Task: Build a Retro Atari Stream Deck for Launching Games on Your PC Needed: Pro Micro microcontroller with Atmega32U4 chip, wires, Kailh mechanical switches, micro-USB cable, soldering iron and solder, 3D printer and filament for case, Arduino IDE software for programming Time: 2-4 hours Disclosure:
Read morePurchase a Modern Atari 7800+ Video Game Console (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase a Modern Atari 7800+ Video Game Console Needed: Atari 7800+ Video Game Console Time: 15-30 mins Disclosure: Note that as an eBay Partner Network Affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Introduction I have previously posted about the capable Atari 7800 game console
Read moreWrite Atari 8-Bit Computer ATR Files from Your PC to a Real Floppy Disk Using the RespeQT Peripheral Emulator Software and an SIO2PC Adapter (15-30 minutes)
Task: Write Atari 8-Bit Computer ATR Files from Your PC to a Real Floppy Disk Using the RespeQT Peripheral Emulator Software and an SIO2PC Adapter Needed: Web browser, 128K Atari computer, RespeQT software, SIO2PC adapter, floppy disk drive, micro-USB cable, Copymate software or similar Time:
Read moreConnect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to a PC with the RespeQT Peripheral Emulator Software and an SIO2PC Adapter (15-30 minutes)
Task: Connect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to a PC With the RespeQT Peripheral Emulator Software and an SIO2PC Adapter Needed: Web browser, RespeQT software, SIO2PC adapter, micro-USB cable Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction When I finished college and then graduate school in the late 1990s, I
Read morePurchase an Atari 400 Mini for 8-Bit Computer Emulation (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 400 Mini for 8-Bit Computer Emulation Needed: Web browser, HDMI display Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction I have been envious of new products such as the Amiga 500 mini that provide emulated games and software in high-definition. The wait for Atari minis
Read morePurchase an Atari 2600+ (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 2600+ Needed: Web browser Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction The recent history of the company called Atari is one many of us choose to ignore due to poor decisions about what products to develop and market. However, the recent release of a
Read moreListen to Atari 8-Bit Computer Chiptunes (10-15 minutes)
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 morePurchase an Evercade Retro Handheld Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase an Evercade Retro Handheld Console Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Playing Atari games on modern handheld devices has a lot of appeal. I have been particularly excited about the cartridge-based Evercade handheld device which was released in 2020. I got one
Read morePurchase a Retron77 Gaming Console for Emulating the 2600 (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase a Retron77 Gaming Console for Emulating the 2600 Needed: Web browser Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction One of the most frustrating aspects of retrocomputing and retrogaming is getting old hardware to play nice with HDTVs over HDMI. This is especially true for the Atari
Read moreInstall an Atari 7800 Emulator (10-15 mins)
Task: Install an Atari 7800 Emulator Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction Emulation software for the 7800 is not as far along as for other Atari consoles and computers. I have tried two emulators that I recommend for those wanting to play 7800 games
Read moreEdit ATR Disk Images (10-15 mins)
Task: Edit ATR Disk Images Needed: Altirra emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I have previously posted about backing up floppy disks to ATR files on your PC using the Atarimax ProSystem software. This process can also be reversed allowing you to write ATR files from your
Read morePlay Atari 2600 Games in Your Web Browser (10-15 mins)
Task: Play Atari 2600 Games in Your Browser Needed: Web browser and Atari 2600 ROMs Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Emulation has been a lifesaver for bringing Atari goodness to the masses without the need for original hardware. The Stella emulator for the Atari 2600 is
Read moreInstall the Stella Atari 2600 Emulator (10-15 mins)
Task: Install the Stella Atari 2600 Emulator Needed: Stella Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction The Atari Video Computer System (VCS) or 2600 was released in 1977 and took the world by storm. It is hard to believe that Atari sold the 2600 in its different forms
Read moreConnect Your Atari Joystick to a PC (10-15 mins)
Task: Connect Your Atari Joystick to a PC Needed: Atari Joystick and a USB adapter Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction The Atari 400 and 800 were by far the best gaming computers when they hit the market. This was largely due to the awesome ANTIC graphics chip
Read moreEdit an ATR File in Altirra and Save to Your PC (10-15 mins)
Task: Edit an ATR File in Altirra and Save to Your PC Needed: Altirra emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction When I first started using the Altirra 8-bit emulator I decided I wanted make ATR floppy disk images that I could then save to my hard
Read moreInstall the Altirra Emulator (10-15 mins)
Task: Install the Altirra Emulator Needed: PC running Windows Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I very much enjoy running software on original Atari home computer hardware. However, it is also nice from time to time to be able to run something on my Windows-based PC. This
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