Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 For example, this thing isn't taking the route Nintendo did. It's taking the route Sega did with the 32X. So stop being dishonest with yourself. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/219744-my-latest-revision-of-the-megacart/page-2?do=findComment&comment=2887459 "The Sega 32X adds two 32-bit RISC processors and an additional Graphics Processing Unit to the 16-bit Sega Genesis. The XM unit adds no such things to the Atari 7800. The 6502[C] CPU and Maria graphics of the Atari 7800 are still the same. The additional memory, sound chips (One of the two already included in two of the original library's games), and high score saving that a developer may decide to utilize which the XM adds in a central unit for the Atari 7800, is nothing different than what both Sega and Nintendo performed with their respective Sega Master System and Nintendo Entertainment System mostly on a cart-by-cart basis." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DracIsBack Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 For example, this thing isn't taking the route Nintendo did. It's taking the route Sega did with the 32X. So stop being dishonest with yourself. Nonsense. The 32X added additional processors and graphics hardware to make the Genesis a 32 bit system. The XM doesn't, for example, stick twin 68000 processors onto the 7800 nor VGA graphics. It's an amalgamation of cartridge type enhancements (ram, sound, mappers, high score) that would otherwise be built into individual cartridges. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidLikesIntellivision Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 The Xm is closer to the Expansion Pack for N64: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/nintendo64/hook_expansionpak.jsp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64_accessories#Expansion_Pak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Nonsense. The 32X added additional processors and graphics hardware to make the Genesis a 32 bit system. The XM doesn't, for example, stick twin 68000 processors onto the 7800 nor VGA graphics. It's an amalgamation of cartridge type enhancements (ram, sound, mappers, high score) that would otherwise be built into individual cartridges. So... both add chips that could/would otherwise be included on a game cartridge. Differentiating by the type of chip that's being added is just nitpicking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Then one has to ask what you're doing in a forum marked, "Atari 7800" Because my dislike for senseless peripherals exceeds my dislike for the 7800, natch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 It's an amalgamation of cartridge type enhancements (ram, sound, mappers, high score) that would otherwise be built into individual cartridges. And that's the real issue. That is the 'problem' and the source of the 'negativity'. If the same games are presented with the hardware contained in an individual cart for each individual game - Perfect, not an issue for them. The XM provides an avenue for games to be developed and presented for the 7800 in a way some do not like. They want 7800 game development done their way to their liking and preference. Same developed (or to be developed) games are distributed having all the hardware contained in each individual cart - No issue/No problem for all. Utilize central (XM) hardware...here comes the negativity from some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DracIsBack Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 So... both add chips that could/would otherwise be included on a game cartridge. Differentiating by the type of chip that's being added is just nitpicking. To me, the 32X was designed to solve a different problem altogether ... to upgrade the Genesis to compete against upcoming 32 bit systems - giving it twin 32 bit processors, megabytes of ram, the ability to suddenly display 3D, texture mapped, 16.7 million colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DracIsBack Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) And THAT'S the real issue. That is the 'problem' and the source of the 'negativity'. If the same games are presented with the hardware contained in an individual cart for each individual game - Perfect, not an issue for them. There's another issue at play here: Love it or hate it, some parts are becoming scarcer and scarcer. it essentially solves the same problem without destroying yet more carts that are becoming increasingly difficult to source. Edited January 2, 2014 by DracIsBack 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 There's another issue at play here: Love it or hate it, some parts are becoming scarcer and scarcer. it essentially solves the same problem without destroying yet more carts that are becoming increasingly difficult to source. Then they rather see the game scaled down/scaled back, use less features, or just frankly not their concern. Read some of the threads and responses, you will see that line of thinking. If not that, then you will see the notion that developers shouldn't waste their time developing games utilizing such hardware features. Obviously developers interested in the 7800 should create software and hardware the way other people want it done. They are being paid a fortune afterall. So if some want things done a certain way - it should be handled that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 (edited) To me, the 32X was designed to solve a different problem altogether ... to upgrade the Genesis to compete against upcoming 32 bit systems - giving it twin 32 bit processors, megabytes of ram, the ability to suddenly display 3D, texture mapped, 16.7 million colors. True... comparing their purposes, the XM's closer to the NES Aladdin Deck Enhancer. I wonder what will be more difficult to find 10 years from now... a 7800 Expansion Module, or a POKEY chip? Edited January 2, 2014 by Rex Dart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 ... comparing their purposes, the XM's closer to the NES Aladdin Deck Enhancer. It's also closer to the dozens of NES cartridge type configurations; including additional memory, sound chips, and battery backed configurations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 It's also closer to the dozens of NES cartridge type configurations; including additional memory, sound chips, and battery backed configurations. Nope. Those are self-contained game cartridges, playable on any NES console. This is the entire point of contention with the XM, you'll recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Nope. Those are self-contained game cartridges, playable on any NES console. This is the entire point of contention with the XM, you'll recall. Agreed; it was a poor choice of wording. It also mimics the concept of having dozens of cartridge/PCB type configurations, like the NES, but with one central unit saving time, money, and other resources with a long term view in mind. That would be more the point that was being made. Nevertheless, this again has been rehashed and beat to death. There is a level of resentment from some when hardware and software (for the 7800 platform) is not developed and presented the way they see fit or/and proper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 The xm is a cure all for constant extra hardware such as pokey chips hsc etc in each frigging cart that people make which costs more money etc. The maria processor stays the same. Its the 7800 they should have made. The nes they should have made was solved with all these chips and ram and extra rom in damn near any cartridge they made. It is more difficult to include that in every release that the developers are making which is pushing the system on cart then adding the code onto cpu wiz's megacart which has the rom space and combine with xm which has the ram and pokey. Then include everything in every cart. This is way to complex for some to understand. And 32x and all this and that comes up.. they shoulda made so many runs with all chips on cart for 120.00 or so each and never needed an xm. 120 one game or 89.00 for xm and 30-40 for each cart dont take long to make sense buying a xm is cheaper and more sustainable in the future. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Usotsuki Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 That it divides the base is certainly true. But I'm not sure how different it really is from, say, the Adam module for the ColecoVision... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxpro Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 It's also closer to the dozens of NES cartridge type configurations; including additional memory, sound chips, and battery backed configurations. Figure out a way to use NES Mappers on a 7800 and you'll literally have millions of used parts that could be used. NES carts on average seem to be worth less than 2600 carts... The only other way to satisfy these killjoys would be to go to Kickstarter to raise the funds to produce more POKEYS, PORKEYs, or Quad POKEYs. Or maybe go to Kickstarter to raise the funds to finish and produce a batch of AMYs. That would be noteworthy to the tech community at large... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 It is fairly large and sits on top the 7800. It is scary!! If only they put a camera on it linking It to microsoft and hooked up to the internet to play a vid game it would make sense. Cause Bill Gates has to know when the herp is flaring up Or the sabre tooth crotch crickets are running rampant as you walk by your camera scratching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Figure out a way to use NES Mappers on a 7800 and you'll literally have millions of used parts that could be used. NES carts on average seem to be worth less than 2600 carts... The only other way to satisfy these killjoys would be to go to Kickstarter to raise the funds to produce more POKEYS, PORKEYs, or Quad POKEYs. Or maybe go to Kickstarter to raise the funds to finish and produce a batch of AMYs. That would be noteworthy to the tech community at large... Man, hijacking NES mappers is a really interesting idea. I wonder if that would be possible to do, even as a one-time project. As for the POKEY, couldn't one program an FPGA or something similar to act as a clone? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxpro Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Man, hijacking NES mappers is a really interesting idea. I wonder if that would be possible to do, even as a one-time project. As for the POKEY, couldn't one program an FPGA or something similar to act as a clone? Are there any $10 - $20 FPGAs capable of emulating a POKEY? The DE-1 used over on the A8 side appears to cost $150. I do like the idea of using NES Mappers. It's like constructive revenge for their part in making sure the 7800 was a distant #2 console during that era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Dart Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Are there any $10 - $20 FPGAs capable of emulating a POKEY? The DE-1 used over on the A8 side appears to cost $150. I do like the idea of using NES Mappers. It's like constructive revenge for their part in making sure the 7800 was a distant #2 console during that era. Well, as long as we're talking about projected 10-15 year timelines... it seems likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DracIsBack Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Because my dislike for senseless peripherals exceeds my dislike for the 7800, natch! So essentially, you're saying you're happily trolling here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaynz Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 So essentially, you're saying you're happily trolling here! So long as he's happy... spread the joy! But, seriously, Jess if you don't even like the 7800 in the first place, your comments don't come off to well anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Alexander Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I really would like a Qix game, spent a lot of quarters back in the arcade. The Colecovision even has a version. So yes to anybody who can bring this gem to the 7800 You have already sold the first copy & I will buy a second if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 I doubt any NES mapper chips would be of much use other than the ones providing extra sound capability. The graphical enhancements appear to be possible as the NES has lines that signify when graphics data is being accessed, and the enhancements available seem to relate to more VRam, more tiles etc. which isn't exactly relevant to 7800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireTiger Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I love Qix... put me down for at worst a Rom maybe a cart as things improve 'round here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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