42 replies to this topic

[jaybird3rd]

Well, I certainly won't argue with you about AD&D, a game that I still haven't had time to get into very much. However, in addition to BurgerTime, I've been picking away at TRON Deadly Discs during the few free moments I've had lately, and I'm starting to figure it out. My highest score so far:



The additional sound commands that Marc is referring to are in the "1541 OS ROM" version of Extended BASIC, provided as a "bonus" in the Aquaricart collection. It is actually possible to do everything these commands can do even in Regular BASIC, but this requires the use of inline assembly: see Martin's page on programming the AY-3-8910 for an example of how to use the Mini Expander's extra sound channels in BASIC. It is certainly more convenient to have these functions available as BASIC commands, though, which is why I included it in the collection.

An update for everyone who might still be interested in the Aquaricart: I have enough new cartridge shells left for only FIVE complete Aquaricart cartridges, so get them while you can! After these shells are gone, I'll only be able to offer upgrade kits, which consist of bare boards that you can insert into one of your own shells.

(You can also use the upgrade boards by themselves, of course; you just have to remember to wedge the cartridge doors open in the Mini Expander—using small pieces of stiff cardboard on both sides—so they do not touch the board while it is inserted in the slot. You also have to be sure to insert it the right way: the chips should be facing FORWARD if you use it in the Mini Expander, or UPWARD if you use it in the Aquarius console directly. Fortunately, the finished board looks really nice even without the shell! )

[marcfrick2112]

Wow, THAT's a pretty good score Jay!! When I was 12 years younger I could get nearly that good! LOL!

Oohhh, we need a Night Stalker comp. too!

[jaybird3rd]

Okay, I now have THREE complete Aquaricart cartridges left. Because the holidays are coming up, and because several people have expressed interest in picking up an Aquaricart for Christmas, I'd like to make the following offer to anyone who might still be "on the fence" about it:

For the next two weeks, while supplies last, I'm offering my remaining Aquaricart cartridges for $72 each (a $5 discount), and my Aquaricart "upgrade kits" for $50 each (a $15 discount); shipping is extra. The upgrade kits are an especially good deal at this price, for anyone who has a donor cartridge handy or who would be willing to pick one up from another source. Here, for example, is an eBay seller (not me) who is offering six NIB copies of Aquarius Logo:

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 220896603841

By picking up one of these cartridges along with my discounted upgrade kit, you can assemble your own complete Aquaricart cartridge for about the same cost as a regularly-priced upgrade kit. I provided some tips on opening the cartridge and installing the Aquaricart board in another thread.

Remember ... this offer lasts only until December 2nd, so get 'em while you can!

[Mirage]

Last weekend I finally got around to messing with my AquariCart. Wow! Very polished! The detail put into it is unreal. Even after playing with it for a couple hours, I definitely didn't see everything there was to see. I'm going to enjoy spending some late nights with it, just losing myself in this little machine heretofore unfamiliar to me. Thanks for all the effort, Jay.

[marcfrick2112]

Oh Man! I am just thinking an Aquaricart would make a Fantastic Christmas present!!

psst, anyone want an Aquarius Snafu PCB for cheap?
*My Donor cart.... 'your sacrifice shall not be forgotten'

[jaybird3rd]

Just a reminder ... about two days to go, and ONE complete cartridge left!

[jaybird3rd]

Okay, I have now shipped the last of my complete Aquaricart cartridges ... for the time being! I'm always on the lookout for reasonably-priced cartridge donors, so anyone who is interested in the Aquaricart in the future should contact me to find out if I have the materials available to build another complete cartridge.

In the meantime, my "upgrade kits" will still be available on a "build-on-demand" basis, and I think I'm going to leave them at the $50 price point to make it easier for those who need to acquire their own donor cartridges.

[psquare75]

I am glad this production went well for you (and us).

[jaybird3rd]

psquare75, on Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:06 PM, said:

I am glad this production went well for you (and us).

Thank you! I'm so glad to have had such great support from the community; I doubt this project would have been possible otherwise.

I'm going to be very busy next year, but to keep the momentum going with my Aquarius projects, I'm going to begin working on a "Volume 2" collection (containing cassette conversions and other goodies) in January. I think that's something I can easily put together in my spare time, thanks to the reusable assets I developed for the first Aquaricart. I'll be starting a new thread for that project when the time comes, so "stay tuned!"

[revolutionika]

Did you have to "convert" the cassette games into a digital Rom form?
Then could you take these Roms and port them to another system? (not just INTV, but others too?)

Forgive my lack of programming knowledge and wording.



Lets hope groovybee doesnt read this, he will rip me a new one....

[jaybird3rd]

I'm basically using the cartridge as a "fast loader" for the cassette games. I start with an Aquarius emulator, in which I load the games in BASIC from cassette images. Then, I do a "save state" to capture a memory image of the fully-loaded game, and I condense the data within the image to a file that I can burn to a cartridge ROM. When you choose the game from the Aquaricart menu on a real Aquarius, it copies the data back from the cartridge and reconstructs it in memory, just as if it had been loaded from tape (only a lot faster). I understand that Atari did much the same thing with the disk-based games they re-released in cartridge format for the XEGS.

The games are still designed specifically for the Aquarius, so they'd have to be re-written for a different machine like the Intellivision. Most of the Aquarius cassette games are fairly simplistic anyway, so it would be easier to re-write them from scratch than it would be to translate the original game code.

[psquare75]

Aquaricart in action!

Decided to fire up the AQ to play some AD&D. Yes I'm 32 and the snack diet consists of pretzels and 'Dew.. Still.



The AQ cart has a permanent home in the expander (until something else equally epic is created!)

[jaybird3rd]

Excellent! After working on the Aquaricart for such a long time, I'm still totally stoked to see it out in the real world (and in such a loving home at that!).

[jaybird3rd]

Just dusting off this thread to let everyone know that I've picked up four more NIB Aquarius cartridge donors, so for anyone who missed out on the Aquaricart last year, I can now offer four more complete Aquaricart cartridges. I'll even extend the sale price mentioned earlier: $72 for a full cartridge, or $50 for an upgrade kit (shipping extra). Thanks!

[OutlawTorn71]

You have a PM sir

[HARMIK]

PM sent

[OutlawTorn71]

Even though I may be repeating what many on the forum already knows, I am a "newb" here but I have to give Jay the kudo's he is due

If you do not have one of his Aquaricarts, I have to say that it's a must have for any Aquarius enthusiast !! and anyone just curious like myself

I had never owned one until he set me up with one with the cart, and it's a blast ! I just wish I had more time to play...

[HARMIK]

Got mine thank you