KevinMos3

I really don't mean to hijack your thread, but I like your hack & and I did something very similar a couple years ago. I never shared it because I seem to be one of the few people who like (and actually prefer) the original 2600 Defender.

Anyway, here's what I did:
 Defender.png   4.72K   3 downloads
 Defender.bin   4K   2 downloads


I like what you did with some of the sprites.

Master_Programmer, on Sat May 26, 2012 10:46 AM, said:

I didn't recognize it because I've never been into Dragon Warrior, but for some people it may be nostalgic. I say, go with what you like.

Also, what if you added some background graphics to break up the monotony a bit. I don't know how you have your code set up, but I would think you could add -- say for example: two playfield patterns that alternate each screen like a checkerboard -- without taking up too much ROM space. So screen 1 would use pattern A, screen 2 pattern B, screen 3 pattern A, etc. That would give more of a feeling of traveling to a different screen. As it is, it kinda feels like you're just wrapping around to the other side of the screen.

I've attached a mockup where I just kinda randomly darkened certain blocks on two screens, then checkerboarded 16 screens together. Of course you could do something much better... this was just a quick example to illustrate what I'm saying.

Master_Programmer, on Wed May 23, 2012 3:48 PM, said:

I'd say it falls shy of ear-rape... maybe ear harassment.

Actually, it's not all that bad. Just make sure the volume is low, especially compared to any sound effects. A good example to look at for what the volume of background music should be like is Secret Quest. It's there, it adds to the atmosphere, but it's quiet enough that it doesn't distract.

If you don't get to it first, I'll post my result. I have a Ballblazer donor socketed and ready to go... just waiting on the EPROM.

Keep in mind that when I originally swapped out the 7805 with one from another unit, it would play for at least a little while (until it heated up). Now, with the new 7805, it's the same deal. Once the unit heats up, it starts flaking out.

Perhaps the solution, (although not ideal), is to take the TIA from the one I'm having Harmony troubles with and see if it makes one of the other 7800s, (that work with the Harmony), work with paddles. It wouldn't hurt to socket the thing anyway. So it's the TIA and not the RIOT chip I would want to swap?

I could swap out the expansion port too... which is another reason I like this particular 7800, even though it serves no purpose.