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Dr Johnny Blanchard

@onlyretrofans.com

1.1K followers 580 following 4.8K posts

Screenwriter #Retrocomputing/#RetroGaming: https://www.youtube.com/@reenthused #IndieDev: https://tonsomo.itch.io #Film: https://www.youtube.com/@roguegunners Buy gaming in the obscure: https://mixam.co.uk/print-on-demand/6813e21211c9951bff4316db

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 2h

Also updated the Gameboy Advance edition. I’ve made changes to the Gameboy version too but I really dislike the menu music which in a fairly poor field is easily the worst rendition of Fur Elise, I need to work out how to make a better one

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 5h

Updated the Sinclair Spectrum Edition of Jurl so it's up to date with (most) of the others by adding the Bonus functionality and adding a demo to the page.
#RetroComputing #RetroGaming #IndieDev #RetroDev

tonsomo.itch.io

Tonsomo Entertainment

tonsomo.itch.io

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 5h

Cheers

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 8h

Unfortunately I’ve run out of large ones

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 8h

And there we are, all buttoned up again - I’ve had a quick game of one of the best Spectrum titles out there, Rex, and it’s all working perfectly. Maybe I’ll replace the rainbow badge with a nicer one? This is going to be sold but I’d like the new owner to have a good experience.

The image shows a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 128K computer on a cluttered workspace. The keyboard features small, black keys with various symbols, and the device has a sleek, angular design. Various cables and miscellaneous items are scattered around in the background.

The image displays a television screen showing the title screen of a video game called "Rex." The screen features bright red lettering and a score display for "Foot Man." Below, there are menu options including "Define," "Kempston," "Cursor” and “Sinclair”

The image displays a colorful retro video game screen featuring a pixelated platformer level. The environment includes various platforms, obstacles, and enemies in bright hues of red, green, blue, and purple. Score and shield indicators are visible at the top

An LCD screen displays a retro-style video game interface, showing a score of 260 and a level indicator. The game features blue diamond-shaped objects and a small sprite resembling a character or vehicle moving within a bordered area. Various wires and a tabletop surface

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 8h

The final fix was to sort out the AY/Beeper sound balance - I forgot to take a picture but it’s just replacing a resistor

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 8h

Jailbar fix installed, I kind of wish I’d read ahead because it involved replacing one of the caps I’d already replaced - but that’s a nice clear picture now

Close-up of a circuit board featuring various electronic components, including blue capacitors, resistors, and an integrated circuit.

Close-up of a circuit board featuring multiple electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits. Two audio jacks are visible at the top left, alongside numbering and labeling on the board.

A monitor displaying a retro computer interface from Sinclair Research Ltd. The screen shows a menu with options: "Tape Loader," "128 BASIC," "Calculator," "48 BASIC," and "Tape Tester." The copyright date is 1986.

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 9h

Big relief that after popping in the new Z80 from Retroleum not only does the toastrack still work but so does the DivMMC. A quick load of Jurl shows that it’s all working - woohoo, on to the next mod

Three black integrated circuit chips, Z80s, labeled "Zilog" placed on a textured surface, surrounded by a reflective pouch and a remote control in the background.

The image displays a television screen showing a menu for a ZX Spectrum 128 computer. Options include "Tape Loader," "128 BASIC," "Calculator," "48 BASIC," and "Tape Tester," with a copyright notice from 1986 Sinclair Research Ltd

A screen displays a file directory with options including ".fseventsd," ".Spotlight-V100," ".Trashes," and various files related to "Bluesky" and "Mastodon." The interface shows a browsing window at the bottom

A television screen displays a menu titled "JURL," featuring options for "KEYBOARD," "KEMPSTON," "SINCLAIR," and "REDEFINE KEYS." Below the options, there is a credits section with names and a copyright notice

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Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

Bethany Black @bethanyblack.bsky.social · 1d

Just flown in from Riyadh, and boy are my excuses tired

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 9h

I’ve ran out of the correct sized chip holders, so I’ve had to make one out of two - which means if this doesn’t work I’ve given myself extra work to find out why

Close-up of a printed circuit board featuring various electronic components including integrated circuits, resistors, and capacitors.

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 9h

Can’t see any breaks, I think this might well have been a successful extraction

Close-up of a printed circuit board (PCB) featuring various electronic components, including resistors, one of the chips has been removed leaving the holes

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 9h

Capacitors and regulator replaced, edge connector cleaned. No change, DivMMC still won’t work. But, that was the obvious result unfortunately. I’ve been putting it off, but I have to remove the toastracks brain

An electronic circuit board featuring various components including integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors, and connectors. The board is positioned on a blue surface with additional electronic components visible in the background.

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 9h

Although I’ll also give the edge connector a bit of a clean first

The inside of a Sinclair Spectrum Toastrack showing a dirty edge connector

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 9h

Right, more work to do on the Toastrack . I have to fix the M1 line, now obviously the correct way to fix it is to replace the Z80, however, that’s major surgery so let’s replace the caps and regulator in the vain hope that’ll somehow fix it #RetroComputing

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 14h

New stuff arrived from Retroleum - why does Charles’ stamp look like he has a Mohican and mullet combo?

Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

Jake Birkett - Veteran Indie @greyalien.bsky.social · 18h

Hello. Are you making a game or art that could in any way be described as "retro"? If so, I'd love to see it! Please reply below. (no AI stuff, thx)

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Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 3d

To celebrate the 25th port of Jurl i've created a bundle of all the paid for versions of Jurl for 25% off. There's also a load that are free - but you can't add those to bundles on itch itch.io/s/161564/jur...

Jurl 25th Port Bundle by Tonsomo Entertainment

A bundle by Tonsomo Entertainment, $12.75 for 17 games

itch.io

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Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

🕹️ Davey Sloan 👾 @sloanysoft.itch.io · 6d

What a glorious time to be a fan of Spectrum games, this cyberpunk Speccy game looks superb.

"Welcome to S1NCLA1R C1TY, a metropolis that once lived through a golden age, but now lies in the shadow of despair due to the dark influence of the CPC Corporation"

javierfopiani.itch.io/s1ncla1r-c1ty

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Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

RE-Enthused @re-enthused.com · 1d

Hardware: The Zune HD - Microsofts (not) iPod Killer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sysujiZHFTo Apple's success in the MP3 market surprised everyone, Microsoft were one of the first big companies to attempt to find the same success. Unfortunately the Zune didn't quite experience...

re-enthused.com

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 1d

Imagine a new God of War Game, are you imagining it? Ok you owe us $70

Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

matt sephton @gingerbeardman.com · 1d

It's World Mental Health Day 2025! 🧠

And I just donated my #Playdate earnings to The Cybersmile Foundation 💸

So it's doubly important to remember that we need to stand up to bullies and harassers, even if it's uncomfortable or puts you out. I did just that as recently as yesterday!

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Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

Julian "Jaz" Rignall @jazrignall.bsky.social · 1d

35 years ago, Quickjoy joysticks were basically Quickshot joysticks. Renown for their uncanny ability to spontaneously fall apart if you closed the door too hard, or accidentally left the window open when a gentle breeze was blowing. 🤣

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Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard

Andy Toone @lockfarm.bsky.social · 1d

OK BlueSky network, can we do the six degrees of Kevin Bacon thing? Does anyone know Ian Livingstone or someone in similar tech/tabletop gaming/boardgame area? I've got a tech demo that I'd love to take further, or at least show to people who might 'get it'.

Reposts appreciated.

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Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 2d

Off to Retroleum again

Dr Johnny Blanchard @onlyretrofans.com · 2d

A special picture from the toastrack just for @morefunmakingit.bsky.social

A closeup of a bridged resistor on a spectrum toastrack computer

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