In his latest video, David Murray—better known as The 8-Bit Guy—delivers a packed update that blends retro gaming passion with hands-on hardware wizardry. At the center of the episode is the impressive Commander X16 GS prototype, an upgraded Petscii Robots arcade cabinet, and five unexpected new platform ports that continue to expand the game’s reach.
This update is less a recap and more a roadmap, and it offers an exciting glimpse into what’s next for both the X16 platform and the ever-evolving world of Petscii Robots.
Petscii Robots Hits Five New Systems
The Petscii Robots port count has now reached an astonishing 25 platforms. Murray introduces five new versions, each with its own unique quirks and technical challenges.
From the MSX, equipped with specific V9990 and OPL4 add-ons, to the Nintendo 3DS, where the bottom screen acts as a dynamic map, these ports showcase just how far the game can stretch. Other surprises include a version written in MMBasic for the PicoMite, a silent but playable edition on the TI-84 Plus CE calculator, and a cleverly compact conversion for the TIC-80 fantasy computer.
While brief, the overview gives just enough of a taste to make fans of obscure and unconventional platforms curious to try them out. Even better: these ports are all fan-made and freely available.
Upgrading the Arcade Edition of Petscii Robots at Time Rift
Murray also revisits his custom-built Petscii Robots arcade cabinet, which made its debut three years ago. Now housed at the Time Rift Arcade, the machine recently received a full internal overhaul—and it’s no longer running on an Amiga.
Without spoiling every modification, let’s just say the arcade cabinet now boots faster, stores high scores, and includes a new feature that helps first-time players grasp the game mechanics just by watching the screen. The update involved custom boards, interface work, and a bit of soldering madness—classic 8-Bit Guy territory.
The upgraded version also brings smoother visuals and a few quality-of-life improvements that take advantage of the Commander X16’s newer capabilities. Viewers are invited to visit the arcade in person and leave their name on the scoreboard—if they’re quick enough.
Inside the Commander X16 GS Prototype
The most exciting reveal in the video is the second-generation Commander X16 GS. Still in development, this prototype was designed by Stefany Allaire, known for her work on the Foenix line of retro-style computers. The new board is more compact, integrates key features, and sheds several legacy components in favor of modern solutions.
A few notable changes are previewed—including HDMI compatibility, a streamlined cartridge slot, FPGA-based logic, and early 16-bit mode capability with expanded RAM addressing. These changes hint at significant potential, but Murray is careful to manage expectations: the X16 GS is still likely a year away from production.
The video offers a first glimpse of the board in action, running both BASIC and modern ports like Super Mario Bros. 3. While everything appears functional, a few funny hiccups—including one obvious but easily fixable design oversight—keep the video both informative and entertaining.
Summary
This update isn’t just a showcase—it’s a celebration of how far Petscii Robots and the Commander X16 GS have come. From community-driven ports to hardware breakthroughs, Murray continues to bridge the gap between retro nostalgia and modern creativity.
Rather than just tell you how it all works, this video shows it in action—wires, boards, bugs, fixes, and all. Whether you’re curious about obscure hardware ports, arcade cabinet modding, or the future of X16, this update is essential viewing.
Watch the full video to see the next chapter of retro computing unfold.
