How can I make new ColecoVision cartridges

[@newcoleco]

Technicaly, I know at least 2 persons who can build multicarts. But, nobody can make a multicart with commercial Coleco games in it because Telegames (in UK, not in USA) still selling these games released for the ColecoVision.

[@newcoleco]

It's an eprom burner, very simple to use, by Batronix. The software I use is made by Batronix and it does this "bleep" sound when it burns well the memory chip. I also use an eeprom eraser to erase the used eeproms I bought from the Internet, and some from old PC motherboards. The pcb I'm using came from many people, but this one in the video came from Harvey deKleine, a new ColecoVision homebrewer.

[@newcoleco]

yes, it's a classical music by Johann Sebastian Bach named Toccata and Fugue... like specified in the "more info" section. ;-)

[@newcoleco]

You can have an empty multicart, by Atarimaxx. I use the multicart to test many Coleco projects at once. I'm sure you can find the web site easily.

[@newcoleco]

If you know how to solder, it's very easy. All you need is free time and the appropriate material.

[@averagemale2000]

really cool work, dude not only made the cartridge art work, but programmed the game and burnt it on a chip.. that is what I call dedication for the arts, the art of computing... thanks for posting and putting all your time into these works of art.

[@newcoleco]

It's easy to find an eprom burner. I bought mine at Batronix web site. Note : This kind of information is already in the "more info" section.

[@newcoleco]

eprom burner, bx32 by batronix. new pcbs (the circuits to be in cartridges) to support 27256 (limit 32Kbytes) memory chips are made by AtariAge, Harvey DeKleine and Philipp Klaus Krause (for mini cartridge version, check his colecovision web site). some people are making special pcbs to go over 32KBytes, by using a bankswitch method to access different banks of, usually, 16K or 32K each.

[@newcoleco]

Yes, you can use a big memory plus a bankswitching system which is not difficult to do... but you need a new circuit board to support it, of course. The first ColecoVision (multi)cartridge with a bankswitch system was build before year 2000, so it's not a new concept. A menu plus games cartridge is normally a bank switching that react only once to a high-address access. The software to activate this must be run in RAM and disable all the interrupts to avoid glitches.

[@newcoleco]

In this video, almost for all my coleco projects, I'm using a general purpose glue stick. I did find this glue very effective, and it's also the solution some collectors are using to fix labels on their game cartridges.

[@newcoleco]

Try searching for this keyword : teampixelboy If you find a web site talking about ColecoVision, you're at the right place... well, you may not get transparent casings but try anyway.

[@missteachbytouch8623]

newcoleco ñ

[@newcoleco]

You have to put time and energy in a project before seeing a significant result. 1 - know what the system can provide : video, cpu, sound, ram, vram, rom, bios. tech docs and my clips about 9928 vid chip. 2 - start from scratch or use a kit. My kit is based on one from Marcel deKogel. 3 - imagine which part is characters, which part is sprites, and sometimes which part is both. 4 - deal with non-maskable interrupt NMI. (not easy) 5 - split the engine into small parts to do. 6 - add sound.

[@newcoleco]

@ST0PM0SS : Sure. I did try various options and the better quality and color rendering was when I didn't print the labels myself... too bad that I did discover that fact fater paying tons of dollars for ink. Some professional services do offer to print these labels as stickers as well, like the very special and transparent ones for GhostBlaster.

[@newcoleco]

@j7512 I've used ZIF sockets during my first years of developments of ColecoVision projects. The problem I had with this solution is that the eprom chip with the ZIF socket are then too big to fit perfectly in the casing, doing a pressure that leaves a gap that Coleco fans don't appreciate in general. So, I'm not using ZIF sockets anymore, but it's true that it's a good suggestion to avoid soldering directly a non-working eprom chip.

[@4real0316]

Awesome work. It's good to see other obvious fans of the Colecovision. My 12yr old loves to play Defender on the Colecovision, even though I have it for about 3 other consoles. SEGA was way ahead of their time on the Colecovision. Too bad their ingenuity is wasted making only software these days. If any one else would shell out hard earned cash for a new SEGA console give me a thumbs up. Who knows maybe someone at SEGA corp. is paying atention to us old fans.

[@newcoleco]

Thanks Trogdor from AtariAge, Froboz23 from KZbin. Because music is not the important thing I want to show in this video, I used one who can manifest its presence event at a low-volume. Also this music fits well with an obscure video like this one, with mysterious hands without any body or face visible. And the music also fits with the game used in this demonstration.

[@newcoleco]

Nice music isn't it? It's Johann Sebastian Bach - Toccata and Fugue. During the montage, I was thinking of using a music to be played in background, nothing to distract, just something to add. Because the video is kind of mysterious, this Fugue fits just fine.

[@newcoleco]

Yes, the coleco usb carts are expensives. Someone is trying to make his own version to create a kind of competition and maybe reduce the price of both products in the future, but I can't garanty it.

[@newcoleco]

The author of the Cuttle Carts did ask if it's a good idea to make a Coleco version. The major question was if Coleco owners will buy it because it's expensive and there is already an alternative called Atarimax USB Coleco Multicart. See MaximumRD review about it. If you want Cuttle Carts for ColecoVision, I highly suggest you to send an email to the guy who can make them. Or you can buy a multicart at Atarimax web site for $140. Or you can buy sometimes CV games released in cartridge format.

[@newcoleco]

Q : Why not using a multicart to play Coleco games? A : It's a question of choice. Some gamers are also collectors and they want the games released in cartridge format. It's cool and it supports the homebrewer which is really appreciate. The author of the cuttle cart did think if making one for the ColecoVision worth the time and money, because Atarimax already did a multicart ColecoVision cartridge with USB cable for about $120 each. See (soon) review by MaximumRD on the subject.

[@newcoleco]

I did reply, but it seems that youtube don't like my answer. I did add some info in the "more info" section, but there is an update : Visit atariage for new pcbs for coleco cartridges. Visit opcodegames for new plastic casings (try contacting someone named Luc Miron). Visit an electronic store for eprom chips or recycle old eeprom chips with an eeprom eraser. Both can be find on eBay.

[@newcoleco]

To program a ColecoVision game, I use my own starter kit for Windows(+DOS). The kit includes the compiler, a variation of the Marcel's Coleco library, my personal library, and a couple of tools I programmed in VisualBasic. For this particular project, I used the original version of the Marcel's Coleco library simply because the new improved version in the kit is not compatible. A direct link to my Coleco web site is in my KZbin profile.

[@dallase1]

Why not just make a multi game cartridge that uses a SD Memory card and put the ROMs on that? That way you don't have to buy chips and circuit boards for each new game you make and you can have all the old games on one cartridge. Intellivision has this, it's call Cuttle Cart 3.

[@newcoleco]

If you talk about any binary files for ColecoVision, you can do a search on Google for that. I have some of my projects in rom files available online, and not only at my web site. The game showed in this video is available in public domain at my blog, the link is in the description of my other video.

[@newcoleco]

@ojoesopen : Jeepers Creepers is supposed to be re-releassed eventually at AtariAge web site, but they seem to concentrate on new Atari releases at the moment.

[@newcoleco]

Usualy I can get those eprom chips for about $5 each, but it really depends on your source. For example, you can get a bunch of them on eBay sometimes for a fair price with a ratio of 50%-75% chance working. Or you don't try your luck and buy brand new ones which I think cost $10+ each.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

thanks for the quick reply :) Interesting, it's actually less expensive than i thought. Which is good.

[@newcoleco]

Atarimax 128-in-1 USB Coleco cartridge... I'm using it for testing my games but you can use it as a personal multicart too. Before the Atarimax multicart did exist, I did participated to make one multicart by programming the software menu, that's all. A bankswitching method can also be used to fit a bigger game inside a cartridge, if you split the game into many logical blocks. I've heard of one project before year 2000, but there is at least one big game that do exist at opcodegames web site.

[@newcoleco]

It's not the case for Coleco. A ColecoVision cartridge was made in a way to handle up to four ( 4 ) eprom chips of 8K each, that can fill up the space inside. For a cost reason, the vast majority of the games was about 16K, using only 2 eprom chips. And in this video, instead of four ( 4 ) chips of 8K each, I'm using only one ( 1 ) of 32K ( = 4 times 8 ). So, it looks like a waste of space, but there is an historical and cost reason behind the conception of this cartridge shape.

[@newcoleco]

I'll be back working on my Coleco programming kit after making the last videos about GhostBlaster project. After that, I wish to have time to start a programming tutorial video... but I can't promise anything.

[@newcoleco]

Actually, there are some new boards (aka pcbs) for sale at AtariAge web site. There is a model for ColecoVision cartridges. But again, it's not the only source or way to got new boards, but it's probably to fastest and easiest way for you.

[@newcoleco]

Look at Atariage web site... there is a store section about atari games and stuff to make atari games, including hardware parts.

[@newcoleco]

Between C and ASM, I prefer to code in C. I'm getting faster a prototype and if it's not exactly possible in C, whatever the way I code it, well I can transform some parts into ASM coding. If you take a look at my project GhostBlaster, you can find the source code and see that I did convert the entire game engine from C to ASM, not because it didn't work, but because I needed to optimize the rendering speed. But most classic games like tetris don't need to be coded in ASM at all.

[@GreatNorthWeb]

i always wondered...and now I know. good vid. thanks for posting.

[@newcoleco]

In this video, the cartridge came from one of the numerous Donkey Kong cartridges I did own for my projects. I do also use brand new casings, like the transparent ones I'm using for my incredible game GhostBlaster.

[@newcoleco]

@sonicbinho These chips are 27256 eproms which came from (usually) good old PC motherboards and graphic cards. Keep in mind that recycling eprom chips doesn't always work, they may not be erasable or reprogrammable. eBay is my usual source for these eprom chips, but I know also some friends who can provide me some chips if I need it.

[@newcoleco]

@crappyfilmproduction All programmers do games in their own ways, I've my way doing it, with my own libraries and tools, and others are invited to use them or try something else like coding directly in assembly codes like shown in some of my videos about coding ColecoVison.

[@newcoleco]

Thanks for the information. I was assuming these steps to be basic enough to be related, similar, to make games for other systems.

[@sinistermoon]

Well done!

[@legislatrice]

KZbin just suggested this to me today. Quite the memories :)

[@newcoleco]

I don't have the answer, but this is what I know. Atari2600 and ColecoVision are 2 completely different game systems... and there is not only one way to code new games for each one. I personnaly code in C language, using my own stuff based on Marcel de Kogel's Coleco library. I did thank him for that in many games. I know that some programmers do make new games for the Atari2600 with a special BASIC language called BATARI. You should take a look at AtariAge forums to talk with some of them.

[@PoLoMoTo2]

You could use a regular socket instead, I'm pretty sure they fit fine.

[@newcoleco]

Well, based on my knowledge, the steps are similar, yes. However, I never tried myself. I notice my misunderstanding of your message, but too late. sometimes a question mark help. ;-)

[@mitropoulosilias]

6bit gaming is never old!!!

[@TheInfiniteMiseryJumper]

That looks awesome dude, really professional -takes hat off-

[@newcoleco]

@VideoGameWorkshop In this video it's an old Donkey Kong cartridge I've used to put in my game.

[@newcoleco]

you should ask to someone who actually manage to make nes games in cartridges. I can't answer to your request.

[@newcoleco]

I give you a hint : HOBBY and FANS.

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Ah cool, thanks for the info! I've seen them on chase the chuck wagon, but are they normally quite expensive?

[@newcoleco]

Give us some news when you can, and don't hesitate to ask questions. Good luck in your projects!

[@Cryptocracyz101]

nice...

[@Froboz23]

Nicely done newcoleco. You get big style points for the background music and hotty android narrator. =) TROGDOR from Atariage

[@fbaillargeon1983]

That is sooooo from Quebec, the photo was developped at familiprix, ah the geeks from montreal

[@newcoleco]

@massaikur Not me personaly but yes it's possible. There are new homebrew Atari 2600 carts done every year, just take a quick look at AtariAge web site.

[@nopochoclos]

Yes Newcoleco i find it in october, but it is very expensive + shipping + Taxes = VERY VERY EXPENSIVE! i am from Argentina...large travel..., Here i cant find coleco carts :( ,because this i will try to do something...(sorry for my poor english), Greetings Fernando

[@newcoleco]

@TheGreatCorneliuski : Programmed by using a special devkit I've developed during years on a PC computer running under Windows.

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Can you get chips with larger memories, so you could make a multi-cart?

[@RaulBillieJean]

cool

[@wingnut4427]

Nice ! thanks for the info :D

[@dallase1]

Why not just do what was done for Intellivision with the cuttle cart 3 and just make a cartridge emulator that acepts Micro SD Memory cards and then just get all the ROMs of Coloecovision games and play them all that way using a menu system where you select from a list of all the games and then hit enter on the controller?

[@LadyTink]

AMAZING are the steps similar to an atari game

[@DarkPlagueStudios]

How hard do you find programming coleco games in C? It has to be a hell of a lot easier the assembly or basic.

[@Takemetoaride]

interesting!

[@WatchVenusSpa]

Where did you get the materials for the casing? It's not like you can get blank cartridges! Awesome stuff as always!!

[@fbaillargeon1983]

No, but I mean familyprix is from Quebec, I am from Quebec city

[@bisexualbuffthug]

Sweet!! :)

[@Bittergamer1886]

Can you show me how to program a game? I have many fresh,new ideas that I wrote down and made to blueprints!

[@bigshrimpn]

I know for nes cartridges that you can use a product made a while back by Bung called the Multigame Doctor (MGD). What software and hardware are you using to burn these Colecovision games to the chips if I may ask?

[@newcoleco]

I have uploaded a new little video, it's about bluemsx emulator, where to find it and how to install it to play coleco games.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

awesome :D i wish i could do cartridges for my C64 the same way you did for your coleco vision. How much does such a "burnable" EPROM cost?

[@NOOBNUT08]

Can you show video of this being done with nes games???

[@NoelBenson8029]

Pretty crazy stuff, I tried downloading an emulator for the coleco, I can't get it to work, and I don't think it would be quite as cool as using the old skool game anyway.

[@ST0PM0SS]

actually you could make a sticker instead of glueing it

[@Ese1Pac]

now to make snes and n64 cartridges :)

[@wingnut4427]

Where do you get the parts & the memory chip & the device to put the info on the chip ? And what are the memory limits ?

[@Monodi91]

The hard thing is t get cartrisge packs

[@JosephtheBlacksmith]

Whereabouts would you order these tools and necessities?

[@Delmoko]

what program/piece of equipment did you use to put the rom onto the chip? where did you get the eprom burner and how much was it?

[@DarkPlagueStudios]

Does colecovision use assembly like atari does? Or is it easier to program on?

[@newcoleco]

You are from Montreal? I'm not.

[@nopochoclos]

Wow! amazing, i have a Coleco Vision restored to new, can you make multicart? with lots of games inside and menu?.... I try to make a Cart beacause in my country is difficult to find it. Greetings

[@mrbeanchannel]

wow, that is disturbing. I wish i could do that.

[@omeric]

where can i get the boards from to do this?

[@Delmoko]

Did u use Liquid Nails?

[@LadyTink]

O.O Um I said are the steps similar, meaning I didn't know :/ lol

[@fixedgerald]

what program did you use to make the game?

[@TheCPTV]

where can i find the plastic cartridges?

[@gladier1]

How do u make your lables

[@uveprom]

whats the ic down the memory ?

[@jonathanward5722]

hi newcoleco. you've probably been asked this a million times, but where do I get the materials to make a new cv cartridge, as I'm looking to program my own cv games soon. at the moment I'm completely noobish about the whole thing.

[@yoodledoodle14]

Can I do this for N64 Cartridges?

[@LadyTink]

True, but that's a pretty common issue on the internet? lol jk "Well, based on my knowledge, the steps are similar, yes. However, I never tried myself. " Well the two systems are remarkably similar so it might work, maybe give it a shot.