C64-on-a-stick
The indefatigable Mr. Johnson at Gizmodo has tipped us (and the rest of the world, if truth be known) that the Netherlands-based Tulip Computers is launching a C64 Direct-to-TV unit. This prosaic name is shorthand for “joystick containing 30 games running on a Commodore 64 clone that plugs directly into your television set” (let no-one say that the men and women in marketing are not concise). The device is expected to be available for retail purchase in late 2004.
The launch of the C64 Direct-to-TV product has been prompted by the success of similar products based on the Atari, Namco and Intellivision gaming systems. The C64 Direct-to-TV unit is the natural evolution of the currently huge demand for “retro” video games and will set a new standard for excellence, with superior sound, graphics and gameplay experiences over the products currently on sale. With 30 games pre-installed on the device, the C64 Direct-to-TV product offers significantly more than its competitors. Millions of these games are sold in the past. Included in the device are the classic Games™ series from Epyx™ including Summer Games™, Winter Games™, World Games™ and the seminal California Games™, which arguably created the extreme sports video games genre.
Tulip, which bought the rights to Commore in 1997, expects to release more Commodore products with thousands of games. They also allow you to read their press release in the original Dutch.
SCP is curious, and will wait to find out why it should have to pay more for a C64 that we can at the Salvation Army. Of course, we also recognize that portability is nice. Not necessary, but nice.
7 Comments to “C64-on-a-stick” »
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June 23rd, 2004 at 1:05 am
One thing that I rarely see mentioned in the “retro games craze” related posts is how difficult it was to set up, run, and play games back in the day. Recently a co-worker was playing through Super Mario World again, and was stunned to find his reactions were not up to the task. As games have become more mainstream, they’ve lost a lot of tooth.
June 29th, 2004 at 5:26 pm
I don’t want any C64, clone or not, that doesn’t come packaged with Spyhunter and the original Castle Wolfenstein.
June 29th, 2004 at 5:37 pm
[…] ust like to pretend that Tulip Computers bestaat niet. Although we begrudgingly like their C64 repackage.
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August 15th, 2004 at 11:23 pm
I find Tulip Computers’ decision to purchase and use the Commodore name for ‘retro’ appeal to be at the least misguided. I have been a pretty hardcore Commodore 64 enthusiast for 20 years now and one of the most interesting aspects of the Commodore is its hacker/pirate scene/underground scene. After all, most of the games one would download are hacked versions of disks or tape products. If one searches online for the Commodore, a great majority of the sites one find are releated to the hacking and demoscene communities. Tulip Computers has already expressed its ownership of the Commodore name and Logo, stating that websites showing either should honor the new Tulip copyright. It doen’t seem out of the picture that Tulip would try and put an end to the Commodore hacker community as well. Commodore’s appeal was all about charm, the long loading time, the music(game and demoscene music), the meticulous efforts of underground programmers and artists(many of whom had direct ties to proper software house) not about megahits games like those on the Atari such as Pac-man and Pifall. I’m certain that the Commodore Joystick unit(if thats what it turns out to be) will flop. Sorry Tulip. Commodore Mp3 players??
October 5th, 2004 at 4:54 am
I like that thing. The best games for more players are good old C64 games. With this Joystick I could play these games with friends without having to carry a C64 and it’s drive around. Only Problem: There really should be a 2-Joystick-Option.
October 21st, 2004 at 1:37 am
Well I’ll have to see it to believe it:) Flex, I think your right about the old games, it would be nice to play them without the system.
January 5th, 2005 at 1:14 pm
SCP (or this correspondent at any rate) would like to admit to some second thoughts on this device. It appears that the device was designed independantly, and Tulip is “merely” releasing it. The designer sounds like quite the rogueish wag, by the way. Some more information — along with some tasty “screenshots” — can be gleaned at exposition at Relax, Everything Is Deeply Intertwingled.