It's been a while since we last heard stuff about StellaDS, TheChuckster's Atari2600 emulator. We recently got word, however, that TheChuckster has completed work on the latest version of StellaDS, version 0.71.

Perhaps the most evident change between StellaDS v0.6 and StellaDS v0.71 is the inclusion of quality sound into the mix. In addition, the speed of the emulation has also been increased, though it has yet to hit 100%. In any event, here's the changelog for this version of the emulator:

• libfat that allows homebrew programs to read and write files on the memory card inserted in one of the unit's slots">DLDI and libfat support for all of the new flash cartridges
• Updated to latest devkitpro toolchain
• Long-awaited streaming sound without any crackling and popping noises
• Code optimizations (code in the ITCM and the new armv5te compiler optimizations)
• Faster speed but still not 100%
• Usability enhancements with the menus (key repeat, no more bogus dot entries)

Give it a try and see how it works out for you. Enjoy!

Download: StellaDS v0.71 (NDS Rom Binary + Public Domain ROMs)

TheChuckster has updated his StellaDS Atari 2600 emulator for the Nintendo DS.

I integrated chism's FAT file I/O library into StellaDS to add the much needed support for high capacity flash memory devices. Create a directory called stellads in the root directory of your device and stash all of your ROMs in there. No need to recompile to get new ROMs! The buggy, awkward GBFS approach is no longer in use. Also, the menu now supports a near-infinite amount of ROMs thanks to the wonders of std::vector. Scrolling beyond the list works now as well. Directory traversal has not yet been implemented, however, so don't try selecting the dotted file names at the beginning of the list.

Included in the StellaDS download is a sample stellads ROM directory that you can copy onto your memory card to try out some free, public-domain Atari 2600 ROMs. Report any bugs to me via e-mail or on the forum, and have fun playing Adventure on your DS once again!

Download: [StellaDS v0.6]

 

 

TheChuckster has released Stella DS, an Atari 2600 emulator for the Nintendo DS, version 0.5.5. The controls:

– The directional plus pad controls the joystick.
– The A button is the joystick fire button.
– The B button swaps the game's current LCD screen.
– L and R control the system select/reset switches.

Changes in this release include: “

– Press START during a game to go back to the menu and play a new ROM.

– I replaced the dubious official Atari/Activision ROMs with a collection of homebrew ROMs in the NDS file. If you want different ROMs, compile the emulator with a new set in the arm9 data directory.”

You can get it in our Nintendo DS Download section [here].

StellaDS v0.5 (the Atari 2600 Emulator for the DS) has just been released. Here is what is what Thechuckster had to say:

Currently there are precompiled NDS ROMs with a potluck (what ever I feel like testing my emulator with ATM) 2600 ROM built-in. GBFS support and a multi-ROM menu will be added in the near future. The source code is also available for download.

Unfortunately, a project compiled with ARM7+ARM9 combined binaries only yields an NDS file with Devkit Pro. Get a loader if you are using a flash cartridge. Sorry.

You can get it in our NDS Download section [here].

StellaDS v0.41 (the Atari 2600 Emulator for the DS) has just been released. Here is what is what Thechuckster had to say:

Split project into ARM7 and ARM9 parts. Waded through the TIA/SDL sound source code. It's going to be tough.

On the other hand, I added support for the Game Select/Reset switches so that games such as Adventure are playable. Use the L and R buttons respectively to invoke the switches. In addition, the screen is now scaled 1.5x horizontally to almost fill the whole bottom screen.

I've noticed the recent publicity that I have been getting. Thanks for supporting my project! As requested, I am now numbering releases and naming them accordingly. Stella DS 0.41 is the current version.

You can get it in our NDS Download section [here].

The port of Stella (atari 2600 emulator) to the Nintendo DS is well under way. Here is how the project is coming so far:

TheChuckster:
I am working on a port of the Atari 2600 emulator Stella. So far almost the entire code base has been ported. Download a ROM and put it in the data directory. Name it "pacman.bin" and recompile. The emulator will load, MD5 sum, and execute it... It won't work in [any DS] emulators... [It] has been quite optimized and plays at a smooth playable speed now thanks to a faster framebuffer drawing routine. I will continue to work on it though and add sound.

You can get the source in our NDS Download section [here]