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The Video Game Console Library - Commodore 64 GS (Games System)

Commodore 64 GS (Games System) Commodore 64 GS (Games System) Commodore 64 GS (Games System)

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number Game Releases Overall Rating
Commodore, LTD. Commodore, LTD. Dec-90 Europe $189 USD Unknown 28 NA
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Commodore 64 GS (Games System)
Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality) N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability) N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides) N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?) N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games) N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) N\A
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Reviews
Commodore 64 GS (Games System)

Commodore 64 GS (Games System)

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

Various picture\video media for this console.
More pictures and videos coming soon.
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Specs

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
 Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
8-bit CSG 6510 1 MHz None 64 Kb \ 0.5 Kb

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
320 x 200 16 colors 8 sprites (4 colors max) MOS 8580 "SID" (3 voices)

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridge Unknown 28 None

Internal Storage

External\Removable Storage

Game Controllers

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

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
Two (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

Games screen shots and\videos released for this system.  Click pictures to enlarge.
C64GS Pack-In Games
Video courtesy of paulisthebest3uk.		 Commodore 64 GS - Hard Ball
 Glider-Rider C64GS Review
Video courtesy of paulisthebest3uk.
Commodore 64 GS - Crystal Kingdom
 Commodore 64 GS - Shadow Warriors
 Commodore 64 GS - Hard Ball
Third Party 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

Additional authorized releases for this console.
No additional models were released for this system.
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).
No clones were released for this system.
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
Zzap's Commodore 64GS http://www.zzap64.co.uk/zzap66/thec64gs.html Great article on this machine.
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