Advice Needed for Gaming Setup

[nilsnord]

Hi everyone. This is my first post after trying to do a lot of research on the topic of a good gaming system for the TI 99/4A. I had a system with PEB and disk drive back in 1982, and I am just kicking myself for not keeping that. I paid for it myself and the whole setup cost me dearly back in those days.

 

I am in the process of getting back into the Ti. I am going to acquire a basic console and necessary cables, but the add-on peripheral choices confuse me (which is not hard to do).

 

I would like a minimum configuration needed to play any of the really good games for the TI that doesn't involve the F18a (I'd love to have that some day as well). Any advice on components needed for this goal would be greatly appreciated.

 

I believe I need at least:

• a 32k memory expansion side-card
• some kind of disk storage
• extended basic cartridge or even extended basic 2.7
• A final GROM instead of lots of cartridges
• Perhaps Atari joysticks

 

The storage system to save games is where I think I am getting the most "analysis paralysis" . A miniPEB would solve this, but those are not available right now. A tape system would work but would be slow I assume. External disk systems seem expensive. Would a TIPI configuration be good for using as disk storage for gaming?

 

Any ideas on this are greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

-Nils

[jrhodes]

NanoPeb or the TIPI addon for the 32K are both pretty good choices for loading disks, i have been told.

Personally, i use WAV files loaded from my android tablet.

The wait times can go from 3-8 minutes that way, but i do not mind.

Given the chance, i would upgrade to a TIPI.

Edited July 16, 2018 by jrhodes

[Omega-TI]

Any advice on components needed for this goal would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, since you are asking for input, this is what I would do (in order)... FOR A GAMING STARTUP.

 

#1) Get a FinalGROM99

This will allow you to run many game programs... without 32K.

 

...then as funds allow...

 

#2) Get one of Jedimatt42's 32K sidecar cards.

Once you get bored with the available stuff , you'll want to start playing all the other goodies that require extra

memory.

 

Then later, as you grown out of that and want to expand further a TIPI and Raspberry Pi.

[nilsnord]

Thank you Omega and Jrhodes.

 

I like the idea of stepping into this lightly with the FinalGROM99 ...then the 32k...then if that goes well the Tipi.

 

-Nils

[Omega-TI]

Thank you Omega and Jrhodes.

 

I like the idea of stepping into this lightly with the FinalGROM99 ...then the 32k...then if that goes well the Tipi.

 

I understand. I've been 'easing myself in' over the past five years.

You hardly notice when it's a little at a time... but then one day you wake up and say, "where did all this stuff come from?"

[globeron]

TI, 32k sideport, speech, Atari type joystick+adapter, din-composite cable for us systems, Europe systems pal emulator.

 

Have you tried emulators like classic99 then you have all games as well, we have packages. Of course the real is the best.

 

Or try js99er.net

 

See more on YouTube TI99 VIDEOS is my channel.

 

Sent from my VIE-L29 using Tapatalk

[nilsnord]

Thanks Globeron.

 

I've tried Classic99 and played some of the old classics like Alpiner. I'm very interested in trying some of the newer games that take advantage of the 32k memory expansion and newer programming techniques like what Rasmus M. makes. I want to be able to play both games for disk and large ROM cartridges. For the games that require disk , I wanted to know what is the most basic setup that would work as a disk system.

-Nils

[Opry99er]

nanoPEB (or CF7) if you can find it, gives you both 32k and disk access. The sidecar 32k designed by jedimatt is wicked nice and available all day. The TIPI mounts on to that 32k, so I would look at "building to the right."

 

FinalGROM, then 32k, then TIPI.

 

Good plan.