Building the CHEAPEST 8 Bit Atari Flash Cartridge - A8PicoCart

Building the CHEAPEST 8 Bit Atari Flash Cartridge - A8PicoCart - Full Flashcart Build & Programming

Рет қаралды 9,867

29 күн бұрын

* This video is kindly supported by www.PCBWay.com - My choice for for high quality PCB manufacturing, 3D printing and more! I thank them, and Elaine Hu for their wonderful support! **
Hey Lovely Viewers!
In this video we're going to be building the Atari A8PicoCart, a wonderful project released by ElectroTrains aka Robin H Edwards. It's a simple but effective "everdrive" type multicart solution for the Atari 8 bit line of computers.
You can find his github for the project at github.com/robinhedwards/A8Pi... and all the files are available there, including the STL files for 3D printing the case.
The Purple Pi Pico clone is here (Ultimate Pico RP2040 128Mbit 16MB compatible with raspberry PI dual-core processors): www.aliexpress.com/item/10050... - Be careful because as I say in the video, this is NOT a standard Pi Pico!
Affiliate links:
Screw Assortment (Black - Use 16mm) - amzn.to/4cJP9CZ
Screw Assortment (Silver - Use 16mm) - amzn.to/4eR5ibC
Push Switches (Various Lengths) - amzn.to/45XK33Z
This is such an easy and useful project to build. I’ve included step by step instructions on how to order pcbs from PCBWay and get the exact board that I'm using.
Thank youe veryone for keeping the channel running!!!
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If you hate Patreon, you can buy me a coffee or become a monthly member at ko-fi.com/markfixesstuff - It really helps me keep the studio lights on!
Thanks again for watching... and being awesome!
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🎶🎵🎶 Licenced Music Used in this Episode! 🎶🎵🎶
🎼 Playlist Here - www.epidemicsound.com/playlis...
#retrogaming #atari #everdrive

Пікірлер: 139

@hollybrereton3140 27 күн бұрын

Beautiful close-up shots of Mark’s hot tip. Not so easy to achieve and much enjoyed.. He’s truly a man of many talents.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Close up everything looks bigger.

@stephenelliott7071 27 күн бұрын

Thanks

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Whoa! Thank you Stephen! That is incredibly generous of you!

@stephenelliott7071 27 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff you're welcome mate. I much prefer KZfaq to TV these days so keep plugging away and produce the great content you always do! Great to see Caverns of Mars again, I don't think it gets enough credit. Loved it back in the day and still play it sometimes. :-)

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

@@stephenelliott7071 It’s honestly such a solid game. I showed it to Mrs Fixes Stuff and she got hooked.

@stephenelliott7071 27 күн бұрын

Oh definitely, there were so many horizontal scrolling shooters so this vertical one was something a bit different, plus it has so much nostalgia for me. I had a Speccy at that time so had to pop round a mates house to play it on his posh expensive Atari 800 lol.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

@@stephenelliott7071 my cousin had the 400, with CoM and Star Raiders - great games!!!

@ddimento8790 25 күн бұрын

Nice to see you back in action Mark.

@SteveRaynerMakes 27 күн бұрын

You ask what we think of your video. The images are very bright and clear. Sound is awesome. Use of music at low volume in the background sets a good mood. Can't fault the quality of the video production. Yes, I remember well. Local shop closed half day on Wednesday, TV only had three channels, pls your Atari (or spectrum) if you were lucky enough to have one.

@catriona_drummond 9 күн бұрын

I actually do like the ultra close soldering shots because it was them that made me understand the process better.

@MarkFixesStuff 6 күн бұрын

I’m so glad someone gets it!

@3vi1J 27 күн бұрын

Great video. To make attaching the pin-headers easier, I just stick them in an old breadboard with the pico on-top. That way they'll be guaranteed straight, and gravity keeps the pico all the way on them while soldering.

@MarkFixesStuff 23 күн бұрын

@@3vi1J That’s a brilliant tip!

@beanz991 27 күн бұрын

Great little project to try, thanks!

@richardpowell8198 27 күн бұрын

Great video Mark this is the stuff I like you making good old retro pcb!! well done.

@coffeecuparcade 27 күн бұрын

I think job well done there mate. Love it!

@RetroMatt67 27 күн бұрын

Great vid as always Mark!

@darrenhunter2324 27 күн бұрын

Loved the Video Mark.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@chrismifsud7154 27 күн бұрын

I like watching the soldering shots. I learn from it so I can do neater and better soldering. I even paused your video so I can search for one of those PCB holders and found a local shop 5 minutes walk from my work place who sells them for around 9 euros. I'll probably do this project more for the fun of doing it and the learning experience and soldering practice than for actually using it and yes I will use it on my 65XE :) P.S... I love watching your videos. And again with the soldering shots, it reminds me of the terrible soldering I did when I added a donor chip to my SNES Everdrive to be able to play Mario Kart on it.. It works but the soldering looks awful. Anyway, sorry for my looong comment lol.

@cyrus3055 24 күн бұрын

I like your videos with the close up of soldering and calm voice. I learn a lot from you. 👍😁

@MarkFixesStuff 23 күн бұрын

Thank you so much

@necro_ware 27 күн бұрын

Pi Pico has 3V I/O voltage, which is somewhat tolerant to 5V for a while, but eventually it will start to have strange glitches and die. This cartridge needs a level shifter and that's the biggest bummer about Pi Pico when using it with retro hardware.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Yes there’s a discussion about this over on AtariAge. The ports used are unofficially 5v tolerant but not the 5.5v needed to get the official seal of approval. It’s a good read.

@AJMansfield1 21 күн бұрын

5:00 Pro tip for soldering: breadboards are the ideal work-holding for soldering rows of pins -- keeping them all securely held at the _exact_ correct spacing and alignment.

@AJMansfield1 21 күн бұрын

I even use breadboards to solder socket headers, mounting them pin-end-up on my soldering breadboard using some double-length pins I keep around for the purpose.

@johnnydee6340 27 күн бұрын

Its Always a pleasure watching your videos mark

@dingusbingus7463 27 күн бұрын

Great vid Mark, hope all is well❤

@RetroFormatPublications 26 күн бұрын

Another excellent video Mark

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks 🙏

@grahamclayton1110 27 күн бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyed this, tempted to have a go myself just to see if I can make it!

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

Go for it!

@ScottMadeAThing 23 күн бұрын

All your vids are great but this is the best one for ages. I’ve been subbed on my main (normal user) account for a short while, since you were a guest on The Retro Hour, but have watched LOADS of your back catalogue. I am paying a small tribute to you in an upcoming video :) BTW your soldering is very satisfying! Your format is perfect (for me and my ADHD brain at least) although since you asked, I’d say we need more of your lovely face! I hope everything is going well with your channel adjustments and I look forward to the next vid ❤

@MarkFixesStuff 23 күн бұрын

@@ScottMadeAThing that’s very kind of you! I look forward to the video. Not sure about my face though… that means moving the camera for a start!

@kneehighspy 26 күн бұрын

excellent video mark, i’ve built a bunch of these. great little carts.

@MarkFixesStuff 25 күн бұрын

Very cool! I actually was going to ask you what you thought about Power Supply replacements for the Ti99. Have everyhthing here to repair the one that Taz gave me, but no AC PSU.

@frankowalker4662 27 күн бұрын

Some nice colour choises there. 👍

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@ctrlaltrees 26 күн бұрын

Ooh, I've been meaning to put one of these together - it's an awesome project. Random thought but this yellow and purple colour combo would look cool in a clear resin shell!

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

That's a great idea!

@grandupper2588 27 күн бұрын

good stuff marky mark, keep them coming and more innuendo :)

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Thanks, will do! I’ll try to do some content whilst moving!

@TygonBC 27 күн бұрын

Great video and project, Mark. At first I thought it might be the answer to all my dreams, didn't read the description properly and thought it was for Atari 8-bit consoles, and have been waiting for an affordable solution for my 7800, as the only flash cart currently available is Krixzz-level expensive. Those big-hitter valuable games still elude me! As I haven't ventured into the heady world of soldering yet either, this looked like a great beginner project. All that aside, enjoyed your video, which is the main thing 🙂

@khyehickey 26 күн бұрын

Thanks!☘

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so much again Khye!

@shpongled 23 күн бұрын

Another great video! Almost inspired me to make one but I caved in and bought one ready made on eBay. Still, it was inspirational in getting me to buy one!

@MarkFixesStuff 23 күн бұрын

Thank you so very much for your support! Glad you liked the video. Robin did a great job on this project.

@Colin_Ames 26 күн бұрын

Always good to watch one of your videos, even if the subject matter doesn’t pertain to me. Keep them coming.

@BottIsNotABot 26 күн бұрын

Another great video! You really are spoiling us of late.

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

More to come!

@TheVetUk 27 күн бұрын

“Sucked off into a fantasy world” - fucking brilliant 😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Thankuverramush 😅

@Elberto71 26 күн бұрын

Oh we've all been there 😜

@TheVetUk 25 күн бұрын

@@Elberto71 can I have the address 🙏

@michaelcarey 27 күн бұрын

Fantastic build. It's great to see modern accessories being developed for old 8-bit platforms. One thing I will mention about the build, simple is often better. Get some Veroboard and use it to hold the pin headers in place while you solder them to the PCB while just placing them on your desk. Push down with your pinkie finger while holding the solder with thumb/forefinger. I've tried PCB holders before and I am much more comfortable resting my forearms on the bench while soldering, I dislike soldering when my arms are "floating" :-)

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

Same but it’s really hard to film things flat on the bench and solder them with the camera in the way.

@michaelcarey 26 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff I fully understand, I've watched a lot of of your soldering videos and you do a fantastic job given that you are sharing the space with a camera 🙂 your close up shots of the solder flowing into the joint are amazing.

@UpLateGeek 26 күн бұрын

Good tip not soldering all the pins into the raspberry pie before inserting it into the board. I always forget that every time, and it's always a difficult to insert. Those custom cartridge labels look great! I'm jealous of my friend who's got a filament auto changer on her 3D printer, but your results are still pretty good.

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

Good tip! Thanks!

@helldog3105 27 күн бұрын

Looks like I have a project for next month to do now.

@MarcoGPUtuber 27 күн бұрын

A video after the final video. I am spoiled!

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

Final Spectrum video. Final video on that Spectrum. Third and final video on that machine. I think I’m going to have to change that thumbnail.

@MarcoGPUtuber 26 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff Well, it comes on the heels of the channel announcement video as well. While it is saddening to see less content, you gotta do what'cha gotta do. I'll be here watching while I am fixing my own stuff.

@wayne_taylor 26 күн бұрын

I put the pins into a breadboard, then the PCB solder away.

@shanebroadbent2792 27 күн бұрын

To get back to the menu, press the reset button on the cartridge, then reset on the Atari.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

I was told that after. I’m far too used to the way the Spectrum resets. My bad!

@PG-gs5vb 24 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff Yes, the switch on the cart actually does not reset the machine, it just remaps the cart's ROM into Atari's memory space and sets the respective vectors to run the cartridge after you press RESET.

@BastetFurry 27 күн бұрын

1:19, thats what he said 😁 Still, one thing to note here, the RP2040 is not officially 5 volt tolerant! It can work out as we see here but we stress the chip. So beware and don't be sad when this setup fries a RP2040.

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

There’s a discussion about this on Atari Age. The pins used should be ok for five volts unofficially, but they are not certified. At the end of the day, the pico costs £1.40 delivered so is worth the risk

@BastetFurry 24 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff the thing is tough, imagine you are on a scene party like Revision and are happily coding on the last lines of your demo. Disaster strikes and the module refuses to work because of this problem. If you are lucky someone has a RPPico module that they can give you but the problem still exists. If i where an Atari home computer user i would most definitely take that cart and add level shifters. They aren't that expensive and make sure that the cart will work forever. Yes, its only 1,70€ for such a "Chinese" Pico but still, having it kill itself at the most inconvenient moment is a certainly, Murphy never sleeps. ;)

@Zhixalom 26 күн бұрын

♪ ♫ It was a one-eyed, one-horned Purple PI Pico eater ♫ ♪

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

😂😂😂

@Zhixalom 26 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff Mission accomplished! - This message will highly unlikely self-destruct in 5 seconds.

@m4rgin4l 27 күн бұрын

I love software defined hardware.

@MarcoGPUtuber 27 күн бұрын

11:04 You wanna know what I think? You had me hooked on the fire damaged board cleaned by ultrasonic video. Been watching since.

@mi213GER 27 күн бұрын

4:42 time to some Hawk Thua action 😂

@Retroguyuk75 27 күн бұрын

Ahh ya can't go anywhere Mark ya Vid's are awesome :)

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Thank you! I’ll try to get stuff out when I can. I’m ankle deep in boxes right now!

@manxam2k 27 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff Ankle? I think you're doing it wrong.. Poor Mrs. Fixes Stuff

@user-Atamigaputer 27 күн бұрын

Very nice, ive got a Lotharek SIO2SD, a SIDE2 and a FUJINET but im a sucker for these things and will make one as well lol

@Uzeless 15 күн бұрын

I honestly thought this would work with the Atari 2600, as it's an 8-bit machine. Bought everything, built it and found that it sadly does not.

@RetroJack 26 күн бұрын

Well done saying "purple pi pico" so many times! 😁

@MarkFixesStuff 26 күн бұрын

There were a few takes…

@hypergl6974 21 күн бұрын

Is there also a version for the atari 1040? I would like to change the roms from german to english

@marceloaug 22 күн бұрын

Great video thanks. Does anyone know of a similar option for the Magnavox Odyssey 2?

@MarkFixesStuff 22 күн бұрын

I don't I'm afraid. I have a Phillips G7000 here and never even powered it on as yet.

@mehere3013 26 күн бұрын

can this be done with any other console carts

@Nukle0n 27 күн бұрын

Glad to see that "Final" wasn't quite Final. You put a lot of effort into shooting the video and it shows. On topic of the video: I really dislike the fragmentation of the RP2040 dev boards. I guess it makes sense considering that people have different uses, but it's also just a bit of a bother. At that point he might as well design the board to just have the RP2040 directly on there plus the other necessary components. I guess for some inexplicable reason it's cheaper to get these dev boards than than RP2040, RAM and handful of jellybean parts? I know part of it is also so it can be assembled by the end user but seeing as how PCBway also provides affordable Pick&Place... :P

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

That was the final video on that spectrum, being part three. In my downsizing video I did say my vids would still be coming but less elaborate. The pi thing is nuts. There’s not enough GPIO pins exposed on a standard pico, hence the clone use. I think popping an RP2040 on would be great but make the project harder for people. It’s not a commercial project either.

@perinoid 26 күн бұрын

Press reset on an A8Pico and then the computer Reset key.

@Mrshoujo 27 күн бұрын

Where can I buy one? I could build it, but I need the parts & someone else having made the cartridge shell.

@ThisOldChris 27 күн бұрын

I saw them sold on Ebay in different stages of completion.

@mikeypeters7003 27 күн бұрын

Would love a Super Nintendo one. Or perhaps a Megadrive one.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

I’m not sure if the pico has enough GPIO ports for a sixteen bit console?

@RyanMercer 27 күн бұрын

Bewm bebe

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

@@RyanMercer kahbewm !

@Astravall 27 күн бұрын

While not all pins were soldered yet, why not press down on the pico clone while inserted into the PCB and reflow that one edge Pin to straiten it out? I think that would have made it much cleaner.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

I actually intended to simply clip the pins down but didn’t bother once it was in the case.

@Astravall 27 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff Sorry Mark. It might be nitpicking on my side, but by cleaner i meant the pin header to sit flush on the board and not bent. Doesn't change the bent if you clip the pins on the other side ;).

@AtreidaeChibiko 5 күн бұрын

"smurf poo" got my like and subscription

@JenniferinIllinois 27 күн бұрын

Having never soldered anything, I do enjoy watchin others solder. No idea why. Hehehe...

@PG-gs5vb 24 күн бұрын

Just a weird kink but you're not alone!

@MrKrimstah 26 күн бұрын

Is there a version for the 2600 ?😊

@MarkFixesStuff 25 күн бұрын

The creator was working on a 2600 version but had some issues with compatibility between consoles. I think it’s shelved. The Unocart is still an option but harder to build.

@MrKrimstah 25 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuffsuch a cool piece of tech hopefully he picks it back up again

@rich35ukuk 27 күн бұрын

Hi mark how's things how your well mate

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

@@rich35ukuk I’m ok Rich, thanks for asking. Currently trying to put out a little bit of content whilst packing to move. How are you?

@jon-paulfilkins7820 27 күн бұрын

Ah, Smurf Poo!

@firstsurname9893 27 күн бұрын

5:33 Blimey, close-ups like that should come with a "strong pornography" warning.

@MarkFixesStuff 27 күн бұрын

Extreeeeeeeeme close up!

@firstsurname9893 27 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuff Party on Payne!

@c1ph3rpunk 25 күн бұрын

Have you tried this with a “real” 2040? Does it work?

@MarkFixesStuff 25 күн бұрын

The RP2040 chip itself is the same. It’s the pins that are available on the headers that are different.

@c1ph3rpunk 25 күн бұрын

@@MarkFixesStuffhmm, dug in there a little more, not sure why the creator would pick that one over the official version, it’s not that much cheaper. It’s $2.83 vs $4.14, that clone vs the official one. Seems risky to pick a clone that might disappear who knows when. Love the idea, just wish it used the real board. Maybe it’s cheaper in other regions, just not in the US. Wonder if those additional IO pins are what was needed. Have to order some up and see.

@MarkFixesStuff 25 күн бұрын

@@c1ph3rpunkyes, it’s the extra exposed GPIO pins on the clone. There’s not enough GPIO pins exposed on the board with the official pico. I tried to explain this in the video.