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Re: THEA500 Mini
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NME (New Musical Express) has posted their review of the A500 Mini.

They give the device a 4 out of 5 score in their review while concluding: "The A500 Mini might not rival original hardware, but that isn’t the point. It has its flaws, but is one of the best micro consoles yet, and a great way to visit a defining time for the evolution of video games."

https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/a500-mini-review-3238143


BBC Science Focus Magazine agrees with this conclusion placing the A500 Mini in their buyers guide: "7 of the best retro games consoles for nostalgic gaming":

https://www.sciencefocus.com/buyers-gu ... st-retro-gaming-consoles/

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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With firmware update v1.1.1 F12 support is back.

But beware, the Pandory Mod breaks like it does with v1.1!

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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Retro Games has released firmware update v1.1!

But beware, I read it disables Amiberry's F12 key support!

I'm going to test it anyway... Hope that the Pandory mod does not break when I would like to try that sometime in the future...

https://retrogames.biz/support/thea500-mini/upgrade/

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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Retro Games on facebook:

Regarding incoming firmware update

6 mei om 15:55
Just a little end of week update to keep you all ‘in the loop’!
We are in the final testing of the first firmware update #THEA500 mini and as soon as we can, will be releasing it! Obvious we must be sure nothing we are doing in any firmware update breaks something it shouldn’t, hence we have to be cautious before we do release updates!
We are aiming to cover as many things as practical within it you guys have been asking for, such as; more joystick compatibility, a few minor bugs/gripes sorted, plus more ways to access external #retrogaming files…
So, hold that thought, we will do it as soon as we can, and release it as soon as we can!
Thanks to all of you as ever for your ongoing support of what we do!

Regarding North American launch:

2 mei om 20:16
VARIOUS - NEWS/UPDATES -
The countdown to the #THEA500 mini being released in the #USA is finally ticking loudly! While it was beyond our control the later USA release date, we can’t wait for you guys there to finally get your hands on it! 29 days or less to go!
We know stock is either on the way or might even be with Amazon possibly, so you never know it might be released quicker, either way it’s almost there!
BUT A WARNING! We are also aware that most of the USA stock is now pre-ordered… so there will NOT be a lot of stock post release… and the same goes for most other regions… stock is starting to run low…
We have just confirmed batch order two.. but that will not be available till at least August or even later in the year depending on many global factors beyond our control, so if you want to guarantee your #retrogaming fun you need to buy ASAP if you have been on the fence…
Oh.. and did we mention we plan to do a firmware update with many of the things you have all been asking for included in it… like VERY SOON… 😊
Keep checking back!
https://www.amazon.com/A500-Mini.../dp/B09CM1C3LX/

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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User reviews so far look to be very good.

On Amazon.nl I read that on average the A500 mini scores a 4.5 out of 5 score based on 371 user reviews (confirmed buys).

I bought my mini from Bol.com, there based on the first 10 user reviews thus far it even scores a 5 out of 5 (confirmed buys).

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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Another soft mod guide by Team Pandory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqMVlsNlO-A

So Scala seems to run well. Would the A500 Mini make a nice little presentations tool?

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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Team Pandory recently released a Easy Mod guide (Soft mod) for the A500 mini, this to add access to the Amiberry config, allowing the usage of ADF and HDF files. In their youtube video they show Workbench running Amiga ports of Doom and DukeNukem3D with good performance on the A500 mini.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p99DdKIjQo4

Now they have hacked the console. In their latest video they demonstrate Native RetroArch and ScummVM running straight from the Amiga Games Menu. They state: "Once "The A500 PandoryMod" is in a tweaked and ready state, it will be released fully open source for free."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBfnM5eTNAM

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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From the EAB thread I posted above.

>> Originally Posted by BigD View Post
>> @MikeB

>> Are you saying that the 2-player mouse games i.e. The Settlers
>> and Lemmings work with 2 USB mice on THE A500 Mini? That's
>> awesome if true!

I changed it to "supports GamePad as second controller". I managed to get the GamePad to work as secondary controller in both Lemmings and The Settlers.

It doesn't always work and the exact procedure has to be investigated, but when it works it works well.

I just tried a PC mouse as secondary controller. It worked but both mice operated in the same screen simultaneously...


Edited by MikeB on 2022/4/30 8:20:33
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Re: THEA500 Mini
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"The reviews of the A500 Mini have generally been positive. Although I find the included games a little of a mixed bag and prefer a joystick for most games. However games including Qwak, Speedball 2 and the Chaos Engine I really wanted for their 2 player gaming modes! I thought it would be cool to make a list of games known to work well and which games have aged well. I tried to carefully make a list of good games which already run flawlessly on the A500 Mini. I tried to select my own 25 games which do not need USB or onscreen keyboards. Here's my list, what are your top games on the Amiga and how do they run at this point?"

https://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=110546

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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The biggest tech website here in the Netherlands also reviewed the A500 mini. Here's their conclusion translated from Dutch into English:

"THEA500 Mini is a very good mini version of the Amiga 500, but also much more. The device can handle not only Amiga 500 software, but with software for practically all Amiga 1200 versions: from the Amiga 1000 to the Commodore CDTV. The emulation options are very extensive and the configuration options are endless. For 129 euros you don't get as many games as with other mini computers and the included games are not all equally iconic, but Retro Games Ltd makes up for that with the possibility to add games yourself, without being difficult. In addition, the emulator is so well preconfigured that even many of the self-added games work right out of the box with no changes, but that is mainly due to the preconfigured WHD images.

On the hardware side, it is also a must. The supplied controller and mouse work well and it is possible to connect your own peripherals. The hard core Amiga enthusiasts can also have fun with the device. The expert mode gives them the opportunity to play around with different memory configurations, blitter settings and CPU optimizations. Still, we wonder if the hardcore Amiga fan runs to the store for this. The device costs 129 euros at the time of writing and for that money there are other, cheaper solutions that can do the same. The fact that those options in some cases take more work to get it working is something the hardcore tweaker does not turn his hand for. That's why we think THEA500 Mini is mainly for the nostalgic enthusiast who doesn't want to mess around too much. You get a nice package, with all legal kickstart images and other software. The package also knows exactly how to press all the nostalgic buttons and that is also worth something. If you don't like the included games, you can always easily add your favorites yourself, provided you have the originals in your possession of course."

https://tweakers.net/reviews/10014/the ... tgezel-vol-nostalgie.html

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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A500 Mini review: a great intro to the world of Commodore Amiga

Eurogamer has published an in depth Digital Foundry review of the new A500 mini retro console, their conclusion:

"So in the end, we are left with the usual two-fold answer when taking a look at these mini devices. For rekindling childhood memories or exploring the Amiga library for the first time, the A500 Mini is a very welcoming device indeed — especially given its open nature when it comes to sideloading games. It gives a more modern console experience, allowing access to some incredible games that were previously hard to find as original copies and tough to dial in under emulation. But for those who have already dabbled with the original hardware or extensively configured their emulation boxes via Recalbox or MiSTer devices, there’s nothing new here and you are probably better served within your own infrastructure of custom setups.

Like the C64 Mini before it, it will be fascinating to see if the A500 Mini leads to a boom period for new commercial releases based on Amiga hardware. With that mini console, developers saw an opportunity to target a 'new' platform for their modern retro releases, and sales steadily increased as fans both new and old saw new software specifically optimised for the aftermarket device, something which could be taken even further on the A500 Mini with WHDLoad. The A500 Mini could usher in a new wave of Amiga fans and software, but it remains to be seen if Retro Games Ltd. make it possible."

"Despite some flaws, unique options and solid emulation earns this tiny retro console a DF recommendation."

https://www.eurogamer.net/a500-mini-re ... -world-of-commodore-amiga

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Re: THEA500 Mini
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Here's what I posted to Slashdot:

"I just bought the A500 Mini here in the Netherlands. The first reviews are now available.

The Guardian gives the device a 4 out of 5 score in their review: "The A500 is a robust piece of tech nostalgia that will give veteran fans many hours of nostalgic pleasure while also providing an accessible means of introducing younger family members to the Amiga scene. The colorful sprites, pounding techno soundtracks and sardonic wit of the beloved Sensible Software, Team 17 and Bitmap Brothers games retain their appeal and it has been fascinating to rediscover how much the modern independent gaming scene owes to this 35-year-old home computer."

Nintendo Life has reviewed the device, giving it an 8 out of 10 score: "As such, this is an intriguing device for anyone who is even remotely interested in tracking the development of the games industry -- and while its 120-pound price tag makes it more expensive than many of its micro-console rivals, the ability to side-load games is very welcome indeed."

Express.co.uk gives the device a 3.5 out of 5 score in their review: "Overall, the Amiga 500 Mini is a strong addition to the crowded classic console market that will appeal mostly to those that have a lot of nostalgia for this iconic PC gaming machine. And the ability to add extra games is a great little bonus which will add plenty of extra life to the system."

Furthermore, various YouTubers have reviewed the A500 Mini, including Retro Recipes, which gives the device a perfect 5 out of 5 score while stating it beats expectations."

https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/22 ... -reviews-of-the-a500-mini

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Re: Metro Siege for Amiga 500 (WIP)
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Here a demonstration video of the moves in the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsLPmYss-cU

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Re: Metro Siege for Amiga 500 (WIP)
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An interview with Michael Parent of BitBeamCannon:

https://amitopia.com/interview-bitbeamcannon-amiga-gaming-future/

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Metro Siege for Amiga 500 (WIP)
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A copy & paste from:
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=98625

"Pixelglass, in cooperation with BitBeamCannon and Enable Software, proudly presents 'Metro Siege': a brand new, 2 player co-op brawler in the works for Amiga 500 (512k chip+512 other ram)!"

Metro Siege teaser trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llil6dmnHJg

Pixelglass' official website:
http://pixelglass.org


Edited by MikeB on 2019/9/4 17:46:17
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Re: Worthy
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Re: "A Hyperion developer told me that not only has the OS been run on a PS3, but they have even tes
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@tonyw

That's so sad, I hoped something may have changed.

As of June already 24 million PS3s have been on the market at the time. A rumoured even cheaper slimline PS3 is expected to put sales into overdrive this year, but I'm not sure if it will have 'Other OS' support out of the box.

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"A Hyperion developer told me that not only has the OS been run on a PS3, but they have even tested"
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Some quotes from Beyond3D:

"The PlayStation 3, PowerPC Macintoshes, and mobile devices are also viable OS 4.1 targets. A Hyperion developer told me that not only has the OS been run on a PS3, but they have even tested support for the seven SPU units in the Cell processor."

http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=54565

True or not?

"Rather than Linux or Chrome, isn't Amiga OS the perfect fit for a machine such as the PS3?"

Agreed, although IMO this cheap, widely available and multi-functional option is horribly overdue for end users, like almost everything within the Amiga community nowadays.

Hopefully the community is able to truly push forward someday. Getting back to running YDL 6.2 on my PS3 for now... :-/

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Re: SSDHD high scores
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@Antique

Update to the latest firmware.

Tomorrow I'll be gone for over a month, hope people in here will have good vacations as well!

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Re: SSDHD high scores
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@Antique

I earned my 16th trophy today, I still have to get the gold trophy for co-op split-screen:

My highscores:
Arcade 323 666 830
Endless 45 698 890
Bomber 2 170 275
Survival 3:55.90

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