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The Video Game Console Library - Commodore 64GS

Commodore 64GS

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
 
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number  Game Releases  Overall Rating
Commodore Commodore 1990 Europe 99.99 Brit   28  
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links  
   
Worlds of Wonder Action Max

Ratings
Ratings are based on the available technology at the time of release.  Ratings based on a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).

Console Design (Appearance and overall functionality)

  

Console Durability (Sturdy and hearty or frail and fragile)

  

Controllers (Design, response, feel and ease of use)

  

Graphics (Graphical capability and game presentation)

  

Audio (Sound capabilities, including music, speech, effects)

  

Media (Game media format, design, durability)

  

Packaging (Appeal and durability of packaging)

  

Game Library (Quality and quantity of game offerings)

  

Innovations (Technological strides on the industry)

  

Gamer Value (Is this a good investment for the gamer?)

  

Collector Value (Is this a good investment for the collector?)

  

Games Rarity (General availability of most games)

  

Console Rarity (General availability of a functional system)

  
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    Reviews

 

 

DW FACTS
 - by Dark Watcher

In 1982 a low cost home computer was released and achieved amazing success. The computer was called the Commodore 64.

By 1990, Commodore set their attentions on the videogame console market. They followed the same concept as other computer companies (Fujitsu with the FM Towns Marty, and before that the Amstrad GX400 and the Amiga CD32). Their new system was called the Commodore 64GS (GS = Game System). This unit was basically just a repackaged Commodore 64 computer without a keyboard, port access (Disk drive, etc), or standard ROM chip. Cartridges were loaded through the top port, and the machine came packaged with a joystick and a couple of games to get you started.

Since the console was essentially a computer in new skin, it was compatible with all existing Commodore 64 carts. The Commodore 64GS also spurred development of newer cartridges released specifically for the console.

The C64GS never achieved the level of success that its computer big brother did. For a little more money you could own the Commodore 64 computer (cheaper by this time) and still play the same carts, a vast library of disk / cassette games (not to mention other computer perks). The console suffered poor sales and was pulled from store shelves. It was never released outside of Europe.

However Commodore still did not learn their lesson in the console arena. They promptly tried to introduce the C64GS to the Danish market in 1991. Priced at just 99.99 (Brit) the console was packaged with a joystick and a cartridge containing International Soccer, Klax, Flimbo's Quest and Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun.

Eventually Commodore was bought out by a German company, and the console became a memory.

Commodore 64GS would have done far better if released shortly after the Commodore 64 computer. If released sooner it would have given the Nintendo Entertainment System a run for its money both graphically, and with the sheer size of its software library. It was pretty sleek looking too....ah well...

FACT: The Commodore 64GS may not have succeeded in the console market, but its creation did help bring Commodore users (particularly in Europe) more cartridge titles to enjoy.


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

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     Pictures & Video
    
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    Specs
Processor Type Processor Speed

Other Processor Information

 RAM \ Video RAM
8-bit CSG 6510 1 MHz None 64 Kb \ Unknown

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

Audio
320x200 16 8 sprites (4 colors max) MOS 8580 "SID" (3 voices)

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridges     None

Internal Storage

External \ Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Joysticks None
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
2 None None S-Video, Composite, RF modulator

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
5V DC and 9V AC External None None
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    Games & Emulation

The following lists some games screen shots and\or videos released for this system.
C64GS Pack-In Games
Video courtesy of paulisthebest3uk. 		Glider-Rider C64GS Review
Video courtesy of paulisthebest3uk.
     

The following lists links to third party sponsored game emulators
Program Website Description
CCS64 http://www.ccs64.com/

Emulates the Commodore 64 computer...So essentially you get cartridge emulation, and then some.
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    Models

The following lists additional authorized releases for this console.
No additional models were released for this system.
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    Clones

The following lists non-licensed additional releases.
No clones were released for this system.
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    Links

The following sites\resources are highly recommended for this system.  References utilized in compiling this data are denoted with an (#).
Name Website
Zzap's Commodore 64GS article http://www.zzap64.co.uk/zzap66/thec64gs.html
   
   
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visitors since 01-Apr-2008
System page last updated 01-Nov-2008
 

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