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Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:07 pm
by BarryN
I'd be happy to do some testing with a ZXPand joystick. Reading it is fairly simple.
Code: Select all
Read the joystick port:
ld bc, %1110000000000111
ld a,$a0
out (c),a
[some small delay, 10 clocks or so]
in a,(c)
The direction bits will be in the accumulator and have the following meanings:
Bit -- Direction
7 Up
6 Down
5 Left
4 Right
3 Fire
The corresponding bit will be 0 when the joystick is pushed in that direction.
Bits 2 to 0 inclusive are undefined, but you might just work out that bit 0 represents whether a card is present...
Alternatively you can call a function at 8190 ($1ffe) to retrieve the value.
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:44 pm
by Spinnetti
Thanks.. is there a mode where it maps to keys? If so, then the current routine would still work. Just move the joystick instead of keys (at least that's how I wired my joystick port in 1984 lol). I'd love to get a ZXpand.. any word if they'll ever be made again?
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 12:35 am
by 1024MAK
Spinnetti wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:44 pm
Thanks.. is there a mode where it maps to keys? If so, then the current routine would still work. Just move the joystick instead of keys (at least that's how I wired my joystick port in 1984 lol). I'd love to get a ZXpand.. any word if they'll ever be made again?
Only if your code uses the ROM routine to read the keyboard, like BASIC does with INKEY$...
If/when they get made depends on if/when the designer decides to make more...
ZXpand+ FAQ
What is a ZXpand+ ?
The ZXpand+ is an SD card interface with 32K RAM and built in AY sound chip for the Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81.
I would like to purchase a ZXpand+, when and where are they available to buy from?
They are listed on Sell My Retro (
https://www.sellmyretro.com) as and when the designer (SirMorris) has made some for sale. Your best bet is to add a keyword watch in your profile for ZXPand, so that you receive an email as soon as some are listed for sale by SirMorris.
Is there any other source for either a ZXpand, ZXpand+, or Zxpand+AY?
Unfortunately, no. And it’s very rare for one to be offered for sale second hand either....
You will just have to wait until SirMorris lists some more for sale.
Mark
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:14 pm
by computergui
BarryN wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:07 pm
I'd be happy to do some testing with a ZXPand joystick. Reading it is fairly simple.
We are working on it and will let you know when we re-upload it. Looks pretty straight forward.
Hope to have something posted soon.
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:18 pm
by Spinnetti
Hi all...
I didn't refactor keyboard code yet, but Don took a shot at the joystick code for zxpand. We are shooting in the dark as we don't have a way to test it, but give it a shot. If it works, I'll update the file in the first post.
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:07 pm
by BarryN
I tested this on my Timex Sinclair 1000 and ZXPand Plus. The joystick seems to work for up, down, left, and right as expected. Any specific tests you want me to perform? I presume it does not use the fire button.
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:13 pm
by computergui
BarryN wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:07 pm
I tested this on my Timex Sinclair 1000 and ZXPand Plus. The joystick seems to work for up, down, left, and right as expected. Any specific tests you want me to perform? I presume it does not use the fire button.
Nope...thanks!!!
And for the first time ever, a piece of code we did without testing actually worked!!!
ZXpand is well documented and didn't take much to include. Really appreciate the assistance!
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:32 pm
by computergui
And just for fun, here is a link to a Timex Sinclair 2040 printout of some of our early code. Hand written date at the top.
Just a couple of kids...lol
http://mail.thecrawfords.org/Zonkey.jpg
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:58 pm
by Spinnetti
NIce work Don! Hilarious that we were working on this exact game in 1984... Made more progress then than in the intervening 35 years lol.
I'll version the code and update the original post
Re: "New" Game - ZONKEY KONG! by DnD
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:11 pm
by BarryN
computergui wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:13 pm
BarryN wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:07 pm
I tested this on my Timex Sinclair 1000 and ZXPand Plus. The joystick seems to work for up, down, left, and right as expected. Any specific tests you want me to perform? I presume it does not use the fire button.
Nope...thanks!!!
And for the first time ever, a piece of code we did without testing actually worked!!!
ZXpand is well documented and didn't take much to include. Really appreciate the assistance!
Thank you! Nice game.
