Electric-Dreams Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 Hi all. This is a collaborative thread for listing verified and confirmed facts and features about the ATARI 2600+. It will later help Al in writing a complete FAQ. Everyone can provide one or more questions with answers that have been confirmed by Plaion/Albert. Try to systematically include the link to the source post answering the question. I will start in a short moment (i'm still at work...) Please refrain from making non-constructive comments and engaging in debates. There are other threads for that Thank you in advance to those who will help. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric-Dreams Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 (edited) PAL related Questions - Will the Atari 2600+ consoles sold in Europe be compatible with 2600/7800 PAL50, PAL60 and NTSC cartridges? Or will European consoles only support 2600 PAL50 cartridges? The console sold in all territories is the same unit, it runs both PAL and NTSC 2600/7800 cartridges. - So will PAL region 2600 / 7800 carts run in 60hz the same as NTSC region carts? For the 2600 : They will run at the framerate they were programmed for. So PAL-50 carts will run @ 50Hz. - What about PAL60 cartridges? They will of course run, but most likely with wrong colors, because Stella cannot not know that they are PAL. Edited September 29, 2023 by Electric-Dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric-Dreams Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 (edited) Firmware update related questions - Will there be a way to update Stella, like Retron has? Yes, the system is updateable via the USBC port. You use the cable supplied in the box to do updates. Edited September 29, 2023 by Electric-Dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzip Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 2 minutes ago, Electric-Dreams said: Since the power is supplied via USB, people most likely have to use an OTG cable (just like for the R77) for the firmware update. Ben confirmed that the included cable is sufficient for doing the firmware updates: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric-Dreams Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 8 minutes ago, zzip said: Ben confirmed that the included cable is sufficient for doing the firmware updates: Thanks ! I updated my previous post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari Superman Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 Thank you for this thread! I don't have any contributions right now, but I do have a request. Could you/the community please confirm which OEM controllers are supported? I've received conflicting info about driving controllers and keyboard controllers and would appreciate some clarity! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzip Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 I can't find the post now, but I asked either Ben or Trogdar whether roms could be sideloaded via USB (to play games the cart dumper can't handle, for instance). The response was as far as they knew USB was only for power and firmware updates. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric-Dreams Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 (edited) Controller related questions - Will all 9 pin joysticks work on the Atari 2600+? CX40, CX30 and CX78 work. - What about 7800 titles that need the two fire buttons, will a gamepad be released for those? A CX78 Gamepad will be released... - Will CX30+ and CX40+ work on original Atari 2600 or 7800? Yes, the CX40+ Joystick and CX30+ Paddle Controllers have DB9 connectors and are compatible with original Atari hardware. https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus - Will the Video Keypad CX21 be compatible with the Atari 2600+? No answer yet ... but Albert will check ASAP - Will the driving controller CX20 be compatible with the Atari 2600+? No answer yet Edited September 29, 2023 by Electric-Dreams 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jstick Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 What display resolution will the 2600+ output at? - Initial 1.0 software that launch units ship with is default 720p 60Hz. - 50Hz is priority in a 1.1 software update. https://forums.atariage.com/topic/354123-the-atari-2600-is-live-for-preorders/page/40/#comment-5323141 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defender_2600 Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 2 hours ago, Jstick said: What display resolution will the 2600+ output at? - Initial 1.0 software that launch units ship with is default 720p 60Hz. - 50Hz is priority in a 1.1 software update. https://forums.atariage.com/topic/354123-the-atari-2600-is-live-for-preorders/page/40/#comment-5323141 - Initial 1.0 software that launch units ship with is default 720p 60Hz. - 50Hz is priority in a 1.1 software update. (for PAL cartridges) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defender_2600 Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 - Will the Atari 2600+ consoles sold in Europe be compatible with 2600 PAL50, PAL60 and NTSC cartridges? Or will European consoles only support 2600 PAL50 cartridges? The console sold in all territories is the same unit, it runs both PAL and NTSC 2600 cartridges. - Will the Atari 2600+ consoles sold in Europe be compatible with 7800 PAL50 and NTSC cartridges? Or will European consoles only support 7800 PAL50 cartridges? Same answer as above - the console runs bath PAL and NTSC 7800 cartridges. - Will the new cartridges ("Berzerk Enhanced" and "Mr. Run and Jump") sold in Europe be PAL50, PAL60 or NTSC? Or will these new cartridges be region free, including both PAL50 + NTSC? All 4 carts arriving with the Atari 2600+ are NTSC format. - Which emulator is used for the 7800? The 7800 developer and beta tester community would prefer "a7800" emulator to be used. It was forked from Dan's original Mame a7800 driver, and is nearly cycle accurate, allows for mid-scanline graphical changes, has faithful pokey emulation, ym2151 emulation, etc. Prosystem 1.3. I was advised to use a7800 and we did try, but I dont beleive it was fully compatible with arm based chips like the Rockchip 3128 we use. - The Atari 7800 has a pause button. With Atari 2600+, in 7800 mode, will it be possible to use the color/black-white switch as a pause button? See here and here for further information. I'll ask about this. - Will the Atari 2600+ support 720p output? Thinking not only of those who own small diagonal LCD TVs (or in any case of older construction) but also those who have some fantastic CRT TV capable of 720p input. Default resolution of the console is 720p. - Will HDMI output produce a completely clear image? Since it looks like there will be no option to choose additional filters then I hope that no filters will be applied by default. Its completely clear, bilinear filter is off and nothing else is applied. - I'd just like to share a thought, in case there will be a hardware update at some point. The Atari 2600+ with its cartridges has been compared to a turntable with its vinyl records, and that's romantically nostalgic. But if the turntable is defined as the "Analog" source par excellence then at the same time it is understandable that some people want an Atari 2600+ equipped with a _native_ analog video output (in addition to the HDMI output already provided). I know there are many "HDMI to Composite Converters" but they will produce additional latency compared to a _native_ analog video output. Since Retro-Bit and Hyperkin currently produce several consoles equipped with both HDMI and Composite output, then I assume that there is still significant demand for analog video output in this market. Yes, it would of been a nice to have but I didnt believe the benefit vs cost made it warrented. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defender_2600 Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 - Which emulator is used for the 7800? The 7800 developer and beta tester community would prefer "a7800" emulator to be used. It was forked from Dan's original Mame a7800 driver, and is nearly cycle accurate, allows for mid-scanline graphical changes, has faithful pokey emulation, ym2151 emulation, etc. Answer: - Prosystem 1.3. I was advised to use a7800 and we did try, but I dont beleive it was fully compatible with arm based chips like the Rockchip 3128 we use. - @Trebor tested 110 games for 7800 under ProSystem 1.3 Core via RetroArch. Most are 7800 Homebrews games, including some on sale in the AA store. Test Results: - 20 games = Black screen - 6 games = No audio / No music / No sound (POKEY or TIA) - 36 games = Works with issue: graphic issue graphic corruption speed / timing issue enemies absent player will not move sound issue POKEY notes incorrect - 1 game = Needs light gun support (Sentinel) - 49 games = Works without issue Spoiler Test Results under ProSystem 1.3 Core via RetroArch: 7ix = Works without issue 1942 = Black screen 2048 = Graphic issue throughout A.R.T.I. = Black screen A Roach in Space - Part 2 = Works without issue Ah Zombies = Graphic issue throughout Alpha Race = Works without issue Apple Snaffle = Some graphic corruption after screen scrolls Arkanoid = Black screen Armor Attack II = Works without issue Asteroids Deluxe = Speed/Timing Issue present Astro Blaster = Works without issue Astro Fighter = Works without issue Attack of the Petscii Robots = Black screen Baby Pac-Man = Graphic issue pinball screen Beef Drop = POKEY sound not present, enemies absent, player will not move Bentley Bear's Crystal Quest = No POKEY music or TIA sound effects present Bernie and the Cubic Conundrum = Graphic issue throughout Bernie and the Tower of Doom = Black screen BlocDrop = Works without issue Block'em Sock'em = Black screen BonQ = Works without issue Cannon in D - D for Defense = Work without issue Cartesian Chaos = Graphic issue throughout Crazy Brix = Brix display incorrectly Crazy Otto = Works without issue Danger Zone = Graphic issue throughout Death Merchant = Graphic issue throughout Donkey Kong PK = No audio DopeWars = Graphic issue throughout Dragon's Cache = Works without issue Dragon's Descent = Works without issue Dragon's Havoc = Graphic issue throughout Drelbs = Works without issue Drone Patrol = Black Screen Drunk Witch = Works without issue Dungeon Stalker = Works with issue E.X.O. = Black screen FailSafe = Works without issue FlappyBird = Works without issue Freeway = Graphic issue throughout Frenzy (w-Berzerk) = Works without issue Froggie = Some POKEY notes incorrect Frogus = Black screen Galaxian = Plays without issue Game of the Bear - Polar Opposites = Works without issue Get Lost = Works without issue Ghosts'n Goblins = Graphic issue throughout Graze Suit Alpha = Works without issue Harpy's Curse = Black screen Harry's Hen House = Works without issue Heartlight = Works without issue I.C.B.M. = Graphic issue throughout Jacks or Better = Graphic issue throughout Jr Pac-Man = Works without issue K.C. Munchkin = Works without issue Keystone Koppers = Black screen Klax = Black screen Knight Guy - Quest for Something = Works without issue Knight Guy in Low Res World - Castle Days = Works without issue Knight Guy on Board - 30 Squares of Fate = Works without issue Legend of Silverpeak = Black screen Lunar Patrol = Graphic corruption throughout Meteor Shower = Works without issue Millie & Molly = Black screen Missing In Action = Graphic issue throughout Moon Cresta = Works without issue Ms. Pac-Man Twin = Works without issue Ninjish Guy - Perilous Island = Works without issue Oozy the Goo - Gaiden = Works without issue Pac-Man - Energy Drink Edition = Graphic issue with sprite bottom of maze Pac-Man Collection - 40th Anniversary Edition = Black screen Pac-Man Collection - 40th Anniversary Edition (Short Mazes) = Black screen PentaGo = No POKEY sound and graphic issue throughout Pirate Cove = Works without issue Plink = Graphic issue throughout Plumb Luck DX = Works without issue Plutos = Graphic issue throughout Poetiru = Works without issue Pong = Graphic issue throughout Popeye = No POKEY sound and graphic issue throughout RatTrap = No POKEY sound and graphic issue throughout Rescue On Fractalus = Black screen after starting game ReZolve = Works without issue Rikki and Vikki (No Music) = Works without issue Rip-Off = Works without issue Robbo = No sound Robots Rumble = Black screen Santa Simon = Works without issue Scramble = Sound issue Sentinel = Needs light gun support Serpentine = Black screen Sick Pickles = Works without issue Sirius = Works without issue Slide Boy in Maze Land = Works without issue Space Duel = Speed/Timing Issue Space Invaders = Works without issue Space Peril! = Graphic issue throughout Space Race = Graphic issue throughout Spire of the Ancients = Graphic issue throughout Super Circus AtariAge = Works without issue Super Pac-Man = Works without issue T:ME Salvo = Works without issue Touchdown Challenge = Graphic issue throughout Tunnels of Hyperion = Works without issue UniWarS = Works without issue Wasp! = Works without issue Wizard's Dungeon = No background sound and graphic issue throughout Wordle = Graphic corruption - letter selection area Worm! = Works without issue From the 7800 Test suite: - Tests 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17 fail. Not even close. The accuracy and timings are very bad (see here). Regarding some Original Retail, @Trebor reported graphical issues on Ace of Aces, Commando, Dig Dug, Double Dragon, Kung-Fu Master, Xevious. Also, Asteroids, Commando, Karateka, One-On-One Basketball, demonstrate timing-speed issues (pretty obvious for the latter two titles when viewing the demo/intros). Not a great showing for the 7800 to state the least. Best we can hope for is Atari integrating the updates readily available via JS7800 posted sources, which several from the community have assisted with updating. Answer: - I spoke with the software developer said he said launch units ship with 1.3E - June 6, 2009. A lot of issues were noted since that release (v1.3E). Really hoping there is a firmware update sooner than later. To be clear, this means the 2600+ will perform at least as poorly, though likely worse than, the test results shown with RetroArch. Despite what is posted in the respective info file for the core plug-in, RetroArch has received some updates since the v1.3e, June 2009 release. Answer: - I've asked the developer to look at what you've suggested and I'll report back, thanks - ProSystem 1.3e *Insert RetroArch version here* ProSystem 1.3f ProSystem 1.3g *Insert JS7800 version here* Other builds stating 1.3e will be similar to RetroArch, contaning perhaps a hack or fix for one or two games, but overall compatibility is v1.3e. JS7800 sources really need to be leveraged for 2600+. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KainXavier Posted October 10, 2023 Share Posted October 10, 2023 Cartridge Pricing - Are there any plans to release a "standard" edition of the games in the Atari XP line? Also, can we expect a $30 price point or will the price vary? There are going to be both retail and collectible 2600 carts. the retail carts will be $29.99. The collectible XP carts will be $59.99. At least that is what I see between now and the end of the year for new releases. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric-Dreams Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 Aspect Ratio Settings - Aspect ratio 4:3 is possible to be set? Easily? Yes, there's a switch on the back that lets you choose between 16:9 and 4:3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGHMW Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 (edited) Trak-Ball compatibility is an absolute must, so we have to make sure the 2600+ is 100% compatible with both the Atari CX22 and CX80 trak-balls as well as the Wico Command Control trackball as well, and it needs to be tested with the AtariAge-released hacks of all trak-ball-based games, including Missile Command, Centipede, and Millipede, and maybe even Crystal Castles. Edited October 15, 2023 by BIGHMW 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Fred_M Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 (edited) On 9/30/2023 at 4:52 PM, Defender_2600 said: - Will the new cartridges ("Berzerk Enhanced" and "Mr. Run and Jump") sold in Europe be PAL50, PAL60 or NTSC? Or will these new cartridges be region free, including both PAL50 + NTSC? All 4 carts arriving with the Atari 2600+ are NTSC format. It will be possible to exchange the NTSC Berzerk Enhanced cartridge for a PAL version cartridge by doing an exchange with Ben from Plaion. Edited October 15, 2023 by Fred_M 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 On 9/30/2023 at 1:57 AM, Electric-Dreams said: Controller related questions - Will the Video Keypad CX21 be compatible with the Atari 2600+? No answer yet ... but Albert will check ASAP Nope, it doesn't work (yet). Same for the Star Raiders Touchpad. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tender Boing Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 Is there anywhere to report unsupported carts? Tried a few carts this afternoon and had some issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakasama Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 You could try this thread: Only because Ben from PLAION posts and reads that thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 19 minutes ago, Bakasama said: You could try this thread: Only because Ben from PLAION posts and reads that thread This can be extended: @Ben from Plaion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakasama Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 For those interested, here’s an updated cart list of the 2600+ pdf: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blockbuster Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 Does the 2600+ come with a usb power block? I heard it only came with a USB-C cable? Is there a recommended power block size for this? I want to be prepared for my pre order. Very excited. thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Blockbuster said: Does the 2600+ come with a usb power block? I heard it only came with a USB-C cable? Is there a recommended power block size for this? I want to be prepared for my pre order. Very excited. thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blockbuster Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 Thank you very much, that thread was very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmind Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 I powered mine with the usb port on the tv. And it worked wonderfully 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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