CD32

CD32

When I started this blog I did say I would talk about things other than handheld consoles so here we go. A console from the early 90s.

My main passion when it comes to consoles and computers is the Commodore line of computers, mainly Amiga, my favourite of all is probably the A1200, but let's not talk about that, let's talk about the console, some call a variant of the A1200, the CD32 which in itself is a very powerful console and more expandable than was thought it ever could be when it was released on September 17th 1993.

Whilst in developement the CD32 had the codename "Spellbound", and the console was just what Commodore needed at the time as they were floundering financially at the time. Commodore needed a big hitter to enter the market just before the christmas period and a lot of hope was placed on the CD32.

Most people just see the CD32 as an A1200 without a keyboard, floppy drive and hard drive all of which may not come as standard with the CD32 but can actually be added if you wish to tinker a little. The most common add on is the Terrible Fire 328 which has 8MB RAM and a 2.5" IDE expansion which can be used for hard disk drives or CF/SD cards. Another option when it comes to a floppy drive is the AMIFDCD32 which plugs into the rear expansion port on the CD32. There are other variants of the Terrible Fire such as the Terrible Fire 330. Adding a Terrible Fire can cause compatibility issues.

Other peripherals:

Keyboard option: There is a port on the left hand side that can be used for a keyboard. Mice. Connecting to HDTV and the use of third party controllers.

No matter what hardware you attach to a CD32 that can change it into a fully fledged computer, most will always see it as a console, which is not a bad thing, and so will use it as such including myself, my CD32 was purchased as a console and has always been used as a console and probably will always be used as a console, I have an Amiga that I can use for computer work.

My favourite game for CD32 was Zool, probably due to it being the game I played the most (only game I had, for the longest time) but I am also a sucker for a good platformer but I am easily distracted by pretty graphics such as those in virtually every Bitmap Brothers game. Any point and click adventure game such as Simon the Sorcerer.

The question may be, do I still own a CD32? Yes I do, also do I still use my CD32? No because I mainly use handhelds, even my PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series X have been reduced to being Blu Ray players or for  streaming games to my handheld consoles. If you don't have a CD32 but want to play there is always the option to emulate the CD32 on other hardware. There are A1200 emulators which makle it possible to play CD32 games on other OSs such as Windows, Linux, MacOS and Android. Hardware: PCs, Apple, Raspberry Pi, other Amigas. Would people want to emulate the CD32 for that retro feel?

Peoples views and thoughts with regards to the official CD32 controller vary. Most think it very peculiar and shaped incorrectly compared to controllers of the time or if you compare it to todays range of controllers it just seems alien.

Would I recommend the CD32? Only for old school gamers that are willing to have the console plonked in front of the TV or for those that want to tinker and change it's use to a computer and place in front of a monitor. Prices of second hand CD32s vary in quality, bundle sizes anbnd whether they are boxed or not.

There have been various, what many would call retro, recreations of computers available to purchase recently such as the Amiga 500 mini, SNES mini, NES mini and coming soon the Vectrex mini. If the CD32 came out now would it be popular and what specs would people like to see on it? Such as HDMI out, USB ports, WIFI, Bluetooth, things that wouldn't detract from the aesthetic look of the original. Personally, yes I would purchase one but only if I could use my existing catalogue of CD32 games which means a mini variant would not be an option for me.

How powerful is it compared to modern consoles? It can't really be compared these days as 30+ years have passed and there really is no competition. Do the games of the time compare favourably with games that are available on modern computers and consoles? This question on the other hand is depends on the players requirements, a good game and good characters can easily beat the flash 3D rendered images and online play.

Michael