In Episode 13 of More Fun Talking Retro, host Mark welcomes special guest RobSmithDev, a one-man creative force known for his quirky inventions and essential tools in the retro computing scene. From eccentric hardware builds to indispensable disk utilities, RobSmithDev retro projects are the stuff of geek legend—and this episode dives deep into his world.
From Whack-a-Floppy to MiSTer FPGA
Rob isn’t your typical retro YouTuber. Give him a floppy disk, and he’ll probably launch it across the room using Whack-a-Floppy, his 3.5″ disk-firing take on Whac-A-Mole. That kind of inventiveness sets the tone for his workshop, where chaos breeds creativity. Over the years, he’s built a karaoke lyric sync app that aired on Channel 4, a robot that copies floppy disks, and most recently, contributed to MiSTer FPGA with real floppy drive support.
Practical Tools for Serious Retro Users
Beyond the fun, RobSmithDev retro projects include serious tools like DrawBridge and DiskFlashback. These utilities have become must-haves for Amiga and Atari enthusiasts, enabling seamless transfers between vintage floppies and modern systems. Developed with the community in mind, they’re widely recommended across forums, Reddit threads, and Discord channels alike.
Amiga Games with a Holiday Twist
And yes—Rob also makes games. His festive Amiga creations, including Santa’s Present Drop, began as personal experiments but soon turned into full-fledged titles. One even landed a spot on the cover disk of Amiga Addict, a badge of honor in the retro community.
More Than Just a Tinkerer
Whether he’s building hardware, coding software, or recording videos, Rob balances it all with humor and humility. He’s not just preserving retro computing—he’s making it fun again. For anyone knee-deep in Commodore disks or MiSTer configs, Rob’s journey is both familiar and inspiring.
