I'm porting "Crysis" to the ATARI 2600!!!

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:38:59 -0800 (PST), godslabrat.RemoveThis@gmail.com wrote:

>Though I don't have the hardware knowledge to actually try it, I've
>often envisioned projects exactly like what you've described here.
>While it might strain the definition of "Atari 2600 game", since
>there's more hardware in the cart than the system, I'd be fascinated
>to see what kind of results could be had from such a project.
>
>Dan, if you're serious, I'd be glad for some updates as you progress.

Worked for 32X... sort of. Some video signal were only from 32X video
out and you needed a special cable to connect Genesis output to 32X
input so the 2 video images could be overlaid. If you connected only
the Genesis video out and not hook it through 32X, you wouldn't get
much, if anything at all from Genesis with 32X cart.

2600 would be a bit harder. What could work, since the 2600 draws
image in real time and not via video RAM like virtually all other game
consoles the coprocessor can crunch the complex data and pass the
video data to TIA, and recieve controller data from 2600 to process.
Or maybe you could add a video processor and RAM and let those do the
work of drawing image with TIA while the main CPU handles the complex
data.

The real question is: is it worth trying? Some hobbyist might try for
it just to see if it's possible like those who proved 2600 can do high
resolution display a few years ago, taking full advantage of TV's
interlaced design and having 2 separate field with careful timing.

> The real question is: is it worth trying? Some hobbyist might try for
> it just to see if it's possible like those who proved 2600 can do high
> resolution display a few years ago, taking full advantage of TV's
> interlaced design and having 2 separate field with careful timing.

Maybe on a smaller scale. IIRC, the way the Starpath Supercharger
works, it processes data so quickly, it was able to generate a seven
digit score display with the P0/P1 graphics (only six is possible
without it). So maybe he can do it cheaper with more generalized
hardware. I'm very curious if he can do it.