TIA How do games draw the score counter?

[StinkerB06]

In games, there is a 6-digit number at the top or bottom of the screen, indicating the player score or anything else 6-digit-related. How does the TIA draw that score counter?

[+SpiceWare]

That's one of the more advanced TIA tricks. It uses both players (sprites) in three copies-close mode (NUSIZ0 and NUSIZ1 set to 3) like this for player0:

0 0 0

 

and this for player1:

1 1 1

 

By interleaving them you end up with this:

010101

 

With the use of Vertical Delay (VDEL0 and VDEL1 set to 1), and appropriate timing during the scanline, you can update all 6 copies with distinct images.