The Miraculous MEGA65 Computer

Рет қаралды 16,301

Күн бұрын

After a brief history of the Mega65 and its lineage, I give an honest review of the brand new 8-bit Commodore-inspired computer. The M65 was nearly a decade in the making and started shipping in 2022, so let's look at what we've got! I've also created an article version of this video: www.amigalove.com/viewtopic.p...
00:00 - 00:25 Opening Titles
00:26 - 02:17 Commodore C65 History and Features
02:18 - 03:32 Mega65 Dream Is Born
03:33 - 06:04 Setting Expectations
06:05 - 07:22 C64 Compatibility
07:23 - 07:59 The RTC
08:00 - 08:49 The Case
08:50 - 13:46 Conclusions (Overall First Impressions)
● My Quick Start Guide, to get up and running fast:
www.amigalove.com/viewtopic.p...
● My friend Dan Sanderson's more detailed Welcome Guide:
www.dansanderson.com/mega65/w...
● Thanks again to Commotron for the use of some of the imagery of his C65. Check out his KZfaq channel: / @tentelianretro6495
● All background music used with permission from:
The SUPREMELY talented musician Waveshaper, with permission [Sweden].
waveshaper1.bandcamp.com
Soundtrack music permission by the ULTRA bad ass SYNTH LORD: Axion, with permission [Canada].
axionsynthwave.bandcamp.com/
● 4K Abstract Tunnel VJ Motion Background
/ @freevideobackgroundloops

Пікірлер: 97

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Update: There is a typo in the "Mega Matrix" table comparing computer stats across the C64, 65 and Mega65. I mistakenly put "2 SIDs" for the Mega, when in fact it has four. That information has been fixed in the article version. I can't do anything about the video, unfortunately. Accidents happen.

@saganandroid4175 Жыл бұрын

Just learn to program. BASIC is so easy.

@gamepad3173 11 ай бұрын

I didn't know that the Mega 65 has four Sid chips, so that's 24 voices then.

@MichaelFJ1969 2 жыл бұрын

What I really love about the MEGA65 is the fantastic community. It's super friendly and supportive and helpful, and people are eager to share their knowledge and their joy and enthusiasm.

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Beautifully said, and I couldn't agree more!

@dragonforces 2 жыл бұрын

Unlike the majority of the Amiga community, probably the most toxic home computer community there is…

@JimmYJammA2099 2 жыл бұрын

Finally a Commodore computer for the classes and not the masses

@little_fluffy_clouds 2 ай бұрын

Not really. The C64 was priced at $595 on its original launch, which, when adjusted for inflation, would be over $1900 USD today.

@rkadowns 2 жыл бұрын

I have one of these on order. Cannot wait for it. As for cost, it’s not expensive compared to original lesser capable hardware.

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Congrats, Robert! It's a very, very cool project and community in its infancy. Have fun!

@sandcat-maurice Жыл бұрын

It’s time to unbox the machine for the second time; the MEGA65 core and the C64 core are greatly improved the last few weeks and pretty stable as well! But I guess you were already aware 😊🎉 Great video!

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

I've heard the core is getting better and better. I'm waiting for NTSC support and IEC support. It's my understanding those two features are on the current roadmap. Once those ship I'll be STOKED and updating in a flash. I'm watching it all very closely. Looking forward to it!

@gabor222 5 ай бұрын

A year has passed since the publication of this video and as I heard the C64 core compatibility is quite good now.

@AmigaLove 5 ай бұрын

This is true! I just updated the C64 core a month ago and it is vastly better (not the built-in C64 mode, but the extra core as you say). The machine now has IEC support so we can hook up external drives/etc and not depend entirely on the SD card or internal 3.5" drive. It's getting much more solid as a C64 clone. Granted, if you have an Ultimate64 the Mega is redundant (and not as capable) but it is super cool to see how far it has come in a year... There is a small but very dedicated team continuing to push features forward.

@themaraudershideout3010 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video with great info. As a fellow M65 owner I feel the same way about the machine and look forward to seeing it advance with the support of the entire community!

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I imagine if we are patient and active in the community we'll have a lot of great times with these machines in the future. A few class-AAA ports and we'll be on our way! I do wonder what will happen after Batch #2 is done. Will there be more? Is that it? Will devs want to invest in such a small market? No idea (hence why I hope some folks will make C64 compatibility tighter some day so there's at least 1 solid path towards usefulness). The number sold will ultimately show us the way, I think. And some AAA titles sure would help.

@C64_and_Amiga_Memories 2 жыл бұрын

Fitting name for a brilliant 8-bit machine. Hope this keeps moving to the next levels!

@commodorecave5581 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent description. Exactly how I feel too. Thank you.

@igork3522 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Perfectly explains the logic behind the project and gives useful info for new owners. Thank you.

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, IgorK. I really appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching!

@marcusk7855 2 жыл бұрын

I look forward to seeing games and the graphics pushed to the limit.

@RasVoja Жыл бұрын

If I was not Amiga and even Sinclair lover (who had and loved C64) would love it! Mega Speccy and MEGA65 as well as Amiga Vampires are next level :)

@pacbilly 2 жыл бұрын

One thing I'm really keen to hear about is the specialized GEOS. Also... will the 1351 cord reach to the right side of the machine and allow enough slack to maneuver the mouse? But that GEOS... is it based on the GEOS that Berkeley Softworks was preparing for the original C65?

@SledgeFox 2 жыл бұрын

What a lovely machine, thank you very much for this amazing presentation!

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words, SledgeFox and thanks for watching!

@worldofretrogameplay6963 Жыл бұрын

New games are being released for the Mega65! Hybernation1 is the first title that released.

@AmitenTV 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice video like allways , thank you!

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Amiten! I really appreciate it.

@gamepad3173 11 ай бұрын

I'll have to pick me up a Mega 65 now that I've heard about it. and maybe a 1541 floppy disk drive. since I now know that C64 games were hard coded to look for such a drive.

@f1lupo 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this awesome vid Eric!

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

It was a total blast to do about an amazing machine! I really look forward to where things go from here.

@f1lupo 2 жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove 👍❤️

@psgames6551 8 ай бұрын

Nice Machine, Retro Style...You are a pro voice over artist...!

@AmigaLove 7 ай бұрын

Lordy, you make me blush. I really appreciate the kind words, though.

@infindebula 2 жыл бұрын

I spent a bit of time looking at the MEGA65, I'm a bit troubled by the lack of I/O. There's no user port or RS-232, no USB. Just an ethernet port that isn't fully working yet. Do you suppose a SwiftLink-232 would work with the MEGA65? Perhaps even in 64 mode?

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

I’m not sure. There is a Discord, however, filled with folks that would know.

@BrunoFonsecaPT 2 жыл бұрын

I love these projects, but can’t shake the feeling it’s too expensive. Especially when the ZX Spectrum team made something similar and more compatible for half the price. The risk of having an expensive paperweight at the end with the Mega65 is much higher. It was great that you mentioned the target customer for this machine in your video… well done. All in all, I would like to have one for myself as I love these projects… just need to get over the price and pull the trigger in the future. Cheers

@jandoor2068 2 жыл бұрын

I agree to an extent - I have purchased the Next and have another couple of units in the Kickstart 2 campaign and I also have one of the first Mega65s. The Mega65 is much more expensive, however with saying that, the mechanical keyboard on the Mega65 is WAY better than the one on the Next, and it has a built in floppy drive as well, so these would have added considerably to the cost. The Next does not even have a built in power switch (I never understood that decision), however one of the Kickstarter 2 rewards is a power supply with am inline switch. The Mega65 is certainly the more premium product, however it is a LOT more expensive and I feel that it should have been a little cheaper. Also, the Next has been out for several years now and has quite a few native titles, however with a couple of exceptions, they are all very Speccy themed titles - in other words primitive to C64 users (lack of scrolling etc), so I am hoping the standard of software on the Mega65 will go some way towards justifying it's relatively high price.

@BrunoFonsecaPT 2 жыл бұрын

@@jandoor2068 Yeah, I see where you're coming from. No doubt the Mega65 is a more robust product, but double the price stings. I also hope they can get the compatibility fixed as this will bring a lot more people into the scene...

@infindebula 2 жыл бұрын

I must admit I'm really tempted by this, but I haven't been following the buzz (sorry). Hopefully for the second run, MEGA will consider adding some plastic "ribs" inside the case - this is a common technique to add rigidity to plastic assemblies. That keyboard looks gorgeous - I'll bet there would huge demand to make it fit a C64!

@SchlockticAvenger 2 жыл бұрын

Is it possible to get an 90° angle power supply plug? It would seem less obtrusive.

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

That’s probably something I’ll look into soon, yes.

@10MARC 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful machine this is! I am not certain what I would do with it, though. I am just not that guy who has the time and patience to update cores all the time - and that why I have not touched my PiMiga in months. I want stuff that plugs in and just works. I totally get that the update cycle is necessary, I'm just not sure it is for me.

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

The best part about this machine, beyond the obvious visual sex appeal, is the community around it. It's so positive and excited and active it's really remarkable. It's a fun scene to be a part of even if I mostly observe from the hardware side these days since I'm not programming anything. But it is fun to be a part of. I guess it's kind of a really expensive club to join, with like-minded nerds. But yeah. Dude - I've boxed mine to make room for machines I can get more use out of today. Fact. But it'll come back out again later.

@VGVindaloo 2 жыл бұрын

Looks amazing, unfortunately, a bit too expensive for me, since I probably wouldn't use it that much. But I really love the concept.

@luk3z517 2 жыл бұрын

I'd buy it if it will be for max 199 $.

@TheLemminkainen 2 жыл бұрын

I ❤️ Mega

@Powie1965 Жыл бұрын

I would have much preferred the power button to not be near the joystick ports, in the 5 - 6 years I had my C=64 back in the day we fried the joy port a couple times with static just turning the machine on or off.

@amigaonthelake8313 Жыл бұрын

Good Job Bud :)

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Good to see you here, AotL

@madpuppet666 Жыл бұрын

sounds similar to the journey I'm on with the Vampire 4 Stand Alone. Except thats very compatible with amiga software.

@terryraymond7984 Жыл бұрын

I like that kept basic Amiga's forgot basic

@paulspark7287 2 жыл бұрын

I know its going against the whole concept, but I'd love to see the Mega65 case in a non-floppy version (similar to a C64 case I guess, just prettier). A lovely case with those cherry keys and Commodore PETSCII symbols on the keycaps would be awesome for any Commodore emulated system such as BMC64 or whatever.

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

While a good idea in theory, I think the key problem here is building more moulds for new plastic cases. Those steel contraptions cost tens of thousands of dollars. More realistically, I think, is porting the Mega65 to the Mister or something similar. Then, you stick that in a fancy little case, get a mechanical keyboard, etc. and you're on your way. But yeah - a CR version *would* be cool especially since (at least currently) you can't even just use the built in physical floppy drive w/o fiddling with settings first (!!) . Just kinda doubt the economics of it would work, though - nor would there be a big enough market out there to justify it. Just my 2 cents.

@paulspark7287 2 жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove I found some Commodore-like keycaps on Aliexpress. I'm thinking I might just buy a cherry mx keyboard of my own and replace the keycaps. I do have a little "build my own computer" project on the go - with an FPGA - and I'd love to port the C128 BASIC (or perhaps BBC BASIC) into the machine.. so that may be the way for me to go. :-)

@bb.cute.channel 2 жыл бұрын

The ports should be on the the right side, not the left side! Also the power cord is so close to the cartridge slot.

@upstairsroomsoftware4143 2 жыл бұрын

Uggg... I should buy one. I've been following the X16 Commander, but ... The Mega 65 seems like a slice of heaven to ad to my mancave. I gotta think about this...

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

It's very spendy (even though the price doesn't reflect a profit on the Mega Team's end). But unless you're a programmer there isn't a ton you can do with it yet. Just being honest, as I tried to show in the video. It's cool, very cool, but still a long road to go before there's a lot that can be done (again, unless you can program or like to tinker in BASIC). I will say this, though. Seeing advanced BASIC programs run at 40Mhz makes some feel they could actually program "real software" purely in BASIC at those speeds. And the video graphic potential is pretty amazing. Just a lot of under-the-hood stuff still being developed and worked on. And, yeah, a lot of C64 stuff breaks. If you're hard cord C64 - do you have an ultimateII+, or for that matter an ultimate64? Amazeballz

@upstairsroomsoftware4143 2 жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove Nah, I just like owning retro stuff... My programming skills are limited to Python. I just want it, no real good reason to buy one. :-)

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

@@upstairsroomsoftware4143 Hah! I totally get that 100%

@COMATRON. 2 жыл бұрын

great video. they should put out the core for mister so more pplz can develop stuff :)

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

I do very much look forward to the day when the core(s) are all more developed. It's all built off the backs of volunteers, so I realize it could be a really long time to get there. But I can still dream! :) Thanks for watching, Comatron!!!

@DanMacDonald Жыл бұрын

Apparently the mister isn't powerful enough to handle the M65 but the mister cores are being ported to the M65.

@dougjohnson4266 Жыл бұрын

13+ months and still waiting for mine. I guess it is good so the first set of bugs might be corrected before mine arrives.

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

Has it finally arrived by now? I would hope so...

@dougjohnson4266 Жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove Yes finally about 10 days ago.

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

@@dougjohnson4266 Oh good!

@BerniesBastelBude 2 жыл бұрын

the future is 8bit!

@ZZRakias 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you but.. Raspberry Pi 400 has already covered my need for an "old school" home computer for 100 euros.

@Zhixalom 2 жыл бұрын

You know, at 40 MHz the Mega65's Basic interpreter runs so fast, that it can easily keep up with games and programs written in machine code on the C64. It is also way better than the C64's Basic 2.0; no more need for PEEKing around and POKEing at stuff anymore. In other words, the learning curve is no where nearly as steep. Basic is also where most of us old school programmers got started. For me it was the ZX Spectrum and the C128... So, if there ever was a reason to pick up programming... right? - By the way, mine has serial no: 00657... no warped case. But I have so far been unable to format a floppy. Not sure if it is me, the disks, or the drive that may have been damaged in transport. Luckily it is just an Amiga drive and I have a few working spares of those lying around.

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not an engineer, but one of my Eng friends told me that at 40Mhz one could write "real programs" purely in BASIC and they'd fly. Kind of an eye-opening experience for him. That's too bad about your floppy drive acting funky. The problem right now is you have to kind of triangulate your QA process. Could it be a core update conflict? Could it be a mechanical issue right out of the box (because I don't think any machines were QA tested on the line, from the look of things). I'd read about some folks having problems with very subtle drive misalignments, but not outright mechanical failures. I've seen one other guy who seems to have a bad FGPA (possibly he flashed it in some way that killed it? No idea.). All in all I love the potential. And Infocom 80 column games in dark mode is pretty cool. :)

@Zhixalom 2 жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove I was also one of the original backers on the first batch of the ZX Spectrum Next. It can run at 3.5, 7, 14, and 28 MHz. So, that was my first encounter with a top-tuned Basic interpreter experience. Then when a Commodore equivalent suddenly presented itself, I just couldn't resist. Let me ask you this; apart for playing with Legos, how much engineering experience do you think I had as a 12 year old when I got my rubber-speccy and started programming?

@AmigaLove 2 жыл бұрын

@@Zhixalom I hear you. It's just at 50 years old I'm not (today) inclined to sit down and start learning how to program. I wish it could be like in the Matrix and I could simply download that skill. The most I did back then was type in programs - but I wasn't focused on understanding them. I was 100% focused on syntax and simply making them work - I was starved for software. That is, until 9th grade and I made a new friend who was "rich" and was a Commodore fan, too. We became solid best friends, and every week felt like Xmas! (He was on the BSS scene downloading games every night, which I then got, too.) I remember getting Top Gun before it was even released to the public. Not a great game, but a great feeling at the time. Like I said, I think if I was in your shoes I'd be 100% focused on playing with this "new" version of BASIC and really trying to have fun pushing the limits. Now, if some genius coder ports something akin to Deluxe Paint to the M65, I'll be in pure heaven! I can dream - it's free. =)

@Zhixalom 2 жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove I'll be 51 in August... What went on inside those Sinclairs, Commodores, and Amstrads (etc.) seemed like pure magic to me back then. I have always wanted to understand it. So, about 4-5 years ago I started teaching myself electronics... and now I am thinking about actually building my own 8-bit computer, just for kicks... It really is never too late, buddy. And you now have the perfect tool... even on so many levels better for learning than any of our precious retros ever were. Plus you also have the Internet and KZfaq to help you out. Back then we only had whatever manuals and magazines we could get our hands on. - I promise you, all you really have to do to get started, is sit down in front of your Mega65, start flipping through the manual, and try out some of the examples of short Basic programs... there is one on page 154-155 on the MOVSPR command, which should deliver instant gratification.

@Zhixalom 2 жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove The C65s Basic was based on the C128s Basic 7.0. So, the Mega65s Basic is almost identical to the C128s. So, I feel right at home. By the way, I just got my hands on the Deluxe Paint IV manual last weekend... never had one of those, until now 🙂

@PromoVisionNZ 2 жыл бұрын

Faulty cases should be replaced by manufacturer. It cost close to nothing to make few extra if you have mold in injection mounding machine.

@willbarnz6960 2 жыл бұрын

As long as it's not the fault of the mold. The molds are really expensive... The plastic: I used to say a few cents... But, with the govt printing money like it's candy ... Errrm... "Inflation" ... It may be closer to a dollar or two.

@PromoVisionNZ 2 жыл бұрын

@@willbarnz6960 Apparently mold is good. Just some computers have wrapping issue caused by ejecting piece from the mold few sec. earlier. Cost to make new case and replace wrapped ones is literally few $$$ when they run next batch:) I would hate to have brand new computer with wrapped and squeaky case.

@Humboyz Жыл бұрын

run amiga games?

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

Nope. However I've heard there is an Amiga core under development by someone. I've no idea how far along it is.

@Humboyz Жыл бұрын

@@AmigaLove thanks!

@dyscotopia 2 жыл бұрын

Seems like a neat device for someone looking for a new hobby and community and a waste of money for anyone else. Writing software for 1400 people isn't going to inspire many people... There'll need to be emulators and cores for other FPGA based units to build even a little momentum behind this beautiful white elephant

@AmigaLove Жыл бұрын

There is a very robust emulator called xemu. It came out long before the hardware shipped. But yeah, something like this is very much a chicken and egg kind of problem. Thanks for watching!

@danieljaros8379 Жыл бұрын

Have a look what's 8bit guy done.

@kilgoretrout8896 Жыл бұрын

The sequel to Mega64??? 🤨

@DaMaster1983 Жыл бұрын

Bothers mee the floppy is on the right

@TheLemminkainen Жыл бұрын

Commodore for glasses (nerds) not masses 😂

@MrRobbyvent 2 жыл бұрын

I espect much more for 800€ tbh

@ElectroDrome Жыл бұрын

2:39 A 3.25'' floppy disk never produced worldwide! You mean 3.5'' in your table. Please make sure that you publish correct data in the future...

@Luthiart Жыл бұрын

I'm sorry, but I didn't get it when this project was announced, and I still don't get it. I can't get nostalgic for a computer that never existed. This looks like a poor man's Amiga with a cheap case, a bad clock and no software. But also... prohibitively expensive?? Thanks, but when I spend a lot of money on something, I like to be useful. Not something I'll just put on a shelf and gawk at while I wait for people to develop software for it.

@stevensexton5801 2 жыл бұрын

851.24 $ gross

@tarstarkusz Жыл бұрын

This should not exist, at least not yet. Building and selling a stupidly expensive obsolete computer without any software is just dumb. What they should have done was entirely defined the machine in software with an open source bootable emulator. Once this was done and there was software, then the mega65 could make sense. If they don't make any more of these things, that means there is a grand total of about 1400 of these machines in existence worldwide and there will never be much software for it. Being able to run 64 software doesn't count.

@gabor222 Жыл бұрын

There is an open source bootable emulator for it.

@tarstarkusz Жыл бұрын

@@gabor222 AFAIK, there are very, very few games for it.