Exploring Epyx Fast Load is the focus of Robin’s latest 8-Bit Show And Tell video. The episode takes a close look at one of the most popular Commodore 64 utility cartridges. Known for speeding up load times, the cartridge also included a surprising range of tools that made everyday use easier.
Robin begins with the cartridge’s main feature: faster disk loading. With a simple plug-in, the Epyx Fast Load cuts load times by more than two-thirds compared to a stock 1541 drive. Tests using BMX Racer show the difference clearly, highlighting how valuable this upgrade was for gamers and hobbyists. But beyond faster loading, Epyx Fast Load introduced useful shortcuts and simplified commands, saving users from typing long strings.
The video highlights more while exploring Epyx Fast Load. The DOS Wedge allowed users to list disk directories quickly without overwriting programs in memory. This feature alone was a major time saver for those programming or managing disks. The disk editor let users view sectors, alter data, and even experiment with directory tricks like looping file lists. File utilities such as copy, lock, and unlock added convenience. A built-in machine language monitor rounded out the package. Although its syntax differed from the popular SuperMon, it still worked well for writing and testing small assembly routines.
Robin also adds historical context to Exploring Epyx Fast Load. He shares the original manual, receipts, and advertisements that marketed the cartridge as a must-have upgrade in the mid-1980s. The ads promised relief from painfully slow loading, and sales suggest it became one of the best-selling Commodore 64 cartridges. Today, enthusiasts can still find it, either as original hardware or modern updates like “Fast Load Reloaded.”
This breakdown makes clear that the cartridge was more than a speed-up tool. The mix of faster loading, shortcuts, and programming utilities explains why it gained such wide adoption. For anyone curious about its hidden potential, Robin’s video offers technical demonstrations and fascinating history in equal measure.
