Rom Hunter Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 I'll ask him. Home Vision list (post #1) updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxsolo2000 Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Hmm. What about Dragon Defender: http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-dragon-defender_16419.html This game was most probably originally a Home Vision game. A screenshot of it was shown on the Repro Game box from Home Vision: http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-repro-game-kit-repro-cart-repro-vision-system_20116.html You start with seven lives and have to fly over several landscapes. Don't know if you're rewarded with an extra live after the final stage, though. Have to play it first. And it isn't an 8K game. Been thinking about this one. I truly doubt that Dragon Defender could be Magic Carpet for one thing the dragon flies and does not ride anything. Secondly yes the dragon progresses through several screen but there doesn't seem anything remotely resembling a city or castle. Could be wrong but my money is still on Mr Postman although in that one the bear rides a Phoenix warbird that turns into a carpet thingy. I am impressed with the artwork for IQ 180. It points very strongly to a production run but if these were all released then why have so few turned up? If DRagon Defender is a HomeVision game then what was its real title or was HomeVison going to release it as DRagon Defender? As usual more questions than actual answers but there you go. Great work Rom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 (edited) Been thinking about this one. I truly doubt that Dragon Defender could be Magic Carpet for one thing the dragon flies and does not ride anything. Secondly yes the dragon progresses through several screen but there doesn't seem anything remotely resembling a city or castle. Could be wrong but my money is still on Mr Postman although in that one the bear rides a Phoenix warbird that turns into a carpet thingy. I am impressed with the artwork for IQ 180. It points very strongly to a production run but if these were all released then why have so few turned up? If DRagon Defender is a HomeVision game then what was its real title or was HomeVison going to release it as DRagon Defender? As usual more questions than actual answers but there you go. Great work Rom I have no doubt that the titles pictured in the scans were all released. The scans do not show announcements of Home Vision games to come, but show a part of a huge game index from january 1985, containing all the VCS games that were released in Italy up until that moment. Every other title of every other publisher in that index was in fact released at that moment. According to their listings, Magic Carpet and IQ 180 were already mentioned in Spring 1984 (that's almost a year earlier). My idea is that Magic Carpet must be a game that we know and the only one I can think of right now is Dragon Defender. The game starts with seven lives, is a one player action game in which the player has to fly over several landscapes and the game itself has a connection with Home Vision. Perhaps Suntek changed some graphics (magic carpet into dragon), like they did with other games as well? On the other hand: Dragon Defender is not a 8K game, the screenshot on the Repro Cart box already shows a dragon, the landscapes do not look like castles and the extra live is earned by scoring point, instead of reaching the end. Isn't there a game we know that contains these elements: 8K 1 Player Action (flying, perhaps shooting as well) 7 lives 20 stages 1 extra life when reaching the end Edited June 7, 2010 by Rom Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxsolo2000 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 Apart from Mr Postman the only other game that uses a flying carpet type thing is Sorceror by Mythicon and I doubt they lifted that from Home Vision. I am still not convinced that Dragon Defender is the game in question. Yes its possible the graphics were changed but there isn't anything that remotely resembles a castle or city in the game. Also if these things were sold in Europe then what happened to them? You would think Marco would have a couple stashed away by now Mind you looking over your list on post 1 I noticed that there are still a few blanks that Dragon Defender could fit in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 8, 2010 Author Share Posted June 8, 2010 (edited) Apart from Mr Postman the only other game that uses a flying carpet type thing is Sorceror by Mythicon and I doubt they lifted that from Home Vision. I am still not convinced that Dragon Defender is the game in question. Yes its possible the graphics were changed but there isn't anything that remotely resembles a castle or city in the game. Also if these things were sold in Europe then what happened to them? You would think Marco would have a couple stashed away by now Mind you looking over your list on post 1 I noticed that there are still a few blanks that Dragon Defender could fit in True. BTW: I noticed that the buildings in the artwork from Mr. Postman look quite oriental and that they look like castles too: http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-mr-postman_14115.html Perhaps Home Vision changed some graphics and added some lives, like they did with Teddy Apple. I'm quite eager to figure out this puzzle, but I'm afraid I'm trying too hard. What I find hard to believe though, is that Magic Carpet is not a game we know already. Well, at least we know that IQ 180 was indeed a Home Vision game and we also know the serial number now. That's another blank filled in. Edited June 8, 2010 by Rom Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 News! Pre-release reviewer's cartridge of Jacky Jump (AKA Bobby Is Going Home) found: http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-jacky-jump_16242.html This game was reviewed in the september / october '83 edition of Tilt magazine. The screenshots in the review show the Bit Corp logo still on screen (while all other released Home Vision titles taken over from Bit Corporation show the Home Vision logo on screen), so it's very plausable that it's this type of cart that was used for the review. Let's hope this one will be dumped and scanned for closer examination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staberinde Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Don't stop believin' Got some hot news for all Home Vision fans! Here's the complete Home Vision range sold in Italy: Including the rumored Magic Carpet and IQ 180 (VCS 83128)! Notice how this artwork: http://www.atarimania.com/game-iq-memory-teaser_s11157.html was inspired by the original IQ 180 artwork. This older list mentions Whales, which could be Sea to Whales later released as Frisco: No World End, Go Go Home Monster, Ski Hunt, World End and X'Mission, though. Now, if someone can translate the Italian description of Magic Carpet for me, then I can hopefully identify the game. How cool is this! My next holidays definitely should go to Italy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Not sure if this is known already, but I just found a link between Ski Run and Treasure Island. The ROM of Ski Run (Ariola or SunTek) contains remains of (unused) code from Treasure Island (e.g. from $28a..$28f, $304..$f317, $657..$65f, $8a1..$8ab, $8af..$8d4, $fc1..$fe1, $fe4..$ff9). The small gap between the last two blocks is filled by two NOPs, probably to debug Treasure Island. Also it looks as if (used) code is shared between both games too. So there is a high possibility that both games where developed by the same company/programmer at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 (edited) This doesn't surprise me at all. The music is also quite similar. I already stated that Suntek's Ski Run is most probably originally a Home Vision game. Unfortunately, we still don't know what the original Home Vision title of Ski Run was supposed to be. In the case of Suntek's Treasure Island, the original Home Vision title was almost certain Treasure Discovery, unfortunately never released by Home Vision. Thanks for sharing, Thomas! BTW: are there any links in data between Ski Run and Ski Hunt? Edited June 18, 2011 by Rom Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 (edited) BTW: are there any links in data between Ski Run and Ski Hunt? You mean because of the mountains and the somewhat similar looking graphics? Edited June 18, 2011 by Thomas Jentzsch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 (edited) BTW: are there any links in data between Ski Run and Ski Hunt? You mean because of the mountains and the somewhat similar looking graphics? Yes, especially the use of shadow underneath the ski's. Also, any similarities in the scrolling routine's? Edited June 18, 2011 by Rom Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 Also, I think that Challenge and Dragon Defender were programmed by the same person. But I still can't proof this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frostbite Bailey Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Also, I think that Challenge and Dragon Defender were programmed by the same person. But I still can't proof this. Prove this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 BTW: are there any links in data between Ski Run and Ski Hunt? You mean because of the mountains and the somewhat similar looking graphics? Yes, especially the use of shadow underneath the ski's. Also, any similarities in the scrolling routine's? No, code looks very different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 Ok, thanks. And is there any data overlap between Challenge and Dragon Defender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pangasinan Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 (edited) So when was the rom dumped for Suntek's Treasure Island and by who ? Edited June 19, 2011 by pangasinan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 19, 2011 Author Share Posted June 19, 2011 So when was the rom dumped for Suntek's Treasure Island and by who ? By Jens several years ago. He owns the review version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pangasinan Posted June 19, 2011 Share Posted June 19, 2011 So when was the rom dumped for Suntek's Treasure Island and by who ? By Jens several years ago. He owns the review version. So no commercially released version has been dumped only a review version ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 19, 2011 Author Share Posted June 19, 2011 So when was the rom dumped for Suntek's Treasure Island and by who ? By Jens several years ago. He owns the review version. So no commercially released version has been dumped only a review version ?? You of all people should know this. But all Jens' review versions were 100% identical to the released versions, so I'm certain his .bin fully matches your ROM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Ski Hunt and Panda Chase share some very special code. Even some RAM addresses used e.g. for lives or copyright and their display are identical. Panda Chase: DrawLives: ldy lives ; 3 Lf7ec: lda HeadPtr ; 4 representing lives dey ; 2 bpl Lf7f5 ; 2 lda BlankPtr ; 4 Lf7f5: sta $ae,x ; 4 dex ; 2 dex ; 2 bpl Lf7ec ; 2 bmi Lf809 ; 3 DrawCopyright: lda CopyrightPtr ; 4 clc ; 2 Lf801: sta $ae,x ; 4 adc #$08 ; 2 dex ; 2 dex ; 2 bpl Lf801 ; 2 Lf809: ldy #$07 ; 2 Lf80b: ldx #$00 ; 2 stx COLUBK ; 3 sta WSYNC ; 3 jsr Draw48Pixel ; 6 Ski Hunt: DrawLives: ldy lives ; 3 Lf9b2: lda SkisPtr ; 4 representing lives dey ; 2 bpl Lf9bb ; 2³ lda BlankPtr ; 4 Lf9bb: sta $ae,x ; 4 dex ; 2 dex ; 2 bpl Lf9b2 ; 2³ bmi Lf9cf ; 3 DrawCopyright: lda CopyRightPtr ; 4 clc ; 2 Lf9c7: sta $ae,x ; 4 adc #$08 ; 2 dex ; 2 dex ; 2 bpl Lf9c7 ; 2³ Lf9cf: ldy #$07 ; 2 Lf9d1: ldx #$00 ; 2 stx COLUBK ; 3 sta WSYNC ; 3 jsr Draw48Pixel ; 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Also Panda Chase, Ski Hunt and Space Jockey have 100% identical code for updating the score. Example Panda Chase Lf846: sed ; 2 cmp #$90 ; 2 ldy $a9 ; 3 ldx #$02 ; 2 Lf84d: adc $a8,x ; 4 sta $a8,x ; 4 lda #$00 ; 2 dex ; 2 bpl Lf84d ; 2³ cld ; 2 tya ; 2 eor $a9 ; 3 and #$f0 ; 2 beq Lf867 ; 2³ ldy lives ; 3 iny ; 2 cpy #$07 ; 2 bcs Lf867 ; 2³ sty lives ; 3 Lf867: rts ; 6 Either the programmers copied code or they used some kind of reusable code modules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 (edited) And is there any data overlap between Challenge and Dragon Defender? Yes. The score display code is very similar (just minor differences). E.g. a subroutine at $52b..$5f8 of Dragon Defender is identical (besides the used RAM addresses) to $587..$652 of Challenge. Edited June 23, 2011 by Thomas Jentzsch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 And is there any data overlap between Challenge and Dragon Defender? Yes. The score display code is very similar (just minor differences). E.g. a subroutine at $52b..$5f8 of Dragon Defender is identical (besides the used RAM addresses) to $587..$652 of Challenge. Many thanks, Thomas. Really appreciate your examinations. I'm glad that question mark is out of my system now. Still doesn't proof that both games were made by the same programmer, but at least the connection is there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pangasinan Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I recently got hold of a boxed copy of Treasure Discovery,it was not sure if Homevision brought out this game as the only reference of it was in an old Italian magazine advert. That was a week ago,now that I have solid proof that Homevision did bring out this game the mystery is solved. Rom Hunter will have more info on this game than me im sure I will do scans soon,until then here is a picture of box and cart. Amazingly I was also the one to rediscover Treasure Island by Suntek,same game but different company. Im pretty sure that Homevision brought out the game first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Weis Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 that looks SWEET!!! CONGRATS! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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