C64 Emulator Approved by Apple and Now Available
posted by arn on September 5th, 2009 7:18 PM EDT in $4.99, Retro, iPhone games, iPod touch games
Manomio's Commodore 64 emulator [$4.99] has finally been approved by Apple. We first reported on the project back in June, after Manomio had received their first rejection from Apple. The rejection was particularly disappointing considering the efforts that Manomio had made in making sure their emulator fully licensed and legal.
We posted an extensive hands on with the emulator shortly after rejection. The final Apple approved version appears to be the same but with BASIC disabled. Note that some of the games demonstrated in the video aren't actually available yet. See below for the launch list.
[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]
It's important to note that Manomio's C64 emulator will not run arbitrary disk images, and only supports fully licensed disk images that are offered through Manomio.
It works like this: the emulator comes bundled with several C64 games (Artic Shipwreck, Dragon's Den, Jack Attack, Jupiter Lander and Lemans)along with standard Commodore BASIC 2.0 interpreter. Users can purchase separately sold program packs (early prices appear to be $0.99-$1.99 each and are determined by original IP holders) from the App Store that, when launched, install a game (or games) into the main application, adding them to the bookcase-like program launcher.
The $4.99 C64 emulator costs $4.99 and includes 5 games: Dragons Den, Le Mans, Jupiter Lander, Arctic Shipwreck, and Jack Attack. Additional separately sold game packs will be coming soon. With the C64 emulator approved, Manomio is also clear to pursue further licensing deals and they have said they are actively working on adding new titles.
App Store Link: C64, $4.99
Thanks eggzbacon
Thanks for all the support – we're now going to focus on titles for you all. Tweet your requests to @manomio or send us emails info@manomio.com
Great news and hopefully some more recognisable games will be made available soon. One problem I can see is that the C64, like many systems at that time, was quite reliant on arcade conversions. Licensing those would be quite difficult I guess.
Not nearly as much as you think… Most of the best games games (like Broderbund's) were originals or were ports from the Apple 2. Karateka, Paradroid, Raid on Bungeling Bay, the original Wolfenstein, Impossible Mission… I could list a hundred games that weren't from the arcade.
Besides, conversions of arcade games are a dime a dozen on the iPhone and most of them will look and play a lot better than their C64 version. People are going to buy the games that aren't available elsewhere on this.
Let's hope they get M.U.L.E. That should have been a release title!
I'd love to see: Deathsword, Elite, any Ultima.
Mule would be awesome, except for the UI wouldn't really work with iPhone. A networked version would be great, but that's a re-write. Who owns Mule these days? It was a Dan/Danielle Bunten game done for EA if I'm not mistaken.
Oh Man Raid on bungling bay would be fantastic. I would also love to see:
Mail order monsters.
Forbidden Forrest
Beyond Forbidden Forest ( I would die for those 2 )
Castles of Dr. Creep
I would buy this App 6 times over just for those games
Your welcome
Dropzone, awesome game, best C64 game, says me, so stick that on your C64 emulator thingamajig for the iPhoney.
OMG! OMG, OMG, OMG! I need a paper bag.
*collapse* <— but in a good way
Bought this in a heartbeat, on the strength of the video alone. I havent even played it yet, but the attention to detail with the interface is astounding. I love the old-skool tv look.
You just know that real passion went into this.
BRUCE LEE! We need Bruce Lee.
IK+ too.
Also: Apropos of nothing, the anti-spam word to post this messge was "IKEA". Is TA trying to tell me something?
Ha!
I got the same thing http://twitpic.com/83eeq a few months back.
SpinDizzy would be an awesome offering. Probably my fave C64 game.
BRUCE LEE!!! hell yeah!!
Staff of Karnath!
LodeRunner
Summer games
the list could go on and on !!
Bought this instantly! Would love to see more games! Bring down the price until you get more games!
no interpreter, no good game, too much limit, worths nothing…
(Defender of the Crown, Impossible Mission, etc…. lame solution this)
sry, I loved C64, but this is not OK now.
If I can't load my own games and there's no BASIC, then there's no sale. That makes all that work pretty much useless. We're never going to see Below the Root, Radar Rat Race, The Hobbit, packaged up. We'll likely never see the hojillion random games others want to see – just the very few most popular.
Well duh. You'd have to be moronic to release an emulator and intentionally release unpopular games.
Dude, just.. shut up. Apple never would have allowed that in a million years, and only a tiny minority would even want to go through the trouble of acquiring C64 disk images and loading them on the phone. You don't want to buy it, fine, but I'm sick of whiners with completely unrealistic expectations.
but why is a BASIC interpreter, or loading of arbitrary code, "unrealistic" to expect? There isn't another smartphone manufacturer in the business with such draconian rules
Miner 2049er
Bounty Bob Strikes Back
Yes finally someone mentions 2049er.. i remember playing that when i was a kid. I used to play that and Jumpman Jr, and of course a few others. If ony the C64 was still around in these days.
Jumpman
Great Gianna sisters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the game shelf!
BTW, note to Sega:
You see how this emulator is handled?
THAT'S how any Master System and Genesis/MegaDrive emulated classics should be done.
If you have specific game requests or are a license holder, please submit your details http://tr.im/xZ2e <– here
Bought it! Now waiting for more games
Bruce Lee
GI Joe
Ghosts'n Goblins
Exploding Fist
wow!
This game looks amazing but unfortunately my generation started with Nintendo and I would imagine the appeal of this would be mostly for nostalgia.
its funny, the app page in itunes shows the basic emulator, which is not in it, kinda misleading
Im all for it, I love the C64, so this is an instant buy to support it and bring more titles
Radar Rat Race
then there are a few where i can't remember the names,
Dragon ForcE?
that Aztec one, where you are racing, jumping obstacles and ducking?
Yes, we're sorry about the initial image – but they've been fixed.
Aztec Challenge
I'm feeling some Spindizzy, definitely. Along with maybe some Zoids, wizball, kickstart II, and most importantly, Parallax.
To be honest, the best games were the Mastertronic budget titles, along with the spin off label Ricochet.
ahhhhh, those where the days….
downloaded this straight away and i'm impressed as a former C64 owner.
some addon requests:
track&field
double dragon
bruce lee
platoon
commando
Awesome! IK+ please!
Frantic Freddie!!
I was an Apple //c guy… but a lot of the games crossedover… so I want Rescue Radiers.
arn
Nice idea… But the initial game lineup is an extreme disappointment. IMO they should have waited until they got at least 2 decent, high-profile games to pack with this.
My guess is they did it just right. Like this they get $5 from all true fanatics, bring out some game packs, and then have some promos where the emulator sells for $5 but with some big titles (that the fanatics already bought) included. As I stated below (?) I hope they won't exceed $1 per game.
Great Giana Sisters, please
Yes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL OF THEM !!!!!
GGSwas awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the best news that come to App Store… since App Store! Hopefully someone can port an Apple II (or better yet, Apple IIGS!) emulator over!
Since there isn't one yet and not familiar with Commodore 64 (except that I heard that it is superior), if there are any Apple II game ports I will buy this… Karateka? Lode Runner? What other Apple II ports available? Thanks!
Much of what came out on the C64 also came out on the Apple II. There was a *lot* of porting going on back then. The notable exceptions are games that took advantage of the C64's ability to use more than one joystick (such as M.U.L.E.).
Since the Apple II is a dead platform, Apple has nothing to lose by authorizing an Apple II emulator on the iPhone, BASIC and all. I'd love to load up an image of the old DOS 3.3 System Master disk and play Wozniak's Little Brick Out.
I'm very glad Apple approved this, however, C64 cannot be programmed here? I just don't quite get it. I think Apple needs to…
basic would be fun and not intrusive, if there are security holes I'm sure they could be filled.
Doesn't Microsoft technically own the rights to Commodore BASIC (as well as Applesoft BASIC), since they created it?
ok i just thought of another game it would be nice to see again.. ZAXXON!!!!
I must say there has been some pretty interesting news the last couple of days, this being one of my favourite highlights. One question to the devolopers (if they are still reading). Since the emulator can emulate the C64 sound chip, would it be possible for you guys to incorporate a mediaplayer and the proper license to make music packs available for download? Check out http://www.hvsc.c64.org/ for more "inspiration". I would love to be able to sit in the train on my way to work and just listen to some cool old chip music.
If you want to listen to C64 Sids from HVSC on your iPhone or iPod touch, run to get Sid Player:
http://appshopper.com/music/sid-player
It works absolutely great!
Oh nice, thanks for the tip DavidM!
So where is the source code for this port of the GPL'd port of Frodo/Vice. Or are you planning on slapping the license and developers in the face with this blatant attempt at claiming credit and financial gain for someone else's hard work. Where do I download the source code?
Is your Commodore 64 emulator that is selling on the AppStore a port in any way of Frodo by Christian Bauer, or a port of any other derived work from the original Frodo source code authored by Christian Bauer?
Is your Commodore 64 emulator that is selling on the AppStore a port in any way of the VICE emulator, or derived in any way from the VICE emulator.
Where can the source code for the commodore 64 emulator you have made available for purchase on the AppStore. I have purchased the application and would like now to get access to the source code.
Thank you for your honest answers.
Sentinel, please…
Firebird, best editor of all times.
Some C64 game requests from me: (trying to avoid difficult to license arcade ports)
Armalyte, Booty, Bruce Lee, Cauldron, Cauldron 2, Chuckie Egg, Cybernoid 1 & 2, Dark Side, Driller, Defender of the Crown, Delta, Drop Zone, Druid, Elite, Way of the Exploding Fist 1 & 2, Flash Gordon, Ghostbusters, Glider Rider, Hawkeye, IK+, IBall, Head over Heals, Impossible Mission, IO, Little Computer People, Manic Miner, Maga Apocalypse 1 & 2, Metal Gear, Miami Vice, Monty on the Run, One Man and His Droid, Paradroid, Parallax, Pitstop 2, Rambo 1, 2 & 3, Revs, Sacred Armour of Antiriad, Sanxion, Star Glider, Stormlord, Summer Games 1 & 2, The Last Ninja 1, 2, & 3, Thing Bounces Back, Thing on a Spring, Thrust, Tusker, Uridium, Winter Games, World Games.
That's it. That's the master list as far as I'm concerned. Nicely done!
No list is a master list without M.U.L.E.
….and Pirates!
exxxcelllent.
now it's just a matter of time before the amiga emulator.
moo ha ha ha ha ha. frontier on my iPhone? hell yeah!
Amazing… every other mobile platform has a c64 emulator, and now the iPhone has half of it (no basic, only preloaded games), everyone talks about it… now I understand the power of the iPhone hype :p
FYI: Basic is in the App.
activate the setting for "Always show full keyboard"
run a game. then hit the reset button. done.
now you can do your basic stuff.
LOAD "$",8
LOAD "*",8,1
RUN
yay for cracker intros.
If your iPhone is jailbroken and you have ssh installed it's easy enough to add your own d64 and t64 files … hunt around in the application directory and you'll find the way, I've been adding games all evening … everything's fully playable! App appears to be based on Frodo by the way.
Rufus, you're right! In addition, you can enable BASIC this way!!!! Just make sure you don't provide anything in the "initialState" key in gameInfo.plist – then, if you don't load anything, BASIC will be started.
I'll post a detailed "hacking guide" really soon!
How can you add a custom game? I changed the plist file, add new png-s, and a custom T64 file, but it can't load. When I load the Dir, it shows another image's content… fck.. but Basic is here
same problem here… I can't figure out how to point the new game to the appropriate .t64 file even though it resides in the new subdirectory I created for that game (residing inside the games directory) and even though I edited the plist file appropriately… any help would be appreciated
Later edit: please refer to my follow-up comments later in this discussion… I've figured out how to make added games work.
Working now:) Bombjack and Commando RuLZ
But it runs a bit slow on my 2G…
Does anybody remember Raid over Bungeling Bay?
Paradroid
Elite
Turrican (iirc there was one on C64)
Zak McKracken
Maniac Mansion
Kaiser
oh the times
intial offering doesnt have anything i want. but can't wait to see more titles
Give me Zork or Bust
Why should I have to buy gamepacks for this when all C64 games are legally available for free from C64.com?
Not cool if you used Frodo or Vice soure code.
No BASIC = Fail
I'd reconsider if Ultima III was included.
Is this worth buying if you never owned a Commodore 64? The C64 was popular way before I ever got my first computer but I’m certainly interested in old game platforms that I missed out on.
SYS64738
Holy crap dude!!
Ooops, I accidently typed 'new'.
LOL – now I can type 'old'.
anyone have a guide on adding games? Can't seem to get it working on jb 3g.
Don't some of you read before posting , Basic can be turned on but they can't spell that out for you. Just read a few posts up about how to do it.
For all those clamoring for M.U.L.E, bear in mind that the game in its c64 form wouldn't be playable using the iPhone interface.
However, I just found out that the family of Dani Bunten is moving forward with official releases of remakes of Bunten's work, including M.U.L.E for the iPhone currently in development. Very cool. http://www.offworld.com/2009/09/ye-shall-receive-mule-remake-i.html
That said, I'm going to buy the Monomio software as soon as the library fills out. This product is awesome!
Activision made a lot of cool games for C64. My favorite was Toy Bizarre. I would totally buy the C64 app just to play this game.
More games please..
Zork and all Z interpreter games are beautiful, and available in Frotz. Love it. Available in the app store.
great for my iPhone
)
I can't figure out how to point a newly added game to the appropriate .t64 file even though it resides in the new subdirectory I created for that game (residing inside the games directory) and even though I edited its plist file appropriately… any help would be appreciated… when I launch the newly added game (which appears in the bookshelf just fine), it loads another stock game instead (!)
Ok, I've figured it out… In the gameInfo.plist file for a particular game, you must add this bit of xml, and then the game will reference the appropriate game .t64 file…
ADD…
game-images
gamename.t64
THEN, to add back the entire keyboard and controls for any game… simply remove these lines from that game's same gameInfo.plist file…
i.e.,
REMOVE…
keyboard
layout-name
noControlsLayout
background
nocontrols_bg.png
That's it. Newly added games all work!
Randy
unfortunately in the message I just left above, the necessary brackets were removed here… so it made no sense… I'll try something else…
To make a newly added game reference its appropriate .t64 file, you must edit that game's gameInfo.plist file. First, you would ADD a key titled "game-images" (without the quotes) and then under that ADD an array-string for that new key titled "gamename.t64" (again, without the quotes but with the exact name of the .t64 file.
THEN… to add back all keyboard functionality for any game, you would delete the "keyboard" key and its dict strings that directly follow from that same gameInfo.plist file.
I hope this clarifies for somebody out there!
Randy
What about .d64-images, will they work? I so wanna play Wizball on my iPhone.
Moroboshi already posted a master list, however these are the games I would like to see first:
Forbidden Forest, Beyond Forbidden Forest, Uridium, Impossible Mission (a US Gold/Epyx Pack at any rate), Great Gianna Sisters, Katakis, Cyberdroid, Aztec Challenge, Karateka, IK/IK+, The Last Ninja 1-2, Tusker, Wizball, Wizkid, Delta, QueDex, Cosmic Causeway/Trailblazer, Paradroid, Uridium, Cauldron 1-2, Turrican, Beach Head 1-2, Head over Heels.
Joystick is a bit wonky, but that can't be helped on the iPhone, I suppose. Still, great interface.
Can't get it to work, would you please post the plist-text?
The Dragon's Den subdir contains an example with a D64 file in the XML file – use it as a boilerplate.
Also see http://winmobiletech.com/sekalaiset/gameInfo.plist – it's an edited gameInfo.plist file for Paradroid.
Note that, in addition to defining game-images/array/string, I've also modded JoystickSwap to true so that Port2 is used and SkipFrames to 1 (from the default 3). On slower (non-3G S) devices, you may want to stick with higher values.
Looks fantastic. Amazing amount of trouble gone into programming this.
I'd love to see other systems emulated one day: ZX Spectrum, Acorn Electron/BBC… ????
It is very unfortunate that Apple has refused the BASIC feature. That would be a great place for children (and adults) to learn programming.
I second the request for other emulators. Sorcerer Z80, Apple II, MacClassic…
Keep up the good work.
Apart from being awesome news, the big unknown is how much individual games would cost. I'm hoping $1 each. That could still end up bringing in $100 per user, which would make this likely very profitable. Once games get over $1 I suspect the nostalgia could lose out to stinginess.
Now bring on International Karate, Bruce Lee, Zaxxon, Impossible Mission, Boulder Dash, Commando, Who Dares Wins, Microprose Soccer, Summer games (but how to control..?), Winter Games, H.E.R.O., Pitstop II (single player I guess), Green Beret, Rick Dangerous, and Exploding Fist.
If you're up for some nostalgia, see youtube.com/watch?v=eY2gK1MPgh8
Games will be free or if paid, typically 99c (but very dependent on the licensor).
Thanks. That's both bad and good news. Bad because I'll be making lots of $1 purchases.. You may want to set up a central poll to see which games people are really aching for. It seems like we have a few clear favorites. Thanks for developing this, I've been following this from the early stages (since you switched back from VICE to Frodo). It must be great to finally make it into the app store. Congrats on the progress, and good luck getting the old devs to contribute/allow games in. I get the feeling a lot of us old timers will end up paying our dues – because it's so easy to pay, and because by now we've got the money to afford games! Good luck with the work. -Joe
Got d64 working…thanks a lot! What about games that are on several disks, how would you mount those?
just list them in array…
but how can we change the disk during the game?
omg. I hit reset, dropped into the Basic emulator, searched my rusty brain archives, and wrote a frikkin C64 program on my iPhone. It's like I'm 12 again.
10 PRINT CHR$(147)
15 POKE 53281,0:POKE 646,1
17 PRINT "HELLO WORLD"
20 FOR X=1 TO 1000
25 PRINT CHR$(19),,X
30 NEXT
50 END
By the way, they forgot (or I cannot find) the semicolon ; character on the C64 keyboard. Dangit…that's really important for manipulating strings on screen! Where's the semicolon??? I am going to waste so much time messing with this.
So how can I get a terminal emulator or modem emulator running on this thing and connect my iPhone C64 to the outside world? That would be beyond cool (and beyond pointless, but hey why not)…
The C64 is completely sandboxed and there is no possibility of outside access. It only simulates internal components like CPU, SID, VIC-II and CIA.
heh.. crAPPLE for iDIOTS …
the PocketC64 for windows mobile ROCKS! FULL customization (CPU/DISK DRIVE/SID filters).
Adding Games with more than one disks seems to be simple, it worked for Defender of the Crown for me like this:
1) add both discs as seperate games
2) start the first disc like a normal game
3) when you are asked to change the disk in the game go to the games shelf
4) select the second disc
5) a windows popped up that asked to resume previous game
6) select yes and the game goes on, but with the second disk inserted
Worked fine on DOTC for me, so i guess it works on more games.
Also make sure to change the string Emul1541Proc in the gameinfo.plist from false to true to support full 1541 usage.
DOTC is the only game I cannot get working.. If I use True emulation, it tells me File not found on loading, it I disbale true emulation, after the cracked group greeting, I get an illegal operation, true emulation must be turned on.
Ive even tried to go Load "$",8 -> List and load it that way in true emulation, but the emulator wont have none of it.
Curious….
Bring on Ghostbusters…. I can't believe this one hasn't been mentioned.
Also another vote for Impossible Mission, Jumpman, Lode Runner and Bruce Lee.
saucer attack…
All the Epyx Games series. I played those till my fingers fell off. World Games was a riot. I want Caber Toss and Barrel Jumping on my iPhone!!
Come to think of it, Log Rolling would be way better on the iPhone. 
Another couple of tips for people adding their own games…
If you want to create a save state so the game starts instantly every time you play it do this: Hold iphone in portrait mode so you have the bottom menu. Load the game and go past intros etc. As soon as you get to the point you want to start from, touch My Games at the bottom, then exit the emulator.
Now SSH/SFTP in to the application directory and look in Documents. You should find a .state file there (e.g. I added IK+ so had ikplus.state) which you can copy into the game folder. Then edit the game's plist and set the initialState string to the .state filename. If unsure look at the included games plists for an example. You could also backup multiple save states like this if you wanted.
BUT WAIT. THATS NOT ALL… I have kindly uploaded this PSD which you can use to make your own game art. I recommend lemon64 for the cover images. Hurray me.
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=916cd2c5a8d47736931c7453395df025e04e75f6e8ebb871
Here's a direct link to the cover art file itself instead of the weird sharing folder thingie.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/qzthztyyi5v/c64gameart.psd.zip
So I have had it all working with my own images no worries. I also downloaded the box arts and added them to make it look pretty. Has anyone worked out how to get it to load the second disk? I added disk1.D64 and Disk2.D64 to the image list but it seems to not be that easy….
Read 7 posts up by "Damien".
It took longer then i thought but C64 has been removed from the appstore because of basic.
Hmmm it seems it is still available in the german AppStore… I will check on that to see if it will be removed today as well…
now it is gone from the german appstore
Guys, read my humble review at http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?p=481920
I tried to purchase the application today, but it appears to have been removed from the app store. Does anyone know why this is?
Because you can access the C64 Basic with a simple trick. As far as i know it was demanded by Apple not to make this possible if they allow the release, since officially you are not allowed to upload software to the AppStore that emulators some other device fully.
One probable reason for Apple's insistence that Basic not be accessible within the app is the potential of a lawsuit from Microsoft, whose lawyers just love to find stuff like this. Commodore Basic was licensed from Microsoft for the Commodore branded machine ROM only. Microsoft still maintains their rights to the code. This could be a big legal mess. Don't blame Apple. Blame Bill's lawyers.
Montezuma's Revenge
Impossible Mission
Double Dragon
Spy Hunter
Summer/Winter Games
Frogger
pulled!
Has anyone figured out, how to deal with multiple disks?
yes, mind if i copy my posting from above? ^^
Adding Games with more than one disks seems to be simple, it worked for Defender of the Crown for me like this:
1) add both discs as seperate games
2) start the first disc like a normal game
3) when you are asked to change the disk in the game go to the games shelf
4) select the second disc
5) a windows popped up that asked to resume previous game
6) select yes and the game goes on, but with the second disk inserted
Worked fine on DOTC for me, so i guess it works on more games.
Also make sure to change the string Emul1541Proc in the gameinfo.plist from false to true to support full 1541 usage.
Aron says: "Why should I have to buy gamepacks for this when all C64 games are legally available for free from C64.com?"
Probably because they AREN'T available legally for free. Only a tiny number of C64 games (such as those by Jeff Minter and Scott Adams) are available as official freeware. Everything else is still owned by some company or other, in the same way Nintendo still owns the rights to Super Mario Bros.
We should put a repository online of premade game directories
Just thought of something. This same guy
minomio released a port of flashback. I'm pretty
sure I heard that an emulator was used to run
this. It would have to be an amiga emulator
I guess because that was the original
port. Could this also be altered to load
amiga roms?
I doubt he made an amiga emulator just to release flashback. There are alot of Engines that run Flashback, so i guess one of these was ported.
Moderation is taking quite some time?
Checkout my website for a Mod that adds the COLON and SEMICOLON.
Click my name above to view my site.
Thats cool and helps to write sillly basic programs, thanx alot! ^^
Did anyone try if it would be possiblem to remove the tv screen skin on portrait mode? Its kinda cool because its soooo retro looking, but it is also quite annoying.
To Stuart Carnie :
Your emulator suck!!!
I paid for it and found the stupidiest games ever made for C64. My fault, I should check it first, but still, your emulator suck. I know that you want to sell aditional games via in games purchase, but then: the emulator should be either free or there should be at least one or two good games and not these worst games ever made. Just check appstore what nice titles I can buy for 5 EUR! For example Dungeon Hunter. Can any of your stupid titles match this great game? I don't think so…
No offense, but why did you but it if you dont like the games? When you check the appstore it is obivious which games are included…
PLEASE ADD:
Little Computer People – I would definitely buy this emulator if this game was added. Please notify me (by the included email address) if/when this game will or will not be added. Thank-you.