The Atari VCS (now known as the Atari 2600) was one of many first cartridge-based house online game consoles in historical past and was the best-selling console of its period. However that was the late Seventies and the know-how was in its infancy. Saying that the graphics have been rudimentary could be a dramatic understatement — right this moment’s youngsters would take into account them unusable. That’s why it was so shocking to search out this MovieCart that’s able to taking part in full-length, full-color films on totally authentic Atari 2600 {hardware}.
This doesn’t look like it ought to be doable, however the venture could be very actual. In fact, it requires cheap expectations. In keeping with the knowledge offered by creator lodefmode, it may possibly solely show films at a paltry 80×192 pixel decision with a severely restricted colour palette and poor sound high quality. It does, nonetheless, run at a really regular 30 frames per second. Storage is reasonable and plentiful lately, in order that isn’t a problem. However the Atari 2600’s video capabilities are very restrictive. Even this video and sound high quality is unbelievably spectacular and necessitated some intelligent hacks.
It’s doable to load any movie onto the MovieCart’s SD card, as a result of lodefmode created a utility to transform commonplace MP4 recordsdata into the customized MVC format. One demonstration lodefmode made is the basic film Westworld—sure, youngsters, it was a film lengthy earlier than it was a TV present. The transformed film doesn’t look nice, however Yul Brynner’s cheerful visage is clearly recognizable.
MovieCart 2600 is an open-source venture, so that you’re free to construct your individual utilizing the recordsdata offered by lodefmode. Or you should purchase one from the Tindie retailer for $24.99 (although, sadly, they’re at the moment out of inventory). If you buy one, it’ll even include an SD card loaded up with a full-length colour film from the general public area!
Whether or not you construct your individual or buy a MovieCart 2600, you’ll want a few different issues to get going. First, you’ll want the software program and lodefmode’s plugin to transform the video recordsdata. You’ll additionally doubtless need a cartridge enclosure, as a result of that is simply the populated PCB. It matches in Fight-style cartridges shells. And, in fact, you’ll want a working Atari 2600, in addition to a joystick to manage playback.
However that may all be worthwhile whenever you amaze your pals by taking part in the most recent Marvel movie in your practically five-decade-old Atari.
