Jump to content
Have You Played Atari Today?
2600|5200|7800|Lynx|Jaguar|Forums|Store  

seastalker

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    494

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by seastalker

  1. Posted

    What I want to know is, how does New Atari justify that the delays are the fault of China when having only an alleged prototype at the live event? If a finalized machine is ready for production (like the initial March release date) in China, there is no reason a FINAL model wouldn't be on display at Dcave. Atari should not be able to have it both ways of blaming China AND marginalizing @accounts' reported review of what was played.

     

    The 2020 Atari VCS should be a heavy sixer from ebay, and a Harmony cart. You might even have left over funds to get it video mod upgraded. 

    • Like 5
    • Thanks 1

  4. Posted

    BIG UPDATE:

    Smokemonster just updated his Everdrive Packs Lists to now include Sega CD (also new is Atari Jaguar!) that has a slew of homebrew, UNL, and more. Some interesting finds.  I found the titles ORGanized on a certain ARCHIVE.

    It seems to me anyway, that the Sega CD list is a WIP. Maybe he just chose a simpler folder structure than the usual "1 US - A-Z" "2 Europe - A-Z" "2 Japan - A-Z" "2 World - A-Z" method.

     

    Maybe consider a re-purposing of this thread to be a discussion of the SM list.

     

    Other notes: 

    MegaSD MD+ Nice!  I wasn't aware of Golden Axe Symphony MD+ or Ys III - Oath in Felghana MD+.  Outrun is an odd one. Before this list I had the Pezz82 ones from his former video:

    Outrun + 1986 Arcade Colours  [original arcade soundtrack with arcade colors]

    Outrun + 1986 MD Colours     [original arcade soundtrack with MD colors]

    Outrun + 2 Arcade Colours    [New arrangement soundtrack with arcade colors]

    Outrun + 2 MD Colours        [New arrangement soundtrack with MD colors]

     

    Smokemonster's does NOT include those, but DOES include:

    OutRun Arcade OST & Pyron Color Restoration MD+  [This seems to be a TOO QUIET version of the above 'New arrangement soundtrack with arcade colors']

    OutRun Arranged MD+  [This seems to be a TOO QUIET version of the above 'New arrangement soundtrack with MD colors']

     

    I had worked on the MD+ version of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker [see link here], and shared it with a forum member. I may be wrong, but it looks like some if not all of it reflected in the newly listed:

    Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - Vocals MD+

    Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - Instrumental MD+  [not sure if I had any part of this one]

    I had to get the audio balances just right and edit the intros to match the original game music. Basic stuff really, but I'm very happy if I did have a hand in helping others find new excitement in playing this game.  Note that both versions use Thriller for the graveyard scene, but the music test still displays as "Another Part Of Me" in the instrumental version and does say "Thriller" in the vocal version. I actually kept FOUR versions of moonwalker being variations of vocal versions and instrumental of both Thriller and Another Part Of Me. I'd be happy to offer them to Smokemonster or archivists.

     

    Can someone explain to me why there is a 'Unworked Designs' folder that has seemingly duplicate copies of the two Lunar games, Vay and Popful Mail?

    I have to try some, but I'm guessing the many Japanese games are here regardless of being able to play them if not knowing Japanese?

  5. Posted

    54 minutes ago, Reaperman said:

    I've never even seen an adventure vision, so I suspect I've got its aspect ratio a bit off.  That's a really neat display.  The oddball systems of NT Mini are really my favorite parts. 10 years ago ask me if I ever thought I'd be playing watara supervision at 1080p with a full arcade controller.

     

    Yes, I think these are what I am most excited to finally try. I saw videos on Adventure Vision and thought it would be fun to tinker with. All of the oddballs really.  Plus, A2600/7800 will be joy for me.  I thought about modding a heavy sixer and even a 7800 but some of these older systems I'd rather have in FPGA form. 

     

    Now being an expecting NT-mini owner, I do have to think about my controller arsenal. I must look into whatever full arcade controller options there are. It will be interesting to compare playing Sega SMS games with a NES controller instead of on my SG or real model 1 Genesis. I always loved the SMS pad but would love to see if I actually prefer the NES pad. I hope the pause button is mapped to select or start. I wasn't crazy about the 7800 joystick so I imagine the afterthought official gamepad can't be any better than a NES pad. I can use a real atari 2600 stick on mist and mister, so the NES pad might be fun to try again here.  For those with a V1, how do you control the oddball cores within the limitations of a NES controller?

     

    I also have to check on my MegaSG if the coleco's numpad is supported.

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    Is the Atari VCS hands on demo seriously just a device running Windows (10 I presume)? So the Atari VCS is a software program in the end and not hardware?  Sure, I get it, they made cool looking plastic on the outside. Remeber, even a gaming front-end is SOFTWARE.

    • Like 4

  7. Posted · Edited by seastalker

    2 hours ago, Cosmic Owl said:

    I believe I’d only be gaining 1080p but losing interpolation when compared to my AVS.

     

    I just bit the bullet and ordered one (please see the classifieds 'For Sale or Trade'  where my left kidney is listed), so is there a refresher course on "interpolation" and what it does, why it is not on the thing I spent half a grand on, and why that matters?  I am not concerned, nor upset in any way- just curious.  I consider my purchase a scientific donation to the future of FPGA, and to especially support Kevtris and his work. I think I paid less shipping for this than the DAC.

     

    I am overjoyed that Drunk_Caterpillar confirmed jailbreak compatibility by Kevtris just a moment ago!  I may be the only one that just bought the world's most expensive Atari 7800 that also plays the historic oddball cores and of course the NES. What an expensive way to play Duck Hunt finally.

  11. Posted

     

    I want to offer an honest warning about the Sega 32X Video Noise Fix by Kevtris as posted by SmokeMonster on RetroRGB. Disclaimer: I have massive respect for Kevtris, SmokeMonster and Bob and the crew of RetroRGB and the following is hopefully CLEARLY independent of anything having to do with any of them. I've been working with some in the gaming community on the 32x experience. I wanted to share my 32x hardware experiences with the community.

     

    My most recent work includes recapping a working 32x in the way Console5 intended, PRIOR to the Kevtris fix. That means, use the current cap kit, but without altering the lower board C30 ceramic cap and on the top board,  C17 getting the Console5 originally suggested   470uf  10v cap.

     

    ALL WAS GLORIOUS today with this configuration.  Sound and picture was very sharp running through the HD Retrovision cables. I loaded the complete library of games and took notes on my component video Panasonic CRT array. I wanted to observe video noise from other artifacts and share them.  Was I seeing 'noise' or something else? I soon concluded that video artifacts on the borders might be a CRT issue or overscan area while other things like white pixel flicker on Sega logos might be the 'noise' Kevrtis mentioned, or I might see the noise only via composite.

     

    - Star Wars - noise or gfx glitch on right side of screen both on real cart and MegaSD rom
    - Spiderman Web of Fire - gfx glitch below, then title screen above city green lasers  and pink overscan
    - Blackthorne - Sega logo has white flicker, then 8 pixel specks of white on title screen, upper left
    - RBI baseball - When swing connects with ball, speckles come before switch to new screen.
    - Shadow Squadron - flicker on top screen before launch
    - WWF Raw - top flicker
     
    Funny, I might remember these things on screen back in the 90s. I then moved the CRT HD Retrovision setup to a 40 inch Samsung LED tv via Genesis HDMI cable (Pound brand I think). White and washed out aside due to the cable, though MOST of the above issues went away!  Star Wars still had the gfx artifacts on the right side of screen, and I wanted to see if I could get rid of flicker on some title screens in games so I tried the Kevtris fix, involving replacing two capacitors. Here is where it went wrong:
     
    1. Perfectly working 32x, recapped per Console5 specs prior to the Kevtris fix.
    2. After fix, now I have a problem where some gfx is not showing. I.E. Star Wars - Logo only half comes in, and some gfx appear. Sound is perfect but no imperial destroyer before famous credit crawl. I think this means that the Genesis side is working but the 32x side is not.
     
    Again, the problem is NOT Kevtris. The fix requires a (MICROSCOPIC!!) Surface Mount ceramic capacitor replacement. HERE IS THE PROBLEM: Unless you have the experience, and the magnification via microscope, from my experience, it is not worth messing up your 32x for!  I have a magnifying glass, but trying to get the right leg installed without solder bridging with the surface mount next to it is VERY hard. Being fair, I am still fairly new to surface mount component repairs. Unless you are on your A game in soldering, AND your 32x requires this upgrade, I'd say pass it to a pro or stick with the standard re-cap.
     
    That said, please PM me if you or someone you recommend does 32x repairs.  

     

  12. Posted

    I want to offer an honest warning about the Sega 32X Video Noise Fix by Kevtris as posted by SmokeMonster on RetroRGB. Disclaimer: I have massive respect for Kevtris, SmokeMonster and Bob and the crew of RetroRGB and the following is hopefully CLEARLY independent of anything having to do with any of them. I've been working with some in the gaming community on the 32x experience. I wanted to share my 32x hardware experiences with the community.

     

    My most recent work includes recapping a working 32x in the way Console5 intended, PRIOR to the Kevtris fix. That means, use the current cap kit, but without altering the lower board C30 ceramic cap and on the top board,  C17 getting the Console5 originally suggested   470uf  10v cap.

     

    ALL WAS GLORIOUS today with this configuration.  Sound and picture was very sharp running through the HD Retrovision cables. I loaded the complete library of games and took notes on my component video Panasonic CRT array. I wanted to observe video noise from other artifacts and share them.  Was I seeing 'noise' or something else? I soon concluded that video artifacts on the borders might be a CRT issue or overscan area while other things like white pixel flicker on Sega logos might be the 'noise' Kevrtis mentioned, or I might see the noise only via composite.

     

    - Star Wars - noise or gfx glitch on right side of screen both on real cart and MegaSD rom
    - Spiderman Web of Fire - gfx glitch below, then title screen above city green lasers  and pink overscan
    - Blackthorne - Sega logo has white flicker, then 8 pixel specks of white on title screen, upper left
    - RBI baseball - When swing connects with ball, speckles come before switch to new screen.
    - Shadow Squadron - flicker on top screen before launch
    - WWF Raw - top flicker
     
    Funny, I might remember these things on screen back in the 90s. I then moved the CRT HD Retrovision setup to a 40 inch Samsung LED tv via Genesis HDMI cable (Pound brand I think). White and washed out aside due to the cable, though MOST of the above issues went away!  Star Wars still had the gfx artifacts on the right side of screen, and I wanted to see if I could get rid of flicker on some title screens in games so I tried the Kevtris fix, involving replacing two capacitors. Here is where it went wrong:
     
    1. Perfectly working 32x, recapped per Console5 specs prior to the Kevtris fix.
    2. After fix, now I have a problem where some gfx is not showing. I.E. Star Wars - Logo only half comes in, and some gfx appear. Sound is perfect but no imperial destroyer before famous credit crawl. I think this means that the Genesis side is working but the 32x side is not.
     
    Again, the problem is NOT Kevtris. The fix requires a (MICROSCOPIC!!) Surface Mount ceramic capacitor replacement. HERE IS THE PROBLEM: Unless you have the experience, and the magnification via microscope, from my experience, it is not worth messing up your 32x for!  I have a magnifying glass, but trying to get the right leg installed without solder bridging with the surface mount next to it is VERY hard. Being fair, I am still fairly new to surface mount component repairs. Unless you are on your A game in soldering, AND your 32x requires this upgrade, I'd say pass it to a pro or stick with the standard re-cap.
     
    That said, please PM me if you or someone you recommend does 32x repairs.  

     

     

    I kinda have two threads about this, one on Desoldering woes or journeys and this more specific one about the 32x.

  14. Posted

    If going by the latest Hyperspin Hyperlist, the current Sega CD game count is:

    Sega CD   TOTAL GAMES: 171      1.20    3/06/2016

     

    They use the method of complete USA rom lists, then any Europe region games exclusive from the USA ones, and lastly the Japanese ones that are either in English or fully playable without needing to know Japanese.  Finding reliable Mega-CD images has been tricky, and harder still is finding a good list of European and Japanese titles to add to a Mega-SD. I don't intended to get a complete set of Japanese Cd games I'll never be able to play, but somewhat Smokemonster inspired,  some may be fun for a variety or reasons, like different music, uncensored curiosity, missing or extra scenes, etc.  what I have so far:

     

    I made an Everdrive themed and named folder called:

     

    "3 Sega CD & Mega-CD (JAPAN)" 

    Which currently has: Annett Futatabi (Japan), Egawa Suguru no Super League CD (Japan), Final Fight CD (Japan) (Rev A), Heavy Nova (Japan), Sangokushi III (Japan), and Sonic The Hedgehog CD (Japan)

     

     

    I am also sifting thru temp folders to decide on naming and file structure and have some of these:

     

    Surgical Strike (32X) (USA)  (finally got hold of the Sega CD 32x one)

     

    EUROPE:

    Bloodshot (1995)(Acclaim)(EU) [T-88045-50]  [Also called "Battle Frenzy"]

     

    JAPAN:

    Cyborg 009 (1993)(Riot)(JP) [T-49054]

    Devastator

    Dynamic Country Club - 3D Golf Simulation (1993)(Sega)(JP) [G-6017]

    EARNEST EVANS_JP

    F1 Circus CD (1994)(Nichibutsu)(JP) [T-71014]

    Game no Kandume - Sega Games Can Vol.1 (1994)(Sega)(JP) [G-6032]

    Game no Kandume - Sega Games Can Vol.2 (1994)(Sega)(JP) [G-6033]

    Night Striker (1993)(Taito)(JP) [T-11014]

    NINJA WARRIORS

    Pro Yakyuu Super League CD (1992)(Sega)(JP) [G-6010]

    Sengoku Denshou (1993)(Sammy)(JP) [T-24034]

    WonderMega Collection (Bundled with Victor WonderMega RG-M1) (1992)(Victor)(JP) [T-60064-10]

     

     

    OTHER:

    Battle Frenzy (2003)(Good Deal Games)(US) - [0]

    BATTLETECH - Gray Death Legion (2007)(Good Deal Games)(US)

    Bug Blasters - The Exterminators (2000)(Good Deal Games)(NTSC)(US)(Track 1 of 2)  [Shows as 'The Exterminators']

    Burning Fists (USA) (DW0298)

    Citizen X Beta (2002)(Good Deal Games)(US)

    Marko (2003)(Good Deal Games)(US)

    Star Strike (2000)(Good Deal Games)(US)

     

    UNRELEASED:

    Battle Frenzy (USA) (Unreleased) (DW0103)

    Bug Blasters (USA) (Unreleased) (DW0204)

    Burning Fists (USA) (DW0298)

    Citizen X (USA) (Unreleased) (DW0102)

    Marko (USA) (Unreleased) (DW0104)

    Star Strike (USA) (Unreleased) (DW0230)   

     

    PROTOTYPES:

    Johnny Mnemonic (Disc 1 of 2) (USA) (Proto) (DW0292)

    Johnny Mnemonic (Disc 2 of 2) (USA) (Proto) (DW0292)

    SUPER_STRIKE_TRILOGY

    Sonic CD 920 (USA) (Proto) (DW0187)

     

    Audio Only or CD+G:

    Hot Hits (USA) (DW0158)

    Rock Paintings (USA) (DW0124)

     

    NON-REVISED  [Earlier version of games that REDUMP likely omitted over revised versions]:

    Amazing Spiderman (USA) (v0-199308) (DW0202)

    Blackhole Assault (USA) (v0) (DW0247)

    Bram Stoker's Dracula (USA) (DW0088)

    Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia v2.01R (USA) (DW0236)

    Eternal Champions (USA) (v0) (DW0234)

    Sega Classics - 4-in-1 (USA) (v100) (DW0281)

    Sewer Shark (USA) (v1-199210) (DW0228)

     

    Any additions to what exists outside of the REDUMP sets are welcomed, be they edutainment titles, foreign language that is still easy enough to play, or even games like Snatcher where if you beat the game in English, you might play other regions to see the edits or bonus material.

  17. Posted

    Would anyone be able to kindly offer advice on how I can look at the schematics of a 32x and learn how to follow them? I specifically hope to trace that problem of the blue wire seen above on pin 8 of the lower pcb's ribbon connector.  I've stared at schematics and have yet to figure out how what I am looking at translates to a pcb.  I look at the one, then the other and have yet to find a "you are here" sign I can make heads or tails from. 

  18. Posted

    Hey, my post and icon are there in your picture too. I think that's a first for me. :) That is important info that the Genesis d-pad on the mini feels different than the original.  I already have real Genesis controllers and a bliss box with a Blister waiting in the wings.  I think I will probably stick to that. Sorry Sega. I don't have the Avenue Pad 3 or Shuttle controller so I may keep an eye out. I'd probably be fine playing 3 or 6 button PCE/Cd games with my Saturn controller though.

  20. Posted

    Great!  I only have turbo and core-grafx controllers so Japanese style white PC-Engine pads would be preferred actually in my case.  I have a bliss box and many adapters (sadly, no PCE/TG16 yet) and sold my USB hub to get the BlisSTer which I should get in the mail soon. Sega's six button pads are agreeable better in almost every way, but for launch titles and a few exceptions, I like the feel of the fat OG 3 button controller. Maybe I'll wait for the Sega mini to drop down to Playstation classic prices. I can already use my real 3 buttons on real hardware so I should just stop controller collecting.

     

    I also forgot to comment that since the announced TG16/pce minis, I wondered how they would make the already small pce any smaller without it looking like an everdrive hucard where they may as well make a keychain out of it. :)

  21. Posted

     

    On 2/15/2020 at 3:22 AM, Steven Pendleton said:

    The non-turbo ones, which are the default and you have to buy the turbo ones separately. The size is basically the same for the 2 PC Engine variants, but the TG-16 Mini is slightly smaller than a real one.

     

    I am glad I will have the option to buy turbo pads separately.  I was going to wait for the price to come down just so I could get the usb controllers. Sega should have sold the usb 3 button genesis mini controller separately too.  If Konami were smart, they would surprise everyone and pull a NeoGeo mini inspired move and announce later this year a Christmas edition that's the SuperGrafx. If they don't do it at all, I'm just baffled at the lost opportunity. 

    I have a PC Engine, TG16, Mister, Everdrive, I'm holding out on a SSDS3 for Mister support and have a pi for PCE-CD for now.

  22. Posted

    I've now desoldered the 32x cart connector and replaced it with one from a spare Genesis 2 to see if the cartridge slot was the issue. I at least like the tighter fit for both genesis games and 32x, so if nothing else, it was worth it, though it did not fix the problem. In the pix you can see a clean top and bottom of where the pin connector was, then a pic where the deeper pins (site rotated the pic) on the left are theGenesis 2 and the more copper showing on the right is the old 32x one.  You can then see a Genesis Hockey game NHL 96 where the video still glitches, and then Star Wars 32x doing the same behavior as when I started.

     

    Remaining remedies: Could the top board's copper coil have a defect that would cause this (if so where do I get a replacement when I don't even know what it is?)?  I have heard that if a previous owner used the wrong power supply then the voltage regulator could need replacing.   I also have the new problem of blue wire seen above on pin 8 of the lower pcb's ribbon connector.  I hope someone sees my last plea for knowing an alternate place I can solder that wire to on that end. Otherwise, I may be looking for help finding a 32x pro repair I can send it to. :(  I feel so close yet so far. 

     

    32x without cart pin connector - Copy.JPG

    32x without cart pin connector (bottom) - Copy.JPG

    32x slot TOP and Genesis 2 spare (BELOW) - Copy.JPG

    Genesis screen issues - Copy.JPG

    32x Star Wars flickering as before - Copy.JPG

  23. Posted

    Actually, your suggestion inspired me to come up with my own remedy.  I stared at the thing, tried pushing the peg with a screwdriver, and thought I needed something smaller. Then it hit me! Soldering iron tip. If it is on, the heat might even inspire the metal a bit.  I pushed the hot solder pen from topside with a little downward pressure, and it worked like a charm! I'm not reusing the pin connector so even the little melted plastic on the connectors support holes aren't a problem- this helps to not damage your board with screwdrivers or other means of force. I highly suggest trying this method, especially starting with project and junk boards.

AtariAge
Forums
Store
General
Follow AtariAge

Copyright ©1998-2021 AtariAge

×
×
  • Create New...