MiSTer FPGA Forum

rhester72 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 28, 2022 2:48 am Not in any way trying to be ungrateful or a pain in the ass, but this doesn't seem to yet be part of the public core...any idea if/when that may happen? It makes Starmaster completely unplayable with a single-button stick.

killersquirel wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:59 pm How does the integrated save key work? I tried playing some games that offer that support and it didn't save and I didn't see an option for a save key in the OSD. Also, is it possible to add Harmony support for the 2600 side? That would make this amazing core even better!

killersquirel wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:59 pm is it possible to add Harmony support for the 2600 side?

redsteakraw wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:52 am I don't get what would harmony support give anyone. The core has multiple mapper support, and can load most roms, so why would you need to replicate a flash cart? We have save key, most graphical options, Tapper works, and we have 7800 game support. Plus all the modern filters, and shadow mask support. This core was given a lot of love and attention, why would harmony be needed?

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 8:42 pm

killersquirel wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:59 pm How does the integrated save key work? I tried playing some games that offer that support and it didn't save and I didn't see an option for a save key in the OSD. Also, is it possible to add Harmony support for the 2600 side? That would make this amazing core even better!

The savekey is a curious accessory that plugs into the (usually) the second controller port. Only homebrew games can use it, and they can save things like high scores to it. I think if you google there is probably a list. Make sure to enable it before starting the game so it's detected properly and everything.

killersquirel wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:08 am

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 8:42 pm

killersquirel wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 4:59 pm How does the integrated save key work? I tried playing some games that offer that support and it didn't save and I didn't see an option for a save key in the OSD. Also, is it possible to add Harmony support for the 2600 side? That would make this amazing core even better!

The savekey is a curious accessory that plugs into the (usually) the second controller port. Only homebrew games can use it, and they can save things like high scores to it. I think if you google there is probably a list. Make sure to enable it before starting the game so it's detected properly and everything.

How do you enable the savekey? I looked through the OSD menu, but didn't notice it.

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:25 am

redsteakraw wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:52 am I don't get what would harmony support give anyone. The core has multiple mapper support, and can load most roms, so why would you need to replicate a flash cart? We have save key, most graphical options, Tapper works, and we have 7800 game support. Plus all the modern filters, and shadow mask support. This core was given a lot of love and attention, why would harmony be needed?

the harmony carts are just microcontrollers running software emulation of various mappers, and they allow developers to directly run code on a 70mhz arm chip as well. What people want is this 70mhz arm chip implemented so they can play the weird frankenstein games that use it, but there's no realistic way that hardware is going to run on mister's fpga at that clock speed.

killersquirel wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:34 am

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:25 am

redsteakraw wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:52 am I don't get what would harmony support give anyone. The core has multiple mapper support, and can load most roms, so why would you need to replicate a flash cart? We have save key, most graphical options, Tapper works, and we have 7800 game support. Plus all the modern filters, and shadow mask support. This core was given a lot of love and attention, why would harmony be needed?

the harmony carts are just microcontrollers running software emulation of various mappers, and they allow developers to directly run code on a 70mhz arm chip as well. What people want is this 70mhz arm chip implemented so they can play the weird frankenstein games that use it, but there's no realistic way that hardware is going to run on mister's fpga at that clock speed.

Thanks for the answer. I'm not sure if the arm implementation has to run at that clock speed as it's basically just shifting code to the processor, although I am not an expert in this area. The games that are coming out for it looks and plays amazing with the harmony.

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 12:23 pm

killersquirel wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:34 am

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:25 am
I think it would be better if the developers just learned to code for era-appropriate hardware, or, if the 2600 is not powerful enough for them to fulfil their creative vision, simply target more powerful hardware like the 7800.

I have a 2600 with a harmony cartridge and the games that it plays are really great. I would love to play them on an HDTV through the MiSTer, but I understand if that can't happen. Thanks again for the amazing core and work that you are doing on the MiSTer.

seastalker wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 11:02 pm @Kitrinx

Your 7800 MiSTer core is absolutely fantastic! I am revisiting my MiST FPGA and see others are hoping for a port of this so I thought to relay this (if you haven't been bombarded with this request already).

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 10:43 pm

seastalker wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 11:02 pm @Kitrinx

Your 7800 MiSTer core is absolutely fantastic! I am revisiting my MiST FPGA and see others are hoping for a port of this so I thought to relay this (if you haven't been bombarded with this request already).

I'm glad you like it! It's made nearly entirely based off schematics so it should be very accurate. Nobody has contacted me about porting or using any of it, but i'm willing to dual license the parts of it that I wrote.

HerrBerzerk wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 3:25 pm I did not get snac working with the 2600-part of the core. Only with the 7800 part. Also I did not get paddles working nor the Indy 500 driving controllers. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong but I tried all options that I could think of.

Firehawke wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 1:34 pm Related question: What is the best overall solution for four paddles for use with Warlords? A SNAC with two paddles, then another USB adaptor of some sort?

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:26 pm

HerrBerzerk wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 3:25 pm I did not get snac working with the 2600-part of the core. Only with the 7800 part. Also I did not get paddles working nor the Indy 500 driving controllers. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong but I tried all options that I could think of.

Paddles do not work via snac, they are analog.

LamerDeluxe wrote: ↑Mon Jun 27, 2022 7:04 am

Kitrinx wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:26 pm

HerrBerzerk wrote: ↑Sun Jun 26, 2022 3:25 pm I did not get snac working with the 2600-part of the core. Only with the 7800 part. Also I did not get paddles working nor the Indy 500 driving controllers. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong but I tried all options that I could think of.

Paddles do not work via snac, they are analog.

Paddles do work with the Atari DB9 snac, but you have to connect a cable from its jack connector to that of an ADC board.