Retro Recipes 👾 PowerUp!

Get invovled: Chat topics for the Chat64 Cart test

Alright, over to you for this one. Theo van den Beld, co-developer of Chat64 which is a new Wi-Fi cartridge for the C64, has very kindly sent us the first public test unit (yellow for me of course). Find out more about the cartridge at https://github.com/bvenneker/Chat64 

My plan for the video is to film a sort of live test by connecting my Chat64 cart to their server, then having a live chat on camera with...

Early bird: The ЯRetro Show 34

Please enjoy the new episode of our little Retro Show. This just gets more and more enjoyable to curate, prepare, film, and edit, every month. We feel so privileged to be able to put out this content for you to enjoy. And now once again it's all yours!

PowerUp! early access: https://youtu.be/WtutQDn0Hn4

Coming up soon we've got the KITTesla finale, a Wi-Fi Chat Cartridge for the C64, and possibly even some ZX Spe...

Exclusive: A new flipphone?

Well, this one perhaps didn't quite pan out how I hoped, but I always like to share journeys with you no matter the outcome. So following on from my digital minimalism quest to break smartphone addiction, where I was only able to find one modern flipphone that did what I needed (and which I still use exclusively when going out with family), I was interested in other options to have as a backup. And one finally came along... or did it...

I hope you enjoy this little explore of a new devi...

Early bird: Moonbouncing with the Amiga

Update: Feel free to join us in the live chat on Saturday for the public premiere of this one. Click the link to set a reminder (make sure notifications are enabled on your device) and to see your local time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caZtHdNe0Ag

Original post: Wow. That's all I can say about this one. Your fellow supporter Lee Volante who I collaborated with on that video contact...

THE400 Mini Announcement

The press embargo prevented me revealing this early, but you will be getting early access to my forthcoming exclusive review video. Hooray!

Video: https://youtu.be/BgVcwREakkQ

Who's excited for this?! 🕹️ 

Your friend in retro, Perifractic 

Early bird: How to solder SMD / Ghostbusters cartridge

I'm still not quite myself after a bad cold (which we all got 😩) but managed to get this video out as I heard solder fumes can help clear sinuses! (Not really.)

I was always a bit scared of SMD / SMT soldering so let's face our fears and learn how to use a hot air rework station whilst making this cool C64 Ghosbusters cartridge. I ain't afraid of no solder!

PowerUp! early access: https://youtu.be/KNXPB35O6AA 2024-01-11 01:48:00 +0000 UTC View Post

Exclusive: Ultimate 64 gets Wi-Fi!

I've been waiting years for this: The incredible Ultimate64 (a kind donation from a Patreon) now has a firmware update that brings to life the on-board ESP32 Wi-Fi module. Let's try to get it working!

Early bird: The C64 Language That Isn't

Update: Just hours after I published this video to you, some new evidence came to light. I've updated the video. As it caused ripples of little updates its hard to give timestamps, but if you only want to get to the meat of the update and already watched the video, you can find the main chunk from 10:29 - 11:39. Intriguing stuff! I wonder what else will come to light. 🤔

Original post: I've been out of action with an awful cold (neg...

Exclusive: Unboxing Sponsor Donations

Just for you here's some of the items sent to the channel that weren't quite suitable for a public video for various reasons, but I thought you'd find intriguing nonetheless.

Happy New Year to you and yours, and may we offer you the sincerest and deep heartfelt thanks for making everything we do possible at all in 2023. Here's to much more in 2024! 🎉

Your friend in retro, Perifractic 

Early bird: The watch that runs on beer

Ladyfractic is Ladybacktic with a really interesting 80s retrotech product; a digital watch that can be powered by water, or even beer. But will it work? And where will she find a beer?...

Your PowerUp! Early Access: https://youtu.be/iCI59Ns1svc

This video came out surprisingly short, but there was really nothing more to say, and we're not keen on padding out videos just for the sake of it, so here it is in all i...

Early shorts: 3D printed floppy holder

A cheap and cheerful project for the holidays!

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZgsySCT_hqI?si=wbmMdP_Z1hjzqHQH

3D model: https://www.printables.com/model/157243-525-floppy-disk-box

3D printer: https://bambulab.com/e...

Watch Christmas BBC from the 80s this Xmas

Here’s a little PEEK at how we’re gearing up for a nostalgic Christmas.

Correction: That’s Little & Large not Cannon & Ball lol, often confused, but mainly by me!

Here’s the playlist I reference (not made by me): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhTW3WDYbP7_E1u68mZPq-0tvyzUUM-XH

Happy holidays you guys!

Your friend in retro, Perifractic

1993 LucasArts X-Wing Amiga Letter

By request here's the full scan of that letter I found during the recent Xmas video, where LucasArts spell out whether or not I might get my then dream of seeing the PC X-Wing game ported to the Amiga platform.

In my initial letter to them I also detailed my hope to be part of any future Star Wars movies. Little did I know, four years later I would be on set filming the then titled Star Wars: Episode I - The Beginning....

Early turkey: The ЯRetro Show Xmas Special!

It's that time of year once again and we loved making this just for you. May we wish you and yours the happiest, warmest, and most nostalgic and cosy of holiday breaks in the coming days! ☃️👾

PowerUp! Early Access: https://youtu.be/gvDp5WP0YKs

Also in the video we mention this, which we haven't promoted as a main video, but is something you may enjoy; a fun and vibrant animated 80s themed Christmas Firepla...

PowerUp! Exclusive: More Childhood Nostalgia

Here's a warm and cosy little selection of bonus items from the recent C64 childhood bedroom recreation video that I didn't have time for in the main video. I hope you enjoy this additional journey back to 1986. ✨

Music credit: Electric Dreams (Giorgio Moroder/Phil Oakey) Cover by The Leaf People: https://www.youtube.com/@theleafpeople8285

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Your friend in r...

The ЯRetro Show Best Bits

This doesn't really qualify as early access if you already saw the most recent The ЯRetro Show at the end of November, but as it was over 40 minutes long I decided to try making this "Best Bits" version, trimmed down to 18 minutes, but complete with new opening title sequence!

8-Bits?... 16-Bits?... No, ...

I loved everything in the original episode, which is why it all made it through ...

Early bird: Star Wars Holiday Special Upscale!

Have I gone too far this time?...

PowerUp! early access video: https://youtu.be/iJBN0p4Dlqs

May the Force be with you 🚀

Your friend in retro, Perifractic  

Early turkey: 80s Computer Setup Xmas Redo

A very special and nostalgic video for today, as we right a wrong from a previous video. I shipped my actual teenage Commodore 64 computer desk 5000 miles from the UK for this one - can we get it set up just like it used to be, and load Ghostbusters just like Christmas 1984?

PowerUp! Early Access: https://youtu.be/RXmjeUad0zg

We'll be back soon with more bonus content and The ЯRetro Show Christmas Special. Thank...

PowerUp! Exclusive: Quick Funboxing - Rocky & Co

Here’s a look at the incredible innards of the collectors edition of this new Psytronik game for the Commodore 64. The vinyl CD will blow your retro mind!

PowerUp! Exclusive: Back To Fax Bookcase Build & Label Making

Just for you please enjoy a few minutes of exclusive content related to the Back To Fax project. We hope you like it! 

YouTube link (contains brief flashing imagery): https://youtu.be/sNAJp-5DuRw 

I realised after the initial label print that I got JA and NIEN mixed up - D'oh! But this was fixed on the snazzier label you will see.

Here are the main products used (affiliate links):

• Book...
  2023-12-08 23:32:27 +0000 UTC View Post

Early bird: Back To Fax!

Here it is! After about 10 months of setbacks and work, what is I think my biggest overall project and edit; by sheer weight of material and steps taken to get from A to Z!

Video: https://youtu.be/WcJXweIuOo0

In 2023 UK government removed the requirement for phone companies to support facsimile machines, which means we're at risk of losing if not using a great technology that's more secure & robust than email...

Exclusive: Christmas / Bible?

This is most likely not what you expected ha, but here's a little unused footage from the Foenix computer review, going through its "Bible".

This also makes an interesting illustration of how "flat" I feel videos would be without any quick cuts or music. I work hard to keep what's on screen feel engaging, even if it's just some paper or a PCB. As it is, there was no space to fit this segment in, so it's all yours in raw and uncut form!

2023-12-03 20:05:04 +0000 UTC View Post

Early bird: Why does the best new integrated retrocomputer have no games?

Update - Video updated with several corrections/fixes below plus a thumbnail:

• Device has 512K RAM now not 256K.
• The chips I pointed to as Flash are VIAs. The Flash is next to the real-time clock.
• The DVI output supports analog so would've worked with a VGA monitor, and doesn't require HDMI.
• The Balls demo showcases sprite muxing and there are over 128 sprites there.
• Music volume errors corrected.<...
  2023-11-30 07:26:42 +0000 UTC View Post