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Astrocade

Astrocade icon Astrocade logo

Overview

The Bally Astrocade (also sold as the Bally Home Library Computer or Bally ABA-1000) was launched in April 1978 via mail order. Designed by Bally and later sold by Astrovision, it offered surprisingly advanced graphics for the era but remained short-lived due to programming complexity and limited software. REG-Linux groups the platform under astrocde so compatible themes can show the dedicated artwork set when available.

Technical specifications

  • Manufacturer: Bally (Astrovision)
  • Release year: 1978
  • Hardware type: console
  • CPU: Signetics 2650 at 1.2 MHz
  • Video: Signetics 2637 UVI (3.58 MHz NTSC / 3.55 MHz PAL)
  • Sound: Simple analog beeper

Supported ROM extensions

bin, zip, 7z

Quick reference

  • Emulator: MAME
  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/astrocde
  • Accepted formats: .bin, .zip, .7z
  • System group: astrocde

BIOS

MAME expects the Astrocade system definition archive to boot:

  • astrocde.zip (or astrocde.7z)

Place this file either in /userdata/roms/astrocde/ or in your global BIOS directory. Without it the Astrocade driver may refuse to start.

ROMs

Store your Astrocade dumps in /userdata/roms/astrocde. MAME can launch raw .bin files or archives containing one or more games.

Emulators

MAME

MAME (formerly MESS) handles the Astrocade driver. ROMs must match the specific MAME version you run, so keep your sets in sync with the emulator build.

MAME configuration

Open the in-game MAME menu with [HOTKEY] + south button or [Tab] on a keyboard to remap inputs, adjust video options, switch DIP settings and more. Standardized REG-Linux features for this system include astrocde.videomode, astrocde.decoration and astrocde.padtokeyboard.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key Description => ES option key_value
Settings that apply to all versions of this emulator
GRAPHICS BACKEND astrocde.video Choose BGFX shaders or Accel/OpenGL rendering. => BGFX bgfx, Accel accel, OpenGL opengl.
BGFX BACKEND astrocde.bgfxbackend Select the BGFX API when using BGFX. => MAME Detect automatic, OpenGL opengl, OpenGL ES gles, Vulkan vulkan.
BGFX VIDEO FILTER astrocde.bgfxshaders Apply CRT/super-sampling filters. => Off None, Bilinear default, CRT Geom crt-geom, CRT Geom Deluxe crt-geom-deluxe, Super Eagle eagle, HLSL hlsl, HQ2X hq2x, HQ3X hq3x, HQ4X hq4x.
CRT SWITCHRES astrocde.switchres Enable SwitchRes for CRTs. => Off 0, On 1.
TATE MODE astrocde.rotation Rotate output for vertical displays. => Off None, Rotate 90 autoror, Rotate 270 autorol.
ALT DPAD MODE astrocde.altdpad Adjust D-pad orientation when controllers behave oddly. => Off (Default) 0, DS3 Orientation 1, X360 Orientation 2.
Settings specific to Astrocade
CUSTOM CONFIG astrocde.pergamecfg Allow per-game custom configuration via MAME’s UI. => On 1, Off 0.

Controls

Here are the default Bally Astrocade controls mapped to a REG-Linux Retropad:

astrocde-1

Use MAME’s menu if you need alternate controller layouts.

Troubleshooting

  • Confirm astrocde.zip matches the expected MD5 and is located in a ROM or BIOS folder.
  • Check that your files reside in /userdata/roms/astrocde and use supported extensions.
  • Consult the MAME troubleshooting section for system-specific issues