Gaming Gear of Yesteryear: Commodore 64

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Commodore 64 Year Released: 1982  Manufacturer: Commodore Did you know? There are numerous underground sites dedicated to keeping the Commodore 64 alive and thriving. Check out C64.com and the more recent C64 Online Emulator . What is it? In the 80s, you were either an Amstrad, Spectrum, or Commodore kid. The C64 boasted a whopping 64K of memory, incredible sound, 16 colours, and superb hi-res graphics (for its time). It was also many kids' first experience with an online network when Commodore released the Compunet Modem, allowing them to spend all night downloading demos and chatting with other like-minded gaming fans. Why do I need it? For a treasure trove of original games that are still worth playing today. Titles like The Eidolon , Creatures , Wizball , and Ballblazer are some of the best and earliest games from Lucasfilm. Their first release, Rescue On Fractalus , used a pioneering technique to generate a believable 3D landscape - finding a 'Jaggi' enemy hammerin...
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The birth of the Amstrad Mega PC

Back in 1993, 32 years ago, SEGA licensed a machine powered by a 32-bit Intel 80386SX CPU running at 25 MHz. At the time, the Intel DX2 and Pentium processors were just emerging, with the DX2 released in March 1992 and the Pentium in March 1993. Unfortunately, Amstrad's offering came a bit too late to make a significant impact. However, it was upgradable to 16MB of RAM and featured a 40MB hard drive, along with SVGA graphics boasting 256KB of RAM. There were plans to release a Cyrix 486 model, but it's unclear if it ever made it to market.


The Amstrad Mega PC had potential, but several factors could have made it more successful:

  1. Better Timing: Releasing the Mega PC earlier, before the dominance of more powerful 486 and Pentium CPUs, could have given it a competitive edge.

  2. Improved Performance: Upgrading the CPU to a 486 or even a Pentium would have made it more appealing to consumers looking for better performance.

  3. Competitive Pricing: Offering the Mega PC at a more affordable price point could have attracted more buyers.

  4. Marketing and Awareness: Stronger marketing campaigns to highlight the unique combination of a PC and Sega Mega Drive could have increased interest and sales.

  5. Expanded Features: Adding more RAM, larger storage options, and better graphics capabilities would have made it a more versatile and future-proof device.

  6. Software Support: Ensuring a wide range of compatible software and games for both the PC and Mega Drive sides of the device would have enhanced its appeal.


In summary, while the Amstrad Mega PC was innovative with its integrated Sega Mega Drive, the 486 DX2 and Pentium CPUs were more powerful and versatile machines, better suited for demanding applications and games of the time.



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