Nibbler high score save kit
- Thread starter Buffett
- Start date
DarrenF
Well-known member
Ok the first step is to simply replace the 4118 @ IC13 with the NVRAM. Just power it up and make sure it works normally. This is just to verify the pin out and speed compatibility. Everything looks good on paper, but this it to just prove it out.
Of course it won't save high scores yet... ( Well, actually it WILL save them... It'll just overwrite them the next time you boot it up...). I'm going to try testing my ROM hacks in MAME tonight, to prevent said overwriting at boot time, thus allowing the high scores and inits to persist.
hatrick
Well-known member
I'll try it tonight and report back, along with my rom revision. Thanks for taking this on. I'd love to learn how to do this stuff when I get some time.
HudsonArcade
Well-known member
Stupid Nibbler Easter eggs:
Enter one of the following as your initials when you get a high score:
JHU
MRS
RGU
KMU
FJU
Finding the hooks for doing a high score save kit was pretty trivial... Mine will be a CPU module to eliminate all the ROMs, and use a serial EPROM to save scores rather than relying on a DS1220.
Enter one of the following as your initials when you get a high score:
JHU
MRS
RGU
KMU
FJU
Finding the hooks for doing a high score save kit was pretty trivial... Mine will be a CPU module to eliminate all the ROMs, and use a serial EPROM to save scores rather than relying on a DS1220.
DarrenF
Well-known member
OK.
Once you get the ROM version of your game, I'll hack the appropriate set, and test in MAME.
Once you have tested the NVRAM in place of the 4118 (and it works normally), PM me your email address.
hatrick
Well-known member
Rom version 9. Didn't notice any issues with the nvram in place. PM incoming with email address. Thanks.
Phetishboy
Well-known member
That cut me deep right there.
DarrenF
Well-known member
email with beta ROMs for rev 9 sent.
This code worked in MAME, although I didn't really "test" it very much (don't really care for the game).
Let me know if it works for you. Oh, and post some pics with the NVRAM and EPROMs installed.
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hatrick
Well-known member
Beta test successful! Only played a couple games, but scores and initials stayed in the list as expected. This may be the fastest request to completion high score save hack yet. Nice work!
OP
OP
3 years later and we have a WIN!!
Peace
Buffett
Peace
Buffett
DarrenF
Well-known member
3 years? I only saw this thread on 5/11/14... more like 3 days.
Anyhow, I'm going to let it accumulate a little more testing, and I also need to do the other known versions, too.
Speaking of other versions, what game code rev do you other guys that expressed interest have? Hold the joystick down in attract mode and it should appear in the bottom left on the title screen. Known revs are 6, 8 & 9. Also, does anyone have the 'Olympia' license version?
Those that expressed interest:
hattrick (rev 9, beta tested sucessfully)
Buffet (revs unknown)
Muerto (rev ?)
Phettishboy x3 (rev 9 x2, last rev unknown)
Atlas100 (rev ?)
fizgig (rev ?)
James in MD (rev ?)
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Phetishboy
Well-known member
I've got 2 version 9's, and one version that I haven't yet checked. I was hoping for 6, but I'd bet its also 9. Would it be easy to adapt this HSS feature to both Pioneer Balloon and Fantasy? Pinouts and boardsets are nearly identical.
fizgig
Permanently Banned for constant cyber bullying. Ge
I'm in for one as well.
DarrenF
Well-known member
Ok, here's what I'm thinking...
For a "kit" consisting of a NVRAM and two custom-programmed EPROMs: $25, plus $4 for shipping in the US (any other shipping TBD). This will be "plug and play" if your IC13 is already socketed.
For those wishing to supply their own 2kB NVRAM and program their own EPROMs: $10 code fee for the ROM files.
For a "kit" consisting of a NVRAM and two custom-programmed EPROMs: $25, plus $4 for shipping in the US (any other shipping TBD). This will be "plug and play" if your IC13 is already socketed.
For those wishing to supply their own 2kB NVRAM and program their own EPROMs: $10 code fee for the ROM files.
DarrenF
Well-known member
Possibly. Haven't look at those yet, but if they use the same RAM at the same location, then the chances are good.
hatrick
Well-known member
For future reference, The BP Microsystems EP-1140 does support the M48Z02. I was able to confirm that the couple I had on hand were still good.
HudsonArcade
Well-known member
Does it just test the RAM portion or does it power it down between write and read to check the battery?
hatrick
Well-known member
I don't think it does a power down. I wrote a 2k file to the RAM, then removed the device for a few seconds, put it back in and did a read and confirmed it held the data.
Tighe
Well-known member
Very cool Mark!
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