List of 8 bit computers

A topic by chasersgaming created Jan 06, 2020 Views: 318 Replies: 5

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hi all, er, I’m not very clued up when it comes to 8bit computers, but I do like to create 8bit assets that resemble consoles, such as NES & master system, and I know those limitations and create assets within those limitations. I’ve been looking into 8 bit computer graphics for some time now, and would like to have a go, but as I mentioned I don’t know a lot so I was hoping maybe you guys and gals could list a few 8 bit computers(popular) for me so I could have a go at creating some assets.:)

I’m open to suggestions as well, please feel free to tell me what you would like and il have a crack at it, who knows, you might be able to use them in your games for this jam.:)

Thanks.

Bitmap SoftHost4 years ago

So..

C64

Spectrum 48/128K

Amstrad CPC464

VIC 20, Acorn Atom, BBC Micro, Dragon 32 and the ZX81 would be the least common models but should never be discounted, there are a couple of other computers too but these are probably the best place to start.

chasersgaming4 years ago

Thank you Sir, i have been looking at C64. My NES assets could quite easily work i think(multicolour), if what i read is correct though, C64 sprites must be 24px (w) and 21 px (h) only? and im looking researching the backgrounds and how its all stored in RAM. so i could modify, or create something new that fit that limitation, and use a C64 colour palette. Once i understand it a little better. :)

RelationalFramework4 years ago

Hope the Atari VCS is included for being contemporary with the C64 and the VIC-20 their entire lifetime.

I think it is also distinguished by having switches on the console like the Altair which is a home computer, and being called a Video Computer System. It's from an earlier era so perhaps it could go either way.

Bitmap SoftHost4 years ago

I hear what you are saying but generally it is classed as a console, that being said we will be doing console comps soon.

RelationalFramework4 years ago

Cool looking forward to the console comps - probably not to many Tape game entries for other consoles, well except the Bally Home Computer :)

I consider both of those more real computers than the C64 btw; that was just a game machine with an awesome music chip because that's how it was generally used; I wrote software for it too but I'm a programmer, and no serious applications.

All three are real computers, but with the C64 very few people that had one did anything other than play games while a much higher ratio of Atari Video Computer System Programmers actually learned how to program - check out the examples in this IDE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhAj0XXuxVU

In part this is because Atari BASIC Programming was well marketed and the Video Computer System presented as a multi-purpose device while the C64 was increasingly marketed as a console.

Based on actual usage, the C64 could be considered a console with a keyboard. So many people used it like that it was re-released as a console but it flopped because it was a console that needed a keyboard - I think the C64 should be allowed in console comps with it's keyboard.

I do have an original Beat 'em up on Tape for the TRS-80 CoCo; it was published in the 80's but is now free to share, it's a Military sim with a cool Tape loader! :)

Can I enter it?

itch.io

8-Bit Beat 'em up/Fighter Dev Comp 2020

List of 8 bit computers