Help Me Decide What Should Be My First Classic Home Computer

[OmegaMaximum]

Hi there everybody. I've been collecting game systems for quite a while and I've got most of the ones I'm interested in, with a few exceptions. I've always wanted to get into the classic home computer scene though, as it has always interested me from both a technological as well was a gaming stand point. I'm torn though, I really don't know where to begin. There are tons of different computers from the 8 and 16-bit eras, and I'm just not really sure what to start with.

I've always liked Commodore computers, on the few occasions I've had to use them, so I'm leaning towards getting something like a C64 or an Amiga 500. While I've never used one, I know there's plenty of good things on the Apple ][. I've never known anyone to have an Atari home computer, but I know they made them so there's got to be something there too. There's also IBM and their PC lines.

Really, I could go any multitude of ways, so, I'm looking for some advice; what would you guys recommend to me for my first classic computer? I've been studying Computer Science for a few years now, so anything overly technical I can pick up pretty quick if that would have any bearing.

I'm really just looking for a system that's got some great games. I know about emulators, and really I want the hardware, I like to experience the system as it was meant to be. So, thanks for any help and guidance you guys can give me.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I don't know too much about this topic, but from my experience it seems like Commodore 64 is the easiest to start with in terms of price and availability.

Check online and your local craigslist listings. I paid $60 for the computer, disk drive, printer, several games, word processing software, FastLoad cart, third-party joystick and documentation. Hopefully you can find someone who wants to get rid of their whole lot, it's certainly easier than buying it in pieces.

As you probably know, the C64 can hook up to your television. There are AV cables available that will allow it to hook up to a modern television, thankfully mine came with these. Finding monitors for these old computers can be a bit tricky. Here's a pic of the AV cable of have:

http://www.retro-access.com/ourshop/pro ... cable.html

Keep in mind that finding software for the C64 can be the trickiest part and many old disks simply refuse to work. The computer also takes carts and cassettes, but I haven't obtained any of those yet.

Retro computing sound like a great hobby to go along with the retro gaming. I'd like to get some more computers myself... Amiga, Win 95/DOS PC, maybe an MSX. First I'd like to focus on the C64 for a bit though.

Good luck!

[noiseredux]

I say C64, as that's how I started gaming as a child. But still... this thread needs a poll!

[Xeogred]

I don't even like how Amiga emulators work myself, so I'd love to get a real one someday. Turrican baby!

[Hatta]

I think you'll be happy with a C64. It was the best selling personal computer in history for a reason. It's a pretty capable computer, and it got ports of most 8 bit games. There's also a pretty active community still. It's a very good first choice. If you can, try to get a C128. Their power supplies and 1571 drives are much more reliable than the C64. The compatiblity is almost perfect as far as I'm aware.

The Apple II is really of a different era than the C64. A lot of popular Apple II titles got ported to the C64, because the Apple II is a simpler computer with no custom chips. There are great games for it, but they're graphically simpler. Personally I prefer the Apple II versions of games like LodeRunner and Castle Wolfenstein, but more recent games like Pirates! or Pool of Radiance do better on the C64.

One big advantage the Apple II has for the retrogamer is ADTPro. It makes it dead simple to dump disk images from the internet to floppy over a serial cable. On the C64 there are several ways to load disk images that range from technically challenging and cheap to simple and expensive.

[lisalover1]

Yeah, get a C64; Amiga would probably have more interesting games, but it is sooooo expensive to find a decent Amiga computer.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm just going to echo everybody and say go with the C64. Has a huge and awesome library of games.

[Nemoide]

A dissenting opinion!

While it might not be a "true" classic computer by some folks' standards for gaming, I'd recommend starting with an IBM-based 486 with DOS. DOS games are very easy to find (check out dosgames.com) and there's a good number of titles in a variety of genres. The fact that most PCs from the early 90s have CD-ROM drives makes it a breeze to transfer games from a modern computer to the retro one.

The only real problem would be that with games pre-1990 games might give you problems. Some aren't runtime protected and run too fast or give you an error; there's a program to fix that called Mo'Slo. Also, in the early days IBM-based PC games can only handle 4 color (later 16 colors, by the 90s 256-colors) and limited sound capabilities. Those 4-color games are TERRIBLE compared to what other computers could handle.

A big thing to consider would be the type of game you want to play. If you're looking to play adventure games and RPGs, I'd recommend something like an Apple II (my personal favorite 8-bit computer) or Commodore 64. If you're more into action games, I think the IBM PC is a lot better.
The Amiga is a cool computer; I used one for video effects when I was in high school. I don't know how great the game selection is but I know it has great capabilities.

Really though, it doesn't really matter too much what your first retro computer is. I'd just say you should get on Craigslist and keep an eye out for what you can get on the cheap side of things.

[Duke.Togo]

I have to echo most folks here and go with Commodore. As mentioned, it's best to locate a 128 if possible due to quality issues with some C64s. Cartridge games are plentiful and cheap (but not really great) and you can pick up a SD add-on that you can use instead of the original disks (although it can be a bit of fun to try a few, but the loading times are rough.) Being such a popular computer means you can find a huge amount of software, and even dip into a little programming if you like. BASIC in the C64 is pretty good.

[samsonlonghair]

apple //e is the way to go my friend

These two approve.
(though this picture was clearly taken years before the //e hit the market)