Jump to content
IGNORED

MSX to Coleco


Recommended Posts

Have any of you guys done a port from MSX to Coleco yet? Assuming the game only uses 1k RAM (or can be modified to only use 1k), what are the hurdles? I was looking at the MSX and it appears to have a ton of built in bios routines like the Coleco, so I assume getting around those is the first major problem. Any specific advice for someone who is dabbling in it?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have any of you guys done a port from MSX to Coleco yet? Assuming the game only uses 1k RAM (or can be modified to only use 1k), what are the hurdles? I was looking at the MSX and it appears to have a ton of built in bios routines like the Coleco, so I assume getting around those is the first major problem. Any specific advice for someone who is dabbling in it?

 

Dvik/Joyrex has done some, Opcode too

They've alot of knowledge with MSX to ColecoVision port

 

You should really ask them ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a Coleco to TI-99/4A conversion of Tutankham (yeah, I know, not MSX but still the same Texas Instruments chip technology here and there) by retroclouds:

 

 

I'd love to see other ColecoVision/ADAM games receive TI-99/4A ports, such as:

*Donkey Kong (cartridge version; 16K ROM chipset)

*Donkey Kong Super Game (ADAM)

*Donkey Kong Junior (cartridge version)

*Donkey Kong Junior Super Game (ADAM)

*Smurf Rescue in Gargamel's Castle Super Game (Super Game Module)

*Super Cobra

 

If I had MSX-to-ColecoVision conversions on my mind, it would be these following Konami games:

*Hyper Rally

*Pippols

*Track & Field

*Vampire Killer

*Exerion

 

~Ben

Edited by ColecoFan1981
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd love to see "Malaika: Prehistoric Quest" ported from MSX1 to the Colecovision (and to the TI-99/4A as well).

That is a fine homebrew game indeed.

 

Don't know if it would be possible on the colecovision with 1K of RAM though.

Check the screenshots here.

 

First time I heard of this game

Looks like a fun game, I'll give a check tonight :)

 

Thanks

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

looking at the screenshot, it seems it is more a MSX 2 game notMSX 1.

 

Yes, it does look like a MSX2 game, but it is an MSX1 game.

It won 2nd place in the MSXdev'06 competition. That's a competition for development of new MSX1 games.

Check here.

 

It does have very smooth scroll, which we all know is very hard to do on the TMS9918. :)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH6gtS_2iGM

Edited by retroclouds
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

MSX to Coleco....

 

I really hope there could be Coleco to MSX ports too!! :) (and not just in my dreams.....)

 

There are many original 1980s games, homebrew games and "coming soon" games and "maybe" games which I would gladly buy for my MSX-1. :)

 

If just someone kind soul could port them.... :) .....there surely are many MSX cartridge makers who are willing to make them to a cartridge form!! :)

 

I wish to have opcode´s Donkey Kong arcade + All Coleco´s Donkey Kong conversions (including Adam one) on same cartridge! :D

 

.....and Wizard of Wor.... and many others....! :)

 

 

 

Colecofan1981, Vampire Killer is MSX2 megacartridge game, by the way....

Edited by mäsäxi
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Have any of you guys done a port from MSX to Coleco yet? Assuming the game only uses 1k RAM (or can be modified to only use 1k), what are the hurdles? I was looking at the MSX and it appears to have a ton of built in bios routines like the Coleco, so I assume getting around those is the first major problem. Any specific advice for someone who is dabbling in it?

Now that I've translated my games from MSX to Colecovision (Zombie Near and Princess Quest), I can tell you that the most difficult thing (apart from direct hardware access) is the NMI interrupt from VDP (INT in MSX), as it cannot be easily deactivated, some clever programming solves that.

And now I'm limiting every game programmed to 1K of RAM, that simplifies a lot of things if I want to do a port to Colecovision in future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 years later...
21 hours ago, Bruce Tomlin said:

I was talking about SG-1000, which doesn't have much RAM either.

For those that think the Colecovision doesn't have enough ram they forget about Pitfall, Pitfall 2, Montezumas Revenge, The Heist, Miner 2049er, BolderDash... I have a working game that can go up to 255 individual screens.

Most people around here write in C and use RLE with compressed full screens.  If that is their deal then go for it.
But to save space you use raw Z80 Assembly Language and with a little memory management you can work wonders.

Outside of that one can argue that the only reason they created the SGM module was to port and sell high end MSX games that use the extra memory and sound chip.  I have yet to find any other function for the device.  More power to them.

If you go over to MSX.ORG you can find detailed instructions on how to convert Coleco Carts to MSX and no doubt you can do it in reverse provided that they have the same chips and if I am not mistaken it has to be the MSX 1.

Tony at Electric Adventures has a great series on programing the MSX, Coleco and Spectravideo being as they all have the same architecture.
Here is a link to part 16 in his play list.



Plenty of resources out there but outside of these tips I never got into the specifics, Tony can most likely tell you what you need to know.

When I port a game I write it from scratch and fit it to the system in a way which it will run with stock equipment.

I personally do it for fun and learning but back in the day when you worked for a company you would port to the most popular systems as you could to make that sale.  In today's emulation environment it makes no sense, to me, to port a game that already runs fine on another system.  I see nothing nostalgia or classic about it.  It is not an original Coleco game nor is it new or gives you something new.  Where are the new levels?  Saving your initials?  Expanded Game Play...

 

Some may argue my Adventure port "Super Adventure" is being hypocritical but if you look at the code it is 100% scratch, my own invented mapping system and expanded world based off my own ideas and it is not for sale but free.

I have other ports from Intellivision and TI994/A that I am working on which are also 100% scratch, just think of the scroll routines YIKES!  The Atari 2600 colors are way better than Coleco and the Intellivision sound is far superior and the TI addresses memory different.

 

Nope, the MSX is change a few ports, slap it on a rom and market it as a new for a high "COLLECTORS" price basically for doing as little work as possible just like Star Wars the triple, super secret diamond edition.  But, at the end of the day it is still just Star Wars where Han Solo shot first.
 

Edited by Mike Harris
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...