Hack61.Find Classic Computer Games

Hack 61. Find Classic Computer Games

Dig up the classics you remember using the magic of the Internet .

So you've set up your 1980's vintage personal computer or found a way to emulate it on your own PC using some of the other hacks in this chapter, but now you're wondering what you can do with it. Hmm, let's think back on all the ways you once used your thousand-dollar piece of high technology. Hmm doing your taxes? No. Making colorful flyers? No. Spreadsheets? Hahaha! Wait a minute, I've got it playing games !

Is it any coincidence that the early personal computer industry grew out of video games? Was there really that much differentiating game consoles and computers at the time? Seriously, what difference was there between the Atari 400 "computer" and the Odyssey2 "game console"? They both had membrane keyboards that are impossible to do any substantial typing with, they both used ROM cartridges as their main media, and they were both used almost entirely for playing games. One just cost a lot more and the games looked prettier.

Sure, this might be explained by the fact that game companies wanted to grow the personal computer market by leveraging the strength of their existing brands. But the cynic in me says that game companies just knew they could make more money on higher-end gaming systems if they convinced people that what they were actually buying was a high-tech learning tool that would aid their day-to-day productivity and make their kids into geniuses. Then once the sale was rung up, it was all about video games.

So you want games for your old systems. It's okay, don't deny it. In this hack, I'll show you where you can still buy classic computer games online, and where you can find some for download.

5.10.1. Buy Classic Computer Games

Many of the tips and tricks in the first hack of this volume [Hack #1] hold true here, so you may want to go back and read that hack if you haven't already. I'll run down some information specific to computer games here.

It's going to be much easier to find games on cartridge format due to the more permanent nature of the medium. Original copies of floppy disk or cassette tape games are much, much harder to come by.

In general, remember that old computer games included the same things that video games of the time didthe cartridge or disk itself, a cardboard box, and an instruction manual. A reputable web retailer will list what is included with the item they are selling. You'll know a really good one if they write a bit about the quality of the box (whether it's smashed up or has perfect corners or what).

Good Deal Games offers a small page of classic computer software for sale (http://gooddealgames.com/inventory/classic_computers.html). Games for the Commodore 64, VIC-20, Texas Instruments TI-99, and TRS-80 are on offer. Packrat Video Games (http://www.packratvg.com) offers games for Atari, Commodore, and TI computers on separate pages accessible from the leftside menu bar on the front page.

A lengthy list of online stores that sell Commodore 64 parts , accessories, and game software can be found on Lemon 64, a fan page devoted to the system (http://www.lemon64.com/links/index.php? genre =12). Note that a few of the stores are based in the United Kingdom and elsewhere around the world.

If you're at the end of your rope, there's always the old standby, online auction site eBay (http://www.ebay.com). Unfortunately, browsing games by category isn't really workableeBay only features "Games" and "Vintage Games" categories where software for all systems is dumped, and even then other games are sometimes placed in categories with the old computer hardware. Instead, try searching for "apple ii game" or equivalent. (Using the old style ][ rarely works in searches.)

5.10.2. Download Classic Computer Games

If it's Apple ][ games you're after, Virtual Apple (http://www.virtualapple.com) should be your first stop. You can browse through the directory of over 1100 disk images, then play them using an emulator embedded in the site. (You'll need to be running Internet Explorer.) Alternatively, you can scroll to the bottom of each game page and download the disk images to use with your Apple emulator of choice [Hack #55] ].

Many sites that offer classic computer games for download mix public domain games with games that are not authorized for free distribution. In the vast majority of cases, the publishers of games for obsolete computers seem to have no interest in stopping their distribution via these sites. Use your best judgment.

A large archive of Commodore 64 games is available at the appropriately named www.c64.com. Similarly, games for Atari computers are available at Atari Program Exchange (http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/) and www.atari8bit.org. Both web sites state that the downloadable games listed have been authorized for free distribution by the copyright owners .

As for VIC-20 games, a brief Google search turned up the FTP site ftp.funet.fi/pub/cbm/vic20/games/. Which brings me to my final point: if there's a specific old piece of software you remember and want to try to dig up again, try searching for information on it. Oftentimes there will be a software download offered .