suggestions for classic gameing computer setup

[Soviet Conscript]

well, looks like i'll finally be getting a house and my own game room soon (fingers crossed) so i had something i was gonna ask an opinion about. growing up and even now computer gameing was a big part of my video gameing so i was going to dedicate one wall of comp gameing. i wanted to have a few systems set up, possibly 4 or 5. of course i could always pull out the other systems to play as needed but i wanted a few set up that i will be useing the most. i wanted the "perminant" setup to be what would probibly be the more influential or unique computers with experences you can't get on other comps or that host a number of "definitive" versions. anyways this is what i have in mind

1) amiga 3000.
2) C64
3)apple IIGS

i know for sure i want those 3 in the setup but not sure what i want to place in the next 2 slots, assumeing i have room

i own
Ti-99/4A
MSX2 (obviously alot of unique games here)
aquarious (what would be the point?)
atari 800XL
atari 1040ST (usually other systems like the amiga had the better ports so i don't see much point of this in a perminet setup. besides the great versions of Captian Blood i can't think of any reason to have this setup most of the time)

i do not own
DOS machine (i've really been thinking about this one. not to costly to put together and ALOT of great late 80's early-mid 90's games. i don't like to emulate but when i think about it is there a good reason for a dedicated DOS machine when there is DOSBOX? are there advantages to a dedicated DOS setup? a ibm pc is an ibm pc after all so is useing dosbox truely emulateing?)
vic-20
C128
dragon32

i've also really wanted to get into Euro computers so i've really considered getting a spectrum, amastrad or acorn archemedies setup, spectrum would probibly be cheapest.

anyways, any suggestions, comments?

[roushimsx]

There's no reason to go with a dedicated DOS setup if you already have a decent PC (and it's very, very, very hard to not have a decent PC since even cheap $300 PCs are including C2Ds @2.4+ghz). DOSbox offers so many advantages over building a DOS machine that unless you're just itching to juggle memory managers, manually adjust IRQs via jumpers, create multi boot menus or take up extra space then you may as well just stick with what you have.

Never had an Amiga and always kind of wanted one, but I think WinUAE is at the point anymore where it'd just be moot to pick one up. Ditto for the MSX2 ...I really should have bought one of those back in the mid-late 90s when I could have put it to better use than I would today. Oh well

I'd slide the MSX2 into the perma-slot for sure, but as far as the last one...hrml... no idea. Extra desk room, I guess!

[AB Positive]

SC - we've been on the same track of late - I have a dual classic computer setup right now - A500 w/ trapdoor ram (fuck yeah, Starflight) and my 64K upgraded 600XL

of course my vote goes with tricking out the 800xl and hopefully you have some sort of SIO2xxx setup going so you can work without fiddling with floppies all the time. My 600XL gets tons of use between Yoomp! and Alternate Reality: The City (A8 = definitive version - the ports do not measure up)

My next pickup would be a ZX Spectrum - preferably a later model that would hook up to a 1702. 1702 C64 monitors can display PAL so you'd be set. Audio splitter + iPod = entire Speccy library at your fingertips, heh. (Jet Set Willy = love)

[Soviet Conscript]

SC - we've been on the same track of late - I have a dual classic computer setup right now - A500 w/ trapdoor ram (fuck yeah, Starflight) and my 64K upgraded 600XL

of course my vote goes with tricking out the 800xl and hopefully you have some sort of SIO2xxx setup going so you can work without fiddling with floppies all the time. My 600XL gets tons of use between Yoomp! and Alternate Reality: The City (A8 = definitive version - the ports do not measure up)

My next pickup would be a ZX Spectrum - preferably a later model that would hook up to a 1702. 1702 C64 monitors can display PAL so you'd be set. Audio splitter + iPod = entire Speccy library at your fingertips, heh. (Jet Set Willy = love)

i have a few 1702's so that would be great. been looking at spectrums for some time. especially after reading retro gamer and finding alot of good games.

SIO2xxx setup? i acually have no idea what you speak of. EDIT - oh i see, lets you interface with the pc for virtual harddrives. nice

[Baloo]

I think DOSBox is technically emulating myself. That's my opinion though.

I own a Tandy 1000 SX myself, got it off of eBay complete with disks and whatnot for $108. I think I saw one yesterday on there for $50 with monitor and keyboard. I love the Tandy, nice brand of computers. If you're looking for a DOS computer, that's what I would recommend.

[Blanka789]

I say you can't go wrong with a classic DOS or even Windows machine. There are a ton of great games, and nothing beats original hardware, especially when you assemble it yourself.

As for the next spot, I say go for the Atari 800XL. I've always wanted an Atari computer, and that is a really great one for games.

[Arkhan]

I wouldnt bother with a C128. There were no C128 exclusive games unless you count Ultima's enhanced SID music. If anything just replace your C64 plan with a C128 just in case you want to hear sid music while playing! Either way, c64/128s are easy to find, and I know some folks that can help you out

Maybe an Amstrad.... Amstrad more so than the spectrum. Alot of same games, but the colors are nicer.

as far as Amstrad/Spectrum, you might want to hold off. Alot of the games are on the C64 so it may not be worth getting a dedicated setup for one since the C64 is easier to obtain and get setup. (Plus, you can get cracked .d64s all over the net and write to real disk no problem!)

You could emulate them on a DOS/Win9x machine probably. haha. I used to play C64 games on VICE w/ a P166.

You could condense alot of space and open more slots by emulating Amiga w/ AmiKit or just WinUAE as configuring and getting a gamefriendly Amiga is a pain in the ass. You need WHDLoad , it is a must.

whichever computer emulates Amiga can also use DOSBOX. Then you can buy an MT-32 and play dos games with some really nice Roland music. (Ultima VI and VII in particular!). Theres no real merit to using a real DOSBOX from what I gather. I have setup DOSBOX and have a huge directory of games. I played through World of Xeen, a bunch of Ultimas, some adventure games, and even descent. Had no problems. DOSBOX is very solid, and like I said it supports external MIDI devices and is beyond easy to setup! http://www.dosbox.com/comp_list.php Check out the compatibility list, it speaks for itself. I see no real reason to use a real DOS machine anymore unless you already have it and its ready to go.


But, If you're adamant about getting an Amiga (theyre mighty sexy! I know!) ,I know someone close to both me and you that has A3000 and more for sale. VA isnt far from Pittsburgh!


His A3000 has an accelerator and video board, a built in scan doubler (use any VGA/LCD monitor). You would just need to install WHDLoad and you're set!

PM me if you want me to bug him. Hes probably got C128s/stuff too and could get you a giant box o' Commodore headed your way to take care of that part of your future setup!