COMMODORE AMIGA CD32 ( SYSTEM/CONTROLLER/GAMES) PART 1 - a review by the RETRO GAMBLER

[ShadowriverUB]

Amiga alone was treat as gaming machine in home use specially here in Poland here we didnt have NES and SNES distributed and you could easily connect it to TV if you wish for, so CD32 is kind of pointless other than having few upgraded games :p

[ParagonHUN]

I bought the Analogic (or fWSI) floppy drive from ebay a several weeks ago, and there is a serious issue with this devece: it disables the majority of CD32 controller buttons, the controller only works as a simple 2-button Amiga joypad.

Would You share any experience about this problem? Many thx!

[gerion79]

@ParagonHUN So, sorry for the late reply. I checked and have to say, your right. If the (Analogic) floppy drive is connected to the CD32, than the controller will work as a simple 2-butto controller and because of this you will have some problem playing the CD32 games. So only connect the floppy drive, if you wanna play floppy games and disconnect it, if you wanna play CD32 games.

[gerion79]

@gerion79 I was thinking about it and it makes sense, because the Amiga computer used normal 9 Pin (2-button) Joysticks/Controller. The floppy drive blocks or disables the almost all buttons on the CD32 controller.

I hope this is helpful.

[ParagonHUN]

@gerion79 Greetings! I've tried to fix the problem by soft kicking with 40.68 kickstart image, but sat to say it didn't help.

So I got the same concluson: to play a CD32 game, the drive has to be detached.

Many thanks!

[gerion79]

@ParagonHUN Your welcome! ;)

[MrWolverineDK]

hmmm since, I know jack shit about it. But would it not be possible to use the 6 button megadrive/genesis controller for the lovely system ? If you need another 6 button controller, instead of buying the Competition Pro controller ? (yes I am well aware that Competition Pro made a 6 button megadrive/genesis controller). But if I recall correctly, then there was made an (official ?) 6 buttoned megadrive/genesis controller for either Mortal Kombat or SF2 without turbo buttons on them.

[gerion79]

@MrWolverineDK I guess the 6 button megadrive/genesis controller would work, but maybe the button layout would be a little bit odd. (because of the sholderbuttons) I haven't tried it, because I never had a 6 button megadrive controller.

[MrWolverineDK]

@gerion79 After I posted the question, I actually went on a "picture scavenger hunt" for 6 buttoned megadrive/genesis controllers. And in reality there were many (unofficial) 6 button controllers for the machine, that had shoulder buttons. That would be a good alternative, if you felt it was awkward having 6 buttons right next to each other. But to me, I am more laid back, as long the controller is a "good" controller. And not one that will either destroy your thumbs, or is a POS.

[MrWolverineDK]

@MrWolverineDK I also found out, that there is a "Sega" branded 6 button controller, that was NOT an official controller. But hey it looks like there are good alternatives , if you need another controller, for the Amiga CD 32

[ShadowriverUB]

@MrWolverineDK Nintendo had one to with NES

[MrWolverineDK]

@ShadowriverUB cool, and sorry for the late reply. I have just been very busy since I last checked comments.

[msecool]

Hey partner. I just wanted to let you know that I have the NTSC model and the mouse.. I thought the PAL to NTSC conversion would work but not so..

When I switch to PAL Mode the color is all tripped out and it's not playable.

It does that even if I have it hooked to my Video PAL to NTSC conveter.

So NTSC model buyers, beware.. The Mouse Trick and Region trick doesn't work on mine.. I read and researched and found that the NTSC Amiga CD32 does not really convert the color or something.

[gerion79]

@msecool Sorry to hear that. Like I said in the video, it should only change the region for the games (software) and not the display or video signal. I don't have any NTSC titles for the CD32, so I couldn't test it myself yet.

[CHABBO]

Ahh what's that song @ 3:35!!!

Something "Harley" ?

[gerion79]

@CHABBO It's from "Harley-Davidson - The Road to Sturgis" ;)

[CHABBO]

@gerion79

Thanks!! :)

[ezeJeff]

I have used my amiga 2000 keyboard with PS2 dongle it use to work well until I attached IDE fix to CD32 SX32 and reversed the connection ribbon now nothing works. Boo Hoo... anyone know what to do. I like how you must have connected video out on CD32 to "video in" on camera (or pc video card) instead of pointing camera at screen which never looks good. Good job

[gerion79]

@ezeJeff Thanks, I used a dazzle box.

[techguruuk]

Great video, they could have made the disk drive black to fit in with the look of the CD32 though!

[gerion79]

@techguruuk Thanks. Yes it would have been nice, if they had made it in a similar colour. But I'm just satisfied that it works ;)

[DLiberator78]

Great system review. I really enjoyed this. Love your intro music very cool and fun. This a system I really want to get. I have seen them on eBay from Analogic with the Floppy Disk attachment as shown in your video but the price is a bit high. I will buy one once I get the chance. It is nice to have an amiga 1200 wrapped into a console. Great review and great selection of games.

[gerion79]

@DLiberator78 Thanks and good luck on your CD32 hunt, I hope you get a good deal on one of those. ;)

[Uberdude25]

The easiest way to connect a keyboard is with a special Amiga to PS2 adapter available at Amigakit.

[gerion79]

@Uberdude25 Thanks! I didn't heard about this shop (and the adapter).

[off1k]

Pretty good review buddy but something I have noticed with alot of CD32 reviews is the incomplete original controller, you need to stick the top of the D-PAD on, makes it better :).

[gerion79]

@off1k Thanks! Your right, I didn't mention this D-Padstick. I don't have one of those and I only saw it once in another video.

[phantomcreeps]

Very, very informative video. Never heard of this system, and I consider myself a retrogamer. Learn something new everyday, I guess. Peace from Oregon!

[gerion79]

@phantomcreeps Thanks! Hey, I also learn everyday something new about retrogames or systems. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Greetings from Austria! ;)

[VKWhyte]

it's strange the way i found out about the cd 32 is that i was looking for Mega CD CROSS SEGA 32 X games :D

[gerion79]

@VKWhyte At least now you know about the CD32. XD

[segagenesis1989]

Well done review! A very interesting system! Thanks for featuring some game play footage.

[gerion79]

@segagenesis1989 Thanks and I will always put some game play footage in my system review videos!

[retrocomputerkidkris]

great review m8 keep up the good work

[gerion79]

@retrocomputerkidkris Thanks! I'll try ;)

[dde12321]

great review! there have been cd32 review's on youtube but not alot of them show some gameplay from the system

[gerion79]

@dde12321 Thanks! I think, every system review also needs some gameplay footage. Because of two reasons (at least in my opinion): 1. it makes it more entertaining and 2. anybody can say, that there were some good (or bad) games released for this system. But seeing some games for the system, gives you a better first impression. Or it kind of underlines the reviewers statement.

[TheDamoMonster]

Awesome review man :)  Cheers!

[gerion79]

@TheDamoMonster Thanks! I also have to say, your videos are very interesting. :)