Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

RetroTINK-5X and the Apple ][: A Surprisingly Good Match

2025-05-24

This post briefly summarizes a test of the RetroTINK-5X upscaler with an Apple ][. Previous upscalers struggled with the Apple ]['s 'color killer' circuit, resulting in poor color reproduction. The RetroTINK-5X, however, performs surprisingly well, displaying crisp text and accurate colors in text mode. While slightly fuzzy in 'Generic 4:3' mode, this might be adjustable. The author notes initial minor screen wobble upon startup, but otherwise stable and excellent performance.

(nicole.express)

Hardware

Deep Dive into Kiki KaiKai's Hardware: Taito's Sprite-Based Arcade Gem

2025-05-21

This post delves into the hardware architecture of the arcade game Kiki KaiKai. Released in 1986, this game uses a sprite-based rendering system, not a unique feature at the time. Key hardware components include a YM2203 FM synthesizer, a Taito-customized MCU (JPH1020P) based on the Motorola 6801, and a Z80 CPU. The author details the 12-bit RGB color display, PAL programmable array logic, and high-speed RAM. A unique visual artifact is analyzed, attributed to the switching between sprite and background rendering. The post concludes with details of the PCB, including interesting finds in the manual and stickers, such as a Taito seal featuring what appears to be a Prussian eagle.

(nicole.express)

Hardware hardware analysis

Resurrecting a Dead Audio Format: The Return of ZZM

2025-01-26

This blog post details the author's journey in reviving the defunct ZZM audio format used by the classic game ZZT. ZZM, playable only under MS-DOS, posed significant challenges. The author overcame these by using JavaScript and the Web Audio API, reverse-engineering ZZT's sound engine, reconstructing its frequency table, and parsing ZZM's unique file format. The result? ZZM music now plays in a browser. This project showcases impressive programming skills and a deep passion for retro gaming and technical challenges.

(nicole.express)

Game audio format

Toshiba Visicom COM-100: A Colorful Twist on a 70s Console

2025-01-19

In 1977, Toshiba seized the burgeoning home video game market, releasing the Visicom COM-100 based on RCA's Studio II technology. This console not only included the five built-in games of the Studio II but innovatively added color, using a unique four-color system. The article details the Visicom COM-100's hardware architecture, memory map, and two game cartridges (CAS-130 and CAS-141), featuring games like baseball, sumo wrestling, and a slot machine. Despite its high price, the Visicom COM-100's technical improvements and influence on the Japanese gaming market are noteworthy, particularly its pioneering color display technology for its time.

(nicole.express)

Game retro gaming console hardware development