Game conversions question

[vanpeebles]

Speaking as a total novice and noob, it appears that some Tatung games are speccy ports and there is the odd MSX port. In terms of the 256 (and TC-01 with MSX1), how hard would it be to get MSX 2 games working on it? There are loads of good MSX2 games with some good graphics etc.

[sirmorris]

Ha how weird, I just mentioned something like this a few minutes ago.

On paper, not hard at all. The systems have similar specs, and at least one of them is well understood

In practice it would take some effort. You need to relocate the code in memory and change the direct hardware access to remain compatible. Trivially the hardware is located in different parts of the IO map, but more substantial differences exist in, for example, the way the keyboard is mapped.

A good documentation base, disassembler and emulator will be required as the very minimum requirement for the tool set. Experience, tenacity and a will to do the not-yet-doneable is desirable

[vanpeebles]

There are some real quality stuff like Snatcher and Metal Gear that would really show the 256 off. Easy for me to say anyway

[sirmorris]

Hmm, upon closer inspection a lot of the games come on bank-switched carts. 128k is the minimum size, so that would be a bit of a head-scratcher.

[vanpeebles]

On a related note, could the speculator be recreated with modern kit?

[sirmorris]

Yes. Given enough time and money. And an original device to disassemble/reverse. And the enthusiasm and time..! Always time. Sigh.