superseth

I have just run into this issue with a Intellivision 1 console I just got in a lot. Its my first experience with any of these machines. Put in D&D, got it working ONCE but then after trying to play for a bit I turned it off to figure out how to install the control card. When I turned it on again I couldn't get past the starting green screen. Tried opening up the controllers, the console, swapping which is connected to which, shorting the first 2 pins etc, it is just stuck on that screen. Any ideas zombie thread friends?

Just to confirm - on my physical console at least - starting the game without the 7800 controller inserted into the port can make it so you can't throw bombs. Good to know before you get started on a run!

I have the same issue with my physical copy on a 7800. I suspect you might need to boot up the system with an actual 7800 controller connected at start? I normally have my 2600 stick connected and I think trying to swap mid-game might have gotten the game confused. Will do more testing.

I started using my original 2600 from the 80s but wanted to try modding a system for composite to connect to a better display. Grabbing a broken 7800 (the RF module was busted up) seemed like a great way to bring a machine back to life and leave my 2600 stock. The mod turned out just fine and I now use that all the time. The only thing I miss is the ability to toggle b/w-color for games that need it to be held for something.

Happy Valentine's Day! Here is Revision 8 of Kitten Katch, which I hope will be the final update for this game assuming no one runs into major issues. Here are the notes: Now using rand16 - freed up a var so I can use the more random rand function for the saucer Raised the chances on the saucer a little so. The saucer gives you some bonus time in the CURRENT round and changes the timer bar to white to show you collected the energy bonus. Drinking the saucer has a different sound since the other one sounded negative to some testers. Time now gives you more points at the end of a round. This changes the scores significantly so I'd consider 4000+ now to be doing very well. I seriously investigated doing AtariVox/Savekey support but things are just too tight to get the checks in without refactoring a lot of the code. I also looked into allowing dropping the Kittens or some other function for the Fire button but just couldn't get something that both fit into the space I have and felt good. I generally like that the saucer spawning is something you have to watch for before grabbing that last kitten even if it sometimes can feel annoying. It keeps you from getting too pattern focused with the controller movements I think. Anyway, please let me know if there are any issues. I am going to give this a good testing on my hardware tomorrow and if nothing pops up update this to complete. (Oh and I'll make an updated PAL version once this is all checked out) KittenKatch_Rev8.bin

I'd love to add support, I did some light investigation and it seems like I would need to free up some variables possibly? I don't have an AtariVox yet and have been really fighting for bytes in my main bank so far to get all the little adjustments in for the game. Its possible that adding any more major features will require redoing a bunch of logic. Last time I did that I broke everything! Are there any good examples or modules for adding that to a multi-sprite kernel game?

I wired up a barrel jack setup in-line with the existing power connector to test and can confirm that I blew the power brick somehow. I saw that site and got really confused how to order, I'll give them a call later this week and get a new proper power supply. Thanks for the tip about powering off using another switch, didn't imagine that would bust a (crazy expensive)power brick like that.

Anyone know if there ever has been a detailed schematic or pinout even of the custom IC? I've found some more detailed circuit diagrams over the years but have a currently dead Video Music that I want to test more intelligently than just some voltages by the power supply.

Good to hear! I popped it open again and tested the power connector/ground based on some videos online and I am not getting anything on the reading really when I would expect 9v or more so I am going to look at a trying a more standard power source to see if it springs back to life. I'd love to keep an original power brick but at $50 on ebay that seems like a lot just to test things out.

Oh no that is exactly what I did - moved to a new spot and turned everything off using the power-bar. I was looking for info on specifically how to jump over the circuit but couldn't find anything specific enough that I could understand. I have a multimeter - any guides around as where to test the power?

So I have a 7800 I bought with a broken RF box, did the cheap composite mod and have been using as my main Atari for the last month or so. Today I go to turn it on and nothing happens. I did move the console and power supply to a new tv yesterday, but it worked afterwards. Now I don't get a red light when pressing power, even after opening it and trying to directly press the button. I know those buttons can fail but what are some basic steps I can take to figure out what went wrong? Its an original power supply and I've heard those cables can break inside the box? Any tips would be helpful so I can get gaming again!

Hello once again. I am back with revision 5 (version 4 never made it to the public). As before the original post has updated instructions and bin file. New features! I have finally reached that dreaded point where I am out of bytes in bank1 and there isn't a lot of cruft to remove without re-doing a ton of code. High scores are now supported, the main menu will alternate between your most recent score and the high score for the current session. Feedback for the timer nearing game over has been added since sometimes you get in the zone chasing kittens and need a hint that things are about to end. The bar flashes colors during this phase. It seems small enough that it shouldn't be a problem for most people but please let me know if it seems too much. I'm kinda out of variables to have a timer pulse it slower right now. A saucer of milk now randomly appears on the field. If you touch it the cat will drink, gaining 25 points but also freezing for a few moments. It isn't required but is normally worth grabbing. I tried to make it impactful without throwing the scores off too much in a bad RNG case. You can't drink while carrying a kitten so you must keep an eye out. Changed some of the sounds around to feel a bit better I think? The drinking milk sound isn't as positive feeling as I'd like but I haven't found something I like better. Happy New Year everyone! P.S. There is now a PAL60 version as well for those that need it.

@Yurkie after I finish the game and get final label art it would be fun to talk about getting some carts made. I am not sure how people normally go about that, but I'd like to order a few at least! in other news... BONUS CHRISTMAS UPDATE! New .bin in the original post! During break I have tried to incorporate the feedback from the ZPH stream with the following changes: Game-over screen is now brighter so you can see the score better The most recent score is shown on the title screen so if you miss it, still have a chance to screenshot! Increase in pitch for each kitten rescue sound (thanks nostalgic26) Getting hit by the yarn ball now costs you 10 points rather than 1, it wasn't meaningful enough to get hit before. Fixed the yellow cat (cos) not changing direction. Fixed the Purple cat (mod) sometimes facing the wrong direction after the yarn ball gets loose. I think this is close to final - I want to add high score support and maybe better pause handling for the 7800, but I didn't account for a bunch of these things when I started and I worry about introducing bugs. Most of the issues listed above came from a big change I did to get more variables freed up.

Wonderful! I missed the live stream due to work but I am watching now! I'll look at changing the game over color to make the score stand out better, really good point! The suggestion in the chat about increasing the tone on each kitten return from nostalgic26 was a really good one - I'll get that integrated as well! I also noticed that the purple cat is flipping back and forth sometime rapidly. I wasn't seeing that, but my 2600 is on RF so things are WAY less clear than what you have. I'll see if I can sort that out as well. Thanks for playing!

Just wanted to pop in and say that I got everything working...turns out one of the pins was bent on the old serial cable I grabbed out of a box and I wasted a TON of time before realizing it. Anyway logged in for the first time tonight off the IIGS and super excited to explore your BBS.