ZXSpectrum16k

Craig Cole's Video Gaming & Pinball Blog

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For me it all started with getting a ‘Grandstand Astro Wars’ for xmas 1981, since then I have never stopped playing video games. www.zxspectrum16k.co.uk
  • Its Alive… Commodore 64 fixed and ready to play

    Its Alive… Commodore 64 fixed and ready to play

    Following lots of reading from the many amazing websites (*, thank you) and poking around inside the machine, reseating chips & cables & checking the IC, everything was pointing to faulty ram. So I ordered 4 ram chips from ebay (just a few quid) and they arrived today.

    Thankfully the ram chips had sockets so they could be replaced without having to switch on my soldering iron, just pull out and carefully replace.
    (The ram already in the machine was of all different makes, so I am not sure if they were original and if the ram sockets had been installed later on. Mega result, as saved me a lot of time.)

    I took the machine apart, and began replacing the ram chips one by one.  Cycling on/off between each ram chip replacement. After ram chip number 7 I found the culprit ..YYYYYEESSSSS
    Had it running fine for 30 mins, no problems. Plugged in a Kempston Joystick and loaded  ‘Turrican‘ and ‘Chase HQ‘. Both played great.
    Computer connected via RF so picture quality was poor, so I need to invest in a better tv connection method.

    Breadbin back from the gaming graveyard

    *source site used to help me diagnose the fault, Ray Carlsen’s Home Page  

  • Breadbin enters the collection, C64 awesomeness

    Breadbin enters the collection, C64 awesomeness

    Yes just managed to get hold a Commodore 64 to add to the collection, I have been wanting one of this for a while. Held out for the breadbin version,  as to me this is the C64.  So excited to give it a try, it was bought with a small fault, but I am hopeful (fingers crossed ) that I will be able to sort it out.

    bring on some Ballblazer,  Boulderdash, Bruce Lee,  Impossible Mission, Kikstart 2, Green Beret, Thing on a Spring, Last Ninja 2 and one of my favs Dropzone

    I also need to check out how I can connect some form of current media storage to it, i.e. SD memory card or IDE device.

    Commodore 64 (Breadbin version) added to my collection
    Commodore 64 (Breadbin version) added to my collection
  • Action Action Action

    Action Action Action

    Just picked up four action games from the local blockbusters, not bad going for just £20 (I thought). As a treat for father’s day, my children told me that I was allowed to visit some game shops today

    Alpha Protocol – I have been interested in this since I first saw a preview yrs ago, always thought the idea was cool. However poor reviews and peoples experience of the game put me off. Excited to give it a try now. Also I have heard a couple some positive vibes regarding the game from a couple of my fav pod-casts (Gameburst, Caine & Rinse).

    007 Quantum of Solace – wasn’t that bothered really about this. But after been away by how much I enjoyed  ‘Blood Stone’ I have wanted to give this a try. Heard it not as good, but hopefully enjoyable action game.

    The Bourne Conspiracy – again positive feedback from several podcast hosts, and really enjoy the movies so hoping the story and game play keep me entertained.

    Rainbow Six Vegas 2 – enjoyed the original and spent hours playing multiplayer, not sure why I never ever got this sequel. But I know I will enjoy it, also some cool multiplayer sessions still ongoing to looking forward to giving this a blast (wonder if I can use kinect camera with it as it has character face imaging feature)

  • Retro Gamer Mag, volumes

    Retro Gamer Mag, volumes

    Retro Gamer Mag, volumes

    Posted by ZXSpectrum16k ⋅ June 17, 2012 ⋅ Leave a commentFiled UnderCommodore 64, Magazine, retro, Retro Gamer, video games, ZXSpectrum

    I picked these up from WHSMITHS whilst I was in town, loving the zxspectrum cover. I subscribe to the monthly magazine which is an absolute must read, but I always forget to pick up these add-ons (I really should look at getting them via the ipad, but I just love the feel of the pages).

    three Random pages from each magazine

    Retro Gamer Collection Volume 6

    • pg 35, The Making of MS. Pac-Man
    • pg 141, The Making of: Starquake
    • pg 200, Attack of the Clones (Retro Gamer reveals the many great games that were based on classic arcade hits)

    The ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64  Book, 30th Anniversary

    • pg 22 The Spectrum Legends (track down several classic spectrum coders to find out just what made the machine so wonderful)
    • pg 91 The ultimate Hero: A Complete History of Sabreman
    • p70 The Making of ZZAP!64
    Retro Gamer
    Retro Gamer
  • Everything Alien

    Everything Alien

    So I am still so in the Alien zone after watching Prometheus and Alien, I just picked up a copy of Aliens vs Predator for the 360. its Marine Baby…..

    This is FPS by Rebellion and published by Segaaaaaaaaaa
    I did play the pc version yrs ago and fully enjoyed it, thought the alien levels was pretty original. so hopeful for this one. Love the sound of the gun and the tracker, hope they have licensed the real sound effects.

  • ZXSpectrum16k’s Workshop (garage)

    ZXSpectrum16k’s Workshop (garage)

    Small area in the garage which I use to try and fix up the boards and consoles.
    Currently I have the arcade board Xain’d Sleena running on a Vogatek Supergun, attached to the TV. The board runs fine, apart from no sound.
    Also on the side unit is a broken Track & Field board, faulty graphics.

  • ZXSpectrum16k’s Workshop (garage) 2012

    A small area in the garage which I use to try and fix up the boards and consoles.
    Currently, I have the arcade board Xain’d Sleena running on a Vogatek Supergun, attached to the TV. The board runs fine, apart from no sound.
    Also on the side unit is a broken Track & Field board, faulty graphics.

  • Happy Birthday ZXSpectrum

    Happy Birthday ZXSpectrum, 30 today and still kicking. Callout to Ad Astra, Matchday, Underwurlde, Sabre Wulf, The Lords of Midnight and Monty Mole