Atari 7800 / 2600

thorr
Top Contributor
Posts: 1099
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:37 pm
Has thanked: 537 times
Been thanked: 252 times

Atari 7800 / 2600

Unread post by thorr »

Edit: Now that the 7800 core is released, the discussion in the later pages are referring to the new 7800 core that supports the 2600.

...

Hello, I don't see a thread for the Atari 2600, so I thought I would start one. I don't know if anyone is currently working on this or not, but I have the following questions/comments:

SNAC:
- I see that there is a SNAC board available for the Atari 2600. I don't see an option to enable it in the core. Is it there and I am just not seeing it?
- Assuming it supports SNAC, why is there a switch on the Atari 2600 SNAC board for paddles? Shouldn't it just work with direct wiring like the real 2600?
- Assuming it supports SNAC, what controllers will work with it? Joystick and paddles for sure, but what about the keypad for Star Raiders and the driving controller?

Sound:
This is not a complaint, but rather just sharing information. The sound is not emulated that well. The pitch of the music in Pitfall II is way too low. Many other games just sound wrong. I can provide examples if it helps anyone who can attempt to fix it. I would love to see a perfect Atari 2600 implementation on the Mister. I wish I could help.

Thanks!
User avatar
eightbit
Posts: 53
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:05 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by eightbit »

I'd like to add perhaps a fix to the display when using direct video. When using it to my CRT the picture is clear however it is not centered. It is on the bottom of the screen with a quarter of it cut off.

I see no option in this core to adjust the screen.
custardo
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 10:04 pm
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by custardo »

Anyone tried getting Dig Dug to work ? All images I could find hang after loading the game with a corrupted screen...
User avatar
kathleen
Top Contributor
Posts: 409
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2020 4:23 am
Location: Belgium
Has thanked: 224 times
Been thanked: 131 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by kathleen »

@custardo,
I've just checked Did Dug and it works w/o any issue with the below setting.

SuperChip : Enable
Colors : PAL
Attachments
20200811_182908.jpg
20200811_182908.jpg (3.01 MiB) Viewed 112665 times
20200811_182720.jpg
20200811_182720.jpg (3.56 MiB) Viewed 112665 times
20200811_182832.jpg
20200811_182832.jpg (3.16 MiB) Viewed 112665 times
20200811_182702.jpg
20200811_182702.jpg (2.92 MiB) Viewed 112665 times

かすりん

User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

I created an A2600 MiSTER compatibility sheet. It might be useful to someone.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... jr--I/edit
User avatar
kathleen
Top Contributor
Posts: 409
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2020 4:23 am
Location: Belgium
Has thanked: 224 times
Been thanked: 131 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by kathleen »

Thanks for sharing your list @MML32, it is for sure very useful. Maybe I'm wrong but I cannot see the core revision used for the test, would it be possible to add it in a column like you did for the COCO3 just to be sure we're comparing apples and apples in case of discrepancies in the results ?

かすりん

User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

kathleen wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:08 am Thanks for sharing your list @MML32, it is for sure very useful. Maybe I'm wrong but I cannot see the core revision used for the test, would it be possible to add it in a column like you did for the COCO3 just to be sure we're comparing apples and apples in case of discrepancies in the results ?
I added the core date column. I also realized I'm running a slightly newer core compiled from May 16, 2020 (a78e596) that isn't in the release folder.
Commit a78e596 - change to original NTSC clock speed
Atari2600_a78e596_20200516.zip
(764.21 KiB) Downloaded 374 times
User avatar
kathleen
Top Contributor
Posts: 409
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2020 4:23 am
Location: Belgium
Has thanked: 224 times
Been thanked: 131 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by kathleen »

NML32 wrote: Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:57 am
I added the core date column. I also realized I'm running a slightly newer core compiled from May 16, 2020 (a78e596) that isn't in the release folder.
Commit a78e596 - change to original NTSC clock speed

Atari2600_a78e596_20200516.zip
Thank you so much !

かすりん

User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

Everyone should have modify access to the sheet. So, feel free to make changes or add to the sheet.
User avatar
kathleen
Top Contributor
Posts: 409
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2020 4:23 am
Location: Belgium
Has thanked: 224 times
Been thanked: 131 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by kathleen »

@NML32
I've just modify the line of the game 32 in 1. I propose to strikethrough the old comment (for a tracking point of view) and write the name of the reviser with the date when the revised has been done than the new comment,
Could you please have a look and let me know if this makes sense to work like this. ?

かすりん

User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

@Kathleen
That's a good idea. Looks good to me.
Thank you
User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

MiST Atari 26oo core just got some update/fixes by gyurco. TIA: assuming no collisions can happen in blanks (Caverns)
https://github.com/gyurco/TCA2601

MiST forum reported fixes:
- TIA fixes: Playfield mirroring, playfield score flag, (no) collisions in blanks.
- Canyon Bomber, Tutankham, Caverns games are fixed

Hopefully, this can be ported to the MiSTer Atari 2600 core.
User avatar
Chris23235
Top Contributor
Posts: 841
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 8:45 pm
Has thanked: 106 times
Been thanked: 167 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by Chris23235 »

MiSTer core just received an update.
User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

Chris23235 wrote: Tue Aug 18, 2020 1:21 pm MiSTer core just received an update.
I saw that. :D
I can't wait to try out the updated core when I get home.
djsquare
Posts: 117
Joined: Mon May 25, 2020 3:29 pm
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by djsquare »

with this new update, it finally looks like Yar's Revenge works correctly on RGB with the screen centered. Nice work
BassKnight
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 11:34 pm

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by BassKnight »

Haunted House was fixed with this release :D

But Pitfall 2 broke, screen looks corrupted.
custardo
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 10:04 pm
Been thanked: 9 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by custardo »

kathleen wrote: Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:49 pm @custardo,
I've just checked Did Dug and it works w/o any issue with the below setting.

SuperChip : Enable
Colors : PAL
Thanks for that, I read up on the mapper detection, and the superchip is one that isn't detected automatically, but apparently it can be switched on by modifying the file extension.
User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

BassKnight wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2020 3:44 am Haunted House was fixed with this release :D

But Pitfall 2 broke, screen looks corrupted.
Github issue opened for Pitfall II
https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Atari26 ... /issues/16
User avatar
eewoke
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 9:44 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by eewoke »

Unfortunately Asteroids not working. Hopefully next time 🤞
-= MiSTer FPGA enthusiast =-
User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

eewoke wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2020 10:13 pm Unfortunately Asteroids not working. Hopefully next time 🤞
I'm able to start and play Asteroids. The screen bounces and flickers.
Is that you are seeing?
PikWik
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 7:00 pm
Has thanked: 192 times
Been thanked: 71 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by PikWik »

thanks for making that google doc!

the 2600 definitely has a unique charm and games like demon attack, river raid, and blinky goes up are surprisingly fun.

TsZHhOM.gif
TsZHhOM.gif (36.4 KiB) Viewed 112120 times

i seem to find fun new games everytime i boot up the mister!
User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

@PikWik I'm glad you found it useful.
I agree, some of the newer homebrews are really fun to play.
User avatar
eewoke
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 9:44 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by eewoke »

NML32 wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2020 11:11 pm
eewoke wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2020 10:13 pm Unfortunately Asteroids not working. Hopefully next time 🤞
I'm able to start and play Asteroids. The screen bounces and flickers.
Is that you are seeing?
Exactly! With vsync_adjust=0. When 1 or 2 I get a black screen, not with other games though.
-= MiSTer FPGA enthusiast =-
rhester72
Top Contributor
Posts: 1107
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:31 am
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 169 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by rhester72 »

There's a good bit of bouncing in Atlantis as well.
mario64
Posts: 119
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:50 pm
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by mario64 »

So Atari2600_20200511.rbf is the most recent properly working Atari 2600 core?
User avatar
eewoke
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 9:44 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by eewoke »

mario64 wrote: Sat Aug 22, 2020 5:23 pm So Atari2600_20200511.rbf is the most recent properly working Atari 2600 core?
No, https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Atari26 ... 200818.rbf is the latest.
-= MiSTer FPGA enthusiast =-
thorr
Top Contributor
Posts: 1099
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 9:37 pm
Has thanked: 537 times
Been thanked: 252 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by thorr »

I have an unofficial core that supports SNAC and works with my Atari Paddles. I put in a request in the issues for adding SNAC into the official core. In my unofficial core, Warlords is messed up, but it is fixed in the latest core (and possibly earlier). I am hoping this can happen.

Also, when I try to play Pitfall II, it totally just crashes everything with my CRT monitor out of sync. I am using direct_video. I haven't had time to try different settings, but hopefully I just need to adjust something to get it to work.
shertz
Posts: 145
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 8:12 pm
Has thanked: 14 times
Been thanked: 25 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by shertz »

ET sound when you push the button to raise his head the sound is wrong.
User avatar
NML32
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:57 pm
Has thanked: 272 times
Been thanked: 43 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by NML32 »

thorr wrote: Mon Aug 24, 2020 10:29 pm I have an unofficial core that supports SNAC and works with my Atari Paddles. I put in a request in the issues for adding SNAC into the official core. In my unofficial core, Warlords is messed up, but it is fixed in the latest core (and possibly earlier). I am hoping this can happen.

Also, when I try to play Pitfall II, it totally just crashes everything with my CRT monitor out of sync. I am using direct_video. I haven't had time to try different settings, but hopefully I just need to adjust something to get it to work.
I just tried Pitfall II on my PVM, TV with Composite and Component input. No issues.
Try these settings in your MiSTer.ini. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... =242699346
KnC
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 6:47 pm
Been thanked: 15 times

Re: Atari 2600

Unread post by KnC »

Also the name of the rom needs an extension of P2 for it to use the right mapper
as per the git info https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Atari26 ... ix-mappers
Post Reply