Z-Shell

So, as the first question in every TI-85 site goes...what exactly is z-shell? Well, basically, it's something that some really smart guys figured out...something that makes programs go REALLY fast!!! That's a simple description...here's a little more technical one. The TI-85 has a Z80 processor in it, which is what is used to run z-shell programs. But, the problem is, z-shell doesn't come with the calculator, and you can't run the programs without it! How do you get z-shell? Well, you have to use a graph link or another TI to back up z-shell to your calculator. Then you can run any z-shell program you want! Z-shell was created by Dan Eble, Magnus Hagander, and Rob Taylor. And the games? Well, they've been created by many, many different people.

Another shell that's out right now is called OS-85. For all you Windows people out there (like me!), this should work well for you! It still runs every z-shell program created, but is much more like Microsoft Windows! It has menus, backgrounds, and more. OS-85 is what I have on my calc right now, and I think it's awesome!
The newest shell right now is Usgard. I don't have any links for it right now, but you can check it out at many other TI-85 pages!

What You'll Need first

z-shell or OS-85

A Graph link - You can buy one from Texas Instruments for about $55, but there are ways around it! You can either make one, or get someone to make it for you. I have had a Parallel AND serial link made for me, and they both work GREAT!

1. Make a Graph Link

2. Have Tim build you one! I bought the Parallel Link from him--it's awesome! I recommend this one, because it's totally compatible with the Program Connect 85, which you can download from ticalc.org. If you do this, download version c8u60303, plus get the patch (version c8u60304) which is required to get the Parallel link to work. Also, go to Tim's Parallel Link page for more information. Oh yeah...it's cheap, too! At only $9.65, I think these are the cheapest links you can buy on the net right now.

3. You can also have Alex build you a link He built me the Serial link. He's a little more expensive...but if you want a Serial link, I'd recommend this guy! Anyway, this link is really reliable, too. Check out his homepage, as well.

Well, after you get your link, you need programs to transfer between your calculator and your computer. I was going to put them here, but am running low on memory in GeoCities, so for now you need to go to TI-CALC to get the programs you need for the links.

*NOTE* the ratings I have presented are mostly my own opinion of the game. Occasionally, I'll put a higher (or lower) rating on a game that isn't based on my own opinion, but is based on what the majority of the TI-85 community thinks about it. I mean nothing against the authors of these games, and hope no one will hold anything against me for a bad rating. Also, sometimes it's hard to rate a game because it has good graphics, but not so good gameplay, or vice versa. So occasionally you might see two ratings for the same game. The first is graphics, the second is gameplay.
example--

So...let's see...we have a description, the things you need for it, what's left? Programs? GOOD GUESS!

Games

Program	Rating	Description	Picture
3dviewer	Solar	A pretty nice stereogram program, you can make your own Magic Eye type pictures!
arena	Subterranean	A fighting game totally with text	not available
asteriod	Atmospheric	A game where you try to shoot the rocks before they hit you
Boulder Dash	Galactic	Doesn't have a description yet
Black Jack	Solar	It's another version of the well-known card game
Bombard	Atmospheric	Ever played Scorched Earth? This game is much like it!
Boneyard	Atmospheric	Doesn't have a description yet
Boxes	Galactic	Much like Sokoban for the computer. Be careful, this game is addictive!
Breakout	Galactic	It's Breakout! And a great version, at that. Lots and lots of levels
Caves	Galactic	Go through a bunch of different levels, doing a bunch of different things...
Chess	not yet available	A version of the classic game of chess
Columns	Atmospheric	Just like the Columns game for Game Gear
Comrad	Atmospheric	Doesn't have a description yet!
Connect Four	Atmospheric	Just like connect four (what a revelation!) Doesn't take up much mem!
Daedalus	Galactic	This game is amazing! Much like doom, this promises to be one of the best games for the TI-85! It's still beta, though	Grayscale...
Dr. Mario	Solar	Much like gameboy version...
Etch-a-Sketch	Solar	A cool drawing program for z-shell, just don't try to shake it upside down! :-)
Formula 1	Atmospheric	formula 1 racing game (NOT related to Megarace)
Game Wizard	Galactic	The Game Genie of Calculators. Edit lives, power, and more! Lots of other stuff, too
Globe	Solar	3-D spinning Globe animation
Insane	Galactic	Doesn't have a description yet
Jezzball	Galactic	Another addictive game for the TI-85. Ever played it for the computer? Try to fill up 70% of the screen without hitting the balls
legend	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!	not available
look	Solar	Just a little demo of smooth text and stars
Lode Runner	Solar	Try to get the objects while dodging bad guys
maze	not yet available	I can't seem to send this to my calc--tell me if you can	not available
matricks	Solar	Seems to be a cool puzzle...but I'm not very good at it
mcmiks	Galactic	An awesome Grayscale Mario Clone
megaracers	Galactic	v1.04 An awesome racing game for the calculator! Different tracks, time, etc.
memory	Solar	Just like the card game memory
minehunt	Solar	try to get from one corner of the screen to the other without hitting any mines
minesweeper	Atmospheric	A lot like the game for the computer...
Mutiny 2	Galactic	Cool side-scrolling space shooting game
nibbles	Galactic	Try to eat the apples, and don't run into anything!
othello	Atmospheric	Another puzzle game
pacman	Atmospheric	a version of pacman for the calc
perversi	Solar	A puzzle game much like othello. I'm not very good at it, but I think it would be really fun if you are good at it.
Plainjump	Galactic	The original version--cruise over platforms while trying not to fall off the edges
Plainjump 2	Galactic	The sequel to Plainjump--all new and much different
popchar	not yet available	Doesn't have a escription yet!
pong	Solar	Much like paddle wars, this game is simple yet fun
speedgame	solar	Another simple thinking game. Very addictive
snow	Not yet available	Not much playing capability...but it really shows the capabilities of the calculator! I feel winter coming again...	coming soon!
sqrxz	Galactic	This is a lot like mcmik, but much easier to understand, and a little smoother.	coming soon!
scroll	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!	coming soon!
squarez	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!	coming soon!
talk	not yet available	a great way to chat with others over the calc!	coming soon!
tetris	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!
tube	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!
video poker	not yet available	Poker...
xc1701-2	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!	coming soon!
zjoust	not yet available	Doesn't have a description yet!	coming soon!
Z-pong	Galactic	The traditional 2-paddle pong. With sound!
ztetris	not yet available	I think this is the best version of Tetris for the 85. This is an older version, though...

© 1997 Mark Finzel Please e-mail me any hints, tips, tricks, and anything of the like that you may have! Plus, I'm pretty new at this webpage making thing, so tell me what you think of my site (and the TI-85 picture at the top)! Also, if any of my files, links, etc. are not working, PLEASE tell me! I'll fix it immediately. Finally, please tell me if you find any spelling/ grammar mistakes anywhere in my page! Oh yeah, one more thing...THANKS FOR VISITING MY SITE!!!

Mark Finzel is in no way affiliated with Texas Instruments. All trademarks are property of their respective companies

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