Definitive list of games incompatible with +2A/+3 and of compatible versions (if any)

[jpnz]

Already done

Thanks to @goodboy, a cure has been found for Scaramouche, and has been added to the list.

What was the fix?

[goodboy]

disabled check ROM routine

[Ivanzx]

disabled check ROM routine

goodboy, would it be possible to have a loader that fixes Scaramouche? A loader that I can type in my spectrum and save it to tape to load it before the game, so it can fix it

[goodboy]

[Ivanzx]

Could it be a Loader in BASIC?

Thanks!

[bob_fossil]

Could it be a Loader in BASIC?

Thanks!

I assmbled the code provided by @goodboy and used this to load in the .tzx file of Scaramouche. After some fiddling around I got it into a normal .tap file. It will load a bit faster than the original does as it skips the first 16k of data loaded over the top of the ROM area (maybe to make the headerless block too long for a tape copier to load?).

A patched .tap file is available here.

[Ivanzx]

I assmbled the code provided by @goodboy and used this to load in the .tzx file of Scaramouche. After some fiddling around I got it into a normal .tap file. It will load a bit faster than the original does as it skips the first 16k of data loaded over the top of the ROM area (maybe to make the headerless block too long for a tape copier to load?).

A patched .tap file is available here.

That is great, Bob, thanks

But what I am asking is a BASIC loader that I can type up in my Spectrum, save it in a tape and load it before the actual game, so the incompatibility is gone when I play the game in my +2A

[goodboy]

Could it be a Loader in BASIC?
Thanks!

You can't convert hex to dec to type a program on basic ?

[Ivanzx]

You can't convert hex to dec to type a program on basic ?

I have no idea of how to do that

[bob_fossil]

That is great, Bob, thanks

But what I am asking is a BASIC loader that I can type up in my Spectrum, save it in a tape and load it before the actual game, so the incompatibility is gone when I play the game in my +2A

Untested but it looks like it's doing the right thing.

Code: Select all

1 REM Scaramouche fix by goodboy
10 CLEAR 32768: LET A=63488: LET C = 0
20 READ V: IF V=-1 THEN GO TO 40
30 POKE A, V: LET A = A + 1: LET C = C + V : GO TO 20
40 IF C<>3962 THEN PRINT "CHECKSUM ERROR!" : STOP
50 RANDOMIZE USR 63488
60 DATA 243, 49, 0, 0, 6, 6, 197, 205 
70 DATA 26, 248, 193, 16, 247, 62, 204, 50
80 DATA 110, 93, 62, 24, 50, 181, 98, 195
90 DATA 66, 93, 62, 255, 55, 221, 33, 0
100 DATA 0, 17, 0, 248, 20, 8, 21, 195, 98, 5, -1

[Ivanzx]

Untested but it looks like it's doing the right thing.

Code: Select all

1 REM Scaramouche fix by goodboy
10 CLEAR 32768: LET A=63488: LET C = 0
20 READ V: IF V=-1 THEN GO TO 40
30 POKE A, V: LET A = A + 1: LET C = C + V : GO TO 20
40 IF C<>3962 THEN PRINT "CHECKSUM ERROR!" : STOP
50 RANDOMIZE USR 63488
60 DATA 243, 49, 0, 0, 6, 6, 197, 205 
70 DATA 26, 248, 193, 16, 247, 62, 204, 50
80 DATA 110, 93, 62, 24, 50, 181, 98, 195
90 DATA 66, 93, 62, 255, 55, 221, 33, 0
100 DATA 0, 17, 0, 248, 20, 8, 21, 195, 98, 5, -1

Thanks a lot! Will try to test it during the weekend Much appreciated!

[Bolton80]

Looks like I may have identified a couple more games that won't load on a +2a...
Green Beret (crashes on title screen)
I, Ball (corrupts at start of level 1)

Both tested using all available TAP and SCL files using DIVMMC Future and TAP played via Car Cassette adaptor.

Any fixed versions available?

[Alessandro]

@Bolton80 : See my answer on the other thread: https://www.spectrumcomputing.co.uk/for ... 23#p101623

I, Ball must be loaded in "48 mode" - it is also stated in the instructions although the game was released when the +3 was not yet available, so they only mention the 128/+2.

[Ivanzx]

Another suspicious game is Twin World: to begin with, it does not load in 128k mode, it has to be loaded in 48k mode (it will have 128k music!) and when finishing the 1st level, screen gets corrupted and game resets:

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... Twin_World

[Alessandro]

Another suspicious game is Twin World: to begin with, it does not load in 128k mode, it has to be loaded in 48k mode

This is stated in the instructions in fact.

(it will have 128k music!) and when finishing the 1st level, screen gets corrupted and game resets:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5 ... Twin_World

The game also came on disk, so it has to be compatible with the +2A which is a derivative of the +3.

So I first loaded the disk image file under +3 emulation in SpecEmu, and I reached the second level.

Then I loaded the TZX tape image file under +2A emulation in SpecEmu, and again, I reached the second level - the game even displayed the "Stop tape and press any key" message for a few seconds before the beginning of the level.

That being the case, I am sure you experienced an emulator issue. Which emulator are you using?

[Ivanzx]

Nope, I am playing it in my Spectrum +2A, and the two times I reached that point, the game corrupted and reseted (I will have to try a 3rd time to hard-confirm)

Also, I noted that the character had something strange in the animation, comparing it with the Youtube videos. Maybe someone who has access to an emulator now can test it on a plus 2A? (Im now at work).

[Alessandro]

How did you load the game? Through a genuine tape, a tape adapter and input from an external source, or a memory card-based interface?

Again, I am sure the game is compatible with the +2A per se, so I am trying to pinpoint the cause of your issue

[Ivanzx]

How did you load the game? Through a genuine tape, a tape adapter and input from an external source, or a memory card-based interface?

Again, I am sure the game is compatible with the +2A per se, so I am trying to pinpoint the cause of your issue

Yes, and the fact that there is a +3 version makes it even more clear, so there must be something else strange going on. I load the game from the original release, I mean, I have the game itself (the cassette release) of the UK edition. By the way, the effect of loading the game in 128K mode is really surprising, as when the load is over, the game keeps loading by itself (even with the tape deck stopped), in some sort of loading a previous data it storaged. After that, it also resets to the 48K menu screen.

[Ivanzx]

The newly recovered Regulus:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/3 ... um/Regulus

seems to be also incompatible. I loaded under 128K and 48K in my 2+A and it always resets after pressing any key in the title screen.

[goodboy]

The newly recovered Regulus

create line "26 poke 56037,39" (in the original version, not modified)
it`s corrected vector for im2 in the music player

[Ivanzx]

create line "26 poke 56037,39" (in the original version, not modified)
it`s corrected vector for im2 in the music player

Thanks!

Where should I create it? (I have 0 knowledge of programming). Should I create a loader or make a Load "" merge ?

I have the Regulus + version, though.

[goodboy]

make merge and type line in basic

[goodboy]

Also, I noted that the character had something strange in the animation

everything is right.
the game loader uses the standard download procedure from the tape and after its operation some system variables change,
but the game graphics are already in their place. therefore, it changes / corrupt

[Ivanzx]

make merge and type line in basic

Great! I will try it (I have a cassette with the Regulus+ version, so I am not sure if it will work in this one too) and will let you know

[Bolton80]

Mister Kung-Fu doesn't work on a +2a. Tested on real hardware (including 48k mode) and Spectaculator emulator. Freezes at start of level 1.