In his latest video, Phil Kruman explores the Freeze Machine Cartridge, a lesser-known yet powerful backup tool for the Commodore 64. Originally designed to let users freeze a running game and save it to disk or tape, this cartridge aimed to bypass lengthy loading times and even cheat death in-game—literally. Phil dives into its functionality using both vintage and modern gear, testing it with an SD card-based drive instead of the classic 1541.
As it turns out, the Freeze Machine Cartridge delivers more than just a gimmick. It automatically detects drives, supports fast loading (when compatible), and even lets you disable collision detection for a cheeky edge in tough games. That’s right—god mode with a button press.
Features That Still Impress
Phil demonstrates the cartridge’s key functions:
- Instant Freezing: One button saves your game state mid-play.
- Cheat Mode: The “Game Killer” disables sprite collisions for stress-free gaming.
- Backup Utility: It stores full and partial backups on modern SD-based drives.
- Fast Loading: Speeds up boot times—when the drive format cooperates.
Although compatibility with fast loaders and modern SD cards can be hit or miss, the Freeze Machine Cartridge still holds up remarkably well for a piece of ’80s tech. Its utility extends to saving cassette-based games to disk—something today’s collectors and preservationists will appreciate.
A Surprise in Star Force Fighter
The video wraps with a nostalgic nod to Star Force Fighter—a C64 game that sneakily loads a playable mini-game during its main load sequence. Phil spotlights this rarely discussed trick, noting how developers once masked long load times with engaging content. It’s a perfect example of clever design lost on today’s instant-on generation.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re preserving software, bypassing long load times, or just cheating your way through Galaxian, this relic from the past still has a place in a modern retro setup. Phil gives it an enthusiastic thumbs-up—ethics aside—praising its ease of use, compatibility, and surprise effectiveness with SD-based storage.
