MrFish

I forgot one other Atari 2600 to 8-bit computer game conversion: Geisterhaus is a remake of the 2600 game Haunted House, but with a few minor changes (to avoid imperial entanglements).

Yes, it is confusing; and I could see how it would be more so for those new to the platform. It's a shame too, because *.ATX files are typically used for preserving original disks; so, this is the most desirable disk format for getting a game's intended experience -- with publisher logos, all titles screens, etc. You never know what you're going to get with *.ATR disks that have been cracked. But... @DjayBee has taken tons of *.ATX disks and cracked them all so cleanly, that you can't tell you're playing a cracked disk. He's kept them all true to the originals, minus the copy protection code only. So, you get *.ATX disk quality in *.ATR format. You can download the latest archive of his excellent work here (1,446 ATR Files). CSS Cracks (ATX to ATR)

To bad that; but Tramiel-era engineering, it doesn't surprise me they'd take the most-expedient route to conversion. The good thing about XEGS cartridges coming into existence is that we got a lot of nicer cart games added to the library, and we ended up with some larger cart-size technology (32K, 64K, 128K, etc.). They were also adding new, quality games to the system. It's just too bad things got cut short, as the prototypes showed things to be getting even better, with titles like Commando, Midi Maze, Xenophobe, etc.

Oh, ok. I had gotten the impression that *.CAR files weren't working altogether, since people had been posting about non-working ones. So, then I'm guessing the manual just has an error: stating *.CRT is a valid filetype, but not listing *.CAR as a valid filetype. I didn't know people were doing that: naming *.ROM files to *.CAR. Obviously, that's a no no. I stick with known reputable sources for my files. I also have a *.ROM and *.CAR copy of all cartridges in my archives. There is a utility (one of a few) for converting *.ROM files to *.CAR files. I think it was made by the guy who created "The Ultimate Cart", hardware device. It's what I normally use, since I often just want to convert a single *.ROM file I've obtained. The utility is drag and drop. You can drag and drop multiple files at once to it, though. RomToCar.html

I'm wondering, since people are saying that *.CAR files are not supported (and in fact, the manual doesn't list them as compatible either), has anyone tried to rename a *.CAR file to *.CRT? *.CRT isn't a file extension I've seen used on any Atari emulator (I've seen it used for C64 emulators); but maybe that's the extension they've chosen for instead of *.CAR -- for files that contain the type header. IDK, and can't try it myself, since I don't own a 400 mini; but it seems possible. Otherwise, what is a *.CRT file to this system? It's listed in the official manual; but then so is *.ATX, and, as stated already, they don't work.

It was marketing, but I don't think there was any attempt to deceive anyone. I think they just wanted to bring a few outstanding cart games forward and package them to match the new system. So, it was more like bringing some attention to them for new owners. I think anyone already owning a brown-cart copy of Donkey Kong would have been very cautious before shelling out any money for the same title in different packaging. Eastern Front 1941 is the other XE cart game that's the same as the brown cart version. The majority of XE cart games produced already existed for the system in disk format too; but the point of putting them on carts was so that people wouldn't be required to buy a disk drive to play some of the better games for the system. The only game that had the same name as an existing game and was different was Choplifter; the XE cart is a unique version of Choplifter, different from the original Broderbund release for the system (graphically, at least). Mario Bros is different than what was available for the 8-bit computers before; but that title was only available as a 5200 conversion (by Glenn the 5200 Man) in the community alone, not via retail. Battlezone is also a 5200 conversion that's different from the XE release; but I think it was only converted (by Homesoft) after the XE release version. There were some minor differences with various disk games that were converted to cart. For instance, Summer Games couldn't save world records, and had a different title screen. HardBall lost it's nice title screen with artwork, etc., and just ended up with a text title screen. Anyway, unique/new releases for the XE System were in the minority, or constituted probably only about half of all the released games.

If you really want to confuse yourself (and others), export your favorite NTSC palette from Altirra and give it the name "ntsc". The filename will end up as "ntsc.pal".

Flimbo's Quest

EVERTYTHING is ! ! ! R A R E ! ! ! on Ebay. No need for any de-socketing; it's all about creative writing.

OK, yeah, I see it in my latest release copy too (just had a look). I'm guessing it's the only NTSC palette in the group. The rest look like common PAL (video standard) palettes.

None of the default palettes use the "*.PAL", extension. The default palettes use "*.ACT" (which is actually just the same format with a different name). I think it's Altirra that exports with the "*.PAL" extension. Anyway, I have no way of knowing if the palette you're asking me about is NTSC or PAL; the "*.PAL" extension there simply stands for "palette". As far as I know, all default palettes that are included with RastaConverter are PAL (video standard) palettes (although I haven't examined recent version so closely). So, to use NTSC palettes, you'll need to obtain and incorporate them yourself.

The only thing that makes a RasterConverter file PAL or NTSC is which palette was used in conversion. They'll run on either machine, the colors just won't look right if the palette doesn't match the machine.

Alright, I was hoping some people would start speaking up on this subject. Personally, I've owned about (10) 800XL, (8) 130XE, (2) 800, (2) 1200XL, (2) XEGS, (1) 400, and (1) 65XE; all NTSC machines, except for one PAL 130XE. I probably initially filled in the slot about 600XL's before I had any real information about their socketing, intending to research it later. Then, when I revived working on the table, had forgotten I'd done that. Anyway, thanks for the correction, and other information.

I've dumped both myself, before, and did a file compare. They're the same ROM.

Can't help you with Linux. I've been using AspeQt and RespeQt with Windows 7 (64-bit) ever since AspeQt existed. Never had any issues/crashes. My SIO2PC USB was-self built using a USB to serial (FT232R Breakout) board from SparkFun. I've also used an AtariMax SIO2PC USB with APE and Prosytem for many years on Windows 7 (64-bit). Never had any issue with that either. In both cases, I don't recall any extensive configuration sessions: basically, just load the drivers, load the software, plug up and go.

My general assessment of socketing is laid out in the chart. XE's = vast majority not socketed, but some small number (few) are socketed, or at least partially socketed. 800XL = vast majority socketed, but not all; some machines partially socketed. 600XL = less socketed machines than the 800XL, maybe 60% or thereabouts(?); some machines partially socketed. 400, 800, 1200XL = all are socketed. Speak up if there's anything incorrect here.

Right... but was there ever any 800 expansion that utilized replacement of its CPU card?

I'll agree with that assessment. CTIA was really just a stop gap, until the GTIA was finished. GTIA was being worked on from the beginning: it's not some "video upgrade" that was intended to help "extend" the line, as some people from other platforms have mistakenly thought, and have attempted to assert on this forum. CTIA machines definitely are a rarity in the wild, and that's what's being addressed in the table.

I thought about that before, when I was first working on the table, but I decided against it because it's not accessible from the outside of the machine like all the others. However, if we want to be technical, it does have slots that can be used to expand the machine, and there are really two of them, one for the CPU board and one for memory. I don't think there were any CPU board replacements from back in the day (or were there?); but we definitely have some now. So, yeah, I should probably add that -- mainly because I don't want people to get the impression that the machine can't be fairly easily upgraded, and they should know that it does have card slots for doing so; it's just that it's quite a different beast when it comes to making use of them. I'll need to make things clear about it in the notes.

Ah, yeah, I missed including that one.

Archive should contain everything listed. Some cart names are marked with "SIO" in brackets. This was done as an indicator to turn off high-speed SIO in Atari800Win PLus, as it would cause problems otherwise. I don't think it's an issue with Altirra, but I can't guarantee that. [Edit] Credit for a great number of these goes to @Wrathchild A fair number of the others (carts only) were done by Steve at Atarimax. Cartridges Alternate Reality - City Alternate Reality - Dungeon Chessmaster 2000 Conan Gauntlet Goonies Infocom - Adventure Infocom - Fantasy 1 Infocom - Fantasy 2 Infocom - Miscellaneous Infocom - Mystery Infocom - Science Fiction Lords of Conquest Scott Adams Adventures Summer Games (Epyx Version) Temple of Apshai Trilogy Ultima IV Disks Alternate Reality - Dungeon Dark Crystal Infocom - Adventure Infocom - Fantasy 1 Infocom - Fantasy 2 Infocom - Miscellaneous Infocom - Mystery Infocom - Science Fiction Magnetic Scrolls - Compilation (Pawn, Guild of Thieves, Jinxter) Mask of the Sun Serpent Star Winter Challenge Winter Olympiad 88 Multi-Disk.zip

The 800XE is nothing more than a rebadged European 65XE (PAL B). There's nothing about it that warrants any more than a footnote here. It's mentioned in item #10 in the notes about expansion ports.

I have a number of games that are multi-disk to Atarimax carts. Alternate Reality - City Alternate Reality - Dungeon Chessmaster 2000 Conan Gauntlet Goonies Infocom - Adventure Infocom - Fantasy 1 Infocom - Fantasy 2 Infocom - Miscellaneous Infocom - Mystery Infocom - Science Fiction Lords of Conquest Scott Adams Adventures Summer Games (Epyx Version) Temple of Apshai Trilogy Ultima IV There are also a lot of multi-disk games that have been transfered to single disks. Alternate Reality - Dungeon Dark Crystal Infocom - Adventure Infocom - Fantasy 1 Infocom - Fantasy 2 Infocom - Miscellaneous Infocom - Mystery Infocom - Science Fiction Magnetic Scrolls - Multiple games on a single disk (Pawn, Guild of Thieves, Jinxter) Mask of the Sun Serpent Star Winter Challenge Winter Olympiad 88

Hmmm... I can't say I even knew about that one. I'll have to check it out.

If you hover over @Jim Patchell's name, you'll see he hasn't been on these forums since Feb. 2021. He might receive a notification of your message to him (the site will send notifications to an email address if enabled in the user's settings); but it's just as likely, or more so, that you won't hear anything.