774 lines
35 KiB
Plaintext
774 lines
35 KiB
Plaintext
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||| ATARI Lynx "Frequently Asked Questions" File! Updated: 4/12/94
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Created by Darius Vaskelis, who saw the need and filled it.
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Maintained by Robert Jung (rjung@netcom.com)
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==============================================================================
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This file is not maintained by, overseen by, endorsed, or otherwise associated
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with Atari Corp. or any of its subsidiaries. It's just a collection of
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questions and answers, with a few news tidbits thrown in.
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This file is posted on a monthly basis, usually around the first of the month.
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It is maintained by Robert Jung at rjung@netcom.com on the Internet. Send
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corrections, news, updates, comments, questions, or other stuff to that
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address. All mail is welcome!
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Updates since the last publically posted FAQ have a vertical bar in the first
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column.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What is the Atari Lynx?
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A. The world's first hand-held color video game system. Sold by Atari, the
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Lynx offers true multi-player competition, built-in 3D and distortion
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graphic effects, reversible controls, and fast arcade action for under
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$100.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What's the relationship between the Atari Lynx and Epyx?
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A. The Lynx was originally conceived by Epyx in 1987. It was called the
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"Handy" at that time. Two creators of the system, Dave Needle and R.J.
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Mical, were also members of the Amiga design team. Atari bought the
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rights, and the rest is history.
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Due to a recent lawsuit settlement between Epyx and Atari, Epyx no longer
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has any connection whatsoever with the Lynx. Atari was required to pay a
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lump sum to offset back royalties owed, cover damages from breach of
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contract, and an additional amount to buy off Epyx royalty rights.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What are the specifications of the Lynx?
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A. Physical dimensions:
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Size: 9.25" x 4.25" x 2" (10.75" x 4.25" x 1.5" for original Lynx)
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Screen: 3.5" diagonal (3.25" x 1.88" approx.)
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Speaker: 2" diameter
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Buttons: Two sets of fire buttons (A and B)
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Two option buttons (OPTION 1 and OPTION 2)
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Pause button
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(OPTION 1 + Pause = Restarts the game
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OPTION 2 + Pause = Flips the screen, which allows the Lynx
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controls to be reversed)
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Power on light (Not on original Lynx; indicates unit is on)
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Power on button
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Power off button
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Backlight button (Not on original Lynx; turns off the screen,
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but does not turn off the game. This saves electricity use
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when a game is paused)
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Joypad: Eight directional
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Controls: Volume
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Brightness
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Ports: Headphones (mini-DIN 3.5mm stereo; wired for mono on the
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original Lynx)
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ComLynx (multiple unit communications)
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Power (9V DC, 1 A)
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Game card slot
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Battery holder (six AA)
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For the technically minded, the Lynx has two basic chips that form a
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cooperative set of co-processing subsystems that maximize the Lynx's
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performance by sharing the work of executing a game program. These
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chips are called Mikey and Suzy.
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Mikey (16-bit custom CMOS chip running at 16MHz)
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- MOS 65C02 processor running at up to 4MHz (~3.6MHz average)
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8-bit CPU, 16-bit address space
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- Sound engine
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4 channel sound
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8-bit DAC for each channel
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(4 channels x 8-bits/channel = 32 bits commonly quoted)
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Atari reports the range is "100Hz to above the range of human
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hearing"; spectrum analysis shows the range may go as low as 32Hz.
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Stereo with panning (mono for original Lynx)
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- Video DMA driver for LCD display
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4096 color (12-bit) palette
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16 simultaneous colors (4 bits) from palette at one time
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- System timers
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- Interrupt controller
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- UART (for ComLynx)
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- 512 bytes of bootstrap and game-card loading ROM
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Suzy (16-bit custom CMOS chip running at 16MHz)
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- Blitter (bit-map block transfer) unit
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- Graphics engine
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Hardware drawing support
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Unlimited number of high-speed sprites with collision detection
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Hardware high-speed sprite scaling, distortion, and tilting effects
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Hardware decoding of compressed sprite data
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Hardware clipping and multi-directional scrolling
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Variable frame rate (up to 75 frames/second)
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160 x 102 "triad" standard resolution (16,320 addressable pixels)
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(A triad is three LCD elements: red, green, and blue)
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Capability of 480 x 102 artificially high resolution
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- Math co-processor
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Hardware 16-bit multiply and divide (32-bit answer)
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Parallel processing of single multiply or divide instruction
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The Lynx contains 64K (half a megabit) of 120ns DRAM. Game-cards
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currently hold 128K (1 megabit) or 256K (2 megabits) of ROM, but there
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is a capability of up to 1 megabyte (8 megabits) on one game-card. In
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theory, this limit can be exceeded with extra bank-switching hardware in
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the card. The first few hundred bytes of the game card is encrypted to
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prevent unauthorized developers from writing Lynx software. This scheme
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was introduced by Epyx as an effort to enforce game quality.
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With alkaline batteries, the reasonable average battery life is 5 hours.
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(4 hours with the original Lynx) The Lynx can run off rechargeable
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Ni-Cad batteries, but average battery life drops drastically to 1.5 hours
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per recharge (1 hour for the original Lynx). Your mileage may vary.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What are the differences between the original Lynx ("Lynx Classic") and
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the new Lynx ("Lynx II")?
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A. The new Lynx is a bit smaller and lighter than the original Lynx. It has a
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slightly longer battery life, and can also just turn the screen off during
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a game pause to save batteries. (The original Lynx had a five minute
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auto-power shut-off that would have prevented this from being useful. It
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is gone in the new Lynx). A power LED has been added (which also blinks
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when battery power is low), and cartridges are easier to insert.
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The only differences in a technical sense is that the new Lynx has a more
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efficient internal design, and the headphone jack supports stereo sound.
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The speaker in new Lynx is also not as loud as the original Lynx, although
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it's more than adequate for all but the noisiest situations.
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Also, the new Lynx can experience what is called "blinking pixel syndrome".
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With certain game cards, one pixel on the screen (usually stationary)
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cycles through all the colors very quickly. It does not affect game play,
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and isn't always noticed unless it's looked for. It seems to be fixed in
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later Lynxes, making it even less of a factor.
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The power consumption in the new Lynx is only slightly less than in the
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original Lynx, and is not enough to account for an extra hour of play time.
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The extra hour is claimed by assuming that the user will turn off the
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backlight for some of the running time, which could be counted as dead
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time, not game time.
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==============================================================================
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Q. Is the Lynx an 8-bit or 16-bit system?
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A. If 16-bit refers to the main CPU, (such as the Sega Genesis/MegaDrive) then
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the Lynx is an 8-bit system. If 16-bit refers to the graphics engine,
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(such as the NEC TurboDuo/PC-Engine) then the Lynx is a 16-bit system.
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==============================================================================
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Q. Why does the Lynx use a 6502 and not a 68000?
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A. "Some people believe it's less of a processor than the 68000, for example.
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That series of chip was used in the Amiga, but it wouldn't make our machine
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do things any better. In fact, it would only make the unit larger and more
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expensive. It's also harder to write 68000 code, so we definitely made the
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right decision."
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--R.J. Mical
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"The real answer for the choice for the 6502 vs. 68000 was price.
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Secondary considerations (that did not really enter into the decision
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making process): 68000 code is very fat compared to 6502 code. An
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application that takes 1K of 6502 code averages 2.5 to 3K of 68000 code.
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The 6502 is very bus-efficient, the 68000 has lots of dead time on the
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bus. As for it being harder to write 68000 code, that is probably not
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true, and in any case was not part of the reason the decision was made."
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--Stephen Landrum
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==============================================================================
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Q. What do I get when I buy a Lynx?
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A. The Lynx is available in two packages:
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The Lynx "Deluxe Package" costs $129.95. It includes the Lynx unit, a copy
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of the CALIFORNIA GAMES game card, a carrying case, a ComLynx cable, and
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six AA Alkaline batteries.
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The Lynx "Base Package" costs $79.95. It comes with only the Lynx, and
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includes no accessories.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What accessories exist for the Lynx?
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A. The following products are known to be available:
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* ComLynx cable. Connects multiple Lynxes together for multiplayer games.
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* AC adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any AC wall socket.
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* Cigarette lighter adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any automobile cigarette
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lighter. Will support one or two Lynxes simultaneously.
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* Atari Lynx Sun Shield. Folds down to protect the Lynx screen, and pops
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open to shade the Lynx screen from sunlight for outdoor play. (NOTE:
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There are two models; you need the one appropriate for your Lynx)
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* D-cell battery pack. Holds six D-cell batteries, and can be attached
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with a belt clip. Alkaline batteries provides power for up to 20 hours
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of playing.
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* Atari Lynx carrying pouch. Holds a Lynx, several game cards, and a
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ComLynx cable. Attaches with a wrist strap/belt loop.
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* Atari Lynx Kit Case. Holds a Lynx, up to 24 game cards, and assorted
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accessories. Padded interior with Velcro dividers, can be customized.
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Carried with a handle or a shoulder strap.
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==============================================================================
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Q. Is there a TV tuner option for the Lynx?
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A. No. Atari's official position is that market research shows that a TV
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tuner, while a neat idea, would not be bought by most players. The
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unofficial word from Stephen Landrum is that the Lynx screen display is not
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capable of handling a broadcast television picture.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What can I use to carry my Lynx game cards?
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A. A cheap and easy solution is the plastic cases used to hold trading cards.
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They're transparent, sturdy, and lock shut when closed. Most hobby and
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comic book stores will sell them; a large case costs $0.50 to $1.00, and
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can hold up to 14 Lynx cards.
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Another solution are Lynx card wallets. Sold by Realm, a wallet costs
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$5.95, holds up to 18 cards, padded for protection, and folds flat. Write
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to Joey Sherman at Realm, 10504 Easum Rd., Louisville KY 40299. On GEnie,
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send e-mail to REALM.
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For Lynx owners who don't care about brand names, a Gameboy plastic
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cartridge case holds two Lynx cards easily. The cases can be bought from
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Nintendo at 800-255-3700, part number 21648.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What does "ComLynx" mean, exactly?
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A. Some Lynx games allow multiple players to play together simultaneously.
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This works when each player has a Lynx game machine, and all of the
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machines are connected to each other via cables. The connection is the
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ComLynx port, and the cables are ComLynx cables. Games that support this
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mutiplayer simultaneous play are usually identified by the phrase "1 to N
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players Lynx up" on the box, the instruction manual, and/or the game card.
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==============================================================================
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Q. Do all players "Lynxed up" via the ComLynx need a copy of the game being
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played?
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A. Yes. All players need a copy of the game card.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What's the ComLynx port like?
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A. There is limit of 18 players via ComLynx. In practice it may be possible
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to connect more units together, but to operate within specifications, the
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drivers in the Lynx cannot drive over more than 17 units with pull-ups on
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the serial ports.
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ComLynx runs from 300.5 to 62.5K baud. It works on a "listen and send"
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structure. Data transmission between Lynxes is done in the background,
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freeing up the CPU to run the game instead of communicating. It's called
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"RedEye" in-house at Atari, named after an early idea of having Lynxes
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communicate with infra-red transmissions.
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It uses a three-wire cable (+5V/Ground/Data) and allows for bi-directional
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serial communications. The system frames messages in terms of 11-bit words,
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each consisting of a start bit, eight data bits, a parity bit, and a stop
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bit. The ComLynx port is used solely for communications; it can't be used
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to control other aspects of the Lynx, though in theory it can be used to
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send signals to external devices.
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==============================================================================
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Q. Sometimes a multiplayer ComLynx game will freeze up. Why?
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A. A ComLynxed game will freeze if communication between the Lynxes is
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interrupted. If communications can be restored, the game will continue.
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The most common cause of this problem is a fray in one of the ComLynx
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cables, or a loose seating in one of the ComLynx jacks. Communication is
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broken, and the game "freezes". Jiggling the cable or reseating the jacks
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may fix the solution temporarily, but the best cure is a new cable.
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==============================================================================
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Q. I hear there's a ComLynx port on the Atari Jaguar. How does that work?
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Can I connect my Lynx to it? Will there be a Lynx adaptor for the Jaguar?
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A. The ComLynx port allows communication between Jaguar units and Lynx units.
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In theory, it would be possible to daisy-chain multiple units of either
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machine type for multiplayer games. At the current time, however, no such
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plans are in the works. Instead, it is seen as allowing Lynxes to be used
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as peripherals: software can be developed to allow Lynxes to be part of a
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Jaguar game as controllers.
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An adaptor to allow the Jaguar to play Lynx games is not currently planned.
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==============================================================================
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Q. What are the current Lynx games available?
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A. The following is a list of Lynx games currently available in the United
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| States. The notation "(x)" means to refer to footnote number x. All
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| multiplayer games use the ComLynx cable unless otherwise indicated:
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Title Players Publisher Type
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----------------- ------- ------------ ---------------------------
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A.P.B. 1 Atari Arcade
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Awesome Golf 1-4 Atari Sports
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Baseball Heroes 1-2 Atari Sports
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Basketbrawl 1-2 Atari Action/Sports
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Batman Returns 1 Atari Action/Platform
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BattleWheels 1-6 Beyond Games Action/Driving
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Block Out 1 Atari Action/Strategy
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Blue Lightning 1 Atari Action
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Bill & Ted's 1-2 Atari Action/Adventure
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Excellent Adventure
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California Games 1-4(1) Atari Action/Sports
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Checkered Flag 1-6 Atari Sports
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Chip's Challenge 1 Atari Puzzle
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Crystal Mines II 1 Atari Puzzle
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Desert Strike 1 Telegames Action/Strategy
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Dinolympics 1 Atari Puzzle
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Dirty Larry: 1 Atari Action
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Renegade Cop
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Double Dragon 1-2 Telegames Arcade/Fighting
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Dracula the Undead 1 Atari Adventure
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Electrocop 1 Atari Action/Adventure
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European Soccer 1-2 Telegames Sports
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Challenge
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Fidelity Ultimate 1-2(2) Telegames Strategy
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Chess Challenge
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Gates of Zendocon 1 Atari Action/Shooter
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Gauntlet: The 1-4 Atari Action/Adventure
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Third Encounter
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Gordo 106 1 Atari Platform
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Hard Drivin' 1 Atari Arcade/Driving
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Hockey 1-2 Atari Sports
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Hydra 1 Atari Arcade
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Ishido: The Way of 1-n Atari Strategy
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the Stones (2,3)
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Jimmy Connors Tennis 1-4 Atari Sports
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Joust 1-2 Shadowsoft Arcade
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Klax 1 Atari Arcade/Strategy
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Kung Food 1 Atari Action/Fighting
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Lemmings 1 Atari Strategy
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Lynx Casino 1-2 Atari Strategy
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Malibu Bikini 1-2 Atari Sports
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Volleyball
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Ms. Pac-Man 1 Atari Arcade
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NFL Football 1-2 Atari Sports
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Ninja Gaiden 1 Atari Arcade
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Ninja Gaiden III: 1 Atari Action/Platform
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The Ancient Ship of Doom
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Pac-Land 1-2(2) Atari Arcade
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Paperboy 1 Atari Arcade
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Pinball Jam 1 Atari Arcade/Action
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Pit-Fighter 1-2 Atari Arcade/Fighting
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Power Factor 1 Atari Action
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Qix 1-2(2) Telegames Arcade
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Rampage 1-4 Atari Arcade
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Rampart 1-2 Atari Arcade/Strategy
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RoadBlasters 1 Atari Arcade/Driving
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Robo-Squash 1-2 Atari Action/Sports
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Robotron:2084 1 Shadowsoft Arcade
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Rygar 1 Atari Arcade
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Scrapyard Dog 1 Atari Platform
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Shadow of the Beast 1 Atari Action/Strategy
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Shanghai 1-2 Atari Strategy
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Steel Talons 1 Atari Arcade
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S.T.U.N. Runner 1 Atari Arcade
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Super Skweek 1-2 Atari Action/Strategy
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Switchblade II 1 Atari Platform
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Todd's Adventures 1-8 Atari Action/Adventure
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in Slime World
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Toki 1 Atari Platform
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Tournament 1-4 Atari Arcade/Sports
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Cyberball 2072
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Turbo Sub 1-2(3) Atari Action/Shooter
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Viking Child 1 Atari Action/Adventure
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Warbirds 1-4 Atari Action/Strategy
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World Class Soccer 1-2 Atari Sports
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Xenophobe 1-4 Atari Arcade
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Xybots 1-2 Atari Arcade
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Zarlor Mercenary 1-4 Atari Shooter
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Footnotes:
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(1) Manual says 1-2 players, 1-4 is possible
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(2) Multiple players on one Lynx, alternating turns.
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(3) Players can compare scores, but not interact directly
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==============================================================================
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Q. What are some of the upcoming Lynx games?
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A. Upcoming Lynx Games List:
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Note: This list is hardly definitive. It's based on many sources, and in
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some cases, it just might be dead wrong. Games also often change
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from pre-release to production.
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Title Players Publisher Type
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----------------- ------- ------------ ---------------------------
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Aliens v. Predator 1? Atari Action
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Battlezone 2000 1-2 Atari Action/Arcade
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Blood & Guts Hockey 1-2 Atari Action/Sports
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Cabal 1-2 Atari Arcade
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Cybervirus 1 Beyond Games Action
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Daemonsgate 1? Atari Adventure
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Defender/Stargate/ 1? Atari Action/Arcade
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Defender II
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Eye of the Beholder 1 Atari Adventure
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Fat Bobby 1? Atari Action/Platform
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Full Court Press 1-2 Atari Sports
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Basketball
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The Guardians: 1-4 Telegames Adventure
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Storms Over Doria
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Heavyweight 1-2 Atari Sports
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Contender
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Krazy Ace Minature 1-4 Telegames Action
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Golf
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Mechtiles 1-4 Beyond Games Action/Strategy
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Ninja Nerd 1 Atari Adventure
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Operation Desert 1 Atari Strategy?
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Storm
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R.C. Destruction 1-4 Telegames Action
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Derby
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Relief Pitcher 1-2 Atari Arcade/Sports
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Raiden 1-2 Atari Arcade/Shooter
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Road Riot 4WD 1-2 Atari Arcade/Action/Driving
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Rolling Thunder 1 Atari Arcade
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720 1 Atari Arcade
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Spacewar 1-2? Atari? Action
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Super Asteroids & 1? Atari Arcade/Action
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Missile Command
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Super Off-Road 1-4 Telegames Arcade
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Ultra Star Raiders 1? Atari Action/Strategy
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Ultra Vortex 1-2 Beyond Games Fighting
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Vindicators 1-2 Atari Arcade
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Wolfenstein 3D 1? Atari? Action
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==============================================================================
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Q. Where can I get a review and/or comments about <insert game name here>?
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Q. Where can I find secrets, tips, and hints for <insert game name here>?
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A. Peter Hvezda maintains the Usenet Lynx Guide. It offers the Lynx FAQ,
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every Lynx game review written by Robert Jung, and the Lynx cheats list.
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Send e-mail to phvezda@pnfi.forestry.ca, with one or more of the following
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in the body of the message:
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send faq - A copy of the Lynx FAQ (this file)
|
|
send reviews - A copy of every Lynx review ever written -- over 200K!
|
|
send cheats - Tricks and cheats for many Lynx games
|
|
send help - Detailed instructions, including how to get reviews
|
|
for individual/specific games
|
|
|
|
Also, Robert Jung has written detailed reviews for every Lynx game ever
|
|
released. If you want copies of specific reviews, or just general Lynx-
|
|
related questions, you can reach him at rjung@netcom.com on the Internet.
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|
|
|
Atari Corp. has established a game tip hotline, at (900) 737-ATARI (2827).
|
|
The cost is $0.95 per minute; minors should get their parent's permission.
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|
==============================================================================
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|
Q. Hey! I think I just set a new high score! How can I brag about it?
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|
|
|
A. Jim Leonard is maintaining a running list of high scores achieved on Lynx
|
|
games. This list is posted to the Internet on a semiregular basis.
|
|
|
|
If you've got a new high score, send it to jleonard@falcon.depaul.edu or
|
|
jim@mwc.com on the Internet. Include all pertinent information, including
|
|
your name and difficulty settings used to set that record.
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|
|
|
==============================================================================
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|
|
|
Q. Where can I meet other Lynx enthusiasts?
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|
|
A. Bobby Tribble maintains the Internet ComLynx list, a database of Lynx
|
|
owners and where they live. This allows Lynx fans to write, to meet, and
|
|
possibly to get together and play games. All arrangements are made by the
|
|
people involved, allowing individual control of the level of privacy.
|
|
|
|
To get a copy of the list, join it, or update an entry, send e-mail to
|
|
btribble@ctp.org. At a minimum, please include your e-mail address, your
|
|
name, and the general area where you are. Other information may be given
|
|
if you desire, but is not mandatory. Anyone capable of sending mail to
|
|
Bobby is welcome to join. Folks without computer access who want to join
|
|
are welcome by referral. Please provide an e-mail address where they can
|
|
be reached and/or a voice phone number (with their permission).
|
|
|
|
==============================================================================
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|
|
|
Q. My Lynx screen is badly scratched! How can I fix it, what can I do?
|
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|
|
A. Get some "plastic scratch remover" or "plexiglass scratch remover". You
|
|
can find it in hardware stores, or look in your Yellow Pages under
|
|
"Plastics."
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|
|
|
==============================================================================
|
|
|
|
Q. Agh! My Lynx is broken! How can I fix it?
|
|
|
|
A. For $50, plus $5 shipping and handling, and your old/broken Lynx, Atari
|
|
will replace it with a new Lynx II unit.
|
|
|
|
Send your Lynx to: Lynx repair service
|
|
Atari Computer Corporation
|
|
390 Caribbean Drive
|
|
Sunnyvale, CA 94088
|
|
|
|
==============================================================================
|
|
|
|
Q. How do I disassemble my Lynx II (assuming I want to)?
|
|
|
|
A. The original Lynxes were easy to take apart, for whatever reason you
|
|
needed. The new Lynx IIs are more puzzling, but not impossible. The
|
|
following set of (edited) instructions are provided by Ken Small
|
|
(kens@umich.edu):
|
|
|
|
"It's not hard, but there are a lot of fragile pieces and the electronics
|
|
are sensitive to all the things that electronics are usually sensitive to,
|
|
like static. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
|
|
|
|
"First, remove the rubber pads from the bottom of the Lynx. They're glued
|
|
on, but they peel off pretty easily. Beneath them are screw holes --
|
|
remove them. Note that it's *very* easy to tell if your lynx has been
|
|
opened, since you leave holes in the glue stuff. Take off the back of the
|
|
case.
|
|
|
|
"Remove the screw located inside the battery area. Be careful when
|
|
replacing this; it can strip easily. Mine is stripped, but the rest of the
|
|
case holds the battery bay in place. Remove the battery bay piece.
|
|
|
|
"You will see a circuit board with a couple of wires and circuit ribbons
|
|
attached to it. Carefully unplug all of these. The ribbon in particular
|
|
seems flimsy. Do not puncture or otherwise damage it. Remove the circuit
|
|
board.
|
|
|
|
"Beneath the circuit board is an assembly screwed to the inside of the
|
|
case, which contains the screen, button contacts and buttons. A warning
|
|
when unscrewing this-- the are LOTS of small pieces in here, and they're
|
|
particular about how they go back in. In particular, be careful about the
|
|
A/B buttons, which are slightly different sizes, and the rubber mat around
|
|
the LCD screen, which has nothing to hold it in place.
|
|
|
|
"The last thing is the joypad contact itself. This is a small rubber mat
|
|
held in place by a snap-on piece of plastic. You can carefully remove the
|
|
plastic to get under the apron, where the contacts can be cleaned. Clean
|
|
in-between the contacts, being careful not to abrase the contacts
|
|
themselves. They look like half-circles with a small (half-millimeter or
|
|
less) space between. Grunge between them can register an intermittent
|
|
false contact, which looks to the player like the joypad is being quickly,
|
|
repeatedly pressed in one direction."
|
|
|
|
==============================================================================
|
|
|
|
Q. How can I reach Atari Corp.?
|
|
|
|
A. Customer Service: (800) GO-ATARI
|
|
Mailing Address: Atari Corp.
|
|
1196 Borregas Avenue
|
|
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302
|
|
|
|
Company spokesman Bob Brodie can be reached by electronic mail on GEnie,
|
|
via the address "BOB-BRODIE". E-mail can be sent over the Internet with
|
|
"bob-brodie@genie.geis.com".
|
|
|
|
Also, Atari Corp. sells Lynx units, games, and accessories by mail. Their
|
|
number is (800) 221-EDGE.
|
|
|
|
==============================================================================
|
|
|
|
Q. What are other sources for Lynx information?
|
|
|
|
A. Publications:
|
|
|
|
- A.P.E. Newsletter Dedicated Lynx newsletter ("A.P.E."
|
|
| 2104 N. Kostner stands for "Atari Power
|
|
Chicago, IL 60639 Entertainment"). Write to Clinton
|
|
GEnie: C.SMITH89 Smith. Published five times per
|
|
year, cost is $6.00/year.
|
|
|
|
- Die Hard Game Fan General video-gaming magazine with some
|
|
5137 Clareton Drive, Suite 210 Lynx coverage.
|
|
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
|
|
|
|
- Electronic Gaming Monthly General video-gaming magazine with
|
|
1920 Highland Avenue some Lynx coverage. Will often get
|
|
Suite 222 screen shots and reports of new
|
|
Lombard, IL 60148 games before other publications.
|
|
|
|
| - GamePro General video-gaming magazine with
|
|
| 951 Mariner's Island Blvd. some Lynx coverage.
|
|
| San Mateo, CA 91202
|
|
|
|
- Portable Atari Gaming System PAGS is a quarterly newsletter with
|
|
P.O. Box 37692 reviews, editorials, news & info,
|
|
Raleigh, NC 27627-7692 and gaming tips. One year costs
|
|
GEnie: E.SCHOFIELD $12.00.
|
|
|
|
- Video Games General video-gaming and computer-
|
|
9171 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300 gaming magazine. Lynx news often in
|
|
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 news articles and reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internet/USENET newsgroups:
|
|
|
|
- rec.games.video.atari Contains news of all Atari video-game systems.
|
|
- rec.games.video.misc Often contains Lynx reviews and discussions.
|
|
- alt.games.lynx Lynx-related discussions, often crossposted to
|
|
rec.games.video.atari and rec.games.video.misc.
|
|
Superceded by rec.games.video.atari
|
|
|
|
Internet FTP sites:
|
|
|
|
- atari.archive.umich.edu or terminator.cc.umich.edu (141.211.164.8):
|
|
|
|
/pub/atari/portadd has back-issues of Portable Addiction, a
|
|
newsletter about the Atari Lynx, Sega Game
|
|
Gear, and Atari Portfolio. Subscribe by
|
|
sending a note to tjerk@nikhef.nl.
|
|
|
|
/pub/atari/Lynx contains assorted Lynx-related files
|
|
|
|
| - ftp.netcom.com
|
|
|
|
|
| /pub/vidgames/faqs Frequently-asked question files for a variety of
|
|
| home games and consoles, arcade titles, and other
|
|
| video-gaming information. Includes the latest
|
|
| version of this FAQ file.
|
|
|
|
Internet TELNET site:
|
|
|
|
- Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG
|
|
|
|
freenet-in-{a,b,c}.cwru.edu or 129.22.8.51 or nextsun.INS.CWRU.edu
|
|
Access via modem at (216) 368-3888.
|
|
|
|
You can log on as visitor to explore the system and apply for a
|
|
Free-Net account online. At the opening menu, enter "2" to log in as a
|
|
visitor. At the next menu, enter "2" again to explore the system. You
|
|
will then read an opening disclaimer and a login bulletin, then be sent
|
|
to the main menu. Once inside, type "go lynx". Follow the menus to
|
|
read discussions, reviews, news, and information. In order to post
|
|
messages and send e-mail, you need a Free-Net account. Apply for a
|
|
Free-Net account by entering "1" at the second menu instead of "2".
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apple HyperCard Stack:
|
|
|
|
The Lynx HyperStack is a stack for the HyperCard program for the Apple
|
|
Macintosh computer. This stack contains the Atari Lynx FAQ, all of the
|
|
Lynx game reviews written by Robert Jung, all of the Lynx video-game
|
|
tips and tricks compiled in the USENET Lynx Guide, and other assorted
|
|
news articles and miscellaneous information. The latest version of the
|
|
stack is located at atari.archive.umich.edu, in the /pub/atari/Lynx
|
|
subdirectory. Instructions are included in the BinHex-encoded file.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBS:
|
|
|
|
- MADNIX BBS
|
|
|
|
(608) 273-2657, 300/1200/2400 bps
|
|
|
|
It's located in Madison, Wisconsin (USA) and has a Lynx section.
|
|
Login as "bbs" and create an account. Once on the BBS enter "go lynx".
|
|
MADNIX has game reviews and hints from the net as well as old message
|
|
threads from UseNet on LYNX related topics.
|
|
|
|
- Star-Linx BBS
|
|
|
|
(602) 464-4817, 300/1200/2400 bps
|
|
|
|
It's located in Mesa, Arizona (USA) and has a Lynx Club. Be sure to
|
|
have your California Games game-card handy when you call to gain higher
|
|
access.
|
|
|
|
- Video Game Information Service.
|
|
|
|
(201) 509-7324, 300/1200/2400/9600/14400 bps. Multiple lines
|
|
|
|
Located in West Orange, New Jersy (USA). The BBS is completely
|
|
dedicated to video gaming, and maintains files of cheats and reviews
|
|
for all game systems. Carries video-game-related conferences from
|
|
other computer networks, including Fidonet, Worldnet, and Globalnet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Online services:
|
|
|
|
- GEnie
|
|
Atari ST Roundtable BBS, Category 36
|
|
|
|
- CompuServe
|
|
The ATARIGAMING forum covers all Atari video-game consoles. Message
|
|
section 16 is devoted to the Lynx.
|
|
|
|
|
|
International clubs:
|
|
|
|
- Germany: Internationaler Lynx Club
|
|
Hans-Jorg Sebastian
|
|
Siegfriedstr. 3
|
|
3684 Schmitten 3
|
|
Germany
|
|
|
|
- Netherlands: International Lynx Club
|
|
Leon Stolk
|
|
Vanenburg 2
|
|
7339 DN Ugchelen
|
|
The Netherlands
|
|
|
|
- Austria: Internationaler Lynx Club
|
|
Christian Lenikus
|
|
Obertraun 27
|
|
4831 Obertraun
|
|
Austria
|
|
|
|
- Switzerland: Swiss-Lynx-Info-Club
|
|
Eugene Rodel
|
|
Sangeliweg 45
|
|
4900 Langenthal
|
|
Switzerland
|
|
|
|
==============================================================================
|
|
|
|
Q. What's the Lynx developer's kit like?
|
|
|
|
A. Hardware:
|
|
- Commodore Amiga computer: 3M RAM and hard disk.
|
|
- "Howard" board: A parallel-interface module that has the electronics
|
|
of the Lynx, also with debugging tools. A large PC board inside of
|
|
a metal case with power supply, and connections on the back for
|
|
cable to connect to the Amiga, and to the "Howdy" unit ($5,000).
|
|
- "Howdy" unit: A small PC board in a plastic case with buttons and a
|
|
Lynx display, and a cable that connects to the "Howard" board.
|
|
- "Pinky/Mandy": A discounted "Howard" board setup that allows programs to
|
|
be loaded and executed. Minimal debugging support ($500).
|
|
|
|
Software:
|
|
- Handy-Bug: A powerful symbolic debugger, also contains a disassembler.
|
|
- Handicraft: Graphics translator that takes IFF files and turns them
|
|
into coded Lynx sprite definitions.
|
|
- HSFX: Sound editor
|
|
- Macro libraries
|
|
- Example programs
|
|
- Notebook of system documentation ("about 3 1/2 inches thick... we've
|
|
stopped counting pages") plus updates ($60 separately).
|
|
|
|
A full Lynx Developer's Kit currently costs around $5,000.
|