Vic-20 digital archeology - tape bootlegs

OBSysteme · Post by **OBSysteme** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:15 pm

One of the exciting things about old computer media is the genuine chance of discovering unique programs , since back in the day, so many people seemed to create their own programs and games for their needs.

Here are two pretty old bootlegs I have rescued, in pretty bad shape, they were among a huge stash of rotting c64 material in someone's humid unheated garage for who knows how long. Some programs can need up to three trials before they load properly. Time for backup copies...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/obsysteme/ ... 093376302/

so I am throwing here the list of everything that is on these two tapes, if any of you who know your vic-20 game, could help me to maybe pinpoint special unknown stuff ? maybe there is treasure here? Ask about a title and I'll describe or put screenshot of the game? One thing to note is that there is a game in there by Jim Butterfield. all are games for vic-20. Exception is Koleido, which is and abstract screen saver for vic20!

so here is the list, by title, developper, year:

no. Program Author/Developper Year
1 Astro-Shoot CE Systems Inc 1982
2 Budge na na
3 Math Quiz CESI 1982
4 VIC-Fractions CE Systems Inc 1982
5 Decimals : Computer Educator Series CE Systems Inc 1982
6 VIC-World Capitals : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
7 VIC-Oceans : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
8 VIC-Rivers : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
9 VIC-World Landmarks : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
10 Krazy Kong na na
11 Downhill Nanuq Industries Ltd 1982
12 Master wits Mike Gosselin 1983
13 Golf Audiogenic Ltd 1982
14 VIC Juggler na na
15 VIC Gold Rush Mr. Micro Ltd na
16 Artillery na na
17 Search Nufekop na
18 Koleido na na
19 Lunar Lander na na
20 VIC-21 Neil Harris 1981
21 Slot Machine na na
22 Maze Amaze Nanuq Industries Ltd 1982
23 Trap Man Nanuq Industries Ltd 1982
24 Rocket Command na na
25 Demolition Nanuq Industries Ltd 1982
26 Zap Zap Nanuq Industries Ltd 1982
27 "unamed" na na
28 Millipede On Line Software na
29 Amok! Roger Merritt na
30 Journey na na
31 Blatz na na
32 Vixel #1: Fire Brian Sawyer 1981
33 Word Match na na
34 Hangman na na
35 Closeout na na
36 UFO Pilot MiKaun Co. 1983
37 Typo Invaders na na
38 Slither Jim Butterfield 1981
39 Slither Jim Butterfield 1981
40 Cubes Kyle Ritchie na
41 Alien Waster na na
42 Route 16 na na
43 Sub Attack Stuart Hall na
44 na na na

So there it is, for anyone interrested in potential unknowns from the list?
I regret to say that some other old bootlegs have passed me under the nose localy on kijiji (craigs list-type), i'll try to be less hesitant next time around.

eslapion · Post by **eslapion** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:52 pm

There are many games in there that are either present in one of the CES albums already being backed up and published on Zimmers.

Also, theres a bunch of titles from the Cymbal Games 20 album which will also be published.

Added edit:
Such as

3 Math Quiz CESI 1982
4 VIC-Fractions CE Systems Inc 1982
5 Decimals : Computer Educator Series CE Systems Inc 1982
6 VIC-World Capitals : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
7 VIC-Oceans : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
8 VIC-Rivers : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na
9 VIC-World Landmarks : Geography Book 1 Commodore Educator Systems na

Just don't bother with these as they are slowly on their way to the public.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:22 pm

I don't have any mention in GB20 for the following, so perhaps a way of making these programs available would be good... even if I then discover they are copies of other titles... just to tick them off...

Astro-Shoot
Budge
Millipede
Blatz
Cubes
Route 16

OBSysteme · Post by **OBSysteme** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:22 pm

Hi Mayhem!

Here is what I can say about your selection on short notice:

Astro shoot : Practice additions, substractions or multiplications, Action shooter, you shoot the right answer in the form of meteorites falling towards you and avoid the others, single player. Gameplay is very good and smooth. Game In black and white.

Budge: unknown, load error (4 tries). Will try to salvage this somehow.

Millipede: A nice version of Millipede, great playability, somewhat hard.

Blatz: unknown, load error (4 tries). Will try to salvage this somehow.

Cubes: The computer will setup 6 squares of color blocks (6 panels of 8by8 squares), you have to make each block into a solid color in as few moves as possible. Very nice puzzel game… its a rubicube in fact.

Route 16: You are a car that drives to collect fuel. Game ends when you are out of fuel. Awckward controls, ennemies to avoid. You move from screen to screen, kind of like BerZerk MMX.

Tough luck Mayhem! Out of all the list, there are only 4 games which I have not yet been able to load, and you pointed to two of them.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:00 pm

Well, if you are able to transfer the others, that would be a start

Kweepa · Post by **Kweepa** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:52 pm

Are these names taken from a "cat" of the tape?
If so it's possible the names are corrupted as well as the files.
For example, Budge could be Budget and Blatz could be Blitz

OBSysteme · Post by **OBSysteme** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:06 pm

These names are as they appear when VIC finds them on the tape and proceeds to load them.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:28 pm

Just found Millipede on another tape I acquired, so that one is off the list... thread necro time heh.