MiSTer and FPGA

Wizard of Wor has finally been tested!

Almost a year after I did the original image for this game, it has been fitted to a cabinet and I’m pleased to say that after some minor problems the image has been updated and works as it should.

Had a request for a change, which may also make sense for Gorf – The option to set how many lives each player begins with when the machine is set to Freeplay. I will look into this when I get a chance.

If you have been keeping up with the MiSTer forums, you will know that there are now at least two DE10-Nano clones being produced, with one, the QMTECH version being available now, and another one due soon.

The one pictured is the QMTech version, and this one has the 128Mb SDRAM fitted direct to the rear of the PCB (rather than plugged onto GPIO_0). This has the advantage that it passes ram tests at 160Mhz.

It also comes in at a much cheaper price than the official DE10-Nano board. I purchased this one with delivery and taxes for £133. (Official DE10-Nano + 128Mb SDRAM module would be around £290)

So, the big question is does it work with the Astrocade interface ?

The answer is … Yes, it does. I connected it up to my interface and everything appears to work as intended. The OTG USB socket is a normal type A socket, rather than the mini-USB, so you need a different lead to connect it up.

The MiSTer image for Gorf using the Astrocade interface has been updated.

For those of you running them in an arcade environment where customers have to put money in, it will now accept coins from both coin slots (with separate options in the DIP settings)

In addition, the SLAM will now work, so if someone shakes that cab hard enough, then the game will reset.

Finally, the test switch on the sound board should work, as well as the service option in the DIP settings.

Late addition, coins and start buttons should now work immediately and not need the player 1 joystick moved first.

Get it from the usual place (over here)

I’ve updated the bill of materials for the Astrocade interface a little. Two items have been changed to have better descriptions and where people have let me know part numbers from Mouser or Digikey I have added them on.

Version 2.3 of the PCB has arrived, been assembled and tested … and it works without any wire patches!

There is, however, one minor problem. I added some extra bits of screen print on the wrong side. This has now been fixed on the gerbers and any future boards will be correct, but I am not changing the version number for that minor problem. (there are only 10 PCBs that have this defect, so should not cause any problems in the long run)

On the sound filter section of the PCB, the second capacitors are tantalum, which means they have polarity so there should be a small + sign to show which way they are fitted.

Check out the Bally Astrocade interface pages on the menu under “Mister” for more details of the board and assembly.

Version 2.3 has been ordered from the PCB makers and will hopefully fix the remaining incorrect track and complete the development of this PCB.

I’ve mentioned this on Facebook (on the Gorf group) and had several questions about it, so in an attempt to answer those I have added an information page to the website which will make everything clear. (click here to see it)