Development Compe- progress. Colorful and quite like in the bird eye view race
tition 2014 and is one of the nice graphics and the jolly games, and the requirements
better releases which take music together with a consi- here are quite different you
part in this contest. We control derable entertaining ability will have to see it for yourself. The
a space jetfighter during the give you a lot of fun. It is an graphics look nice, animation
game in both directions, just another example that small and music also, the game is
like in URDIUM and TANGENT. and uncomplicated games ca an adaptation of a produc-
There are also some necessa- n provide quite a lot of fun. tion made for Iphones.
ry bonuses, which boost the //Komek //noctropolis
weapons or repair the dama-
ge caused by the enemy. The
most important are however
these that have the bombs
needed to destroy the heart of
a space base. Now I can only
sit behind the steer of a space
jetfighter and ..... ATTACK!!!
//Komek

5
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

VIC-20 Graphics is colorful, simple C64

SUPER STARSHIP SPACE and clear. The music together THE ADVENTURES OF ALAIN
ATTACK with the sound effects is also 2014, wile coyote (wec)

2014, Misfit pretty good. What the game

lacks are flying obstacles, such
that appear in ARKANOID
or BATTY, because there are
none of this sort in BRICK BU-
STER. There is one more thing,
one small accent from SPACE
When the weather is lousy and INVADERS. Play it and you will The Christmas of this year
you feel bad, it is nice to play see what I mean. And I would brought us also a new
a good arcade game or a have forgotten, the game interesting SEUCK project:
shootem up. SUPERSTRASHIP participates in RGCD. horizontally scrolled arcade
SPACE ATTACK is a combina- //Komek game made almost exclusi-
tion of these two in a good, vely by Wec a well-known
classic style. While steering a C16/116/Plus 4 scene graphic. The quality
small spaceship inside a huge XPLODE MAN of his work Is striking and I
mother spaceship you have to 2014, Assassins (ASN) will admit that I did not see
find assemblies creating huge a SEUCK game with such a
power. These devices cause beautiful graphics. What is
that the frequency of fired also good, you have no cha-
shots from our spaceship incre- os in this game, thousands
ases and gathering adequate of points to achieve, we are
amount (three assemblies) lets not attacked by hordes of
us enter another level. If you opponents and we dont
like this type of games, you throw anything at somebody.
should like this because of fast Attention! A treat for BOMBER- The story s quite funny, even
action and simple but clear MAN fans. A game appeared though I think that the author
production. that is a reflection of this po- did not know completely
//Komek pular arcade game. This time where he put his protagonist:
C264 users can play XPLODE we wake up in the morning
C64 MAN. It is because of Hunga- in the hotel somewhere in
BRICK BUSTER rian group called Assassins the middle of nowhere and
2014, Software of Sweden (ASN), which always tries to we see that we dont have
surprise with an interesting pro- money to pay the hotel bill.
gram. Even though the game Out of unknown reasons we
is not so diversified as other begin to race down the main
games from this genre, you road of the town and we are
can have a lot of fun while encouraged by the hotel
playing. //Komek owner to perform good. We
are supposed to make a
lap through the surrounding
hotel nature but you will
Do you like games from the admit that the premises of
Breakout/Pong genre? Becau- the game are pretty strange.
se I have one here and a pret- But we run forward and the
ty good one. We cannot hide surrounding tries to stop us:
that BRICK BUSTER is one of the we are attacked by sunrays,
many ARKANOID clones, but is dog feces or the sound of
it bad? Surely not. Even more a cow hits our back of the
so that is produced nicely. head these are priceless

6
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

experiences, that await the already long list of logical tank from the enemy projecti-
you in this beautifully drawn puzzles and we place it some- les. Unfortunately, the enemies
world. where near our Polish Dia- will systematically destroy it.
monds from 1992. We look this What can I say more? A nice,
//tomxx time for the toys scattered aro- not so complicated game with
und the garden by our younger a simple graphics. //Komek
C64 brother and our objective is to
SHOOTIN PUTIN match the identical elements C64

2014, Technische Maschinenfabrik with each other. The game is BRILLIANT MAZE
thoroughly done, it has a nice 2014, Geir Straume and Sean Connolly

graphics and interesting music,

it is nice to play it because of
the challenging tasks. We have
5 minutes for the solving of the
puzzles, and not the time, but
the complexity of the puzzles
is the problem here. I recom-
This game released a couple mend the game because it is
days ago is still technically un- interesting and the genre of RGCD C64 16KB Cartridge
derdeveloped, but we look at logical games for C64 even Game Development Compe-
it because of two reasons, the nowadays can compete with tition (2014) this event can
first is the fact that it supports releases for other platforms, be easily called a real gift bag
the light gun, and the second including mobile platforms. , even more so because the
reason that it ideally sums up //tomxx majority of the participating
the anti-Russian atmosphere games was released close in
after the last years Russian VIC 20 time to the Christmas. One
incursion on East Ukraine. The TANK BATTALION of these gifts is a game titled
concept of shooting at the 2014, Beamrider BRILLIANT MAZE, in which a
photo of president Putin is of protagonist is a nice-looking,
course pretty controversial and green creature. It moves
Im aware that not everybody through a gigantic labyrinth
will like it. Nonetheless not a lot to find 4 diamonds. He uses
of people thought that 2014 four flickering arrows to find
will commemorate Vladimir Pu- them which show the direction
tin in the annals ofC64 releases Oh boy! So many arcade and lead to the entrance to
and it will become a small ad- games in the FRESH, that I will the next level (of course you
dition to the 80s games about become the master agility and have to find the appropriate
the Cold War. //tomxx reflex. To write even a short amount of diamonds). You
review, you have to play the are interrupted in your task
C64 game first. TANK BATTALION is a by other bad creatures which
TOYZ tank battle in the maze, in reali- move very fast. Personally, I
2014, Pyramidenkopf ty one tank fights against whole like games of this type very
group of tanks. The projectiles much and the fact that it was
which come out of the can- done properly increases the
non have a limited frequency, value of the game. //Komek
thats why you have to shoot
during the right moment to hit
the target. Wall made of bricks,
from which the maze is made,
can be destroyed by the pro-
Another good release from last jectiles, but does it have any
years RGCD! We add Toyz to sense? The wall protects our

7
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

C64 2014 successor is a strategic you of Lode Runner, it has a

TIGER CLAW war game, deeply rooted in couple of levels and elements
2014, Lazycow fantasy theme and made for to unblock. The more impor-
2 to 4 players. This game was tant thing is the process of its
inspired by Magic.The Gathe- development, known from
ring, Dark Legions and Chaos English Amiga Board Jim-
The Battle of Wizards. The my2x2x came back to coding
objective in BK II is defeating games after a long time and
all other sorcerers which can he made a commitment to
be done mainly by casting make a working version in
spells and calling the creatu- 4 weeks. He borrowed the
Tiger Claw is from the art side res ready to fight for us. The graphics and the sound from
one of the most beautiful re- game is pretty developed in other productions, he worked
leases, that appeared in 2014. sense of abilities which will on his assembler and met the
The graphics as well as sound draw the fans of this genre deadline, staying in the 64k
made by saulc12 are on a but at the same time may memory! We are satisfied with
very high level. Just after the discourage beginners. Fortu- such comebacks to coding
first launching of the game it nately, a lengthy manual was retro games and we hope that
may seem that we encounter included in the text file which other programmers from the
the continuation of the classic explains in details every part past will follow his footsteps.
which is Bruce Lee, but it is of the gameplay. The game //tomxx
a completely independent can be praised for its music,
production. The gameplay is which reminds us of the epic Amiga

not one of the easiest becau- and lofty fantasy atmosphere. BOXX 2
se of the peculiar sliding of the //noctropolis 2014, Lemming880

characters which makes the

steering more difficult, but the Amiga

variety of the opponents and LOVE DUNGEON

gathered throughout the loca- 2014, Jay Aldred (Jimmy2x2x)

tions secret objects do not let

you leave the computer even
though you die often.
//bobikowoz
After the success of the first
C64 version, the author decided
BATTLE KHAOS II to create the second part of
2014, Tinnitus Boxx. After three months of
Amiga fans also received a work we have a completely
gift for Christmas: mini-game new release. Typical arcade
Love Dungeon which takes game, where you go forward
place in the world of Bru- and gather the coins and try
ce Lee. This time we do not not to lose your life. We have
gather lanterns, but the red to remember to launch all
hearts scattered around the the encountered levers which
level. Maybe a debut during will open the blocked entran-
the Valentines day would be ces to us. Every three levels
Inactive for a couple of years more appropriate, even tho- we meet the boss. A simple
Polish group Tinnitus unexpec- ugh you can play pleasantly graphics (only 8 colours), ple-
tedly releases the sequel of its because of the fluent anima- asant, dynamic music (chosen
previous game Battle Khaos, tion and time quickly flying appropriately by the author)
issued over 10 years ago. This by. The game has something are the advantages of this
released before the end of from the old Bruce, it reminds game. //Ramos

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Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

C64

ZOMBI TERROR
2015, Kabuto Factory

Nowadays retro-releases are

usually prepared only for one
platform. Zombi Terror is a
complete aberrationto this
theory, because the game
appeared on PC, Spectrum,
MSX, ZX81, Sega Mega Drive
and during the beginning days
of February on our beloved
C64. Adventure game full of
atmosphere which can be
characterized by high level of
difficulty was divided into two
parts. The objective is simple:
to escape from the hordes
of undead. If you encounter
during the gameplay difficul-
ties, wait for the second issue
of K&A Plus where we will
publish more materials about
this game. //bobikowoz

The Picture maked by ourEditor in the Krakow bookstore "Fankomiks"

9
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Alter Ego

The Game Alter Ego is the see on the screens) is the titular
result of the work of a small, alter ego of our protagonist,
currently one-person Retrosouls which moves constantly on the
studio. This studio comes from basis of mirror reflection. The
Russia and is created by Denis target of the game is gathering
Grachev. He has created a of the scattered on the every
couple of projects, but this one level here and there squares,
is the first on C64. The Alter Ego which will be possible only
game first appeared on Pc, ZX thanks to the right planning of
Spectrum, Nes (2011), and now route of passing through the
the version for C64 appeared. given level.
This is a logical arcade game
that will not only make your It is not as simple as we can
gray matter burn, but will also think at the beginning because
not let your hands keeping the not the whole screen is availa-
joystick be bored. ble for our main protagonist. For
example, the skulls serve as ob-
The game doesnt really have stacle and are hunting for the
a plot (at least I didnt see it player, ponds, gaps in the plat-
there), thats why I will describe forms or them being placed too
what the premises of the game high or the bridges falling down
are. Even though we can see after the first passing are also
two persons on the screen that the hurdles. To reach some of
are controlled by the player, the squares, it will be necessary
we really control only one per- to use on the FIRE key the
son. The second one (the one switch ( I dont know how to
which flashes which we cannot better call it) of the character,

10
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

which will cause an immediate too much, because everything

change of places. However we that this game has graphically
must reach these squares first to offer, we can see on the at-
with our twin, which is easy tached screenshots (not really
because he penetrates the great, but nice and neat). The
obstacles and flies in the air, just sounds on the other hand are
like a ghost. It may sound good, simple, single sounds (it is a pity
but the whole problem (and that there is no music during
the main cause of overheating the game).
of our brain) that the number
of switches of characters is on Generally speaking, I recom-
every level strictly limited. mend Alter Ego to everyone
who likes to think when playing
Another novelty is that during the computer games. The
the game the switch of the game is really good and lets
characters on some levels hope thats not the last project
happens not horizontally but on C64 from the Retrosouls (on
vertically. On the other levels ZX Spectrum Alter Ego : Dream-
besides the standard, coloured walker appeared , so we can
squares also white squares hope that the sequel appe-
Alter Ego
appear which can be gathered ars soon on C64). To persons
only by our blinking alter ego. wanting to learn assembler, the Graphics:
Generally, the number of levels source code of the game was
Music:
is 26 and to reach the very end, added to the game.
you have to show a significant Playability:
shrewdness. About the audio- noctropolis
RetroSouls, 2014
visual setting we cannot talk translated by Slayerpl

11
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Aviator
Arcade
C64 16KB Cartridge Game
Development Competition, or-
This time, as a military pilot who
defends the city of Suburbia,
opponents, when there are 6
of them (such moments also
ganized yearly, presents always we have to stop the incoming happen in the game), small
to the C64 fans a huge amount forces of rebels. Our another mayhem begins on the screen
of interesting games, it was objective is defending the port, and when we dodge one mis-
also like this this time. Among from which the reinforcements sile, we very often fly into ano-
other entrants, one of the par- of our enemies come from. At ther. Regardless of the situation
ticipating games in this years the end, we will have to deal a and with how many opponents
competition, is pretty old-scho- final blow to their desert base. we currently fight, the featured
ol, but at the same time pretty autofire proves to be extremely
diligently done shootem up The most important when play- useful, because it allows us to
Aviator Arcade. When we look ing the game is being in con- shoot out a constant burst of
at the storyline, the introduction stant motion. It is connected bullets without getting tired.
to the game is not so detailed with the fact that the enemies We have bombs under the
or overwhelming, but in this aircraft, ships and vessels con- space key, which obliterate
type of games it is not particu- stantly fire their shots at our cur- everything in our line of sight
larly important. The important rent position. When we move immediately, but it is not so
matter is only that as the good wildly through the screen, we easy, because their quantity
guys we fight the bad guys. have the advantage that they is very limited. What can we
try to fire their also mention.. you dont die
guns at the in this game because of one
place which hit, when this happens, only
we luckily your level of energy decreases.
have left When your energy indicator is
(at least we empty, you lose your life and
should have the level is restarted. Good
left). Howe- idea of the authors.
ver, if this
strategy suc- There are, unfortunately, only 3
ceeds, when levels in this game, but what I
we are being like about them is the fact that
attacked at they are completely different
the same from each other. We can feel
time by, satisfied, when we end one
lets say 2-3 level and we are taken to a

12
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

completely different place as a sic. Maybe it is not the most a fine game. The programmer
gift, and not to a simple clone sophisticated kind, but it can was supported in his work by
of previous scenery. It is impor- be associated with the action Richard Bayliss, who made the
tant for the game pleasure. games from the second half music and Andre Hogbom,
At the end of every level we of 80ties and it looks here nice. who was responsible for the
encounter, instead of a single It is also great that during the part of the graphics. Gene-
boss, the situation, where the levels the author managed to rally speaking, if you like the
scrolling of the screen stops simultaneously play the music shooters with a pretty classic
and we have to deal with a and the in-game sound effects, atmosphere and design, you
couple of waves of enemies which are not so many, but it will have a lot of fun with this
who shoot at us aggressively. is always nice to hear a co- game. The game has been
The exception to that rule is the uple of explosions. Graphically, met with a good critical acc-
last level, where after the afo- the game is also good, even laim in the C64 scene and the
rementioned waves of enemies though the game gathers here only thing, which some people
we have to defeat the pro- points mainly for the mentio- will miss, is the lack of power
totype chopper stolen by the ned diversified sceneries than ups (even though I didnt noti-
rebels (quite durable). Between for the general awesomeness. ce that). To make the game in
the levels we also receive pro- Variety of enemies vessels and 16 KB certain limitations were
motions in the military hierarchy vehicles is also impressive. We necessary and the author thinks
(depending on the number of can see here a variety of diffe- about working on the exten-
points we have) to finally be- rent military vehicles, tanks, gro- ded version soon. Now we can
come a general. If you are not und and sea cannon towers, play with pleasure in the main
able to achieve this rank, when smaller and bigger ships and jet edition.
you play the game for the first fighters.
time, dont get discouraged, noctropolis
because the point results in The author of the game is the Translated by Slayerpl
every game are connected, working in Hindsbosoft Mark
the achieved result and the Hindsbo, who comes back to
Aviator Arcade
military rank will be kept and coding after a 20 year hiatus.
will increase when you play the What is interesting, he worked Graphics:
game next time. earlier mainly with Amiga,
Music:
but he also always wanted to
When we look at the audio- make a game for C64. The time Entertaining:
visual design, a lot of praise has finally come and we have
Hindsbosoft, 2014
has to be given to the mu- to congratulate the author for

13
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

LITTLE SARA
SISTER TRILOGY
I think that there is no C64 user on THE GREAT GIANA SISTERS. I will
that has not come into contact not make a mistake if I say that
with the game The GREAT GIANA the resemblance between these
SISTERS. I can certainly say that two games is huge, but the enter-
this is one of the best and the taining ability of the games varies
most captivating games for C64. considerably....
Two twin sisters- Giana and Maria
(main protagonists of the game) LITTLE SARA SISTER TRILOGY are
are 27 years old. I suspect that it the released earlier 3 parts of the
is more than the age of many of game - LITTLE SARA SISTER (2004),
our readers. I mentioned this cult LITTLE SARA SISTER 1, 5 (2006) and
platform game not without a re- LITTLE SARA SISTER 2 (2012). We
ason because LITTLE SARA SISTER, can treat the first one as the pre-
which is mentioned in the later lude, because these are only two
part of the text, is strongly based short levels. The situation changes

14
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

in the part titled 1,5 because it no use in banging your head

was lengthened by 7 levels ( in against the brick wall). What
total 9) and the soundtrack was can we say more? Oh, I know!
changed. The most important When I played, I found only two
among the adventures of Sara bonuses. The first one means
is the one titled LITTLE SARA that when you find 15 diamonds
SISTERS 2, the participant of (incredibly simple), you receive
the RGCD C64 16KB Cartridge an additional life. The second
Game Development Competi- one looks like a flower (level 36)
tion 2014 and we will deal ma- and also increases the number
inly with this. The game has 38 of lives by 1. The situation with
levels, so we are dealing with a the defence looks also bad.
pretty extensive gameplay. As You will destroy the opponents
far as the music is concerned, it only when you jump on them (
is similar as in the case of Giana, this does not include the snails).
because they used the same
division: court jolly melody At the beginning of the review I
(apart from a couple of levels), mentioned the significant diffe-
underground dark melody, rence in the entertaining ability
keeping the tense atmosphere. of both games, to the disa-
Gathering the scattered around dvantage of LITTLE SARA SISTER.
diamonds is the next and not The play is in both cases almost
the last common part of both identical, but the animaton
games. Opponents such as of Sara is worse and the same
owls and wasps, even though problem is with the steering of
they are differently drawn and the character. The difficulty
animated, are still very similar. level is pretty similar, but some
There are also different kinds levels are a little bit shorter. I do-
of platforms, walls and blocks nt know, maybe I expect too
which look similarly to the ones much from a game, that takes
in THE GREAT GIANA SISTERS. up so little of disk space?

I started to feel while playing To sum it all up, I conclude that,

that Im missing something. I did however the game has some
not have to think long that the shortcomings, LITTLE SARA SISTER
missing part is the action, the is not the worst release and the
variety and the flexibility. Exac- game is able to keep the player
tly, the variety is not so good, for a moment, or even longer,
because the levels are not interested. I know, it is far from
diversified and look the same. GIANA, but it at least tries to
During some moments I wonde- give a tribute to this great and
red if I was not, by coincidence, cult platform game. Of cour-
taken a couple levels back. se, everyone who will play the
And where are the dragons or game, will have its own opinion
other huge monsters? It would about the LITTLE SARA SISTER. For
LSST
be nice if one of those giants the record, I wasnt dissapoin-
appeared from time to time on ted. Graphics:
the end of the level. The great
Music:
change, because of which with Komek
the use of punk haircut we can Translated by Slayerpl Entertaining:
destroy the brick walls, does not
Filmsoft, 2014
happen ( and they say theres

15
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

THE VICE SQUAD

I tend to divide currently rele-
ased 8-bit titles into 3 separa-
contains games created by
more experienced program-
Finally, the third category
includes the titles that can
te categories. First one inc- mers, and the results usually be half-jokingly, half-seriously
ludes rather simple products present higher professionalism described as Triple-A, or AAA
developed by inexperienced in terms of solutions used, as (by definition these are games
coders and fresh designers, well as much nicer fx. These of the highest quality, with the
and usually features quite titles are still not complex and highest development bud-
straightforward audiovisuals. can be rather simple in terms gets, levels of promotion and
They can obviously steal some of mechanics but can be an extensive advertising cam-
of my playtime as long as the attractive due to the various paign). So what am I referring
idea and concept behind advanced solutions put in to while moving this concept
them are interesting and ad- place which make the enti- back to our retro scene? Im
dictive. The second category re concept highly playable. thinking of the greatest titles

16
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

recently created, for instance combined scenes of super- To get you quickly up to spe-
KnightnGrail, that turned in cars street races (not sure if ed with the gameplay, I will
2009 the Commodore scene they were taken from existing bring up the old good and still
totally upside down some. clips or made exclusively for famous Spy Hunter title. The
Or Soulless, or the port of this trailer, but it doesnt really idea behind The Vice Squad is
Prince of Persia, both being matter after all) and in-ga- similar, although much fresher:
mind-blowing pieces of C64 me footage, all topped with the screen scrolls horizontally,
software and turning into the well-composed background the variety of in-game ele-
top entertainers in our small music by Linus. Intros like this ments is much higher, and the
Commodore world! Do not one are not produced for an audio-visual content is much
think, however, that Im that average game, but only for deeper. Our car is always
picky to only demand the hi- those ambitious titles, that are heading rightwards and your
ghest possible quality. Frankly about to make an impact on goal is to eliminate bad du-
speaking its quite opposite, a retro scene. Before going on des vehicles, while trying to
but the releases of highest with my review, I just recom- avoid and protect the civi-
quality titles on C64 scene are mend that you take a look lians ones.
still being considered in the at the official promotional
categories of top events. They video to get the first grasp on
let us get back in time to the the mood were facing here:
old good days, with maga- https://www.youtube.com/
zines front pages featuring watch?v=_54HXH-e8-o.
new productions and players
discussing them vigorously Okay, enough with this quality
all over again. Dont get me bar-rising introduction, lets
wrong: simple, professionally move on to the review itself.
designed games come out For us, the Commodore-users
quite regularly, but the high- born in 80s, the word Vice is
end titles, carefully planned usually associated with both,
and in production for months, an awesome piece of softwa-
are the drivers of the gaming re used for emulating our ma- The entire game consists of
scene. They keep our lovely chines, and with an American nine separate missions, alto-
8-bit machines running at high TV series call Miami Vice. gether giving us quite large
speeds and dont let them die The latter one mainly tells variety of levels. Initially were
out of boredom. I apologize the stories of cops and drugs about to get rid of a certain
for this lengthy introduction, smugglers and distributors. number of black, unmarked
but its all in order to finally And this is actually the direc- drug cars, but further missions
move on with The Vice Squad, tion were about to hit in the bring us some fancy fights
another great AAA title for super-fast gameplay of The against heavily armored
C64! Vice Squad: as a cop named trucks, tanks or helicopters.
James Hutch were on a hunt Obviously, El Guato himself
The games announcement of the ruthless local Mexican is personally awaiting us in
by Psytronik Software was a drug baron, El Guato. Its a ri- the final mission to save the
good sign that something gre- sky mission, as due to the high city: fighting against a stolen
at is coming up shortly. Psytro- level of corruption in local po- stealth bomber will be fun!
nik is well known not only for lice departments we can only The story nicely develops into
polishing up their products, count on ourselves and on our an interesting adventure with
but in most cases also for fo- partner. El Guato is a highly ever rising level of hazard,
cusing on highest quality rele- dangerous individual and our and although it might not
ases. The game trailer posted cops have to use all possible be a peak of diversity, every
on YouTube reveals everything means for winning the war other mission brings up some
Im talking here about: the and claiming back the city. more challenges to beat. Prior

17
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

get up to full speed on wide large diversity. The number of

and less crowded roads, but vehicles we meet on our way
also to slow down on packed is large, with all different kinds
sections to skillfully maneu- of cars, vans, motorbikes and
ver between other cars. Our trucks. In addition to this, we
car is initially equipped with obviously fight against enemy
single standard gun, but can barons fleet of various military
be easily powered-up with vehicles, on top with tanks,
oil slicks, reverse fire, forward planes, and helicopters. Sepa-
and reverse missiles and side rately to foreground sprites, I
beams. Single power-up is also send a big praise to the
dropped after destroying background graphics: its co-
to the start of each mission 8 enemy vehicles during a lorful, full of details and most
we can watch the dialogue single life. Additionally, at importantly - very diverse.
between our hero cops di- the end of each level were Each single mission not only
scussing next steps and tasks being awarded with a mission consists of a different color
assigned to given level (by badge (gold, silver or bronze) palette, but also of different
the way, very cool animation depending on how well we approach on roads, buildings,
of their faces). performed with the civilian obstacles, elements of the
cars. Obviously, lower dama- environment, you call it. There
The game comes with a very ge to civilians results in more are obviously some recurring
pleasant and highly intuitive precious badge. objects in the subsequent
control scheme. Accelerating scenes, but after all this is not
and slowing down smoothly The game features high- something that can be avo-
reflects your joystick move- quality audio-video: graphics ided in a large, but sill 64 KB
ments and make your drive a can really impress with the productions. All of these are
pleasant experience. Its easy finishing touch quality and wrapped up with an extreme-

18
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

ly good scrolling so smo- ther amazing work has been Finally, The Vice Squad can
oth, that High Speed Pursuit delivered by RGCD (Retro be considered to be the 80s
Syndrome was mentioned on Gamer CD) by preparing a police action movie tribute.
RGCD website as a possible Cartridge version. The game So if youre often getting
consequence of too much of was tested on C64/C128/ back to your childhood times
the playtime. The music and C64GS in PAL system, but and still miss the uncountable
in-game sound effects nicely NTSC users report that its still hours spent in front of your
correspond with fast-paced playable, obviously accep- TV set watching films about
action and make every mis- ting occasional slowness and cops and villains, road chases
sion extremely enjoyable. refresh glitches. Nowadays the and street shootings, this is the
game is also available for free game for you! The quality of
The Vice Squad was created digital download from the Bi- work is high and its definitely
by Achim Volkers (Program- naryZone.org website: http:// worth to dive in and keep it in
ming and Design), Trevor Sto- binaryzone.org/psytronik/ your C64 games archive.
rey (Graphics, Concept, De- ViceSquad_Download_2013.
sign & Box/Poster Artwork) and zip. In my opinion it was a noctropolis
Sascha Linus Zeidler (Music, nice player-focused decision, Translated by Tomxx
Player & Sound effects). There as the game already turned
are obviously some more folks one and whoever planned
listed down in Credits but Im on purchasing the Premium
not going to mention all of editions had probably alre- The Vice Squad
them over here. The final pro- ady done that. The remaining
Graphics:
duct, available on beautifully players can now try it as well,
designed disks and tapes, was so the awareness and product Music:
released by Psytronik Software visibility has been definitely
Entertaining:
back in December 2013. Ano- increased.
Filmsoft, 2014

19
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

X-Force
I always dreamt about a little bit like advertisement who extracts the precious
creating the first, futuristic, slogans used when releasing a minerals from the mine un-
vertically scrolled shooter and real blockbuster, announced der the surface of the planet
that dream finally became the for many years and exciting Darx. After another hard day
reality. The New Dimension huge amount of fans. Ok, I of work, we go for the well-
proudly presents the game, wont criticize more, maybe earned night rest to our ship
for which you all have been the game is really that good.:) which also serves as our bedro-
waiting for. And here is the om. It appears in the mean-
game, X-Force We are we- I will start the review not typi- time that our presence was
lcomed with these words in the cally, writing about the in-ga- noticed by the not so friendly
me music. It is a result of the aliens. When we wake up in
fact that the music attacks the morning, we immediately
us during the intro and then is notice that somethings wrong
present also in the game. The and we are horrified to disco-
music is really good and what ver that we have been abduc-
is important, you dont have ted, transported to the aliens
to like this type of atmosphere headquarters and trapped
to appreciate that the music with something that resembles
is made with a high quality an invisible shield. We manage
and matched ideally with the to destroy this shield using our
game theme. As many people laser equipment which helps us
have probably noticed, SID will during the mining, and additio-
make the game more pleasu- nally we reach soon our taken
intro of the aforementioned rable through emitting extre- away jet fighter X-Force.
game, created by the well- mely technical sounds based
known to us Richard Bayliss, on rhythmic bass and certain Our escape route through long
who was busy with the music amount of the trance-like tunnels of the bases and mines
and code, the graphics were melody typical for
made by Saul Cross. And now this type of games,
I wonder whether they made which, as I have
an exaggeration with these mentioned, sounds
claims? The fact that the pretty good and
author always dreamt about matches the theme
creating this type of game nicely.
and he is very satisfied with the
end result appears to be pretty The theme of this
natural. But the claims that it game is as follows:
was the game that we have we play the role of
all been waiting for, sound the futuristic miner,

20
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

is full of hordes of aliens who We can see here the typical Is X-force, considerably influ-
want to stop us, escaping this representatives of aliens fleet enced by the titles such as
place wont be so easy. in the type of various small Subterranea or Powerama
ships or other, normal for this (which is explicitly admitted
Appropriately matched is the type of games, not so closely by the author), the game we
level of the difficulty of the defined interrupters, but also have all been waiting for, as it
game, which even though is cosmic animals which resem- is mentioned in its intro? I will
a kind of a challenge, is not ble wasps or medusas. To answer it diplomatically; it is
exaggerated to the point, that perform better, here and there a good game, for sure, done
we cannot survive longer than await us ready to use power- in a nice way, with a good
a couple of seconds (which is ups which increase to some degree of entertaining ability.
a weak point of many ga- extent the firepower of our jet Will it be a real hit for some-
mes). You can control the ship fighter. The whole game consi- one, remembered after many
comfortably; the ship is quite sts of 16 levels and it is a pretty years, to which he will come
manageable and responds big number. There is a boss on back often and regularly? This
quickly to the commands of the end of every level (whom question has to be answered
movement. The weakness we can defeat and receive by everyone of us separately.
involves the shooting, our an additional life, or simply
cosmic jet fighter doesnt have pass him by), every level offers noctropolis
automatic cannon, and we a different scenery. Level of Translated by Slayerpl
have to push the fire button development of these scene-
manually and as quick as ries is not maybe particularly
possible, when there are many overwhelming or breathtaking
enemies on the screen. What with the great details, but also
is interesting, the author of the in this matter the sceneries are
game, as if he noticed this made at least properly (and
small inconvenience, sha- the whole game has a pretty
red with everyone willing to fluent scrolling). Additional-
use them a bunch of POKES ly, the backgrounds are not
which introduced autofire only the elements of faraway
(POKE 30057,176POKE 30058,32 scenography, but also intro-
POKE 30059,234 POKE 30060,44 duce additional obstacles in
X-Force
POKE 30063,44 POKE 30065,44). the way of controlling our ship.
Apart from annihilating of the Graphics:
The opponents who we meet aforementioned enemies we
Music:
on our escape route, are have to be aware of the rock
created nicely, they move in debris or alternately opening Entertaining:
bigger groups and are of a and closing gates.
The New Dimension, 2014
great variety of different kinds.

21
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

SEUCK is not so scary

Evil Wizard 2
Ghosts, skulls and specters. a lot of games came out that you will read shortly, is also
Black fields, forests, groves. were made with the use of this pretty gloomy and scary.
Castles, dungeons and caves, program, which theme are
one who is scared, dies qu- spooky creatures, banshees Angry ghost and the
ickly! We have to kill the bad and other monsters. An exam- theme of revenge
sorcerer to restore the order. ple? Here you go: VAMPIRE
Strike with enormous force, HUNTER, ANOTHER DAY- ANO- Surely, when you launch the
as the torch during the dark THER ZOMBIE, ZOMBIE BRAIN game, you will ask: Why a
night. EATERS, DANTES DEPARTMENT ghost is a protagonist of the
STORE, FORGOTTEN FOREST, game? I explain. Earlier he
I noticed lately that SEUCK GOD SLAYER, POLTERGEISTS ON was a man, who apprenticed
has got more dark and scary. FLOOR 12, SYLPHWYRM, LE- by the benevolent sorcerer
No! Do not think that it haunts GION OF THE DAMNED brrrr, who fought the bad wizard.
me during the nights he he, Im scared now. The game Because the evil wizard had
nothing like this. I mean that titled Evil Wizard 2, over which great powers, he changed him

22
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

into a ghost. The kind sorcerer placed in the recesses on the 1000 points. Unfortunately,
got very angry and casted a walls. The end of the dungeons you will not encounter other
spell on the ghost and gave is the encounter with a dragon bonuses.
him powers necessary to which spits with fire. We are
inflict revenge. This is how the getting closer to the objective, Yo, mate! Does this
adventure in the scary world because the third level takes game kick ass or not?
begins. Furious ghost goes on place in the halls of the dark,
a journey to the gloomy castle gloomy castle. And what do To sum it all up, I would like
of the bad wizard to defeat we have here? Haunted gno- to write a couple of the most
him. mes, moving blades, falling important issues. The music is
down rocks, snakes and the chosen accordingly, it creates
And the journey earlier mentioned cannons. the proper atmosphere, its
will be long... The end of this level is the fight scariness relates nicely to the
against the mutant knight, the graphics. The dungeons, cor-
We begin the game on the old, one we fought earlier. Maybe ridors, graveyard are drawn
secluded graveyard. Blood- not so interesting, because I nicely, which is a testament to
thirsty bats and creatures fly expected a new boss and they the fact that the graphics are
around and venomous spiders could have made another on a high level. The enterta-
come down on the thin, barely monster, or something equally ining ability is also pretty high,
visible threads. To make things horrifying It is now the time this way we get a nice SEUCK
harder, all the opponents for the final fight on the top of mixture.
throw at us some red balls. the castle, in the chamber of
The ending of the first level is the bad sorcerer. We will stand Komek
the duel against dangerous with him face to face, the time Translated by Slayerpl
mutant knight. The second le- of retribution has come, but
vel takes place in the dunge- will we manage to do it?
Evil Wizard 2
ons of the aforementioned ca-
stle. It is very dangerous here During the game, you will be Graphics:
because of poisonous snakes, able to collect appearing
Music:
spiders and quickly moving sometimes diamonds. For the
birds of prey. Look out also for gathering of every diamond Entertaining:
the small cannons which are you will receive additional
The New Dimension, 2012

23
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Wacky
Waste
Seuck, even though it was achieve that, he has to take sometimes even our quick
supposed to be the envi- part in 4 races and show to reaction doesnt help when
ronment for creating simple his opponents, that he is the confronted with danger. We
shootemups, has a second best (and to get, as a prize, cannot also omit our oppo-
face. Of course we have a his ideal car). To reach a nents and their bullets while
lot of SEUCK-based shootem start of every race, he has moving vertically, because
ups, sometimes the games to take care of opponents we can make only forward
appear which break this blocking the passage to and backward movements. It
pattern. We had, for instan- the race start. Practically, it is good that we can shoot in
means, as it was mentioned every possible direction, even
earlier, interchangeability of at a slant, which is a very
shootem up levels and car useful solution. Unfortunately,
racing levels. another oversight appears (or
maybe it is deliberate), that
Because the whole plot we cant shoot backwards
of the game takes part in while standing still, we can
city called Garbageville, shoot only when we make a
the scenery is full of trash, movement in this direction. If
dirt, metal scraps etc. The we are being attacked from
opponents adjust to this behind by the quickly moving
ce, pointers, pseudoplatform atmosphere; among them opponent- we encounter a
games, pseudo 3d games, are cockroaches or rotten serious problem (especial-
and what do we have here? tomatoes. They are treated ly when we encounter an
This time around we look at accordingly by the protago- opponent that we must shoot
the release, which is a com- nist Ratty, which uses as pro- at numerous times). The fact
bination of classic scrolled jectileshis own, green sa- that some opponents do not
shootem up and .. car liva. Even though the game appear somewhere in the
races. may appear initially as safe distance by the edge,
quite simple, this estimation and practically next to the
Wacky Waste lets us imper- quickly changes. The level of player, does not help. To sum
sonate the persona of an difficulty doesnt depend on it all up, the game is not easy
amusing Ratty, who because the particular special chal- and the levels where we walk
his greatest hobby are cars, lenge, but a certain level of on foot can be assigned to
has decided to become the clumsiness of the game. Our this sort of games where the
local king of the roads. To rat moves quite slow and further progress is reached

24
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

are uneven, because intere-

sting and done nicely loca-
tions contrast with the more
empty and boring. We can
sense an unfulfilled potential
in this matter, I think that we
could place in this game more
garbage variety. Over the
music, which plays constantly
during the game, we cannot
say much. It is a quite ener-
getic melody, quite pleasant
and fitting the game. There is
nothing special to listen to and
we often forget during the
game about the music.

I will admit honestly that when

I saw the screenshots from
this game (which provided an
incitement to write this re-
view), I hoped that the game
would be more unique. The
work of Alf Yngve (graphics,
project), Richard Bayliss (mu-
through the trial and error odd solution which involves sic) and Martin Piper (SEUCK
method, through remem- the changing of joystick port extensions) disappointed me
bering the patters of mo- between on foot levels and to some extent. The game is
vements and places where racing levels. To be honest, I definitely not bad, but, to be
opponents appear. dont really understand what frank, I would not put it above
was the aim of this solution. an average game. We have
If the player has to struggle This game is not a typical to remember that the asses-
during on foot missions, the two players game, and if two sment is increased because
racing levels are of better players wanted to play alter- of the interesting racing levels
quality and are a lot of fun. It nately, they can pass the joy- (for the sheer presence of
is obvious that these are not stick to each other. However them it is good to play this
typical races (because you the bigger number of people game).
are not supposed to reach will play Wacky Waste as a
the finish line first, but destroy single player, and then they noctropolis
your opponents), but some- have to choose between Translated by Slayerpl
thing racelike (to the extent using the second joystick
that SEUCK allows), but it is every level, or putting in the
more dynamic, a little bit plug between ports (if they
easier and more interesting. have one joystick), or swit-
The circuits are made quite ching the active port ( in the Wacky Waste
nice; full of the more intere- emulator).
sting surroundings, as well as Graphics:
many obstacles (moving ba- OK and how is the situation
Music:
nana peels look nice). These with the graphics? Generally
missions increase the general speaking, the graphics are Entertaining:
assessment of entertaining not that impressive. Maybe I
The New Dimension, 2014
ability. However there is an should say that the graphics

25
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

MIDS 80

Arctic
Shipwreck
The group of castaways from The described game is the had fun like no other time.
a sinking ship shudder from first work of Hungarian group
the cold, squeezed on a quite called F451. I will say im- I remember that when I first
big floe, but being nothing in mediately that if someone is encountered the game, the
comparison to the grandeur more interested in the wider physics of the described floe
of the arctic waters. Around background of creation of this made a huge impression on
them only the hum of waves, game, the lot of the program- me. Even though it takes up a
whistle of a cold wind and mers and the general com- huge part of the screen, it is
arctic vacuity. Is there a hope puter atmosphere in Hungary nicely animated and reacts in
for them? The rescue expedi- in the beginning of 80ties I a great way with its tilt cau-
tion should leave but the floe recommend the interview with sed by the mass of the mam-
under the influence of a strong Viktor T. Toth (if you have moth moving on it. The floe
wind moves side to side and not yet read this), one of the does it with the proper delay,
often dangerously tilts. What members of the group and which shows clearly its enor-
can they do ? Wait passively the creators of Arctic Shipw- mous, ice mass. The creators
if someone is be able to save reck in the C&A Games 4. I will were pretty proud from this
them? Wait a minute. there mention here that the idea algorithm and I have to admit
was one friendly mammoth for the aforementioned game that Im not surprised. Even
around somewhere here. didnt come from them, but more so, that we talk about
what is inte- the beginnings of C64 era. If
resting was even today it is something to
the result look at, back then it was even
of a com- more impressive.
petition.
And the The game is based on the
program- fact that, impersonating the
mers, even aforementioned mammoth,
though we have to move on the sur-
they wor- face of the floe to decrease
ked on the with our mass its tilt. When the
borrowed floe tilts too much, the part
equipment of the castaways (and in bad
and for the situations even all of them) will
ridiculously fall into the water. We have
low remu- to be careful not to fall to the
nerations, ground with the mammoth be-

26
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

cause it is an immediate end when we get near him with

of game. You have to keep our mammoth. However,
the survivors on the surface of this may seem a problem. It
the ice as long as it takes the happens sometimes that the
ship visible on the horizon to direction from which the bird
reach us. Generally speaking, flies is completely different in
to end the level the saving comparison with the direction
of one castaway will suffice, to which we have to move to
but if more of them survives, tilt properly the floe. Someti-
the more impressive our result mes we have to think what is
in points will be. Aside from better for us. To leave one of
the bonus for the number of the survivors to be devoured
survivors, we get additional or to take care of the bird of Arctic waters. Besides the
points for the amount of time and at the same time create praised earlier floe, the gra-
we managed to stay on the a danger for the majority of phics is placed nicely in the
floe. When the ship of the survivors to fall in the ice cold times when it was done. Even
rescue expedition reaches water? The choice is difficult, if it is a little bit economical, I
us, (or when we manage to but no one told that the life of like the design of the enormo-
survive to this time) we see a the mammoth will be easy. us mammoth, as well as tiny
short sequence with fireworks, people as the survivors.
after which we land on the Sound background of this re-
floe with another survivors, in lease is heard the title screen Even though audiovisual
a different colour setting and the fragment of popular sea design from the beginnings
what is more important, a hi- shanty Drunken Sailor. Even of C64 era is not so good for
gher level of difficulty, caused though its interpretation was todays standards, the idea
by the stronger wind. simplified and played out on a and entertaining ability didnt
simple, single sound, but these age a bit. Arctic Shipwreck is
Certain variation In the ga- were the times and it has a an ideal game to play to relax
meplay is the huge bird which certain charm nowadays. Du- and also the kind of game
is attacking quite often our ring the game we encounter you can come back to often
colony of survivors. When we only the limited sound effects without getting bored. Mo-
not defend ourselves, the bird and I think that it is a good reover, the idea behind the
will catch one of the fellow solution. The hum of waves game (and the simplicity of
survivors and will fly away. You and single steps of the mam- controlling the game charac-
can scare him quite easily, moth show nicely the infinity ter) I consider that good that
Im surprised that no remake
of the game was made for the
contemporary computers (or
maybe I dont know about this
because I will admit that I do
not follow this market). If so-
meone did not play this game,
I recommend this game, and
if you played I also recom-
mend to play once again and
refresh your experiences with
this game.

noctropolis
Translated by Slayerpl

27
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Mr. Robot and

his Robot
Factory
There are things in life, that step on every inch of a floor,
does not change over the keeping track of the time
years. As it was in the 80s of constrains and a bunch of
twentieth century, as same it malicious opponents. I do not
is nowadays - if a game has recall calling this kind of inspi-
a level editor, it can expand ration as a clone of at the
the games lifespan. If the time when these games were
gameplay is interesting and premiered. I will not use that
the author would be able to term today, as it would be
find someone to check his unfair to Mr. Robot, because
joyful creations, I believe that the game has a lot to offer.
the authors imagination is the
only limit. First game in my Collecting every power pill on
life which had a level editor every platform is the goal of
included was Mr. Robot and every consecutive screen. It
his Robot Factory. sounds like a job for a simple
janitor. Why would anyone
Did the Robot came out hire an elegant tin man to do
of a cave? it? The answer is really simple
- each room is a gravedanger
After looking at the gameplay zone. Do you know anyone
in Mr robot you could get crazy enough to clean a
an impression that its another warehouse, where some kind
part of Bounty Bob adventu- of a joker have built the floor
res. He was the main charac- with landmines? If you com-
ter in a short series of games bine this madness with some
started by Miner 2049er. In elevated, hardly available
both games it is required to platforms and a group of

28
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

self-aware cosmic flames it all

becomes clear. Mister Robot
is the only choice for this dirty
job.

How big is the Robot Factory?

Developers of the game

created a set of 22 screens.
It is a good number, and it
gets even better as it can
be doubled with the use of a
level editor. In my opinion, the
numbers are not as important
as the quality of the design of
the screens. I find the original
set of levels as quite diverse
and seems like a thought-out
set. The amount of different
elements available in the
factory is at least satisfactory.
There are platforms, before
mentioned obstacles and
more: elevators, conveyors,
trampolines and even a set of
magnets. With this amount of
diversity all you need is some
stimulation to your creative
imagination.

As a conclusion I would like to

give you a warning about the
little note appearing on the
first screen. It could be temp-
ting to collect it for a hundred
points, but this is also a very
Mr. Robot...
special switch. Every time the
note is taken by the Robot it Graphics:
switches the sound effects on
Music:
and off.
Entertaining:
Bobikowoz
Datamost Inc, 1984

29
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

C64PERSIAN C64 is a computer which doesnt know borders

and its expansion throughout the world resulted
in reaching the places which from our point of
view seem exotic. One of those places is Iran,
where our C64 also appears and was there ear-
lier the most popular computer. We succeeded
in establishing contact with Peyman the creator
of a Persian C64 forum, the result of this contact
is this interview.

Can you introduce yourself? know how to open or record In general, during that time,
a computer program! We had many people began to get
My name is Peyman and Im to write almost 200 lines of the interested in IT and compu-
the webmaster of the Per- code in BASIC to play a game. ters. A lot of people wanted
sian C64 forum (http://www. When we tried to do it for the to purchase the computers,
c64persian.tk). first time and we were around but because our country was
100th line, suddenly, becau- at war with Iraq, the ability to
Can you tell something more se of an air raid (our country buy things was limited. Either
about yourself, what do you was at war with Iraq during case, C64 was during that
do for a living etc.? that time) there was a power time the most popular compu-
failure in the whole neighbour- ter in our country.
I was born in 1976. I work as hood. All our work was in vain.
the hardware technician. I After some time the electricity When did you purchase your
have a bachelor degree in ICT was restored and we deci- C64?
(Information and Communica- ded to try again, we have
tion Technologies). Im intere- successfuly written the code I bought my C64 in 1989 for
sted in the design of Internet and played the game. I dont 300 000 Iranian Rials (I dont
websites and, of course, what really remember what was the really remember how much
I couldnt not mention, the name of the game, however that was when converted to
best computer in the world, I remember that there was dollars). Not long later I began
which still brings the feeling a blimp in the game which programming in BASIC first
of nostalgia to Iranian users shot at everyone and that the and then I started tuning the
C64. game was pretty simple. That games , to gather the sprites
was my first my game on C64. or the music from them, or
How did your interest in C64 One month later I saw my unc- enable some tricks.
begin? le playing a ninja game (as we
thought, after contacting our Tell us something about the
I came across C64 in 1988, interviewee one more time, Iranian community of C64
when I attended the primary we confirmed that the games users, were there a lot of C64
school. There was a newly bo- name was Last Ninja). I liked fans? Do you know something
ught C64 at my uncles house. the game very much and this about any Iranian productions
My uncle had no games on was the moment when my ( games, demos, collections)?
the tapes and we didnt even interest in C64 began for real.

30
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

C64 and Amiga were extre- Most of the software was There are a couple of demos
mely popular among Iranians cracked, there werent many on CSDB from Iran. Did the
and a lot of people interested originals. A particular Iranian demo scene exist in Iran? Did
in computers had this type of company created programs C64 fans meet at the organi-
hardware. I didnt know much for the learning of the Com- zed rallies?
about games and demos, modore use (these programs
you would have to ask this are currently available and I I dont know anything abo-
question to the user Amirta- will place them on CDSB) but ut this. I placed on CSDB a
va from our forum (this user is there were no Persian games. couple of demos from our co-
Amir Morteza Tavakolnia one Another company made untry, however it is only a be-
of the programmers of the cartridges, but we still cannot ginning and we need a lot of
Iranian sequel of Last Ninja reach any of the producents. time to find all the data. There
THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST We try to create a comple- were only a couple of websi-
(http://www.gamesthatwe- te list of the authors of the tes in the Persian language
rent.com/gtw64/beauty-and- hardware and the software on during last 20 years and those
beast) editors note.). the C64 forum . websites contained not a lot
of information. I thought that I
Were there also Atari compu- Was there a possibility to pur- will create this forum and the
ters in Iran ? chase a legal software in the former users of C64 and A500
computer shops? from Iran will have a place
ere werent many Atari com- to meet and we will gather
puters, however the video Yes, I remember that my uncle a lot of forgotten information
game console Atari 2600 with had 4 or 5 original games and coming from our country
a game River Raid were very programs. I had the original
popular and you could find version of the game Platoon, Can C64PERSIAN community
them in every iranian house- but without a cover. The pur- be treated as a scene group ?
hold in 1986. chase of the original software
was very difficult, the availabi- Yes, we have people who are
What are your favourite ga- lity in the computer shops was busy with programming, but
mes, now and then ? low and the majority of shops we need more time to find
sold copies. somebody for other activities.
Currently, I get to know a lot
of games, which I didnt know
back then. My favourite ga-
mes back then and now are
: The Last Ninja 1, Battleship,
Battle Valley, Commando,
Turbo Out Run, Heli Drop, ACE,
International Karate, Soldier
One, Beach-Head, Skool Daze,
Little Computer People and
many more... My favourite
music comes from Jeroene
Toel and Rob Hubbard and
the best Persian music comes
from the Computer Saz demo,
whose author is Hamed Ranj-
bar Navazi..

What was the situation with

software in Iran?

31
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Unfortunately, couple talented cartridges port. It showed on ceed, I showed them how to
individuals connected with the screen a graphic scheme do it by POKE and other tricks.
C64 scene are no longer with of this port, it checked all the When we programmed back
us. A graphic designer and pins and finally it displayed a then in BASIC, we used only
coder Reza Shamsian died message : Your cartridge port C64 manuals and information
because of a sudden heart at- does not work. This messa- from Home Computers.
tack, the music designer and ge and the whole program
coder Hamed Ranjbar Na- was 100% fake. We took this What was he main reason for
vazi died in a car crash. C64 program to Hooman so he can creating C64PERSIAN forum?
Persian works currently on the test his cartridge port in his
new demo. It will be placed C64. When Hooman saw the I have whole years of memo-
on our forum when the demo message, he, horrified, wan- ries connected with the use of
is ready. ted to take out immediately C64 and I decided to create
his cartridge while C64 was this forum as a tribute to the
Do you remember some turned on! I stood behind him golden era of computeriza-
interesting or funny situations and said that he shouldnt do tion, during which I lived, and
connected with Commodore? this because the program was also to create a place for
a joke. When we wrote our mutual discussion between
In 1991, one year after I programs in BASIC (really basic Iranian fans of Commodore.
bought my first C64, a friend programs such as minipro- The forum has existed for two
from my neighborhood Ehsan gram consisting of questions years now and I hope it will
also bought C64. We wrote and answers, sprite controlled allow the fans of Commodore
the programs in Basic, we by the joystick all of them in Iran (there were a lot of fans
recorded them on tapes and done in a humorous way) we of C64 in Iran, unfortunately
gave them to friends, mainly used safety measures which during the last years C64 was
for fun. One time, when my hid the code of the program almost completely forgotten)
power supply adaptor was during the attempt to see it to meet once again.
damaged, I was at his place with LIST command. A couple
and he came up with an idea of our friends from the neigh- Do you have currently C64 ?
to write a certain program for borhood tried to override the
fun. My other friend, Hooman, safety measures to see how Yes, I have. Other users of our
was supposed to be the butt everything works and use the forum also have C64, A500
of the joke. I wrote on Ehsia- code in their programs. They or other videogame consoles
ns C64 a program that was tried many times but to no such as Spectrum or A1200.
supposed to pretend to check avail. When they did not suc-

32
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

Thank you for the interview! as Kmvdvr. It can be treated

as a curiosity. Another thing is
Word from the editorial staff: that the forum, even though
We are aware that the inte- it is called C64PERSIAN, has a
rview may seem a little bit separate section concerning
chaotic. It is a result of cer- Amiga, however this section is
tain problems in the mutual less popular. Peyman shared
communication, which wasnt with us his collection of scans
easy, because we do not of of covers of the aforemen-
know Persian and Peyman tioned Home Computers. We
doesnt know a lot of English. use some of them as an illustra-
Moreover, we had to ask addi- tion to the interview. The covers
tional questions, clear out are from 1988-1994 (according
inconsistencies and sometimes to the Persian calendar 1366-
the conversation became 1372, the years are counted
even more entangled. We beginning with the escape of
had to put in a lot of effort to Mohammed from Mecca in AD
turn the received information 622) and it appears that the
into the coherent and logic magazine was regularly issued
text. We tried with all our he- (every month) - it looks that it
arts to achieve the end result was succesful. It proves that
which would be understanda- C64 and other computers users
ble to the reader. We hope in Iran is not a folclore but a
that we succeeded. pretty large group.

When we analyze the answers Ramos & noctropolis

sent by Peyman, we notice that Translated by Slayerpl
the computer names such as
Amiga and Spectrum have their
counterparts in Persian langu-
age (Amiga, and Spec-
trum ), C64 does
not have such a counterpart
, it is written as , which
can be fonetically transscribed

33
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Stars and planets

ala Commodore
Every day, incessantly throughout the billions of years, the night begins. People throughout the ages observed
these phenomena, which happen during that time on the sky stars, nebulae, planets....Probably almost everyone
among us is able to recognize the The Plough. For every self-respecting aficionado of the firmament, eyes and the
map of the sky ( image of the placements of the stars and the nebulae consistent with a given time) are impor-
tant instruments. It can appear on paper but also on the screen of a computer or smartphone. Other similar, useful
devices in researching and discovering the mysteries of the visible Outer Space were also released for Commodo-
re. I decided to prepare a list of these devices and compare them with each other.

Sky Travel

in the New York area on 1st January 1985.

Of course, it is not a problem at all, because
we can easily set the parameters adequate
to our city, date and the time. By the use of
joystick we can move through the whole sky,
even the sky under the horizon, an interesting
and concise note is made about every ele-
ment. We can follow the current positions of
such object as the stars, planets and nebulae.
The useful option available in this program is
Definitely the most professional from the cho- looking for the objects on the sky we can
sen programs. It was released by the Com- choose this command, the name of the ob-
modore company in 1984. Its full name is Sky ject and wait a moment. Waiting that is one
Travel: A Window to our Galaxy. The time to significant drawback of this virtual map of the
load the program completely and launch it is sky. Every operation takes a lot of time, even
almost 4 minutes, this is an evidence to the moving the observed area in a random direc-
abundance of the data, that this program tion takes a lot of time and this decreases the
has. After finishing all the necessary calcula- functionality of the program.
tions we are placed at the sky around noon

Ocena:
Functionality: Congruity: Clarity:

34
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

Planetarium

setting the time and date was way simpler.

The map of the sky is nice looking and clear,
when you push the SPACE button all the con-
stellations are connected by the lines. We can
change the angle of view in the scope of 360
degrees, moving by 5 degrees. The possibility
to enlarge the observed area by 3 times is
definitely an useful option. The shortcoming of
this map is the fact that we cannot change
the geographical positioning of the observer,
Under this very original name is a release who was limited to some place in the Middle
issued by Heinz Heisse and Input 64 in 1985. Europe. Interesting option in this program is
This program is, as we can imagine, in Ger- the earlier mentioned long term simulation. It
man, therefore to use it you have to be fluent slowly shows on the screen the chosen frag-
in German. After loading and launching the ment of the sky, registering the changes of its
program, we see clear, German language placement during the given amount of mi-
menu with four options instructions, settings, nutes ( at most 9999), which provides with an
map of the sky and long term simulation. The effect similar to the photographing the night
instructions are written in specialized German, sky with a long exposure.
so I had considerable problems with under-
standing the instructions completely, but

Ocena:
Functionality: Congruity: Przjerzysto:

Solar system

Halleys comet and the Moon. The choice of

these options shows accurate and current
information about the chosen object, such as
the distance from the Sun, the time of sunrise
or the positioning on the sky in the parallel
system. In the case of the Moon, the compu-
ter draws the current phase, but it takes a lot
of time. The other options in the menu allow
us to correct the date and the position of
NUnfortunately, Im not able to find out, in the observer, writing in the readable table of
which year and who made this program, the most important observational data of the
but it is not a necessary matter. It is a very objects of the Solar System and even showing
precise and praiseworthy instrument, almost its current positioning. It is a very precise
scientific. During the launch of the program, tool, which can draw the orbits of all the
we are asked about the precise geographical planets with the one day accuracy, while ke-
positioning of the observer and the date with eping up their eccentricity. The shown settings
the accuracy to a minute, which promises can be printed, we need a printer to do it.
a good release. There are 16 options in the
main menu. The first eleven are the object
of the Solar System all the planets, the Sun,
Ocena:
Functionality: Congruity: Clarity:

35
C64 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Patrick Moore Astronomy Program

fied. If the previously mentioned programs

used advanced algorithms to calculate the
positions of the stars, in this case we deal with
a simple map, similar to the paper map, with
a constant positioning of the constellations
against each other. The only changes that
we can make in the areas of time and the
positioning of the observer, is the month. The
upside is that we can choose the stars from
the night sky and read some information
Yes, it is connected with this Patrick Moore, about them. The more interesting option is the
English amateur astronomer. This released aro- option of inner and outer planets it shows
und 1984 astronomic program is issued with his the outline of the Solar System, the planets
name and is a pretty useful instrument. The move on the orbits. During this time the infor-
great advantage, distinguishing this program mation is shown about the currently moving
from the two other, earlier mentioned pro- planet. The test is available on a good le-
grams is the fact that it works fast and effi- vel, you have to answer in it 20 randomized
ciently, probably because of its pretty simple questions. I will admit that I answered correc-
interface. The creator of this program offered tly 11 questions. I was disappointed with an
to us 6 options in the menu the map of the astronomic glossary, because it doesnt work,
sky from the north and the south, inner pla- typing even the most basic words crashes the
nets, astronomic glossary and astronomic test. computer and the only solution is resetting it.
The map of the sky is useful but pretty simpli-
Ocena:
Functionality: Congruity: Clarity:

Solar System by Scott Talling

with a clear, simple encyclopedia. There are

19 options in the main menu. The first nine
shows the planets of the Solar System with
the statistics. Legible view of the planet, the
most important data, in appropriate units
or in relation to Earth everything properly
done and quite accurately. The remaining 10
options show the same data, but it compares
the planets with each other, for example we
This program is a great source of data con- see at the same time all the planets, one after
cerning the planets of the Solar System. The another. It is a useful and legible device worth
loading of the program does not take long, of praise, even though it was created in 1984.
as in the case of Sky Travel, and we end up

Ocena:
Functionality: Congruity: Clarity:

36
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C64

The Solar System

about the Solar System will certainly value this

program. The program shows the planets mo-
ving on the orbits - it is interesting, even more
so because they are drawn using only PET-
SCII signs. When we push the SPACE button,
the simple information about the additional
planets are shown, and after the information
about Pluto, who was back then recognized
as a planet, the test starts, the knowledge
which you got by using the program is being
Very creative names The Solar System is tested. According to the information in the
an educational program made by Commodo- program, The Solar System can be launched
re company in 1983. It is not useful for the ob- not only on C64 but also on PET. If I was suppo-
servations, however the layman with the sense sed to describe this program with one word I
of humor who wants to get to know something would say: you can use it but is it worth it?

Ocena:
The evaluation: I will abstain from it

Visible Solar system

can watch moving models of four planets

together with its moons: Earth, Mars, Venus,
Jupiter and Saturn. The animations are nice
and smooth, the data about the watched ob-
jects of the Solar System are shown. Too bad
that Mercury and Venus were not included.
When we push the buttons of the numbers,
a detailed information about all the seen
planets is shown on the screen, and when
we push A button we can set with which
This program is quite interesting. Released planet the data has to be compared. Maybe
in 1982 by Commodore, this program from this program is not as scientific as previously
the very beginning makes an impression with mentioned Solar System , but it is certainly
pretty graphics. If we push P button, we more accurate.

Ocena:
Functionality: Congruity: Clarity:

This way I reviewed and appraised the most important programs

which in the somewhat specialistic approach deal with astrono-
mic scope of knowledge. If they are not useful for you, because
you are not interested in the Outer Space, the astral shootem
ups or other sci-fi adventure games always wait for you.

Minimoog
Translated by Slayerpl

37
C16 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

MEMENTO
The human mind is an extre-
mely powerful device, the fac-
tory of good and evil, sleeping
volcano. Kind, but at the same
time dangerous, having a
huge influence on our world.
How much can we achieve?
How great is his power?

Supposedly the human uses

only 10 percent of his brain?
So the remaining 90 percent
is dead? It is a stupid myth,
repeated throughout many
years. Every day its range is
occupied by work, because
we see, hear, feel, think, move
so it is a controversial state-
ment that such a huge amo-
unt is not used. What would
happen if people had super-
natural abilities? Probably
every one of them would have
wanted to rule the world,
because the seed of greedi-
ness is in every mind and the
question if it will grow or not,
depends on us. Praise the

38
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
C16

ones who have good inten- that after turning a given card I will admit frankly that I like
tions and use their knowledge, we have to find another card the graphics of Memento very
skills and abilities. with the same drawing, then much, it is clear and colourful,
the two cards will disappear. and the silhouette of a certain
OK, so you want to increase We repeat this activity until lady with a coquettish glance
the ability of your brain? Me- all the cards disappear. We increases it. The music is also
ditate hours long, eat handfuls have four minutes to fulfill the very good, because it sounds
of walnuts, and use lecithin. task on every level. If you do really nice and does not inter-
Oh boy! Lets not get crazy, not succeed the GAME OVER rupt you to focus. Good reali-
because too much of some- screen appears. zation and high entertaining
thing is not healthy. To start I ability cause that it is really
propose to launch from time The creator of this absorbing good to play this game.
to time an interesting logical game is Hungarian group cal-
game, which will not only led Assassins (ASN), which has Komek
bring great entertainment, but earlier created the adventure Translated by Slayerpl
will stimulate our grey matter game ADVENTURES IN TIME
in our brain. and a very good conversion
from ZX Spectrum UWOL
Memento is a traditional Quest for money. Getting into
logical game which trains our details, I will add that Memen-
brain through remembering. It to was decoded by Gabor Memento
was based on the same idea (Skoro), graphics was done
as the C64 version from 2013 by Robert (Kichy), and the Grafika:
under the title MEM64! The le- music by Csaba (Csabo). The
Dwik:
vel includes thirty upside down game was presented on the
cards, under which different 12th November of 2013 in the Entertaining:
signs, subjects hide. The game- internet website Commodre
Assassins (ASN), 2013
play is based on the premise Plus/4 world.

39
AMIGA Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

HISTORY LINE:
1914-1918
The computer games from carries with impetus the play- xities. The scene showing the
the turning point of 80ties er, like a good book, through lonely soldier on the battle-
and 90ties showed only a the events of the World War field titled Somewhere on the
small portion of war actions: One. HL is basically, a history Western front. Summer 1916
a couple of good aircraft lesson: it involves the skirmishes introduces us to the game-
simulators were issued, but played in 2 month intervals play.
generally it lacked a complete and the course of the war
is shown through 24 missions Theatre of war events
during the 4 year conflict. They
took into consideration the hi- The first decision involves cho-
storical background, the units osing the sides: France or Ger-
are thoroughly characterized, many. It is a simplified choice,
every mission is preceded by because a majority of deve-
the summary of the course of loped countries participated
fights in the last weeks. The in the war, but it immediately
player learns about the world places us on one of the figh-
events, technological novel- ting sides. The gamescreen is
ties or even the trivial matters divided into two parts, which
described in the newspapers enables us to play the rounds
depiction. This gap was filled of this period. Even the intro at the same time, and the ga-
in 1992 by German studio Blue makes us feel the atmosphere meplay involves two separate
Byte who released for Amiga and the historical background rounds: the movement phase
and later MS-DOS History Line nicely: the cutscenes show the and the attack phase. When
1914-1918. The titular History assassination in Sarajevo and one of the players starts the
Line is based on the engine of the animated map of Europe engines of their machines,
the popular series Battle Isle; it explains the political comple- the second player burns the

On the 28th June of 1914 Austrian successor of Hungary gave Serbia ultimatum which is decli-
the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand Habsburg ned by them. The situation in Europe is tense: as
is assassinated. The assassination was made the result of many of different agreements and
and done by the group of Serbian nationali- treaties made in the beginning of the Bismarck
sts, then citizens of Austro Hungarian Empire era, the continent was divided into the hosti-
who were trying to incorporate Bosnia to their le alliances. At one side the forces of entente
country. In the result of the attack, Austria (Great Britain, France, Russia) and the Central

40
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
AMIGA

fuse in his cannons. In 1992 is usually smaller. On the maps Graphically the game looks
it was an original approach, we can also find depots and great, the battle scenes are
which was copied in the next factories which can help us re- animated. The steering is sim-
years by a couple of games pair the existing or create new ple: joystick or the mouse and
of this type. The objective of units. The buildings neutral at the use of a couple of buttons
the game is taking over the the beginning we first have from the keyboard.
hostile headquarters or simply to take over (we sometimes
destroying all enemy units. The receive as the prize the units bayonets READY!
map is seen from the bird view residing there), and from their
and is divided into the hexa- number depends our ability The game begins In August
gon fields and different ele- to produce (manufacturing of 1914 with the attack of
ments of scenery (hills, rivers, points). AI of the computer Germany against France. In
lakes, forests, roads), influence is set into an ultra optimistic the first months of war caval-
the properties of units (com- attack and with a little bit of ry, infantry and light artillery
bat as well as movement). The calculation and cunning we dominates on the scene of
time of the year also influen- can defeat him quite easily. war, but with the passage
ces the properties of the units, There is no fog of war in Hl of time armoured vehicles,
for example on the winter and the realism of the strategy airforce and navy become
maps the mobility of our army decreases because of that. the main forces. Consecutive

Powers (Germany, Austria Hungary and Italy). by the complex system of international allian-
Europe mentally enters the military conflict and ces. The greatest military conflict starts, which
all the negotiations, talks and ways of resolving will take 4 years to end and will cause death of
the frictions does not succeed. 16 millions of people.

On the 28th July Austria Hungary declares war

to the Serbia, starting the domino effect caused

41
AMIGA Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

missions introduce new forma-

tions we are the witnesses of
industrialization of units with
early bombers, tanks, airships
and submarines in the fore-
front. The picturesque green
meadows and hills from the
summer of 1914 in the next
months transform into full of
bunkers, trenches and ditches
the points of fortifications
the conflict was a positional
war. When possessing the
similar amounts of soldiers and them be destroyed, because port vehicles such as lorries or
equipment, the key to victory the reinforcements created ships.
is of course the strategy and in depots have at the begin-
the level of training of your ning a small fighting prowess. Great War, great joy
army. You gather an expe- Every unit is characterized by
rience during the fights, so the completely different combat Great graphics, music helping
important part of our decisions features and various mobility. to create the proper atmo-
will be removing from the Some of them, for example sphere, good working anima-
battlefield the damaged units, huge cannons, are slow and tions and the whole historical
and then restoring them to they receive a punishment depth make HL a really great
use in depots. The experien- for the move and restore their strategy. Of course a realism
ced units fight more efficient, combat ability only in the next of the game has a big gap
that is why we should not let round. It is good to use trans- between the later releases

42
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
AMIGA

from the Panzer General gen- Amiga (earlier Commodore connection and realization of
re, but the entertaining ability User) in their review suggested many different ideas was the
is really good and the game- the possibility of issuing the ad- first that developed strategy
play is absorbing. For many ditional editions placed in the for Amiga, setting the stan-
players from our generation it Roman, medieval or Napole- dards for next years. Blue Byte
was the first professional multi- on times. Unfortunately those exists to this day (the studio
player game and nothing cau- plans never succeeded. In was taken over by Ubisoft in
sed more joy than destroying the USA, because of a greater the January of 2001) and suc-
the enemy cavalry from the recognition, this game was cessfully produces and issues
hill. It is worth mentioning that issued under title The Great games for different platforms
for two player mode additio- War 1914-1918. creating the beautiful, almost
nal 12 maps were made. The 30 years long, history among
game takes a lot of disk space BLUE BYTE SOFTWARE the computer games produ-
(7 amiga diskettes) which was cers.
a big obstacle in the past, HL 1914-1918 was definitely
changing diskettes very often a good release, but what is general tomxx
(map mode, cutscenes, fight more important, considerably Translated by Slayerpl
simulations) was exhausting, so made it easier for the Blue
the majority of players resi- Byte studio to develop. Smaller
gned from the animated fight at the beginning developer
scenes choosing the simu- from Dusseldorf invested in the
lation in the shortened ver- complex projects difficult
sion. The name of the game to realize, but ambitious and
suggested the beginning of visionary. This is how the main
the whole series of historical series of the studio developed,
games: British magazine CU The Settlers, which through

43
AMIGA Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Tetris 30th anniversary

6th June 2014 was a special day. It was the but also on every kind of a electronic device,
day during which Internet was flooded with a which has a screen enabling to show more than
plethora of information about some seemingly digits: mobile phones, palmtops, TV-sets, tablets,
insignificant game. This anniversary was mentio- watches and TV decoders. Not so long ago a
ned not only by computer magazines such as group of aficionados organized a session of the
Chip or PC World, but also the weekly magazine game on the walls of 133 meter tall skyscraper.
Wprost. Not a lot of titles are able to bring the The classic over which we are talking about is
attention of the magazines not dealing with Tetris. This logical game was originally created
computers and video games, as this game for the computer called Elektronika 60 by the
which is 30 years after the premiere, no other Russian scientist Aleksey Pazytnov with the help
game can dream about the popularity of the of his two coworkers Dimitri Pawlowski and Va-
described product. The game works not only on dim Gerasimov.
the computer and the video game consoles,

In normal circumstances situation linked with the ob-

these people should become taining of the profits from the
millionaires. Unfortunately, copyrights of the computer
they were unlucky, because games created by the citizens
they were born on the wrong of Soviet Union, they took over
side of the iron curtain. In the these rights. One of the first
end even Pazytnow did not people claiming the copyrights
make huge money out of for the game was the CEO of
Tetris, which cannot be said English company called An-
about some people living west dromeda Robert Stein, who
of Elbe. These people took sold the license to the British
advantage of unclear legal Mirrorsoft and the American

44
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
AMIGA

Spectrum Holobyte couple on OS4Depot. We should add

months before the meeting to that commercial titles and
with Pazytnov. Mirrorsoft issued these which were included on
official version of this game for the various compilations or CD
Amiga. covers and never came into
official Amiga servers in the
The game was completely co- Internet. We have a lot to cho-
nventional. The titular picture ose from. Below I will present a
is a compulsory for the Tetris couple of examples, that got
of 80ties Orthodox Church of my attention in different pe-
Saint Basil. After that there is a riods of my over 20 year long
traditional game with a typical Amiga use.
7 element set of tetromino.
Graphics, considering the Tertis Pro - released in 1993
Amiga capabilities, were not Logic System game has shown
overwhelming. that arranging fallen down ele-
ments, has undergone a consi-
Another Tetris appeared year derable evolution. Besides the
later, this time promoted by usual blocks, bonus blocks also
Infogrames, authors here tried appeared in this game, which
to significantly diversify the were supposed to make the
game. Even though the titular game easier or harder by, for
screen is still an Orthodox example, turning the screen
Church, later when we pass upside down. In later stages
into another level we can we begin with a partially built
admire the pictures showing level, because of that arran-
the landscape of Russia such ging every block correctly be-
as the harbor, launching site, comes more difficult. There are
Caucasus mountains, forests also elements which enrich the
etc. Another upside is the fact graphics. Together with the a
that this game as one of the number of connected lines we
not many game from this pe- discover consecutively a part
riod works in accordance with of pictures which are a back-
an operational system. ground of the level. However
the graphics was rendered by
Here ends the official history of using the ECS chip and even
Tetris on Amiga, but I am not though it looked neat, it wasnt
going to end this text. Tetris, very pretty.
maybe beside Breakout, is
probably the most cloned Probably even bigger whiff
game in the world and the of freshness in Tetris genre
case is not different as far as was Blockout. This game was
our computer is concerned issued in 1989 in USA, but it
where miscellaneous varieties was made by Polish program-
of this title can be counted in mers. It was without a doubt
hundreds. the biggest Polish hit among
the computer games and it
We should just mention that in has achieved a huge acclaim
the resources of Aminet there in the world. The reason for
are around 85 Tetris games, success was moving the Tetris
and the owners of newer into 3rd dimension. Now the
Amigas can find another 30 player was supposed to bring

45
AMIGA Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

down the blocks into a well better looking productions

while looking into it from abo- than these that I described.
ve. The playing was because Sep Five was one of them, the
of that more interesting but plot took place in the atmo-
also more difficult. This game, sphere of an old, abandoned
even though that the Amiga monastery. The player saw
version was way better than in the table on the screen, the
the PC version, did not have a feather used to write, the can-
particularly good graphics., we dles, some tinctures and the
had to wait for a really nice book, after the book opens
looking Tetris. it becomes the main field of
the game. This quite nicely
The last title issued for A500 created scenery was accom-
that I will present is Amotrix, panied by equally good music.
created by Chris Hodges, pra-
ised also for other projects. This Ineptris shocked during its
released in 1992 program was time with a completely rende-
supposed to refer to the gol- red graphics. When we take
den times of 8 bit computers. into consideration, that the
The background to the game majority of Amiga releases
was a colorful rainbow which around this time had a hand
reminded of the ZX Spectrum drawn scenery, rendered
logo. Typical chip music plays graphics on the screen made
in the background. We have quite an impression. It was not
to admit that even though so good with music. During
it was stylized to look like a the game we heard only
game from a bygone era, it the sound effects. However,
had a remarkable graphics, they used a quite interesting
a better one that the previo- solution in the form of a juke
usly mentioned games. What box. We could launch it as we
is striking, is the fact that the made our progress though the
animation of the falling blocks game and choose a music
in the game is really fluent fragment which was played
(and pretty fast) . The blocks through a short period of time.
are not limited to a standard
set of blocks. The player could Petris is one of the many simple
choose from three sets. The games working in the WB win-
bonus feature was a falling dow. During the time when the
down from time to time water graphics cards were not yet
drop, which filled our empty popular in Amiga computers,
spaces. 99% of workbench games was
characterized by a very simple
In the times of A1200 every graphics, which used in most
possible thing or novelty was cases only 4 default system
created as far as Tetris is con- colors. Petris broke this pattern,
cerned. The best way to make it was not only in color but also
your game special between it had some small graphics
a tens of similar games, was novelties. From contemporary
a good graphics. I have no point of view it was not some-
doubts, that in the middle thing special, but back then it
of 90ties there were a lot of was one of the better looking

46
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1
AMIGA

visually games for WB. commentary, played during

the game. Even though the
Tetrys 95 is in my opinion the works of Freddy Mercury and
best Tetris for classic Amiga. company is not my cup of tea,
Great graphics and music and for the fans of this band it may
but above all ideally fluent be the best Tetris ever
animation is a main feature of
this release. The game offers a Falling UP - the last title, that
couple of types of gameplay, I present, environment GL is
from a very simple junior to needed to launch it, it is not
classic and fantasy, where the however another 3D Tetris. The
blocks can be destroyed with field of the gameplay con-
the use of a a shooting bird or stantly changes its placement,
a dynamite. They found a very because of that the player
original solution for 2 persons has to deal with placing the
gameplay, they didnt play on blocks on the level being, for
separate levels, but coopera- example, in the vertical or ho-
ted on one level, subsequently rizontal reflection. Not an new
putting the blocks in right pla- idea, playing upside down was
ces. Various levels and huge offered by TetrisPro, where this
dose of entertaining ability are reflection was made in a static
additional arguments for the way, in Falling UP the level
thesis that Tetrys 95 should be fluently rotates around and
definitely installed on every during that time the blocks
hard drive of an Amiga fan of dont stop to fall down. During
Tetris genre. some moments we feel like in
a shooting range in a fairgro-
After buying Amiga One, the und, where we have to aim
first Tetris that I played was at rotating shield. As you can
Ltris. The game is characteri- see, the game because of this,
zed by nice graphics, rich in is not simple. I advise it to the
interesting effects and very patient players.
fluent animation. Not only
this gathered my attention, I The twelve games that I pre-
valued Ltris for a rich choice of sented, is only a small part of
difficulty levels and gameplay a huge collection of similar
types. Besides the one for he games for our platform. As I
single player, there are some mentioned in the beginning
gameplay types for multiplay- of the article, the varieties of
er, where we can play with a Tetris for Amiga can be coun-
live or a computer opponent. ted in hundreds, I dont doubt
that the same is true for C64.
Tetris Queen - This Tetris is a Probably everyone of you
tribute to the legendary British has their favorite, maybe one
rock band. It does not have a not mentioned in the article. I
nice graphics or the original propose to launch our favori-
gameplay types. The one thing te computers and spend the
that distinguishes the game anniversary of the never aging
is a huge collection of music classic actively.
in .mid files with Queen hits,
which are, with an adequate Rafa Mufa Chya
Translated by Slayerpl

47
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Resurrection -
the old shown in
a new manner:
Mortal Kombat
giving the food for thought to
all the defenders of mora-
lity. It would be extremely
harmful to say that it was the
only feature that distinguished
the game from many others.
The huge impression was also
made (at least on the players,
not on the previously mentio-
ned detractors) by the beau-
tifully digitalized characters,
impressive combat mechanics
and harsh, overwhelming
atmosphere (regardless of the
sheer, previously mentioned
brutality). The second part of
the game raised the bar even
Mortal Kombat is a game higher, becoming the game
which caused a significant which is still highly valued by
commotion during 1990ties not many. I still remember the
only among the players but never-ending conversations
also in many other communi- about the characters from the
ties theoretically not connec- game, their storylines, their
ted with the game industry. punching styles, fatalities etc.
This title defined the concept conducted during the school
of a brutal computer game, breaks. Third part of the game

48
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

created the image of the trilo- ting from the original atmo-
gy, even though I valued MK2 sphere parts 5-8 (fourth part is
higher. The Amiga users were in my opinion partially success-
also badly treated, because ful). Creators of the game,
the game was not released for NetherRealms Studios (with
this platform and they did not very well-known Ed Boone in
have the opportunity to play a crucial role) also knew that
this game. the MK brand slowly dies out
and to achieve the old spark,
Ok, it is enough about the they must make a sudden
history and the short intro- turn. They decided to return
duction into the climate of without any concessions to
beginnings of the dragon the everything that is the best
series. I want to write about in the first parts of the series
the released in 2011 for PC and it turned out that it was a
computers and PS3, PS Vita great decision.
and XBOX360 ninth part of the
game (yes, because even tho- What made the fans of the
ugh the game is titled Mortal first parts of the game the
Kombat, it is sometimes called most was the fact that the
MK9). Someone may ask: why producers stopped adding to
should we make a big fuss the roster of warriors new, not
about ninth part of the series, influential and not interesting
if the MK series was continued characters to replace the
throughout the years with a known and loved classic cha-
new part of the game once racters. This way, everyone
in a while? Because of two who had a favourite fighter in
reasons: the game is an offi- one of the parts of the trilo-
cial reboot of the series and gy, will find him or her here.
it cleverly defines the three Second important matter (and
first tournaments (interesting a wink to the classic fans) is
idea about sending by Ray- the fact that the game returns
den the telepathic message to fighting in 2D. Of course,
to the past to himself). The the graphics in the game
second reason is the fact that are completely 3D, because
according to many fans only it cant be different in the
this part of the game is a true modern times, but the fighting
continuator of the trilogy, after occurs in two dimensions
not so successful and depar- you cannot go freely around

In Resurrection: the old shown in a new manner, presentations of games for contemporary hardware will appear (PC,
game consoles, and portable devices) which are continuations, adaptations, remakes of classic games, known from
Commodore or Amiga. Of course, we have to remember that we are retro magazine and these reviews wont be
complete and contemporary, but more of a referrals written from the point of the beginning of the classic game. A lot
of place will be devoted to how a given title relates to its predecessor and how much he takes from it, but also new
novelties will be shown, which will bring some freshness to the old concept. Reviewed games wont be evaluated
with points in a standard way, because it would be difficult to use an old range of estimation for old and new games,
which may lead to discrepancies. To put it short, we hope you will like this section.

49
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

your opponent or even make of standard playing modes

small dodging movements to known from the previous parts
the sides. It is a great idea. of the game such as VS or
Regardless of that, the atmo- tournament brackets (about
sphere of trilogy appears with which we dont have to write),
every second of the game. Story mode and Challenge
The characters of the game mode were added. First of
have their classic attacks and these modes is cinematic tour
punches, well known fata- through the first three tourna-
lities, the fights take place in ments history, where the par-
the classic, but modernized ticular fights are interrupted
arenas, classic music with new by the cutscenes. This mode
arrangements plays in the is pretty long and interesting
background. Do you want to and gives us the possibility to
throw someone in the acid in play as one of the character
Dead Pool Chamber or throw of good side one by one (eve-
somebody of the bridge in ryone of them is a separate
The Pit like in the good, old chapter, in total 16 chapters).
times? Treat your opponent The fun is really great and
with a Scorpions lace, Cages absorbing, the whole mode
scrambled eggs or cut into is viewed like a full of action
pieces by Baraki? Kick horrify- interactive movie. Second of
ing Goros or the conceited the aforementioned modes is
Shao Khans ass, hitting him 300 challenges in the form of
with an uppercut precisely in tower, on every floor we have
the moment when he laughs to do a given task. They can
at us with a pity or points a be pretty ingenious, from figh-
finger at us with impuden- ting with multiple opponents
ce? This is not a problem. The one by one, through the de-
producers did everything to mand to use the given attacks
ensure that the player expe- or the need to finish off your
riences the new game in an opponent quickly, to the com-
older form. The older games pletely crazy ideas such as
were criticized for making the fighting with torn off limbs or
game less crude, this part is with the screen turned upside
again dark, bloody and brutal
like never before.

It is certain that we cannot

call this part of the game an
old cutlet, because even if the
former paragraph may sound
as MK9 has nothing new to
offer, actually the situation is
different. We will find a lot of
novelties and new additions in
Mortal Kombat reboot, which,
what is important, are not ad-
ded for kicks, but to make the
gameplay more interesting.
A great new addition to the
game is the fact that outside

50
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

attacks, which are possible

to use after the indicator fills
up) and what is nowadays
standard possibility to fight
against other players online.

To sum it all up, if someone

feels a constant nostalgia
towards MK1/2/3, MK9 is a
must-have for them. He will
find practically everything that
attracted to this series during
the times of trilogy and a lot
more in addition. I value the
game the most for its atmo-
sphere, which is a great return
to dark, gloomy beginnings
of MK. This release is a proof
that if you really want it, you
can make nowadays a game
which is a great continuator of
the classic game, and not only
down. What can we say more, an attempt to earn money on
it is a really great idea, which the old name value and the
lengthens the durability of the nostalgia. Additionally, elated
game. Another interesting by the great approval of the
matter is The Crypt, in which game, Ed Boone announced
you receive additional outfits, that Mortal Kombat X is in the
fatalities, many different con- works, releasing time from
cept arts for the points won time additional details over
during the game. Additions the upcoming and planned
also include four mini games for 2015 anniversary edition of
(among them well known Mortal Kombat.
destroying of the wooden
planks in Test your might),
possibility of fighting in tag-te-
ams, X-ray system (brutal and noctropolis
very graphic, X-ray like shown Translated by Slayerpl

51
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

About the soul

of the retro
computer hardware
The statement that we usually To explain the fascination with
idealize the past, because of the old computer hardware
the longing for the careles- to someone, who looks with
sness of childhood and youth, surprise at a audio cassette
is not so exploratory. Equally or VHS recorder, we have to
obvious is the fact that pe- outline the unique color of the
ople with passion have an half of eighties and nineties,
inclination to overestimate the mention the life which wasnt
subject of their interest. We driven and alienated by the
can assume that it is not so novelties of the electronic line
extraordinary that, we, decla- which came later; mention the
red fans of old computers, still childlike naivety with which
see retro computer hardware we watched the blockbusters
as special. Let us be inquisiti- of those years such as Ram-
ve and lets think about the bo, Predator, American ninja
uniqueness of this hardware and many others; to mention
and why we think that these the unbelievable time for us
machines have a soul. , when the watch with elec-
tronic display was the end of
our dreams, desired wonder
of technology was the calcu-
lator, and the pocket video
game console from behind
the eastern border with the
tireless wolf gathering eggs
promised never-ending fun.

In those times and those

circumstances, with our heads
full of thoughts and hopes
so different than current, we
watched with excitement

52
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

consecutive editions of Bajtek inment, a lot of us discovered Early computers opened

and Mikroklan, we returned that microcomputer is not enormous possibilities for the
time after time to the sections only an original toy, but also creative mind for the reali-
devoted to the computer in a device capable of doing zation of many ideas, thats
Mody Technik, we studied to great things. This is shown by why they were the means
boredom the advantages and the long, at the beginning of creative self expression.
disadvantages of this or that mysterious looking program- Everyone could put life into
computer, and the weak qu- me listings, which if not not the already owned hardwa-
ality pictures of C64, Atari and meant only for entertainment, re replacing the potential of
ZX Spectrum games captured solved real problems. What silicon circuits into the shape
our imagination. could be more real for the of calculation or impressive
pupil of 7th, 8th grade of pri- presentation bringing its au-
For the very young people, mary school than homework, thor deeply felt satisfaction.
who we were during the half which made life unbearable? A lot of programmes which
of eighties, the games were Thats why second planned came to life during that time
the main area of use for area of computer use was is to this day a masterful
microcomputers. We pretty making the computer achie- display of algorithm creating,
naturally identified with the ve considerable effects by which logic astounds regar-
characters created in the doing the homework and let dless of the capabilities of
virtual worlds. With all of our- people have more free time. hardware. Games and de-
selves we walked in the vast Even though these plans mos still delight us. We dont
labyrinths, we ventured with were not always successful, look at them only from the
our heroes from adventure the charm of early computers perspective of their histori-
to adventure. Watching on didnt weaken, they were still cal value. They didnt lose
our screen the cockpit of the an amazing discovery, which their value, only because
jetfighter, we ventured thro- could replace our mind in the contemporary releases
ugh the virtual skies, we took the complex work, help out are difficult to discern from
on the character of F1 driver in making decisions or fore- reality. Realism is not the only
or submarine captain. Our see future with a huge dose and not the most important
imagination never before had of probability on the basis of criteria of judgment (comics
such a real extension. credible premises. and cartoons authors also
use significant simplification
Currently, it is more difficult
to get seduced with 16 color
images with the dimensions
of 160 x 120 pixels. But also
the virtual worlds created by
contemporary computers
often fail to seduce us. Simply,
we lack our previous trust. Our
consciousness of the practical
capabilities of computers is
also greater. The computers
are not unusual boxes, which
are capable of generating
magical sceneries. We began
to treat them more as stan-
dard house appliances, such
as tv or audio set.

After the satisfaction of the

electronic hunger of enterta-

53
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Number: 5793
Creditentials of Alojzy Bbel in Journeys of Mr. Inkblot and the effects of their work Electronic equipment pro-
(Movie -1986) still are very popular.) ducers did a lot to establish
which is understandable
In our imagination the com- - only the positive image of
puter was not only a device microcomputers. Since the
efficiently executing time beginning of its presence on
consuming arithmetic equ- the market they were shown
ations, but also more or less as an irreplaceable work and
intelligent creation based on entertainment companion
the human. People educated (we can guess that the con-
on science fiction books and tinuation of this marketing
films such as 2001 Odyssey, strategy was the adoption
Star Wars or Star Trek we for the first 16-bit construc-
came to conclusion that the tion the name Amiga, The
computer has a human face Friend was supposed to
at least in the sense that it make the work pleasant,
communicates with a human help people with the respon-
like a human. Almost every sibilities, it was supposed to
history which is in the future become a member of the
shows the progress as far as family). In the contemporary
the changes are concerned, information technology press
which were brought by the and literature we could find
development of digital tech- a conclusion that computer
nology. Even though the dan- is a universal device, which
gers of the developing digital brings work, learning and
technology were shown, it entertainment into another
seemed a bright future for us. new dimension. Because of

54
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

the previous, traditional form computers, and more frequ- We will not remake the reality,
of education and enter- ently about the whole com- into which the older games
tainment microcomputers puter infrastructure, we say and programmes brought us.
definitely brought new qu- system, system generates, The convincement about the
ality, which favored the high system downloads, system uniqueness of our experiences
assessment of their value, countsThere is no previous and emotions connected with
including the attribution of friendliness in this description, retrocomputers should not
their extraordinary properties. on the contrary, we can feel leave us .In our own way we
Finally, we couldnt see com- certain unpredictability in this, were witnesses of the history
puters other than exceptio- unexplained force, the com- and active participators of the
nally friendly devices. plexness which is cannot be historic breakthrough: transfor-
fully subdued. When we hear ming the counting machines
From the eighties to the cur- about the complexness of into the personal computers.
rent times electronic industry the contemporary informatics For us retrohardware is still
made a significant technolo- solutions, the thousands lines more than the relic of the
gical progress, which sepa- of code, about the patches past.
rated even more previous immediately improving the
generations of computer bugs, about the patches for Even though we have the
users from the sentimental patches, about the need for consciousness of the emotio-
proportion to 8 and 16 bit refactoring, technologies nal background of our opi-
constructions. Currently, the which rival, piling up stan- nions, we will not step back to
youth grows up in different dards its easy to get a say that the first home com-
social-economic circumstan- headache keeping up with puters had a soul. They had
ces. For them the computer the constant chase about the a soul for us, the devoted
became a centre of home novelties in IT. users.
entertainment and the work
utensil. The spiritualization We will not recreate the spe- Hery
of computers happens also cific climate, in which around Translated by Slayerpl
now, but it took a different di- 8 bit computers aura of extra-
rection. Nowadays about the ordinariness was created. *all scannes from Bajtek Ma-
gazine (polish computer ma-
gazine published 1985-1995).

55
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

TALKING
HEADS

Emulation or real hardware?

Bobikowoz: I like it very much. The possibility Sid sounds of the loader and finally the fun of
of playing 8bit games on the hardware that I playing these are priceless impressions.
currently have. Computer at home, laptop at
work, tablet in the tram emulator on every Retro hardware has its soul which speaks to us
hardware, ROM collection and the ability of with the whole range of feelings and no emu-
downloading the saved games from the clo- lator will ever give us this.
ud. When I find a couple of moments of free
time, I can try to achieve a high score in River Noctropolis: Yes, it is completely true. Real
Raid or continue visiting dungeons in Sword of hardware provides us the good atmosphere
Fargoal. which cannot be given by the emulator. For
me this atmosphere is completely linked with
Tomxx: I inserted C64 emulator on the staring at flickering on the screen red-
portable PSP and I am probably the black stripes and the charming hum
only person in the morning train The and the slow, majestic typing
in Dublin playing Commando amount of old RUN on the brown or creamy
and other Bomb Jacks. This computers will decrease keyboard. However with
device has such a small gradually, year by year. The the passing of time people
joystick that is ideal for moment will happen that they become more lazy.... I will
fast arcade games. On completely leave the hardware admit without hesitation
the other hand, I choose market, and if they appear the that I use more often Pc
for a peaceful play- prizes will be horrendous and the emulators. You dont
ing real computers. The average Joe will not be able to have to deal with har-
feeling of plugging in the buy it. dware, plug in cables and
hardware, its yellowlike it is above all comfortable
physicality and the scent - Ramos if you only want to launch a
which reminds us of the past, given game for an half of hour
the process of loading programs, and do not play half a day. I will

56
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

source: http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_16#/media/File:Commodore_16_002a.png
CC BY-SA 3.0 - author: Ubcule -
not mention a great convenience which operations or entertainment I use mainly
are save states, without which emulators.
finishing any game would be
almost impossible..... Komek: I also created a
The pile of cassettes while ago small C64 post. I
Minimoog: Right, for and diskettes looks way bought an ordinary small
example I would not better than the humming cupboard for RTV with
finish 1985 Day After wi- chest with virtual written data three shelves, in which
thout save-stats... Emu- (PC). I heard an opinion that there are: TV set, joy-
lators are over compa- no one creates games or pro- sticks, cassette player
tible, I think. They often grams on the real C64. and 2 cables, therefore
give us so huge techni- I have no problems with
cal abilities and therefore - Minimoog constant switching of the
a convenience which are cables. I launch my C64 and
difficult to achieve on har- my favorite game and I travel
dware. I do not say that it is a into the past. When I am visited
shortcoming, why should we give up by my friends (not necessarily fans or
on something that works better, however we C64 aficionados), they often ask to launch
cannot feel the retro hardware fully without some games. I often do this and then the par-
the hardware or the software from its heyday ty starts and everyone feels great while feeling
and it is true not only for Commodore. I prefer this unique atmosphere. However concerning
to play on Pegasus also on real hardware. the PC emulators, of course I use them, mainly
The pile of cassettes and diskettes looks way when I need to act quickly to describe a given
better than the humming chest with virtual game.
written data (PC). I heard an opinion that no
one creates games or programs on the real Bobikowoz: I like your approach to real
C64. It is not true, because for example I do hardware. The special post, adequate atmo-
this (or maybe I am nobody then they are sphere from the past, I feel envious that I have
right). Besides, what kind of a C64 program is only the modern junk in my home. I feel also
this that works on the emulator but does not ashamed that as a retro hardware aficionado
work with a real C64? My pc starts loudly and I perform halfheartedly, but in todays busy,
long, while C64 works silently and launches full of activities world it is very hard to find an
practically with the switch of a button. When additional time to adjust the recording head,
I need immediate use of a device, e.g. waiting for the loading of the game and
to write a small program for mathematical other similar pleasant experiences. Moreover,
estimations, then I use a real C64. For longer I would have to take out every time C64 from

57
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

the inside of the wardrobe, which when we case is the fact in which proportions every one
take into consideration the limited surface of us needs these two factors. Another factor is
of the panelak building, and this is another the fact that using real hardware becomes more
thief of the precious time which is meant for and more expensive hobby. Not long ago you
the pleasures. could buy a proverbial Commodore practically
for peanuts, nowadays its price is higher, but still
Komek: Yes, the unfortunate issue of time. In acceptable. However we have to get ready for
my case it is also stretched beyond a situation that with time it will get worse
imagination but I said resolu- so if someone plans to buy a physi-
tely I will not let myself go I will admit cal version of our favorite hardwa-
crazy. Let this C64 post without hesitation re, should not wait long.
be my oasis. And be- that I use more often
lieve me, I will always Pc emulators. You dont Uka: Emulators and real
find time and small have to deal with hardware, hardware have its advan-
place to create this plug in cables and it is above tages and drawbacks. In
place. When we take all comfortable if you only want most cases you can choose
the purchase of new to launch a given game for an between one and the other
hardware into consi- half of hour and do not play depending on the prefe-
deration, it also should half a day. rences and other factors. I
not be a problem. So I will not say how the situation
urge you to work actively, - noctropolis is in my case and from which it
because there is no other as results because it would be secon-
original hardware. dary. The emulation for sure is very
useful, makes some things easier and that is
noctropolis: In my opinion, the real solution why we often use it. For me the most important
is using the advantages of emulators and thing is that it gives us the possibility to launch
real hardware interchangeably. The former the machines which I do not have (if it is only a
one has a bigger comfort and speed, and substitute of a real hardware it is still better than
the latter better atmosphere and is a more nothing). We have to know also that you cannot
tangible return to the past. The individual perform certain operations in the emulators, and

58
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

you cannot do other on real hardware, be- a current for all the drives and
cause for example does the graphics rende- C64. There a lot of possibilities.
red in the Vice window look the same as on
the screen of a C64? Are you, in both cases, Minimoog: I would have loved to
able to slow down or stop the working of the have such possibilities! I have a lot of
program during a given moment to decide Pcs in my home, floppy drives, disket-
in which cycle of rastra network the change tes, a lot of electronic junk, one thing
from white into black appears in your intro? which limits is my lack of knowledge about
Does the installation of the classic Workbench electronics ( and limited amount of money
under WinUEA take the same amount of time sometimes). The second thing is the fact that
as in the case of real diskettes on the real such configurations as SID or MOS we can usually
Amiga with a very old HDD? purchase on Western markets for a huge price
for shipping to Poland. Because of this shipping I
Ramos: The amount of old computers will gave up on the idea of buying Apple, because I
decrease gradually, year by year. The mo- would have pay 200% of the price of the compu-
ment will happen that they completely leave ter.
the hardware market, and if they appear
the prizes will be horrendous and the avera- Uka: Yo can always buy a decrepit C64 (still
ge Joe will not be able to buy it. For young available for 15-20zl) on allegro.pl and perform
people willing to have some fun with such cannibalism.
a hardware the emulator is the answer. The
programming on PC is more comfortable for noctropolis: I, on the other hand, which may
contemporary coders. Of course, nothing will surprise us, am quite resentful to the fact of
replace launching the demo or a game on mixing emulation with a real, classic hardware
the old hardware. Unfortunately, the emu- because it is does not match with each other. I
lators are not yet perfect, even though they use this type of division: either full emulation or
become every year better and better. We the realism, this concept works the best for me.
cannot hide one fact, the era of 8bit compu- I never felt the need to incorporate into PC ele-
ters domination ended. C64 Direct-To-TV and ments from the old hardware (floppy drives, SIDs,
other gadgets, which appear on the har- joysticks etc.)Im totally against placing add-ons
dware market, are emulations which barely in C64. One thing are add-ons connected with
reminiscence the old, cult machine. the emulation of data carriers (such as SD2IEC
etc.)which are OK, such devices as additional
Atreus: However I will try to look at the whole RAM or SuperCPU are a profanation which kills
situation differently. I try very hard to use the atmosphere. I do not know if we can join this
old hardware together with new. Because concept with the concept of emulation, but is
of that, I have in PC (Core2Duo) CatWeasel without a doubt an emulation on C64 to provide
Mk4 with SIDs 6581 and 8580 and PC Floppy the abilities which it originally does not have.
drives 3,5 and 5,25.I use SIDs to emulate
C64 and the drives to make images of Amiga Bobikowoz: The discussion goes on and on, but
and C64 diskettes. To use its abilities fully I we have to close this edition. Our talking heads,
have to modify my 5,25 floppy drive. So far as we can see have different approaches to our
I can make one side images. The second favorite hardware and software, but regardless of
PC has HardSID and XU1541. It is PIII 600 Mhz the differences, we can find a consensus. Regar-
on Win98. I have also Keyrah interface and dless of the fact if you have home altar with a
digital-analog joystick switch for the old real hardware, hybrid or an emulator on a tablet,
joystick PC port (DB-15) and joysticks taken if you read this text you are just like us a fan of
from the attic and a couple of emulators. In retro entertainment. We await your opinion under
C64 I used a couple of add-ons issued not our editorial staff mail: k.a.plusmagazine@gmail.
long ago, which expand and make more com
pleasurable playing C64. I talk here about
RetroPlay, SD2IEC and PC feeder to provide Translated by Slayerpl

59
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Leave those games

and start doing
something serious

How many time in your life person by this mythical com- is where it came from. It can
have you heard such words munity. be generally assumed that
directed towards you? Some- video games came into Polish
times they were spoken by the On the other hand I, so as not homes more or less in the
members of your family while to be misunderstood, must mid 90s. Surely during 80s you
you were practicing one of point out that generally Im could find some Spectrum or
your favorite hobbies, other ti- completely not interested in Commodore units, but lets
mes you could hear them from what other people think about be honest, these were just
your friends or ever complete- my ways of spending free individual cases. A person
ly strange people, who would time. This text is not written in who owned such a piece of
find out about your ways of order to excuse myself from hardware was considered
spending free time. anything. It is created only to to be lucky and half of the
show you my point of view neighborhood visited such a
Among a big part of our socie- and to show how ridiculous whizz-kid for a chance to play
ty there is still this notion of the notion mentioned earlier games using that computer.
video games (without the divi- is. I must also say that currently Speaking about the broader
sion into PC, consol or mobile I dont experience such pro- scale of this phenomenon
games) being something not blems but while speaking with we must come back to 1990s
serious, infantile and basically my friends I am able to notice when brands such as Atari, Pe-
meant only for kids. Due to this that that opinion is not rare. gasus, Amiga and generic PCs
fact they are treated only as While hearing or reading such started to appear at our ho-
fun and you are expected to opinions I can feel my hair rise useholds. As it usually happens
grow out of them at certain (at least what is left of it :) with such a novelty, the first
age. You are expected to people who get interested are
do that so that you can be Ok, but if there is such a no- the youngest as their minds
treated as a serious, grown tion in our society the question are the most receptive. For the

60
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

older it often appears as so- why should we apply that rule

mething out of space. At to gamers?
first it often happened that
a parent or parents were It is quite a characteristic
convinced by their children conclusion that mostly people
to buy such a piece of tech- who criticize games as being
nology and later as it turned not serious and childish spend
out that they had no idea their free time in front of a TV
what to do with it, they no- set watching all the TV pulp,
ticed, with fear I might add, filled with all those serious
that their offspring wande- and adult content. Such
red inside countless virtual people prefer mostly highly
worlds. It must have been at intelligent programs (where
that time that the notion of without screams and shouts,
video games being for the quarrels, insults and artificially
young ones was created. It created controversies there is
was probably at that very
same time that it started to
become considered as a
distraction from more serious
duties (studying or working).

Lets be honest, its been

almost two decades since
the 90s. People who at that
time were in their teens
today are in their 30s or their
40s. According to a proverb
What youth is used to, age
remembers, all those pe-
ople replaced their old 8bit
and 16bit units with modern
PC and current-gen conso-
les (although not everybody,
we are an excellent exam-
ple that you can connect
both worlds). The question
that arises is why we should
give up our hobby if it gave
us so many great ways of
spending time while we
were younger. Only because
somebody else, in their limi-
tless wisdom, decided that
it is juvenile and senseless?
Lets not joke here Should
we convince a cinema lover
or post stamp collector who
got interested in his/her hob-
by only because it happe-
ned while they were kids? So
far I havent noticed that, so

61
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

no good show), artistic soap a few hours long TV mara-

operas (where if a character thon, have a tendency to
falls down in one episode, it say Youre playing that
takes them the following four stupid game again. Im
ones to get up and where the not really sure if I should be
romances between vario- crying or laughing at that. If
us characters are more like I applied such an approach
football league system eve- I probably should attack all
rybody plays with everybody) those magazines for women,
or other types of shows such where you can mostly read
as docu-soaps. Those people about all kinds of diets and
are among those who, after glamorous lives of celebrities
or magazines for men whe-
re you can read all about
working out at the gym but
where there are more photos
done in Photoshop than real
ones. In my opinion there is
no point in such comparisons
and complaints.

Some might say that I ge-

neralize too much, because
there are also really worthy
TV shows and many people
tend to watch them as well.
From all available magazines
and newspapers you are also
able to choose some valu-
able titles. I dont deny that,
but my aim was to show that
it can work both ways, when
all games are treated as
something you have to leave
behind while growing up. The
idea is that since games are
made for fun only and fun is
associated with being a child
then there is no point in stic-
king to them when you beco-
me adult. Meanwhile among
different game titles you can
find those that are created
for pure fun only (and the-
re is nothing bad about it,
everybody, no matter what
age you are, has a right to
have fun) and those that can
teach you something as well.
A good example of the latter
is a popular series Assassins
Creed which is strongly based

62
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

on interesting historical events. cinematic (which some play- a good movie, a good book
While playing you can learn a ers consider to be a disadvan- or a good game. It is just a
lot of interesting facts. tage). So what is a difference matter of personal preferen-
between a good movie and ces and not the question of it
Additionally there is one inte- a good game, except for the being more or less serious. It
resting fact that comes to my fact that the latter is interacti- is not a coincidence that the
mind that the same people ve? For instance a game like average age of a gamer has
who describe games as a The Last of Us is a master- risen recently. It keeps on rising
juvenile and childish time killer piece of a screenplay which, together with the people who
attack them as being too vio- after finishing the game, is on fell in love with the games in
lent and even full of eroticism, your mind for a long time (and the 1990s and who dont even
which in the end qualifies tho- by the way there are movies consider giving this habit up.
se as a product directly aimed to be directed based on that In the past a typical gamer
at the adult person. Here we game). was associated with a juveni-
can witness a big amount of le student who after coming
hypocrisy and the will to bend back from school tossed his
ones opinion to whatever backpack aside and turned
they are trying to prove at the on his C64. Today it is more
moment. And who cares if it often a grown up man who,
is illogical and contradicto- in order to relax, turns on his
ry at the same time. The idea is that sin- PC, console (or still the C64)
ce games are made and the fact that some
The fact is that the elec- for fun only and fun is other people have some
tronic entertainment associated with being problems with that? Well
some time ago made a a child then there is no lets not bother our minds
big leap from being little point in sticking to them with that, its just their
important to the media when you become problem.
mainstream. The com- adult.
mercials for the biggest
game titles are broadcast
during commercial breaks noctropolis
on the biggest TV networks Translated by MA
among other commercials for To sum up this a bit personal
such products as crisps and opinion, I just wanted to say
washing powders. It also hap- that if you had ever had some
pens that they are mentioned doubts (be it because of your
by media normally not con- not so young age as I assume
nected with electronic enter- that most of us are over 30)
tainment. It is a normal thing whether you should explore
that you can buy games in a virtual worlds (no matter what
supermarket or in a shop that hardware you use) I think you
sells all kind of electronic equ- ought to put your worries asi-
ipment. Still there must pass de. Dont let yourself be told
some time before games are that games are not meant for
treated as equals to movies or you because youre too old. If
TV. The games are growing up they allow you to disconnect
today together with their au- from the real (and sometimes
dience who is doing the same. boring) world and you love
They tend to provide us with them than stick to them. Eve-
not only fun topics but those rybody has a right to entertain
more mature and difficult as themselves, no matter the
well. They become also more age or the way you do it. Be it

63
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Modification of the I decided immediately that

the basis of my modification

damaged C64 to the fully

will be as small interferen-
ce in the original cover as

working PC in several
possible.

The first challenge was fin-

minutes how to story

ding the right motherboard,
which we could place in
the small space inside C64.
The main problem werent
the dimensions across and
along, because we can
buy without any problems
When you have a damaged C64 in your closet, with small MICROITX motherboards, but
chances to repair it, not exceeding the cost of buying used the height of the motherbo-
C64 (damaged VIC system artifacts on the screen). I started ard. The keyboard in C64 is
to think how I can use the remaining parts. C64 could lie in the pretty thick and it does not
closet and keep its place, I couldnt throw it out. leave a lot of space at the
bottom.
I will add that the damaged C64 is the C64G version the po-
pular breadbasket with a white keyboard. Finally I used for I decided to choose the
my modification brown keyboard from the 1st version, but we motherboard in the NANOITX
will talk about it later.. format. I still didnt know that
something like this exists but
I thought that it would be nice to see C64 everyday in your it appears that on the Chi-
living room, as HTPC or a platform to emulate other retro nese auction sites we have a
hardware. Browsing the web and the forums I found ready pretty big choice. The price
projects which served as an inspiration. Later it appeared that of around 130 dollars with
we can buy the KEYRAH Interface and use the original C64 the delivery. It is a motherbo-
keyboard as a PC keyboard and use classic joysticks. I tho- ard with the dimensions of 12
ught I got it figured out, but as we all know the details are cm by 12 cm and the height
sometimes tricky. of 2 cm. The type, that I
chose has an integrated
CPU Celeron 1037u 1.80GHz
dual core, graphics card
Intel HD 3000, one socket of
memory SO-DIMM DDR3 and
two sockets miniPCI ( inclu-
ding one dedicated for HDD
mSATA, and the second we
can use as e.g. WIFI card
what I did). Additionally the
socket for the external SATA
disk and whats interesting
LVDS socket to connect, for
example LCD panel.

Additionally on the mother-

board we have of course
HDMI 1.4 VGA, USB 2.0

64
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Components that were used:

original cover of C64 with a keyboard (~20$)

Keyrah interface v2 to connect C64 keyboard to the PC motherboard through USB

(http://www.vesalia.de/e_keyrahv2.htm) (~40$)

Nano ITX motherboard (12 cm x 12 cm) with Celeron 1037U 180GHz CPU dual core
i7 on the Ivy Bridge (105$ +VAT)
The whole computer works
pretty fine. In configuration 2 GB DDR3 SO-DIMM (~20$)
with 2 GB RAM and mSATA
disk Windows 8 starts prac- 2,5 hard disk OCZ 64GB SSD SATA (45$)
tically in a matter of couple
seconds. Every emulator Old USB panel 2x, 2x audio output, from the old PC casing (2$)
such as WinUAE and Vice64
and others work without Power supply unit 12V, 3,5A, 35W, I used in this modification the power supply unit
problems. Also playing MKV for LED tapes (this amount of power is enough) (~15$)
FullHD Files with the surround
sound in the home area The complete amount is ~270$. Only new components are the motherboard Nano-
network also works without ITX and Keyrah interface.
problems.

Someone could have asked

why we could not use Ra-
spberry Pi? Mainly because
of the efficiency and the
compatibility.

But lets look at the most

important things, the modi-
fication.

The first thing is adjusting the

Keyrah interface to connect
with the PC motherboard
through the external con-
nector. Unfortunately it is
not factory placed in the
printed board of the inter-
face, thats why we have
to do it ourselves. It is not
difficult, we can buy the
correct connector in the
electronics store. The red
circle on the screen is the
place where I soldered the
4 pin USB connector.

65
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Another step is preparing the USB cable to connect to the

Keyrah interface. I made it from an ordinary USB cable. I cut
of the cable and soldered the plug to the formerly soldered
connector.

And I connected it to the Key-

rah interface.

66
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Quick test It works!

It is the time to place the motherboard in the cover. To create a place for the motherboard connector, we had to
cut out the part of the C64 cover. Additionally, I drilled 4 holes with a 3 mm drill. I had to also use gum measures to
keep a distance for the motherboard the place for the SO-DIMM memory and the better cooling of the motherbo-
ard.

To mask the connectors I used the protecting screen from C64. It is ideal, it is rigid enough, but we can easily
make drilling holes. It is the best to use for this purpose the ordinary wallpaper knife.

67
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

It is the time for the switch and the power diode. To the original C64 diode I connected the HDD
activity indicator, thats why I had to add additional diode for the power indicator.

A little bit of work with the soldering iron.

68
Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Voila!

We have almost finished. Lets add the additional USB ports,

Wi-fi card on the miniPCI connector.

Wi-fi antennae (normal antenna removed from the

old laptop)

69
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Additional USB ports

And at last hard drive. Originally I used 2,5 SSD disk, however later I replaced it for the mSATA disk (which
at the moment of writng the article are cheaper than the standard SSD SATA drives) of course nothing
stops us from using the ordinary SATA drive together with the mSATA drive.

70
 Komoda & Amiga Plus #1

Finally we achieve the prettiest PC that I have ever seen.

As a summary we can with certainty say that

Keyrah in connection with the connected
classic joysticks + Vice64 and WinUAE emulators
during playing in classic games, give us real
retro experiences;)

I managed to buy cheaply the C64 keyboard

brown version according to my subjective
estimation it is much prettier than the white,
used for the G version.

As a curious detail, my girlfriend wrote on the

modified C64 her Master Degree Thesis. It was
nice to see how C64 is used in everydays work.

Strona projektu: http://arekneubauer.com/pl/

projekty/przerobka-c64-na-pc

hal
translated by Slayerpl

71
 Lunch
JOHNNY SHOW: LUNCH

How it began? One Day, Arek (Komek) sent

me a message on MY SPACE portal and
asked Could You help me with my KO-
MODA e-zine about Commodore 64? To
be honest I dont like playing video games
because It takes too much time, but I had
an Amiga once and played in the past. So
I wrote that I can share my drawings and
they were finally published in KOMODA in
the column called Johnny Show. At the
beginning the comics were complemented
by my biography. Lately I added some texts.
Its very nice that with the passing of time
my drawings became an element of the
magazine. We decided that Johnny Show
will be transferred to K&A Plus Magazine.
Today I will show You my very small comic
from 2014 and picture that I made before
finishing the work.
Translation:
She: Is it tasty? Jan Lorek
He: So now is it not enough that I eat this?