MAX Machine (or simply MAX), also known as Ultimax in the United States and Canada and VC-10 in Germany,[1] is a Video game console designed and sold by Commodore International in Japan, beginning in early 1982, a predecessor to the popular Commodore 64, also sharing a lot of components with the C64.[2][3] The Commodore 64 manual mentions the machine by name, suggesting that Commodore intended to sell the machine internationally; however, it is unclear whether the machine was ever actually sold outside Japan. When it was officially presented, in Tokyo, for the first time, it was named Commodore VICKEY.[citation needed]
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| Also known as | Ultimax, VC-10 |
|---|---|
| Type | Console / home computer |
| Release date | 1982 |
| Introductory price | US$200 (equivalent to $630 in 2023) |
| Discontinued | 1982 |
| Operating system | none - optional MAX BASIC (Cartridge) |
| CPU | 6510 @ 1.02 MHz |
| Memory | 2 KB, 0.5 KB color RAM |
| Graphics | VIC-II 6566 (320 x 200, 16 colors, sprites, raster interrupt) |
| Sound | SID 6581 (3x Osc, 4x Wave, Filter, ADSR, Ring) |
| Predecessor | VIC-20 |
| Successor | Commodore 64 |
The unit has a membrane keyboard and 2 KB of RAM internally and 0.5 KB of color RAM (1024 × 4 bits). It uses a television set for a display. It uses the same chipset and 6510 CPU as the Commodore 64, the same SID sound chip, and a MOS Technology 6566 graphics chip, a version of the VIC-II that powers the C-64 graphics for the MAX' static RAM. A tape drive could be connected for storage, but each cartridge had to implement its own cassette driver and protocol routines, so the tape could only be used by 2 of 24 released programs. The MAX also lacks the serial and user ports necessary to connect a disk drive, printer, or modem.[4] The lack of any built-in operating system, not even a simple bootstrap OS, combined with the fact that all the software released for the platform are video games (besides a scaled down cartridge-based BASIC with no disk, modem, or printer support) positions the Max as a video game console rather than a home computer, despite sharing much of the Commodore 64's chipset. The MAX's 2KB of RAM also indicates it was intended as a games machine and not a personal computer. Even the Commodore PET, released five years earlier in 1977, had a minimum of 4K RAM, and rapidly 8K became the minimum. Even the VIC-20, heavily criticized for its minimal RAM, shipped with 5K of RAM.
Software is loaded from plug-in cartridges - turning on the MAX with no cartridge inserted yielded only a blank screen. Its ROM cartridge architecture was compatible with that of the C-64, so that MAX cartridges will work in the C-64.[5] The MAX compatibility mode in C-64 was later frequently used for "freezer" cartridges (such as the Action Replay), as a convenient way to take control of the currently running program.[6][4]
It was intended to sell for around US$200. Although the MAX had better graphics and sound capability, Commodore's own VIC-20, which sold for around the same amount, was much more expandable, had a much larger software library, and had a better keyboard—all of which made it more attractive to consumers. The MAX never sold well and was quickly discontinued.
MAX Machine software
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MAX Machine software list was limited, with a few game ports of popular arcade games.[7][8]
| Title | Year | Developer |
|---|---|---|
| Omega Race | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Wizard of Wor | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Kick Man | 1982 | Midway Games |
| Avenger | 1983 | Commodore Japan |
| Jupiter Lander | 1982 | HAL Laboratory |
| Super Alien (Heiankyo Alien) | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Radar Rat Race | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Road Race (Night Driver) | 1982 | HAL Laboratory |
| Mole Attack | 1982 | HAL Laboratory |
| Clowns | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Money Wars | 1982 | HAL Laboratory |
| Poker | ||
| Gorf | 1983 | Commodore Japan |
| Billiards | 1983 | HAL Laboratory |
| Pinball Spectacular (Bomb Bee) | 1983 | HAL Laboratory |
| Bowling (3511) | 1983 | HAL Laboratory |
| Slalom (3512) | 1983 | HAL Laboratory |
| Le Mans | 1982 | HAL Laboratory |
| Sea Wolf | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Mini Basic I (limited instructions, no tape support) | ||
| Max Basic (compliant with CBM BASIC V2.0 and can use tapes) | ||
| Music Composer | 1982 | Andy Finkel |
| Music Machine | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
| Speed Math and Bingo Math | 1982 | |
| Visible Solar System | 1982 | Commodore Japan |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ RaYzor (2014-11-06). "Commodore MAX Machine -- elusive and with good reason". Collection of Uncommon Commodore Computers. Archived from the original on 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "MAX Machine / Ultimax / VC-10". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. Archived from the original on 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ^ The C= guy, Robby (2011). "The odd one out… the MAX Machine". MOS 6502. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ a b "Commodore MAX". Computing History. Archived from the original on 2021-06-23. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ^ Zimmerman, Bo (2024-05-22). "Commodore MAX Machine Game Console : Meet my friend Max". Zimmers.net. Archived from the original on 2024-05-22. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "The Ultimax/Max Machine, The 64GS, The 64CGS". The Secret Weapons of Commodore. 2018-01-21. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ 山崎功『家庭用ゲーム機コンプリートガイド』主婦の友インフォス情報社、2014年、p.30
- ^ "Commodore MAX Machine". Launchbox Games Database.
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