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    Back to Video Game Systems
    Atari VCS Frequently Asked Questions

    Back to 2600 (VCS)

    Right-click to download the text version of the 2600 FAQ: 2600faq.txt

    ================================================================
    Updates:
    
     1.3)  New ftp sites now carry all the old information
           that my now removed akh104.rh.psu.edu site had.
    
     1.5)  Get on IRC
    
     2.1.2) Where can I get copies of game instructions?
            Complete up to the minute listing.
    
     3.8) New 5200 power supply specs.
    
     4.2) Video upgrade for the 2600A!!!!
    
    
                            Frequently-Asked Questions
    
                    Classic Atari 2600/5200/7800 Game Systems
    
                             Tenth Edition 95-04-26
    
    
                Send additions/corrections/comments/money/carts to:
                    Andrew K. Heller (bs003@cleveland.freenet.com)
    
    
      Author's note: Most of this work was stollen from other articles/works
      that either have appeared on netnews or are available via FTP.
      So, if you see something in here word for word the way you typed it
      aren't you proud I didn't have to change a thing! =)
    
    
    
    TABLE OF CONTENTS:
    
    
    1.0) GENERAL
         1.1) What NetNews groups exist for the CAGS?
         1.2) What Atari 2600/5200/7800 game lists exist?
         1.3) What information sites for Atari game machine information exist?
         1.4) What is The 2600 Connection?
         1.5) In the news...
    
    
    2.0) SOFTWARE
         2.1) Where can I find games for my 2600/5200/7800?
              2.1.1) What games does Radio Shack sell?
              2.1.2) Where can I get copies of game instructions?
         2.2) What are the best games for the 2600?
    
         2.3) Cartridge quantity:
              2.3.1) What are the most common and rarest 2600 games?
              2.3.2) What are the most common and rarest 5200 games?
              2.3.3) What are the most common and rarest 7800 games?
              2.3.4) What games were available via GameLine services?
    
         2.4) Games and Controllers
              2.4.1) What 2600 or 7800 games used a light gun?
              2.4.2) Which 2600 games used Kid pads/key pads?
              2.4.3) Which 2600 games used paddles?
              2.4.4) How do I fix my paddles?
    
         2.5) What is this Starpath CD I keep hearing about?
         2.6) What Easter Eggs (cheats) exist for the 26/52/7800?
    
         2.7) Programming:
              2.7.1) What out there exists to help programmers?
              2.7.2) What is the 7800 encryption algorithm?
    
         2.8) Bugs:
              2.8.1) What's up with 7800 Impossible Mission?
    
    
    3.0) HARDWARE:
         3.1) Game Systems:
              3.1.1) What Atari 2600 and Sears Video Arcade Systems were made?
              3.1.2) What Atari 5200 models were made?
              3.1.3) What Atari 7800 models were made?
    
         3.2) What vaporware hardware is there?
         3.3) How many 2600 clones/emulators were made and by who?
         3.4) What light guns work with the 2600/7800?
    
         3.5) What add on devices existed for the 26/52/78?
              3.5.1) What add on modules existed for the 2600?
              3.5.2) What add on modules existed for the 5200?
    
         3.6) What are the known specs for the 2600/5200/7800?
              3.6.1) How big do 2600 games get?
    
         3.7) Pinouts:
              3.7.1) 2600 and 7800 Joystick pinouts
              3.7.2) 2600 Cartridge Pinouts and information
              3.7.3) 5200 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout
              3.7.4) 7800 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout
    
         3.8) Power supply informatiion
    
    
    4.0) PROJECTS:
         4.1) Building a switchbox for the 4 port 5200.
         4.2) Composite/audio/chroma/luma output for the Atari 2600Jr/2600A
         4.3) Video driver for the 2600/7800
         4.4) Converting Sega controllers to Atari format
         4.5) How can I get my Sega light gun to work on the Atari?
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    1.1) What NetNews groups exist for the CAGS?
    
       Currently there are the following netnews groups with various information
     pertaining to the 26/52/78 systems:
    
       alt.atari.2600vcs (and its various other clones, .2600 and .2600.vcs)
       alt.games.video.classic
       rec.games.video.classic
       rec.games.video.marketplace  (to buy things of course!)
    
    
    ==========================================================
    1.2) What Atari 2600/5200/7800 games list exist?
    
      There are several game lists available.  Games are listed by manufacturer
    or by game title;  some have rarity codes, others have prices.  The
    most widely used lists by collectors are listed here:
    
    1)  VGR (Craig Pell) maintains a gigantic listing of every known game
        cartridge produced for the Atari 2600 or 7800.  The list contains the
        game's name and manufacturer's model number.  Games are grouped together
        by the cartridge manufacture and then by product number.
    
        To receive a copy of the latest game listing, or to suggest a change or
        update to the list, send e-mail to VGR at vgriscep@wam.umd.edu.
    
    2)  The most "generic" list of games, and perhaps the most easy to use
        are maintained by Dean Dierschow (dean@xocolatl.com).  Current lists
        are available from wiretap.spies.com under /game_archive/cartList.
        Games are grouped together by manufacture and then by alphabetical
        title.
    
        Entries   File Name      System                               Date
        -------   ------------   ----------------------------------   --------
          1010    AT2600.LST     Atari 2600                           10/21/94
            94    AT5200.LST     Atari 5200                           10/21/94
            69    AT7800.LST     Atari 7800                           10/21/94
    
    
        You will also need the file "carts.lst" for important information.
    
        Dean also has lists for just about every other system in existence.
    
    3)  "The Giant List of 2600 Label Variations" is the list for all of
        us "sick" collectors who need to tell exactly what carts we own.
        This list goes into detail.  Here is an excerpt:
    
        Cosmic Ark                 IA3204
            silver label with no picture, "for use with..." in 5 languages
            silver label with picture 720104-1 Rev A.  1982 entirely to the
    
                    right of the picture.
            silver label with picture 720104-1 Rev A.  right edge of picture
                    is in the middle of 1982.
            ??? silver label with no picture
            Boxed: silver box (c)1982
    
    
         Send requests to:
         John Earney - jearney@farad.elee.calpoly.edu
    
    
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    1.3) What information sites for Atari game machine information exist?
    
      Via FTP:
    
            1)  aurora.alaska.edu /atari.dir
    
                2600-PROGRAMMING-2.INFO;1       6/8      3-OCT-1992
                2600-PROGRAMMING.INFO;1         90/92    3-OCT-1992
                2600CONNECTION.INDEX;1          40/40   18-DEC-1992
                CLASSIC-ATARI.FAQ;1             40/40    3-OCT-1992
                GIANT-ATARI-2600-7800.LIST;4    175/176  9-MAR-1993
                INDEX.LKI;4                     2/4     18-JUN-1993
                PROG2600-0.DIGEST;1             10/12    3-OCT-1992
                PROG2600-1.DIGEST;1             18/20    3-OCT-1992
                PROG2600-2.DIGEST;1             20/20    3-OCT-1992
                PROG2600-3.DIGEST;1             229/232  3-JUN-1993
                PROGRAM-2600-LIST.WELCOME;5     5/8     18-JUN-1993
                STELLA.TXT;1                    177/180 18-JUN-1993
    
            2)  atari.archive.umich.edu /atari/8bit/Vcs
                (or amiga.archive.umich.edu /atari/8bit/Vcs)
                (atari.archive is usually bogged down)
    
                1094762 Jun 18  1993 2600_doc.zip
                36939   Jun 18  1993 2600_txt.arc
                252     Jun 18  1993 aa.8bit.vcs
                16325   Jun 18  1993 tech2600.arc
    
            3)  ccnet.com /users/scall/Oldatari
                ftp.clark.net /pub/longjon/Atari2600
                These sites contain all files in the old akh104.rh.psu.edu
                /pub/Oldatari directory.  Many thanks to Scott Call and
                Jonathan Long for keeping this information alive.
    
                THESE ARE THE SITES TO GET 2600 INFO FROM.
    
    
    
      Via WWW:
    
            1) Classic Video Games Homepage
               URL is http://www2.ecst.csuchico.edu/~gchance/
    
            2) VGR's homepage
               URL is http://www.wam.umd.edu/~vgriscep/
    
            3) Classic Computer and Video Game Systems Homepage
               URL is http://www.gate.net/~cmwagner
    
            4) Lee K. Seitz's Homepage
               URL is http://iquest.com/~lkseitz/
    
            5) Kirk Israel's Homepage
               URL is http://www.cs.tufts.edu/~kisrael/
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    1.4) What is The 2600 Connection?
    
      It is a bi-monthly Atari 2600 collector fanzine published by
    Tim Duarte. The 2600 Connection is an excellent source of
    information about Atari video game collecting in general, including
    news, game reviews, interviews, and entertaining anecdotes.
    Rare and collectible games are frequently discussed.  Classified
    ads in the Connection are relevant to all Atari game machines.
    Subscription price is $9 for a year's worth of bi-monthly issues (6)
    or $1.50 for single copies.
    
    
    To subscribe send a check payable to Timothy Duarte to:
    
    The 2600 Connection
    c/o Tim Duarte
    8 Jenna Drive
    Fairhaven, MA.  02719-5123
    
    E-Mail: tduarte@umassd.edu
    
    
    ================================================================
    1.5) In the news....
    
    -----
    
    
       If you own a 7800 and experience some software problems with 2600
    carts, please send me a description of the problem, name of the carts
    that you have problems with, the serial numbers from the bottom of
    your 7800 unit, and if you can, the chip numbers off the IC's inside
    your unit and any numbers on the board itself.  Thank you.
    
    
       Famous Brand Electronics is running out of the 7800+40 games
    packages for $70.  So better hurry!  Stay tuned to rec.games.video.classics
    for more info.
    
       Get on IRC!!!  Every Thursday night at 8PM Est, there is a large
    gathering of video game collectors.  It is loads of fun!  Check out
    #classic all during the week as well, since it seems several of us
    live there.  (Ask your sysadmin for information on irc, on Unix
    boxes, type "irc".  Once in, type "/join #classic".
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.1) Where can I find games for my 2600/5200/7800?
    
          There are still several sources for new game cartridges.
    Mail order firms such as Telegames USA and Best Electronics  are
    probably the best source for new games. They still stock many
    different games cartridges for all the Atari game machines.  Many
    titles they carry are extremely rare and collectible.  Although
    some of the rarer titles in their inventories are dwindling, they
    seem to have good stock of many others.
    
          Occasionally some retail stores will still have Atari
    cartridges in stock, although sometimes they are hidden in the
    backroom. One good places to look is toy stores who used to carry
    the Atari, such as Toys 'R Us, Kaybee Toys (formerly Circus
    World), and Children's Palace (now in bankruptcy).  Another good
    source is discount liquidator stores, such as Toy Liquidators,
    Big Lots/Odd Lots, and Sears Outlets.  These stores typically have huge
    quantities of a limited number of titles, but their discounts are the
    greatest.
    
          Another excellent source for rare and collectible games is
    the classified ads in The 2600 Connection. The Usenet newsgroups
    are another place to find new and used game cartridges. There are
    frequent postings to both rec.games.video and misc.forsale by
    individuals who have Atari game cartridges for sale.  You might
    also find a rare Atari want-ad in a local newspapers or
    pennysaver.  A better source would likely be the want ads of a
    local Atari computer user's group newsletter.
    
         Finally, there are the many good 2600 games and systems
    waiting to be liberated from flea markets, thrift stores, and
    yard sales around the country. Few people will advertise that
    they have Atari games for sale, but if you get out and look
    around, you'll find them.  If you relish the thought of finding
    "a diamond in a dumpster" and you've always liked treasure
    hunting, you may enjoy rumaging through piles of junk to fill
    those elusive gaps in your game list at minimal cost.
    
      Also, you may now special order shrinkwrapped Atari 2600 games from
    Radio Shack.  As I understand it, Atari themselves still have some for
    sale.
    
    
    
    
    From issue 24, Sep/Oct 1994, page 8 of the 2600 Connection:
    
    "The 1994 Mail Order Directory"
    
    The following is a directory of sources to buy cartridges for your
    Atari 2600 VCS.
    
    
    Atari Corporation                        *Best Electronics *
    P.O. Box 61657                           2021 The Alameda, Suite 290
    Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657                 San Jose, CA 95126-1127
    (408) 745-2098                           (408) 243-6950
    or (408) 745-2031                        Contact: Brad Koda
    
    
    Bill Zandrew                             Computer/Electronics Source
    631 Home                                 41-30  70th St.
    Oak Park, IL 60304                       Woodside, NY.  11377-3952
    (708) 386-2308                           (718) 426-9614
                                             Contact: Gonder Tom
    
    
    Dayton Discount #                        Earl Carsner
    Highway 92  West                         738 N. Bermuda St.
    Belleville, WI 53508                     Mesa, AZ  85205-6112
    (608) 424-6111                           (602) 641-2451
    Contact: Gary Clemens
    
    
    Edward Villalpando                       FMH Games *
    13525 Utica St.                          P.O. Box 493
    Whittier, CA 90605                       Chesterland, OH 44026-0493
                                             (216) 729-0761
                                             Contact: Fred Horvat
    
    
    Games Plus **                            Hozer Video Games *
    5995 E. Camelback                        5480 Sacramento Place
    Phoenix, AZ 85018                        Colorado Springs, CO 80917
    (602) 890-0556                           (719) 573-4910
    Contact: Renny Mitchell                  Contact: Randy Crihfield
    
    
    Jeff Adkins                              Jeff Cooper
    11 Windsor                               6407 S. 28th W. Pl.
    Attica, NY 14011                         Tulsa, OK 74132
    
    
    Jeff's Atari Outpost #                   Jerry G Visionaries %
    P.O. Box 771244                          14700 NW Bonneville Loop
    Lakewood, OH 44107                       Beaverton, OR 97006
    Contact: Jeff Morin                      (503) 629-9064
                                             Contact: Jerry Greiner
    
    
    Joe Santulli                             Kevin Oleniacz
    44 Hunter Pl.                            96 Buena Vista Dr.
    Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442                  Ringwood, NJ 07456
    
    
    Mars Merchandising                       Michael Palisano
    1041 E. St. Charles Rd.                  2 Rock Ridge Dr.
    Lombard, IL 60148                        Norwalk, CT 06854
    (708) 627-7462                           (203) 866-5946
    
    
    Mike Casey                               Radio Shack +
    1655 E. Sahara  #1106
    Las Vegas, NV 89104
    
    
    SAT-3 Games &                            Scottith's Games *
    P.O. Box 851                             RD #1 Box 177-A
    Manteo, NC 27950                         Harding, PA 18643-9789
    (919) 473-1291                           Contact: Scott Stilphen
    Contact: Sam Twiford III
    
    
    Sean Kelly                               Steven J. Tucker * or @
    5789 N. Milwaukee                        9897 York Rd.
    Chicago, IL 60646                        N. Royalton, OH 44133
    (312) 775-9138 after 5pm                 (216) 237-5308
    
    
    Telegames %                              Then Games *
    Box 901                                  65 Blakely Road
    Lancaster, TX 75146                      Colchester, VT 05446-1515
    (214) 228-0690                           or contact: Mark Terry
                                             (802) 655-0393  7am-9am EST
                                             (802) 879-0210  7pm-9pm EST
    
    
    Video 61                                 Video Game Closet *
    22735 Congo St., N.E.                    3021 Roberts Ave.
    Stacy, MN 55079                          Culver City, CA 90232
    (612) 462-2500                           (310) 842-9192
    Contact: Lance Ringquist                 Contact: David Peterson
    
    
    Video Magic %
    P.O. Box 9542
    Pittsburgh, PA 15223
    Contact: Frank Polosky
    
    
    key:
    
    * = send S.A.S.E.; request 2600 listing
    # = send S.A.E. with three stamps for catalog
    % = send $1 for catalog
    + = inquire about Express Order program at local store
    & = send $3 to be placed on mailing list
    @ = send $3 for printed catalog (refundable on first order)
    ** = no catalog available; call or write with request list
    
    
    if there are any errors or additions,
    please email me at TDUARTE@UMASSD.EDU
    
    Thanks,
    Tim Duarte
    editor, 2600 Connection
    PO Box N664
    Westport, MA 02790
    
    
    ================================================================
    2.1.1) What games does Radio Shack sell?
    
      The following games are being sold by Radio Shack's mail order
    catalog.  Please understand that it has been some people's experience
    that they don't have a "kloo" about this stuff.  So, please ask
    and explain.  Each cart is new and is, I think, $10.00 each.
    [Funny how these carts look like the FBE carts.]
    
    
    For the 2600:                                         For the 7800:
                                                          Ace of Aces
                                                          Asteroids
                                                          Ballblazer
                                                          Barnyard Blaster
    Baseball                                              Baseball
    Battlezone                                            Basketball
                                                          Centidede
                                                          Cracked
    Crossbow                                              Crossbow
    Dark Chambers                                         Dark Chambers
    Defender II
    Desert Falcon
    Dig Dug                                               Dig Dug
    Football                                              Donkey Kong
    Galaxian                                              Donkey Kong Jr
    Gravitar                                              Fatal Run
                                                          Galaga
                                                          Hat Trick
                                                          Ikari Warriors
                                                          Jinks
    Joust                                                 Joust
    Jr Pac Man                                            Karateka
    Jungle Hunt                                           Mania Challenge
    Kangaroo                                              Meltdown
    Millipede
    Mousetrap
    Ms Pac Man                                            Ms Pac Man
    Off the Wall                                          Ninja Golf
    Pac Man
    Phoenix
    Pole Position                                         Pole Position
    Solaris                                               Scrapyard Dog
    Space Invaders                                        Summer Games
    Super Breakout                                        Tower Toppler
    Super Football                                        Winter Games
    Venture                                               Xevious
    Yar's Revenge
    
    
    [Sorry about the format, this is an sdiff dump and at least you can
     compare common system games.]
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.1.2) Where can I get copies of game instructions?
    
      Currently "The Classic Video Games Homepage" (URL is http://www2.ecst.
    csuchico.edu/~gchance/) maintains a text copy of video game instructions
    for the Atari 2600.  This list is current as of 8:43PM EST 4/26/95.
    New manuals appear daily.  Please help contribute and type your manuals
    in!!!!
    
    Adventure.html                Missile_Command
    AdventureMap                  Moon_Patrol
    Adventures_Of_TRON.html       Motorodeo
    Air-Sea_Battle.html           Mouse_Trap_Atari
    Air_Raiders                   Mouse_Trap_Coleco
    Amidar.html                   Ms._Pac-Man
    Armor_Ambush.html             Night_Driver
    Artillery_Duel                OfftheWall
    Asteroids.html                Oink
    Astroblast.html               Othello
    Atari_2600_Users_Manual.html  Pac-Man
    Atari_Trak_Ball_Manual.html   Phaser_Patrol
    Atlantis.html                 Phoenix
    BMX_Air_Master.html           Piece_O_Cake
    BachelorParty                 Pigs_N_Wolf
    Barnstorming.html             Pitfall
    Basic_Programming.html        Pitfall!
    Basketball.html               Pitfall_2
    Battlezone.html               Pitfall_2_Map
    BeatandEat                    Pitfall_Solution
    Bermuda_Triangle.html         Planet_Patrol
    Berzerk.html                  Plaque_Attack
    Blackjack.html                Pole_Position
    Bowling                       Porkys
    Boxing.html                   Pressure_Cooker
    Brain_Games.html              Private_Eye
    Breakout                      Q*bert
    Bridge                        Racquetball
    Bugs                          Raiders_Of_The_Lost_Ark
    California_Games              Reactor
    Canyon_Bomber                 RealSports_Soccer
    Carnival                      Realsports_Football
    Casino                        Realsports_Tennis
    Centipede                     Return_of_the_Jedi
    Challenge                     Riddle_Of_The_Sphinx
    ChasetheChuckwagon            River_Raid
    Chopper_Command               River_Raid_II
    Circus_Atari                  Robot_Tank
    Coconuts                      Scuba_Diver
    Codebreaker                   Seaquest
    Combat                        Secret_Quest
    Commando                      Sentinel
    Commando_Raid                 Shark_Attack
    Congo_Bongo                   Skateboardin
    Cosmic_Ark                    Skiing
    Cosmic_Creeps                 Sky_Diver
    Crash_Dive.html               Sky_Jinks
    Creature_Strike               Slot_Racers
    Crystal_Castles               Snoopy_and_the_Red_Baron
    Dark_Cavern                   Solar_Fox
    Dark_Chambers                 Solaris
    Defender                      Space_Attack
    Defender_II                   Space_Invaders
    Demon_Attack                  Space_Jockey
    Demons_To_Diamonds            Space_Shuttle
    Desert_Falcon                 Space_Voyage
    Dig_Dug                       Space_War
    Dodge_Em                      Spider-Man
    Dolphin                       Spider_Fighter
    Dolphin.v2                    Sprintmaster
    Donkey_Kong                   Stampede
    Donkey_Kong_Jr                Star_Fox
    Double_Dunk                   Star_Raiders
    Dragonfire                    Stargate
    Dragster                      Starmaster
    Dungeon_Master                Starmaster_The_Power
    E.T._The_Extra-Terrestrial    Stellar_Track
    Enduro                        Street_Racer
    Fast_Food                     Stronghold
    Fathom                        Subterranea.html
    Fire_Alert                    Summer_Games
    Fire_Fighter                  Super_Baseball
    Fire_Fly                      Super_Breakout
    Fishing_Derby                 Super_Challenge_Baseball
    Football                      Super_Challenge_Football
    Freeway                       Super_Cobra
    Frogger                       Super_Football
    Frogger.v2                    Surfing
    Frogs_N_Flies                 Surround
    Frostbite                     Swordquest-Earthworld
    GI_Joe                        Swordquest-Fireworld
    Galaxian                      Swordquest-Waterworld
    Ghostbusters                  Tac-Scan
    Golf                          Tax_Avoiders
    Gorf                          Tennis
    Grand_Prix                    The_Challenge_of_..._NEXAR
    Gravitar                      The_Empire_Strikes_Back
    Gunslinger                    Title_Match_Pro_Wrestling
    Gyruss                        Tooth_Protectors
    Haunted_House                 Towering_Inferno
    Haunted_House.gif             Trick_Shot
    Home_Run                      Tron_Deadly_Discs
    Ice_Hockey                    Tutankham
    Ikari_Warriors                Up-n-Down
    Indy_500                      Vanguard
    International_Soccer          Venture
    Jedi_Arena                    Video_Checkers
    Joust                         Video_Chess
    Jungle_Hunt                   Video_Olympics
    Kaboom                        Video_Pinball
    Kangaroo                      Volleyball
    Keystone_Kapers               Wabbit
    Laser_Blast                   Wall_Defender
    Lock_N_Chase                  Warlords
    M.A.S.H                       Winter_Games
    Mario_Brothers                Word_Zapper
    Maze_Craze                    Xenophobe
    Mega_Force                    Yars_Revenge
    Megamania                     docs
    Midnight_Magic                docsindex.html
    Midnight_Magic_v2             starvoyager.html
    Millipede                     z-tack.doc
    Miniature_Golf
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.2) What are the best games for the 2600?
    
    This can be a subjective matter, of course, but Mike Littau conducted
    an informal 2600 games poll on r.g.v. a few years ago, trying to find
    answer this very question.  Here are the results, with some slight
    changes in format:
    
    From: littaum@jacobs.CS.ORST.EDU (Mike Littau)
    Subject: Atari 2600 poll results
    Date: 12 Jun 92 16:49:35 GMT
    
    Here are the results of the atari 2600 poll I conducted:
    
    Best overall 2600 game:         Best original idea for a 2600 game:
    1. Adventure                    1. Pitfall!
    2.(tie) Solaris,Yar's Revenge   2. Adventure
    3. Asteroids                    3. Yar's revenge
    4. River Raid                   4.(tie) Stampede, Kaboom, Kool Aid Man
    
    Best music or sound for a 2600 game:        Best adventure game:
    1. Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns             1. Adventure
    2. Frogger                                  2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    3.(tie) Haunted House, California Games     3. Haunted House
    4. Asteroids                                4. Superman
                                                5. Secret Quest
    
    Best action game:                       Best sports game:
    1. Asteroids                            1. Activision Tennis
    2. Demon Attack                         2. Skiing
    3. Missile Command                      3. RealSports Tennis
    4. Warlords                             4.(tie)  Super Football,
    5.(tie) Chopper Command, Moon Patrol     RealSports Football, Activision Boxing
    
    Best racing game:                       Best graphics for a game:
    1. Indy 500                             1. Solaris
    2. Enduro                               2. Pitfall!
    3.(tie)  Sprintmaster, Grand Prix       3. Moonsweeper
    4.(tie) Barnstorming, Slot Racers       4.(tie) Barnstorming, Demon Attack,
                                              River Raid
    
    ------------------------------------------
    In addition, The 2600 Connection ran an article on the 2600
    cartridge "Hall of Fame", listing the best classic 2600 games. There
    was an excellent capsule description of each game.  Here is the list:
    
    The 2600 Connection Cartridge Hall of Fame (from issue #10:
    
    Combat                  Asteroids                    Honorable Mention:
    Super Breakout          Centipede (and Millipede)    Draggonfire
    Defender                Donkey Kong (and Jr.)        Demon Attack
    Adventure               Mario Bros.                  Megamania
    Space Invaders          Pitfall! (and II)            HERO
    Missle Command          River Raid (and II)          Rampage
    Pac-Man                 Kaboom                       Miner 2049er
    Ms. Pac-Man             Frogger                      Skatboardin'
    Solaris                 Q*Bert
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.3) What are the most common and rarest games?
    
    The following lists are a quick compilation of what some collectors would
    consider to be the most common and rarest 2600 games.  Neither list is
    exhaustive, they are simply provided as as quick reference.
    
    Those games that are NOT listed as rare are not necessarily common, and
    vice versa.  Many, many, games fall into the "hard to track down" catagory.
    
    The following lists ARE contraversial.  Even combat is depending
    on what type of label it has.
    
    It is in the readers best interest to obtain VGR's list and run
    the following commands on it from a unix machine:
    
    grep ' xx ' filename > xx.lst
    
    Where 'filename' is the name of VGR's list and 'xx' is ER, R, U, C.
    xx.lst will then contain the output of this extraction.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.3.1) What are the most common and rarest 2600 games?
    
    Common Atari 2600 Games:
    ------------------------
    
        Activision      AX-018       Pitfall!
        Atari           CX2613       Adventure
        Atari           CX2649       Asteroids
        Atari           CX2650       Berzerk (w/ Atari Force #2)
        Atari           CX2607       Canyon Bomber
        Atari           CX2676       Centipede
        Atari           CX2630       Circus Atari
        Atari           CX2601       Combat
        Atari           CX2609       Defender (w/ Atari Force #1)
        Atari           CX2615       Demons To Diamonds
        Atari           CX2637       Dodge 'Em
        Atari           CX2674       ET: The Extra Terrestrial
        Atari           CX2611       Indy 500
        Atari           CX2638       Missile Command
        Atari           CX2675       Ms Pac-Man
        Atari           CX2646       Pac-Man
        Atari           CX2632       Space Invaders
        Atari           CX2612       Street Racer
        Atari           CX2608       Super Breakout
        Atari           CX2648       Video Pinball
        Atari           CX2610       Warlords
        Atari           CX2655       Yar's Revenge
        Coleco          CO2451       Donkey Kong
        Imagic          IA3200       Demon Attack
        M-Network       MT5666       Astroblast
        M-Network       MT5659       Space Attack
        Parker Brothers PB5050       Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
        Parker Brothers PB5300       Frogger
    
    
    
    Rare Atari 2600 Games:
    ----------------------
    
    Assault
    Atari Video Cube                        Bachelor Party/Gigolo
    Beat Em & Eat Em/Lady in Wading         Berenstain Bears
    BMX Airmaster (Atari release)           Boing!
    Bumper Bash                             Burning Dersire/Bachelorette Party
    Cakewalk                                Challenge
    Chase the Chuckwagon                    Chuck Norris Superkicks/Ghost Manor
    Chuck Norris Superkicks/Spike's Peak    Color Bar Generator
    Condor Attack                           Cosmic Corridor
    Crazy Climber                           Cubicolor
    Dishaster                               Double Dragon
    Eli's Ladder                            Gas Hog
    Glib                                    Gravitar (Silver label)
    Great Escape                            Gremlins
    Halloween                               I Want my Mommy
    Knight on the town/Jungle Fever         Kyphus
    Lochjaw                                 MagiCard
    Malagai                                 Mangia
    Marine Wars                             Master Builder
    Math                                    Math Gran Prix (Sears)
    Mr. Do's Castle                         Music Machine
    Obelix                                  Oscar's Trash Race
    Out of Control                          Pele's Championship Soccer
    Pengo                                   Philly Flasher/Cathouse Blues
    PLate Mania                             Pooyan
    Q*Bert's Qubes                          Quadrun
    Rescue Terra I                          River Patrol
    Roin Hood                               Robin Hood/Sir Lancelot
    Roc N Rope                              Rubik's Cube
    sir Lancelot                            Smurfs Save the Day
    Space Monster                           Spider Kong
    Stronghold                              Submarine Commander
    Subterrania                             Surf's Up
    SQ Waterworld                           Texas Chainsaw Massacre
    Time Pilot                              Tomarc the Barbarian
    Tooth Protectors                        Track and Field
    Tuby Bird                               Up N Down
    Video Jogger                            Video Reflex
    Wall Defender                           X-Man
    Z-Tack
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.3.2) What are the most common and rarest 5200 games?
    
    Common Atari 5200 Games:
    ------------------------
    
        Atari           CX5208       Pac-Man
        Atari           CX5203       Super Breakout
    
    
    
    Rare Atari 5200 Games:
    ----------------------
        Atari           CX5257       Gremlins
        Atari           CX5254       Rescue on Fractalus  (very rare)
        Big Five                     Bounty Bob Strikes Back
        Intellicon                   Meteorites
        Parker Brothers              Frogger II Threedeep!
        Parker Brothers              James Bond 007
        Parker Brothers              Star Wars: Death Star Battle
        Parker Brothers              Star Wars: The Arcade Game
    
    
    Prototypes:
    -----------
        Atari           CX5201       Asteroids
        Atari                        Battlezone
        Atari                        Black Belt
        Atari                        Jr. Pac-Man
        Atari                        Last Starfighter
        Atari                        Looney Tunes Hotel
        Atari                        Meebzork
        Atari                        Microgammon
        Atari                        Millipede
        Atari                        Miniature Golf
        Atari           CX5219       Realsports Basketball
        Atari                        Roadrunner
        Atari                        Spitfire
        Atari                        Sport Goofy
        Atari                        Tempest
        Atari                        Track and Field
        Atari                        XARI Arena
        Atari                        Xevious
        Imagic                       Fathom
        Imagic                       Moonsweeper
    
    
       Spitfire -  It was made available, but was in the very early stages.
           	It supposedly has nice graphically, but there was as of yet no
            game involved. (atariman@athena.mit.edu (Shane D Shaffer))
    
       Tempest  -  Sort of playable, never completed.  (Jeff Minter)
    
       Battlezone - Tough to find (as if any of these are easy)
    
       Jr. Pac-Man - Just about complete, but it wasn't released commercially.
    
       The Last Starfighter - adapted from the computer Star Raiders II,
           complete except for the lack of shields.
    
       Looney Tunes Hotel - Almost complete, but unpolished.
    
       Meebzork - Has a few bugs that cause freezes and black-outs.
    
       Millipede - See Jr. Pac-Man
    
       Miniature Golf - Really stinks.  Very early stages, worse than the
           2600 version.  It's just a bunch of dots and lines.
    
       Roadrunner - Almost complete, but no sound.
    
       Realsports Basketball - scrapped very early.
    
       Sport Goofy - Mostly complete, but has a few bugs.
    
       Track N Field - See Millipede
    
       Xari Arena - See Battlezone
    
       Xevious - See Track N Field
    
       The following 5200 Proto's were available from BEST.  NOTE: WERE!
    
       Basketball              Track And Field         Gremlins
       Millipede               The Last Starfighter    Looney Tunes Hotel
       Sport Goofy             Meebzork
       Xevious (works only with 2-port model)
       Road Runner (Proto they carried had no sound)
       Miniature Golf (same as Road Runner)
       Pac-Man Jr. (Works on 4 ports, but works best on 2 port version)
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.3.3) What are the most common and rarest 7800 games?
    
    Common Atari 7800 Games:
    ------------------------
        Atari           CX7805       Galaga
        Atari           CX7808       Pole Position II
        Atari           CX7807       Ms. Pac-Man
    
    
    Rare Atari 7800 Games:
    ----------------------
        Absolute        AM-039       Kung Fu Master
        Activision      AM-050       Double Dragon
        Activision      AM-049       Rampage
        Atari           CX7859       Barnyard Blaster
        Atari           CX7863       Mat Mania Challenge
        Atari           CX7875       Meltdown
        Froggo                       Tank Command
        Froggo                       Water Ski
    
    
    Prototypes (?):
    ---------------
        Atari                        Eidilon, The
        Atari                        Electro Cop
        Atari                        KLAX
    
        Atari                        Lode Runner
        Atari                        Night of the Ninja
        Atari           CX7816       Rescue on Fractalus
        Atari                        Sentinal
        Atari                        Sky Fox
        ?????                        White Water Madness
        Froggo                       Pyromania
        Froggo                       Scrapper Story
        Froggo                       UFO
    
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.3.4) What games were available via GameLine services?
    
    Airlock                 Alien                   Atlantis
    Bank Heist              Bermuda Triangle        Boing
    Bugs                    Cakewalk                China Syndrome
    Coconuts                Commando Raid           Cosmic Ark
    Cosmic Creeps           Cosmic Swarm            Cross Force
    Crypts of Chaos         Deadly Duck             Demolition Herby
    Demon Attack            Dragonfire              The Earth Dies Screaming
    Eggomania               Encounter at L-5        Entombed
    Fantastic Voyage        Fast Food               Fire Fighter
    Flash Gordon            Frankenstein's Monster  Gangster Alley
    Gopher                  Guardian                Infiltrate
    Jawbreaker              King Kong               Lost Luggage
    M.A.D.                  Marauder                M*A*S*H
    Megaforce               Mines of Minos          Moonsweeper
    Name this Game          The Challenge of Nexar  Nightmare
    No Escape               Picnic                  Piece O' Cake
    Planet Patrol           Polaris                 Porky's
    Raft Rider              Ram It                  Revenge of the Beefsteak
                                                     Tomatoes
    Riddle of the Sphinx    Room of Doom            Save the Whales
    Shark Attack            Shootin' Gallery        Sneak & Peek
    Solar Storm             Space Cavern            Space Jockey
    Space Master            Squeeze Box             Sssnake
    Stargunner              Star Voyager            Tape Worm
    Threshold               Towering Inferno        Trick Shot
    Turmoil                 Warplock                Word Zapper
    Worm War I
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.4.1) What 2600 or 7800 games used a light gun?
    
    
    2600:
    -----
        Atari           CX26183      Sentinel
    
    
    7800:
    -----
        Atari           CX7855       Alien Brigade (stick too?)
        Atari           CX7859       Barnyard Blaster
        Atari           CX7844       Crossbow  (gun or stick)
        Atari           CX7875       Meltdown
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.4.2)  Which 2600 games used Kid pads/key pads?
    
    A Game of Concentration (Hunt & Scare, Memory Match)
    Alpha Beam with Ernie
    BASIC Programming
    Big Bird's Egg Catch
    Brain Games
    Codebreaker
    Cookie Monster Munch
    MagiCard
    Oscar's Trash Race
    Star Raiders
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.4.3) Which 2600 games used paddles?
    
    Bachelor Party                  Beat Em' & eat Em
    Blackjack                       Breakout (Breakaway IV)
    Bumper Bash
    Casino (Poker Plus)             Circus Atari (circus)
    Demons to Diamonds              Eggomania
    Encounter at L-5                Fireball (Supercharger game)
    Guardian
    Kaboom!                         Mangia
    Music Machine                   Night Driver
    Party Mix (Supercharger game)   Piece O Cake
    Solar Storm                     Steeplechase
    Street Racer (Speedway II)      Super Breakout
    Tac-Scan                        Video Olympics (Pong Sports)
    Warlords                        Warplock
    
    
    Canyon Bomber (can also use joysticks to play 2 players at once)
    Indy 500 (used special 360 paddles)
    G.I. Joe Cobra Strike (players 1 & 2 use paddle--player 3 uses joystick)
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.4.4) How do I fix my paddles?
    
      Dirty paddles can cause the player on the screen to jump around
    in a somewhat random pattern.  One of the better was to clean the
    dirty "pots" is to open them up and spray WD-40 into the area
    around the shaft.  The WD-40 must get inside the unit.  Give a few
    good twists and try playing some games!
    
      Also, Silicon Cleaning spray also works well.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.5) What is this Starpath CD I keep hearing about?
    
      Currently there is a project that involves putting all the
    Starpath SuperCharger audio tapes onto a CD.  The author is looking
    for un-released games and PAL versions.  Check out the 2600
    news groups for update information.
    
      You may obtain the FAQ for this project from "The Classic Video Games
    Homepage."  http://www2.ecst.csuchico.edu/~gchance/
    
    
    ==========================================================
    2.6) What Easter Eggs (cheats) exist for the 26/52/7800?
    
       This section has grown rather large and a new version
    of the cheats faq is available EMAIL from Galen Tatsuo Komatsu.
    The current list size is about 41898 bytes.
    
    Request "Send B-TECH" from:
    
    gkomatsu@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu
    ar592@cleveland.freenet.edu
    
    This is NOT a mailserver.  Please give the gentleman some time to respond
    to the request.  Thank you.
    
    
    ================================================================
    2.7.1) What out there exists to help programmers?
    
      For 2600 users there is the "Stella" guide.  It is availabe
    from the FTP sites mentioned in this list.  Atari.archive.umich.edu
    has a modified version of Stella that is postscript format with
    graphs and diagrams.
    
      For the 7800 there is Harry Dodgson's (dodgson@coyote.cs.wmich.edu)
    Monitor Cart plus documentation.  The 250+ pages include a stella guide,
    a 2600 programming manual which is a bit more readable, the Maria specs,
    and the 7800 docs plus numerous corrections to the Atari documentation.
    The package price, I believe, is around $65.  If you want to get into
    programming the 2600/7800 GET THIS KIT.
    
    
    ================================================================
    2.7.2) What is the 7800 encryption algorithm?
    
       The 7800 uses a data encryption key to determine whether or not the
    7800 cartridge is valid and allows the system to be put in 7800 mode
    as opposed to 2600 mode.  The encryption algorithm is said to be
    proprietary.  Rumors exist, however,  that Atari released the algorithm
    for use on the the Atari ST series of computers.  If anybody has this
    program we would all be very happy to have a look at it.  It is also
    rumored that not many people at Atari know what the algorithm is or
    how to use it anymore.
    
      It is also rumored that the code was released with the Lynx Dev-Kit
    for Amiga's yet it does not appear in version 1.3.  Rumors...rumors...
    
    
    ================================================================
    2.8)  Bugs.
    
       This section deals with major software/hardware bugs.
       Anybody know of some more?
    
    
    ================================================================
    2.8.1) Whats up with 7800 Impossible Mission?
    
      7800 Impossible mission REALLY is impossible.
      The cart was released with a bug where some of the pieces you need
      were hidden under computer terminals...YOU CAN'T SEARCH THE TERMINALS.
      This bug was fixed, but I don't think Atari ever released the updated
      version.
    
      ghtthing@aol.com (NightThing)
    
      [Author's Comment:  How does somthing like this happen?]
    
    
    ================================================================
    3.1) What different 26/52/7800 models and accessories did Atari make?
    
    Some people not only collect game cartridges, but hardware systems as
    well.  Here is some basic information on the various game systems that
    Atari has made over the years.
    
    
    ================================================================
    3.1.1) What Atari 2600 and Sears Video Arcade Systems were made?
    
    Atari VCS CX2600 - Original model. Woodgrain and black plastic enclosure.
            Light and heavy weighted plastic. Six silver switches across
            the upper front panel.   Bundled accessories include two CX40
            joysticks,  one CX30 paddle controller, AC adapter, TV switch
            and a CX2601 Combat game cart.
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Mfd. by Atari, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA.  Serial # 048181."
            "Mfd. by Atari-Wong Ltd. in Hong Kong.  Serial # 568213514."
            "Manufactured for Atari Inc. by TRU Electronic Components
             Company in Taiwan.  Model NO: CX-2600 Serial # 81281713"
    
    Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I - Same as above except external cosmetic
            differences (the "difficulty" switches  are labeled "skill level",
            switch panel is silver instead of black, woodgrain pattern is
            different.)
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Mfd. for Atari Inc. by Dimerco Electronics in Taiwan for sale to
            Sears, Roebuck, and Co.  Serial # 82077230."
    
    Atari VCS 2600A - Revised model.  Externally it is nearly identical to the
            original, except there are four silver switches across the upper front
            panel instead of six.   Internally, the motherboard is a simplified
            one-piece design.
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by TRW Electronic Components Co. in Taiwan.
            Serial # 811510200."
            "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by Atari Taiwan Mfing. Corp. in Taiwan.
            Serial # 827030354."
    
    Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I(A) - Same as above except external cosmetic
            differences.
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Mfd. for Atari Inc. by Dimerco Electronics in Taiwan for sale to
            Sears, Roebuck, and Co.  Serial # 82299647."
    
    Atari VCS 2600A (black) - Second revised model. Externally it is nearly
            identical to the 2600A, except the enclosure has a more modern
            looking "black out" treatment.  The areas of woodgrain on the original
            models are now simply black plastic.  Internally, the motherboard is a
            mild revision of the 2600A.
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by Atari Taiwan Mfing. Corp. in Taiwan.
            Serial # AT831150153."
    
    Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II - Entirely new model of the 2600 designed
            just for Sears. Black wedge-shaped enclosure, with push button
            switches and LEDs on top panel. Essentially an Atari 7800 shell.
            Four joystick connectors on lower front panel with rocker switch.
            Internally very different from other 2600 models, but
            still uses the same basic chipset.  Bundled accessories include two
            combination joystick/paddle controllers, AC adapter, TV switch
            and a Space Invaders game cart.
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Sears, Inc. (Atari, Inc.) Serial # SV 392 005539."
    
    Atari 2600 "Jr." - Third revised model.  It is slightly larger than
            a VHS video tape case.  Some versions have "Jr" stamped onto
            the bottom sticker.  Large black buttons.  Power and b/w switches
            slide, while Reset and Game Select are push buttons.  Jet
            black with large metallic silver strip running lengthwise
            with "Atari 2600" on it.  Marketed as the "Under 50 bux, the
            fun is back!" machine.  Bundled accessories include one joystick,
            AC adapter, TV switch box, and RCA connecting cable.  Box is
            designed as a carrying case with handle and a white section
            which reads: "This Atari 2600 belongs to:" No bundled cart.
    
            Sample wording from bottom of unit:
            "                           Atari 2600
             ---------------------------------------------------
             FCC ID: EBA72R2600
             ATARI CORPORATION
             MADE IN TAIWAN
             [FCC wording deleted]
                             S.N. A1 81 1494278
             ----------------------------------------------------
              "
    
             or
    
            "MANUFACTURED FOR ATARI CORPORATION,
             BY ATARI TAIWAN MANUFACTURING
             CORPORATION IN TAIWAN
             MODEL NO. CX-2600 JR.
             COVERED BY US PATENT NUMBER
             4, 122, 422 OTHER PATENTS, AND
             PATENTS PENDING
    
                       ----------------
                   S.N.|A1 873 412187 |
                       ----------------
    
                   MADE IN TAIWAN"
    
    
    Atari 2600 "Jr." - same as above except silver plate has a larger rainbow
            strip without an embossed border.
    
    
    2600 Accessories
    ----------------
    CX20 - Driving controllers for Indy 500 (set of 2)
    CX21 - Video Touch Pad for Star Raiders
    CX22 - Track ball, black top, white base, with round fire buttons
              and white/yellow ball.
    CX23 - Kid's keyboard controller for Sesame Street titles
    CX30 - Paddle controllers
    CX40 - Joystick
    CX42 - Remote control joysticks (set of 2)
    CX50 - Keyboard controllers (set of 2)
    CX80 - Track ball, all black with wedge shaped fire buttons.
    
    
    All 6 switch Ataris had a large shield casing.  There were at least
    two 6-switch versions:
    
    (6-1) The original. The entire bottom half of the console was made of
          quarter inch thick plastic (~6mm)! Combined with the thick
          aluminum RF casing, this is the heaviest 2600 ever made. Also,
          this 2600 has no 2/3 channel select switch. The hole in there on
          the case and it's marked Channel A/B, but there's no switch inside
          on the PCB. These consoles came with "01 combat". (1977 models only)
    
    (6-2) The lighter 2600.  No armor plating.  Bottom half of console is made
          of thin plastic, like the 4 switch models. Channel switch now present.
          Thick RF shield still present. Plain ol' "combat" included.
    
    4 front switch, woodgrain panel:
    
    Among these are some minor, minor differences. On some, the difficulty
    switches are marked "Expert/Novice" (or was it "Advanced/Beginner"?) and
    others are marked only as "A/B". Rumors persist that the pictures on the
    packaging was different. Pac-Man was the pack-in cart later on. Also, if
    you really want to get picky, some 2600s were made in Taiwan, some in Hong
    Kong, some in Sunnyvale, (anything else). I've got to go through my
    duplicate 2600s and match all these variations up with the revision numbers
    (A, B, C, D, etc.).
    
    4 front switch, black panel:
    
       [Need more info]
    
    
    Also, were there color variations in the lettering, the the borderline
    around the switches, and cart slot? I have yellow ones and orange ones
    or is this just fading?
    
    (Bruce James Robert Linley - linley@netcom.com - Amateur radio: KE6EQZ)
    
    
    ================================================================
    3.1.2) What Atari 5200 models were made?
    
    Atari CX5200 - Original model.  Four controller connectors on lower front
            panel.  Bundled accessories include two CX-52 controllers, AC adapter,
            CX-522 TV switch, and a SuperBreakout game cart.
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Atari, Inc.,  Atari Model No. 5200,  Serial # 0151320 SV-442."
    
    Atari CX5200 - Revised model.  Two controller connectors on lower front
            panel.  Bundled accessories include two CX-52 controllers, AC adapter,
            TV switch, and a SuperBreakout game cart.
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Atari,  Inc.,  Atari Model No. 5200,  Serial # 036412 EP-233."
    
    
       There are slight cosmetic changes to the shells of the 5200, in
    particular the base section has seen several versions.  There are at least
    two different bases with hooks for winding up the video cable, and at least one
    version without any hooks at all.
    
    5200 Accessories
    ----------------
    CX52  - Controller
    CX53  - Track ball
    CX55  - 2600 cartridge adapter (only for 2 port models or modified 4 port)
    CX522 - TV switchbox for 4 port models.
    
    
    ================================================================
    3.1.3) What Atari 7800 models were made?
    
    Atari CX7800 - Two joystick ports on lower front panel.  Vastly modified
             and enhanced Atari 2600 model.  New chipset (except sound which
             is the 2600 chip).  Side expansion port for upgrades and computer
             add ons.  Bundled accessories included two CX24 ProLine joysticks
             AC Adapter, switchbox, RCA connecting cable, and Pole Position II
             cartridge.  Plays all 2600 games except 3 or so.
    
    Atari CX7800 - Second Revision.  Expansion port connector removed from
             mother board but is still etched.  Shelll has indentation of
             where expansion port was to be.
    
    Atari CX7800 - Third Revision.  As above but only a small "blemish" mark
             on shell.
    
             Some versions will play more 2600 games than the other.  Please
             note that this incompatability problem only shows up on one or
             two 2600 cartridges out of the 1000 or so made;  most notably
             Activision's "Robot Tank."
    
                    [need more information]
    
    
    
    7800 Accessories
    ----------------
    CX24 - Proline joystick
    CX78 - European joystick  Gray with yellow/orange fire buttons and
               mini thumb joystick.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.2) What vaporware hardware is there?
    
    
    2600 Computer Keyboard called the "Graduate."
    2600 Voice command system and a "head-mounted-thought" driver controller.
    Atari 2700 - Remote control joystick/paddles, touch sensitive console buttons.
    Atari 2800 - Sears Super Video Arcade II with "ATARI" logos.
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.3) How many 2600 clones/emulators were made and by who?
    
    Coleco Gemini Video Game - Inexpensive clone 2600 made by Coleco. All black,
            box-shaped enclosure. Six small slide switches on top of front
            panel. RF modulator port and power adapter port on back panel.
            Two joystick ports and difficult switches on front panel.
            Bundled accessories included two dual-joystick/paddle
            controllers, a 9volt/500ma DC adapter, RF cable, TV switch and
            Donkey Kong game cart (?).
    
            Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
            "Coleco Gemini VGS - Coleco Ind., Inc., Serial # AG0145189."
    
    
    ColecoVision Expansion Module #1 - Black, 5" x 10", 1 3/4" high in front,
            sloping to 2 3/4" in back.
    
                   _____      a = expansion connector to ColecoVision
            ______|__a__|__   b = 2600 cart slot
            |      _____   |  c = color/b+w slide switch
            |     |__b__|  |  l = left difficulty slide switch
            |.........     |  r = right difficulty slide switch
            | clr gr :     |  g = game select push button
            |________:_____|  r = reset button
                       ^ ^  <---- joystick ports
    
            Chips inside are:  "COLECO 73192 E4002" (TIA clone?), SY6507,
            SY6532.  Curiously, there is an empty space for a 14 pin chip
            and assorted resistors and capicitors on the right side of the
            circuit board.  The space for a "Y1" indicates that this was
            probably intended to be a clock generator.  (Could this board
            also be intended for standalone use, such as in the VGS?)
            There is also an adjustment hole on the bottom that turns
            a potentiometer [probably color control].  The reset button
            on the main ColecoVision console acts as a hard reset for
            the expansion module.  The connection to the ColecoVision unit
            isn't very physically stable, at least not on carpet, resulting
            in flaky performance.
    
            Sample wording from bottom label:
            "ColecoVision [tm]
             Model No. 2405
             Coleco Industries, Inc., Amsterdam, NY 12010
             Serial # A0065820         For service help call:
             F.C.C. ID# BNV8432405     1+800+842-1225
             Coleco Industries, Inc.   (Nationwide)
             Made in U.S.A.            Printed in U.S.A. 74859A"
            (BTomlin@aol.com)
    
    
    Intellivision System Changer - Made by Mattel, copyright 1983.
            White, roughly about 5-6" square and 2" high, with a piece
            sticking out of the left side that fit into the Intellivision
            cartridge slot.
                ___________ <-Top face.
                |  _____  |
              __| [__a__] |  a == Atari cartridge slot  b == insert into Inty II
             | b          |  c == Game Reset (square button)
             |__   cdefg  |  d, f == left and right difficulty (toggle switches)
                |_________|  e == Color/B+W toggle switch
                             g == Game Select (square button)
    
             Front face had two standard joystick ports.
             Known to work with virtually all 2600 carts except those that
             don't work with other adapters (i.e. those like Space Shuttle
             and Starmaster that use standard 2600 hardware functions).
             Does not work with the "original" (2609) Intellivision Master
             Component without factory modification.
    
             Sample text from bottom, one white label and one orange label:
    	 "Model No. 4610  FCC ID: BSU9RD4610  Serial No. 003255"
             (vsp@netaxs.com)
    
    Commodore VIC-20/2600 game adapter - Rumored to exist.  Was advertised
            by Protecto in mail order ads in during the 1983 time frame.  Plugged
            into VIC expansion connector  and provided 2600 software emulation.
            Original price, emulation quality, and reliability  all unknown.
            [need more information]
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.4) What light guns work with the 2600/7800?
    
     There is no light-gun made specifically for the 2600 or 7800, however,
     Atari's light gun (model number XG-1) that came with the XE-Game-System
     works well.
    
     Additionally, Best Electronics has "The Best Lightgun" which supposedly
     works better than Atari's own.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.5)  The following are interfaces to enhance the a base
          system's abilities
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.5.1) What add on modules existed for the 2600?
    
    Compumate - 42 key touchpad computer add on from Spectravideo.  Adds
                16K ROM, 2K RAM, and has BASIC.  Looks like a small keyboard
                attatched to a cartridge, which is in turn connected to the
                joystick ports.  Originally sold for $79.99
    
    Copy Cart - from Vidco, allowed tranfer of a game onto a blank cartridge.
                Battery powered, not all games can be copied because of memory
                limitations.
    
    CVC GameLine - Play games via modem to a networked database.
                See Game Doctor in Electronic Games in early '94.
    
                [Somebody want to scan this in for me?]
    
    
    Game Selex - from Starplex, allows 9 cartridges to be plugged in at
                once; turn a dial to choose the game.
    
    Kid Vid Control - Cassette recorder and cartridge interface, additional
                wire connects recorder to joystick port.  Voices and songs
                tell player what to do on screen.  Tape shuts off automatically
                to wait for player input.  3 tapes per game, only games were
                Berenstain Bears and Smurfs Save the Day.  Made by Coleco.
    
    Personal Game Programmer - By Answer, similar to Game Genie.
    
    ROM Scanner - from Marjac, allows 10 cartridges to be plugged in,
                press a button to choose game.
    
    Starpath Supercharger - Large cartridge that plugged into the 2600 slot
                had a cable with standard 1/8" jack for plugging into
                tape recorders.  Games came on regular audio cassettes
                with previews of upcoming releases.  The unit itself contains
                6K RAM and 2K ROM.  ROM is in top 2K and RAM is banked in
                lower 2K (2600 only has max of a 4K ROM).
    
    Video Game Brain - from RGA International Limited.  A multiple cartridge
               adapter that holds six games to play, and contains 2 dummy
               slots for additional cart storage.  You select the game
               you want to play by pushing a button in frot of that
               cartridge.
    
    Videoplexer - ??  Holds 8 games.  [Need more info]
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.5.2) What add on modules existed for the 5200?
    
    The Masterplay Interface - by Electra Concepts.  Allowed the ability
               to use 2600 controllers with the 5200.  The company
               also released a game called "Meteorites."  I have seen
               pictures of this device in the ORIGINAL Electronic
               Games (or whatever it was called back in 83/84.)
    
               IF ANYBODY HAS ONE OF THESE I WOULD APPRECIATE
               A SCHEMATIC or the ability to tinker with one
               in order to duplicate one!!
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.6) What are the known specs for the 2600/5200/7800?
    
    The information here is incomplete in some places, misleading in others,
    and possibly just wrong in other places.
    
    
    Specifications for the Atari 2600/7800
    
                    2600                            7800
    
    CPU:            6507                            6502C (custom, NOT 65C02)
    RAM:            128 Bytes, in VLSI              4K, high speed (mostly VRAM)
    ROM:            4K max                          52K max
    Cpu Clock:      1.19 MHz                        1.79 MHz
    Graphics Clock: 1.19 MHz                        7.16 MHz
    Slot Config:    Rom access only                 Most CPU lines + video/audio
    CPU Avail:      less than 50%                   over 90%
    
    
    Notes:
    1. ROM specs are based on a non-bank select scheme.
    2. Graphics Clock is the master clock used to drive the video chips.
    
    
                     5200
    
    CPU:             6502C + 3 Custom VLSI's
    RAM:             16K
    ROM:             ?
    Cpu Clock:       1.79 MHZ
    Graphics Clock:  1.79 MHZ?
    
       All 5200 specs are very similar to the Atari 8bit Computer line.
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.6.1) How big do 2600 games get?
    
        There are several 2600 games with 16Kbytes such as Road Runner.
     There are also 15Kbyte games with 128 bytes of RAM on the cartridge
     (e.g. Solaris).  Supercharger games that do multiple loads may
     be even larger, but specs on these are hard to find.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.7.1) 2600 and 7800 Joystick pinouts:
    
    From: galt%asylum.cs.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Greg Alt)
    
    _________________
    \ o5 o4 o3 o2 o1/
     \ o9 o8 o7 o6 /
      \___________/
    
    pin #  2600 control     7800 control
      1    WHT- Up          WHT- Up
      2    BLU- Down        BLU- Down
      3    GRN- Left        GRN- Left
      4    BRN- Right       BRN- Right
      5    unused           RED- Button (R)ight (-)
      6    ORG- Button      ORG- Both buttons (+)
      7    unused           unused
      8    BLK- Ground(-)   BLK- Ground(-)
      9    unused           YLW- Button (L)eft  (-)
    
    
    
    2600 control (button)
    
    pin 6 ORG(+) --------------()------------BLK(-) pin 8
                          Button
    
    7800 control (buttons)
    
                                           /----------YLW(-) pin 9
                                Button L  /
                          /---------()---| YLW splits
                         /                \----/\/\/-----\
    pin 6 ORG(+) -------| ORG splits           520 ohm    |---BLK(-) pin 8
                         \                /----/\/\/-----/
                          \---------()---|     520 ohm
                               Button R   \ RED splits
                                           \----------RED(-) pin 5
    
    
    
    Pinout for the 5200 controllers.
    --------------------------------
    
    Pin  Function
    1    Keypad -- right column
    2    Keypad -- middle column
    3    Keypad -- left column
    4    Start, Pause, and Reset common
    5    Keypad -- third row and Reset
    6    Keypad -- second row and Pause
    7    Keypad -- top row and Start
    8    Keypad -- bottom row
    9    Pot common
    10   Horizontal pot (POT0, 2, 4, 6)
    11   Vertical pot (POT1, 3, 5, 7)
    12   5 volts DC
    13   Bottom side buttons (TRIG0, 1, 2, 3)
    14   Top side buttons
    15   0 volts -- ground
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.7.2) 2600 Cartridge Pinouts and information:
    
    The 2600 Cartridge:
            A standard cartridge contains the equivalent of a 2716 or 2732/2532
    with one notable exception: the chip select line is active high, not low.
    The high order address line of the 6507 (A12) is used as the chip enable.
    There was at least one company that used EPROMs with a 74LS04 inverter to
    compensate for this.
    
    The Pinouts:
    Note:   numbers indicate left to right numbering
    
            Top Row                 Bottom Row
    Slot    2716    CPU             2716    CPU
    
    1       13      D3              1       A7
    2       14      D4              2       A6
    3       15      D5              3       A5
    4       16      D6              4       A4
    5       17      D7              5       A3
    6       *       A12             6       A2
    7       19      A10             7       A1
    8       NC      A11             8       A0
    9       22      A9              9       D0
    10      23      A8              10      D1
    11      24      +5V             11      D2
    12      12      Shield Ground   NC      Ground
        * to inverter and back to 18 for chip select
    
    (Looking at the bottom of the cartridge -- i.e. edge connectors first)
                            Top
     D3   D4   D5   D6   D7   A12  A10  A11  A9   A8  +5V   SGND
    --1- --2- --3- --4- --5- --6- --7- --8- --9- -10- -11- -12-
     GND  D2   D1   D0   A0   A1   A2   A3   A4   A5   A6   A7
                            Bottom
    
    Dx = Data line x
    Ax = Address line x
    +5V = +5 volts
    SGND = Shield Ground
    GND = Ground
    
    Note 1: On both of the cartridges I took apart, GND was also connected
            to SGND.  Best to make sure that they are wired together.
    
    Note 2: A11 and A12 could be switched.  On both the chips I've checked,
            A12 was hardwired to +5 volts which leads me to believe that it
            is the highest address line.  Since I believe that these chips
            are only 4Kx8 ROMs, this seems logical, since A12 would actually
            be just the chip enable for ROM (right?).  Only the 2600 info
            tells differently, and it doesn't give any connection for A11 on
            the EPROM, so I don't trust it.  Unfortunately, since the 2716
            EPROM is used as an example, we won't know without actually trying
            one, since the 2716 doesn't really use A11 or A12 and either one
            could be used as a chip enable
    
    
    Address
    lines           Memory
    used            Available       EPROM   Memory
    ======================================================
    A11             2048            2716    2K
    A12             4096            2732    4K
    A13             8192            2764    8K  (needs support chips for banking)
    A13             8192        2 x 2732    8K  (most common of 8K config)
    
        ____________
        |   2716   |
    A7  | 1     24 | VCC [+5 V]
    A6  | 2     23 | A8
    A5  | 3     22 | A9
    A4  | 4     21 | VPP [Doesn't matter probably.  +5V]
    A3  | 5     20 | !Output Enable (always on) [GND]
    A2  | 6     19 | A10
    A1  | 7     18 | !Chip Enable (make high bit) [inverted A12]
    A0  | 8     17 | D7
    D0  | 9     16 | D6
    D1  | 10    15 | D5
    D2  | 11    14 | D4
    GND | 12    13 | D3
        |__________|
        ____________
        |   2732   |
    A7  | 1     24 | VCC [+5 V]
    A6  | 2     23 | A8
    A5  | 3     22 | A9
    A4  | 4     21 | A11
    A3  | 5     20 | !Output Enable (always on) [GND] / VPP
    A2  | 6     19 | A10
    A1  | 7     18 | !Chip Enable (make high bit) [inverted A12]
    A0  | 8     17 | D7
    D0  | 9     16 | D6
    D1  | 10    15 | D5
    D2  | 11    14 | D4
    GND | 12    13 | D3
        |__________|
        ____________
        |   2764   |
    VPP | 1     28 | VCC [+5 V]
    A12 | 2     27 | !Program Strobe (no connection?) [+5V]
    A7  | 3     26 | No Connection
    A6  | 4     25 | A8
    A5  | 5     24 | A9
    A4  | 6     23 | A11
    A3  | 7     22 | !Output Enable (always on) [GND]
    A2  | 8     21 | A10
    A1  | 9     20 | !Chip Enable (always on) [GND]
    A0  | 10    19 | D7
    D0  | 11    18 | D6
    D1  | 12    17 | D5
    D2  | 13    16 | D4
    GND | 14    15 | D3
        |__________|
    I also set VPP at +5V for the 2764.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.7.3)  5200 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout:
    
    
    5200 Cartridge port:
    --------------------
    
                 Top                  Bottom
    -----------------------------------------------
    
    D0                       1   36      Interlock
    D1                       2   35      A11
    D2                       3   34      A12
    D3                       4   33      A10
    D4                       5   32      A13
    D5                       6   31      A9
    D6                       7   30      Audio In (2 port)
    D7                       8   29      A8
    Enable 80-8F             9   28      Not Connected
    Enable 40-7F             10  27      A7
    Not Connected            11  26      +5V DC
    Ground                   12  25      Ground
    Ground                   13  24      Ground (Video In on 2 port)
    Ground (System Clock
    02 on 2 port)            14  23      Ground
    A6                       15  22      A4
    A5                       16  21      A3
    A2                       17  20      A1
    Interlock                18  19      A0
    
    
    
    5200 expansion connector:
    -------------------------
    
                 Top                  Bottom
    -----------------------------------------------
    +5V DC                  1   36      +5V DC
    Audio Out (2 port)      2   35      Not connected
    Ground                  3   34      Ground
    R/W Early               4   33      Not connected
    Enable E0-EF            5   32      D7
    D6                      6   31      D5
    D4                      7   30      D3
    D2                      8   29      D1
    D0                      9   28      Ground
    IRQ                     10  27      A0
    Ground                  11  26      A1
    Serial Data In          12  25      A2
    Serial In Clock         13  24      A3
    Serial Out Clock        14  23      A4
    Serial Data Out         15  22      A5
    Audio In                16  21      A6
    A14                     17  20      A7
    System Clock 01         18  19      A11
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.7.4) 7800 Cartridge and Expansion Pinout
    
    Cartridge port
    --------------
    1       R/W         17       A15
    2       Halt        18       EAudio
    3       D3          19       A7
    4       D4          20       A6
    5       D5          21       A5
    6       D6          22       A4
    7       D7          23       A3
    8       A12         24       A2
    9       A10         25       A1
    10      A11         26       A0
    11      A9          27       D0
    12      A8          28       D1
    
    13      +5V         29       D2
    14      Gnd         30       Gnd
    15      A13         31       IRQ
    16      A14         32       CLK2
    
    
    Expansion port
    --------------
     Gnd   +5v  CVideo MLum0 Mlum3 Blank OscDis ExtMen Gnd
    --1-- --2--  --3-- --4-- --5-- --6-- --7-- ---8-- --9--
    
    -18-- -17--  -16-- -15-- -14-- -13-- -12-- --11-- -10--
     Gnd  Audio   Rdy   MCol MLum2 MLum1 Msync  Clk2  ExtOsc
    
    
    All signals starting with M are Maria signals
    MLum* is 4 bits of luminance - giving 16 shades of each color
    MCol is the color phase angle
    Msync and Blank are Maria combined sync and blanking outputs
    Extmen is an external Maria Enable input
    OscDis disables the 14.31818 MHz master clock and ExtOsc is an input to
     replace it.
    CVideo is the input to the RF modulator so it includes the modulated audio too
    Clk2 is the phase 2 clock from the 6502
    Rdy is an input to the 6502
    
     Many thanks to Harry Dodgson for the pinouts.
     I hope there are no errors with my transcription.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    3.8) Power supply informatiion:
    
    2600 power supply:
    ------------------
    
    Input: 120VAC 60Hz
    Output: 9VDC 500mA
    Polarity: Center +, Outer -
    
    
    
    European 2600 supply:
    
    "  
      PART NO.:CO 18084-319
          AC/DC ADAPTOR
      INPUT: AC 240 V#50Hz 9W
       OUTPUT: DC 9V 500 mA
      BS415 
    FOR USE WITH MODELS CX 2600
         XEP 80 OR SX212
          WB JUN-AUG 87"
    
    
    5200 power supply:
    ------------------
    [I have used the 11.5VDC pack on both units....I do not know, however,
     if these are "OFFICIAL" packs per system.  i.e. Did all 2 ports come
     with the 9.3VDC version?  I don't know.]
    
    4 Port:                       2 Port:
    Input:  120VAC 60Hz           Input: 120VAC 60Hz
    Output: 11.5VDC 1.95Amp       Output: 9.3VDC 1.4A
    Polarity: Center +, Outer -   Polarity:  Center +, Outer -
    Part#: C018187                Part#  CO20465-404
    
    
    7800 power supply:
    ------------------
    
    Input: 120VAC 60Hz 15W
    Output: 9VDC 1Amp
    Polarity:
                         ___
                    -----| |-----
                 -  | o       o | +
                    -------------
    
    
     [Is this looking into the jack or the power supply?]
    
    If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can get a more standard jack
    and just solder it in parallel with the original connector, then buy a
    power supply at Radio Shack for a few bucks.
    
    
    ==========================================================
    4.1) Building a switchbox for the 4 port 5200.
    
    Where do I hook up the power supply to my 4 port Atari 5200?!
    
    The early Atari 5200s came with an unusual switchbox which supplied power
    to the 5200 down the same wire the 5200 uses to send the video signal to
    your TV. The power supply plugged into the switchbox. Unfortunately, these
    switchboxes seem to have gotten lost over the years and are difficult to
    come by. Newer 5200s (the one with only two controller ports) had the
    power supply jack on the console itself. Fortunately, it is not difficult
    to construct your own RF/power supply box for the 5200. There is one
    difference, though. The original 5200 switchbox would automatically switch
    from your TV antenna/cable to the 5200 when you turned the console on.
    With the RF/power box described below, you will need to use a standard
    game/TV switchbox to accomplish this function.
    
    What do I need to build the RF/Power box?
    
    The following parts are needed to construct the box. Where applicable,
    Radio Shack part numbers, and prices, have been provided. You may use
    another RCA jack in place of the F jack if you wish. I chose to use the
    F jack to avoid ever accidentally plugging the 5200 and TV cables in
    backwards, which would result in 11.5 volts DC going into your TV set,
    possibly damaging it.
    
    RS#       Part                                     Price
    --------  ----------------------------             -----
    270-235   2"x2.75"x1.625" Aluminum Box             $1.99
    274-1563  Coaxial DC power jack                    $1.79
    278-212   Cable TV type F jack (2 pack)            $0.99 (optional, see above)
    274-346   RCA type phono jack (4 pack)             $2.49
    272-131   0.01 uF Ceramic Disc capacitor (2 pack)  $0.59
              Small metal bolt (1" long, 3/8" diam, approx)
              22 guage solid wire (14" or so)
                                                 Total $7.85 + local tax
    
    How do I build it?
    
    Drill holes in the aluminum box for each jack to match the diagram below.
    The box itself forms the common ground connection to all three jacks.
    To reduce signal loss and ensure the common ground, I recommend using
    chrome or gold plated type jacks.
    
             F jack (to TV)
                   __
    +-------------|  |-------------+
    |             |__|             |<--- Aluminum box
    |               |              |
    |               \    0.01uF    |      Solder the leads of the capacitor to
    |                \  _   Capacitor     the center pins of the F jack and the
    |                 \/@|         |      RCA jack. Make the choke by winding at
    |                  \/          |      least 10 turns of 22 guage solid,
    |                   \          |      insulated wire around a 3/8" (approx)
    |          Choke     \         |      diameter bolt. Wrap tape around the
    |        ---|/////|---\        |      completed choke to prevent it from
    |       _L            _L       |      unwinding. Strip the insulation off of
    +------|  |----------|  |------+      each end of the choke leads. Solder the
           |__|          |__|             leads of the choke to the center pins of
      DC power jack     RCA jack          the DC power jack and the RCA jack.
      (to pwr supply)   (to 5200)         Screw the box shut. You're done.
    
    How does it work?
    
    The capacitor transparently passes the video signal from the 5200 to the
    TV output jack, while at the same time preventing the DC power from the
    power supply jack from going into your TV. The choke (inductor)
    transparently passes the the 11.5 volt DC power to the 5200 via the RCA
    jack while at the same time preventing the video signal from escaping back
    down the power supply wire. The bolt around which the choke is wound helps
    to increase the choke's inductance to block more of the video signal from
    going back into the power supply than it otherwise would. The aluminum box
    itself helps keep the video signal confined to where it belongs to prevent
    possible interference and to ensure that as much of the signal as possible
    gets to your TV. For this reason, plastic boxes are not recommended.
    
    Power supply info (if you don't have one).
    
    The 5200 power supply is 11.5 volts DC @ 1.95 amps and has a standard type
    coaxial plug (center positive 5mm OD, 2.1mm ID). Or you could construct
    one from a transformer, 4 diodes, two capacitors, a resistor, a 3A adj.
    voltage regulator, heat sink, case, and cabling, or find a 12V 2A power
    supply and add a diode inline to drop the voltage by 0.5V, but that's
    another project!
    
    (Bruce James Robert Linley  - linley@netcom.com - Amateur radio: KE6EQZ)
    
    
    ==========================================================
    4.2) Composite/audio/chroma/luma output for the Atari 2600
    
    [The following mod is for SOME Jr's.  Please see section end for
     2600A update.]
    
    File revision 1.1
    
    After finding my entertainment budget disappear (poor university
    student) I was forced to economize--I dusted off the Ole'2600.
    I figured I would hook it up to my computer monitor, but to my
    dismay there was no composite output on the beast (Atari).
    Determined to overcome, I quickly disassembled it. After some
    poking and prodding around I managed to locate the required
    signals.
    
    Benefits:  No longer require a TV. You no longer require those
               god-awful switch boxes. No more interference patterns
               on the screen (from the RF cable being used as a bloody
               antenna). No longer requires the 100' hookup RF cable.
               Crisp clear audio etc;
    
    Drawbacks: No longer get to see sister trip in 100' RF cable. No
               longer get to fall asleep with psychedelic interference
               patterns on screen.
    
    
    Materials Required:
      Phillips screwdriver, a soldering iron, solder, a small piece of
      wire, 2 or 3 patch cables and a small pair of needle-nose pliers.
    
    
    * The following schematic is for the NEWER model which is sometimes
      referred to as the "Atari Junior".  The older model is much the
      same.
    
    
    1-Simply unplug everything from your console, turn it over and
      remove the 5 screws.
    2-Remove the top and bottom plastic case pieces. When removing the
      TOP piece carefully pull out the ribbon cable that connects it to
      the main board.
    3-You should now have the board (covered by a metal shield) in your
      hands. Turn it over, you will see little clasps on the edge of the
      shield that hold it in place. Straighten these with your pliers
      and you can then remove 2 LARGE shields (One on Bottom of unit,
      one on Top). The small shield remaining (On Top) covers the RF
      modulator.
    4-Orient the exposed board into the position that it would normally
      be in. ie: The way it is when you play (On/Off switch near Top
      Left).
    5-Look in the LOWER RIGHTHAND AREA of the TOPSIDE (front) of the
      board. You will see a setup that resembles the schematic below.
    
                                  __________________
    TOPSIDE OF THE BOARD,        |                  |
    LOWER RIGHTHAND CORNER       |O      RF         |
                                 |    MODULATOR     |
                                 |                  |
                                 |__________________|
    
                                            ------ TP5 (Luma)
                                            |
                                 _____      V      ___
                                |     | ||| o ||| | O |
                                |_____| RRR   RCR |___|
                                        |||   |||
                                          ^    ^
                                          |    |
                           R41 (Chroma) ---    --- C19 (Audio)
                           Gold/Red/Grey/Blue      Usually turquoise
                           Color-banded            colored
    
    NOTE: You can connect the Audio to EITHER side of the Capacitor,
          the best results are obtained by placing it on the BOTTOM
          of the Capacitor (as shown).
    
          The Chroma *MUST* be hooked up to the BOTTOM of the resistor
          (as shown).  It will NOT work if you hook it to the top of
          the resistor.
    
    
    To gain Chroma/Luma/Audio output you will need 3 RCA patch cables
    [the kind commonly used with stereos]. Simply solder the cables at
    the required points (Chroma/Luma/Audio) as shown. Remember to GROUND
    ALL cables! ie: solder the GROUND wire [the wire that wraps around
    the inner wire] to any point that the board shield connects to.
    
    To gain Composite/Audio output you need 2 RCA patch cables [the kind
    commonly used with stereos]. Here it gets a little different than
    above. Simply solder a "jumper" [a piece of wire] from R41 (Chroma)
    to TP5 (Luma), then connect a patch cord to TP5 [Presto! you now have
    composite]. Solder the remaining cable to C19 (Audio). Again, remember
    to GROUND all cables. Do *NOT* GROUND the jumper!
    
    Simply re-assemble the unit and you are done. You will find that it
    is easier to have the newly installed cables exit through the joystick
    port. Alternatively, you could cut a notch in the case for a separate
    exit. Having the cables exit through the RF output is not recommended.
    There will not be enough room (without pinching the cables) to hook up
    the RF cable. Adjust your brightness/contrast. Enjoy!
    
    If you ever wish to adjust your color (chroma) there is a "POT" that
    you can tweek. It can be found near the OFF/ON switch. It is the only
    pot on the left side of the board.
    
    DISCLAIMER:
    
    I can not, and will not, be held responsible for any damages that you
    or your system incur.  This document is provided for informational
    purposes only.
    
    Send all Questions/Comments/Cartridges you are no longer using to:
    
    Thomas Clancy
    1 Hunt's Lane
    St. John's NF, Canada
    A1B 2L2
    
    thom@garfield.cs.mun.ca
    thom@saturn.cs.mun.ca
    thom@morgan.ucs.mun.ca
    
    
    (C)1993 Thomas Clancy
    This article is freely distributable so long as it is not modified.
    It must be distributed in it's entirety.
    
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Chroma / Luma upgrade for 4 switch 2600s.
    
    
         TIA pin 2 -----Sync
         TIA pin 5 -----Lum 1                o 5V (TIA pin 20)
         TIA pin 7 -----Lum 2                |
         TIA pin 8 -----Lum 0                |  +
         R206(1K)/C208 Bottom ---Audio       |---|(----,
         C210/R210(6.8K) Top ----Color       |  100uF  |
                                             |         \/ GND (TIA pin 1)
                                             |
            ,--------------------------------|                    10uf
            |    __________                  `------,---/\/\/---,--|(--,
            `---|1         |   CR1  750       1.6K  |    10     | +    |
                |         2|--|<]--/\/\/-,  ,-/\/\/-`           |      \/ GND
      TIA2<-----|3 CD4050  |   9.1K      |  |        ___/-------`        ..........
      TIA5<-----|5        4|---/\/\/-----|  |    Q1 /|/c\                .    RCA
      TIA7<-----|7         |   4.7K      |--|------(b|   )               .   Cables
      TIA8<-----|9        6|---/\/\/-----|  |       \|\e/          75    .       __
             ,--|14        |   18K       |  |           \-----,---/\/\/----Luma-O__
             |--|11      10|---/\/\/-----`  |  2K             |          .      |
             |--|8         |                `-/\/\/-,--/\/\/--`          .  GND \/
             |  |__________|           5v o         |    75              .
             |                            |     GND \/                   .
             \/ GND                Q2 ___/                               .
                             6.8K    /|/c\          75                   .       __
      Top of C210/R210<-----/\/\/---(b|   )   ,----/\/\/---------------->Chroma-O__
                                     \|\e/    |                          .      |
        CR1 - low power silicon          \----|     75                   .  GND \/
              (glass) diode (RS 276-1122)     `----/\/\/---,             .
        Q1,Q2 - 3904 or equiv. (RS 276-2016)               |             .
                                                           \/ GND        .
                                 1uF                                     .       __
      Bottom of R206/C208<-------|(-------------------------------------->Audio-O__
                                +                                        .      |
                                                                         .  GND \/
                                                                         ..........
    
    I hope this is clear enough, but here's a basic summary:
    
    The CD4050 is a video buffer. It provides a sharper signal than just picking
    the signals off of the TIA, which is unbuffered and open collector.  The
    unused buffer inputs are tied to ground to reduce noise (pins 14&11).  On
    the outputs of the buffer, the 3 Luma pins and Sync are combined into what
    will become Luma.  Each Luma signal is supposed to be twice as bright as the
    previous one, so the resistance on each Luma pin is roughly 1/2 the previous
    one.  If you cannot find the exact values, at least try to be within 10% or
    stack values to get close.  The Sync signal is added in via a diode to protect
    the output of the buffer and is dropped slightly through a 750 ohm resistor.
    
    Next, the combined Luma signal is connect to 5v & ground through resistors to
    reference the voltage for the base of Q1, our Luma amplifier.  Its output
    is set to 75 ohm impedance (75 ohms is best but 70-100 ohms will work in the
    place of the 75 ohm resistors. The closest Radio Shack has is a 1/2 watt 82
    ohm resistor 271-011 which works fine).
    
    The Chroma signal is picked off the board at the junction of C210 and R210.
    Looking at the board, R210 is the 4th component from the right in the bottom
    row of resistors/capacitors under the shield.  It connects to C210 (5th
    component from the right) at the top of both components, and this is where
    to solder the wire for the Chroma circuit.
    
    The Chroma circuit is just a simpler version of the Luma amplifier.  Again,
    the output is 75 ohm impedance.
    
    The Audio circuit is simply a capacitor to filter out the DC offset on the
    audio signal.  Pick the audio signal off the board at the junction of R206
    and C208.  R206 is the 4th component from the right in the 2nd row of
    components at the bottom.  Solder the Audio wire at the bottom of R206 and/or
    C208 (3rd component from the right).
    
    Be sure to solder the outer shield from the RCA cables to ground and connect
    the signal to the inner conductor.  Also, do not disconnect any pins of TIA
    from the circuit (if the pins are lifted out of the socket or PCB, the open
    collector outputs will no longer function).
    
    I used a small piece of perfboard from Radio Shack and hot-glued it into the
    2600 case and made a small hole in the RF shield to run the wires to the new
    board.  I ran the RCA cables (Chroma, Luma, Audio) out the hole for the RF
    cable.
    
    I'd like to acknowledge Ben Poehland and Charles Cole whose Super Video
    upgrades are the basis for this project.  When you complete this circuit, your
    2600's picture quality will be comparable to a Super Video upgraded Atari
    8-bit.
    
    Please send corrections, comments, questions, dirty jokes, etc... to
    me at bryedewaard@delphi.com.  Thanks - Bryan Edewaard
    
    
    ==========================================================
    4.3) Video driver for the 2600/7800
    
    
    How to make a video driver suitable for a 2600 or 7800
    
    Parts list:
    
    T1      2SC1815
    R1      2.7K
    R2      150
    R3      68
    L1      180 uH
    L2      2.7 uH
    C1, C2  100 uF 6.3 V
    
    wire list:
    
    R1:1 to Ground
    R1:2 to Video In
    R2:1 to Video In
    R2:2 to T1 base
    R3:1 to Ground
    R3:2 to T1 emitter
    L1:1 to +5V
    L1:2 to T1 collector
    C1:1 to Ground
    C1:2 to T1 collector (positive lead of C1)
    C2:1 to L2:1
    C2:2 to T1 emitter   (positive lead of C2)
    L2:1 to C1:1
    L2:2 to Video Out
    
                                      +5 Volts
                                         |
                                         (
                                      L1 (
                                         (
                                         |
                            R2      |/---+---+
       Video In -------+---^^^------| T1     |     + C2      L2
                       |            |\       |
                       |              >>-+---|-------| |----nnn----  Video Out
                       >                 |   |
                    R1 >                 >   _ +
                       >              R3 >   - C1
                       |                 >   |
                       |                 |   |
                       +-----------------+---+--- Ground
    
    This is a simple common emitter amplifier.  It is a non-inverting current
    amplifier and serves here to allow the video signal from the game to drive
    a standard composite monitor with 75 ohm impedance.
    
    In order to prevent the audio from interfering with the video signal, the
    mixing oscillator must be disabled on the main circuit board.
    On a 7800, remove the base lead of Q1.  It is located near the RF modulator.
    
    The audio doesn't need any extra buffering.
    
    Places to get signals:
    
    1. from RF modulator
       pin 3 is video
       pin 1 is ground
    2. from Expansion Interface on 7800
       pin 1 is ground
       pin 2 is +5V
       pin 3 is video
       pin 17 is audio
    3. from main circuit board
    on a 7800, video and ground are across C7; +5V and audio are across C4
    
    This circuit may not work or be required with all versions of the 2600.
    It is required for the 7800 and the Sears Video Arcade II version of the
    2600.  It is probably not necessary for a 5200.
    
    (Harry Dodgson Jr.     dodgson@coyote.cs.wmich.edu)
    
    
    ==========================================================
    4.4)  Converting Sega controllers to Atari format
    
    
    [Author's note: My genesis controllers work just fine on the 2600 as is.]
    
    
        Using Sega Genesis Controllers with the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600
                              (Revision 1.0)
    
    
    This Posting explains:
    
    1.  How to convert a Sega Genesis Controller to work with the Atari 7800 or
        Atari 2600.
    2.  Where to purchase a converted Sega Genesis Controller or an adaptor.
    
    DOING IT YOURSELF
    
    First the Disclaimer.  I am not responsible for:
    1. Any damage done to your Atari 7800 or Atari 2600.
    2. Any damage done to the Sega Genesis Controller.
    3. Any errors in these instructions.
    
    This design is free for you to make your own controllers or adaptors.  If
    you make controllers or adaptors to sell to other people, I would like (no
    suprise here) a cut of the profits.  The only other thing I ask is that if
    make your own, drop me an email so I get an idea of how many people are
    using my design.
    
    I'm not going to give step by step instructions.  I'm going to assume that
    the reader has some basic knowledge of electronics and can figure out what
    to do with the schematics and info presented here.  I will, however, answer
    questions if asked.
    
    This design works with the Atari 2600 as well as the Atari 7800.  Also, any
    system that can use Atari 2600 joysticks, should be able to use this
    design.
    
    This design can be put inside a Sega Genesis controller or with the
    addition of two 9 pin connectors, it can be made into an adaptor.  It works
    with any Sega Genesis controller including those with autofire.
    
    Parts List:
    2       3906            PNP Transistor
    2       1K              Resistor
    2       620 Ohms        Resistor
    
    For Adaptor only
    1       9 pin Male      Subminiature D connector
    1       9 pin Female    Subminiature D Connector
    
    Schematic:
    
    Sega B button --> Atari Left Button:
    
                             ____ Atari 6
                  1K      | /
    Sega 6   __/\/\/\/\___|V PNP
                          |\ 3906
                            |_______ Atari 5
                            |
                            <
                            < 620 Ohms
                            <
                            |
                          Atari 8
    
    
    Sega C button --> Atari Right Button:
    
                             ____ Atari 6
                  1K      | /
    Sega 9   __/\/\/\/\___|V PNP
                          |\ 3906
                            |_______ Atari 9
                            |
                            <
                            < 620 Ohms
                            <
                            |
                          Atari 8
    
    Sega 1 -------- Atari 1      (Up)
    Sega 2 -------- Atari 2      (Down)
    Sega 3 -------- Atari 3      (Left)
    Sega 4 -------- Atari 4      (Right)
    Sega 8 -------- Atari 8      (Ground)
    
    Sega 5 ___.
              |
              |---- Atari 7      (+5V)
    Sega 7 ___|
    
    Notes:
    
    1.  Pins listed as Sega refer to the 9 pin male connector that the Sega
    Controller plugs into.  Pins listed as Atari refer to the 9 pin female
    connector that plugs in the Atari 7800.
    
    
    
    ==========================================================
    4.5) How can I get my Sega light gun to work on the Atari?
    
     Antic Magazine  published an article on how to convert a sega
     master system light gun for use on the Atari's.
    
     From Antic Magazine, August 1988, Vol. 7, num. 4
         "First look: Inside the XE Game System: Hardware surprises revealed!"
         by Matthew Ratcliff
         page 45
    
       To modify the Sega gun for the Atari, you'll have to cut off
    the incompatible connector. The wires must be stripped back and soldered
    into an Atari joystick connector as follows:
    
            SEGA GUN                    ATARI JOYSTICK PORT
            Blue wire                   Pin 1 stick FWD
            Gray wire                   Pin 6 trigger
            Green wire                  Pin 7  +5 volts
            Black wire                  Pin 8 Ground
    
       Because of the close fitting connections for the XEGS ports,
    don't wire in a DB9 female connector that has "ears". Most joysticks
    don't have wires for unused signals, so cutting up an old joystick cable
    may not work. Specifically, an Atari joystick does not need the +5 volts,
    so there isn't likely to be a wire connected to Pin 7. However, you
    can find joystick extension cables at Radio Shack, which have all nine
    pins wired from male to female. Antic disclaims responsibility for any
    damages that might occur during improper implementation of this, or any,
    hardware modification project we publish.
    
        Once it's all hooked up, you'll notice that gun fires when you release
    the trigger, which is annoying. The Sega trigger wiring is the opposite
    of what the Atari light gun uses. To rewire the trigger switch, remove the
    five screws (one is under the Sega logo on the side). Find the trigger
    micro-switch with three connections. Wire to the normally closed contacts
    instead of normally open.
    
    
    
    ================================================================
    Still needed:
    
        People to send me their extra carts. =)
        List of games and circumstances under which the 7800 does
        not play 2600 games.  (You will be asked to submit DETAILS).
    ----
    
    
    End of Classic Atari Video Game FAQ
    
    
      End Of Line
    
    
    
    --
    Andrew K. Heller - Making the world safe once again. heller@akh104.rh.psu.edu
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Carts: 2600 104; 5200 28; 7800 20 (MINT); Lynx 5; Vectrex 20
     Systems: 2600 1; 2600A 2; 2600JR 1; Sears SVA2 1; 5200 2; 7800 2; Lynx 1;
              800 2; 1200XL 1; 600XL 1; 800XL 7, 130XE 1; Vectrex 1 w/Pen & 3d
     ELO listenin', Dr. Pepper, Kool-aid, and Red Devil drinkin', Atari lovin',
     cags-faq writin', FLYERS watchin', fuji worshiping Ghoull-Man.
    
    
    

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