Jump to content
  • entries
    974
  • comments
    5,029
  • views
    1,226,167

Homebreviews - part 34


Nathan Strum

1,394 views

No games (as such) this time around. I'm getting near to the end of what the AtariAge store currently has to offer...

Testcart
3/5

Testcart is a utility cartridge that allows you to check an Atari 2600's various components and controllers to see if they're working properly.

When you plug in the cart, it displays a few colors onscreen so you can make sure your 2600 video circuitry is working, and plays music so you can check the audio. After a few seconds, the screen will change to a display showing the status of various controllers: joysticks, keypads, and paddles; and also the console's various switches. As you flip switches, move controllers, or press buttons, the onscreen display changes accordingly. If something doesn't change, then you know you've got a problem. To troubleshoot a problematic controller you may want to switch ports so you can be sure it's the controller, and not the console. Driving controllers aren't mentioned in the manual, but they are testable in that if you spin them, the joystick up/down indicators will alternate on and off.

Testcart works very well for what it does. If you need to test a number of consoles or controllers, it may well be worth getting. For the casual gamer though, just plugging in a game you already own may work well enough. Support for the Omega Race booster grip, driving controllers, Sega game pads and the AtariVox would be welcomed. It would also be nice if there were more detailed tests available - such as grayscale ramps or a full 2600 color palette so you could better adjust your TV, or the option to test the individual sounds or graphics registers of the 2600.

Boing 2600!
2/5

Boing 2600! is a re-creation of the classic Amiga demo, where a checkered ball bounces around the screen. There are a few options available - you can change the speed and gravity of the ball, as well as its appearance (including a very nice-looking AtariAge logo), but it's mostly just a conversation piece or pseudo-screensaver.

While Boing 2600! may be interesting to watch for a few moments, the most interesting part of this cartridge is the backstory in the manual, recounting the history of the Amiga demo, and the development of the 2600 version. Unfortunately, there's really not much else to recommend with this. Some sort of mini-game like Pong or catch using the giant ball would have been a fun addition; or the inclusion of some music, or the option of changing the colors to anything the user wanted would have been a nice extra. As it is, Boing 2600! may be of interest to computer and video game history buffs, but others may have a hard time justifying the purchase.

StickyNotes
1/5

StickyNotes displays one or two scrolling messages of your choice in the middle of a pulsating rainbow screen on your 2600. The messages can have up to 990 characters for one message, or 490 each for two. There's no choice of font or font color, or a choice to forgo the rather annoying rainbow effect. The font itself is readable, but rather clunky-looking, and there's no sound, or any other options.

StickyNotes is a one-trick pony, and a disappointing one at that. There really should be more to it. Even if used as a "surprise" message for someone, the fact that it comes with a label that says "StickyNotes" on it, would likely tip them off that something was up.

Here are some suggestions for improving it:

• A better display kernel, allowing the full message to be displayed onscreen without scrolling across a tiny window.
• A choice of fonts, font colors, background colors.
• A user-programmable message using the AtariVox/SaveKey.
• Background music - load the cart up with some of the fantastic songs that have been created for the 2600.
• A mini-game. Or two. Or three. Give the user something to play before the message appears to enhance any "surprise".
• Optional labels, to hide the true nature of the cart, and enhance the "surprise" factor.
• The option of digitizing a bitmap for display onscreen (a photo, drawing, logo, etc.).
• Some sort of screensaver, that alternates with the message: graphics demos, a clock, etc.

StickyNotes is a good concept, but because it's so limited, even if I received one as a gift I'd likely be disappointed with it. Once the message has been delivered, there's just nothing else you can do with it. It desperately needs some sort of value added to it. Beyond being a novel idea, the only positive it has going for it is that if you spend the extra money on the Melody board version, you can trade it back in for store credit.


Next time: Leftovers.

< Previousspacer.gifHomebreviews Indexspacer.gifNext >

0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   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...