Apple IIc --  The original 1977 Apple II (the IIc pictured above was released in 1984) was one of the first computers targeted specifically for home use.  By the early to mid-80's, an Apple computer sat in nearly every school that could afford computers, which practically forced parents looking for a computer to buy Apple IIs for their kids at home.  Therefore game development was also a big market for the platform.  Although Apple IIs had poor sound capabilities, the graphics were more than suitable for gaming, and the Apple II series is arguably the most popular gaming platform of the early 80's.  Its main competition was the C-64, which was my computer of choice at the time.  Although the C-64 eventually eclipsed the Apple in gaming popularity, much of gaming's most significant titles (including the first Ultimas) were originally written for the Apple. 

GOTCHA acquired its very used Apple IIc in 1998 and a matching 9" green, Apple monitor in 1999.  This model was chosen because of its good compatibility with Apple games and its compact size.  The IIc is basically a portable computer.  The 5.25" floppy is built in, and it even has a handle that folds away underneath the computer.  It could easily fit into a regular-sized briefcase.  Of course, you still need a TV or monitor in order to use it.

Apple IIgs -- The Apple IIgs was not famous as a gaming platform on its own merits.  It certainly had the power, but it never had the software library.  Since the IIgs could also run older Apple II software, many game developers wrote their software for the lowest common denominator.  This resulted in fewer games written specifically for the IIgs.  While the IIgs was a user-friendly and well-designed machine, it was not as powerful or popular as its contemporaries:  the Amiga and Atari ST.   Still you will find that some Apple IIGS-specific games have found their way into the GOTCHA archives.  To see them visit the Apple games page.   GOTCHA uses a 1MB IIgs (donated to the museum in 1999) to play Apple games.  Since it can play both Apple II and IIgs games, it's a smart choice for the Apple retrogamer.  However, for the reasons mentioned above, GOTCHA doesn't place it in a category separate from the Apple II family.

Apple IIc:

Apple IIgs:

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Last modified: August 24, 2002

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