Atari 5200 Guy

Don't let your craft hit full throttle at starting line.  You want between half and full throttle.  Quick taps will help maintain throttle.  Time your button mashes with the countdown.  Mash button as soon as GO is displayed.  Its a timing thing combined with 3/4 throttling.  You will get a boost and then the vehicle will lose power.  Keep holding down throttle to get speed back.  Rest is just navigating the track.

There is no such thing as a bad score.  The whole idea is to have fun playing...scores come second to that.

The MaxMan lives!! 😀

Don't let your craft hit full throttle at starting line.  You want between half and full throttle.  Quick taps will help maintain throttle.  Time your button mashes with the countdown.  Mash button as soon as GO is displayed.  Its a timing thing combined with 3/4 throttling.  You will get a boost and then the vehicle will lose power.  Keep holding down throttle to get speed back.  Rest is just navigating the track.

That's alright, Justin.  I appreciate it.  I've already asked for enough from Atari I/O members.  I'll catch the next one. 
 

This is torture!  A score challenge for a game I absolutely love and I can't participate.  Emulation doesn't do this game justice.  Its simply too hard to navigate the courses with a computer keyboard and my PC controller lacks shoulder buttons. So...
I think I can offer a bit of advice.  Controls...learn the controls.  Recommended vehicle is Golden Fox.  For practice run use Mute City I. Don't do any turns with gas button held down.  When you have to turn, release the gas, make your turn, then hammer down on the gas again! 
For tight turns combine your turn with the shoulder buttons.  If you have to turn left use the left shoulder button at the same time you press left on the d pad, right shoulder when pressing right on d pad.  Don't use gas during any turns, when turns are completed hammer that gas button. 
Use shoulder buttons by themselves to slide your vehicle around course obstacles and to enter pits.  Avoid using d pad to navigate around same obstacles and pits.
On jumps hold the d pad down to gain momentum and speed.  Be careful not to steer off course.
Practice on Mute City I first, work your way up by trying Mute City II, and finally Mute City III.  The last two are variations of the first one.  The idea is learning the vehicle you are using and the course layout.  The faster you can take your turns and stay on a driving line to give you an advantage the better you track times will be.  Quick in, quick out of turns.  I can't express this enough.
The best place to use boost is after the last turn before completing a lap.  Its a long stretch that guarantees full use of your boost before you have to start navigating turns again.
 
Good luck and I hope the tips I gave help.

Hey Atarians!
I noticed there were no threads for helping in making and using ST disk images on real, unmodified, ST hardware.  So I thought I would share what I do.  ST owners won't need a ST floppy emulator for this.  It is for systems that still have a floppy drive.
CREATING DISKS FROM IMAGES OF ST SOFTWARE
NOTICE: This is NOT, in anyway, shape or form, to promote pirating of commercial software, be it they are in the public domain or not.  I am not responsible for any lawsuits that may arise from misuse, abuse, illegal sales, etc., of any ST programs made using the tips outlined in this thread.  It is only being presented as a way to use these programs without having to modify your ST.
First you will need:
An Atari ST (of course) with a disk drive capable of using double sided, double density disks (720k).  Can also work with single sided disks but not recommended. A Windows based PC with an internal 3.5" disk drive, XP recommended.  External PC floppy drives will not work! Some DSDD 3.5" floppies (HD disks have a hole opposite of the write protect tab, DD disks don't).  If you can only get HD disks jump to the Tips section for help. Now we need to obtain a few things for the Windows PC provided below
Floppy Drive Controller Floppy Imaging & Transfer Program Windows versions after 98 stopped offering support for DD disks.  The FDC included returns the support for those disks to Windows.  Simply download, unzip, and double click to install.  Reboot PC after install.
Now download, unzip, and install the Floppy Imaging & Transfer Program.  Once installed, double-click to make sure it loads.  Now you are set to make some ST disks!  But we need images!  Where do we get those?  If you are familiar with, or have a favorite, place to obtain ROMs then visit them to get one or two ST images.  They have to be in ST, STT, or MSA formats.  STX won't work directly but there are STX to ST converters out there.  I recommend Atari Mania's extensive ST section.
Atari Mania ST Section
Or, if you are really patient, brave, and have the space, there is a single file you can obtain from the Internet Archives that seems to have every ST program made stored in it.  It must have because the compressed file size is almost 15 GB!  I will leave this at your discretion.  Not recommended for those with slow ISP connections.
ST Collection (click ZIP on right)
Once you have an image (ST extension preferred), assuming it is on the same PC where the ST disk imaging software is installed, we need to return to the imaging software.
If it's not already up and running, open the ST imaging software and on the right click on "Open another image file".  Browse your computer in the pop up window to locate the ST image.  If the file is compressed you may have to unzip it before you can use it.  Open the image...the window should close.
Insert the disk you want to place the image on in your PC's internal floppy drive.  On the right, under the Open another image file box are some options.  The one we need to have is Format.  Make sure this is checked. This formats the disk while the image is being copied.  This insures the disk matches the image precisely.  Now, click the image to floppy icon.  The disk should spin up and the image should now be in the copying process.  The bar at the bottom will tell you the percentage of completion during the copying process.  If there are any errors with your physical disk, a message will appear above this bar.
Once done, put your newly created disk in your ST and power on your ST.  If it is a program designed to automatically load you should see the start up screen shortly.  Otherwise, browse the disk for the program and double click on it.
If you find the disk did not work, try another disk.  If that don't work you may to have force format your disks using the command prompt in Windows before making your image/disk.  At the command prompt type:
format nn: /n:9 /t:80 
Where nn is the letter assigned to your disk drive, usually A or B.  Doing this has a few advantages.  For one it formats the disk to match the density your ST is expecting.  The other reason is the format command will find and report any physical errors with your disk.  If there are any bad sectors, or you get a Track 0 error, then the disk is no good and you will have to use another disk.
PROTECTING YOUR ST LIBRARY
The PC with software above installed can serve a double purpose in protecting your collection of ST software.  Simply place your original ST software disk in your PC and click the A disk icon.  Once the imaging software has the geometries of your disk click the floppy to image icon on the left just under the A disk icon.  Name your file and click OK.  You now have a backup of your software.  Keep in mind that any bad sectors of your disk will also be in the image created.
TIPS
If you own a single sided disk drive for your ST there is an easy way to see if any disk image you want to use is also for single sided disks.  Once you load up your image look at the Geometry of Image section of the ST floppy imaging software.  The third geometry is where the number of sides the image will create.  A single sided disk will have a 1 here, a double sided disk will have a 2 instead.  For ST single drive equipped systems this needs to be a 1.
If you find it hard to obtain DD type disks but have an abundance of HD disks on hand there is a trick you can do to use those disks on your ST disk drive.  Then only real physical difference between HD and DD 3.5" floppies is a single hole.  If you look at both types of disks side by side you can see the difference.  Opposite of the write protect tab is the area being referred to.  The one with the hole is an HD disk, the one without is a DD disk.  To use a HD disk in your ST simply turn the disk over, label side down, and place some tape over the hole.  TADA!  Instant DD disk.  Place the disk in your ST to format it or use the Command Prompt formatting syntax on a Windows PC.  Don't remove the tape unless you need a HD disk again.  Doing so will keep the disk from working in your ST.  (Thanks to RickR for pointing this out).
This also works with creating disks for ZX systems.  Just make sure you have images ending with a ZX extension.  I don't own a ZX so those that try this will have to do so on their own.
FINAL WORDS
I hope this tutorial helps others out in getting to try ST programs on real hardware.  Please use it wisely and don't abuse any copyrighted programs.  My hope is that this will encourage more ST score challenges in the future as well as encourage other ST owners to share their findings, reviews, and more!
REQUIRED WINDOWS PROGRAMS
FdInstall.zip (adds support for formatting DD disks to Windows systems)
FloImg1.zip (the ST imaging and transfer program for Windows systems)
Where To Find DD Disks
I'm going to post a few places here that I have found to obtain DD disks.  I hope these will be helpful to others.
Floppy Disks  (Sells both HD and DD.  DD disks can be found after the HD disks.  Scroll to find them!  Also has images showing the difference between DD and HD disks.)*
Old Software  (Has floppies.  Some in damaged packages at a discounted price.)
NOTE:  I have not dealt with these places personally.  I'm posting these for completeness of the tutorial.  Should any Atari I/O member have any issues with any of these companies with an order please give feedback so the rest of us will know.  I will mark next to these companies known issues so buyers will be aware.  Now...save some disks for me!
*Got an email response from Floppy Disks while trying to contact Athana.  Athana no longer sells floppies but Floppy Disk does.  They are still in business selling floppies.  Phone number and physical address on website has been confirmed.

This is torture!  A score challenge for a game I absolutely love and I can't participate.  Emulation doesn't do this game justice.  Its simply too hard to navigate the courses with a computer keyboard and my PC controller lacks shoulder buttons. So...
I think I can offer a bit of advice.  Controls...learn the controls.  Recommended vehicle is Golden Fox.  For practice run use Mute City I. Don't do any turns with gas button held down.  When you have to turn, release the gas, make your turn, then hammer down on the gas again! 
For tight turns combine your turn with the shoulder buttons.  If you have to turn left use the left shoulder button at the same time you press left on the d pad, right shoulder when pressing right on d pad.  Don't use gas during any turns, when turns are completed hammer that gas button. 
Use shoulder buttons by themselves to slide your vehicle around course obstacles and to enter pits.  Avoid using d pad to navigate around same obstacles and pits.
On jumps hold the d pad down to gain momentum and speed.  Be careful not to steer off course.
Practice on Mute City I first, work your way up by trying Mute City II, and finally Mute City III.  The last two are variations of the first one.  The idea is learning the vehicle you are using and the course layout.  The faster you can take your turns and stay on a driving line to give you an advantage the better you track times will be.  Quick in, quick out of turns.  I can't express this enough.
The best place to use boost is after the last turn before completing a lap.  Its a long stretch that guarantees full use of your boost before you have to start navigating turns again.
 
Good luck and I hope the tips I gave help.

You are most welcome.  It can be time consuming to setup and learn how to do it but the end results are worth it.  Besides, we need more ST stuff here.  And its a good way to repurpose an old Windows machine.  I have an old Dell desktop with XP I don't let online.  It is used strictly for ST purposes.

Hey Atarians!
I noticed there were no threads for helping in making and using ST disk images on real, unmodified, ST hardware.  So I thought I would share what I do.  ST owners won't need a ST floppy emulator for this.  It is for systems that still have a floppy drive.
CREATING DISKS FROM IMAGES OF ST SOFTWARE
NOTICE: This is NOT, in anyway, shape or form, to promote pirating of commercial software, be it they are in the public domain or not.  I am not responsible for any lawsuits that may arise from misuse, abuse, illegal sales, etc., of any ST programs made using the tips outlined in this thread.  It is only being presented as a way to use these programs without having to modify your ST.
First you will need:
An Atari ST (of course) with a disk drive capable of using double sided, double density disks (720k).  Can also work with single sided disks but not recommended. A Windows based PC with an internal 3.5" disk drive, XP recommended.  External PC floppy drives will not work! Some DSDD 3.5" floppies (HD disks have a hole opposite of the write protect tab, DD disks don't).  If you can only get HD disks jump to the Tips section for help. Now we need to obtain a few things for the Windows PC provided below
Floppy Drive Controller Floppy Imaging & Transfer Program Windows versions after 98 stopped offering support for DD disks.  The FDC included returns the support for those disks to Windows.  Simply download, unzip, and double click to install.  Reboot PC after install.
Now download, unzip, and install the Floppy Imaging & Transfer Program.  Once installed, double-click to make sure it loads.  Now you are set to make some ST disks!  But we need images!  Where do we get those?  If you are familiar with, or have a favorite, place to obtain ROMs then visit them to get one or two ST images.  They have to be in ST, STT, or MSA formats.  STX won't work directly but there are STX to ST converters out there.  I recommend Atari Mania's extensive ST section.
Atari Mania ST Section
Or, if you are really patient, brave, and have the space, there is a single file you can obtain from the Internet Archives that seems to have every ST program made stored in it.  It must have because the compressed file size is almost 15 GB!  I will leave this at your discretion.  Not recommended for those with slow ISP connections.
ST Collection (click ZIP on right)
Once you have an image (ST extension preferred), assuming it is on the same PC where the ST disk imaging software is installed, we need to return to the imaging software.
If it's not already up and running, open the ST imaging software and on the right click on "Open another image file".  Browse your computer in the pop up window to locate the ST image.  If the file is compressed you may have to unzip it before you can use it.  Open the image...the window should close.
Insert the disk you want to place the image on in your PC's internal floppy drive.  On the right, under the Open another image file box are some options.  The one we need to have is Format.  Make sure this is checked. This formats the disk while the image is being copied.  This insures the disk matches the image precisely.  Now, click the image to floppy icon.  The disk should spin up and the image should now be in the copying process.  The bar at the bottom will tell you the percentage of completion during the copying process.  If there are any errors with your physical disk, a message will appear above this bar.
Once done, put your newly created disk in your ST and power on your ST.  If it is a program designed to automatically load you should see the start up screen shortly.  Otherwise, browse the disk for the program and double click on it.
If you find the disk did not work, try another disk.  If that don't work you may to have force format your disks using the command prompt in Windows before making your image/disk.  At the command prompt type:
format nn: /n:9 /t:80 
Where nn is the letter assigned to your disk drive, usually A or B.  Doing this has a few advantages.  For one it formats the disk to match the density your ST is expecting.  The other reason is the format command will find and report any physical errors with your disk.  If there are any bad sectors, or you get a Track 0 error, then the disk is no good and you will have to use another disk.
PROTECTING YOUR ST LIBRARY
The PC with software above installed can serve a double purpose in protecting your collection of ST software.  Simply place your original ST software disk in your PC and click the A disk icon.  Once the imaging software has the geometries of your disk click the floppy to image icon on the left just under the A disk icon.  Name your file and click OK.  You now have a backup of your software.  Keep in mind that any bad sectors of your disk will also be in the image created.
TIPS
If you own a single sided disk drive for your ST there is an easy way to see if any disk image you want to use is also for single sided disks.  Once you load up your image look at the Geometry of Image section of the ST floppy imaging software.  The third geometry is where the number of sides the image will create.  A single sided disk will have a 1 here, a double sided disk will have a 2 instead.  For ST single drive equipped systems this needs to be a 1.
If you find it hard to obtain DD type disks but have an abundance of HD disks on hand there is a trick you can do to use those disks on your ST disk drive.  Then only real physical difference between HD and DD 3.5" floppies is a single hole.  If you look at both types of disks side by side you can see the difference.  Opposite of the write protect tab is the area being referred to.  The one with the hole is an HD disk, the one without is a DD disk.  To use a HD disk in your ST simply turn the disk over, label side down, and place some tape over the hole.  TADA!  Instant DD disk.  Place the disk in your ST to format it or use the Command Prompt formatting syntax on a Windows PC.  Don't remove the tape unless you need a HD disk again.  Doing so will keep the disk from working in your ST.  (Thanks to RickR for pointing this out).
This also works with creating disks for ZX systems.  Just make sure you have images ending with a ZX extension.  I don't own a ZX so those that try this will have to do so on their own.
FINAL WORDS
I hope this tutorial helps others out in getting to try ST programs on real hardware.  Please use it wisely and don't abuse any copyrighted programs.  My hope is that this will encourage more ST score challenges in the future as well as encourage other ST owners to share their findings, reviews, and more!
REQUIRED WINDOWS PROGRAMS
FdInstall.zip (adds support for formatting DD disks to Windows systems)
FloImg1.zip (the ST imaging and transfer program for Windows systems)
Where To Find DD Disks
I'm going to post a few places here that I have found to obtain DD disks.  I hope these will be helpful to others.
Floppy Disks  (Sells both HD and DD.  DD disks can be found after the HD disks.  Scroll to find them!  Also has images showing the difference between DD and HD disks.)*
Old Software  (Has floppies.  Some in damaged packages at a discounted price.)
NOTE:  I have not dealt with these places personally.  I'm posting these for completeness of the tutorial.  Should any Atari I/O member have any issues with any of these companies with an order please give feedback so the rest of us will know.  I will mark next to these companies known issues so buyers will be aware.  Now...save some disks for me!
*Got an email response from Floppy Disks while trying to contact Athana.  Athana no longer sells floppies but Floppy Disk does.  They are still in business selling floppies.  Phone number and physical address on website has been confirmed.

I like all of the courses but Silence was my favorite.  Mute City III was a challenging course for sure.  I'd always get those dumb drivers, about to blow up, get in front of me.

F-ZERO
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Controller: PLAYER'S CHOICE
Difficulty Level: Grand Prix > King League > Standard Class > Mute City III
Achieve best time to win challenge
Play on: Real Hardware / Dedicated Console / MAME / Emulation OK! ✔
Squad Challenge ends 11:59 pm PST December 14th, 2018
 
 
Objective: Play for the best possible time using the difficulty settings defined in the challenge. Post a photo or video of your score in this thread. Scores must be achieved between December 1st through December 14th, 2018. Screen captures are not allowed as they are easily manipulated for falsified scores. Multiple submissions are permitted. The player with the best 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 or emulation, using any controller or keyboard, following rules and game settings as delineated in the Squad Challenge. Enhancements and hacked versions of this game are not allowed.
 
Difficulty Level: Grand Prix > King League > Standard Class > Mute City III. We are playing for the best overall time to complete the course 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, Standard Class. This will start you at 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 course at Mute City III.
 
Fair Play: 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 no use of cheats, hacks, cartridge frying, enhancements, Photoshop, subterfuge, or any other unfair advantage is allowed. Everybody hates a cheater.
 
More: To review detailed rules on how to play, please visit the High Score Squad page here: http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/1219-high-score-squad-how-to-play/
 
Message: Welcome to our 48th Squad Challenge! This time we're playing our first Super Nintendo Squad Challenge, a true SNES classic! F-ZERO is one of the iconic titles on Super Nintendo and was a good demonstration of the Super Nintendo's Mode 7 graphics. F-ZERO was a predecessor to anti-gravity racing league games such as Wipeout that would come in following generations. PDF F-ZERO Instruction Booklet is attached below. Good luck!
 
 Note: This is our first Super Nintendo Squad Challenge!
 
 
http://www.atari.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/atari_league_world_championships_150.gif
F-ZERO.pdf

I'll start us off with our first time:
2' 27" 10

I actually have this! I haven't played in at least 20 years! Let's rock!

Let's rock!

I'll see you out there in Mute City III

I hope this is OK.  If not, I'll do it again with a video file.

Absolutely! We want High Score Squad to be accessible to as many people as possible. You can always play on SNES Classic 👍 
This was an issue we spent a lot of time discussing when we were developing what High Score Squad would be. Some of my friends, long-time Atari people, felt that it wouldn't be a level playing field to play on emulation or dedicated consoles and that we should only be playing on real hardware. I totally get where they're coming from, and if we were playing at a super serious level or for a world record, I would agree. We're only playing for fun though, and we want as many people to participate as can! So I see it as pick your "weapon of choice", if a player thinks there's some significant advantage to playing on emulation or a dedicated console, go for it. We all have that option and are free to choose what works best for us. Much like picking which air car works best for you in F-ZERO. The whole idea is to get people playing and rediscovering these old games. More and more that means on a dedicated console like NES Mini or Atari Flashback. We want High Score Squad to be a good reason to play and enjoy these games.
The key here is that you are:
Playing the original game ROM, not an altered or hacked version Not using cheats, hacks, cartridge frying, emulation enhancements,, subterfuge, or any other unfair advantage Playing the correct release of the game. Atari 2600 Dig Dug is not Atari 7800 Dig Dug, etc. If you look at the top left of every Squad Challenge you will see we lay out what controllers, difficulty level etc. we are playing on. The sixth line almost always says:
 
Play on: Real Hardware / Dedicated Console / MAME / Emulation OK! ✔
 
I think you'll do just fine here ☺️ If you have any questions feel free to ask, or check out this page with more detailed rules: 
 

I believe it would be acceptable.  I used a NES Classic Mini in another score challenge not too long ago.  Real hardware, dedicated consoles, MAME and emulation are OK.

I do believe the Jaguar has more secrets than Santa's bag of goodies.  Always cool to see more stuff turn up about the console's history.
 
It amazes me how the Jaguar and the 7800 were both programmed on ST computers.  I wonder what Atari would have used for the 7800 if it remained under Warner's ownership?  I don't think the ST would have been thought about nor exist.

OK...Love the Samus one.  All are cool.

I made this for my FB cover photo.  Since I don't use FB anymore I might as well move it here.

I did a cover art for Dreamcast, too.

The copyright is mine.  During college I was working on a web site project of my own.  It was to be a hybrid social network, history database, buy-sell-trade games, and had 2600 and NES games you could play through a web browser.  It was all to be created on the SunFire 1U server I currently own.  However, the cost of running that server for one month had a downfall...the electric bill.  I simply couldn't afford to run the server so I canceled the project and had to shutdown the server.  The copyright name was to be the name of the site.

OK...Love the Samus one.  All are cool.

I made this for my FB cover photo.  Since I don't use FB anymore I might as well move it here.

I believe it would be acceptable.  I used a NES Classic Mini in another score challenge not too long ago.  Real hardware, dedicated consoles, MAME and emulation are OK.