Dr Johnny Blanchard
@onlyretrofans.com
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
#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
Oh no that’s fine Royal Mail, I only paid for 48 hour delivery because it’s my dogs epilepsy medication - NOT BECAUSE IT WAS FUCKING IMPORTANT OR ANYTHING
November 26, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Oh no that’s fine Royal Mail, I only paid for 48 hour delivery because it’s my dogs epilepsy medication - NOT BECAUSE IT WAS FUCKING IMPORTANT OR ANYTHING
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
On the bench tonight... I hate it when you have a working machine, then put it away for only a few weeks, and when you bring her back out... Screen garbage. So, here we have a nightmare of a machine to work on. Anyone recognise this underpowered oddball??
November 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
On the bench tonight... I hate it when you have a working machine, then put it away for only a few weeks, and when you bring her back out... Screen garbage. So, here we have a nightmare of a machine to work on. Anyone recognise this underpowered oddball??
I've just released Jurl for the little known Soundic/Hannimex Pencil II. This ones a bit of a cheat because a) it's basically the Colecovision version and b) I haven't tested it on actual hardware
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I've just released Jurl for the little known Soundic/Hannimex Pencil II. This ones a bit of a cheat because a) it's basically the Colecovision version and b) I haven't tested it on actual hardware
I’m very heartened to see more people talking about how shitty RGL are, I’m sure they’d prefer their history to be forgotten so they can sell their nostalgia candy, but the bastards tried to strongarm me and many others back in the day - so I won’t ever forget
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I’m very heartened to see more people talking about how shitty RGL are, I’m sure they’d prefer their history to be forgotten so they can sell their nostalgia candy, but the bastards tried to strongarm me and many others back in the day - so I won’t ever forget
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
This.
This is why you shouldn't give Paul Andrews/Retro Games Limited any of your money. He's a horrible, spiteful little man who only sees the retro games community as a cash cow to milk and something to bully.
This is why you shouldn't give Paul Andrews/Retro Games Limited any of your money. He's a horrible, spiteful little man who only sees the retro games community as a cash cow to milk and something to bully.
I see a lot of people talking about the A1200 mini.
Here's a reminder that Paul Andrews of Retro Games ltd. (and various other companies, and a proper James Blunt) does not deserve your money:
boingboing.net/2019/11/18/h...
Here's a reminder that Paul Andrews of Retro Games ltd. (and various other companies, and a proper James Blunt) does not deserve your money:
boingboing.net/2019/11/18/h...
Horace Goes Copyright Striking
How an obscure game character from the 8-bit era ended up at the heart of a very modern YouTube takedown fight
boingboing.net
November 25, 2025 at 12:59 PM
This.
This is why you shouldn't give Paul Andrews/Retro Games Limited any of your money. He's a horrible, spiteful little man who only sees the retro games community as a cash cow to milk and something to bully.
This is why you shouldn't give Paul Andrews/Retro Games Limited any of your money. He's a horrible, spiteful little man who only sees the retro games community as a cash cow to milk and something to bully.
Ok, unless someone else has written a Dragon 32 / CoCo video blitting routine, I need to learn 6809 assembler
November 23, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Ok, unless someone else has written a Dragon 32 / CoCo video blitting routine, I need to learn 6809 assembler
Got a letter requesting me to respond to a survey about AI - that was fun
November 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Got a letter requesting me to respond to a survey about AI - that was fun
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Ok.. So after discovering that my keyboard no longer worked on my awesome Enterprise at Cambridge last weekend, I opened her up.. Yup.. membrane completely knackered. New one arrived today, and installed!! The Enterprise is back up and running!! Great version of IK+ !!
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Ok.. So after discovering that my keyboard no longer worked on my awesome Enterprise at Cambridge last weekend, I opened her up.. Yup.. membrane completely knackered. New one arrived today, and installed!! The Enterprise is back up and running!! Great version of IK+ !!
Alright, the Dragon version of Jurl is "playable" - playable should be in heavy quotes because it's pretty janky at the moment. For instance I wouldn't play it if you're affected by flashing images.
But here's a pre-alpha cassette image to test out: tonsomo.itch.io/jurl-dragon-... #RetroComputing
But here's a pre-alpha cassette image to test out: tonsomo.itch.io/jurl-dragon-... #RetroComputing
Jurl: Dragon Edition by Tonsomo Entertainment
Asteroids meets Pacman game where you have to collect all the space diamonds whilst avoiding the various aliens.
tonsomo.itch.io
November 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Alright, the Dragon version of Jurl is "playable" - playable should be in heavy quotes because it's pretty janky at the moment. For instance I wouldn't play it if you're affected by flashing images.
But here's a pre-alpha cassette image to test out: tonsomo.itch.io/jurl-dragon-... #RetroComputing
But here's a pre-alpha cassette image to test out: tonsomo.itch.io/jurl-dragon-... #RetroComputing
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Pre-orders have gone up on the FB page! We got T-shirts, jumpers, and even a christmas card. We're also trying out Mousemats for those of us that are permanently infront of a screen! Based on Struzans Muppets Christmas Carol poster, with a "robot cars" twist. :P Lmk if you want any?(UK only, sadly!)
November 22, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Pre-orders have gone up on the FB page! We got T-shirts, jumpers, and even a christmas card. We're also trying out Mousemats for those of us that are permanently infront of a screen! Based on Struzans Muppets Christmas Carol poster, with a "robot cars" twist. :P Lmk if you want any?(UK only, sadly!)
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Stocking stuffer ideas for your retro collector:
-Amtech flux
-Solder braid
-Sharp tweezers
-Flush cutter
-Machined dip sockets 8 up to 40pin
-Ceramic capacitor assortment up to 10uF
-Eye loupes
-Magic erasers
-kynar wire
-DeoxIT with needle dispenser
-Polypropylene safety cap assortment up to 1uf
-Amtech flux
-Solder braid
-Sharp tweezers
-Flush cutter
-Machined dip sockets 8 up to 40pin
-Ceramic capacitor assortment up to 10uF
-Eye loupes
-Magic erasers
-kynar wire
-DeoxIT with needle dispenser
-Polypropylene safety cap assortment up to 1uf
November 23, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Stocking stuffer ideas for your retro collector:
-Amtech flux
-Solder braid
-Sharp tweezers
-Flush cutter
-Machined dip sockets 8 up to 40pin
-Ceramic capacitor assortment up to 10uF
-Eye loupes
-Magic erasers
-kynar wire
-DeoxIT with needle dispenser
-Polypropylene safety cap assortment up to 1uf
-Amtech flux
-Solder braid
-Sharp tweezers
-Flush cutter
-Machined dip sockets 8 up to 40pin
-Ceramic capacitor assortment up to 10uF
-Eye loupes
-Magic erasers
-kynar wire
-DeoxIT with needle dispenser
-Polypropylene safety cap assortment up to 1uf
I’ve got all the code and graphics onto the Dragon - but I need to work out how to speed up the drawing, implement double buffering and create a tape file #RetroDev #IndieDev #RetroComputing
November 23, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I’ve got all the code and graphics onto the Dragon - but I need to work out how to speed up the drawing, implement double buffering and create a tape file #RetroDev #IndieDev #RetroComputing
Watching Watchmen, the fight scene at the beginning is one of the most underrated fight sequences in film, it feels visceral in a way most fail to achieve
November 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Watching Watchmen, the fight scene at the beginning is one of the most underrated fight sequences in film, it feels visceral in a way most fail to achieve
And there's the first AI film festival i've had advertised to me. Film is a collaboration between people: writers, actors, directors, cinematographers - all the cast and crew come together to make art.
Trying to replace any of them removes soul and without soul there is no art.
Trying to replace any of them removes soul and without soul there is no art.
November 22, 2025 at 7:07 PM
And there's the first AI film festival i've had advertised to me. Film is a collaboration between people: writers, actors, directors, cinematographers - all the cast and crew come together to make art.
Trying to replace any of them removes soul and without soul there is no art.
Trying to replace any of them removes soul and without soul there is no art.
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Starting a new project to build some of these Electron Turbo cards. I have enough PCB - parts to make 5 on order.
ramtop-retro.uk/ostc.html
ramtop-retro.uk/ostc.html
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Starting a new project to build some of these Electron Turbo cards. I have enough PCB - parts to make 5 on order.
ramtop-retro.uk/ostc.html
ramtop-retro.uk/ostc.html
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
For #randomgamesaturday it's got to be an N64 title and one that I've ACTUALLY NEVER PLAYED BEFORE... until later today when I put my Analogue 3D through it's paces.
Conker's Bad Fur Day!
Conker's Bad Fur Day!
November 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
For #randomgamesaturday it's got to be an N64 title and one that I've ACTUALLY NEVER PLAYED BEFORE... until later today when I put my Analogue 3D through it's paces.
Conker's Bad Fur Day!
Conker's Bad Fur Day!
Started working on the Dragon 32 port of Jurl, lots to do - the game is crammed in there, but I think i'm going to have to rewrite the drawing code in assembler for speed #IndieDev #RetroDev #RetroComputing
November 22, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Started working on the Dragon 32 port of Jurl, lots to do - the game is crammed in there, but I think i'm going to have to rewrite the drawing code in assembler for speed #IndieDev #RetroDev #RetroComputing
Just caught up with the #F1 practice in Las Vegas and because of the issues nobody really has a clue what order the teams are in. Verstappen is definitely stronger than his place would suggest and I don’t think McLaren are in the right position either (neither Lando nor Oscar but for diff. reasons)
November 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Just caught up with the #F1 practice in Las Vegas and because of the issues nobody really has a clue what order the teams are in. Verstappen is definitely stronger than his place would suggest and I don’t think McLaren are in the right position either (neither Lando nor Oscar but for diff. reasons)
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Fair warning! Xmas be approaching, which means I'll be going into full-on retro gaming Christmas mode on Dec 1 and posting old ads, articles, covers, and sundry gaming festive content throughout the month. So if you hate Xmas, you probably better mute me 'til the New Year!
🎄
🎄
November 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Fair warning! Xmas be approaching, which means I'll be going into full-on retro gaming Christmas mode on Dec 1 and posting old ads, articles, covers, and sundry gaming festive content throughout the month. So if you hate Xmas, you probably better mute me 'til the New Year!
🎄
🎄
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
40 years ago, the 16-bit BBC C was being touted, but ended up in the "WTF happened to that" section of game biz history. MicroDealer finally paid Soft Aid its cash, and Electric Dreams signed the super-popular Back to the Future, and turned it into a flaming bag o' shite.
November 21, 2025 at 10:14 AM
40 years ago, the 16-bit BBC C was being touted, but ended up in the "WTF happened to that" section of game biz history. MicroDealer finally paid Soft Aid its cash, and Electric Dreams signed the super-popular Back to the Future, and turned it into a flaming bag o' shite.
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
November 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Cheetah Bollistick Joypad on the Sinclair Spectrum Plus 3
We were used to joysticks during the 8 and 16 bit computer eras, they tended to be unwieldy. Suddenly the emergence of Japanese consoles bought joypads as a standard, they were easier to use and more comfortable. Existing joystick…
We were used to joysticks during the 8 and 16 bit computer eras, they tended to be unwieldy. Suddenly the emergence of Japanese consoles bought joypads as a standard, they were easier to use and more comfortable. Existing joystick…
Cheetah Bollistick Joypad on the Sinclair Spectrum Plus 3
We were used to joysticks during the 8 and 16 bit computer eras, they tended to be unwieldy. Suddenly the emergence of Japanese consoles bought joypads as a standard, they were easier to use and more comfortable. Existing joystick manufacturers weren't blind to this and in the last few days before PCs and consoles killed the era of 8 and 16 bit computers.
re-enthused.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Cheetah Bollistick Joypad on the Sinclair Spectrum Plus 3
We were used to joysticks during the 8 and 16 bit computer eras, they tended to be unwieldy. Suddenly the emergence of Japanese consoles bought joypads as a standard, they were easier to use and more comfortable. Existing joystick…
We were used to joysticks during the 8 and 16 bit computer eras, they tended to be unwieldy. Suddenly the emergence of Japanese consoles bought joypads as a standard, they were easier to use and more comfortable. Existing joystick…
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Another day, another level designed !
Splatted that keyboard bug (which wasn't - just an issue with the Harry movement logic), plus a few other things I wasn't happy with / hadn't noticed before !
The list of 'things to do' is very short...... at the moment ! 😱
Splatted that keyboard bug (which wasn't - just an issue with the Harry movement logic), plus a few other things I wasn't happy with / hadn't noticed before !
The list of 'things to do' is very short...... at the moment ! 😱
November 19, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Another day, another level designed !
Splatted that keyboard bug (which wasn't - just an issue with the Harry movement logic), plus a few other things I wasn't happy with / hadn't noticed before !
The list of 'things to do' is very short...... at the moment ! 😱
Splatted that keyboard bug (which wasn't - just an issue with the Harry movement logic), plus a few other things I wasn't happy with / hadn't noticed before !
The list of 'things to do' is very short...... at the moment ! 😱