RetroMagazine World #04 – Eng – November 2020

Editorial by Carlo Nith Del Mar Pirazzini

A “therapy” for Covid-19? We have the solution! When we were kids, even cartoon monsters could scare us to death. Did this ever happen to you?And nowadays, now that we are grown men and women, this virus has scared us in springtime and still frightens us. And it paralyses us in many different ways, because it is also a “social” and a “multimedia” virus. A virus that first spread through rumours and then actually became part of our lives. How can we get out of this situation? At the moment, we don’t have a vaccine, a safe therapy. This will require the help of time and medical science. Meanwhile, we can at least “fight” the psychological part of the virus with our beloved video games and our glorious vintage computers.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the world of video games has an effective “therapeutic” power for all of its users. Dedicating yourself to video games allows you to get distracted, you end up engaging yourself in activities that involve and bring social interactivity (just think about the multiplayer platforms such as Kaillera). Playing together and sharing experiences prevents contagion. In fact, it prevents a particular contagion, which is underestimated but equally dangerous: loneliness, depression and anxiety. It is not just a question of “playing games”, but interacting with this incredible universe, thanks also to the many initiatives that arose during this crazy and unexpected pandemic.

Summary

• LM80C Color Computer – part 3
• The TMS9918A video chip
• Software compatibility between ZX 81 and ZX Spectrum: monsters & ghosts
• Alien Attack! From the Amstrad CPC to the C64 equipped with Simons’ Basic
• Bombs Away!
• A bit of rarity: a treat without trick
• The Haunted House …how to play the same game on 3 different platforms!
• C64: how to disable the keys corresponding to joystick switches
• An introduction to AREXX – part 3
• Happy Birthday Monkey Island!
• True Lies (SNES)
• Billy Masters Was Right (PC)
• Project Firestart (C64)
• Luigi’s Mansion (Game Cube)
• Cannon Fodder (Amiga/PC)
• Micro Mages (Nes)
• Doom (PC)
• Nintendo VS Takeshi (FamiCom)
• Stormlord (C64)