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GABE Firmware 1.11b released

GABE Firmware 1.11b has been released. 

 

You only need to update to this version if you are an Apple IIc user.

 

This release contains a bug fix affecting the newly implimented 'Apple IIc mode'.   When 'Apple IIc mode' was turned on, and also Button 0 and Button 1 were reversed,  'Apple IIc mode would say it was still turned on, but it was essentially off.  Version 1.11b fixes this bug.

 

GABE Firmware 1.11b

 

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Updated GABE Firmware v 1.11

All, 

An updated firmware has been released for GABE.  It is recommended you update to version 1.11 if you are on an older version of the firmware. Expecially if you use an Apple IIc.

Fixes:

  • The Apple IIc is the only Apple II that shares a port with both a Joystick and a Mouse. Other devices in the past has shown strange behavior when connected to an Apple IIc because of this. 
    (Nerdly Pleasures - Joystick Adapter Fix for IIc discusses an issue with the ReactiveMicro DB15 to DB9 adapter.)
    The Apple IIc does not expect there to be a '2nd Joystick' and appears to be very sensitve to signals on other DB9 pins.  Because of this, (Enter 'IIc Mode') a fix has been applied to adjust the output of X|Y when Button0 is pressed thus fixing this issue for the GABE. 
     
  • Other Menu adjustments and other slight bug fixes.

An updated Manual v1.11 is also within the Zip file in PDF format.  

Gabe Firmware-1.11.zip

GABE Supported Gamepads

List of supported gamepads with supported features, known bugs, etc.

Sony DualSense (PS5)

ddualsense_gamepad

Supported "extra features":

Rumble Lightbar color Player LEDs
  • Pair instructions: While pressing and holding the Create button, press and hold the PS button until the light bar blinks (Sony official instructions).

Sony Dualshock 4 (PS4)

ds4_gamepad

Supported "extra features":

Rumble Lightbar color virtual mouse (touchpad)
  • Supports both the 2013 (CUH-ZCT1) and 2016 (CUH-ZCT2) editions
  • Some clones are known to work Ok
  • Pair instructions: While pressing and holding the SHARE button, press and hold the PS Button until the light bar flashes (Sony official instructions).

Nintendo Switch Pro

Switch Pro

Supported "extra features":

Rumble Player LEDs
  • Some clones are known to work Ok

Nintendo Switch JoyCon

Switch JoyCon

Both Left and Right JoyCon are supported.

Supported "extra features":

Player LEDs Orientation mode Sideways (horizontal)
  • Each JoyCon represents one gamepad. Cannot be used as a single/combined gamepad.
  • Some clones are known to work Ok

Nintendo Wii U Pro controller

Wii U Pro

Supported "extra features":

Player LEDs Rumble
  • Some clones are known to work Ok

Nintendo Wii Remote

Wii Remote

Supported "extra features":

Player LEDs Rumble Orientation modes Sideways mode (default) / Wheel mode (Accelerometer) / Vertical mode
  • Supports both Wii Remote (RVL-003) and Wii Remote Motion Plus (RVL-036)
  • Supports 3 modes:
    • Sideways mode (default)
    • Wheel mode (Accelerometer)
    • Vertical mode
  • Supported features: player LEDs, rumble, accelerometer
  • To start pairing, use the "Sync" method (press "Sync" button).

Sideways mode

  • Default mode. No need to press anything special to enter this mode.
  • Use Wii Remote in horiontal position.
  • D-pad for regular movements.
  • Button "1" for fire.
  • Button "2" for jump.

Wheel mode (Accelerometer)

  • Enter this mode by pressing "A" (A == accelerometer, easy to remember) while connecting or reconnecting.
  • Rotate left/right for left/right movements
  • Use D-pad for up/down movements
  • Button "A" for fire.
  • Button "shoulder" to jump.
  • LED #3 will be on in this mode.

Vertical mode

  • Enter this mode by pressing button "+" while connecting or reconnecting.
  • D-pad for regular movements.
  • Button "shoulder" for fire.
  • Button "A" to jump.
  • LED #4 will be on in this mode.

Nintendo Wii Remote + Nunchuk

Wii Remote Nunchuk

When Nunchuk is attached to the Wii Remote, the Nunchuk can be used.

Nunchuk as regular joystick

  • Default mode. No need to press anything special to enter this mode.
  • Use Nunchuk joystick for regular movement.
  • Nunchuck button C for fire.
  • Nunchuck button Z for jump.

Wii Remote can also be used, but both of them control the same joystick.

Nunchuk as second joystick

To control both Commodore joysticks (useful when in Unijoysticle Enhanced mode), you have to press the "+" button in the Wii Remote while connecting or reconnecting.

  • Enter this mode by pressing button "+" while connecting or reconnecting.
  • Use Nunchuk joystick for "right" movement.
  • Nunchuck button C for "right" fire.
  • Use Wii Remote D-pad for "left" movement.
  • Use Wii Remote shoulder button for "left" fire.

Nintendo Wii Remote + Classic Controller / Classic Controller Pro

wii_classic_controller

A Nintendo Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro can be used when it is attached to the Wii Remote. When attached, the Wii Remote will be "disabled" and only the Classic Controller can be used.

  • LEDs: supported

Xbox Wireless (model 1708, 2 buttons)

Xbox 1708

Supported "extra features":

Rumble Trigger Rumble
  • This is the "2 button" model
  • Must be the model 1708 (released in 2016) and not earlier. Model 1797 should work.
  • Supports Xbox Controller firmware: v3.1 (BR/EDR), v4.8 (BR/EDR), v5.15 or newer (BLE)
  • Pair instructions: Same as model "1914", see below.
  • Protocol:
    • BLE: Since Xbox firmware v5
    • BR/EDR: Before Xbox firmware v5

Xbox Wireless (model 1914, 3 buttons)

Xbox 1914

Supported "extra features":

Rumble Trigger Rumble
  • This is the "3 button" model
  • Should be model 1914. Other "3 button" models should work as well.
  • Supports Xbox Controller firmware: v5.15 or newer
  • Pair instructions:
    • Turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox button.
    • Press the controller’s Pair button for 3 seconds and release.
    • Done. GABE will connect to it once it receives the "advertisement" broadcast message.

Xbox Adaptive Controller

Xbox adaptive

  • Supports Xbox Controller firmware: v5.15 or newer
  • Pair instructions:
    • Press "pair" button at the back of the controller.
    • Wait until Xbox logo blinks
    • Done. GABE will connect to it once it receives the "advertisement" broadcast message.

Android

Android

Steam Controller

Steam Controller

  • Controller must be flashed with Bluetooth firmware
  • Supported features:
    • Disables "lizard mode" (keyboard / mouse mouse)
    • Supports D-pad, triggers, buttons, thumbstick, right pad
  • Pair instructions:
    • Press "Y" + "Steam" button

Stadia Controller

Stadia Controller

Supported "extra features":

Rumble

SteelSeries Nimbus

Nimbus SteelSeries for iOS

  • Tested with Nimbus SteelSeries for iOS.

OUYA

OUYA 1st gen

  • Only 1st gen is supported. It is unknown whether the newer version works Ok.

8BitDo Family

8bitdo SN30 Pro

Supported "extra features":

Model Rumble Player LEDs Gyro / Accelerometer Ultimate SN30 Pro Pro 2 Lite Lite 2 M30 Arcade Stick Zero 2 NES30

Atari VCS Joystick

Atari Joystick

  • Buttons / joystick supported
  • The "paddle" (when you rotate the joystick) is reported as THROTTLE

iCade 8-bitty

iCade 8bitty

Amazon Fire TV Remote

Amazon Fire TV Remote 1st gen

  • Only 1st gen is supported

Misc controllers

Collection of misc controllers.

  • Only the emulation modes that are known to work are listed.
  • If more than one emulation mode is supported, it is listed right below, using an empty "Model" name.
Model Emulation DATA FROG P02 (PS4) DualShock 4 DATA FROG S80 (Switch) Switch Xbox Gamesir T3s Switch Gamesir Nova Lite Switch / Android HS-SW510 Switch Android Terios T3 / ShanWan BM-769 Android (iPhone)

Black Friday Sale Extended Until 12/23/2024!

Happy Holidays!!!

The 10% off sale is extended until 12/23 for www.Retro6502.com. Get your GABE now for the holidays and cut the wire while gaming on your Apple II!
Enter Code BF2024 for 10% off everything in the entire store.
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Handle With Care - A New Shirt Design

I've been meaning to design a shirt that is similar but not quite exactly the same as the Beagle Bros or Polarware disk sleeves. This high-quality graphic captures just that. 

 

Selecting 12 of the most whimsical floppy disk warnings used during the 80's and 90's this shirt represents that wonderful geeky humor.  

 

Handle With Care!

https://apple2.retro6502.com/en-usd/products/handle-with-care-floppy-disk-warnings

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2-Player / 2-Joystick Game List

List of games that support using 2 joysticks paired to the GABE

Some games will need to be in Paddle Mode, as they were intended for 2-player, each with a single Paddle in hand.  With the GABE each player will have a modern Bluetooth controller in hand.

  • Archon
  • Archon II
  • Dogfight
  • Mario Bros (2-joystick Mod)
  • One on One (Dr. J v. Larry Bird)
  • Realm of Impossibility
  • Robotron (Mod) - Either 2 players or 1 player using Robotron Mode - left analog for running, and right analog for shooting)
  • Warlord
  • Blisterball (Paddle Mode)
  • Mad Bomber (Paddle Mode)
  • Computer Foosball (Paddle Mode)
  • Ice Demons (Paddle Mode)
  • Pong Reloaded (Paddle Mode) 
  • Star Thief (Paddle Mode)
  • Tank Attack (Paddle Mode)

APPLE II EMULATION ON AN IPHONE - NO JAILBREAK

Hello all, 
 

I've recently stumbled upon an easy way to get Apple II emulation on an iPhone without any need for jailbreaking or using an internet browser based emulator.

  1. Head to the AppStore and download PPSSPP (The PlayStation Portable Emulator) 
  2. Download PYAE.zip - I found it here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SrdP8Y6FBFDFNrRgK9ZC_BOmzd1_83A9/view
  3. Using the files app, extract PYAE.zip in the PPSSPP folder under PSP -> GAME
  4. Launch PPSSPP and launch pyae 
  5. Enjoy Apple II on iOS :-) 

This emulator is quite basic.  It only supports .dsk files, no harddrive, or much else.  Sound and Video works great.  There is a soft keyboard that works fine as well.  Perfect for quick offline gaming! 

 

If you want something more full featured and you have available internet you can also use https://apple2ts.com/ right from the browser.

 

Have fun!

 

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G.A.B.E. Version 1.1

With so much appriciation for the version 1.0 release last week, we have a BIG surprise for you!  

 

Version 1.1 is now ready for use! 

 

Features sourced from all the incredible feedback recieved from version 1.0 are in this release.  

  • Status Icons
  • Easier navigation between the Settings Screen and Status Screen
  • Enhanced Paddle senstivity settings, and when senstivity is set to 100, centering is enabled (for games like Bandit, where centering is a benefit)
  • Enhanced color bar for PS4 and PS5 controllers. 
  • New 'About' screen recognizing folks that supported the project
  • and many other improvements...

The manual is also updated to reflect the new updates.

 

DOWNLOAD VERSION 1.1 NOW

 

 GABE can be purchased here.

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GABE Version 1.00 Released!!!

Version 1.00 is here

  • Control the display menu wirelessly with the game controller
  • Save settings and reset settings
  • Use vibrating RuMbLeS - Awesome for Lode Runner!
  • Reverse buttons
  • Snap Corners 
  • Stretch Corners
  • Smooth paddle mode - Non-centering!
  • Make the paddle left/right, or up/down - you choose!
  • Change paddle sensitivity - speed it up, or ssllooww it down
  • Robotron Mode - Feels like the arcade!
  • 2-player games - One on One, Mario Bros, Archon, and more
  • Shortcut buttons to most settings
  • Way too many features!
  • Updated Manual

Enjoy & Apple ][ Forever!

DOWNLOAD GABE v1.0

GABE can be purchased here

Report any bugs to support@retro6502.com

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Firmware 1.0 coming soon !!!

50 users tested, and going strong.  GABE 1.0 firmware will have:

  • Paddle mode is finally completed with smooth X and Y axis movement. No more auto centering.  Which means when you move left, the paddle moves left and stays there, when you move right, it moves right and stays there.  No more centering!  True Analog Paddle Movement!

  • Paddle mode sensitivity adjustments - control how fast or how slow the paddle moves.  Finally become an expert at Pong!

  • Menu control via Gamepad - no more stumbling to find the GABE button controls, you can control the display wirelessly with the game controller. Additional quick settings are now available too.  Quickly jump into Robotron mode when needed. 

  • Numerous other stability improvements and fixes...