The Video Game Console Library - 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	05
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

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)	05
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	07
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	07
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	03
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	03
Media (game media format, design, durability)	06
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	06
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	09
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	01
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	02
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	08
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	07
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	08

Reviews

Picture courtesy of Retro Treasures.

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 GX4000 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.

Pictures & Media

Various picture\media for this console. Pictures courtesy of Charles Lee. Click images to enlarge.

$Commodore 64 GS - Power Supply \ Cords$

Specs & Manuals

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 - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: 120V, 60 HZ Output: DC 5V (Pins 1/5), AC 9V (Pins 6/7)	None	None
Manuals
Not available. Can you help us out? You will receive full credit in addition to keeping the history of video gaming alive for all! Please contact me.

Games & Emulation

Games screen shots \ media released for this system. Screenshots courtesy of C64 Game Guide.

The C64 GS came bundled with one game cartridge that contained the four games pictured below.
These would be the only games that Commodore would specifically produce for the C64 GS.

Fiendish Freddy's Big Top O'Fun

Commodore 64 GS Box Contents

Picture credits unknown.

Flimbo's Quest

Flimbo's Quest Screenshot

Klax

International Soccer

International Soccer Screenshot

The following are some of games released on cartridge for the C64 GS. Most were remakes of games previously released on cassette for the C64 personal computer.

Badlands

Badlands Screenshot

Battle Command

Battle Command Screenshot

Chase HQ II

Chase HQ II Screenshot

Cyberball

Cyberball Screenshot

Game Packaging for the C64 GS

Double Dragon

Double Dragon Screenshot

Hardball

Hardball Screenshot

Last Ninja Remix

Last Ninja Remix Screenshot

Navy Seals

Navy Seals Screenshot

Robocop 3

Robocop 3 Screenshot

Shadow of the Beast

Shadow of the Beast Screenshot

Toki

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.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

No additional models were released for this system.

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.

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.
C64 Game Guide	http://www.c64gg.com	Excellent site for C64 Gaming

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 11-Dec-2011

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