Commodore VIC-20

1980 - No generation identified

The Commodore VIC-20 (also known as the Commodore VIC) is an 8-bit home computer that was introduced by Commodore International in 1980. It was one of the first personal computers to be sold at a retail store, and it was marketed as an affordable home computer for the general public. Some key features and specifications of the VIC-20 include: CPU: MOS Technology 6502 running at 1.02 MHz RAM: 5 KB (expandable to 32 KB) Graphics: 320x200 resolution with 22 colors Sound: 3 voices, 8 octaves Input/Output: built-in cassette tape interface, a cartridge port, and a serial port Keyboard: full-stroke, 61-key keyboard The VIC-20 was the first computer to sell more than one million units and it was the first computer to be sold in department stores. The VIC-20 was also the first computer to have a "user-friendly" design, which made it easy for people who had never used a computer before to get started. The VIC-20 had a library of around 400 games, many of which were developed by independent programmers. Some popular games for the system include "Spy vs Spy", "Pitfall!", "Cosmic Cruncher", "Jupiter Lander" and "Galaxian". The VIC-20 was eventually replaced by the Commodore 64 in 1982, but it remained popular among hobbyists and home users for several more years. It was also used in schools and businesses and it was also popular in Europe. The VIC-20 was an important computer in the history of personal computing, and it helped to establish Commodore as a major player in the home computer market. The VIC-20 was also a precursor to the Commodore 64 which was one of the best-selling home computers of all time. The Commodore VIC-20 had a library of around 400 games, many of which were developed by independent programmers. Here are a few examples of popular games for the VIC-20: "Spy vs Spy": This was a popular action game developed by First Star Software and published by Activision in 1984. It was based on the Mad Magazine comic strip of the same name and players controlled spies who had to navigate through a building to collect items and outsmart their opponent. It was praised for its fun and addictive gameplay. "Pitfall!" : Developed by Activision and released in 1982, Pitfall! is a side-scrolling platformer that follows the player's character, Harry, as he navigates a jungle in search of treasure. Pitfall! was one of the most popular video games for the Atari 2600 console and was later ported to the VIC-20. "Cosmic Cruncher": This was a popular puzzle game developed by Commodore in 1982. The goal of the game was to match different colored blocks to clear them from the screen before they reached the top. It was praised for its addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty. "Jupiter Lander": This was a popular action game developed by Commodore in 1982. The goal of the game was to land a spacecraft on the surface of Jupiter while avoiding obstacles. It was praised for its challenging gameplay and realistic physics. "Galaxian": This was a popular space shooter game developed by Namco and published by Atari in 1981. The goal of the game was to defend the player's ship from swarms of alien invaders. It was praised for its smooth scrolling, colorful graphics and challenging gameplay. These are just a few examples of popular games that were available for the Commodore VIC-20. The VIC-20 had a diverse library of games that ranged from action, adventure, puzzle, and sports games. Despite its limited hardware capabilities, the VIC-20 was able to host a variety of games that kept the players entertained for hours.