Posted by markopoloman on Jun 9, 2010 23:40 (Jun 9, 2010 23:40)
Let’s go back in time to summer 1984. I was just getting the hang of being a teenager and thinking that 13 was a good age to be!
Although I had used the family Atari VCS for the past 5 years, I was becoming more aware of what my mates were harking on about when it came to games systems. My brother, who is 2 years older than me and had been the proud owner of a Sinclair ZX81, frequently borrowed his friends ZX Spectrum. I was occasionally allowed to ‘look’ at the games that he played on this computer and on one occasion was even given the privilege to read out a listing for a game from a computer magazine as he typed it in.
I wanted more!
My Aunt arrived one day with a couple of home shopping catalogues and after I’d skipped through them (only pausing briefly - excuse the pun - at the lingerie) I arrived at the electronics section. I can still picture it now – first up was the Sinclair ZX Spectrum followed a few pages later by the Commodore 64, a system I had not heard of before so, ironically, ignored it. The Atari 600XL and Atari 800XL were next. Having used the Atari VCS for many years and recognising the brand name, I rather fancied the sexy silver keys down the right hand side of the 600XL.
I started the pre-Christmas wind-up……… “Mum can I have an Atari 600XL please!” This systematic whining carried on for the next 4 months – past my birthday in October and beyond.
With only a month left before Santa’s arrival, I started pleading with my mum and even offered to do the odd bit of work around the house! But to no avail…… or so I thought.
December 25th 1984 - 6am. My brother, sister and I were all up and making coffee and toast for mum and dad (and having 5 kids now, I know what was going through their heads). My excitement was so intense – I’d seen the HUGE box under the tree with the label ‘To Mark, Love Mum & Dad’ tied to it – and the image of an Atari bounced around my head…sleek, black, real keyboard and those sexy silver function keys.
The moment arrived – I ripped the paper off and to my horror came face to face with a Commodore 64 personal computer with a C2N tape player. I have to admit right now that a feeling of disappointment hung over me for at least 20 seconds. My brother pointed out to me that HE was the one that talked my parents into getting the C64 – as the Atari was in his opinion a waste of money.
How right he was! (sorry Atari fan boys). And so began my love affair with a computer. Looking back now, I get such a great feeling remembering that morning. Even though all I had was a C64 and C2N tape deck – no games, no demo’s – nothing. I sat there for hours and hours typing things like:
The Commadore 64 was & still is, the best, most enjoyable machine ever. Turrican & flimbos quest had me addicted for hours, Microprose Soccer was awsome. There was so many mastertronic classics, me too loved Vegas Jackpot, those were the days when games were fun
Jun 11, 2010 19:46:54 (
Jun 11, 2010 19:46
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