The Retro Collective

Why did the publicly owned British Telecom venture into video games in the '80s? Today we find out with a complete history of Firebird Software, presented by former employee Richard Hewison, author of Memories of Firebird.

When Richard created the Computer Space replica last year we weren't expecting Ed Fries to throw down the gauntlet and challenge us to make another historic machine, but that's exactly what he did! Today we're taking on Atari's 1973 arcade cabinet, Space Race.

When Richard created the Computer Space replica last year we weren't expecting Ed Fries to throw down the gauntlet and challenge us to make another historic machine, but that's exactly what he did! Today we're taking on Atari's 1973 arcade cabinet, Space Race.

Amiga Format was my magazine of choice from 1989 to 1994, and my provided me with my fondest memories of all computer magazines. A teenager discovering 16-bit computing, the games and the applications and creativity tools that AF introduced me to. Today I rediscover the issues I owned, and look at what happened after I stopped buying the magazine.

How do you store a video game in bubbles? Today we explore the odd world of bubble memory, and why Konami chose to use the technology in 1985.

GamesThatWerent.com has been archiving unreleased, abandoned and lost video games for over 25 years. Today we meet its founder, Frank Gasking, who takes us through his journey and some of his favourite rediscovered games in the archive.

MicroProse was founded by John "Wild Bill" Stealey and Sid Meier. It went on to create some of our best loved titles including Railroad Tycoon, Civilization, F-15 Strike Eagle and F1GP. Today we hear John's side of the MicroProse story.

Acorn's first foray into the pre-built, wedge micro world was the Atom in 1980. Going head to head with Sinclair's ZX80 it was an interesting debut which balanced cost with features, and gave us a glimpse into the computing magic that the company would go on to conjur up in the years ahead. Today we take a broken old Atom and learn all about it in our quest to turn Trash to Treasure.

In 2024 we started The Dev Den project, a space for Jason to reignite his passion for 8-bit coding and develop new games, while showcasing the area to visitors at the museum. Today he shows you the finished project.

As Retro gaming and computer unboxings go this might be the craziest yet for the collective. It's beautiful chaos, and too big to fit into one video, so here's part one of two.

We continue the enormous unboxing today, and surely the amazing items found in part 1 can't be topped, can they?

Today we continue the restoration of the Acorn Atom from 1980, taking it from Trash to Treasure.

MiSTer Multisystem 2 is available from Tuesday 6th May at 2pm BST.

Trash to Treasure is not limited to computers, consoles and arcades, today we take on an entire building. This is the start of a new chapter as we build our dream, dedicated workshop, store and library to take a big stride closer to being a "real museum".

The PC Engine was never officially released in Europe by NEC, but somehow we did get a version of the 4th Gen console through unofficial means. Today we look at the TurboGrafx, and consider what might have been had it seen a release on these shores.

Retro Road Trip time! Today we're on an epic trip to collect five arcade cabinets to help the Arcade Archive through the summer. Join Holly and I on our journey and inspection of the machines.

It's time for the next update on the Pump House workshop build, our big 2025 project. Huge progress today, and a surprise exhibit!

Writing an Amiga game is something many of us would like to try, but where to start? Especially if we don't have the time to commit to learning assembly language and the inner workings of the hardware? Today I revisit what always felt like a missed opportunity, and find a surprisingly up-to-date alternative, before embarking on my attempt to write something resembling a game. How did I do!?

Vintage arcade games are harder and harder to source as they pass hands from old operators to private collections, but how do people get hold of them? Arcade raids is one such way, and often the last chance for these machines to be rescued. Today Tony and Ollie take us deep into the hidden world of arcade raids.

Escape from Colditz is an iconic board game, but the famous castle also inspired many video games. On in particular is one of my favourite games of all time. Today we visit that game, the inspirations behind it and the legacy.

Atari's Toobin' seemed to be on every computer and console, but did you play the arcade? Today we are restoring Toobin serial number 00079 to put into service in the museum...but it doesn't all go to plan! Gnarly dude.

MiSTer Multisystem 2 is ready to ship. Today we get an update from Richard on the progress of the project as well as a few surprises, including real cartridges working in MiSTer!

Stuart Poole has worked in the video game industry for over 30 years. Today he shares his experience in the industry and gives us an insight into how game studios have evolved over the years, and what's involved in making games in the modern day.

Compaq were one of the first to embrace the power of Intel's new 386 CPU in 1987, in both their desktop and luggable range of machines. Today we're exploring the Compaq Portable 386 to see if the hefty price tag really delivers, or if it's an overpriced executive toy. We also fix a few things along the way too!

It's time for the next update on the Pump House workshop build, our big 2025 project as we edge closer to completing the build for winter.

One more big Pump House update before normal videos resume. Today we make our studio space usable!

Unboxing new arrivals! Today we take a look at a selection of the many things that have arrived at the collective while we've been building the Pump House.

This Neo Geo MVS is the subject of our first UNFINISHED BUSINESS episode! A chance to bring a cabinet back to life and create a unique exhibit for the Arcade Archive thanks to a brand new bit of tech created right here at The Retro Collective by Heber.

Professor Steve Furber MBE has had an enormous impact on the computer industry. From inspiring a generation of young coders with the BBC Micro in the '80s to the creation of the ubiquitous ARM CPU, he has been at the heart of an industry. Today we see part one of the lecture he gave at The Cave, taking us from Acorn to ARM. Part 2 is coming soon.

Professor Steve Furber MBE continues this 2 part lecture on his career today focusing on creating a brain using his ARM CPU's.