RGN, you're a fountain of wisdom. RR just performed an overly rosy review of this machine, which wasn't as comprehensive as your own review - insofar as your aptly demonstrating its patchy C64 compatibility. I've come to realise you're spot-on with your impressions - where you found the C64 cartridge support to be flakey, many games don't work. Not much has happened in the 4+ months since, with there being virtually no native software designed for the machine. Hopefully it'll improve down the track
I do appreciate your further reflection on the MEGA65, though I wish I was wrong. But my priority is to viewers as potential consumers who deserve balanced and transparent information and I try to do this by pushing aside marketing gimmicks and get to practicality. I don't live off TH-cam or sponsor money so I don't have the pressure of having to give rosey opinions. A brief glance at current development works in the M65 space does give a glimmer of hope that a small batch of quality M65 games are on the horizon but as it stands but I suspect that this will be fleeting unfortunately. The best I am hoping for is that all the Commodore related MISTER cores get converted across to the M65.
MEGA65 rules. Have one. Things are getting fixed and I expect by the time batch #2 is out, a lot will be ready. Enjoying also the Gameboy Color core on the machine, works like a charm.
@@RetroGamerNation all part of the process. I run into issues on the c64 even such as VSP crashing software and that's 40 year old technology :) let's give it some time 😀
I feel your Mega 65 impressions are spot on , #1 i cant afford it anyway but even if i got one im not sure what id do with it besides play c64 games as im not a programmer . Once all the many kinks are eventually ironed out then maybe but i still dont think I'll be able to afford it 🤣👍
I can only see it getting more expensive but unless there is a influx of M65 titles being developed there really isn't a reason to buy it. Would I still have bought one if I knew what I know now? Probably not.
It's good to hear a balanced review of the 65. I've never really been sure where it sits. You wouldn't spend that money if you wanted to use it as a 64 but it'll take a lot more software before it's a credible platform in its own right and maybe there's a chicken and egg situation there. I guess that's why they released the development version a while ago, but that seemed to go into the hands of gamers who just wanted to get their hands on it early. The fact that it's just an FPGA in a fancy case doesn't really work for me.
Good point about the dev kits. They have been out now long enough to the extent we should have seen quality apps and games be released by now. I did not expect a perfect product but I did expect there to be a more definitive plan as to what the system is to do and how to do it. The C64 core was thrown in at the last minute…if it wasn’t for that then the mega65 will go down as being one expensive but nice looking doorstop. I hope to be proven wrong 🙁
Very nice June roundup video. The high res graphics using sprites to further enhance colours per char in Brainbreak looks really nice. I have often wondered why not more games use this full screen sprite colour layer.
I was really amazed to see 3 hires colors per cell for the first time, also very puzzled how they did it! So the sprite layer are all the black pixels?
@@cooperfeld , well in this case I'd guess since the play field is not wider than would fit 8 highres sprites you could add any extra colour. However with smart use you could use multi colour sprites and add 3 extra colours in each char cell.
@@64jcl Yeah good idea! Though in multicolor mode you'd fall back to 'midres' wide pixels again?... ah ok i see, using the chars as mask this time could compensate that effect. Sorry just couldn't resist to 'analyse' the playfield once more, after your suggestion 😵:D, counting 20 characters = 7 sprites per row overlay (7 * 3 = 21 char blocks, hires uniform black), plus 1 sprite remaining for the cursor. Anyway, it's well done)
Thanks Andrew, I find the current situation with the MEGA65 somewhat surreal. Can you imagine the community response if it was Retro Games Limited that released such an under-cooked product. The team means well but they just lack organisation or even a rough outline as to what a 'stable' release is supposed to look like.
@@RetroGamerNation RGN, I appreciate your brute honesty in reviews - you "pull no punches" in highlighting flaws and pitfalls. Whilst also giving compliments and credit where it's due. That's what makes your reviews the GO TO source for all the latest on the C64. You'll never please every rabid fanboi - so don't fall into the trap of trying to do that. Please don't change your style. Keep up the great work!
Hey thanks for the feedback and I appreciate that you notice that these highlights contain a degree of balance. I take the approach of what the general user would be looking for in such devices. The good and the bad need to be fleshed out to allow viewers to form their own views. There is so much more I wanted to test out ini respect to attaching other devices but was too scared in case it would break the machine or the firmware.
Glad you like the look of Knight & Slimes. It is so easy to pick up and play while at the same time having a bit of depth to it to ensure repeat plays.
The Mega65 is a work of art. However, no way i could justify it as it will just be like my C128. Havent used it in years as there are only about 2 dozen games for it and none of them are exclusive, just slightly improved. Only reason i want to use it is to explore CP/M. That aside, im sure the Mega65 would improve with time and exclusive titles will follow. I wish it the best.
Once they add in more features and get rid of some compatibility bugs, the Mega65 will be an awesome machine to have. I hope they can bring the price down a lot in the not too distant future. I'm also looking forward to the Commander X16 homebrew computer project from The 8-bit Guy and his team: - Part 1: th-cam.com/video/ayh0qebfD2g/w-d-xo.html - Part 2: th-cam.com/video/sg-6Cjzzg8s/w-d-xo.html Check TH-cam for more info on this system.
I have no interest in the Mega65 (mainly due to the price point, why would I pay nearly as much for a realization of an unreleased prototype 90s computer as I would for a PS5?) Plus, it's only a matter of time before someone develops a mister core anyway. There's already emulators for the Spectrum NEXT. It's a beautiful piece of hardware, but not worth the price point.
800 Euros for the Mega 65? That's a lot of money for a toy! Nevertheless, I understand the intention. The C65 would have been the ideal upgrade computer for C64 owners, with good compatibility it could have been the best 8-bit home computer. I am curious if software is really developed for the C65 now and if it runs on the original.
I flat out admit, I got swept up by the Mega65 self-imposed hype. And I thought the long development, was to ensure a stable product before release. I absolutely thought and expected, C64 mode would be on par with the C128 for compatibility. My plan was to have it as my go to, over the top, Ultimate 64 (I'm considering this product as well, now even more so), for once the originals, or the CRT's, eventually die off. I do have THE64 at least. And if anyone made great games or ports taking advantage of the Mega65, it'd be an awesome bonus. Now it'll all depends on the good graces of the community. I have paid a long time ago, and await the 2nd batch being shipped
I had the same impression as you in respect to C64 compatibility mode being like C128. Luckily the C64 core was made available otherwise far less people would be as patient with the Mega65. The C64 core emulation looks quite solid, they just now have to update it so that it is as feature rich as the MiSTer version but I still think the Ultimate 64 is the definitive modern day solution.
@@RetroGamerNation That's really good to hear. I've now pre-ordered an ultimate64 elite too. I must say, I'm in 2 minds about the Mega65. I'm tempted to cancel my order at this point. The team behind it, did say in a recent video, it's more to be seen as a developer product than consumer. That's the same impression the first bunch of reviews are leaving
@@Knogle2 The populist opinion will definitely favour Ultimate 64 as long as price and sourcing case/keyboard to house it in is not an issue for you. I don't regret purchasing the MEGA65 as I don't mind tinkering with something that is still a work in progress and I am in a position to be able to afford it but for the general person watching RGN videos then it is likely to be an expensive regrettable purchase. If I can assume that you are also in a position where you are able to afford it and have a general interest in vintage computing then the question to ask yourself is whether the risk of regret for you is greater by proceeding with the order or with cancelling it? I wouldn't want you to cancel and then 2 years from now wishing you had one. Prices for MEGA65 will only get more expensive in my view.
@@RetroGamerNation No issues, I got (dead) breadbins and C64C surplus. It's good to hear you don't regret your purchase. I don't mind tinkering either, but I can only work with what others make. I can't develop and such myself. You assume correct with affordability :) I see it a bit like this. The Mega65 seems to still be a Beta product at the moment, where I had higher expectations for the released machine. And it's up to the userbase to make it the "final" version. If I knew it was around for buying, in say just a year from now. I think I could stomach a pass, and then pay whatever higher price by then. Kind of an insurance, it's stable and have the usability I hope for. My only real worry, is if it's going out of production for whatever reason while waiting, and we end up in a RARE! situation :) So I think for now I'll keep my number in line. But I'll stay vigilant for updates, like on RGN. I really hope there'll soon be some more, reassuring experiences, out there. It'd be awesome with X amount of vintage machine cores, and the ability to read/write floppies for em'
Thank you for your concise and to-the-point presentation of the MEGA65, which comes in stark contrast to the rambling video about the same subject of a certain popular TH-camr (let's not mention names). My two cents: the machine didn't make sense in 1991, and it makes even less sense now, especially with this price.
Thanks so much for your feedback and I note the videos you are referring to and am concerned that those viewers are being fed a viewpoint that is far away from reality. There really isn't anything that makes commercial sense about the M65, it truly is a hobbyist for people to tinker with. It will be interesting to see what 2023 brings about to the system in respect to new native software.
RGN, after learning more about Mega65, I've formed the impression you were a little harsh upon it. It's good you pointed out the C64 incompatibilities you came across, as folks should know about those things. No-one expects you to be a biased fanboy - it’s your job as a reviewer, to honestly present things as you find them - warts and all. But your quip that to buy it you'd had to have "more money than sense" was a little cutting, and uncalled for. I feel it's an exciting project, it's great to code in BASIC upon. And if a passionate user base gets established, and quality software gets developed for it, then we could see some cracking good, new-age, Commodore inspired, 8-bit games running at 40 MHz!
Thanks for taking your time to express your views on the MEGA65. Your opinions are just as valid as mine. I just do not have the same optimism about future software development. The devkits were sold a little while ago and what has been done with them since? Other than Megastyle with their Giana Sisters clone, everything else has been uninspiring. BadgerPunch Games is converting Showdown, which is nice but what else is there...remember the dev kits have been made available for quite a while now. Fingers crossed I am wrong and that the MEGA65 will prove itself to be something more than an expensive ornamental piece.
If my M65 ever gets shipped, I have no interest in it for C64 games etc because I have plenty of other systems for that. Just M65 stuff for me. I get that they may update hardware to fix issus so I am cool with the wait. (Sorta.)
Wow, sucks about the poor mega65 compatibility with the games you tested. I’m glad I didn’t fork out nearly $800 for one! If you’re just playing roms, get a mister
The team behind the MEGA65 are quite friendly and do mean well but there is a sense of disorganisation and naivety around when it comes to ongoing development. Being a community project does not mean that you can just bring out a half-baked solution to production, especially at this price point.
@@RetroGamerNation i have one on order. I am glad i am not in the first buggy batch. Chalking up mistakes to it's a "Community" project is the wrong answer.
I hope things do improve greatly by the time you get your unit but I just don't see it happening. The overall project just lacks a definitive path forward or what a 'stable' product is supposed to look like.
Yes, I am hoping to be able to do a similar round up for the Amiga, I just need the Amiga gaming development scene to be a bit more active. I did a round up in November 2021 and it looks like I will be doing another one in either July or August.
where can i find this demo of the nice looking Demo of STOKA? Please provide also the title of the new releases, since the speech is not good to understand alltime. And i have to guess... Stoka, Stouga, Doka... ? :D
Yes this is pointed out in the video but unfortunately it does not look like we are going to get much C65 applications coming on board so C64 is a fall back for those who might consider M65 ahead of Ultimate 64. We have to remember that dev kits for the M65 were released a while ago and the output from those devkits has been low in quantity and quality. What happend to everyone forking out 1000 Euros to provide the community with great new titles?
@@RetroGamerNation On a purely personal note, I don't want to defend the project, but you can't accuse it of not delivering the output expected by a bunch of dumb consumers who didn't even buy the hardware, but mostly just handle emulators. It's a bit of the chicken and egg problem, isn't it? I suspect that the developers were hoping that currently, more Tinkers would be interested in developing the C65 further. But the generation that is interested in the C65, or has even heard of it, is 99.9% pure consumers. The same applies to "digital natives", for whom every digital gadget is just a black box. Boomers only call this generation that because, unlike them, they can install apps on a smartphone. To accuse the project of not delivering is quite presumptuous. Instead of complaining, you should take action yourself. That is the idea of community projects.
@@RetroGamerNation On the VCFe, a visitor wrote an assembler program on my C65 in my absence. When I returned, however, he had disappeared and no one knew where he went. So there are people out there who would be willing to use the C65. But they are few and far between. In 1982, top titles didn't come out in one fell swoop either. That took years! Years! And that on the best selling computer of all time. And that on a computer that thousands bought to program with. Developing new software on a real computer instead of a dev kit is more fun for most people. However, the people with the skills and the will don't always have the money for such a comparatively expensive computer. But its development also cost a lot of money and time. Once again, it's really presumptuous to criticize the project if you just want to be a simple consumer. That is an absolutely wrong expectation. I have nothing to do with this project, and I don't want to have anything to do with it.
@@Hessi "people with the skills and the will don't always have the money for such a comparatively expensive computer": I don't think that it is true. People with the skills usually work in the IT segment. I live in Hungary and the price of the Mega65 equals about 2 weeks of salary of an IT supporter or less if we compare it to the salary of a professional developer. It is even less if we compare it to western European wages. It is around the price of a new iPhone which many people choose to afford. So I think it is not that expensive if we compare it to the technical content (FPGA, mech keyboard etc...) or when we compare it to our wallets. It is not cheap but affordable if someone really wants it. The problem is that when we realize that the number of released software is low and the community behind it is not that active as the C64 community so there is a chance that you buy it and you will only use those programs that you write on it for yourself. I think it would be a clever move from the developers to release easily usable game engines which would show the 65's improved capabilities and would help beginners to produce more/better content. I am thinking of some shoot-em-up creators or something like the Graphic Adventure Creator (with improved graphics) was for the 64 or a native graphic editor like Deluxe Paint (for example with monthly/quarterly competitions). But as it is a non-profit project probably they are not interested in popularizing it in such ways.
I would agree with you strongly on this. Looking at the progress of the MEGA65 project, the cost of the product cannot be justified from a use case perspective. It's a pity.
Almost all of the games shown would be available in a digital download format to use in an emulator. Links to all games available are included in the video description.
The Mega65 is just dumb. 640 Dollars for an obsolete computer with no software and dodgy C64 support is just asinine. This is nominally more than the 64 was first released and being sold for $599.99 It was cutting edge. Plus, it going to suffer from the same exact problem as the Colecovision SGM. Nobody is going stock these things in their house. Nobody is volunteering to store and manage 400 to 500 of these machines in their boxes sitting in their basement waiting for orders and selling them as the orders come in. Nobody is giving up their basement or spare room to house all these things, plus manage the webstore and the shipping and customer service and filing taxes etc. Instead, they are going to do in the future what they are doing now, which is waiting until they reach a minimum number of pre-paid orders to go and order the machines in bulk (and this is AT BEST. They might just wash their hands of the project). Because of the volume needed to make this work, it is going to be years between availability, years you have to wait after paying for it. It might not have taken 2 years to get the first few hundred orders, but those are all the enthusiasts. They will be LUCKY to sell 10 a month. That's not 10 a month shipping, that's 10 a month added to a prepaid queue. At 10 a month, the first person who fronts the money is going to wait 30 months for them to get 300 units purchased. That's 2.5 years of them sitting on your money while you get nothing. Of course, if your arrives broken, it's WAY too late to issue a charge-back if they won't help you and replace the unit. When they get tired of it, it is just another obsolete computer for which you cannot get parts. Only it will be harder to get parts than the original 64 or Amiga because those were sold in the millions and there only thousands of present users. There are probably still 10s of thousands of them sitting in attics, basements and barns yet to be put on the used market. There is no software. A computer is useless without software. Why pay over 600 dollars for a Commodore 64? Because even assuming they get the compatibility 100%, that is the only software library that will run on it. Is that disk drive even addressable as a 1581? I'm guessing not. What about all the competition out there? 8-bit guy has a machine he is shilling. The Colecovision guys have an updated Adam they are talking about. The ZX Next. There are several others. So far, the only thing really they have going for them is at least partial ZX C64 compatibility. Total waste of time and money.
The $600 you quote for a C64 in 1982 is worth a lot more now, with inflation. Plus that didn’t include the disk drive - throw in a 1541 which sold for about the same price as the C64 itself, and the cost was substantial. But folks still paid it, and the system was a phenomenal success. The MEGA65 purchase cost isn’t so much higher than an Xbox Series X - of course the Xbox has vastly more power, but those who are 8-bit or Commodore enthusiasts have their own desires. New software shall hopefully be developed to utilise the MEGA65’s enhanced capabilities - it has exciting untapped potential for 8-bit & Commodore enthusiasts. Its C64 compatibility with d64 images is impeccable - estimated to be 99.9% compatible - using the C64 core
@@txtworld It wasn't an obsolete computer then. At the time it was the cheapest 64k computer you could buy. Plus, the price collapsed within a year down to 200 bucks. You're wrong about the C64 being a big success when it was 600 bucks. It sold very few units. Tramael knew about Moore's law. He knew that within a period of months the 64k dram units would drop precipitously. The 64's sales exploded AFTER the price war with TI. This is not an 8 bit Commodore machine. If this computer is "successful" (by indie hardware standards), it will be a small fraction of the C64 enthusiasts who buy it. There will be very little if any new software produced for this. Just like there is very little new software taking advantage of the ZX Next computer (and by any Indie standard, the ZX Next was a huge success) Did you watch the video? The 64 core is very buggy with poor compatibility.
@@tarstarkusz Have “you” watched the video? RGN states the C64 core offers a "highly compatible C64 experience", and doesn’t provide a solitary example of a game that won't run using that core. All of his game testing was done using the enhanced MEGA65 core, which even Commodore themselves (in their C65 development) had never intended to be 100% C64 compatible - its primary aim is to leverage the extended feature set and capabilities of the enhanced MEGA65 machine
@@tarstarkusz Many of us marvel at the quality games with their unique retro feel, that continue to be developed for what you describe as these "obsolete" machines. That's the whole purpose of RGN's channel. If you're not that way inclined, then it appears you're solely here to troll
@@txtworld Unless I am thinking of the wrong video, the video is full of examples where the games don't run. Yeah, 8:24 Aviation Arcade 2, it's magic II, the shadow over hawksmill all don't work. That's out of only a hand full of the many thousands of games for the C64. You have failed to address a single other critique of the machine.
RGN, you're a fountain of wisdom. RR just performed an overly rosy review of this machine, which wasn't as comprehensive as your own review - insofar as your aptly demonstrating its patchy C64 compatibility. I've come to realise you're spot-on with your impressions - where you found the C64 cartridge support to be flakey, many games don't work. Not much has happened in the 4+ months since, with there being virtually no native software designed for the machine. Hopefully it'll improve down the track
I do appreciate your further reflection on the MEGA65, though I wish I was wrong. But my priority is to viewers as potential consumers who deserve balanced and transparent information and I try to do this by pushing aside marketing gimmicks and get to practicality. I don't live off TH-cam or sponsor money so I don't have the pressure of having to give rosey opinions.
A brief glance at current development works in the M65 space does give a glimmer of hope that a small batch of quality M65 games are on the horizon but as it stands but I suspect that this will be fleeting unfortunately. The best I am hoping for is that all the Commodore related MISTER cores get converted across to the M65.
Great up to date round up. Good to see an honest Mega65 review.
MEGA65 rules. Have one. Things are getting fixed and I expect by the time batch #2 is out, a lot will be ready. Enjoying also the Gameboy Color core on the machine, works like a charm.
Considering all of the issues you have run into with the machine, I love your optimism. 😜
@@RetroGamerNation all part of the process. I run into issues on the c64 even such as VSP crashing software and that's 40 year old technology :) let's give it some time 😀
Hey let's hope so. Even if it's "fixed" though I don't see the point of it. Not enough C65 games will be made to justify it.
I feel your Mega 65 impressions are spot on , #1 i cant afford it anyway but even if i got one im not sure what id do with it besides play c64 games as im not a programmer . Once all the many kinks are eventually ironed out then maybe but i still dont think I'll be able to afford it 🤣👍
I can only see it getting more expensive but unless there is a influx of M65 titles being developed there really isn't a reason to buy it. Would I still have bought one if I knew what I know now? Probably not.
@@txtworld yeah thats right totally agree 👍
@@txtworld You can experience the Mega65 on a NEXUS FPGA board or emulator on PC if the real H/W is too expensive.
@@JudgeDrokk Thanks, which emulator?
@@txtworld The Mega 65 is not supposed to be compatible to the C64, but - oh wonder! - to the C65!
It's good to hear a balanced review of the 65. I've never really been sure where it sits. You wouldn't spend that money if you wanted to use it as a 64 but it'll take a lot more software before it's a credible platform in its own right and maybe there's a chicken and egg situation there. I guess that's why they released the development version a while ago, but that seemed to go into the hands of gamers who just wanted to get their hands on it early. The fact that it's just an FPGA in a fancy case doesn't really work for me.
Good point about the dev kits. They have been out now long enough to the extent we should have seen quality apps and games be released by now. I did not expect a perfect product but I did expect there to be a more definitive plan as to what the system is to do and how to do it. The C64 core was thrown in at the last minute…if it wasn’t for that then the mega65 will go down as being one expensive but nice looking doorstop. I hope to be proven wrong 🙁
Very nice June roundup video. The high res graphics using sprites to further enhance colours per char in Brainbreak looks really nice. I have often wondered why not more games use this full screen sprite colour layer.
I was really amazed to see 3 hires colors per cell for the first time, also very puzzled how they did it! So the sprite layer are all the black pixels?
@@cooperfeld , well in this case I'd guess since the play field is not wider than would fit 8 highres sprites you could add any extra colour. However with smart use you could use multi colour sprites and add 3 extra colours in each char cell.
@@64jcl Yeah good idea! Though in multicolor mode you'd fall back to 'midres' wide pixels again?... ah ok i see, using the chars as mask this time could compensate that effect. Sorry just couldn't resist to 'analyse' the playfield once more, after your suggestion 😵:D, counting 20 characters = 7 sprites per row overlay (7 * 3 = 21 char blocks, hires uniform black), plus 1 sprite remaining for the cursor. Anyway, it's well done)
Some great art this month, and interesting to hear your impressions of the Mega65.
Thanks Andrew, I find the current situation with the MEGA65 somewhat surreal. Can you imagine the community response if it was Retro Games Limited that released such an under-cooked product. The team means well but they just lack organisation or even a rough outline as to what a 'stable' release is supposed to look like.
@@RetroGamerNation RGN, I appreciate your brute honesty in reviews - you "pull no punches" in highlighting flaws and pitfalls. Whilst also giving compliments and credit where it's due. That's what makes your reviews the GO TO source for all the latest on the C64. You'll never please every rabid fanboi - so don't fall into the trap of trying to do that. Please don't change your style. Keep up the great work!
Hey thanks for the feedback and I appreciate that you notice that these highlights contain a degree of balance. I take the approach of what the general user would be looking for in such devices. The good and the bad need to be fleshed out to allow viewers to form their own views. There is so much more I wanted to test out ini respect to attaching other devices but was too scared in case it would break the machine or the firmware.
16:00 - that's an awful lot like the theme tune for the Tetris clone ATA!
Knights and Slimes looks like it's going to be awesome! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Yes, it does. One to look out for!
Glad you like the look of Knight & Slimes. It is so easy to pick up and play while at the same time having a bit of depth to it to ensure repeat plays.
Another quality instalment. Thank you.
It's great that the Mega65 project exists, but like a real C65 it's probably not something I'll ever own.
Thank you for this round up. I always look forward to them. :-)
Thanks, that is really nice of you to take the time to say that. Greatly appreciated.
The Mega65 is a work of art. However, no way i could justify it as it will just be like my C128. Havent used it in years as there are only about 2 dozen games for it and none of them are exclusive, just slightly improved. Only reason i want to use it is to explore CP/M. That aside, im sure the Mega65 would improve with time and exclusive titles will follow. I wish it the best.
Once they add in more features and get rid of some compatibility bugs, the Mega65 will be an awesome machine to have. I hope they can bring the price down a lot in the not too distant future. I'm also looking forward to the Commander X16 homebrew computer project from The 8-bit Guy and his team:
- Part 1: th-cam.com/video/ayh0qebfD2g/w-d-xo.html
- Part 2: th-cam.com/video/sg-6Cjzzg8s/w-d-xo.html
Check TH-cam for more info on this system.
I have no interest in the Mega65 (mainly due to the price point, why would I pay nearly as much for a realization of an unreleased prototype 90s computer as I would for a PS5?) Plus, it's only a matter of time before someone develops a mister core anyway. There's already emulators for the Spectrum NEXT. It's a beautiful piece of hardware, but not worth the price point.
go push your 8bit guy crap somewhere ele
Awesome continued coverage of the C64! Considering the price point of the C65.. I would've wanted a lot more from it..
Just in time for my coffee, thanks!
awesome video dude!!!
Mega65 looks like it's a long way off surprised it's been released. Pity they didn't make Venture into a proper c64 game.
800 Euros for the Mega 65? That's a lot of money for a toy! Nevertheless, I understand the intention. The C65 would have been the ideal upgrade computer for C64 owners, with good compatibility it could have been the best 8-bit home computer. I am curious if software is really developed for the C65 now and if it runs on the original.
I flat out admit, I got swept up by the Mega65 self-imposed hype. And I thought the long development, was to ensure a stable product before release. I absolutely thought and expected, C64 mode would be on par with the C128 for compatibility. My plan was to have it as my go to, over the top, Ultimate 64 (I'm considering this product as well, now even more so), for once the originals, or the CRT's, eventually die off. I do have THE64 at least. And if anyone made great games or ports taking advantage of the Mega65, it'd be an awesome bonus.
Now it'll all depends on the good graces of the community.
I have paid a long time ago, and await the 2nd batch being shipped
I had the same impression as you in respect to C64 compatibility mode being like C128. Luckily the C64 core was made available otherwise far less people would be as patient with the Mega65. The C64 core emulation looks quite solid, they just now have to update it so that it is as feature rich as the MiSTer version but I still think the Ultimate 64 is the definitive modern day solution.
Love my Ultimate 64, highly recommended.
@@RetroGamerNation That's really good to hear. I've now pre-ordered an ultimate64 elite too. I must say, I'm in 2 minds about the Mega65. I'm tempted to cancel my order at this point.
The team behind it, did say in a recent video, it's more to be seen as a developer product than consumer.
That's the same impression the first bunch of reviews are leaving
@@Knogle2 The populist opinion will definitely favour Ultimate 64 as long as price and sourcing case/keyboard to house it in is not an issue for you.
I don't regret purchasing the MEGA65 as I don't mind tinkering with something that is still a work in progress and I am in a position to be able to afford it but for the general person watching RGN videos then it is likely to be an expensive regrettable purchase.
If I can assume that you are also in a position where you are able to afford it and have a general interest in vintage computing then the question to ask yourself is whether the risk of regret for you is greater by proceeding with the order or with cancelling it? I wouldn't want you to cancel and then 2 years from now wishing you had one. Prices for MEGA65 will only get more expensive in my view.
@@RetroGamerNation No issues, I got (dead) breadbins and C64C surplus.
It's good to hear you don't regret your purchase. I don't mind tinkering either, but I can only work with what others make. I can't develop and such myself.
You assume correct with affordability :) I see it a bit like this. The Mega65 seems to still be a Beta product at the moment, where I had higher expectations for the released machine. And it's up to the userbase to make it the "final" version.
If I knew it was around for buying, in say just a year from now. I think I could stomach a pass, and then pay whatever higher price by then. Kind of an insurance, it's stable and have the usability I hope for. My only real worry, is if it's going out of production for whatever reason while waiting, and we end up in a RARE! situation :)
So I think for now I'll keep my number in line. But I'll stay vigilant for updates, like on RGN. I really hope there'll soon be some more, reassuring experiences, out there. It'd be awesome with X amount of vintage machine cores, and the ability to read/write floppies for em'
Thank you for your concise and to-the-point presentation of the MEGA65, which comes in stark contrast to the rambling video about the same subject of a certain popular TH-camr (let's not mention names).
My two cents: the machine didn't make sense in 1991, and it makes even less sense now, especially with this price.
Thanks so much for your feedback and I note the videos you are referring to and am concerned that those viewers are being fed a viewpoint that is far away from reality. There really isn't anything that makes commercial sense about the M65, it truly is a hobbyist for people to tinker with. It will be interesting to see what 2023 brings about to the system in respect to new native software.
Cool beans!
If the COMMODORE MEGA64 can do hi-def images would it not make sense to have the games take advantage of hi-def.
RGN, after learning more about Mega65, I've formed the impression you were a little harsh upon it. It's good you pointed out the C64 incompatibilities you came across, as folks should know about those things. No-one expects you to be a biased fanboy - it’s your job as a reviewer, to honestly present things as you find them - warts and all. But your quip that to buy it you'd had to have "more money than sense" was a little cutting, and uncalled for. I feel it's an exciting project, it's great to code in BASIC upon. And if a passionate user base gets established, and quality software gets developed for it, then we could see some cracking good, new-age, Commodore inspired, 8-bit games running at 40 MHz!
Thanks for taking your time to express your views on the MEGA65. Your opinions are just as valid as mine. I just do not have the same optimism about future software development. The devkits were sold a little while ago and what has been done with them since? Other than Megastyle with their Giana Sisters clone, everything else has been uninspiring. BadgerPunch Games is converting Showdown, which is nice but what else is there...remember the dev kits have been made available for quite a while now. Fingers crossed I am wrong and that the MEGA65 will prove itself to be something more than an expensive ornamental piece.
If my M65 ever gets shipped, I have no interest in it for C64 games etc because I have plenty of other systems for that. Just M65 stuff for me. I get that they may update hardware to fix issus so I am cool with the wait. (Sorta.)
Wow, sucks about the poor mega65 compatibility with the games you tested. I’m glad I didn’t fork out nearly $800 for one! If you’re just playing roms, get a mister
The team behind the MEGA65 are quite friendly and do mean well but there is a sense of disorganisation and naivety around when it comes to ongoing development. Being a community project does not mean that you can just bring out a half-baked solution to production, especially at this price point.
@@RetroGamerNation i have one on order. I am glad i am not in the first buggy batch. Chalking up mistakes to it's a "Community" project is the wrong answer.
I hope things do improve greatly by the time you get your unit but I just don't see it happening. The overall project just lacks a definitive path forward or what a 'stable' product is supposed to look like.
Regarding the Mega 65 compatibility issues - are you using the C64 mode or the alternative C64 core?
Sorry - this is covered in the video - should have watched to the end before commenting :D
can you make these new game round up videos but for the Amiga?
Yes, I am hoping to be able to do a similar round up for the Amiga, I just need the Amiga gaming development scene to be a bit more active. I did a round up in November 2021 and it looks like I will be doing another one in either July or August.
@@RetroGamerNation great! i hope it happens!!
where can i find this demo of the nice looking Demo of STOKA? Please provide also the title of the new releases, since the speech is not good to understand alltime. And i have to guess... Stoka, Stouga, Doka... ? :D
Hi there, I believe you are referring to Stoker.
Here is a link you can use csdb.dk/release/download.php?id=269508
I don't want to defend the Mega 65 project, but it should be clear to all of you that this is *not* a C64 clone, but a *Commodore 65* clone, isn't it?
Yes this is pointed out in the video but unfortunately it does not look like we are going to get much C65 applications coming on board so C64 is a fall back for those who might consider M65 ahead of Ultimate 64. We have to remember that dev kits for the M65 were released a while ago and the output from those devkits has been low in quantity and quality. What happend to everyone forking out 1000 Euros to provide the community with great new titles?
@@RetroGamerNation On a purely personal note, I don't want to defend the project, but you can't accuse it of not delivering the output expected by a bunch of dumb consumers who didn't even buy the hardware, but mostly just handle emulators. It's a bit of the chicken and egg problem, isn't it?
I suspect that the developers were hoping that currently, more Tinkers would be interested in developing the C65 further.
But the generation that is interested in the C65, or has even heard of it, is 99.9% pure consumers. The same applies to "digital natives", for whom every digital gadget is just a black box. Boomers only call this generation that because, unlike them, they can install apps on a smartphone.
To accuse the project of not delivering is quite presumptuous. Instead of complaining, you should take action yourself. That is the idea of community projects.
@@RetroGamerNation On the VCFe, a visitor wrote an assembler program on my C65 in my absence. When I returned, however, he had disappeared and no one knew where he went. So there are people out there who would be willing to use the C65. But they are few and far between.
In 1982, top titles didn't come out in one fell swoop either. That took years! Years! And that on the best selling computer of all time. And that on a computer that thousands bought to program with.
Developing new software on a real computer instead of a dev kit is more fun for most people. However, the people with the skills and the will don't always have the money for such a comparatively expensive computer. But its development also cost a lot of money and time. Once again, it's really presumptuous to criticize the project if you just want to be a simple consumer. That is an absolutely wrong expectation.
I have nothing to do with this project, and I don't want to have anything to do with it.
@@Hessi "people with the skills and the will don't always have the money for such a comparatively expensive computer": I don't think that it is true. People with the skills usually work in the IT segment. I live in Hungary and the price of the Mega65 equals about 2 weeks of salary of an IT supporter or less if we compare it to the salary of a professional developer. It is even less if we compare it to western European wages. It is around the price of a new iPhone which many people choose to afford. So I think it is not that expensive if we compare it to the technical content (FPGA, mech keyboard etc...) or when we compare it to our wallets. It is not cheap but affordable if someone really wants it. The problem is that when we realize that the number of released software is low and the community behind it is not that active as the C64 community so there is a chance that you buy it and you will only use those programs that you write on it for yourself. I think it would be a clever move from the developers to release easily usable game engines which would show the 65's improved capabilities and would help beginners to produce more/better content. I am thinking of some shoot-em-up creators or something like the Graphic Adventure Creator (with improved graphics) was for the 64 or a native graphic editor like Deluxe Paint (for example with monthly/quarterly competitions). But as it is a non-profit project probably they are not interested in popularizing it in such ways.
Does the Mega 65 run its BASIC faster than BASIC in GO64 mode?
as nice as the Mega65 looks €793.33 HELL NO!!!
I would agree with you strongly on this. Looking at the progress of the MEGA65 project, the cost of the product cannot be justified from a use case perspective. It's a pity.
No way does Tenebra have rogue-like elements. I have played it and it does not.
I agree in respect to gameplay. The rogue-like would be in reference to how it looks and how only a certain portion of the play field is visible.
How can you get these c64 games? Do they okay on an emulator.
Almost all of the games shown would be available in a digital download format to use in an emulator. Links to all games available are included in the video description.
RetroGamerNation Thanks, I will have a look.
How much does it cost in USD?
Around 700USD excluding shipping.
The compatibility of the C65dingens semms to be tihs! 👎
Just get the Amiga mini 500 instead. Boom 💥
Maybe if the machine had something 32GB of RAM might solve the freezing problems
The Mega65 is just dumb. 640 Dollars for an obsolete computer with no software and dodgy C64 support is just asinine. This is nominally more than the 64 was first released and being sold for $599.99 It was cutting edge. Plus, it going to suffer from the same exact problem as the Colecovision SGM. Nobody is going stock these things in their house. Nobody is volunteering to store and manage 400 to 500 of these machines in their boxes sitting in their basement waiting for orders and selling them as the orders come in. Nobody is giving up their basement or spare room to house all these things, plus manage the webstore and the shipping and customer service and filing taxes etc.
Instead, they are going to do in the future what they are doing now, which is waiting until they reach a minimum number of pre-paid orders to go and order the machines in bulk (and this is AT BEST. They might just wash their hands of the project). Because of the volume needed to make this work, it is going to be years between availability, years you have to wait after paying for it. It might not have taken 2 years to get the first few hundred orders, but those are all the enthusiasts. They will be LUCKY to sell 10 a month. That's not 10 a month shipping, that's 10 a month added to a prepaid queue. At 10 a month, the first person who fronts the money is going to wait 30 months for them to get 300 units purchased. That's 2.5 years of them sitting on your money while you get nothing. Of course, if your arrives broken, it's WAY too late to issue a charge-back if they won't help you and replace the unit.
When they get tired of it, it is just another obsolete computer for which you cannot get parts. Only it will be harder to get parts than the original 64 or Amiga because those were sold in the millions and there only thousands of present users. There are probably still 10s of thousands of them sitting in attics, basements and barns yet to be put on the used market.
There is no software. A computer is useless without software. Why pay over 600 dollars for a Commodore 64? Because even assuming they get the compatibility 100%, that is the only software library that will run on it. Is that disk drive even addressable as a 1581? I'm guessing not.
What about all the competition out there? 8-bit guy has a machine he is shilling. The Colecovision guys have an updated Adam they are talking about. The ZX Next. There are several others. So far, the only thing really they have going for them is at least partial ZX C64 compatibility. Total waste of time and money.
The $600 you quote for a C64 in 1982 is worth a lot more now, with inflation. Plus that didn’t include the disk drive - throw in a 1541 which sold for about the same price as the C64 itself, and the cost was substantial. But folks still paid it, and the system was a phenomenal success. The MEGA65 purchase cost isn’t so much higher than an Xbox Series X - of course the Xbox has vastly more power, but those who are 8-bit or Commodore enthusiasts have their own desires. New software shall hopefully be developed to utilise the MEGA65’s enhanced capabilities - it has exciting untapped potential for 8-bit & Commodore enthusiasts. Its C64 compatibility with d64 images is impeccable - estimated to be 99.9% compatible - using the C64 core
@@txtworld It wasn't an obsolete computer then. At the time it was the cheapest 64k computer you could buy. Plus, the price collapsed within a year down to 200 bucks. You're wrong about the C64 being a big success when it was 600 bucks. It sold very few units. Tramael knew about Moore's law. He knew that within a period of months the 64k dram units would drop precipitously. The 64's sales exploded AFTER the price war with TI.
This is not an 8 bit Commodore machine. If this computer is "successful" (by indie hardware standards), it will be a small fraction of the C64 enthusiasts who buy it. There will be very little if any new software produced for this. Just like there is very little new software taking advantage of the ZX Next computer (and by any Indie standard, the ZX Next was a huge success)
Did you watch the video? The 64 core is very buggy with poor compatibility.
@@tarstarkusz Have “you” watched the video? RGN states the C64 core offers a "highly compatible C64 experience", and doesn’t provide a solitary example of a game that won't run using that core. All of his game testing was done using the enhanced MEGA65 core, which even Commodore themselves (in their C65 development) had never intended to be 100% C64 compatible - its primary aim is to leverage the extended feature set and capabilities of the enhanced MEGA65 machine
@@tarstarkusz Many of us marvel at the quality games with their unique retro feel, that continue to be developed for what you describe as these "obsolete" machines. That's the whole purpose of RGN's channel. If you're not that way inclined, then it appears you're solely here to troll
@@txtworld Unless I am thinking of the wrong video, the video is full of examples where the games don't run. Yeah, 8:24 Aviation Arcade 2, it's magic II, the shadow over hawksmill all don't work. That's out of only a hand full of the many thousands of games for the C64.
You have failed to address a single other critique of the machine.