Task: Listen to Atari 8-Bit Computer Chiptunes Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Sound on the Atari 8-bit computers was produced using the Pokey chip which output four channels each with a square waveform. Emulators of the Pokey chip have allowed modern Atari sound
Read morePlay Prince of Persia on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (30-60 mins)
Task: Play Prince of Persia on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Altirra emulator or Atari 8-bit computer with 128K of RAM Time: 30-60 mins Introduction Prince of Persia is a platformer game developed and released for the Apple II in 1989. It was soon after
Read moreExplore Demoscene Demos (15-30 mins)
Task: Explore Demoscene Demos Needed: Altirra Time: 15-30 mins Introduction The demoscene is notorious for pushing the limits of 8-bit computer hardware. Fortunately, there are a number of demos from this community for the Atari computers. I find these mesmerizing and inspiring. How do they
Read moreInteract with Atari’s 6502 Processor in BASIC XL (10-15 mins)
Task: Interact with Atari’s 6502 Processor in BASIC XL Needed: A BASIC XL cartridge or Altirra emulator Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction The 6502 processor developed by Chuck Peddle and his team at MOS Technology was the first inexpensive CPU available in the 1970s. This CPU
Read moreTry Player-Missile Graphics in BASIC (30-60 mins)
Task: Try Player-Missile Graphics in BASIC Needed: BASIC Time: 30-60 minutes Introduction Player-missile (PM) graphics helped make the Atari the premier arcade and graphics machine in its day. A key feature of PM graphics is the ability to draw players and missiles on the screen
Read morePlay Atari 2600 Christmas Music (10-15 mins)
Task: Play Atari 2600 Christmas Music Needed: Atari 2600 or Stella emulator, A Very 2600 Christmas binary file Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The Atari 2600 had a 6502 series processor like the Atari 8-bit computer line but lacked additional hardware to make it a powerful game
Read moreCelebrate Christmas with Seasonal Demos (10-15 mins)
Task: Celebrate Christmas with Seasonal Demos Needed: Demo software Time: 10-15 mins Introduction If you celebrate Christmas then you are in luck. There are several nice seasonal demos that you can download and run in Altirra. Even better, load these up on your favorite Atari
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