Retro Computing

A dive into computing history: from the ZX Spectrum and BBC Micro through the Commodore Amiga, the demoscene, early online communities, and the ingenious copy-protection schemes that shaped an era. Personal essays spanning 45 years of computing, museum visits, and retrospectives on hardware and ideas that continue to influence modern computing.

Favourite Museums

Computing Bletchley Park Bletchley Park - The historic site of World War II codebreaking and the birthplace of modern computing. Located in Milton Keynes, UK. The National Museum of Computing TNMOC - Located on the Bletchley Park estate, this museum houses the world’s largest collection of functional historic computers, including the rebuilt Colossus and the Harwell Dekatron (WITCH). Centre for Computing History Centre for Computing History - Based in Cambridge, this museum focuses on the personal computing revolution and features a massive collection of vintage consoles and computers. ...

Favourite Computers, Consoles & Mobiles

A list of all my favourite computers, phones & games consoles I’ve mostly owned or used at school & college, in order of purchase / initial use … Computers Commodore PET (1977) The Commodore PET was the first computer I learnt BASIC in the school computing club (1981) The first program I wrote was an animated Christmas card as part of a school competition, I was quite proud of it. We were meant to showcase all of our programs at a public school event however I forgot to take the tape with me to school, I was truly gutted. I also mislaid the tape at home so have lost all those initial programs I wrote :( ...

Apple finally allows game emulators in the App Store

Finally gaming emulators are now permitted on Apple devices. I’ve just downloaded the Delta app for iPhone and it’s awesome, runs really smoothly Apple App Store: Delta - Game Emulator Available Emulators Delta Developer: Riley Testut Supported Systems: NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS Key Features: Cloud saves, cheat codes, customizable controls, controller support Price: Free (with optional premium features) Dolphin Developer: Dolphin Emulator Team Supported Systems: GameCube, Wii Key Features: HD graphics, controller support, save states, netplay Price: Free Other Notable Emulators Bimmy: NES emulator Provenance: Multi-system emulator (limited availability) PPSSPP: PSP emulator Installation and Setup Getting Started with Delta Download Delta from the App Store Grant necessary permissions for file access Download ROMs from legal sources Import ROMs into Delta Configure controls for your preferred layout Controller Setup Built-in Controls: Touch controls with customizable layouts External Controllers: Supports MFi controllers, Xbox, PlayStation controllers Bluetooth Pairing: Enable Bluetooth in Settings > Delta Troubleshooting Common Issues ROM Import Problems ...

Favourite Computer Games

This is my personal collection of favorite computer and console games that I’ve enjoyed over the decades. Each game holds special memories and represents different eras of gaming history. Apple IIe Oregon Trail - Educational classic about pioneer life Choplifter - Helicopter rescue mission Lode Runner - Platform puzzle game Karateka - Martial arts fighting game Prince of Persia - Platform adventure Atari 2600 Adventure - Pioneering adventure game Space Invaders - Classic arcade shooter Pitfall! - Platforming adventure Missile Command - Defense strategy Asteroids - Space shooter Frogger - Traffic crossing challenge Pac-Man - Maze chase classic BBC Micro Model B Elite (1984) - Revolutionary space trading game Repton (1985) - Classic puzzle game Chuckie Egg (1983) - Addictive platformer Also games typed in from computer magazines Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k Atic Atac (1983) - Classic arcade adventure Chuckie Egg (1983) - Platformer classic Fruit Machine (1983) - Gambling simulation Hunchback (1983) - Medieval platformer Jet Set Willy (1984) - Platform adventure Jetpac (1983) - the first game I ever played on a home computer Manic Miner (1983) - the second game I ever played on a home computer Scramble (1981) - Space shooter The Hobbit (1982) - Text adventure Knight Lore (1984) - Isometric pioneer Sabre Wulf (1984) - Jungle adventure Skool Daze (1984) - School simulation Commodore 64 Aztec Challenge (1982) - Temple platformer Barbarian (1987) - Sword fighting Battle Chess (1988) - Animated chess Boulder Dash (1984) - Gem collecting puzzle Bubble Bobble (1986) - Bubble platformer California Games (1987) - Sports compilation Commando (1985) - Run and gun Ghosts’ N Goblins (1985) - Platformer OutRun (1987) - Racing classic Paperboy (1985) - Newspaper delivery The Last Ninja (1987) - Ninja adventure Turrican (1990) - Platform shooter World Class Leaderboard (1987) - Golf simulation The Sentinel (1986) - 3D puzzle Impossible Mission (1984) - Platform puzzle Summer Games (1984) - Olympic sports Winter Games (1985) - Winter sports Commodore Amiga 500, 600, 1200, 1500 Defender of the Crown (1986) - Strategy game Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge (1990) - Racing Maniac Mansion (1987) - Point and click adventure Rainbow Islands (1987) - Platformer Lemmings (1991) - Puzzle strategy Another World (1991) - Cinematic platformer Syndicate (1993) - Tactical shooter Speedball 2 (1990) - Futuristic sports Shadow of the Beast (1989) - Platformer Populous (1989) - God game Nintendo 64 GoldenEye 007 (1997) - Revolutionary FPS Super Mario 64 (1996) - 3D platforming pioneer Wave Race 64 (1996) - Water racing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) - Adventure classic Mario Kart 64 (1996) - Kart racing Star Fox 64 (1997) - Space shooter Nintendo Wii Metroid Prime (2007) - First-person adventure New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009) - Cooperative platformer Super Mario Galaxy (2007) - Gravity-based platformer Wii Sports (2006) - Motion control sports The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006) - Adventure PC Early Classics (1980s-1990s) Prince of Persia (1989) - Platform adventure Doom (1993) - Revolutionary FPS Quake (1996) - 3D shooter Tetris (1985) - Puzzle classic 1990s-2000s Half-Life (1998) - Story-driven FPS BoxWorld - Puzzle game Minecraft (2011) - Sandbox building Portal (2007) - Physics puzzle The Sims (2000) - Life simulation Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Super Mario World (1990) - Platformer The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) - Adventure Super Metroid (1994) - Platformer Donkey Kong Country (1994) - Platformer Chrono Trigger (1995) - RPG Sega Megadrive Echo the Dolphin (1992) - Underwater adventure Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) - Platformer Streets of Rage (1991) - Beat ’em up Golden Axe (1989) - Hack and slash Phantasy Star IV (1993) - RPG Comix Zone (1995) - Action platformer Sony PlayStation 1-5 God of War (2018) - Action-adventure Lego games - Family-friendly adventures Metal Gear Solid (1998) - Stealth action Grand Theft Auto V (2013) - Open-world crime Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) - Western adventure Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (2016) - Action-adventure The Last of Us (2013) - Survival horror Spider-Man (2018) - Superhero action Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) - Open-world RPG Conclusion This collection represents just a fraction of the incredible games that have shaped my gaming journey over the years. From the simple pleasures of early home computers to the cinematic experiences of modern consoles, each game has contributed to my love of gaming. I hope this list inspires others to explore these classics and discover the rich history of video games.