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_____ _ _ ____ _ _
| __ \ | | | | | _ \ | | | |
| |__) | _ _ ___| |_ ___ __| | | |_) | ___ _ _| | __| | ___ _ __ ___
| _ / | | | / __| __/ _ \/ _` | | _ < / _ \| | | | |/ _` |/ _ \ '__/ __|
| |_) \ | |_| \__ \ || __/ (_| | | |_) | (_) | |_| | | (_| | __/ | \__ \
|_____/ \__,_|___/\__\___|\__,_| |____/ \___/ \__,_|_|\__,_|\___|_| |___/
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PROUDLY PRESENTING AN ALPHA RELEASE FOR THE COMMODORE 128 (VDC)
"BUSTED BOULDERS"
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RELEASE DATE..: April 25, 2026 PLATFORM......: Commodore 128 (80-col)
DEVELOPER.....: Richard Goedeken VERSION.......: CLASS 2026 Alpha
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[ DESCRIPTION ]
Forget everything you know about 8-bit graphics. BUSTED BOULDERS pushes the
C128's 8563 VDC chip to the limit, delivering a high-definition gaming
experience on 40-year-old Commodore hardware.
This game renders a crisp 640x480 playfield with 16 colors, catching up with
the IBM VGA standard. No more blocky low resolution sprites. We're talking
butter-smooth animation at 60 FPS with ball physics calculated at sub-pixel
precision.
[ FEATURES ]
* 640x480 Interlaced Resolution, 16 colors.
* Real-time Physics: Control the ball using spin from the paddle.
* Precise Control: Supporting analog paddles via the SID chip.
* 2MHz Mode: Pure 8502 power for lag-free multi-ball action.
[ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ]
- Real Commodore 128 (Flat or D) - Does not run properly under VICE emulator
- Real SID Chip (Required for analog paddle sampling)
- Paddle Controllers
- C128 Video DAC (original from me, or newer version from bit-c128.com)
- GBS-8220 Scan Doubler (Required to fix buggy 8563 interlaced field timing)
- 64KB VDC RAM (optional; required for the graphical title screen)
[ CONTROLS ]
- PADDLE BUTTON.....: Start Game / Launch Ball / Resume Game
- KEY 'P'...........: Pause Game
[ CREDITS ]
- Code & Design.....: Richard Goedeken
- Compiler..........: Oscar64 by Dr. Mortal Wombat
- Sound Logic.......: C64SIDKit by Devin Venable
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[ DEVELOPER NOTES ]
This alpha build was first shown at the Commodore Los Angeles Super Show in
Burbank, California. It's about 80% done by features. Future updates will
include high scores, more power-ups, more levels, and enhanced SID tunes.
Search for Busted Boulders on itch.io later in 2026 for a full release.
Join the revolution. Flip that 80-column switch and break some boulders.
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// GREETS TO THE C128 SCENE