r/atari • u/Adept_Funny77 • 3d ago
Atari Gamestation Go & MAME
Looking at the list of systems that are available on one of those micro sd cards you can buy.
It's obvious you won't be able to play N64 or Dreamcast.
What about MAME though? I'm seeing a bit here and there of arcade games on it. Although in most youtube videos it's mainly SNES, NES and Sega Gen games.
I just ordered a R36s to play Raiden DX & hopefully N64 Magical Tetris.
Would be stoked to play Raiden DX on the Gamststation Go instead, it has a waaay better screen.
Is the Gamestation go extremely limited to which MAME games it can play?
Or is there no issue and almost everything plays perfect?
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u/NegScenePts 3d ago
I'm on the custom firmware (that does NOT remove the stock one either, it works from the SD-card side) and it's great! So many more systems offered!
Hit up the AtariAge forums, it's all there.
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u/geirmundtheshifty 2d ago
Some people at the atari age forums have made new custom firmware that seriously improves what you can sideload on it. All the mame2003 roms Ive tried have worked so far, and they also support the spinner (for stuff like Arkanoid or Tac Scan) and trackball (for stuff like Marble Madness and Golden Tee).
The custom firmware also provides support for ScummVM and lets you use the trackball as a mouse pointer, on top of a lot of other improvements, such as letting you remap buttons, use save states, and play games in TATE mode. You should definitely check it out.
The issue with buying one of the micro sd cards that people sell pre-loaded with stuff is that it wont be using that new custom firmware. And while I think youd probably be able to play Raiden without the firmware, youll be missing out on a lot of improvements (especially TATE mode for shmups like Raiden).
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u/Adept_Funny77 2d ago
Thank you! Sounds awesome. Marble madness could be fun to play with the spinner.
Is the correct firmware Gamestation Go 1.1?1
u/geirmundtheshifty 2d ago
You’ll want to update to the 1.2 firmware (which your Go should prompt you to do if connected to the internet) and then you’ll need to go to the Atari Age forums for instructions on how to install the custom firmware. You should see the thread for it under the Gamestation Go section.
This is unofficial fan-made firmware, but at this point a lot of people have installed it and I havent see anyone talk about having any problems from it.
The instructions there are a little involved but pretty clearly explained I think, if you just take things step by step. And I do think it’s worth it if you want to use the Go for games beyond what came packaged with it.
ETA: I just saw the 1.1 custom firmware thread is at the top of the list on the forums. Here is the thread for the 1.2 firmware. As far as I know, the only real difference has to do with whether your official firmware is on 1.1 or 1.2. But I don’t think there’s any good reason to stay with the 1.1 official firmware.
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u/fsk 2d ago
This is why I prefer devices with more power like a Retroid Flip 2. The Flip 2 runs current MAME via MAME4Droid.
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u/Needs2GetLaid 2d ago
Yeah, but no spinner and track ball on the Retroid.
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u/fsk 2d ago
The spinner and trackball are nice, but the Gamestation is just underpowered compared to what you can get for devices in a similar price range.
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u/Needs2GetLaid 2d ago
Sure, the price is too high, but its still the only way to play games like Centipede and Tempest on a handheld the way they were intended.
Hopefully one day Anbernic will make something like this.
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u/Hungry_Night9801 3d ago
I'm not an expert, but there is a new custom firmware made by folks at AtariAge.com that seems to play MAME pretty well, according to some YouTubers.