Commodore commercial 128 programs list

[Korodny]

Hey, I'm making my own lists, seems I'm not the only one who had this idea

A couple of notes:

There's some CPM software in that list, do you really want to list CPM stuff aswell? The list would grow quite large then

?Book (check book)

Does anybody have more info on that one? I only know of a freeware program called CheckBook

Zork the Undiscovered Underground

This is a 1997 Windows freeware release from Activision that got converted to C64/C128 format using the INFTOD64 tool - i.e. it's not an original commercial title.

* denotes that later versions will run in 80 column 128 mode.

This is misleading, and some titles are accidentally marked with a "*" aswell. Also, Border Zone is missing.

Infocom "Solid Gold" releases are rereleases of older titles with a better engine underneath. Solid gold releases can be run in both C64 and C128 mode, while the original version is C64 only. ("Zork I" = C64, "Zork I (Solid Gold)" = C64 and C128).  The complete list of Infocom releases for the C128 looks like this (no footnotes required):

A Mind Forever Voyaging
Beyond Zork
Border Zone
Bureaucracy
Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy, The (Solid Gold)
Leather Goddesses of Phobos (Solid Gold)
Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head Nor Tail Of It
Planetfall (Solid Gold)
Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels
Trinity
Wishbringer (Solid Gold)
Zork I (Solid Gold)

Paradroid Turbo

There's no Paradroid Turbo, it's called "Heavy Metal Paradroid".

Qix!

AFAIK, this one just autoboots on a C128, switches to C64 mode and then runs the normal C64 game (just like a lot of other titles).

Wizardry 1,2,3,5

Apart from Wizardry 5, all of these were released years before the C128 was available.

[Blacklord]

Hey, I'm making my own lists, seems I'm not the only one who had this idea

A couple of notes:

There's some CPM software in that list, do you really want to list CPM stuff aswell? The list would grow quite large then

Possibly - there was at least one title that was a tutorial/trainer specific to the 128.

What might be of use is to compile a list of CP/M software that is known to work on the 128 (not all does).

cheers,

Lance

[Korodny]

There's some CPM software in that list, do you really want to list CPM stuff aswell? The list would grow quite large then

Possibly - there was at least one title that was a tutorial/trainer specific to the 128.

Would that be "I am the C128" from Personal Choice (searching for info on that one)? Granted, that should be on the list then.

But I was talking about Perfect Writer/Filer/Calc, Multiplan, Wordstar etc. - all standard CPM stuff.

What might be of use is to compile a list of CP/M software that is known to work on the 128 (not all does).

Uh, sounds boring

[Blacklord]

"I am the C128" is one of them, there's another (will need to open up my storage boxes to find it though).

Ok, what might be of use (to people using CP/M) is a list of commercial titles & their setting (ie terminal etc) for getting 'em running on the 128.

Lance

[airship]

I would suggest a separate CP/M header then, listing only those CP/M programs that were specifically written or bundled for the C128. "I am the C128" would certainly qualify, as would "CP/M Kit".

There was also a version of Big Blue Reader for the CP/M side of the C128.

Besides CP/M Kit, INCA also started a series of at least 20 CP/M public domain disks that they called the "CP/M Library" for the C128. The series contained only programs certified to run under C128 CP/M Plus. At $20/disk, it was pretty pricey. Poseidon Electronics' public domain series was much more reasonable at $2/disk, and they provided C128 support, too.

And Computer Answers had a C128-targeted program called "CP/M Tutor", too.

[airship]

BTW, I HAVE begun updating this list from old INFO product roundups, but it will take awhile. I'll also be gone to ECCC next weekend, so it may take me a couple of weeks to get it done.

I'm adding company names and VERY short descriptions from our listings. I've added several new programs already, but I'm surprised at how many programs this list has that INFO never mentioned. So we definitely complement one another.

I've made a couple of small changes, like adding separate categories for Integrated and CP/M software. ('Jane' was NOT just a wordprocessor -  it sucked at three separate tasks!) I've also fixed a couple of titles, etc.

And I found the mysterious checkbook program. It was called 'Checkbook 128', was published by a little company called 'Nu-Age', and cost $19.95. INFO says it works in 80-column mode using windows and has a pop-up calculator.

[Korodny]

I would suggest a separate CP/M header then, listing only those CP/M programs that were specifically written or bundled for the C128.

I agree.

I would split the list into several parts anyway (Software, Games, Hardware, Books - that's how I did it with my lists). If there's to much CP/M stuff, make a seperate CP/M list aswell.

"I am the C128" would certainly qualify, as would "CP/M Kit".

Do you have some more info? Never heard about this one.

Besides CP/M Kit, INCA also started a series of at least 20 CP/M public domain disks that they called the "CP/M Library" for the C128. The series contained only programs certified to run under C128 CP/M Plus. At $20/disk, it was pretty pricey. Poseidon Electronics' public domain series was much more reasonable at $2/disk, and they provided C128 support, too.

That's the kind of stuff I wouldn't list at all, even if it were commercial.

[Guest]

You know, I think the social bookmark tagging concept would be great for downloads as well as documentation.

Hint, hint, Lance.

[Korodny]

I was about to post my own lists, but realised they need some major work before I can put them online. For a start, I cleaned up my list of commercial games for the C128 and opened a thread in the "gaming" board. Please have a look and tell me if you have additional info.

[Blacklord]

You know, I think the social bookmark tagging concept would be great for downloads as well as documentation.

Hint, hint, Lance.

No rest for the wicked huh ?

Ok, think I can implement direct to the forums via a plug-in, lemme work on it.....

cheers,

Lance

[airship]

Mostly a note here to myself to remember to add this C128 program to the list:

Diamond Text Editor (Robert Rockefeller), RAM disk-friendly text editor with user programmable macros, can be co-resident with assembler or used to write BASIC programs.

Found this in today a Transactor ad.

[nikoniko]

Midnight Assembly System [C128], (Matthew Chontain)
Supports the Commdore 1750 REU with its own built-in RAMDOS, complete with commands for automatically transferring entrire batches of files to and from the 1750 REU. Executes from either Bank 0 or Bank 1 and generates code into the Bank that is opposite the one that it resides in."
(Thanks to MachineDr for the heads up!)

Karma Assembler 64/128 [SuperCPU,C128] (PHD Software Systems)
"One of the fastest 6502 assemblers written" (up to 60KB object code per minute). Source is in BASIC program file format. Recently upgraded to version 2.2.

JCL Assembler and Program Development System [C64,C128,264,B-Series] (© 1983 JCL Software Ltd., © 1985 CBM and JCL Software Ltd.)
Provides conditional assembly, disk or memory input and output, object and include files. ML instruction set expandable for later processors. Max source size in memory: C128: 48K; C64: 30K shared with the symbol table. Consists of editor with syntax highlighting, assembler, monitor, and DOS support."

(Better Working) Power Assembler [C64,C128] (Spinnaker)
Assembles 6502 as well as Z80 code on the C128. Often included with Power C. Includes the .OUT pseudo-op which allows post-assembler processing for encryption, EPROM programming, sending object code to a separate computer, etc. May be an updated Buddy Assembler. C128 versoion works in 80 or 40 column mode. Available from Computer Station.
(Since it was also available separately from Power C, and sold under a different name than Buddy Assembler, seems it deserves its own entry.)

SAKU [C64,C128 ROM] (Jukka Marin)
Assembler which doesn't have macros. C128 version has more features than C64 version. Limited commercial release.

GeoCom [C64 GEOS,C128 GEOS] (D. Doehler, GUSS)
A BASIC-like language for developing GEOS applications. C128 version runs in 40 or 80 column mode, and compiled programs can also run in 40 or 80 columns. Requires geoWrite 2.0 or higher.

Descriptions from the Commodore Languages List.

[nikoniko]

Available from Computer Station:

C-128 80 Column Pro (Jem Software), some sort of utility
Kracker Jax C-128 Cannon (Kracker Jax), copy program
Multiterm 128 (CBM), terminal program (is this the same as the Multisoft package?)

[nikoniko]

Also, the infamous...
Graphic Booster 128 (T. Giger), variously released as a 64K upgrade plus function ROM and disk, function ROM plus disk but no memory expansion, and a disk version with neither the ROM or the memory. Added new BASIC commands for 80 column graphics.

[RobertB]

Available from Computer Station

Hmm, a name from the past.  I went to Computer Station's storefront a few years ago, and the store was gone... empty.  I tried telephoning.  No answer.

Maybe I should try again,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[nikoniko]

I hope they're still in business. I suppose the store may have closed down and they forgot to take down the page for it.

[airship]

The HTML page source was last modified on November 15, 1999. But SOMEBODY has got to be paying to keep the web site up, you would think. I'm sure Pacific Online isn't letting them stay up there for free!

In any event, their prices are certainly sky-high!

[Douglas]

Hello again everyone!!

It is nice to see people using the list that I made!  I actually started the list for myself as I had always wondered how many c-128 specific programs had been released and could never find any kind of actual list anywhere, so I made one myself!!  Anyways, I do realize that the present list is not perfect, and probably isn't complete either.  I always love getting help and suggestions for it so thanks for all the posts!!!  Here is where I stand on the list right now...

1)  I haven't included Load Star stuff because I think that would be a nightmare and I feel that would be better suited as a list by itself.

2)  I have thought about including more info on each program like the manufacturer, etc..I would probably need help with some of the info if this was implemented as I own very few of the programs myself and rely on magazines, web sites, etc for the info.

3)  There seem to be conflicting reports from various people on some of the programs as to exactly what they do, versions, modes the run in, etc...help in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Anyways, thanks for the input so far, I enjoy maintaining the list and it seems to be something that others enjoy also so that is nice!

Douglas

[airship]

You're doing a great job, Douglas. You put together an important resource that no one else had taken the time to do. I know how much work that is, and I appreciate it, as I'm sure everyone else here does. I'm planning on doing some research with my old copies of INFO this Winter to help add some information. But it wouldn't be happening at all if it wasn't for your work up front. Thanks.

[Blacklord]

**  Programs that are enhanced when run on a Commodore 128 in C64 Mode **

Isn't the 128 version of Qix different to the 64 version ? I believe both versions were inluded on a "flippy" disk.

Lance

[airship]

If so, I'd like to pick up a copy. Qix was one of my favorite arcade games, along with Tempest.

[hydrophilic]

Tempest!

I've searched several times before but I've never found a version for the 64 or 128.  I've been thinking about making one if it doesn't already exist.  Of course its been years since I've played the arcade so I couldn't make a perfect clone, but I'd settle for something close

[Blacklord]

Dawnstar terminal program should be added to this list (see the forwarded post in this forum) - it was commercial.

cheers,

Lance

[nikoniko]

Some programs that were for sale in various issues of Compute's Gazette and Ahoy:

Super Nibbler 128
SpeedPlus-128 (Upgrade C64 Speedscript to an enhanced 128 mode version)
Handle 128 (Disk and modem utilities)
File 128 (Database manager)
Trek 128 (80 column game)
A-Copier
BBS 128
Golf Handicapper
Pro Coach: A Football Strategy Game
Rule Master 128 (Learn about expert systems)

[nikoniko]

More from Gazette:

Alpha File (file management / search)
Alpha Utility (miscellaneous utilities)
Symbol Master (multi-pass symbolic disassembler) -- by the way, anyone have a copy of this?
Videx (Video tape database)
Label Maker
CCI Bottom Liner (personal and small business accounting)
CCI Property Rental (Bottom Liner expanded with property file for up to 500 rental units)
CCI Mortgage Manager (Bottom Liner expanded with property file for up to 400 mortgages)
OmniCodeI (code generator system which outputs BASIC 7 programs and subroutines for common tasks)
128 Monitor Extension (adds new feature to the MLM)
DV Typer (use Dvorak layout)
PCSecure (key-based datafile encryption)