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
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Live now, doing more dev experiments on the Sharp X68000. Come join us for drinks, like refreshments and and level of swearing proportional to the code refusing to work on real hardware!
twitch.tv/djh0ffman
twitch.tv/djh0ffman
djh0ffman - Twitch
Sharp end of the stick - X68000 Dev
twitch.tv
November 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Live now, doing more dev experiments on the Sharp X68000. Come join us for drinks, like refreshments and and level of swearing proportional to the code refusing to work on real hardware!
twitch.tv/djh0ffman
twitch.tv/djh0ffman
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
The NEC PC-FX: The worst business decision in gaming history?
NEC designed the follow-up to it's hugely successful PC Engine line but decided to shelve it when the decision makers got cold feet about releasing a machine that couldn't play the existing games.This led to NEC releasing an…
NEC designed the follow-up to it's hugely successful PC Engine line but decided to shelve it when the decision makers got cold feet about releasing a machine that couldn't play the existing games.This led to NEC releasing an…
The NEC PC-FX: The worst business decision in gaming history?
NEC designed the follow-up to it's hugely successful PC Engine line but decided to shelve it when the decision makers got cold feet about releasing a machine that couldn't play the existing games.This led to NEC releasing an underpowered machine into the following generation.
re-enthused.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The NEC PC-FX: The worst business decision in gaming history?
NEC designed the follow-up to it's hugely successful PC Engine line but decided to shelve it when the decision makers got cold feet about releasing a machine that couldn't play the existing games.This led to NEC releasing an…
NEC designed the follow-up to it's hugely successful PC Engine line but decided to shelve it when the decision makers got cold feet about releasing a machine that couldn't play the existing games.This led to NEC releasing an…
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the SEGA Mark III console in Japan, Astro Climber is now available for free on Itch ⬇️ #homebrew #mastersystem
October 20, 2025 at 10:39 AM
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the SEGA Mark III console in Japan, Astro Climber is now available for free on Itch ⬇️ #homebrew #mastersystem
Obviously, to see the machines I’ve owned over time you should check out my videos on www.youtube.com/@reenthused because I’ve covered many of them #RetroComputing #RetroGaming
www.youtube
November 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Obviously, to see the machines I’ve owned over time you should check out my videos on www.youtube.com/@reenthused because I’ve covered many of them #RetroComputing #RetroGaming
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
We're going to do it all over again! Very excited to announce RetroFest 2026 to be held at Swindon's STEAM museum on the 30th/31st May. If you'd like to exhibit, just full in the form - and if you'd like to come, why not buy a ticket! They also make wonderful Christmas presents :) - retrofest.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
We're going to do it all over again! Very excited to announce RetroFest 2026 to be held at Swindon's STEAM museum on the 30th/31st May. If you'd like to exhibit, just full in the form - and if you'd like to come, why not buy a ticket! They also make wonderful Christmas presents :) - retrofest.uk
This is so incredibly picky and absolutely not a slam on the author of the article (hence why i'm not including it) but on the SMS article I shared, the SMS was of course a 'tweaked' Sega Mark 3, the third in the SG-1000 line - they were consoles, although you could get a keyboard (see my video)
November 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This is so incredibly picky and absolutely not a slam on the author of the article (hence why i'm not including it) but on the SMS article I shared, the SMS was of course a 'tweaked' Sega Mark 3, the third in the SG-1000 line - they were consoles, although you could get a keyboard (see my video)
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Hi I wrote about the Sega Master System and how it’s been criminally overlooked because everyone goes on about the NES like it was the only 8bit console in the world look don’t get me started
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
Master System at 40: the truth about Sega’s most underrated console
Forty years ago, the Nintendo Entertainment System dominated the markets in Japan and the US. But in Europe, a technologically superior rival was making it look like an ancient relic
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Hi I wrote about the Sega Master System and how it’s been criminally overlooked because everyone goes on about the NES like it was the only 8bit console in the world look don’t get me started
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/n...
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
I'm not positioned to be a black Friday Frances but if you do buy a drawing it will come with a hand written note including a unique bespoke improvisational tiger. Which is almost as good as a discount.
Hello, these pieces of interesting art are still available and I really want more people to know about them and be on board. Also buying them would help immensely and prove your bonafides #bonafides
www.chloecumming.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I'm not positioned to be a black Friday Frances but if you do buy a drawing it will come with a hand written note including a unique bespoke improvisational tiger. Which is almost as good as a discount.
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Cool things in the classroom at @computinghistory.org.uk for Retro Computer Fest ‘25
3D software running on Amiga,
@dexterstechlab.bsky.social with a beast of a Quantel Paintbox,
@breakintoprogram.co.uk’s Einstein squirting code on to ZX Spectrum,
@matteusbeus.bsky.social’s new Megadrive game Chords
3D software running on Amiga,
@dexterstechlab.bsky.social with a beast of a Quantel Paintbox,
@breakintoprogram.co.uk’s Einstein squirting code on to ZX Spectrum,
@matteusbeus.bsky.social’s new Megadrive game Chords
November 17, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Cool things in the classroom at @computinghistory.org.uk for Retro Computer Fest ‘25
3D software running on Amiga,
@dexterstechlab.bsky.social with a beast of a Quantel Paintbox,
@breakintoprogram.co.uk’s Einstein squirting code on to ZX Spectrum,
@matteusbeus.bsky.social’s new Megadrive game Chords
3D software running on Amiga,
@dexterstechlab.bsky.social with a beast of a Quantel Paintbox,
@breakintoprogram.co.uk’s Einstein squirting code on to ZX Spectrum,
@matteusbeus.bsky.social’s new Megadrive game Chords
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
The Funtech Super A’Can – Taiwan’s 16 bit challenger
Taiwan might not be known as a gaming powerhouse, but Funtech gave it a go in the 90's with the Super A'Can. Unfortunately they released an 80s machine in the 90s, but it's still an interesting bit of hardware.
Taiwan might not be known as a gaming powerhouse, but Funtech gave it a go in the 90's with the Super A'Can. Unfortunately they released an 80s machine in the 90s, but it's still an interesting bit of hardware.
The Funtech Super A’Can – Taiwan’s 16 bit challenger
Taiwan might not be known as a gaming powerhouse, but Funtech gave it a go in the 90's with the Super A'Can. Unfortunately they released an 80s machine in the 90s, but it's still an interesting bit of hardware.
re-enthused.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The Funtech Super A’Can – Taiwan’s 16 bit challenger
Taiwan might not be known as a gaming powerhouse, but Funtech gave it a go in the 90's with the Super A'Can. Unfortunately they released an 80s machine in the 90s, but it's still an interesting bit of hardware.
Taiwan might not be known as a gaming powerhouse, but Funtech gave it a go in the 90's with the Super A'Can. Unfortunately they released an 80s machine in the 90s, but it's still an interesting bit of hardware.
Lots of guesses around the price of the new Valve ecosystem - some up to £1000+ for the whole thing. The reason why I think it’s going to be cheaper is because of some of the shortcuts they’re making - it feels like they’re aiming for a specific price and it makes sense for that to be competitive
November 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Lots of guesses around the price of the new Valve ecosystem - some up to £1000+ for the whole thing. The reason why I think it’s going to be cheaper is because of some of the shortcuts they’re making - it feels like they’re aiming for a specific price and it makes sense for that to be competitive
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Huge thanks to the lovely staff at @computinghistory.org.uk for being perfect hosts for RetroFest 2025 ( Gaming Edition ). Massive thanks also to @shortcircuit.org.uk for organising everything and making the event such a great success. Same goes to the amazing exhibitors who made it all possible.
November 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Huge thanks to the lovely staff at @computinghistory.org.uk for being perfect hosts for RetroFest 2025 ( Gaming Edition ). Massive thanks also to @shortcircuit.org.uk for organising everything and making the event such a great success. Same goes to the amazing exhibitors who made it all possible.
Well here's some fun. I dismantled the DK tronics case and put the Spectrum + that had refused to run anything more complex than a small BASIC program into it's old case. I gave it another try and it worked perfectly, ran my demo games fine ... I'm guessing the PSU in the case has degraded.
November 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Well here's some fun. I dismantled the DK tronics case and put the Spectrum + that had refused to run anything more complex than a small BASIC program into it's old case. I gave it another try and it worked perfectly, ran my demo games fine ... I'm guessing the PSU in the case has degraded.
Someone missed me
November 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Someone missed me
I threw together my dev exhibit quite late so I was quite unprepared - no documentation and lots went wrong. I decided to use the DK tronics keyboard case for the spectrum, the Speccy had passed the test program I use but turns out it has a marginal memory issue - so no games work.
November 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I threw together my dev exhibit quite late so I was quite unprepared - no documentation and lots went wrong. I decided to use the DK tronics keyboard case for the spectrum, the Speccy had passed the test program I use but turns out it has a marginal memory issue - so no games work.
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
What a splendid weekend! Thanks to @computinghistory.org.uk for hosting, @heredragons.be for organising and everyone who came to stop and chat! Winner of the Beeb high score was @snuggsy187.bsky.social with a frankly ridiculous 237110, and the Speccy was @morefunmakingit.bsky.social with 23030 😄
November 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
What a splendid weekend! Thanks to @computinghistory.org.uk for hosting, @heredragons.be for organising and everyone who came to stop and chat! Winner of the Beeb high score was @snuggsy187.bsky.social with a frankly ridiculous 237110, and the Speccy was @morefunmakingit.bsky.social with 23030 😄
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Reproducing Plastic Parts – Part 3
This is Part 3 Click here for part 2 and here for part 1 The final part of our series on creating replacement plastic parts using silicone moulding. Here's where we bought the materials:
This is Part 3 Click here for part 2 and here for part 1 The final part of our series on creating replacement plastic parts using silicone moulding. Here's where we bought the materials:
Reproducing Plastic Parts – Part 3
This is Part 3 Click here for part 2 and here for part 1 The final part of our series on creating replacement plastic parts using silicone moulding. Here's where we bought the materials:
re-enthused.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reproducing Plastic Parts – Part 3
This is Part 3 Click here for part 2 and here for part 1 The final part of our series on creating replacement plastic parts using silicone moulding. Here's where we bought the materials:
This is Part 3 Click here for part 2 and here for part 1 The final part of our series on creating replacement plastic parts using silicone moulding. Here's where we bought the materials:
Home from the Retro Computer Festival at the @computinghistory.org.uk - tired but what a great weekend, lots of super nice people and meeting up with people I don't get a chance to see too often.
Loved being part of the dev room, what a fantastic idea
Loved being part of the dev room, what a fantastic idea
November 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Home from the Retro Computer Festival at the @computinghistory.org.uk - tired but what a great weekend, lots of super nice people and meeting up with people I don't get a chance to see too often.
Loved being part of the dev room, what a fantastic idea
Loved being part of the dev room, what a fantastic idea
Recovered slightly, it was a good day - lots of nice people met, events like this remind me why I love the retro community - from discussions about retro development to ‘heated’ discussions on whether the Z80 or 6502 was the best CPU - I love my nerdthren.
A shame that my Speccy decided to die :)
A shame that my Speccy decided to die :)
November 15, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Recovered slightly, it was a good day - lots of nice people met, events like this remind me why I love the retro community - from discussions about retro development to ‘heated’ discussions on whether the Z80 or 6502 was the best CPU - I love my nerdthren.
A shame that my Speccy decided to die :)
A shame that my Speccy decided to die :)
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Brain addled due to blue genie smoke inhalation 😅 but just wanted to say it was great to meet some of you (a few I missed too I think !)
Hope you have a great day tomorrow !
@sharpworks.bsky.social
@binarydinosaurs.co.uk
@onlyretrofans.com
@kevedwardsretro.bsky.social
@breakintoprogram.co.uk
Hope you have a great day tomorrow !
@sharpworks.bsky.social
@binarydinosaurs.co.uk
@onlyretrofans.com
@kevedwardsretro.bsky.social
@breakintoprogram.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Brain addled due to blue genie smoke inhalation 😅 but just wanted to say it was great to meet some of you (a few I missed too I think !)
Hope you have a great day tomorrow !
@sharpworks.bsky.social
@binarydinosaurs.co.uk
@onlyretrofans.com
@kevedwardsretro.bsky.social
@breakintoprogram.co.uk
Hope you have a great day tomorrow !
@sharpworks.bsky.social
@binarydinosaurs.co.uk
@onlyretrofans.com
@kevedwardsretro.bsky.social
@breakintoprogram.co.uk
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
I'm at the Retro Computer Festival in Cambridge.
I wasn't supposed to be exhibiting but got my arm twisted and displaying a few custom cases.
#retrocomputing
#Atari
#ZXSpectrum
#Sinclair
I wasn't supposed to be exhibiting but got my arm twisted and displaying a few custom cases.
#retrocomputing
#Atari
#ZXSpectrum
#Sinclair
November 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I'm at the Retro Computer Festival in Cambridge.
I wasn't supposed to be exhibiting but got my arm twisted and displaying a few custom cases.
#retrocomputing
#Atari
#ZXSpectrum
#Sinclair
I wasn't supposed to be exhibiting but got my arm twisted and displaying a few custom cases.
#retrocomputing
#Atari
#ZXSpectrum
#Sinclair
Reposted by Dr Johnny Blanchard
Had a very busy first day at @computinghistory.org.uk for the retro festival gaming edition event. Great speaking with so many people about the BBC Micro and gaming in general. Thanks to those who said hello. One more day to go. Thanks to @breakintoprogram.co.uk for the company and transport.
November 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Had a very busy first day at @computinghistory.org.uk for the retro festival gaming edition event. Great speaking with so many people about the BBC Micro and gaming in general. Thanks to those who said hello. One more day to go. Thanks to @breakintoprogram.co.uk for the company and transport.