Marcel_X Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 I am working on a PCB for an Atari 2600. This will be a card with a USB connector, so I can upload binary files to it to test homebrew games. So I don't have to erase an EEPROM, reprogram it and sticking it back into a PCB with a socket. I call it the ROMulator ? Not sure if a similar thing already exists, but I thought it could be useful. Anyway, I have placed the PCB temporarily in a cartridge that I took apart. But I am looking for a source where I can buy replacement cartridge enclosures. Aliexpress is filled with replacement cartridge enclosures for SNES and Gameboy, but I haven't been able to find a source for the 2600 cartridges. Anyone knows where I can find these? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 I believe there is one guy in Europe, who has done them, they are around $5 though. I'll see if I can find it. Let me guess, the 3 chips on the bottom, are level shifters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChildOfCv Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 In regard to the mutable cartridge concept, there's the Harmony cartridge. It takes an SD card and you can load a bunch of ROMs on it. It presents a menu when you first turn on the console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcel_X Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 11 hours ago, CPUWIZ said: I believe there is one guy in Europe, who has done them, they are around $5 though. I'll see if I can find it. $5,- sounds reasonable I guess. Would be great if you can find it. 11 hours ago, CPUWIZ said: Let me guess, the 3 chips on the bottom, are level shifters. Close ?! They are buffers that disconnect the memory from the Atari while a new BIN file is uploaded. Hope to post a video soon to show how it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcel_X Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 6 hours ago, ChildOfCv said: In regard to the mutable cartridge concept, there's the Harmony cartridge. It takes an SD card and you can load a bunch of ROMs on it. It presents a menu when you first turn on the console. Yes, I've seen that one. Seems like a neat cartridge indeed! I recently started coding for the 2600 and just liked the idea of not having to swap EPROMs, EEPROMS, SDs or flash in and out of a cartridge. So that is the idea behind the ROMulator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 4 hours ago, Marcel_X said: Yes, I've seen that one. Seems like a neat cartridge indeed! I recently started coding for the 2600 and just liked the idea of not having to swap EPROMs, EEPROMS, SDs or flash in and out of a cartridge. So that is the idea behind the ROMulator. That was my design for the 7800 MCP as well, which is now in a whole other world. I'll find that guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danjovic Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 Your cart is very cool and I just loved your inverted paddle Atari logo ?! Once I have started a similar project using a wireless modules. Never finished it, though. Nevertheless I have designed a selectable bankswitch that might be useful just in case you haven't provided it already by sofware (as in UNOcart). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcel_X Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 26 minutes ago, Danjovic said: Your cart is very cool and I just loved your inverted paddle Atari logo ?! Once I have started a similar project using a wireless modules. Never finished it, though. Nevertheless I have designed a selectable bankswitch that might be useful just in case you haven't provided it already by sofware (as in UNOcart). Thanks! I may have come across your design! Is that the one with the 7400 logic? You never made a prototype? Looked like you were almost there. My current version does not have any bankswitching (yet...). Probably the next iteration. I was thinking of doing that with a PLD, but 74LS logic is more readily available I guess. Did you test the bankswitching? Want to get this thing working properly first with some additional PC/Mac software. I can always use good feedback or ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danjovic Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 3 hours ago, Marcel_X said: Thanks! I may have come across your design! Is that the one with the 7400 logic? You never made a prototype? Looked like you were almost there. My current version does not have any bankswitching (yet...). Probably the next iteration. I was thinking of doing that with a PLD, but 74LS logic is more readily available I guess. Did you test the bankswitching? Want to get this thing working properly first with some additional PC/Mac software. I can always use good feedback or ideas! I didn't have a chance to test my bankswitching scheme yet. I intend to make a prototype soon, along with some other retro related projects :). Depending upon the speed of your processor it might be possible to implement bankswitching in software, and emulate RAM chips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.