Flojomojo Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 That's true on the base level but hardware can be and is special, which is why we dive into it and is what makes the software and overall experience unique. Right? I guess, if it's something truly unique, like how the Atari VCS uses the old TV technology of its time, "racing the beam," but that technology has been dropped, for valid reasons. Vector monitors are cool too. In a way, yes. There is an ineffable quality to, say, a small, simple, single-board computer of the 70's or 80's running a game. Difficult to transcribe into text, just go experience it instead. I like how the Atari/Coleco/Intellivision/Sega Flashback units have a tiny little single-board computer as well. I don't know if I'd be able to tell the difference between a good simulation and the real thing if I didn't have a chance to look inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 The single-board computers of the 70's, like the KIM-1 and RCA COSMAC VIP, had a charm unlike todays single-board systems built with SOCs. I'm sure in 20 years from now we'll figure out how to diss current tech in favor of things like R-Pi or Arduino trainers, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 I like how the Atari/Coleco/Intellivision/Sega Flashback units have a tiny little single-board computer as well. I don't know if I'd be able to tell the difference between a good simulation and the real thing if I didn't have a chance to look inside. I believe sound reproduction and display technologies are what "pulls the cover" off of emulations or simulations. It's rarely game logic or play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 The best thing to hope for in regards to an Atari return to gaming is an arcade title, and even that's never again going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 We need new hardware for old systems. 2600 clones have happened in the past. This is an idea that needs implementing. Flashback units aren't going to have a cartridge slot for various bass akwards reasons. Nobody wants to take on a hardware project that big. When someone does the wait and missteps get people frothed over. Somehow this self destructive loop has to be broken. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Next best hope is Z3K. If a modern-day recreation of the VCS were to be made, I feel too much cost-cutting would be involved. Like elimination of the switches - replaced by buttons. No B/W Color switch. Inaccuracies in the SOC implementation. Cheap materials.. No thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Next best hope is Z3K. If a modern-day recreation of the VCS were to be made, I feel too much cost-cutting would be involved. Like elimination of the switches - replaced by buttons. No B/W Color switch. Inaccuracies in the SOC implementation. Cheap materials.. No thanks. My Google-fu is failing me. Got any links to the Z3K? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHart Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 (edited) Flashback units aren't going to have a cartridge slot for various bass akwards reasons. Nobody wants to take on a hardware project that big. When someone does the wait and missteps get people frothed over. I have a FB2 (and none of the other Flashbacks) for this very purpose: It is designed so it can be modded in order to have a cart. slot. Only issue is that it doesn't play all of the games. Even so, the fact that it can play carts after the hardware mod is added is proof that it can be done. But as you said, "missteps get people frothed over". That would include the issues of not playing all the carts. The Retron 5, by comparison, was designed to be software driven rather than hardware driven, in that updates can be downloaded to it to fix compatibility issues. Which is great, except that any compatibility problems with homebrews might be overlooked. Edited June 8, 2016 by AceHart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHart Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 If a modern-day recreation of the VCS were to be made, I feel too much cost-cutting would be involved. Like elimination of the switches - replaced by buttons. No B/W Color switch. Inaccuracies in the SOC implementation. Cheap materials.. No thanks. Understandable. My FB2 has all the switch capabilities in buttons. It works, but I am never sure whether I have Difficulty "A" or "B" engaged. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 My Google-fu is failing me. Got any links to the Z3K? http://atariage.com/forums/topic/242970-fpga-based-videogame-system/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 I'd totally buy it just because it was atari but it wont happen so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsdee Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 I'm happy with my MiST FPGA. It still needs polish but the list mature cores is growing strong. You can make your own carts for it with SD cards (basically you can switch systems like changing carts). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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