While sadly, there are those that believe that video games and computers all started at or near where they are today, it was actually quite a long strange trip to get to the iPad or the Wii or the Chrome Book. Now there is a new app, called simply Retro Computers that takes you on a visual walk down memory lane of what computers, computer components and even what a video game system here or there looked like back in the day.
The app is very simple to use and yet I have to say I was blown away just looking at the different photos of computers and game systems I actually used and had completely forgotten about. The app is filled with over 160 different computers, game systems and main frames that were all produced during the “computer golden age” of the 1970’s through the 1990’s. There are even some pictures of gaming systems and computers that weren’t even seen in my neck of the world because they were only released in whatever country produced them.
The interface is extremely simple. Open the app and at the main menu you will be asked to select from Acorn, Amstrad, Apple, Atari, Commodore, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Nintendo, Philips, Sega, Sharp, Sinclair, Tandy, Radio Shack and more. Once you select a category an album of photos of different computers that were produced by those companies will be presented and you can play with the pics a little bit to get a better look.
Tap a specific picture of a computer and you can then drag that computer at your leisure to take it all in, or zoom in to get an even closer look. There is also an “i” tab on each computer that when touched will give a brief overview of the model and if you are really interested will give you an easy hyperlink to the Wikipedia entry on that computer or game console.
Obviously, this isn’t the kind of application that is going to appeal to everyone. If you aren’t all that interested in computers the app isn’t going to hold your attention for all that long. You don’t get to see a demonstration of the machines in action or anything like that, but if you simply have an interest in the evolution of the personal computer from the clunky, heavy desktop beast that actually had a small printer attached to the sleek computers we have today then you will find this interesting.
The app is also well priced at just $0.99 because if the price was really any more than that, it would become a question of whether it was worth the money for a pictorial walk down memory lane. As long as you go in knowing exactly what to expect the app offers up a fun time and if you are anything like me a little wonder. Do any of you remember that Nintendo put out a video game system called the “Virtual Boy?” Find out more about it using this app.
App Store: $0.99
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