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Post by c64stuff on Aug 13, 2021 15:24:27 GMT
It will sell. I've been surfing the comments under tons of videos retro gaming channels have been posting talking about it, and there seems way more excitement for the Amiga mini by even non Amiga owners than there was for the C64 mini. You'll often find too very good insider info in remarks posted under these videos than you can find anywhere else.
The Amiga, with it's various hardware configurations and mouse and joystick control, multi disk loading, etc, is way harder to set up in emulators than most systems, so there's a ton of people who want to play Amiga games but never have.
Even ETA Prime, who is no newbie to emulation, mentioned in an Amiga video once that he always wanted to play some exclusive Amiga games but couldn't until he got a premade image he talks about in the video because he didn't have the time to sort out hardware configurations or something like that.
Btw his channel is well worth checking out for raspberry pi or other emulation stuff. He is very good at walking people through setup of things like RetroPie, and he has done some great C64 and Amiga emulator how to stuff.
As a sidenote, I may be wrong but doesn't Retro Games LTD get paid no matter what when a retailer buys stock? Meaning, they made their money off the 64 mini no matter how it sells. In the states I think that's why the maxi was hard to find because many retailers other than Amazon waited to see if it sold. Problem was the two shipments sold out so fast at Amazon that nobody could get stock if they wanted it. I bet there are many us retailers who have orders but they're waiting for them.
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Post by vic2020ian on Aug 13, 2021 16:54:25 GMT
Any idea what board it will be on?
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Post by oocozyoo on Aug 13, 2021 17:58:40 GMT
Any idea what board it will be on? It will need to be quad core to run a1200 AGA games I think.(Just going to get my pi4 out with pimiga 1.5 on and get some memories in) |
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Post by findecanor on Aug 13, 2021 21:56:26 GMT
Most of the games listed exist in CD32 editions, so I assume that those editions are going to be bundled so as to take advantage of the gamepad and not require a virtual keyboard for anything. I have one concern though: most Amiga games had been designed for joysticks, and rely much on diagonal movements, which joysticks are often good at. D-pads are often not very good at diagonals, especially not cross-shaped D-pads such as what we've seen in the renders. I hope that it be redesigned into something more similar to perhaps a Sega Mega Drive D-pad. I have made myself a Atari/Commodore-joystick adaptor to USB from a cheap Pro Micro microcontroller board. I could publish the schematics, source code and firmware images for those who'd want. But I would really like to know the protocol that the TheA500 gamepad is going to use so that I could make it fully compatible beforehand. This Commodore Amiga A500 came out in 1991, it was the first Amiga I got, it does not have white keys, the keys are the same colour as the case so why...? ? ? Early Amiga 500's from 1987 came with a mechanical keyboard made by NMB which actually did have keys in a brighter colour than the case. These keys were also made of a plastic that didn't yellow with time and sunlight, which the case often did, thus increasing the difference even more. Some (if not all) of those had a Commodore logo on the left Amiga key instead of A. This keyboard is depicted on the Amiga 500 box art. Most Amiga 500s out there though were later revisions that had a cheaper keyboard from Mitsumi, and the keys on that had the same hue as the case ... originally. These keys often yellowed more than the case did. |
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Post by grasshopper on Aug 14, 2021 10:05:16 GMT
Hopefully they make a full size version too, but if THEA500 Mini is £119.99 how much will that be £199.99/£249.99)..? and will it be worth the money, I guess making a mini first tests if it genarates enough sales and if it's worth making a full-sized(Maxi) version or not, they do not want to waste money making something that does not sell. I don't think it will stay at £119.99 for very long. The price of the A500 Mini is a bit of an outlier when compared to how much other mini systems have cost. Even Nintendo, with their policy of creating artificial shortages of their products, only charged £70 for the SNES Mini. That's about the upper limit of what most people are willing to pay for these things. RGL are just testing the water to see how much the market will bear. I expect to see big price cuts a few months after launch. |
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Post by c64stuff on Aug 14, 2021 12:25:37 GMT
I don't think the price is too high at all, considering you're getting a controller and a mouse. I've already read many remarks from people who want that mouse alone for their raspberry pi Amiga emulation. There are also many Geos C64 and 128 emulator users who want it for that. The Geos mouse is extremely rare and pricey these days, as is an Amiga mouse I believe. Even people with original hardware will probably want to use it with a USB to Atari dongle so they can use it on original hardware. I'm sure it's an optical mouse so the hassle of cleaning a mouse ball all the time was always a pain for me as an Amiga user.
In a sense this thing is bringing the CD32 that never got a real chance to the masses, with that controller and the CD32 editions of some games as well as the controller based GUI. It's a shame the CS32 was tied up in lawsuits for north American release and it starved commodore out. If they had got that thing out a little sooner we might be talking on commodore phones right now.
Btw some in the states are mentioning they're preordering the A500 in the UK and using the address of a forwarding service there to ship it to, who will then ship it to you. Not sure if this will be needed really since the quote I posted earlier talks about a company working with Retro Games LTD planning to have them available for sale on day one in America.
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Post by c64stuff on Sept 2, 2021 17:16:28 GMT
BREAKING NEWS AND VIDEO! First I heard on this. The A500 mini gamepad and mouse WILL also be available sold separately and ARE compatible with the C64 mini, maxi, windows, Linux, etc! I guess that's to be expected but still nice to finally hear.
There will be a lot of happy C64 Geos users out there, as well as people who like to play Amiga games on a RetroPie setup such as the fantastic strategy game Empire War Game Of The Century. I wonder if the C64 version of that game supports a mouse?
I could see that mouse being also used with the Raspberry Pi 400 all in one keyboard being painted this Amiga cream color and graphics added to the case and keys to look like an Amiga and running an Amiga emulator. Or everything painted black to mimic a CD32 or CDTV with the added keyboard. Retro Recipes did an amazing video a few months back mocking up the Pi 400 to look like an Amiga, 64, and a few other machines.
And BTW too note the black CD32 style controller in the video. I wonder if the guy mocked up a fake box in that color instead of the announced Amiga cream color version? In a prior video he shocked me when he was holding a really good looking A500 mini box in his hand but that one he made himself from the Retrogames LTD video.
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Post by spannernick on Sept 10, 2021 13:27:43 GMT
I am guessing but I think they will properly use the carousel source code from THEC64 and make it look different, so it will properly use Flashlight and SDL for the Gamepad and Mouse. Why reinvent the wheel when its already made..  |
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Post by spannernick on Sept 11, 2021 13:14:27 GMT
Anyone like to hear Amiga Game Music Mix on PCUAE TheCarousel as a nod to the upcoming THEA500 Mini...?
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Post by c64stuff on Oct 2, 2021 13:15:22 GMT
If it hasn't been mentioned yet, you can now pre order the A500 Mini in North America on Amazon. $139, with a release date of March 31st... The A500 Mini www.amazon.com/dp/B09CM1C3LX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_DXW975G86SP4QGEATQ67Here Retro Games LTD states they intend to come out with the full size A500 Maxi with working keyboard. They also say the A500 Mini is the 5TH BEST SELLING preorder on the Amazon PC and video game chart! For reference, the PlayStation 5 was number one on that chart, so that ain't bad! Btw too if I heard the video right, the C64 mini by numbers has sold 80 percent more actual units than the C64 Maxi because of it's broader appeal to consumers who aren't hardcore Commodore fans. Keep in mind that doesn't mean the maxi isn't a huge seller. It just means by numbers they don't make as many as they do the mini, because obviously every time Amazon releases a batch of Maxis in the states it quickly sells out. Two new games announced for the A500. Also info from Retro Games LTD that the A500 mini manufacturing has begun. |
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Post by c64stuff on Dec 18, 2021 0:23:16 GMT
If anybody missed it, they just posted a new video. Here's the North American one, but they also uploaded numerous others. I didn't watch them so maybe they show different games depending on licensing like the C64 mini and Maxi for different regions...
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Post by c64stuff on Jan 30, 2022 1:17:25 GMT
New video. The A500 in process of production. Unless I'm seeing things wrong it appears most keys are being pressed into key stems? If so, this opens up avenues of an aftermarket keyboard kit being a bit easier than what was done with the C64 mini to convert everything to an actual working keyboard via a belt sander etc. No matter. They fully intend to bring out an A500 Maxi with working keyboard as they've announced. The mini is to grease the wheels, just like the mini was for the C64 Maxi.
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Post by aileron on Jan 30, 2022 2:33:40 GMT
I'm more curious about how the Amiga OS worked and what the experience was like using one. Games are interesting but I geek out on the whole experience.
So will it be usable to program and learn the system on just like the c64 versions do (i.e. you have classic vs carousel?)
I see no mention in the website or write ups on it. Just that it will be another classic mini.
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Post by c64stuff on Jan 30, 2022 17:27:06 GMT
I'd expect they'll have a classic mode too because the people behind these minis are big Commodore fans. And if for some reason they don't I'm sure there will be a hack to do so. You might also check into the Pimiga image, which is a turnkey simulation and also already comes with tons of pre installed games and other software. It's a really nice no hassle setup and can easily be configured for various hardware the Amiga had. It even supports aftermarket video and accelerator cards from past and present.
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Post by rhester72 on Feb 2, 2022 16:33:12 GMT
I hope they don't handle region-specific refresh rates like they did with THEC64 - folks in the US were locked at 60Hz (only), which if done on Amiga is going to effectively exclude us from Eurodemos (and piss me off royally). Lo and behold, yes Martha, most televisions sold in the US these days support 50Hz, because *they are the same units sold in the European market*. Don't make it fixed like THEC64 either where I have to factory reset just to switch - it needs to be dynamic!
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Post by c64stuff on Feb 2, 2022 17:15:41 GMT
The original Amiga NTSC hardware will boot into pal by simply holding down the right mouse button at power up if I remember right, although I never ran across software I needed to get working properly by forcing it into pal mode. If nothing else maybe a classic mode boot up on the A500 will allow it to do the same thing.
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Post by Prizrak on Feb 2, 2022 21:17:49 GMT
I use a crt for my gaming and have my thec64 plugged in and running as a pal unit and it's converting it to ntsc to work on tv.
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Post by rhester72 on Feb 4, 2022 3:38:27 GMT
Prizrak By setting flags on THEC64, you can definitely scale run speed to basically run PAL60 or NTSC50, that's true...but it's also not the same thing (and introduces pretty naff stuttering/tearing). It's not actually converting the signal - whatever you select in the menu is what it outputs to the display no matter what. My frustration is that the only way to get it to output the OTHER standard (natively) is to reset the device entirely, you can't just switch on the fly (or even after a reboot). There's no reason at all for this other than RGL assumed nobody would ever change it (or care). With C64, the VAST majority of the software library was PAL, you can kind of set it and forget it. Not so much with Amiga. Virtually ALL early Amiga titles were NTSC-only.
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Post by c64stuff on Feb 6, 2022 14:00:59 GMT
I guess it's a matter of perspective if the C64 or A500 mini or maxi should default to pal. I owned a C64 and Amiga NTSC and never really felt the need for pal versions of the machine. Can't remember ever running across any Amiga software that wouldn't work in NTSC mode and think I only ran across a couple C64 games that did things like had the score being displayed slightly off screen. You'd probably never notice stuff like SID music being played too fast unless you were used to hearing it at pal speed.
And while there may be more software written for pal that's a matter of perspective when you think of the thousands of games that either played fine in ntsc, or actual ntsc versions written because of licensing agreements, or written to be speed neutral stuff that is out there.
It all comes down to what you're used to, and the C64 was the most popular home computer in the states and didn't have the Spectrum as a near competitor in numbers, so there's plenty of people who would prefer a ntsc machine as default.
That being said, dynamic on the fly pal or ntsc speed changes would be nice for those who want it.
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Post by rhester72 on Feb 12, 2022 20:50:35 GMT
I guess it's a matter of perspective if the C64 or A500 mini or maxi should default to pal. I owned a C64 and Amiga NTSC and never really felt the need for pal versions of the machine. Can't remember ever running across any Amiga software that wouldn't work in NTSC mode and think I only ran across a couple C64 games that did things like had the score being displayed slightly off screen. You'd probably never notice stuff like SID music being played too fast unless you were used to hearing it at pal speed. And while there may be more software written for pal that's a matter of perspective when you think of the thousands of games that either played fine in ntsc, or actual ntsc versions written because of licensing agreements, or written to be speed neutral stuff that is out there. It all comes down to what you're used to, and the C64 was the most popular home computer in the states and didn't have the Spectrum as a near competitor in numbers, so there's plenty of people who would prefer a ntsc machine as default. That being said, dynamic on the fly pal or ntsc speed changes would be nice for those who want it. One word: Eurodemos. They were hugely popular Amiga viewing even in the US. |
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Post by jj0 on Feb 26, 2022 21:22:36 GMT
Prototype reveal at
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Post by c64stuff on Feb 26, 2022 23:04:26 GMT
In that video he does the A500 unboxing around the 12 minute mark. It's a 3D printed prototype of it, the mouse, and the controller, so the colors and quality obviously isn't what's going to be sold. Unfortunately he says at the end of the video it will be a week or so before he does a video powering it up and diving into the software. I watched the whole video waiting for that moment so I'm a little disappointed. ☹️ Still, his channel is one of the best in Commodore related stuff.
Here's an update video on the US delayed release of the A500 and other info. There seems to be quite a bit of buzz and excitement among even people who never owned an Amiga to preorder this machine. For instance, I've seen more than a few mini collectors who are particular about what minis they buy saying they are getting it. And that's even including people who grew up after the age of Amiga. So if you're planning on buying one I'd preorder it because the initial batches released will probably all be going to people already in line for one.
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Post by spannernick on Feb 27, 2022 21:16:45 GMT
Just to let everyone know, when I get mine I will be trying to hack it so you can play games via ADF and see if it can run Amiberry, plus add the ability to add games to the carousel via USB. I guess the hack/mod could be called PCUAE2.. |
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Post by spannernick on Feb 28, 2022 0:03:11 GMT
27 days to go... |
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Post by c64stuff on Mar 5, 2022 0:17:40 GMT
Video review of the A500 Mini games in order of greatness. This guy does excellent work on Commodore computer game reviews.
By the way, noticed many throughout the web constantly wondering if a Maxi version with working keyboard will be released. Man don't people read! They already announced that just like the C64 mini was first released to finance the C64 Maxi, the A500 mini is being released too to finance the maxi version.
This is the logical way to go anyway. Many aren't as die hard about their mini collection as say a commodore fan and just want a mini console with easy to play games. Besides, since the Amiga was largely a GUI mouse driven operating system, there is far less need for keyboard input to navigate games or the OS. And just like the C64 mini, you can easily get by the times you need to hit a key or use a keyboard by simply using the virtual keyboard or plugging one in to USB.
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Post by spannernick on Mar 5, 2022 10:19:41 GMT
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Post by spannernick on Mar 5, 2022 10:48:59 GMT
I'd expect they'll have a classic mode too because the people behind these minis are big Commodore fans. And if for some reason they don't I'm sure there will be a hack to do so. You might also check into the Pimiga image, which is a turnkey simulation and also already comes with tons of pre installed games and other software. It's a really nice no hassle setup and can easily be configured for various hardware the Amiga had. It even supports aftermarket video and accelerator cards from past and present. It will not have a Classic Mode cause it does not have Workbench Amiga OS, cause they do not have the rights to it so it will only be able to play games and you will not be able just load in a disk image cause it can not load ADF files(its a bit silly missing this out when they have to add it at a later date, WHDLoad is really for the hard drive and ADF is for disks, its like its missing the Floppy Drive from the machine from release), only way is using WHDLoad to load Workbench but it will only load that and you could not load anything else into it like a demo disk or any disk image ADF cause it a WHDLoad version cause WHDLoad only loads it from a image so it self contained so can not connect to other devices. It needs HDF support so you can run Amiga OS that way plus ADF and not every program on the Amiga is in WHDLoad. At the moment its just a game machine. |
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Post by c64stuff on Mar 5, 2022 11:36:46 GMT
Really?! That's crazy that it won't have it built in.
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Post by aileron on Mar 5, 2022 21:01:09 GMT
It will not have a Classic Mode cause it does not have Workbench Amiga OS, cause they do not have the rights to it so it will only be able to play games and you will not be able just load in a disk image cause it can not load ADF files(its a bit silly missing this out when they have to add it at a later date, WHDLoad is really for the hard drive and ADF is for disks, its like its missing the Floppy Drive from the machine from release), only way is using WHDLoad to load Workbench but it will only load that and you could not load anything else into it like a demo disk or any disk image ADF cause it a WHDLoad version cause WHDLoad only loads it from a image so it self contained so can not connect to other devices. It needs HDF support so you can run Amiga OS that way plus ADF and not every program on the Amiga is in WHDLoad. At the moment its just a game machine. This is what I was waiting to hear. I did not pre-order because I never saw any mention of the actual OS being available as an option (i.e. classic mode.) So I wont be ordering it. I have a tiny bit of interest in the games but I'm far more interested in how the OS/system worked. In the late 80's I switched from an Apple II+ to a self built PC. I knew of the Amiga's and how awesome they were but the thrill of building your own PC clone (for cheap too) was too much to pass up. Not to mention that Apple made the Macintosh a closed system with a tiny black and white monitor for beau-coup bucks. The PC was similar to the apple II architecture of letting you add daughter cards. Because I had a 80 Column card and CP/M card, hayes modem, etc... I liked that style of system and stuck with it. So I get these machines to experience what I missed, not just games. Oh well. |
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Post by c64stuff on Mar 5, 2022 23:43:56 GMT
I'm sure somebody will probably hack it and add a classic mode later on if memory limitations permit that. But if not there is a fantastic option already. Get a Raspberry Pi 3B+ or a Pi 4, or better yet a Pi 400 since for around a hundred bucks it comes with a built in keyboard, mouse, and has the Amiga look. Then use the PiMiga image on it.
The Pi 400 seems the perfect retro computer and console platform. Can't beat the price and form factor. I'm surprised with the rear GPIO port and layout somebody hasn't already started producing a module to plug into the back allowing use of things like a plug in for cartridges for the C64, Atari, Colecovision, etc. If somebody can mock up an adapter with vertical cartridge ports for say 4 or 5 different retro systems I bet it would sell like hot cakes. Add a few Atari style joystick plugs on the side of this cartridge module and it would be icing on the cake.
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