Warren Pilkington
@zawtowers.bsky.social
IT person by day, former Zzap! 64 and Commodore Format contributor, Man City fan, F1, snooker, writer, poet, photographer and music lover at all other times.
https://www.zawtowers.org.uk/
https://www.zawtowers.org.uk/
Pinned
THREAD: Following the sad news yesterday that Peter Clarke, C64 musician and remixer, has passed away, I'd like to pay tribute to someone whom I had got to know well and a great raconteur of stories of his time at Ocean and elsewhere. Lots of great music too. Here goes (1)
BBC Alba's throwback to Gazzetta Football Italia is a genius move. Now if their presenters could basically be having a capuccino and a gelato in Milan, with a copy of La Gazzetta Dello Sport on the table, a la @acjimbo.bsky.social - then they'd absolutely have it nailed.
February 16, 2026 at 4:32 PM
BBC Alba's throwback to Gazzetta Football Italia is a genius move. Now if their presenters could basically be having a capuccino and a gelato in Milan, with a copy of La Gazzetta Dello Sport on the table, a la @acjimbo.bsky.social - then they'd absolutely have it nailed.
What finishes first?
A runner completes Loop 1 of the Barkley Marathons
OR
Newcastle United (supported by @keithdunn.bsky.social - Barkley fans know who he is) finish their FA Cup game at Aston Villa...
A runner completes Loop 1 of the Barkley Marathons
OR
Newcastle United (supported by @keithdunn.bsky.social - Barkley fans know who he is) finish their FA Cup game at Aston Villa...
February 14, 2026 at 1:10 PM
What finishes first?
A runner completes Loop 1 of the Barkley Marathons
OR
Newcastle United (supported by @keithdunn.bsky.social - Barkley fans know who he is) finish their FA Cup game at Aston Villa...
A runner completes Loop 1 of the Barkley Marathons
OR
Newcastle United (supported by @keithdunn.bsky.social - Barkley fans know who he is) finish their FA Cup game at Aston Villa...
You know what time it is?
2026 Barkley Marathons time!
Keep it locked to @keithdunn.bsky.social for all the updates allowed.
And of course, #TouchTheGate
2026 Barkley Marathons time!
Keep it locked to @keithdunn.bsky.social for all the updates allowed.
And of course, #TouchTheGate
The conch was blown at 5:00am. The 2026 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour. #BM100
February 14, 2026 at 10:28 AM
You know what time it is?
2026 Barkley Marathons time!
Keep it locked to @keithdunn.bsky.social for all the updates allowed.
And of course, #TouchTheGate
2026 Barkley Marathons time!
Keep it locked to @keithdunn.bsky.social for all the updates allowed.
And of course, #TouchTheGate
As Sports Week contiunes over on the Mastertronic Collectors Archive, I take a look at Strike on the Commodore 64. Was it to be a great tenpin bowling game or would it be a turkey?
You can find out here.
#C64 #MAD #Mastertronic
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
You can find out here.
#C64 #MAD #Mastertronic
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
Game Review: Strike (Commodore 64, Mastertronic/MAD) - Mastertronic Collectors Archive
Strike on the Commodore 64 brings you tenpin bowling on a budget as you attempt to bowl the ball down the lane and get strikes and spares to beat your opponent.
mastertronic.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM
As Sports Week contiunes over on the Mastertronic Collectors Archive, I take a look at Strike on the Commodore 64. Was it to be a great tenpin bowling game or would it be a turkey?
You can find out here.
#C64 #MAD #Mastertronic
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
You can find out here.
#C64 #MAD #Mastertronic
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
Well said John Jackson on the skeleton commentary just now. Calm, polite and explained it from his perspective as an Army veteran.
The IOC should hang their heads in shame not allowing the act of rememberance from Vladyslav Heraskevych with his helmet.
The IOC should hang their heads in shame not allowing the act of rememberance from Vladyslav Heraskevych with his helmet.
February 12, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Well said John Jackson on the skeleton commentary just now. Calm, polite and explained it from his perspective as an Army veteran.
The IOC should hang their heads in shame not allowing the act of rememberance from Vladyslav Heraskevych with his helmet.
The IOC should hang their heads in shame not allowing the act of rememberance from Vladyslav Heraskevych with his helmet.
The Etihad playing Hit the North (part 1) by The Fall. I approve, especially as the late Mark E Smith was a diehard City fan.
February 11, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The Etihad playing Hit the North (part 1) by The Fall. I approve, especially as the late Mark E Smith was a diehard City fan.
As the Winter Olympics are on the telly at the moment, I take a look at the Americana re-release of Olympic Skier on the Commodore 64, with tweaks from the original. Is it worthy of the Ski Sunday theme, or will you hit more trees than a flying squirrel? Find out:
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
Game Review: Olympic Skier (Commodore 64, Americana) - Mastertronic Collectors Archive
Olympic Skier on the Commodore 64 has you taking part in slalom skiing, ski jump and downhill skiing events, where you will need to perform consistently well to achieve a high score.
mastertronic.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 9:02 PM
As the Winter Olympics are on the telly at the moment, I take a look at the Americana re-release of Olympic Skier on the Commodore 64, with tweaks from the original. Is it worthy of the Ski Sunday theme, or will you hit more trees than a flying squirrel? Find out:
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
History made at Anfield yesterday.
The first time Manchester City have doubled Liverpool in the top division (ie: won at home and away) since the 1936-37 season, where City won 5-0 at Anfield and 5-1 at Maine Road on the way to the title.
I saw a 2-2 draw at Anfield in 1990 and thought I did well.
The first time Manchester City have doubled Liverpool in the top division (ie: won at home and away) since the 1936-37 season, where City won 5-0 at Anfield and 5-1 at Maine Road on the way to the title.
I saw a 2-2 draw at Anfield in 1990 and thought I did well.
February 9, 2026 at 10:08 AM
History made at Anfield yesterday.
The first time Manchester City have doubled Liverpool in the top division (ie: won at home and away) since the 1936-37 season, where City won 5-0 at Anfield and 5-1 at Maine Road on the way to the title.
I saw a 2-2 draw at Anfield in 1990 and thought I did well.
The first time Manchester City have doubled Liverpool in the top division (ie: won at home and away) since the 1936-37 season, where City won 5-0 at Anfield and 5-1 at Maine Road on the way to the title.
I saw a 2-2 draw at Anfield in 1990 and thought I did well.
In the third part of this series, I look at 10 Mastertronic re-release of games on the Commodore 64 that have had their soundtracks remixed, and for free. Lots of great remixers and remixes to discover including Crazy Comets, Knucklebusters and The Eidolon #C64
mastertronic.co.uk/10-great-mas...
mastertronic.co.uk/10-great-mas...
10 Great Mastertronic Commodore 64 Remixes - Part 3 - Mastertronic Collectors Archive
A lot of music from Commodore 64 Mastertronic games were given the remix treatment. Here's part three in our series looking at the best of them...
mastertronic.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 10:29 PM
In the third part of this series, I look at 10 Mastertronic re-release of games on the Commodore 64 that have had their soundtracks remixed, and for free. Lots of great remixers and remixes to discover including Crazy Comets, Knucklebusters and The Eidolon #C64
mastertronic.co.uk/10-great-mas...
mastertronic.co.uk/10-great-mas...
That was a close game and could have been 1-0 either way. But it is Arsenal with the win. Disappointed but they were the only side to stop Man City scoring in the WSL this season, so credit where due. Onwards and upwards!
February 8, 2026 at 2:22 PM
That was a close game and could have been 1-0 either way. But it is Arsenal with the win. Disappointed but they were the only side to stop Man City scoring in the WSL this season, so credit where due. Onwards and upwards!
At the Emirates for the big WSL game - Arsenal v Man City. Can City follow up last week's Chelsea win and make it 14 WSL wins on the bounce?
February 8, 2026 at 11:35 AM
At the Emirates for the big WSL game - Arsenal v Man City. Can City follow up last week's Chelsea win and make it 14 WSL wins on the bounce?
More obscure and forgotten arcade games are covered here for you by @bloggospow.bsky.social - which also happens to include one which I've actually played! I'll leave it to you to work out which one it might be..
I forget things. I forget to wash up. Or galvanise my tires. Or arcade games.
Have a look to see what's been forgotten this week!
youtu.be/VgULxWbk8o8
Have a look to see what's been forgotten this week!
youtu.be/VgULxWbk8o8
Yet More Forgotten Arcades POW!
YouTube video by Bloggos Pow
youtu.be
February 7, 2026 at 7:13 PM
More obscure and forgotten arcade games are covered here for you by @bloggospow.bsky.social - which also happens to include one which I've actually played! I'll leave it to you to work out which one it might be..
Amongst the more unusual Mastertronic Commodore 64 releases is the disk-only re-release of Mirrorsoft's Quick Thinking, with two educational mathematics games. I gave it a go, and did it all add up, or was it a subtraction to the range? Find out:
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
Game Review: Quick Thinking (Commodore 64, Mastertronic) - Mastertronic Collectors Archive
Quick Thinking on the Commodore 64 has two different educational games to teach mathematics for years 6 to 12 and upwards, with Space Invaders and robots being the two themes.
mastertronic.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Amongst the more unusual Mastertronic Commodore 64 releases is the disk-only re-release of Mirrorsoft's Quick Thinking, with two educational mathematics games. I gave it a go, and did it all add up, or was it a subtraction to the range? Find out:
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
At the Etihad for the top of the table Women's Super League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea. Going to be a tough game and I reckon it'll be 2-1 either way. Come on City!
February 1, 2026 at 2:06 PM
At the Etihad for the top of the table Women's Super League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea. Going to be a tough game and I reckon it'll be 2-1 either way. Come on City!
The title track of this album is 24 minutes of pure brilliance, over 20 years on from release.
January 30, 2026 at 9:29 PM
The title track of this album is 24 minutes of pure brilliance, over 20 years on from release.
Take a bow, Anatoliy Trubin!
Celebrated with gusto at the Etihad too as this ensured Man City were 8th and straight into the last 16, as well as Benfica into the playoffs.
youtu.be/E98bvZj_Mro?...
Celebrated with gusto at the Etihad too as this ensured Man City were 8th and straight into the last 16, as well as Benfica into the playoffs.
youtu.be/E98bvZj_Mro?...
INCREDIBLE! Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin SCORES at the death to send Benfica into UCL play-offs 🤯
YouTube video by TNT Sports Football
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Take a bow, Anatoliy Trubin!
Celebrated with gusto at the Etihad too as this ensured Man City were 8th and straight into the last 16, as well as Benfica into the playoffs.
youtu.be/E98bvZj_Mro?...
Celebrated with gusto at the Etihad too as this ensured Man City were 8th and straight into the last 16, as well as Benfica into the playoffs.
youtu.be/E98bvZj_Mro?...
If you know, you know why this is relevant to Commodore 64 gamers.
youtu.be/VfjJ_qcBQ9A?...
youtu.be/VfjJ_qcBQ9A?...
Midnight In Tula (1995 Remaster)
YouTube video by Tangerine Dream - Topic
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 1:48 PM
If you know, you know why this is relevant to Commodore 64 gamers.
youtu.be/VfjJ_qcBQ9A?...
youtu.be/VfjJ_qcBQ9A?...
I take a look at Rockford - The Arcade Game on the Commodore 64, a conversion of an arcade licence featuring the character from Boulder Dash, properly licenced from First Star. Was it any good or an Icon Design C64 botch job? Find out here:
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
Game Review: Rockford - The Arcade Game (Commodore 64, Mastertronic) - Mastertronic Collectors Archive
Rockford on the Commodore 64 is a conversion of the Arcadia arcade game, which was based on the Rockford character from Boulder Dash, and officially licenced from First Star Software.
mastertronic.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 10:53 PM
I take a look at Rockford - The Arcade Game on the Commodore 64, a conversion of an arcade licence featuring the character from Boulder Dash, properly licenced from First Star. Was it any good or an Icon Design C64 botch job? Find out here:
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
mastertronic.co.uk/game-review-...
A huge clash in the Women's Super League on BBC1 right now as Chelsea take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. As a Man City fan a draw would be preferable to keep them both away from us, but should be a close thing.
No Vicki Sparks on commentary though. Boo.
No Vicki Sparks on commentary though. Boo.
January 24, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A huge clash in the Women's Super League on BBC1 right now as Chelsea take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. As a Man City fan a draw would be preferable to keep them both away from us, but should be a close thing.
No Vicki Sparks on commentary though. Boo.
No Vicki Sparks on commentary though. Boo.
THREAD: One thing that is fascinating about music using the SID chip on the Commodore 64 is that often musicians would look at different ways of getting sounds out of it.
One would be to call their music players multiple times a frame, meaning different sounds possible.
Here's some examples (1)
One would be to call their music players multiple times a frame, meaning different sounds possible.
Here's some examples (1)
January 21, 2026 at 1:03 PM
THREAD: One thing that is fascinating about music using the SID chip on the Commodore 64 is that often musicians would look at different ways of getting sounds out of it.
One would be to call their music players multiple times a frame, meaning different sounds possible.
Here's some examples (1)
One would be to call their music players multiple times a frame, meaning different sounds possible.
Here's some examples (1)
If ever a game summed up what "Typical City" means to us Manchester City fans, this is it - setting a record as the first English team to lose to a Norwegian team in a European club competition. Bodø/Glimt were the better side.
That gamble against Bayer Leverkusen in November looks worse now.
That gamble against Bayer Leverkusen in November looks worse now.
January 20, 2026 at 7:37 PM
If ever a game summed up what "Typical City" means to us Manchester City fans, this is it - setting a record as the first English team to lose to a Norwegian team in a European club competition. Bodø/Glimt were the better side.
That gamble against Bayer Leverkusen in November looks worse now.
That gamble against Bayer Leverkusen in November looks worse now.
Excellent new video from @81632bitretro.com with a focus on the Atari Falcon.
January 17, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Excellent new video from @81632bitretro.com with a focus on the Atari Falcon.
The 6-2 streak at the Johnstone's Paint Masters snooker is finally over, thanks to John Higgins:
#MastersSnooker
#MastersSnooker
January 15, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The 6-2 streak at the Johnstone's Paint Masters snooker is finally over, thanks to John Higgins:
#MastersSnooker
#MastersSnooker
It happened! All eight first round games at the Johnstone's Paint Masters snooker ended up 6-2 all the way.
#MastersSnooker
#MastersSnooker
January 14, 2026 at 10:39 PM
It happened! All eight first round games at the Johnstone's Paint Masters snooker ended up 6-2 all the way.
#MastersSnooker
#MastersSnooker
I wonder what the odds are on the three remaining first round matches at the Johnstone's Paint Masters snooker finishing 6-2. It's been the only scoreline in all five matches so far.
#MastersSnooker
#MastersSnooker
January 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
I wonder what the odds are on the three remaining first round matches at the Johnstone's Paint Masters snooker finishing 6-2. It's been the only scoreline in all five matches so far.
#MastersSnooker
#MastersSnooker