I have fond memories of playing stuff like Jelly Monsters (an unabashed Pac-Man Clone) and Defender on the Commodore VIC 20, before moving on to the mighty Commodore 64 to play California Games until my eyes bled, and then on to the last Commodore I’d own, the wonderful Amiga – a system that was the point of lineage for many of the franchises and series you may still play today. For anybody who owned any of the systems, the name “Commodore” will always have a special place in their heart. The company went bankrupt in the mid-90’s, taking the name along with it. It’s back.
Yes, there’ a brand new Commodore. But it’s not a new entry in to the home computer or console market – instead, it’s a mid-range, Android powered smartphone. Called the Commodore PET (named after the company’s first personal computer, the Personal Electronic Transactor), the phone is a mid-tier effort that packs a decent punch – along with presumably legal emulators for the Commodore 64 and Amiga.
The new Commodore PET is a rather simple Android phone that’s not particularly distinguishable from other phones in its range, save for the iconic Commodore logo plied to its polycarbonate shell.
It comes equipped with a 1.7 GHz Mediatek 64-bit octa-core processor coupled with with an ARM Mali T760 GPU, with a big 3000 mAh battery powering the thing. It’s got a Gorilla Glass 3 protected screen that displays at 1920x1080p, the same resolution it can capture video at – though the 13-megapixel camera is capable of taking images at a much higher 4096×2304 resolution. There’s a front-facing 8Mp cam for selfies, and is a dual-sim 4G device so you can Instagram them in an instant.
Thought it’s a phone that’ll hardly turn tech-savvy heads, its embellishments and the included, customised emulators are likely to bring tears to a retro gamer’s eye. Shut up, I’m not crying.
Here’s a look at the phone playing one of my Amiga favourites, Turrican II.
Last Updated: July 15, 2015
Ottokie
July 15, 2015 at 12:34
This phone actually packs a big punch spec wise. To bad the whole human race has been infected with “shiny brand tunnel vision” syndrome.
Geoffrey Tim
July 15, 2015 at 12:45
I’m not a big fan of mediatek chips (though they have improved a LOT). For the $365` asking price, it packs a decent wallop though,
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 15, 2015 at 12:46
Aye, you think we gonna get this in SA?
Geoffrey Tim
July 15, 2015 at 12:58
Set for European release, will try see if anyone is bringing it to SA.
Hammersteyn
July 15, 2015 at 13:03
I really hope so. Else I’ll buy one from Europe
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 15, 2015 at 12:45
Yeah, I heard ya dude. My phone is up for upgrade, and honestly, I’m NOT paying that much moolah just to have a flashy “ooooh look at me” phone.
I’m now paying less than half on month2month, and loving it
HvR
July 15, 2015 at 12:46
When the latest generation hit the R8000 to R10 000+ bracket it promptly cured me of new smart phone ambition fever. S3 is still chugging along nicely and my new PC gaming rig fund is coming along nicely.
Ottokie
July 15, 2015 at 12:50
The price of smart phones are sickening these days, if this keeps up I’m going to have to train some pigeons again.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
July 15, 2015 at 12:53
I have the same viewpoint, there really isn’t any incentive for me to upgrade past the current phone I have, rather spend that money on a proper gaming rig then…
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 15, 2015 at 12:57
I’m still using my S3 as well. Autopage has been harassing me for nearly a year to upgrade.
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 15, 2015 at 13:21
Autopage are a bunch of skelms. The only reason I’m with them, is because of Nashua going belly up (and the reason I was with them was because of corporate discount huehuehue)
So now, on a lekker cheapie m2m and a small data bundle, less than R200pm and I’m very happy with the S4’s performance
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 15, 2015 at 13:46
I get more phone calls from them than everyone else combined. If the sales rep had a nice voice at least I could pretend I have a gf. When I stopped answering my phone because I recognised their number they started phoning me at work. Seriously, WTF?
FoxOneZA
July 15, 2015 at 12:58
There are some good phones going “free” on contract now and then like the Xperia E4 and Huawei P7.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
July 15, 2015 at 14:00
If your lowly specced phone is not shiny and does not cost more than a “fairly” decent gaming machine then I reject it outright!
Apple Fanboys Unite!
Typed from my Xtouch Smartwatch. 😛
Hammersteyn
July 15, 2015 at 12:47
http://media.giphy.com/media/T6vKzpyx3kgCs/giphy.gif
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 15, 2015 at 13:22
DAT FACE!!!
Hammersteyn
July 15, 2015 at 13:23
I need this phone! Mostly for when people ask what make it is XD
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 15, 2015 at 13:28
Yeah, epic!
Brandon van Reenen
July 15, 2015 at 12:56
That header! It’s the actual Commodores! Damn you guys for making me spit out my coffee! XD
Geoffrey Tim
July 15, 2015 at 12:58
Thanks for getting it. Wasn’t sure anyone would. 🙂
Brandon van Reenen
July 15, 2015 at 12:59
I’m quite disappointed no one else seems to have spotted it. This literally made my day! XD
Admiral Chief in Skellige
July 15, 2015 at 13:21
I was too busy calling out Geoff on his OTHER typo 😛
(and no, not gonna say what)
RinceThis
July 15, 2015 at 13:11
Do they really think they’re going to make a mark on the market with this?
Hammersteyn
July 15, 2015 at 13:23
target market is probably 30 years and up XD
BacchusZA
July 15, 2015 at 13:21
I never owned a Commodore, but I grew up in that era of computing (before that, even…..), and I have to say this has a certain retero nostalgic appeal for me. If they become available locally I may just have to pick one up when my contract is up for renewal later in the year.
Guild
July 15, 2015 at 13:27
Wow, I remember playing Turrican. It can’t be that old?
Klipkop1980
July 16, 2015 at 08:48
Do you also have to put a cassette in it?