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Review
July 10, 2003
Clickgamer Technologies Ltd.
www.clickgamer.com |
Reviewed item (Product ID Pocket
C64 Retail Price $6.95 USD)
Products and
accessories
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 The original C64 by
Commodore was one of the best computers of its time. Many manufacturers like Radio Shack, Atari and
Coleco Vision tried to compete but at the end of the day, I still preferred the C64 and its updated
C128. This being said, I was surprised when I heard that Click Gamer came out with a C64 emulator
for the Pocket PC. I have tried many emulators in my time but I was
always disappointed by the speed and incompatibility between different software titles. Most emulators like the Nintendo Gameboy emulators
and others were slower then the original game units themselves on the Pocket PC's. This of
course is due to the fact that you are running the emulator software then the actual operating
system of the game system like the Gameboy then the actual game itself. With all these layers of
software, the processor is working overtime to process the information. Keeping this in mind, I figured the C64 would fall
into the same category but otherwise was still worth looking into.
Centipede |
Ghost N Goblins |
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|
 First, let me start by covering the initial stages
of just getting the Pocket C64 software into the Pocket PC. Downloading the demo software and running
the installation is fairly straightforward. What I failed to understand originally was that you
need the ROM files on the Pocket PC for the C64 emulator software to run. Otherwise trying to
run the Pocket PC C64 software will only lead to aggravations. The software will prompt your for
the location of the ROM files and only allow you 3 attempts before exiting out. Make sure before
running the software for the first time you go back to
www.clickgamer.com and read the FAQ on
Pocket C64 very carefully. Lots of details are available online and should be referred to in
get everything to work correctly. Basically what you need to have a working C64 are
the 4 ROM files which are the original C64 system files or in simpler terms, the C64 operating
system files.
1541 - Basic - Char - Kernal Download these files and copy them to the
"Program
files/PocketC64" folder of your Pocket PC. Then you will need to download your favorite games
from www.c64.com. The game files will have an extension of t64, g64 or
even prg. The easiest is to only download the t64 or g64
files. Save the game files in a folder within "My
Documents".
Lemmings |
Super Mario Bros. |
|
|
 You
will have to register the program after purchasing the license from
www.clickgamer.com.
To register you will be sent an email with the link
to have the registration key emailed to you. You will need to click the "i" within the Pocket C64
program at the bottom right to see the registration screen and your units specific 16 digit
ID. When you click the registration link within the
order confirmation email, make sure you enter the exact 16 digit ID as you see it on your Pocket
PC or else you will be sent an invalid registration key. If you make a mistake or
need another key, Click Gamer provides the simple ability for you to generate another key. The
only detail missing in the email is the actual webpage address for when you need to generate
another key. This link is on the clickgamer website but hidden at
the bottom right corner of their web pages. Personally I would have preferred to have this
highly visible at the top of their pages. This is the page you should go to
http://www.clickgamer.com/register.htm. Do not click the link within the order confirmation
email a second time. This will only cause you grief as the browser will
sit forever trying to connect unsuccessfully.
Pacman |
Qbert |
|
|
 Well,
as for the actual programs performance, I was very surprised. The speed is
maintained with all
the games I had tried like Centipede, Galaga, MS
Pacman, Super Mario Bros, R-Type, Pacman, Ghost N Goblins, and others. Just too many to list. To
give you an idea, when I went to www.c64.com to download some games for this review, I wound up
losing count on how many games I actually downloaded to try out. Keep in mind, the original
C64 had only 64K of memory which is 1/1000th the memory size of a typical Pocket PC
which has 64 megs. Therefore most games are 10 - 50k in size and take only micro seconds to
download. The download site alone has over 2200+ titles. I
lost count after 22XX. I did not try all 2200. If you grew up with these games on the C64 or more
importantly at the arcades, you will not be disappointed. The games appear exactly as they did
on the original C64 and most of the games I tried are very close to the original full arcade versions.
As you can see in some of the screen shots, the Pocket C64 program has a keyboard and function keys
like the original C64. Plus some added buttons were provided by the designers to allow you
quick access to the game files. Other functionalities like resetting the C64 and
selecting joysticks are also conveniently positioned... One issue which is not the fault of the Pocket C64
is the inconsistent joystick selection. You may have to adjust from having joystick 1, 2 or
both active to get a game to work correctly with the PDA's hardware buttons. Most work with the
default settings but some do not. I have to give the programmers that created the
Pocket C64 2 thumbs up for creating a simple screen resizing and landscape mode adjusting
capability. Just tapping the screen allows you to switch between various screen formats and sizes. The
pause button was a nice touch too when a game would not function correctly under the current
settings. Just pause the game, adjust the settings and try again. Real simple to reset and
have a working game without restarting or reloading. As for the loading aspect. If any one of you
remember using the C64, the operating system was not at all like today's windows. It was more like DOS. To
load a game involved typing something like load "game",8,1 and then pressing the enter key.
This process loaded the title "game". The programmers of Pocket C64 made this process as
easy as clicking the "auto" button and then selecting the actual game file from the
appropriate folder on your Pocket PC with a double click.
Space Pilot Within Emulator |
Stargate |
|
|
 Overall,
I rate this program 9 out of 10.
The speed is there, all the games I ran worked beautifully, the sound and graphics are smooth, and the
programmers packed a full configuration screen to adjust the game between joystick and keyboard play.
The only issue I have is that some of the keys on the virtual C64 keyboard are a little
hard to see. I was really tempted in trying my Pocketop external keyboard to see if that would
work with the Pocket C64 program. Unfortunately, my Activesync gave out before I could
install the Pocketop keyboard driver. I
can relive my childhood and type some really old basic programs and run them for a good
laugh. Maybe even try running a basic compiler to create some updated games for
2003? Since this program is a true emulator all the tools for Basic language and
machine language compiling should work very well. Lastly, if you were a fan of the C64 or even many of
the arcade games of that era, you cannot go wrong with the Pocket C64 software. A solid piece
of programming. if you are one of the many cellphone users that are now getting into the
cellphone games can get games of similar gameplay and enjoyment at the fraction of the cost
and playable on a larger screen. Don't be fooled by the lack of graphical quality
compared to the latest Pocket PC games. C64 games excelled on the gameplay and the real fun
factor associated with these games. Many were also duplicated from the actual arcade
version and most of us spend hours inserting quarters into these arcade machines. Check out Pocket C64 at
www.clickgamer.com. They
have a demo version and the cost to register is far less than most Pocket PC games.
Remember there are thousands of games to choose from. Just check out www.c64.com for your
selection and relive the old experience just like I did. You will not be disappointed. I would like to thank
Chris at Clickgamer for this
opportunity to review the Pocket C64. Brings back some great memories. . .
Super Mario Bros. Within the Emulator |
Xevius |
Reviewed and Written by Bob Katayama
www.techobrains.com
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Added Notes |
|
The review was performed on V1.1 of Pocket C64.
By the time you are reading this review, version 2.0 of
Pocket C64 should be available. Here is an overview of what's to be
included.
Free upgrade to those that already own a registered
version of Pocket C64 V1.1
V2 New features include
| 1. .CRT Cartridge
support. Most cartridges are working. |
2. .ZIP file support
within the directory tree. |
| 3. .p00 files are
now supported. |
4. Paddle Controller
support (Breakout, Supersmash, etc) * |
| 5. Speed improvement
on iPAQ 3800 series. |
6. External
keyboards are now supported! ** |
| 7. AutoFire added to
both Joystick 1 and 2. |
8. A 512K Ram
Expansion Unit is included.*** |
| 9. Last State
restored on program start (not in demo). |
10. RestoreLastState
variable in settings.
|
* Now with paddle support I can even play the original Pong - Tennis.
** Some keys are internal to these keyboards and are not directly
assignable. This is a limitation in the key hardware, not PocketC64.
*** Wow, imagine that. A whopping 512K of additional RAM support, cool!!!
Pocket C64 version 2.0 also
includes these bugfixes
| 1. Drive locations
saved in all statefiles, not just those with 1541 on. |
2. Sound glitch in
Paradroid fixed. |
| 3. All Special C64
keypresses are now functional (Run/Stop-Restore, CTRL+number) |
4. Minor glitches in
the treeview fixed.
|
I did not experience any of these issues myself but
remember there are thousands of games to choose from.
PocketC64 version 2.0 has a very special new feature -
Two different executables of the emulator
|
"Pocket C64" - A
very fast, optimized version. This is the main program |
|
"ATPocketC64" -
"Accurate Timing" version, that adjusts for the drift between the
timing signals in the original machine - Nothing to do with the Pocket
C64's programming quarks. |
The Accurate Timing version is slower, but this allows
for more programs to run correctly.
With the newer Pocket PC's running at 400 Mhz, I cannot
see this as a major concern. Even V1.1 ran excellent on the Casio.
If a particular game does not run in the main program,
try using the AT version.
Again, 2 thumbs up to the designers and programmers for
adding these additional features and isolating those bugs. The "Accurate
Timing" version is a great addition and appears to me the Pocket C64 team
has solved a problem the original Commodore C64 designers were never able
to.
Congratulations
If you made it this far into the review, you must be a
real fan of the original C64. This review focused on game play but the
emulator should support all original C64 software including terminal
programs and word processors. If you are familiar with an old manufacturer
of C64 programs called "Batteries Included" please drop me a line.
Bob Katayama |
|
|
|
Copyright 2003
www.technobrains.com
bkatayama@technobrains.com |
The original C64 by
Commodore was one of the best computers of its time. Many manufacturers like Radio Shack, Atari and
Coleco Vision tried to compete but at the end of the day, I still preferred the C64 and its updated
C128. This being said, I was surprised when I heard that Click Gamer came out with a C64 emulator
for the Pocket PC. I have tried many emulators in my time but I was
always disappointed by the speed and incompatibility between different software titles. Most emulators like the Nintendo Gameboy emulators
and others were slower then the original game units themselves on the Pocket PC's. This of
course is due to the fact that you are running the emulator software then the actual operating
system of the game system like the Gameboy then the actual game itself. With all these layers of
software, the processor is working overtime to process the information. Keeping this in mind, I figured the C64 would fall
into the same category but otherwise was still worth looking into.
First, let me start by covering the initial stages
of just getting the Pocket C64 software into the Pocket PC. Downloading the demo software and running
the installation is fairly straightforward. What I failed to understand originally was that you
need the ROM files on the Pocket PC for the C64 emulator software to run. Otherwise trying to
run the Pocket PC C64 software will only lead to aggravations. The software will prompt your for
the location of the ROM files and only allow you 3 attempts before exiting out. Make sure before
running the software for the first time you go back to
www.clickgamer.com and read the FAQ on
Pocket C64 very carefully. Lots of details are available online and should be referred to in
get everything to work correctly. Basically what you need to have a working C64 are
the 4 ROM files which are the original C64 system files or in simpler terms, the C64 operating
system files.
1541 - Basic - Char - Kernal Download these files and copy them to the
"Program
files/PocketC64" folder of your Pocket PC. Then you will need to download your favorite games
from www.c64.com. The game files will have an extension of t64, g64 or
even prg. The easiest is to only download the t64 or g64
files. Save the game files in a folder within "My
Documents".
