VCS (2600) Technical Section

VCS (2600) Programming

Schematics, Component layouts and port/connector pin-outs

Title Description Date
The Stella Programmers Guide The official programmers guide for the Atari 2600, by Steve Wright March 1979
The Stella Programmers Guide (Updated) The official programmers guide for the Atari 2600, by Steve Wright and updated by Darren May 7 May 1988
TIA Manual The official Atari manual for the Television Interface Adapter (TIA) chip 1977?
TIA Info Some detailed notes on the workings of the TIA, by Andrew Towers March 2003
VCS Programming 101 A programming tutorial by Kirk Israel April 2004
Cycle-Counting on the 6502 Nick Bensema's Guide to Cycle Counting on the Atari 2600
version 0.5a
17 July 1996
Changing Atari VCS Graphics An article from the April 1999 issue of Orphaned Computers & Game
Systems, Volume II, Issue 9.

Copyright
1999 By Adam Trionfo and Chris Federico
1999
How to Draw a Playfield by Nick Bensema 10 Sep 1998
Sound Frequency and Waveform Guide by Eckhard Stolberg 22 Jun 1997
     

 

VCS (2600) Disassembled Code

Disassembly of some Atari VCS ROM code

Title Description Date
Big Sprite Move Demo Demonstration code for moving a big sprite -
Adventure ROM disassembly Assembler code for the game Adventure 1994
Combat ROM disassembly Assembler code for the game Combat, by Larry Wagner 1997
Defender ROM disassembly Assembler code for the game Defender -
Freeway ROM disassembly Assembler code for the game Freeway -


Peripherals

Original documents written by third-party manufacturers of Atari peripherals.

Title Description Date
Starpath Supercharger Detailed info on the Supercharger peripheral March 1997

Schematics

Schematic diagrams written by third-parties.

Title Description Date
Audio/Video circuit Schematic diagram of the A/V circuitry of the Atari 2600 Revision 13 ?
Main Logic circuit Schematic diagram of the main logic circuitry of the Atari 2600 Revision 13 ?
Ports/Switches circuit Schematic diagram of the ports and switches of the Atari 2600 Revision 1.3 ?
Power/Clock circuit Schematic diagram of the power and clock circuitry of the Atari 2600 Revision 1.3 ?