KevinMos3

I understand and hope I don't come across in the wrong way. This is hands down, the best 8-bit home version of Pac-Man that I've played. However, it had been a while since I'd played the NES version, so I tried out every version I have back-to-back last night along with the arcade original and confirmed my previous conclusion. That's what makes it so hard to reconcile your above statement with the quality of this game. It was just a quick test, but it turned out to be the best version available on an 8-bit system IMO... even with the TIA sound. So maybe you can see why some of us look at this game and think, "this is so close to perfect... what would make it an absolute masterpiece is the sounds from the pokey PMC." As I said earlier, I don't mean to come across the wrong way - like I'm begging, nitpicking, being fussy, never satisfied, etc. If it sucked or was an "okay" version I doubt anyone (including me) would care about polishing the sound. This is just too close to perfect, so I hope at some point you find the time and inclination to add the pokey sounds.

That's great news. Since that's the case, I'll probably want to get in on the list for a cart. Also, Marc may want to update his boxes with screenshots from MESS since the ones in his pics above have those huge black surrounds from ProSystem.

I'm not sure I understand your question. In MESS, the sprites are gorgeous because the black boxes surrounding the sprites are small (about a pixel on each side); you hardly even notice them. This is how they are displayed throughout the game. In ProSystem, the black boxes are much taller and overlap the maze graphics. Of course, the way MESS is displaying the game is preferable to ProSystem. From the earlier screenshots & posts in this thread, it seemed the large boxes were just a necessary evil, but after PacManPlus' final release, I tried it in the other emu (7800x aka MESS on the XBOX) and thought the problem was resolved. So which emulator is displaying correctly? On real hardware, will there be the large black boxes, or the nice small ones?... and can ProSystem be made to display the small ones like MESS does?

Here ya go: As you can see, the boxes are still there in M.E.S.S., but they're much smaller.

This looks great when I play it in 7800x (on the XBOX) which is a M.E.S.S. emulator. However, when using ProSystem, the black boxes surrounding Pac-Man and the ghosts are much taller and overlap the maze. Is there a setting in ProSystem so it will play like it does in M.E.S.S.? You can see the difference between the two emulators (M.E.S.S. & ProSystem respectively) in these pics:

Phenomenal job! Been watching this since the first post and I'm glad to see it turned out so good. This really does scream for an XM version release for pokey sound. It sounds good as it is, but it's just too close to perfect to not put that polishing touch on it. After spending time with the pokey PMC, I'm spoiled on sound, but after playing this, I'm spoiled on graphics and have a hard time going back to PMC. An XM release would put it over the top and I'd definitely want to purchase it. It would also be a great 1st generation XM lineup addition. Please?

True dat! I'd love to see all three completed, but if I were punching tabs on a vote card, my order of interest would go from your current project of Marble Madness #1, to 7800 Arkanoid #2, then Steam Tunnel Bob #3.

I like where you're going with it. I'm glad to see someone else using Nukey's updated kernel & assembly.

Thanks guys. I'm glad you like it. I took a break today to play with the hedge maze graphics a bit. Check the first post for the new binary and a couple updated pics. Here's a look at what's changed:

This is great! But must... resist... and study.

A new hack has been added to the first post. Please read the description, give feedback, and most importantly... Enjoy! Download Adventure Preliminary Hack

It's at location 0FF7, right above player one's color which is 0FF8. Here's the ROM with player 2 being dark blue (A0) as an example. River Raid - Night - Stealth.bin

You're fine. Just next time, mention if you start with the hack of someone else. We can't get too upset because it's not like we are the original authors. However, it's polite to cite your sources. For example, I put a lot of time into hacking the sprites and colors of Double Dragon. I believe it was David Crane who wrote it, so I have no claim to it, but I would still be a little irritated if someone took my hack-work, made an edit or two and released it as their own. There's no problem making a hack of a hack, just mention anyone else who contributed along the way for courtesy's sake.

Here ya go: River Raid - Night - Stealth.bin The trees are now multicolored green too (like the pic above). If you don't like them, just change them back to whatever you want. Same goes for the jet... make it whatever color you want. Hmm... A compare shows the only difference between that one and the first one posted here to be the color of enemy planes (black vs pink). Avatar, I'm not accusing, but if you started with River Raid Black ROM, it would be more polite to mention it in the description. These are all hacks after all and none of us has the right to get upset if someone makes a hack of our hack, but it is a courtesy to say so when you borrow another one's idea. Again, not accusing, just putting it out there.

Here ya go: Good job on this BTW. I liked the idea, so I did a little edit to make the plane look more like a stealth jet. I think I prefer Avatar's yellow jet color, even though the dark gray is more "realistic." I think it would also look good to use darker lums of the original colors (or approximations thereof), such as A0 for the water, D0 for the river banks, etc. Maybe make a couple different versions.

I would like to get a copy of this when it's ready. Price point is a major factor for me, so I'm not interested in a "limited edition" release or anything like that... just whatever version is affordable.

Added two more hacks to the first post of the thread. Both are minor. One is a color hack of Boxing (including a Red vs Blue variation and a Skins variation), the other is a title screen hack of Elk Attack to make it say Electric Yo-Yo!. See the first post for more info and downloads.

Added a trained version of Double Dragon Arcade with infinite life to the first post. Thanks to Nukey Shay for that. Updated Galaxian Arcade with work done by Nukey Shay. The download includes the stock Galaxian Arcade - Expanded binary, a trained binary with invincibility, and the assembly file.

These are all nice. I've never been one who minded pressing up to jump, but these are a nice alternative. The problem I had with the first demo was the inability to shoot while running. I think the 2nd demo is my favorite. While I like the idea of being able to sprint while running, it seems that when I go to jump a hole when running at normal pace, I may mess up because of the sprint which I'm forced to do. Precise jumping is difficult because of this. I do like the added ability to roll.

I wasn't counting on a Christmas release, but I am anxious for an update binary to see some of the changes discussed. I check this thread daily.

I *wish* there were a speech synthesizer add-on in the AA store. We've been waiting on more of those to be made for a VERY long time. Personally, I've been waiting for more than a year; others have been waiting much longer. ...unless you know something I don't?

I also was thinking of Double Dragon. Although, I also agree that it could use a lot more than a sound fix. As for sound, why not go all out and take advantage of the Yamaha chip? Another that could use a sound touch is Rampage. Maybe some soft background tune and the demolition sounds from the arcade. However, realizing that the game goes on indefinitely kinda ruined it for me. It could really use an ending added in.

Would you mind posting a Mouser part #? I know they're great to buy from and I'm in need of one of those buttons.

I spent a little time with it today. The cool thing for me was that I hooked up my Atari to my parent's TV this Thanksgiving and it's the same TV they had when I first got the Atari as a child. Yes, they still use the same TV after all these years. I was reliving memories of playing Jungle Hunt, Battlezone, and Pac-Man on that TV while my mom watched, just as she did the Christmas she got us the Atari. I think she enjoyed it today almost as much as I did. Anyway... on to business: I tried out the different colors and I gotta say, I saw no significant difference in being able to see the "red" shirts on any color background. The amount of flicker in the player's character keeps it from looking very red unless you're using a red or purple background, in which case, you can hardly distinguish the player from the ground. With all other colors, it just looks faded. I don't consider this a "bad" thing. I just think it frees you up from worrying about using a certain background color so you can do what you want with different planet surfaces: Dirt, Sand, Rock, Ice, Grass, etc. I took some pictures of a few background colors to show you what I mean. There are numerous colors that look good, these are just a sample: BTW, I really love the graphics and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

I love that label. It fits the game quite well.