Task: Purchase a Kung Fu Flash Device for Booting Software from an SD Card on Your Commodore 64
Needed: Web browser, Commodore 64
Time: 10-15 minutes
Introduction
I have tried several SD card-based devices for booting software on the Commodore 64. Kung Fu Flash is my current favorite. Simply load up your FAT-formatted MicroSD card with a variety of file types, plug the cartridge into the cartridge slot, boot the C64, and select your software from a user-friendly menu. Kung Fu Flash was developed by Kim Jorgensen et al. and is an open-source project on GitHub. Currently supported file types include cartridge or CRT, disk image or D64, and program or PRG. The unit (shown below) has three buttons on the front for special functions (left), starting the menu (middle), and resetting the device (right). These glow different colors when plugged in.
Instructions
There are several places to buy a fully assembled Kung Fu Flash. You can find these on eBay from several different sellers for about $35. I purchased mine from The Future Was 8-Bit (TFW8b.com) for about $50. TFW8B provides an SD card and has a variety of different colors. I was very happy with the quality of the unit. 8-Bit Classics sells it for about $36.
To use simply FAT-format your MicroSD card and load up some software of the appropriate file types. Place the SD card in the device, plug it into the C64, and boot! The menu is really easy to use (see below).
Comments
What I love most about this device is how easy it is to use. Definitely worth the investment of $35 to $50.
Their tagline is “Cartridge for the Commodore 64 that packs a punch”.
