Vintage Computer gaming help.

[pepharytheworm]

After I recently aquired a Commodore 128, I have grown more interested in the computer side of gaming. I want to know more about them, like compatabilty and which has the best versions of games. Some of the ones I am interested in are:

Amiga 500, 600, and 1200
Apple II
Amstrad CPC
VIC-20
Ti 99/4a
zx spectrum
X68000
FM towns
Atari 400, 800, XL, XE, and ST
and any I have left off.

I mostly want to know which versions are backwards compatible, so I don't have to buy as many computers. For instance can I just purchase a Amiga 1200 to play 500/600 games also? If I get a Apple IIgs am I all set, what do I need?

I really want to get in to retro computing but it seems a duanting task, with not many sources where I can easily find the info I need. Alot more compilcated it seems then console gaming.

On some of the computers is it better to get the console version and upgrade it like the Atari XEGS, FM Towns Marty, Amstrad GX4000, and CD32 to run all the computer games or is that even possible? Do computer games have region compatibilty issues like consoles do? Any help would be appreciated.

And please no one say "you should just emulate it all", I like to have actual hardware. I know I could emulate everything and get rid of my collection. I like having limitations to an extent.

[t0yrobo]

Those are great questions. I don't know any answers for you, but I'd love to know also.
I've been wanting to get a spectrum for awhile now but they seem to be pretty uncommon in the US and i haven't wanted one bad enough to pay shipping from the UK.

[dedalusdedalus]

Someone with expertise should to write a "Racketboy Beginner's Guide" for this. I declare that whoever does so wins +1000 internets.

I've wanted to splurge on a BBC Micro just to get a taste of some good British retro computing.

[lisalover1]

The Amiga is likely the most powerful computer of the bunch, but the games can also be played on an Amiga 32CD, if you prefer consoles. If I were you, I'd look into either the Spectrum or Amiga. Through comparisons, they always get better versions of games that the other major retro computers. Even though the Spectrum has a [very] limited number of colors onscreen at a time, it runs games quite smoothly.

[silverback]

the 1200 will run 500 and 600 games. They are on floppy, the cd32 will play cd games only, the 1200 doesn't come with a cd drive, if you want one you have to buy an external one. Games are on normally 2 floppies, some like beneath a steel sky are on 15 floppies. SFII is on 4, SF1 is on a single floppy. So when buying make sure all the floppies are there, most are labelled like 1 of 4 etc so that helps.

The games for amiga will generally run also on atari St's, also some other stuff but my gear is packed away so I can't check them to see what else they will run on.

Spectrum, the 128 will run all the older zx games. The ZX+2 onwards have the tape player built in, you need to make sure it works. Otherwise you'll have to find an external tape player with mic and ear plugs to get it to work.

The BBC micro, I left school in 2000, some of the schools I went to STILL used BBC model B's to teach computing! Others had the old classic apple mac with the green screen. Shockign really.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Ive always loved retro PC gaming (its actually the thing that got me into retro games in the first place)

I have a sweet spot for Apple, and the Apple II. I've always wanted a ZX Spectrum though.

[Hatta]

Yes, if you get an Apple IIgs you are all set. Get an appropriate serial cable and the free ADTpro and some floppies and you can play any Apple II game. (actually, IIRC you can use the extra ram the IIgs has as a ramdisk and skip the floppies, but that only works for single disk games) You also get lots of great Apple IIgs exclusive software.

For Atari, the 130XE is the best out of the box. It comes with 128kb of RAM, which you need for stuff like Alternate Reality. The 800XL is an excellent choice too. It comes with 64kb and will run any 800/400 software and most XE software. It's also a much sturdier unit than the XE line, and there are mods for 128k (and up, IIRC).

EDIT: The major drawback for the XL/XE series is the lack of 4 controller ports for M.U.L.E.

For that C128 you picked up, you're going to want to build/buy an x1541 cable. Then you can dump disk images onto real disks and play them (much like you can with an Apple II and ADTPro).

Others have discussed the Amiga. I have a TI994/a, but don't use it much. I don't think there are other better TI computers easily available. I don't have a floppy drive for it, so I'm not sure if there are options for dumping disk images available. I know there's no flash cartridge commercially available. There was one made a while ago, the CF7a, but it's out of production and very expensive if you can find one.

[pepharytheworm]

the 1200 will run 500 and 600 games. They are on floppy, the cd32 will play cd games only, the 1200 doesn't come with a cd drive, if you want one you have to buy an external one. Games are on normally 2 floppies, some like beneath a steel sky are on 15 floppies. SFII is on 4, SF1 is on a single floppy. So when buying make sure all the floppies are there, most are labelled like 1 of 4 etc so that helps.

The games for amiga will generally run also on atari St's, also some other stuff but my gear is packed away so I can't check them to see what else they will run on.

Spectrum, the 128 will run all the older zx games. The ZX+2 onwards have the tape player built in, you need to make sure it works. Otherwise you'll have to find an external tape player with mic and ear plugs to get it to work.

The BBC micro, I left school in 2000, some of the schools I went to STILL used BBC model B's to teach computing! Others had the old classic apple mac with the green screen. Shockign really.

So, if I get a sx-1 or similiar attachment for the CD32 and a diskdrive it won't play amiga disk games? And if I get a cd drive for the amiga 1200 would I be able to play CDTV and CD32 games also?

[Ivo]

Amiga games won't run on ST, but many games have both Amiga and ST versions.

Some (older) A500 games have compatibility problems have problems with A1200 and may not run even on A600. I know that some stuff didn't work on my CD32 with floppy.

A CD32 with a floppy drive will run (I think) anything that runs on an A1200, and it should play the vast majority of A500 floppy games. I can guarantee it will play SOME of them because I used to have that set-up (well, I still have it but not hooked up).
Also, some retro enthusiasts have made compilation CDs with floppy games available (you can fit many into a CD) so unless you enjoy the floppies you can try a lot of stuff without even going for the SX expansions.

Ivo.

[pepharytheworm]

Amiga games won't run on ST, but many games have both Amiga and ST versions.

Some (older) A500 games have compatibility problems have problems with A1200 and may not run even on A600. I know that some stuff didn't work on my CD32 with floppy.

A CD32 with a floppy drive will run (I think) anything that runs on an A1200, and it should play the vast majority of A500 floppy games. I can guarantee it will play SOME of them because I used to have that set-up (well, I still have it but not hooked up).
Also, some retro enthusiasts have made compilation CDs with floppy games available (you can fit many into a CD) so unless you enjoy the floppies you can try a lot of stuff without even going for the SX expansions.

Ivo.

Are you meaning a compilation of Amiga floppy games for the CD32? If you have a link I would appreciate it.