TRS-80 Color Computer 1

[Performa]

I had a chance to dig out the old Color Computer 1, and discovered I do not have enough RAM to use the modern CoCo SD Cartridge (SDC). So it goes!

I need to find a cartridge game for it that doesn't suck, as the only one I have at the moment is a typing tutor "game" that isn't much fun, especially on the original "chicklet" keyboard! Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[DeanG]

Would you be interested in updating the RAM?

 

[timmcross]

Hmm, interesting. I didn't know you needed more RAM to run the SDC. Is it because it only has 4k? My CoCo1 already came upgraded to 64k and surprisingly worked out of the box. I was able to wire in a RGB2HDMI since the RF wasn't cutting it.

I then picked up a CoCo2 which I think only had 16k onboard. I didn't try it with the SDC until after I desoldered/soldered in 64k to also upgrade that one. Still holding out for a deal on a CoCo3...

 

[Performa]

Would you be interested in updating the RAM?

Maybe, but it's essentially stock as it was from the factory, and we have other machines that can run the SDC- might just find a passable cart game and call this one good enough. With the 'chicklet' keyboard it's not something you'd want to "use" all the time for much of anything anyway.

 

[Performa]

Hmm, interesting. I didn't know you needed more RAM to run the SDC. Is it because it only has 4k? My CoCo1 already came upgraded to 64k and surprisingly worked out of the box. I was able to wire in a RGB2HDMI since the RF wasn't cutting it.

I then picked up a CoCo2 which I think only had 16k onboard. I didn't try it with the SDC until after I desoldered/soldered in 64k to also upgrade that one. Still holding out for a deal on a CoCo3...

Yep, the unit only has 4k of RAM onboard- the cheapest stock model money could buy back in the day. I could upgrade the RAM, but we've got another CoCo that has more RAM, so we'll probably use that one for more intensive demos, an leave the 4K machine playing "breakout" or something.

 

[Performa]

Correction, it'll be playing "Androne" as we have that game now thanks to the fine folks at Gaming Generations.

It's a simulated 3D maze game and/or "dungeon crawler" with some first person shooter elements. It's pretty cool, I think you'll all dig this one when it gets to the show!