Leaderboard

Short update, as there was a request for a version with a updated TOC: Additional behavior info on Happy 1050 track buffering, including error handling. New appendix on tape format and decoding. HWMan-20220103.pdf

Hi all, I've just released Breakout, a simple but smooth implementation of the classic game. Following in the footsteps of @Vorticon, @senior_falcon and others, I've developed it in assembly for an unexpanded console, by breaking out of the TI BASIC sandbox. It's a complete game this time. It's meant to satisfy and spark nostalgic thoughts about the great things that could have been if we had known these techniques in the 80s. You can find the source code and binary images on the Breakout project page on Github. The source code is documented and reusable. The jailbreak code assembles to a BASIC program file with the actual assembly code embedded. The assembly code consists of snippets of up to 196 bytes that get swapped into scratchpad RAM from VDP RAM. The code takes over complete control of the computer and doesn't use any built-in subroutines. There are source files with generally useful definitions and macros for accessing VDP, GROM, CRU, sound, etc. Enjoy! Thoughts and questions are welcomed! Update: Added a direct link to the binary images, which now include the TI BASIC program file alongside the Mame disk image file.

Quite a while ago I designed a 3D-printable case for the 32KB memory expansion card. The case consists of two sides that snap together after the card is screwed into the case with (iirc) 12 mm M2 screws. There are also printable back plates that can be snapped in behind the cutouts if you want the logo to appear a different color / don't want to see the board inside. It looks cooler printed in a silver / metal PLA, but alas my silver PLA is really poor and has integrity issues, so here's a white one: This fits the 32 KB expansion board I bought from The Brewing Academy here, but it's also available from Arcade Shopper here. Make sure your card matches the one shown in the picture before you try to print this. I realize there is another case for these that is sold and is arguably cooler looking than this one, but this one is free if you have a 3D printer. I didn't realize the other case existed when I made this a year or two ago. ? The case STL files can be downloaded at Thingiverse.

Garfield sure is the life of the party.

Hi There, I have just emailed Atari with an updated build. In this one I have mapped the 'back' button on the classic controller to work the same as 'x' on the modern controller. This means you can assign it to 'switch weapon' (or 'fire' or 'joust') via 'controls' on the main menu. It also means you can access weapon info from the 'upgrades' screen. Thanks for this suggestion, I don't know why I didn't think of this before, sometimes it becomes difficult to see the wood for the trees in gamedev! Hopefully Atari won't take issue with this, I don't see why they should. I've also improved playability with the classic controller a bit as I discovered you couldn't move down and left/right at the same time using it (!) The build number is 1.1.04m. I'm not sure when Atari will get round to putting this live, sometimes they are quick but sometimes they are very slow! Thanks again for playing and for the feedback. James at BitBull

Another routine evening at the computer keyboard. You have watched two videos about chainsaw fails and read an interesting theory that certain politicians and people in power are actually hybrids of reptiles and space aliens. After reading that you wonder if you should keep surfing the web or indulge in some liquid refreshment. ?GET DRUNK You cannot see a drunk here. ?GET DRINK You mix a strong gin and tonic. Halfway through your drink you are feeling better. It may be time for bed when the drink is finished. ?SCROLL DOWN You scroll down the screen and see the usual drivel. Whoever said that television is a vast wasteland had obviously never looked at the internet. One site seems to be out of the ordinary. ?CLICK ON SITE “Get Lamp” This seems to be some sort of video. Your gin and tonic beckons. ?START VIDEO The video claims to be a documentary, but in reality it seems to be some kind of time machine that magically teleports you back more than 40 years to the early development of text adventures. There are interviews with Scott Adams, Steve Meretzky and many others. An hour and a half later you find yourself back in your chair. You feel a strange sense of nostalgic satisfaction. You have heard about time warps and wonder if you have just encountered one. Your gin and tonic is still there, but all the ice has melted. ?TELL FRIENDS ABOUT GET LAMP You cannot see a lamp here. ?ATARIAGE WATCH VIDEO Your friends at Atariage now know that they should watch the video “Get Lamp” which can be found at: ?MAKE FRESH DRINK You now have a new ice cold gin and tonic. ?TURN OFF COMPUTER The screen goes dark...

For @OldSchoolRetroGamer Having a cup of Coffee and reading Garfield strips Rob.

Pro-tip for nasal spray users: spray directly into the nostril, not alongside the outside of the nose and into the eye. TMYK!

Okay, @Retrospect, I think you have gone a little over-board with marketing and merchandising.

Hi everyone, I remade Asteroids In Unity using RTX raytracing, so I thought you guys might be interested! Hopefully this is the right sub-forum to post this in. Asteroids But RTX is ON (Arcade/Atari 2600/7800 to PS5) - YouTube Edit: Is there no way to embed the video?

Back from a holiday break with a look at Asteroids: Recharged!

Ooh yes - I remember that. IIRC TF cheats and uses HERE+0 as the screen scroll buffer (hence the requirement for 80 plus a bit characters). It might be that it uses HERE as the TIB. My memory is fading! Just checked - the screen up-scroll routine (when the cursor is at the bottom of the screen) uses HERE as a buffer. The old grey matter isn't as bad as I thought it was (http://turboforth.net/source/Bank0/0-09-Console.html) ; Scroll screen up by one line. Used by EMIT and CR to scroll the screen up if ; necessary (sub-routine, not a FORTH word). scrlup mov @noscrl,r8 ; test NOSCROLL jeq scrlno ; scrolling is supressed dec @scrY ; clip y coordinate to 23 mov @here,r8 <--- dun dun duuuuh! ai r8,4 li r6,23 ; 23 lines to shift clr r0 ; screen address sclup_ a @xmax,r0 ; move down one line mov r8,r1 ; address of buffer to store in mov @xmax,r2 ; number of bytes to store in the screen I've been checking the site a lot these last three days - looking at old Forth threads and catching up on fbForth and Forth99 developments. This is bad news as I'll probably get dragged into something I don't have the time for Happy new year Lee!

I....can't....even....

Happy 2022! Would anybody be willing to try the attached updated FG99 CPLD update (JB_UPDATE.PLD) on both classic and QI? I have rewritten part of the VHDL code to introduce a GS* delay by syncing it to the GROM clock and I am getting the same result as with the RC hack. It also seems to run fine on the classic; would be great to end up having one version for both consoles ? See attached instructions from Ralph's site. For the updated CPLD firmware rename JB_UPDATE.PLD to UPDATE.PLD; to revert back to the latest official version (1.3) rename ORG13_UPDATE.PLD to UPDATE.PLD. Please also try something with speech such as Alpiner, Parsec etc. Cheers JB_UPDATE.PLD ORG13_UPDATE.PLD

@trapperkeeper Stop bringing up the XM module, I just had to clean up this thread thanks to you. The reality is, people who purchased an XM module are unlikely to get them or a refund. That's just my opinion, and while it could happen at some point, it would probably take substantial monies to continue the project through production and shipping of actual units. I bought two of them myself, and while it sucks that the XM was never finished, Curt was the nexus of that project, and without him it may be difficult for it to continue. And if it's true that you never even purchased an XM yourself, you are just trying to stir up drama for no good reason, and I'm not going to tolerate it any further. Let Marty do the research to determine what state various projects Curt was involved with are at (including the XM), and from there decisions can be made about how to proceed, if at all. Pissing and moaning about it isn't going to help at all. Thank you, ..Al

Preorder here! https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1265 @DrTypo’s fabulous games are finally going to be available to those without GameDrives or Skunkboards, in an awesome collection with a really cool custom menu! Game list: Gem Race Fallen Angels Tube SE Tube 2020 Rings

Here is a picture of a German cartridge emulator (Multi module löseite). Saving module dumps in 27256 or 27512 eproms Selection of the module with the yellow key towards the leds. Do any of you know the history of this material?

For @x=usr(1536). I was thinking about classic cars today, and remember having some good conversations with you on them. So I found this funny Garfield strip that I think you'll enjoy.

I found something about Syn-Tax at https://www.quillandcamera.com/the-ron-pearl-interview/: And great pictures in there as well. "In the 1980’s with the advent of the new personal computers I taught myself BASIC and wrote an income tax program that was marketed by Synapse Software Co."

I found a bootleg 'Atari Games' T-shirt, which trumps the other Atari tees and should make me the king of all hipsters.

Stopped by a local shop last night, didn't find much, but you definitely don't see PC Engine/Turbo stuff often, so I had to snag the controller.

To insure that this dead horse is well and truly expired, the reason that PAD (in TI Forth and fbForth) always changes with HERE is that its very definition is so based: : PAD ( --- addr ) HERE 68 + ; I should probably add here that Mark Wills (@Willsy) wrote PAD for TurboForth to not only place it 80 bytes above HERE (usually) but also to attempt to insure there is a space of at least 84 bytes above PAD for the “text output buffer”. For the terminally curious, Mark’s Assembler code for PAD is in the spoiler below. You will learn more from his comments rather than trying to parse his ALC: ...lee

The current version of Stella Programmer's Guide on Lulu is now coil bound. So much easier to have it open on your desk as a reference!

No retro gaming time from my household for the last week of 2021, though I did log some time on the Switch with Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee! and Sonic Forces for the modern tracker. Happy new year everyone!

Come back when your attitude changes.

When I was a kid I had this pinball machine. It was It was maybe 3-4 feet long or so, elevated about 4-6 inches above the ground, had what looked like 3/4 scale balls, but it had Real Bumpers and Real Flippers. The bumpers lit up when hit, too. Unfortunately I can't remember what it was called. Once, I got a ball forever stuck under the rubber band triangle and the company sent me a free 5 pack of balls. It seemed a lot cooler than all the toy pinballs ya can buy now, and was almost like the real thing. And I've never seen one on eBay, but like I say I can't remember what it was called, or the company that made it. (Kinda wish I still had it)...

I nabbed my first FC sleeved game so down a new variant hole I go! Does anyone have a list of titles that came sleeved?

I've got several titles this week! I spent some time getting acquainted with the TurboGrafx 16 library since I didn't play it the first time around. Some SNES and Game Boy stuff, too, but those titles were 'old favorites'. GB: Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening -- 120 minutes Pokemon Blue -- 124 minutes SNES: Final Fantasy II (US) -- 300 minutes TG16: Alien Crush -- 120 minutes Bonk's Adventure -- 120 minutes Devil's Crush -- 240 minutes

Hello everybody Côté Gamers hope you'll be fine in 2022 and wish you a happy new year. But, hey! We know why you are here : YOU WANT TO SEE CASIMODO ? Give a look at this trailer

Just as an FYI... I was able to work on this a bit more over the holidays. I got rid of the 2 switching regulators and swapped those out for linear ones. With the traco's I just didn't like the switching noise I had. It was all over the place. The DAC25-16 has some on it's own, but those tracopowers generate extra noise both at different frequencies it seems. So I thought to get rid of them and use 2 SMD regulators. I tweaked some other things (especially the wrong footprint of the DAC25-16) and am awaiting boards now for a prototype. Will keep you all posted ?

Use the switch "-bios x.xx" (0.98, 1.00, 2.00).

Not much to report from my household for the last week of 2021, just a couple Switch games Nintendo Switch Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee! - 860 minutes Sonic Forces - 150 minutes

Finished my Tenex catalogue business, so here are three more new Tenex catalogue scans, and one for which I deemed the prior scan inadequate (it was monochrome, and the catalogue was in colour): Tenex Summer-Fall 1984 Catalogue.pdf Tenex Summer 1986 Catalogue.pdf Tenex Summer 1985 Catalogue.pdf Tenex Fall 1986 Catalogue.pdf Covers are as follows for the collected Tenex catalogues for which (with these additions) digital copies exist. Just screencapping from where I'm now collecting them on my manuals site: The covers of the Summer 1985 and Winter-Spring 1985 catalogues are nearly identical, but the contents are non-identical. They just reused the cover design.

Hi guys. I was one of a lot of South Africans that had the TI. We used a Euro version (PAL, 240V and It was the Cream/Beige version with Grey/Metallic peripherals). The Spectrum and Commodores were waaaaaay more popular though.

I love my Wii U. I actually just started using Wii Fit U today. It was fun, and a few of the yoga moves were pretty tough. I realized I don’t know how to use a hula hoop very well. I really love the Eshop! My current favorite game is Kirby’s Return to Dreamland. It’s only $20 on the Eshop! Compared to 40-50$ on eBay it’s a really good deal! I think I might need a physical version of this game. It’s honestly one of the most fun games I’ve ever played. I came across it randomly on the Eshop.

Bought today for $4.96 Dark forces Dark forces II will buy in the future: Dark forces mysteries of the sith Fallout collection

I am in the process of getting a HOKEY to test this stuff out. Far as I know, it's all good on anything not using two tone mode, but I should find out more soon.

Does it look like the one on the attached image? Kind regards, Luis.

So, I will hopefully be releasing an early demo of what I've done with my BASIC interpreter in order to gauge interest and get feedback on the interface. Before I do that, I want to see if I can get ideas on a working name for the project. I'm not necessarily best known in this community for my clever project names. Some of the ideas I have considered are: SE BASIC: The SE was supposed to stand for Seventy Eight. But apparently there is already a SE BASIC. KG BASIC: A vanity name, but I'd only do it if I could think of a plausible (if retrofitted) meaning for the K and G, and I've got nothing. P.S. BASIC: PS standing for ProSystem. This one I think is kind of cute, but I realized it might sound too much like it was a BASIC for the PlayStation. Any thoughts on the above, or other clever ideas, perchance?

"Trust everybody, but cut the cards yourself." ~ W. C. Fields

Less than 20 Members before we hit 300 So it's official, there will be a 3rd CIB Bonus game!

I bought a couple of things off etsy to customize a mechanical keyboard. The mouse will be harder.

if there is an original (working) disk, I'd also be interested. I emulated the card in MAME, but could not thoroughly test it because the only disk that looked like the original disk was broken.

I just found these as part of a large collection I purchased!

Don't forget to back your data up! It's 2022, the year of anything could happen.

Here's a pic with HDMI connected.

I was out of town for a bit over the holidays and had a few occasions when I could spend time reviewing the source code for the interpreter. This time, I used paper and pen and highlighter to walk through the source and make my notes. There is just something about flipping through pages that I prefer I've replaced most of the hard-coded references (some easy to find, others not) within the disassembled code and made adjustments to a few more routines. The result this weekend was a code base that can be assembled for either 40 or 80 column mode. I committed the interpreter to the native z3 file format, and I've removed most of the code and prompts for the game1/game2 split files. The interpreter still uses/must use VDP ram for its local buffer windows, and is at a premium for the F18A version and to a lesser degree the 9918 and V9938 versions. There are a few things I don't yet understand about the memory management routines that will require more time than I have right now to properly digest. With permission from @hlabrand, here is screenshot of the French version of Tristam Island, running in 40 columns, using the native z3 file and the previously implemented extended character set that @wierd_w created. (char table shown for testing only)

Radio Shack TRS-80 MC-10 Dig Dug (BASIC game from Jim Gerrie) - 30 minutes Pac-Man - 30 minutes Tandy TRS-80 Color Computer 2 (Real hardware and emulation via XRoar) Dragon Slayer - 512 minutes

PC-9801 EVE Burst Error - 20 minutes Popful Mail - 20 minutes Relics - 50 minutes The Screamer - 120 minutes X68000: Mr. Do! - 30 minutes Not a lot of games but hey, a good enough way to close out 2021 if I say so myself. EVE Burst Error was the first of two silly scenarios. I was messing around with my PC-9821Ra266 and, after a little while, figured out that you can run PC-98 emulators on the hardware. Quite silly as this does contain the hardware you need to run older games, well not the audio board but at least the graphics controller. I've never played much of EVE and remembered it, I have "beat" it but how much I could tell you is minimal. It's not my favorite in the grand scheme of C's Ware titles, it's definitely the most family friendly/least strange content-wise but I guess the premise never did a ton for me. It has been a while so, once I get an actual copy on disk/disc, I'll try it again. Popful Mail is the same setup, emulate a PC-98 within a PC-98, but this time using a more modern emulator with Neko Project II. The game isn't too demanding, I mean it runs on a 9801VM so of course it won't be, so it played exactly like it would on actual hardware... well, minus the sound. I have a PC-9801-26K and PC-9801-86 board, the YM2203 and YM2608 sound cards which get used in DOS titles, and sadly they just don't work as they conflict with the forced-on Crystal audio chipset. I didn't try enabling emulation of these, I imagine it would work but I was scared about crashing things. Sadly, at some point playing Popful Mail, I think one of the amplifiers on the computer headphone board ate it. I no longer get front panel audio, well I have it but there's a loud buzzing over top of it. Going to have to fix that. Relics is a weird game, amazingly an old title that doesn't run at crazy-fast speeds using a Pentium II when it was designed for a V30. I still seriously don't understand what I'm doing, there's a lot of broken English and this whole mechanic of turning into a ghost and hijacking the bodies of random enemies on the map, and the manual just says to figure it out yourself. Chunky, clunky, definitely a PC-8801 port, but cool if I say so myself. The Screamer is a role-playing game, a pretty neat one at that. It plays like a mix of the first-person Ultima portions and the action sequences from Shiryou Sensen, you explore this large complex called BIAS and try to solve a monster issue keeping it from serving the world. Don't run this one on a fast computer, I think a VX/UX (i286) would be the upper limit, because while the exploring is fine the side-view combat scenes get unplayable with anything 386SX and above. And then, finally, there's Mr. Do! I'm not good at this game. I've never been good at this game. But y'know what? The X68000 has a great port by Denpa, it's spot-on to the arcade machine, and maybe I'll eventually get good. You can see my high scores from my absolute best set of games are pretty miserable compared to others, I have yet to clear all the boards but maybe I'll get better in time. I'm excited going into 2022, I've got a lot of projects lined up and various new hardware on the way which should provide for tons of fun times as long as things go according to the rough plans I have. It's going to take a little to get into it, my first goal is to clean up the collection and organize my setups, but if I stick to it then I should actually be able to enjoy using my stuff and playing games instead of having to fight half-maintained hardware on janky solutions.