Lynx cartridge styles

[Songbird]

I was just reviewing AtariAge's very thorough page on Lynx cart styles, and thought I would share some additional insights...

 

1. There are at least three flavors of "official" prototype PCBs, none of which are included on the page (not surprising, it's very hard to find these! ): a green PCB with Atari info inscribed on it, a generic green PCB with a sticker on it used before the Blue Lighting demo carts were built in quantity, and a green PCB with Beyond Games info inscribed on it. I've also heard of a purple Atari PCB, but I've never seen one.

 

2. Harry Dodgson released both Othello and the accompanying LGSS cartridge, both of which share the same PCB.

 

3. I don't remember which PCB Sokomania uses, I think it's #2 on your page but I could be wrong.

 

4. Green PCB #3 was used on: SFX, Ponx, Lexis, and Remnant. I still have a few of these in stock, but all future runs will be on black PCBs for all these. Get 'em while they're hot!

 

5. There is another style of black PCB no longer in production. It was originally used by Telegames when they first published Raiden and Fat Bobby. The main difference is that a TSOP chip is used, and this chip is flush with the cart so you can't see or touch the chip at all. White labels on both sides of the PCB obscure any view of the chip.

[glitch]

Can you buy just a LGSS cart? I purchased my copy of Othello used and if it was supposed to be bundled w/ a LGSS cart then I didn't get it.

 

They should probably list the LGSS cart in the Lynx rarity guide also.

 

BTW love the new look of your site.

[Songbird]

Little bump so Al eventually notices this thread...

 

And I think you have to buy the LGSS carts separately, BTW.

[Albert]

quote:

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Originally posted by Songbird:

Little bump so Al eventually notices this thread...

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Ahhh, thank you. I will need to update the cart styles to reflect the additional information, although I don't think I'll add the info on prototypes just yet.

 

It would be nice to get some pictures of those original black TSOP boards, though. Are you going to PhillyClassic? If so, can you bring one of them along so I can take pictures of it?

 

..Al

 

[ 04-22-2002: Message edited by: Albert ]

[Songbird]

Yes, I will be there, and I will have one of these carts on hand.

 

See you at the show!

[Songbird]

Also, Green PCB #2 is not a Songbird PCB -- I think this was produced by Bastian only.

[Albert]

quote:

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Originally posted by Songbird:

Also, Green PCB #2 is not a Songbird PCB -- I think this was produced by Bastian only.

---

 

Excellent, thanks for the clarification..

 

..Al

[Harry_Dodgson]

> Can you buy just a LGSS cart? I purchased my copy of Othello used and if it was supposed to be bundled w/ a LGSS cart then I didn't get it.

 

Video61 was selling "Lynx Othello" with the LGSS as a set or each individually. I don't think anyone else did that.

 

 

To be a completist on cartridge styles,

you could add the custom run I did for EOTB. I only did around 10 of them and only the lucky people who have them know what they look like. It was my first experience with PCB design and I think they look pretty good - better than the T-Tris boards.

[glitch]

Thanks for the info Harry. I'll check w/ them and see if they still have some LGSS carts left.

 

Since you're here, I hope you don't mind me asking a programming question. I am currently working on a Lynx version of Ogre (it's a board war game and not too graphically taxing) and was wondering if the LGSS card is difficult to program for and if there are any coding examples around? If you didn't or don't wish to make this information public, I understand.

 

Thanks -Matt

[Tom-Lynx]

Harry... Lance at Video 61 once said that you were working on other games that would use the LGSS cart. True? Although I have Lynx Othello and the LGSS cart, it is hardly worthwhile having an LGSS cart for one game.

 

Let me know if you ever do a second run of EOTB

 

Tom

[Harry_Dodgson]

re Glitch:

> Since you're here, I hope you don't mind me asking a programming question. I am currently working on a Lynx version of Ogre (it's a board war game and not too graphically taxing) and was wondering if the LGSS card is difficult to program for and if there are any coding examples around?

 

The protocol has been available on my website for many years. I have some sample code (in 65C02 assembly, of course) someplace. I could dig it up and email it to you if you'd like. One thing to realize is that the LGSS cart only transfers the executable code. In-game communication is handled by your program.

 

re Tom-Lynx:

I've been showing off "Space Battles" for a few years now. It works great with the LGSS cartridge. In fact, it only works with one since I don't have an interesting 1-player mode (still). I have several concepts, just haven't gotten to coding any of them.

 

As far as EOTB, considering the company that made the boards went out of business when the owner retired, I doubt I'll do another run. Besides, I still have a few left from the first run. It seems people will gladly pay $50.00 for incomplete games without save features or instructions but think twice about paying $100.00 (custom boards aren't cheap) for a complete game with EEPROM save and online instructions/hints/maps.