GATO 5/23/87

    

 

This is one of two GATO prototype carts known to exist.  This prototype is unencrypted, meaning that it won't work on an unmodified 7800.  The EPROMs also have two different dates on them (5/23 and 5/11).  This isn't unheard of, and is often the result of mislabeling or EPROM reuse.  This version is nothing more than a four screen sideshow with no interaction.

There is a hidden message in the rom code that says:

GATO, The Atari 7800 Version by Jack Sandberg, Sr. Software Engineer, ibid inc., West Hartford, CT., Ver. 1.0 04/24/87 -- Security String Do Not Remove"

 

Prototype Differences
There is no title screen
There is no ships log screen

There is no interaction on any of the screens
The button debounce code is a bit buggy.  You must tap the button very quickly to change screens otherwise it will cycle through them very fast.
The gauge on the periscope screen are pointing in different directions although they are still nonfunctional
The Fuel, Batt, and Oxy meter needles are in different positions although they are still nonfunctional
The crosshairs on the periscope screen are different
The rivets on the gauges on the periscope are yellow instead of gray
The gauge backgrounds are white instead of grayon the periscope screen
The Oxy, Fuel, and Batt meters are black instead of white (probably because he background color was still white at this point)
You can see the periscope tube on the periscope screen
There are no dots (ships) on the map screen
You cannot move your ship on the map screen
The radar screen has a simple black background
There is no radar sweep (arm) on the radar screen
The Heading, Speed, and Depth displays are different and have hardcoded values in them
The right fire button also changes screens (this was changed to the movement button in later revisions)

 

Down periscope!

 

Is that Bermuda?

 

Impressive graphics

 

I think the radar is broken

 

 

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