Justin

I pretty much only have 4 port 5200s in my collection so until very recently, I was only aware of 3 games that didn't work on 2-port versions of the console out of the box. Those being the original Pitfall!, Mountain King, and K-razy Shootout.
However, it is also commonly known that replacing the BIOS on the 2 port model with that of a 4 port, will restore those games and allow them to work on the 2-port model. There are also rom images of the games that have been modified to work on the 2 port when played using a flash cart.
Well, it seems that at last one other game has issues on the 2 port model and that is Activision's Decathlon? The latest 5200 sent in for service received a full diagnostic check, pokey calibration with my controller loopback board. No issues or faults found with the console in stock condition. However, it apparently would only show a scrambled screen of graphics just after the initial start screen with the game Decathlon. In addition to the diagnostics, it had been requested to install a UAV setup for composite and s-video output and also to replace the BIOS and put a 4port BIOS into the console. This was also done, however, I wasn't really made aware of the issues with Decathlon on this console until after I sent it back to the owner. It had been the owners hope that installing the 4port BIOS would allow Decathlon to work again.
Sadly this is not the case. Owner claims that before the BIOS swap, both copies of the game would always show an initial start screen, but when trying to start the game it would then go to a scrambled glitching graphics mess that would lock up the console. Now with the 4 port BIOS installed, they are only able to get one of their two carts to come up and get to the start screen, but like before it still goes into a scrambled mess. The other cart apparently won't even get to a start screen?
I've advised them to test it with their flash cart as they do own an Atarimax SD and state that all other games they have tested are working properly. 
I suppose it is possible for them to have 2 bad carts, but that seems unlikely to me and I'm wondering if there is an issue with the game just not working on 2 port consoles that isn't well documented? I did find another reference to this exact same issue with the game on a stock 2 port console in the AtariAge forums, dating back from 2006. However, the poster for that just ended up getting an actual 4 port unit that apparently ran the game just fine. 
So, anyone here got a 2 port a copy of Decathlon that can confirm if the game works or not? Because even with a 4port BIOS in place, it seems that game might be problematic on 2 port units.

OK, I spent about an hour with it yesterday and I made a tiny bit of progress.  First step was identifying all of the chips, which I did.  The biggest shock was that it has no SID!  Although there is a spot to solder one in.  This fact really dented my enthusiasm for this project.  What good is a C64 with no SID chip??? 
Anyway, I'm almost 90% sure that it's the power supply that is bad.  The bad part is that it isn't a standard connector, so I can't try a standard C64 adapter.  I'll do a little more research here and get better test measurements from this supply after 30 seconds.
But given the lack of SID, I think I may start looking for a local buyer.  This computer is rare, and the board without SID makes it even more rare. 

The FREE update is live on Atari 50! It includes 12 additional games - well, technically 11 for the VCS since we had Circus Atari at launch.
Make sure you have space on your onboard memory for the download. You need 9GB to download and unpack the game. Unlike last year, the download and installation process was uneventful.
Here's the breakdown:
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/atari-50-the-anniversary-celebration-gets-a-few-more-forgotten-classics-today/1100-6519699/
 

Possibly, but there have been a number of AtGames Atari Flashback units with Namco and Activision games to name a few. They should work out the details and make it happen. I doubt they will, but they should find a way to make it viable. What is the 7800 without Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pole Position II, Xevious, etc.

@sramirez2008 Do you like how NovaWolf plays on the Atari 5200 version?

I have mine ordered!  Make sure you check your spam folder I waited 3 days thinking I didn't get a response, but video 61 responded extremely fast, it just went to my spam for some reason. So I accidentally waited 3 days I didn't have to which was completely my fault!
Also those boxed lot deals are fantastic. You guys already beat eBay and then you give deals on top of that, it's just incredible.  Video61 is the best kept secret for Atari collecting and I don't think it needs to be a secret! 
And as Vinnie said on the Atari 7800 Forever Podcast, now that AA is part of the mothership, Video61 is now the largest independent provider of Atari homebrew* around!  Think about it.  Best electronics doesn't deal in homebrew, and for as good as GoodDealGames is, they don't create anything or have much exclusive but Video61 does!   Congratulations guys keep up the great work!

Can't wait to get mine! Great job guys! Another killer release. The A8 classic, now on the 7800. 😄
 

I have their 5200 version, so I’ll sit this one out. Always nice to see another homebrew for the 7800.

Galaga Enhanced should absolutely be a thing. There are a ton of existing Atari 7800 games that would benefit from enhanced sound, additional music tracks, and gameplay enhancements.

Possibly, but there have been a number of AtGames Atari Flashback units with Namco and Activision games to name a few. They should work out the details and make it happen. I doubt they will, but they should find a way to make it viable. What is the 7800 without Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pole Position II, Xevious, etc.

Galaga Enhanced should absolutely be a thing. There are a ton of existing Atari 7800 games that would benefit from enhanced sound, additional music tracks, and gameplay enhancements.

Galaga Enhanced should absolutely be a thing. There are a ton of existing Atari 7800 games that would benefit from enhanced sound, additional music tracks, and gameplay enhancements.

Galaga Enhanced should absolutely be a thing. There are a ton of existing Atari 7800 games that would benefit from enhanced sound, additional music tracks, and gameplay enhancements.

Indeed, this looks like quite the project. Thanks for sharing, @RickR!

A voltmeter and an EE degree 🙂 
No, there isn't enough time to type even a simple program, as the keyboard is pretty stiff and slow. 
I haven't timed it, it is approx 30 seconds, but probably less.  Turning the computer off, then on again gets another 30 seconds.  The computer simply freezes. 
 

And after a day of drying time, I fired it up.  Still the same.  It works, but freezes up after about 30 seconds.  I'm glad I didn't break it at least.
Next steps are some diagnosis steps.  Start with the power adapter and the voltage regulators. 

Here are a few before/after shots of the interior cleaning.  It was dirty to the point of being gross.  This dust would not blow off, it needed to be scrubbed off.  I did it gently, with water and dishsoap applied with a washcloth and soft toothbrush.


 


 
 
 

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out 😎

And using the 8-bit Guy video above, I was able to figure out how to open the case.  It flips open like a car bonnet!  Not mentioned in his video -- there are two screws on the side that have to come out before it will flip.  Easy enough.  The inside is very dirty.  There is some hair and a thick layer of dust covering everything.  Next step is to vacuum and spray with compressed air, but I think it's going to take more soapy water and washcloth action to get the dust off.
 

Here are some pics of the outside cleaned up.  I used a bucket of dish-soap water and a washcloth and it seemed to work very well.  Not perfect, but better than before.  The keyboard got vacuumed and that helped tremendously. 
 

For anyone that wants a copy, it appears that Plutos & Sirius are available at Good Deal Games. http://www.gooddealgames.com/inventory/Atari 7800.html
 

F-ZERO
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Controller: CONTROL PAD / KEYBOARD / PLAYER'S CHOICE
Difficulty Level: Grand Prix > King League > Standard Class > Mute City III
Bonus Challenge: F-ZERO 99 on Nintendo Online!
Play on: Real Hardware / Dedicated Console / MAME / Emulation OK! ✔
Squad Challenge ends 11:59 pm PST December 31, 2023
Nominated by @Justin 
 
 
Objective
Play for the best possible time using the difficulty settings defined in the challenge. Post a photo or YouTube video of your score in this thread. Scores must be achieved between December 1st through December 31st, 2023. Screen captures are not allowed as they are more easily manipulated for falsified scores. Multiple submissions are permitted. The player with the fastest time at the end of the competition is the victor!
 
Eligibility
Anyone can join in. All players are welcome!
 
Play Rules
Games may be played on real hardware, Flashback / Mini console, or emulation, using any controller or keyboard, following all rules and game settings defined in the challenge. Choosing between real hardware or emulation, and choosing which controller to play on is part of formulating your strategy. Enhancements, rewinds and hacked versions of this game are not allowed.
 
Difficulty Level
Grand Prix > King League > Standard Class > Mute City III. This will be the 1st Circuit on King League, which will appear first when you begin your game. We are playing for the best overall time to complete the circuit at Mute City III. At the title screen select GRAND PRIX. Players may select any air car they wish. Next, select the League and class in which you wish to race. Players will select KING LEAGUE, then STANDARD CLASS. This will start you at Mute City III. We are only posting our scores for Mute City III. You do not have to play the rest of the courses. We are only playing for the best overall time to complete the circuit at Mute City III.
 

 
Bonus Challenge : : F-ZERO 99
We are holding a BONUS CHALLENGE this year! If you'd like to compete in our Bonus Challenge, we will be playing the first round of F-ZERO 99 on Nintendo Online! Play one round and post your best score! Line up with 98 other F-ZERO machines and race to the finish in this thrilling take on the original Super NES game. Keep an eye on your power meter as you boost and bash, because speed is just as important as survival. Defend yourself with a Spin Attack and collect Super Sparks to breeze past the competition on the elevated Skyway. The F-ZERO 99 game is available only to active Nintendo Switch Online members.
 
Fair Play
Your integrity is everything. Players should play fairly, be honest, and have fun! Falsified scores will result in your immediate removal from the site. It goes without saying that we will not allow cheats, hacks, cartridge frying, enhancements, rewinds, deceitful photo manipulation, subterfuge, or any other unfair advantage. Everybody hates a cheater.
 
More
To review detailed rules on how to play, please visit the High Score Squad page here: 
 
 
Message
Welcome to our 152nd Squad Challenge! This year we're celebrating the holidays and bringing in the new year with a visit back to one of F-ZERO's most challenging courses, Mute City III in F-ZERO on Super Nintendo, a true SNES classic! We are also holding a BONUS CHALLENGE for F-ZERO 99 on Nintendo Online. I have wonderful Christmas memories of F-ZERO, I received the game with my SNES when I was not expecting much of anything for Christmas. The game brought my family a lot of fun and joy that year, and I love playing F-ZERO around Christmas. For years it's become a bit of a Christmas tradition in my house to play F-ZERO and a few other SNES Classics during the Holidays, and now it's become a tradition every year in the forums too, something special I like to share with all of you. ☃️❄️🎄 F-ZERO is one of the iconic titles on Super Nintendo, and it served as a great demonstration of the Super Nintendo's Mode 7 graphics. F-ZERO was a predecessor to anti-gravity racing leagues such as Wip3out (and probably pod racing!). PDF F-ZERO Instruction Booklet is attached below. Good luck, racers!
 
 

 
F-ZERO.pdf

Congratulations RickR!
 
Congratulations to @RickR on an incredible victory! "The Don" RickR takes the top spot in our Final Standings with an outstanding score of 237,220 points on an insanely challenging game. Incredible! @socrates63 is coming in hot and takes 2nd Place in the standings with 175,573 points! @Smell Dawg puts in a good show and takes 3rd Place with 149,670 points! @Atari 5200 Guy put in the work and takes 4th Place with 85,159 points. @Sabertooth stepped away from kicking butt in Club VCS to join us for this Squad Challenge and takes 5th Place with 82,754 points. Rounding things out is the doctor in the house @TrekMD with 67,080 points in 6th Place.
As always I'd like to encourage @RickR to  post his high score on the Scoreboard, and let's make sure this Challenge continues on! Congratulations once again to Rick for his BIG WIN, and I want to thank Rick for nominating this game, as well as @Sabertooth for hosting this month's VCS Recharged Squad Challenge in Club VCS!
👉 Be sure to join Club VCS this month to participate in our Recharged Squad Challenges for the new Atari VCS!
COMING UP NEXT IN HIGH SCORE SQUAD: Join us for our 2023 F-ZERO Christmas Challenge. Be there!
 
 

 
 

 

Round and round and round she goes! Where will she stop?  Well, I know...but I ain't telling until Sunday! 😉

RickR pulls lever:  Joker...JOKER!....Mockduck.  Dang it!