Apple II + VERA Release v1.91

Version 1.91 adds file-level installation support for the Apple II + VERA HDV build.

What's new

• Install to another ProDOS volume or directory: Copy all files from TimePilot-IIvera.hdv into your target ProDOS volume or directory, except PRODOS. The files no longer need to keep the same block allocation as in the original HDV.
• Game directory detection: The HDV now includes a TIME.PILOT marker file. Keep it with the game files; TPILOT.SYSTEM checks for it before loading the game, and the game checks it before opening ART and PCM.
• Volume identification: The HDV volume name is set to TIME.PILOT during image creation.
• ProDOS timestamps: Newly generated game file entries receive the local build date and time, encoded with ProDOS Y2K year handling. The volume header's ProDOS metadata is preserved.
• File-based loading: The loader reads MAIN.BIN or MAIN4.BIN, and the game reads ART and PCM, by filename from the active ProDOS prefix.
• Dual-floppy edition: The two 140 KB images keep their fixed-block layout, with volume names TIME.PILOT and TIME.PILOT.2. They are intended only for a dual-floppy setup. Do not copy them into separate hard-disk directories; use the HDV edition for hard-disk installation.
• Separate loader paths: HDV launches use ProDOS file reads; dual-floppy launches use their own READ_BLOCK trampoline to load MAIN.BIN/MAIN4.BIN from the correct disk.
• Legacy HDV compatibility: Older HDV images retain the fixed-block fallback.
• Generated file entries on both floppy disks receive local build timestamps.
• Updated the loader splash to display version v1.91.

Installation

For hard-disk installation, use the HDV image. Copy all files from the HDV image into the same target ProDOS volume or directory, except PRODOS. Keep TIME.PILOT alongside the game files, set the ProDOS prefix to that location, and launch TPILOT.SYSTEM. The dual-floppy images are only for use as a two-disk floppy set.

The packaged HDV volume name is TIME.PILOT.

The file-level install was verified by copying the game into another ProDOS location and launching it there.

Apple II + VERA release v1.9

Time Pilot for Apple II + VERA — Version 1.9 (Upstream Co-Development Release)

This release marks the official integration and co-development with upstream author Stefan Wessels (StewBC/Time-Pilot), combining the Apple II VERA port with 14 commits of upstream architecture upgrades, arcade parity refinements, and critical native bootloader fixes.

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🌟 What's New in Version 1.9

1. Upstream Overhaul by Stefan Wessels (@StewBC)

• Native ProDOS SYS Direct Loader (TPILOT.SYSTEM):
  • Completely eliminated the dependency on BASIC.SYSTEM and Applesoft BASIC.
  • Game code is now streamed via a Page 3 trampoline straight to $0800 (instead of $1400 or $2000).
  • Over 10 KB Memory Headroom: Program RAM now spans $0800..$B7FF (45,056 bytes max), eliminating any danger of colliding with the ProDOS MLI buffer at $B800 or the ProDOS global page!
• Cross-Platform Python 3 + CMake Build System:
  • Removed all Node.js dependencies (mkart.py, build_hdv.py, build_disk.py, check_size.py).
  • Unified one-command build across Windows, macOS, and Linux via cmake -B build and cmake --build build.
• Arcade Parity & Physics Refinements:
  • Restored authentic Konami arcade rays[32][32] beam deflection angle table.
  • Restored authentic 16-frame staggered squadron spawn intervals (enemies engage in pairs).
  • Era-specific collision hitboxes fine-tuned for authentic 1910–2001 dogfight feel.
  • Fixed 2-Player turn swapping on player death.
  • Added off-screen grace margins for bombs, rockets, and boomerangs matching the CX16 version.
• Official Recognition:
  • Apple II VERA port officially credited by Stefan Wessels in the upstream repository's main README.md.

2. Critical Boot & MLI Stability Fixes (by @anomixer)

• ProDOS BIN Header Stripping (2002- BRK Fix):
  • Resolved an issue where mos-apple2-clang prepended a 4-byte ProDOS BIN header (00 20 DC 09) to TPILOT.SYSTEM. Since ProDOS jumps directly to $2000 when executing SYS files, byte $00 triggered a BRK opcode on boot.
  • Both build_hdv.py and build_disk.py now automatically strip the header, allowing clean entry at LDA #$00 ($A9 $00).
• MLI Register Preservation:
  • ProDOS MLI calls (JSR $BF00) do not preserve X and Y registers. src/loader.s now safely stores X to $3C9 before every block read, ensuring all 70 game blocks load reliably into $0800.

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⚡ Core Features of the Apple II VERA Port

• 100% Zero-Disk Runtime Execution:
  • All 15 authentic arcade PCM sound effects (game start theme, explosions, sirens, warp whoosh, bombs) and 56KB of sprite artwork are pre-streamed into VERA's 128KB dual-bank VRAM during boot.
  • The floppy drive goes completely silent during active gameplay—zero disk seeks or audio stutter!
• Hybrid Sound Engine:
  • Real-Time 4-Voice VERA PSG Game Start Theme: Cycle-accurate hardware synthesis.
  • 4-Voice Authentic Konami Arcade High Score BGM: Streamed from VRAM Bank 0 ($D7F0) with 0 host RAM overhead.
  • Dual-voice unison PSG laser cannons (+6dB) balanced with digitized PCM sound effects.
• 128 Hardware Sprites & Multi-Scale Parallax:
  • 32-way fighter rotation, 16×16 and 32×16 era bosses, smoke, explosions, and parachuting pilots.
  • 3-tier parallax scrolling clouds and asteroid belts rendered on VERA Layer 0.
• Flexible Dual Hardware Support:
  • Automatic detection of VERA expansion cards in Slot 2 ($C200) or Slot 4 ($C400).
  • Dual controls: Apple II analog joystick (PDL0/1, PB0/1) or responsive keyboard (WASD / Arrows / Keypad).

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💾 Downloads & Media Images

File	Description	Recommended Platform / Emulator
TimePilot-IIvera.hdv	800KB Bootable ProDOS Hard Disk (Autoboots on Drive 1, 2, or n)	Apple2TS, CFFA3000, FujiNet, wDrive, AppleWin
TimePilot-IIvera-D1.po	140KB 5.25" Floppy Disk 1 (Boot + Slot 2 Binary + Sprite Art)	5.25" Floppy Drive 1
TimePilot-IIvera-D2.po	140KB 5.25" Floppy Disk 2 (PCM Audio + Slot 4 Binary)	5.25" Floppy Drive 2
TimePilot-IIvera.zip	Complete all-in-one package containing all disk images	Direct download for offline archiving

Note: For dual 5.25" floppy play, insert D1 in Drive 1 and D2 in Drive 2, then boot Drive 1. The game automatically detects the dual-disk configuration.

Apple II + VERA release v1.8

Apple II + VERA release for Apple2TS and AppleWin

This release brings a complete, authentic port of Konami's 1982 arcade classic Time Pilot to the Apple II family (+64KB / //e / IIgs / Laser 128) equipped with the VERA (Versatile Embedded Retro Adapter) FPGA expansion card.

Adapted directly from Stefan Wessels' 2024 Commander X16 (TimePilot-CX16) and Apple IIgs releases, rebuilt from the ground up in native 6502 C and assembly for the Apple II architecture.

🚀 Key Highlights

• 100% Zero-Disk Runtime Engine:

  • Entire 59.4 KB sprite art library (art.blob) is loaded permanently into VERA VRAM Bank 1 ($0000..$EFFF) during boot initialization.
  • All PCM sound effects and music tables are resident in VRAM Bank 0 ($1000..$D7F0).
  • Zero disk reads occur during active gameplay — hyperspace era transitions (1910 → 1940 → 1970 → 1982 → 2001) are instantaneous with zero latency and no LOADING... prompt!

• Hybrid PSG & PCM Audio Engine:

  • Official 4-Voice Real-Time PSG Game Start Theme: Cycle-accurate hardware PSG synthesis replaces the large PCM opening sample, synchronized exactly to the STAGE 1 announce.
  • Authentic Arcade High Score BGM (AUDIO_HIGHSCORE): 4-voice AY-3-8910 VGM loop streamed from VRAM Bank 0 ($D7F0) with 0 host CPU RAM usage and smooth 60 FPS cursor response.
  • Arcade PCM Effects: Dual-bank VRAM resident audio including player fire cannon, flak bombs, homing rockets, time warp vortex, and rescue parachute bonus.
  • Dual-Voice Layered PSG: High-impact laser fire and boss explosions with hardware volume hierarchy.

• Arcade Visual Parity & Hardware Acceleration:

  • Full 128 hardware sprites: 32-way rotation for player and enemies, 32x16 large bosses and 1940 bombers, trailing progressive smoke, and floating score popups.
  • Hardware palette cycling for authentic propeller spinning and Stage 5 Mothership damage alarm flashing.
  • Layer 0 multi-tier parallax scrolling clouds and space asteroids.

• Universal Multi-Drive & Slot Compatibility:

  • Dual VERA Slot Support: Automatically probes and runs from either Slot 2 ($C200) or Slot 4 ($C400).
  • Arbitrary Boot Drive: Transparently boots from Drive 1, Drive 2, or any slot/drive (Drive n) without device collision.
  • Native analog joystick (PDL0/1, PB0/1) with interactive [J]oystick / [K]eyboard toggle.

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💾 Distribution Disks

File	Size	Description
TimePilot-IIvera.hdv	800 KB	Bootable ProDOS 8 Hard Disk image. Contains full single-volume distribution (MAIN.BIN, MAIN4.BIN, STARTUP, full sprite art & PSG/PCM audio). Bootable from Drive 1 or Drive 2.
TimePilot-IIvera-D1.po	140 KB	5.25" Boot Disk 1. Contains ProDOS, BASIC.SYSTEM, STARTUP, Slot 2 binary (MAIN.BIN), and full sprite art. Mount in Drive 1.
TimePilot-IIvera-D2.po	140 KB	5.25" Asset Disk 2. Contains PCM sound effects, PSG data, and Slot 4 binary (MAIN4.BIN). Mount in Drive 2.
TimePilot-IIvera.zip	~230 KB	Convenience package containing all three disk images (.hdv, D1.po, D2.po) and README.md.

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🕹️ Controls

• Steer: [W], [S], [A], [D] / [Q], [E] or keypad 8/4/6/2 / 7/9/1/3 (or Analog Joystick)
• Fire: [SPACE] (or Joystick Button 0/1)
• Start: [1] 1-Player / [2] 2-Player
• Control Mode: [J] Joystick (default) / [K] Keyboard
• Special: [P] Pause / [I] Infinite Lives cheat mode

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🖥️ Requirements & Emulation

• Real Hardware: Apple II+ (with 16KB Language Card), Apple //e, Apple IIgs, or Laser 128 with a VERA FPGA card in Slot 2 or Slot 4.
• Web Emulator: Playable instantly in Apple2TS by loading TimePilot-IIvera.hdv.
• Desktop Emulator: Fully verified on AppleWin with VERA FPGA support.

Other versions

The Windows, Linux, macOS, Commander X16, Apple IIgs, and Mac 68k versions remain unchanged from upstream.