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BIGHMW

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Posts posted by BIGHMW

  1. Posted

    Cooking up some ham slices on my George Foreman Grill, posting this up as I do and digging a little deeper into my 5200 ROMs including Scramble, and another one of my newest ones, Bosconian. I hope it will come out on cartridge for those of you who prefer physical media, maybe @Albert might take that up, just like he did with Scramble, who knows.

     

    That and turning on my home theater system (and the Roku box) after I post this watching (and listening in the background) "Take 5" in which is an interactive version of KING 5 News at 4:00, followed by KING 5 News at 5:00.

  2. Posted · Edited by BIGHMW

    Well, since we are near the peak of this lethal coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, I was wondering how my fellow 5200 owners are dealing with it and this "new normal" of self-isolation. I know one thing, after finally reacquiring (and receiving last night in the mail) my Atarimax Ultimate SD multicart and downloading some new ROMs, including the all-new Yar's Strike, I am beginning to rediscover just how great Big Sexy truly is!!!  I missed playing her after having to sell my original multicart early last year, but since I have worked at Safeway for over a year I could finally afford to get it again. My 5200 once again has a purpose in my home entertainment system, in which celebrates 6 decades of technology (60s-10s).

     

    I know how you can deal with it, so 3 bits of advice:

     

    If you've got a home theater system (VCR, DVD, MP4 player, Roku Ultra), put something on it and watch it.

     

    If you've got a home arcade system (Flashback 9 and a 5200), put something on it and play it.

     

    If you've got a home stereo system (8-track, cassette, vinyl, CD, MiniDisc, iPhone 5), put something on it and listen to it.

     

    THAT is how we will all get through this, that and listening to our governors (mine here is Jay Inslee - D - WA) and the CDC and going by our "stay home, stay safe" mandates.

     

     

  3. Posted

    I played it on my (current, 2-port RF version) 5200 this morning, and I'll soon get better at it as soon as I get back in "game shape" (mentally). This is an awesome port that was 4 years in the making after I called for one, being so frustrated at the fact that we had both the magnificent Tempest and also the 5200/8-bit version of Qix, but never this. Even @Thelen would be proud of both you and it too!!! Never did he envision his contest project from over 10 years ago in 2009 for the 8-bit lineup would look as great as this one does, THANKS @playsoft!!! 

     

    For all of you to enjoy, and I will be giving my review later on this week. I'll probably even post one up (a video version) later on on my BIGHMW TV YouTube channel and maybe even introduce a new playlist/miniseries on that channel where I review both 2600 and 5200 ports.

     

    GAME ON!!!

     

    For those of you who missed it, here once again is @playsoft's masterpiece for all of us to enjoy!!!:) 

     

    Let's make @playsoft proud and break Cindy Margolis' record for downloads (or at least try to)!!!

     

     

    Yar's Strike.bin

  4. Posted · Edited by BIGHMW

    Hey Paul @playsoft, thank you once again for making my wish for a 5200 version of Yars' Revenge happen, with that awesome port of Yar's Strike, indeed well worth the 4-year wait since I started that thread based on a simple idea which was based on another port, and I absolutely love the WIP of Galaga, we can't wait for the finished product to come out hopefully soon, maybe you'll get around to finishing it as well as maybe porting Dr. Mario for Big Sexy as well, 8-bit gamers had enjoyed it for years how about if we get to join in too!!! :) 

     

    Goodnight for now, a speedy recovery for the Prime Minister, and I will be playing Yar's Strike on my newly-re-acquired Atarimax multicart when I wake up tomorrow morning, and as a matter of fact, I will also get a hold of whoever does the Atari 5200 Super-Podcast to review your work, tell him about both you and your work, and also I will be doing something a little out of the norm for my fledgling BIGHMW TV YouTube channel and give everyone MY OWN review of your awesome port of Yar's Strike as well.

     

    You can find my YouTube channel, in which you'll find all sorts of great content, including many clips and highlights of my past concerts, both as The Heavy Metal Warrior with my old NYHC-style hardcore thrash band S.M.F. (1994-2002), as well as my (current) solo days as rapper AK47, as well as other various videos and also my famous lineup of various different miniseries (like "Ray's Rants", "Loyalty To Royalty", and "What's In The Closet?" among them) at http://www.YouTube.com/BIGHMWOfficial

    • Like 1

  5. Posted

    AWESOME JOB BRO!!! THANK YOU for answering my call for a Yars' Revenge for Big Sexy!!!

     

    Atari 2600, YOU'RE (almost) HISTORY!!!

     

    @playsoft I have to thank you for doing this, but now I've got to get to work, I DO need the $$$ to get the A/V-modded 5200 and during the COVID-19 outbreak my job (Safeway) is open to serve all of you and keep a roof over my head too!!!

     

     

    Qix, Tempest, and this, were my trifecta of must haves that would make this system stand out!!! Now to get an A/V=modded 5200 to solve the color bleed of some of the Atari ports on my multicart but finally the circle is now complete!!!

    • Thanks 1

  6. Posted

    47 minutes ago, SpiceWare said:

     

    Flashback doesn't support DPC+, CDF, or CDFJ games. To play the demo you need to use a real Atari with a Harmony cart, Stella on your computer, or a Retron 77 that has been updated with the latest version of Stella.
     

    Thanks!

     

    Then I will re-acquire the Harmony Encore cart that I used to use on the 2600 adapter on my 5200, besides I grew tired of the fact I couldn't use any of my original Atari controllers on the Flashback, especially my CX80 Trak-ball or any paddles, Harmony Encore I'm comin' home!!! 

    • Like 3

  7. Posted

    On 8/3/2019 at 8:01 AM, johnnywc said:

    Hello all,

     

    Here are the updated NTSC and PAL60 demo ROMs for Galagon (aka Galaga). 

     

    PLEASE NOTE: If you plan on playing this in an emulator, you must use the latest version of Stella (6.0.1) or Stellarator.  The game works on the Harmony (and Encore) with BIOS 1.0.5 or higher.

     

    The game is full functional with the following changes:

    1. Savekey support has been disabled
    2. After completing stage 8, the game goes back to stage 1
    3. The word "DEMO" is displayed on the title screen.

    There have been numerous changes since the last demo ROMs.  Thanks to all the suggestions and recommendations!  We are looking to finish the game up in the next couple of weeks in preparation for the game's release at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo in mid-October, so any feedback is greatly appreciated!  :) 

     

    Thanks,

    John

     

    • changed title screen to "Galagon" (thanks Nathan!) to coincide with the official name change from Galaga to "Galagon"
    • the repeat fire response is faster for difficulty A (no autofire) 
    • removed the "150" score display during gameplay for killing a boss in formation (still displayed in the SCORING screen), 
    • moved enemies closer together on first wave of challenge stage so you can hit them as they fly in, per the arcade
    • changed blue bee loop pattern so it doesn't fly as low under your ship
    • fixed a bug where you could change skill level by pressing left/right on the Credits screen
    • the breathing/expanding sound is stopped when there are no ships left in formation
    • increase star blinking speed to better match the arcade
    • added SFX when selecting the skill level (bee sound when decreasing, butterfly sound when increasing)
    • removed the boss destroy sound after a 1000 point bonus on the challenge stage.  It now plays the sound of the last enemy destroyed, per the arcade
    • fixed SFX for special ships to match the arcade:
      •  scorpion: boss destroyed SFX
      •  Galaxian: boss hit once SFX
      •  all others: butterfly (red enemy) destroyed SFX (was the bee sound)
    • you can now cycle through the number of players on the title screen by pressing the Joystick 2 button
    • changed order of enemies flying in to match the arcade (blue bees are flown in last)
    • fixed the order of flyin patterns 4 and 5 on stage 1 (they were reversed) move the wrap around enemies so they don't fly off the edges of the screen

    • changed it so enemy ships don't fire when they're really close to your ship

    • updated ship explosion sound (thanks Ross!)

    • add "PLAYER 1&2" message when both ships are active during co-cop

    • no fire on flyin for NOVICE until level 4; fire on flyin for ADVANCED on level 1

    • added in CHALLENGE MODE:

      • Select CHALLENGE MODE by pressing left or right on the title page until CHALLENGE MODE appears for the skill level
      • Challenge mode can be 1 or 2 player, or even 2 player co-op!
      • The object of Challenge Mode is to clear as many challenge stages before you run out of ships while obtaining a high score
      • The rules of Challenge Mode are:
        • You always start with a double ship with 2 in reserve
        • Extra ships are earned the same as in a regular game:  20,000, 70,000 and every 70,000 after that
        • All stages are challenge stages.  After a challenge stage is complete:
        • If you have double ships:
          • Perfect score: no change
          • If you hit 38 or more enemies, you will lose a reserve ship, keeping the double ship.  If you don't have a reserve ship, you will lose one of your double ships.
          • If you hit 30 or more enemies, you will lose one of your double ships.
          • If you hit < 30 enemies, you lose BOTH double ships
        • If you have a single ship:
          • Perfect score:  Bonus ship awarded as a double ship
          • Otherwise, you lose a ship
    • added in CO-OP mode. 
      • To select CO-OP mode, press the SELECT switch (or Joystick Button 2) to cycle the # of players until 2 PLAYER CO-OP is displayed.  
      • Select the skill level for CO-OP:
        • In NOVICE and CHALLENGE MODE, both players start the game since both ships are active
      • The object of CO-OP mode is the same as a 1 PLAYER game except both players are working together to achieve 1 score. 
        • When there is one ship, the player controlling the ship alternates each time a player ship is destroyed or captured.  
        • When there are two ships, each player controls one of the ships and can independently move and fire!
          • Player 1's ship has RED trim, Player 2's ship has BLUE trim
          • Players cannot cross each other's path
          • Players can 'push' the other player by moving their ship against the other ship.  Players can resist being pushed by moving the joystick towards the other ship.
      • The rules of CO-OP for a regular game (NOVICE, STANDARD or ADVANCED):
        • PLAYER 1 starts in control of the ship (RED trim), except in NOVICE mode where both ships are active to start.  In this case, PLAYER 1 controls the left ship (RED trim) and PLAYER 2 controls the right ship (BLUE trim)
        • When there is 1 ship being controlled, the RESERVE ships are trimmed in the color of the player who will control the *next* ship.
        • When a ship is destroyed, if there are reserve ships, the *other* player will take control of the next ship.
        • When a ship is captured, if there are reserve ships, the *other* player will take control of the next ship.
          • Note that if a ship is destroyed while the other is captured, the player captured will control the ship and the player that was destroyed will now be captured
        • When a ship is rescued, BOTH players will now each control one of the ships (PLAYER 1 controls the RED trim ship and PLAYER 2 controls the BLUE trim ship).  Note that the ship that was rescued will always be on the RIGHT while the ship that did the rescuing will be on the LEFT
        • Both players are working towards one high score.  The game ends when all ships have been destroyed and there are none left in reserve.
        • At the end of the game, hit/miss results are displayed for each player.  If a high score is obtained, only one set of initials are entered.
      • The rules of CO-OP for CHALLENGE MODE:
        • Both players are active to start (PLAYER 1 controls the RED trim ship on the left and PLAYER 2 controls the BLUE trim ship on the right)
        • If there are double ships and 1 ship is lost, the ship on the left is removed (the ship that has been active the longest)
        • When there is 1 ship being controlled, the RESERVE ships are trimmed in the color of the player who will control the *next* ship.
        • When a ship is destroyed, if there are reserve ships, the *other* player will take control of the next ship.
        • Both players are working towards one high score.  The game ends when all ships have been destroyed and there are none left in reserve.
        • At the end of the game, hit/miss results are displayed for each player.  If a high score is obtained, only one set of initials are entered.

     

    galaga_dmo_v2_PAL60.bin 32 kB · 408 downloads galaga_dmo_v2_NTSC.bin 32 kB · 1,007 downloads

    I just tried 3 times to download it and it will not work on my Flashback 9, hardware issue or will it just not read or work???

     

    Thanks,

     

    Ray

  8. Posted

    4 hours ago, phlegmer said:

    Seems like all those buttons are working.

    I did pull the connection cables from the crunchy one to the other one with no change.  One thing I did observe is that 2 of the 3 pegs that the board sits in were broke.  So the board isn't really in there very firm.  (How the heck would those break?!)  It does have some play compared to crunchy.  The plastic pegs are there and hopefully super glue will hold once I figure out why down does not work.

     

    So I see this on Best

    Maybe it's just the Optocoupler that has gone bad?

    I was actually referring to what MY CX53 trak-ball was like, none of the action buttons on mine work, sorry I failed to mention that.

  10. Posted

    4 hours ago, Nojeee said:

    The A8 to 5200 conversions I'm doing are possible as I've still got my original source code. It's fairly straightforward to modify memory usage, change any self modifying code and shift data that needs altering into RAM. I would guess it's not as easy to modify an existing program to run as a ROM image.

     

    I've converted a few arcade games in the past but I much prefer to write something original.

     

    Thanks, Yars' Strike is basically someone's rendition of the 2600 classic Yars' Revenge on the 8-bit platform that I have been frustrated about for years not being able to enjoy on the 5200 and with all the 8-bit/XL/XE conversions that have been made possible for us 5200 owners over the years to enjoy you would think this would be a piece of cake considering how easy it is (though beyond my realm) to convert the codes. This game would make my 5200 lineup complete as IMO THE three dealmakers/breakers for most of us who have almost everything would be Qix, Tempest, and Yars' Revenge/Strike. Qix is not available on the 2600, Tempest needs some serious work although there are some playable mods of it I also have ROMs of, and Yars' Revenge is the only one, so, the 2600 is out, and I if it had to come to only one unit to have it would be Big Sexy herself.

     

    Thanks.

  12. Posted

    Well, since somebody on this thread knows a bit about 8-bit-to-5200 conversions how about doing THIS ONE (Yars' Strike, as done on the 8-bit) that I have been waiting for almost 4 years to see it for my 5200 in the same way as the 8-bit version. I've always wanted to play this on my 5200 rather than the 2600 or my Flashback 9, this would join Qix and Tempest as a truly fully complete collection for the 5200 (2600/Flashback does not have Qix and Tempest on it needs improvement)

     

     

    Yars_strike.zip

  13. Posted

    I still need to get a hold of him to work on my CX53 trak-ball so I can really enjoy my 5200 once I get back to it after my Atarimax SD multicart comes in (my second one, I sold my original due to unemployment at the time), and I already have a Galaga demo and Bosconian ready to spill onto my SD card I still have from that previous one once I do get it. I would also love to learn how to use the trak-ball for Tempest too, as the joystick is a little too sensitive for me, I hope it's as easy as the old rotary control was on the coin-op arcade version.

  14. Posted

    I have picked up another Atarimax SD multicart (remember I sold my previous one last year due to unemployment back then) and have downloaded Galaga and can't wait to try it once I get the multicart, as I already have the SD card from the previous unit.

  16. Posted

    3 bits of advice, in which all of us here on this forum have already taken, especially as our Governor Jay Inslee (D - WA) has issued a 2-week-long stay-at-home, stay-safe order banning all gathering and limiting travel (except for grocery store, gas stations, pharmacy, banks, state offices). I work at the local Safeway here in Port Townsend (store 538) and therefore am exempt but only to go to and from work, but here are the 3 bits of advice for the rest of you:

     

    If you've got a home theater system, put something on it and watch it.

     

    If you've got a home arcade system (and many of us own more than one unit), put something on it and play it.

     

    If you've got a home stereo system, put something on it and listen to it.

     

    STAY SAFE, STAY INDOORS and please for the sake of your loved ones, stay at least 6 feet away from each other!!!

    • Like 1

  18. Posted

    15 hours ago, KaeruYojimbo said:

    Non-Atari-wise I'm playing my custom 1988 'Murican League season in Super Mega Baseball 2.

    Does it have that famous Game 1 of the 1988 World Series between my Dodgers and the A's where Kirk Gibson (of the Dodgers) sends Dennis Ekersley's (A's) 3-2 backdoor slider into the right field seats???

     

    .....and on TWO bad legs at that!!! (bad left hammy AND a swollen right knee)

     

     

    GO BLUE!!!

  20. Posted

    I reached 12,400 points on Chaotic Grill! this afternoon and left one pepper on the table (should've used it!), but went out for a drive (solo) and now I'm now watching KING 5 News keeping myself informed about COVID-19 before I hit my work at Safeway (I work 7-10 pm weeknights cleaning the cutting room in the meat department so they're ready for first thing the next morning), we're usually open 24/7 but we are closing our doors from 1-5 am nightly for cleaning and/or sanitizing and might even be utilizing a new set of hours exclusively for seniors, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems, that could go into effect as early as this week.

     

    But here at home at BIGHMW.com Headquarters in Port Townsend I have plenty of Chunky Soup still left from the sale where they were only $1.25 each provided you buy at least 4 so I'm doing fine for now.

  23. Posted · Edited by BIGHMW

    27 minutes ago, Shawn said:

    There is already a 27 page thread on this in the general chat forum.

    Thanks @Shawn, but there isn't one specific post that is related to Atari and how our gaming systems are helping us cope with this pandemic, but yes, thank you for posting up that link. :) GAME ON!!!

     

    But believe me it will soon be "GAME OVER" when it comes to COVID-19, as I believe that this is just like a mere storm cloud that will pass by us and we'll never hear from it again and we'll all be talking about it a few years from now for mere nostalgic reasons, just like West Nile Virus and also SARS before it, in which also went away, never to be heard from again, it's only temporary. It'll be gone before you know it.

  24. Posted · Edited by BIGHMW

    Now we all know how much the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting us but how are YOU dealing with it???

     

    As Atarians, we can rely on our arcade systems to keep us occupied during this massive health crisis, I am proud to own a 5200 and also a Flashback 9 to keep me occupied as a (now-vital) part of my home entertainment system, as my system consists of several audio and video components, with more than 6 decades of technology in which are being represented, hooked up to both a Sony STR-DH190 home stereo receiver and also a Sony STR-DH590 home theater receiver with an Insignia 39" HDTV hooked up to all of it.

     

    For more details on how to deal with it, you can read my suggestions on my official BIGHMW Facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/BIGHMW) and also whatever health-related sites where you can find ideas and suggestions to deal with this that much more, but like I have been saying for the past 4 days, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!!! As long as we remain calm, cool, composed and collected we'll be OK. This virus lives off of, feeds off of, and thrives off of paranoia, fear, and panic, if we don't panic, we won't get it, if we remain calm, we won't get it, if we don't fear it, we won't get it.

     

    (note to @Albert: you have my permission to pin this and also spread it (no pun intended) to the other system subforums like those for the 5200, 7800 and Flashback and other subforums as well)

     

    WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS!!!

     

    GAME ON!!!

     

    Ray Jackson

    AtariAge user ID: BIGHMW

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

  25. Posted

    For most games (except Tempest, Centipede and other "multi-speed" games) I use a stock 7800 (CX24) stick with Redemption 5200 that AtariAge and Pixels Past came up with years ago (I bought it as a set of 2 of them I used to have along with 2 of the 2600 versions) It works far better on games like Pac-Man in which sparked the complaint bandwagon on the stock joysticks as they are 360-degree analog (dual-pot)-based 

     

    BTW, if you get the 7800-compatible Redemption, you will also be able to use 2600 sticks as well because the 7800 and 2600 controllers have the same 9-pin wiring configurations in which will work on both the 2600 and 7800.

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