Kotaku
Remember Shredz64, Toni Westbrook's Guitar Hero retro port to the Commodore 64? What was once nothing but a fun concept is now a reality, with a playable C64 version of Harmonix's rhythm game that uses a standard guitar controller. It doesn't play stock tunes, as you might expect, but SID files, which Westbrook demonstrates in the above clip. The tune? The Legend of Zelda Overworld Theme, something that only makes us pine for Nintendo remixes in future Wii versions of Guitar Hero.
For more, without all the exposition, check out the second clip.
The only thing that could possibly make this better is a cease and desist from Activision. We know you want to, Activision legal team, so let's just get it over with. Thanks!
Comments
Lame. Some people have way too much free time.
Blahdidy blah blah just play the guitar already.
The is actually pretty impressive. I'm amazed that someone not of the C64 generation of computer nerds was able to pull that off.
Now if only someone can pull off Rock Band on the NES....
@baxterpunch:
He went on for awhile >.>
The buttons look distorted the closer they come.
2nd video song is pretty awesome for being on a Commodore. THEN HE STARTS TALKING AGAIN
Pretty amazing, in my opinion.
Haha, talk about hardcore. Nice idea though. Wouldn't play it myself. I was getting naseous from just watching the notes move towards the screen.
Whatever floats your boat I guess...
Awesome job! Good luck with the imminent lawsuit! That's how you know it's been done right.
@Hek415: How can you say that? I'll admit his presentation skills need work but this was pretty neat.
You gotta appreciate guys who really have love for old technology. Its a project like these done out of passion that bring gaming as a medium closer to an art form.
simply.. amazing..
too bad no one will appreciate it :/
This makes me wish I was a few years older so I could have experienced the C64. Although playing around with my Amiga 2000 as a kid was fun too.
Excellent job. I would assume now a bunch of losers with no lives will be beating up on the guy because he did something productive with his free time.
Its impressive, thats for sure. It's really not something you imagine to be possible.
"Awesome job! Good luck with the imminent lawsuit! That's how you know it's been done right."
Doubt this guy with get sued he isn't actually reproducing the game nor will people actually waste their money for this good job to whoever made this though this could have been great if it was released back then :)
I don't see bad presentation skills on his part. Very nicely done.
@krunkjuice: I hope your joking. Have you not seen the many blog posts about this? Your not kidding anyone with this comment really.
Anyways kickass! I think i'll buy this for my c64
@Serro: It's the same as tinkering with old cars really. Sure, I can go play with a 2008 Mustang...but I really want to mess with this 1964 Mustang instead.
@Hek415:
Some people use their time to make something interesting, some people use their time to post inane negative comments on Kotaku.
Seriously tho, its actually a really good port for a machine as old as a Commodore 64. The guy apperently had fun making it, thats what matters. I'm sure the people who love playing with old school tech (its actually fun if you can get your hands on some of the good stuff) will have a blast with it.
I want SIDs on Rock Band =).
I like it. I even liked the version of the Zelda Theme. It's not as cool as hearing John Williams conduct an orchestra playing it, but it was pretty cool.
@Hek415: Agreed. It's cool, but pointless. Meh.
I like it
Looks like Klax, the first game I ever played on my C64
Man. This really me in the mood to listen to some old midi music...
Now where did I put all my video game soundtracks...
it plays the notes whether he hits them or not... that always seriously bugged me when i made custom gh2 discs.
Incredibly impressive for anyone who actually grew up with a C64 (like me,) but I would imagine that younger people wouldn't care much about it. Just like young people 25 years from now will think the PS3/Xbox 360's were crap lol.
Looks like I'm not too late to make a mono joke.
@Hek415: I assume your comment was self-referencing.
Very cool little hack. Wonder what it would sound and look like on an Amiga.
This is amazing! Both the setup and the MIDI!
From some reason I think the videos would be better if he did not talk since he annoyed me way to much when he did.
Really nice.
holy crap! that second song is so incredible. it made sitting through all that ridiculous jibber jabber worthwhile.
FOUR AND A HALF MINUTES TO GET ANYWHERE.....
geez.....
that's some weirdd lag, also he's not a very good GH player :P
This guy's figity-ness is bothering me.
Awesome. For all the nitpickers, if you can build your own interface to a 25 year old computer and program a GH clone you have earned the right to TALK AS MUCH AS YOU GOD DAMNED PLEASE!
Nerdocity meter on overload, this guy kicks ass.
if only we could play this on a next generation console with high def graphics! wait a minute?!..
Listen, we don't got time for the jibbajabba, just show us the demo and let's get rockin'.
All kidding aside, that's pretty damn impressive, good work duder! :D
C= 64 disc load times FTW! I used to make dinner while booting up games.
Who ever referenced KLAX...good job!
C64...most amazing computer ever (hell, it ran Apple Mac roms better than Apple!)
Oh and this isn't keysounded, just like the REAL Guitar Hero. I'm glad you kept faithful to the original in that respect. :)
Girl: hey, cool! you have guitar hero?
Me: No, thats Shred 64, an awesome port of Guitar Hero for the Commodore 64. It can't actually play real songs, but samples called SIDs!
Girl: Oh...
...sorry. still very cool.
Pretty nifty. And the song's pretty good! Anyone know where I can get a copy of it (sans commentary)?
@baxterpunch: I really really want that second one on Rockband or something, hahaha. So fucking cool.
*goes to toy around on synthesizers*
This is seriously cool, now I have another reason to dig up my C64 :)
@Torgen thinks AAA means "Costs $60": Maybe there'll be a patch for stereo SID support :P
oh man, i know a few C64 musicians who would LOVE this lol
Hes so in love with this, it takes him more then half the video to actually start playing it
This would sell better than the upcoming Aerosmith version of guitar hero.
unnecessary.
@baxterpunch: His body language, for some reason, drives me insane. He needs to stop wriggling whenever he talks.
That's one hideous shirt.
@Hek415:
Heh, "Lame. Some people have way too much free time.", says the person posting on a weblog. ;)
Less talkie, more rockie.