Tandy 1000 Computer System Review - Lazy Game Reviews
July 27th, 2010
Review from the perspective of a somewhat casual collector: is the 1000 series worth collecting today? A run-down of the history, pros and cons of the systems and games, what to look for and be aware of when buying. The PCjr may have failed, by Tandy? Tandy ruled. There are functions I wanted to talk about but ran out of time, like the ability to run in Hercules mode, further Deskmate and TL-related features and the upgrade options, but alas. Lots more information and troubleshooting at: www.oldskool.org LHX Attack Chopper Lemmings Out Run Thexder Firehawk Zeliard Arkanoid Also check out the Maxis games of the time, the Tandy versions are spectacular - SimCity, SimEarth, SimAnt etc
ps2 as in… not playstation 2 right?
Wow how old are you? You rule dude. Can I down load an emulator to play kings quest on my laptop ? Just the way I played it when I was 13 on our family Tandy 1000? Thx man ps nice classic chair also !
@5553371 Haha, I remember that “stoned” virus. Stupid thing never seemed to want to leave, never knew when a floppy was infected with it until it was too late if you were careless. And I was.
i remember the first computer i used and it was the Tandy 1000 EX and the just about funnest thing was the weird virus messages such as “YOUR PC IS NOW STONED!”
and i also modded the memory so i could fill the max limit.
I guess those times are gone now but they will live Forever in my mind.
And on an other note i had an old Tandy 1000 With Windows 3.x and dos 6.2 or 5.x.
i’m not sure about the specs but it came with a vga monitor and Keyboard / Mouse and the Dot-Matrix Printer it was cool:)
@phreakindee Let me second the original comment’s sentiment and say really nice work on the research and time you put into this video. I never knew much about the Tandy 1000 computers as my entry into the PC world was generic Hyundai 286 PC that was replaced about a year later when Wing Commander was released. Before that I had an Apple IIC which I loved dearly and totally regret having parted ways with it.
LHX Attack Copter was the bomb too. Still have my original box and disks : ]
@phreakindee I am indeed referring to the MSX2 game, as I think it has the better music out of all the releases. But alas, MSX2s aren’t very easy to come across online for any sort of reasonable price whatsoever. MSX2 games can come as a ROM, in .mx2 format. I referred to a Tandy machine because it would be a cheaper alternative, and I absolutely love the 3-voice sound chip present, but of course it’s nothing that could beat the MSX2’s sound chip.
@CerealBarGamer Your comment confuses me. Firehawk for PC came on floppy disks and as such there are no ROMs. You can rather easily find disk images or the contents of those images online, cracked and otherwise. Perhaps you’re referring to the MSX2 game, but even that used floppies I thought.
I’m really disappointed that there is no ROM available of Firehawk Thexder as of now. I might just have to go out and get me a Tandy machine :3
@phreakindee yeah, these seem to have been somewhat rare in a lot of Europe.
Awesome video, spore music makes it even better.
One note to add, it probably was the 1000HD, because it had a hard drive.
My first computer was the original Tandy 1000. DOS 2.5. I remember having hours of fun with a very primitive port of Frogger, the ALF addition and subtraction games, Clock Works, and Money Works (the latter two published by MECC). Yes, I also played the first version of Ford Simulator. Too bad that my mom gave it away 15 years ago…I would’ve had more fun with it today.
u used muisic from spore
My friend used to down a Tandy computer and we used to spend days playing with it lol. It’s good to see a well respected review on a great computer (at the time) Keep up the great work!
I was going to get the original Tandy 1000 but me and that guy could not find the keyboard for it. so I did not buy it. was to bad he had everything else.
but I do have a old Tandy TRS-80 color computer 2.
These are cool but they don’t exist in the UK so it would be very expensive to import one.
For those who don’t know, I am Yushatak (thanks for mentioning me :D).
Woot. Glad to see this finally!
Personally I’m a 486-era VGA and Soundblaster guy for 99.9% of my DOS gaming, so that machine didn’t do much for me - especially since I had no CGA monitor (and still don’t…). I have become fond of Zeliard since your review, though (that music is awesome!).
I never knew that Deskmate included such advanced audio capabilities - quite impressive.
Now that RL/HD is immortalized on Youtube
I love the RL, I stupidly gave mine away about 15 years ago. I learned how to do a lot of stuff on that thing. It was a no-HD model, but I upgraded it with an RLL hardcard drive I had sitting around at that time into the only expansion port the thing had. Man it was great. I’ve recently started recollecting some of the machines that I was too dumb to hold on to and I just bought an RL-HD off of eBay. Great job, I really enjoy watching your reviews. Very informative.
Your videos have actually gotten me better grades on my tests in college for history of computer. Thank you for helping me to excel, man. Keep em’ coming!
Wow, LHX Attack Chopper brings back some memories.
Man I learn so much from you. Thanks, very good review.
It may have already been stated though the Tandy 1000sl also had the audio software as well. Even though it was an 8086 at 8MHz it still worked great.
@phreakindee dont apologise dude your vides rock!
I love these reviews.
Nice review man