Imagic Game Selector Replica

[atari_thomas]

Hi everybody !

 

Some weeks ago I found the 'Imagic Game Selector' via Google.

That was the first time I saw that thing and I'm impressed!

 

I found that page here --> http://www.cheeptech.com/kiosk/kiosk.html

 

Well - I'm collecting Atari stuff now for almost 20 years and I hold lot's of Atari 400/800/XL/XE stuff and also '2600' consoles and games.

Of course - as usual - most of these things are stored in boxes anywhere in my attic.

 

Now - I want to have them present here in my room and I also found pictures of the Atari POS Kiosk.

 

Both, Selector & Kiosk, are rare and expensive, but I don't need an original.

So I would like to rebuild my own kiosk where I can install a self-build rom selector.

 

Does anybody has any wiring diagrams of the selector or any idea how to build one?

I would also appreciate any constructions plans of the kiosk.

 

Thanks

Thomas

[yllawwally]

You would need to use 24 pin card edge connector for each cartridge you want to plug in, and a donor 2600 cartridge. You only need the donor cartridge, so you have something to plug into the 2600 that looks and fits good. Then you will need to connect 23 of the pins on the donor cartridge to the corresponding pin on each of the edge connectors. So that pin 1 of the donor is connected to pin 1 on each of the edge connector. This is done for all the pins except the topside pin 11, which is the 5v pin. The power pin is how you're able to pick which cart you want active. You connect the 5v pin 11, to pin 11 on whichever cart you currently want turned on. A rotator switch would be easiest, this one at jameco, would allow you to choose up to 12 games. http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_576501_-1 This is the easiest way to create something like the kiosk, however it wouldn't have the menu, at the beginning, it would only have a mechanical method of game selection. If you want the menu, you would need to use one of the slots for the demo cartridge, which you can get the rom for at http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-imagic-selector-v2_15741.html

[+Nathan Strum]

Easier still would be to buy a Harmony cartridge, if you just want ready access to your games without having to build a custom switcher.

[atari_thomas]

@nathan: Harmony cartridge is ok but not old school enough for me. I built a 'uzebox' videoconsole some weeks ago with a sd-card controller and games stored on that card.

Works fine, easy and reliable but I like the retro charme of these old 2600 different plastic cartridges.

 

@yllawwally: Thanks - sounds too easy - I'll try this first with two or the cartridges and a smaller rotator switch. I wonder if this works without turning off and on the Atari 2600.

Finally I want to have that 'Imagic-look-alike' electronic 3-button switch with that seven-segment display, probably working with a kind of decoder.

Edited October 25, 2012 by atari_thomas

[alex_79]

You must switch the chip select pin, not power. On the console cart connector, that's the 6th pin on the top row, counting from the right side (It's the A12 address line of the 6507 processor on the 2600). On the active cart the pin must be connected to the VCS, while it must be grounded on the other ones. All the carts must be powered.

Check this topic on the subject on the hardware forum:

http://www.atariage....deo-game-brain/

 

You must powr off the console while changing the cart, else it will almost always crash.

Edited October 25, 2012 by alex_79

[atari_thomas]

Aha - thanks alex_79 - I found that link http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/185932-my-2600-cart-dumper/ some days ago, showing the pinout of the Atari 2600 cartridge.

The pin A12 "Chip Enable" (CE) already made me think. Looks like the Imagic Game Selector powers the 2600 Console on and off AND supports all cartridges simultaneously with power.

 

Looks like the shown power supply http://www.cheeptech.com/kiosk/kiosk.html has a quite high output for that purpose.

[yllawwally]

If you use the selector switch for the power pin that would allow the unit to be used without an additional power supply. These were originally designed with eproms in mind. Would there be damage to an eprom? Modern devices are much less tolerant of this type of arrangement. 2k and 4k games probably had no trouble in these units.

[atari_thomas]

Ok - I'll get to this project next week and will update this post.

[kevates]

Did you every get to this project?

[VectorGamer]

OP hasn't been on for over a year and a half