Commodore 64 Final Cartridge III+

Final Cartridge III Logo

A long time ago I ordered some PCB's for a Final Cartridge III+ Replica to build myself.
And now last week the last missing parts have finally been delivered to actually be able to build it.
The FCIII+ has quite a few ICs, so a lot of soldering legs, but it went quite quickly and without any problems.
After putting the first prototype through its paces, I am extremely satisfied with the functionality, so I built a number of these Final Cartridge III Replicas and added them to the range.

The cartridges are known as The FCIII+, and are available in two PCB colors (Red and Blue)
and in two versions (with a 64 KB or 512KB ROM).

To activate the Final cartridge III+:
    • Give the Command Desktop from the Prompt
    • Turn on the C64 and press RUN/STOP
    • Reset the C64 and press RUN/STOP 

To deactivate the Final Cartridge III:
      • Give the command Kill at the prompt
      • Issue the command SYS64738 at the prompt
      • From the Freezer Menu, select Final Kill

Final Cartridge iii+ PCB in Red

Final Cartridge III+ PCB in Blue

Features in Basic :

All the additional features of the Final Cartridge III+ are available when it is active.

Overview of the function keys in BASIC :

 

  • F1  Execute of the BASIC-command LIST
  • F2  Calls the built in Assembler Monitor (MONITOR)
  • F3  Execute the BASIC command RUN
  • F4  Restore a BASIC program after a NEW or software reset (OLD)
  • F5  Load program from disc (DLOAD)
  • F6  Save program to disc (DSAVE)
  • F7  Show disc directory without loss of the program (DOS"$)
  • F8  Send Disc command (DOS)

Overview of Additional BASIC Features :

  • Scroll function (down and up) within a BASIC-listing
  • Printer-Interface, i.e. usage of Centronics printer under BASIC V2
  • Hardcopy with the key combination <CTRL>+<RETURN>
  • 30 additional BASIC-commands (* Commands have been expanded):
    • APPEND, ARRAY, AUTO, BAR, DAPPEND, DEL, DESKTOP, DLOAD, DOS", DOS"$, DSAVE, DUMP, DVERIFY, FIND, HELP, KILL, LIST *, MEM, MON, MREAD, MWRITE, OLD, OPEN *, ORDER, PACK, PDIR, PLIST, RENUM, TRACE, TYPE, UNPACK

The graphic environment of the Final cartridge III+ can be controlled via joystick and mouse, but can also be operated via the keyboard.

Joystick : Both joystick ports are supported
Keyboard : <F1>,<F3>,<F5>,<F7> for direction C= to select.

The V2.0 menus of the FCIII+ replicas (below) are more extensive than the original FCIII menu (above).

Price of the C64 Final Cartridge III+ (64 KB version) is 17.50 Euro, the 256 KB version is 22.50 Euro

For an extensive explanation (English) I would like to refer you to the C64 Wiki

Final Cartridge III+ Screenshot

Submit your review
1
2
3
4
5
Submit
     
Cancel

Create your own review

Average rating:  
 2 reviews
 by Joost Patist on Final Cartidge III+
Een Rode / A Red One

I have an original FCIII from 1987 at home. I also bought a modern one once. Both were black.
I gave the second one to a friend with a C64 as a gift and so I felt the need to order a new one myself.
Super organized via Gotek.nl and very happy with my new FCIII, which is red for a change, which for me rather triggers the link with a PowerCartridge 🙂
Both are original Dutch products and great to see that the FCIII is still being created and improved.
It was already a genius device at the time and the new one is even more practical.

Absolute must have for every C64 fan.

Translated review from the Dutch Website :Ik heb thuis een originele FCIII uit 1987. Daarnaast ooit al eens een moderne gekocht. Beide waren zwart. Die 2e heb ik aan een vriend met een C64 cadeau gedaan en zodoende had ik zelf toch de behoefte weer een nieuwe te bestellen. Super geregeld via Gotek.nl en heel blij met mijn nieuwe FCIII die voor de verandering dus rood is, wat bij mij eerder de link met een PowerCartridge triggert 🙂 Beide zijn overigens originele Nederlandse producten en te gek om te zien dat de FCIII nog steeds gemaakt en verbeterd wordt. Was destijds al een geniaal apparaat en de nieuwe is zo mogelijk nog praktischer. Absolute must have voor elke C64 fan.

 by Michel on Final Cartidge III+
ultimate cartridge III

Good and friendly, thoughtful service!
Neatly packaged and delivered.

I will also contact you for my Amiga stuff in the future Ed.

Translated review from the Dutch Website :Goede en vriendelijke, meedenkende service!Netjes verpakt en afgeleverd.Ik zal ook voor mijn Amiga spullen in de toekomst bij je aankloppen Ed.

Comments are closed.