Lakka with Atari 5200 Core

Hi, I’m very new to this forum and emulators in general. I was wondering if someone could give me a rundown of how to install Atarti 5200 on lakka. i have tried following some instructions without success I can’t select the core when I run pacman. Thanks

There is no “Atari 5200” Core technically. The Atari800 core is used to play the Atari 5200 Games. With that being said though, I cannot seem to get it to work. Neither can anyone else that i’m aware of. I have seen people get it working in RetroPie but no in Lakka.

I have downloaded the Atari800 emulator on my Windows PC and got it running fine with my ROMs but can’t seem to get it going in Lakka. It all comes down to the “.atari800.cfg” file in the ."/storage/" directory. Those setting need to be configured in a way that will allow it to run properly on Lakka. Most important is to go out and get the BIOS roms. Those can be easily found on the internet. Then you have to edit the .atari800.cfg file to point to where they are stored. After that, you need to edit the config file options to their correct settings for your system. That is the part I have had the hardest time with.

I have gotten the ROMs to load “sort of” but they just go to either a black screen or a white screen and just sit there. I can’t actually get to game play.

On the PC you just hit “F1” on the keyboard and you can configure the emulator via it’s only built-in options. Problem is that on Lakka you can’t do that. I plug in a Keyboard and hitting F1 doesn’t bring up the emulator menu. So that’s not an option.

Using the following .atari800.cfg i that was taken from the config of someone using RetroPie who claimed it was working, I was able to load up the cart but it just displayed a white screen.

Atari 800 Emulator, Version 3.1.0
ROM_OS_A_NTSC=
ROM_OS_A_PAL=ATARIOSA.ROM
ROM_OS_B_NTSC=
ROM_OS_AA00R10=
ROM_OS_AA00R11=
ROM_OS_BB00R1=
ROM_OS_BB01R2=ATARIXL.ROM
ROM_OS_BB02R3=
ROM_OS_BB02R3V4=
ROM_OS_CC01R4=
ROM_OS_BB01R3=
ROM_OS_BB01R4=
ROM_OS_BB01R59=
ROM_OS_BB01R59A=
ROM_5200=5200.rom
ROM_5200_A=
ROM_BASIC_A=
ROM_BASIC_B=
ROM_BASIC_C=ATARIBAS.ROM
ROM_XEGAME=
ROM_400/800_CUSTOM=ATARIOSB.ROM
ROM_XL/XE_CUSTOM=
ROM_5200_CUSTOM=
ROM_BASIC_CUSTOM=
ROM_XEGAME_CUSTOM=
OS_400/800_VERSION=AUTO
OS_XL/XE_VERSION=AUTO
OS_5200_VERSION=AUTO
BASIC_VERSION=AUTO
XEGS_GAME_VERSION=AUTO
H1_DIR=
H2_DIR=
H3_DIR=
H4_DIR=
HD_READ_ONLY=1
PRINT_COMMAND=lpr %s
SCREEN_REFRESH_RATIO=1
MACHINE_TYPE=Atari 5200
RAM_SIZE=16
DEFAULT_TV_MODE=PAL
MOSAIC_RAM_NUM_BANKS=0
AXLON_RAM_NUM_BANKS=0
ENABLE_MAPRAM=0
DISABLE_BASIC=1
ENABLE_SIO_PATCH=1
ENABLE_H_PATCH=1
ENABLE_P_PATCH=1
ENABLE_NEW_POKEY=1
STEREO_POKEY=0
SPEAKER_SOUND=1
BUILTIN_BASIC=0
KEYBOARD_LEDS=0
F_KEYS=0
BUILTIN_GAME=0
KEYBOARD_DETACHED=0
1200XL_JUMPER=0
CFG_SAVE_ON_EXIT=1
MIO_ROM=
BLACK_BOX_ROM=
XLD_D_ROM=
XLD_V_ROM=
CARTRIDGE_FILENAME=
CARTRIDGE_TYPE=0
CARTRIDGE_PIGGYBACK_FILENAME=
CARTRIDGE_PIGGYBACK_TYPE=0
CARTRIDGE_AUTOREBOOT=1
CASSETTE_FILENAME=
CASSETTE_LOADED=0
CASSETTE_WRITE_PROTECT=0
RTIME=1
COLOURS_NTSC_SATURATION=0
COLOURS_NTSC_CONTRAST=0
COLOURS_NTSC_BRIGHTNESS=0
COLOURS_NTSC_GAMMA=0.3
COLOURS_NTSC_HUE=0
COLOURS_NTSC_GTIA_DELAY=26.8
COLOURS_NTSC_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=
COLOURS_NTSC_EXTERNAL_PALETTE_LOADED=0
COLOURS_NTSC_ADJUST_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=0
COLOURS_PAL_SATURATION=0
COLOURS_PAL_CONTRAST=0
COLOURS_PAL_BRIGHTNESS=0
COLOURS_PAL_GAMMA=0.3
COLOURS_PAL_HUE=0
COLOURS_PAL_GTIA_DELAY=23.2
COLOURS_PAL_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=
COLOURS_PAL_EXTERNAL_PALETTE_LOADED=0
COLOURS_PAL_ADJUST_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=0
ARTIFACT_NTSC=NONE
ARTIFACT_PAL=NONE
ARTIFACT_NTSC_MODE=0
SCREEN_SHOW_SPEED=0
SCREEN_SHOW_IO_ACTIVITY=1
SCREEN_SHOW_IO_COUNTER=0
SCREEN_SHOW_1200XL_LEDS=1
SOUND_ENABLED=1
SOUND_RATE=44100
SOUND_BITS=16
SOUND_FRAG_FRAMES=0
SOUND_LATENCY=20
VIDEO_FILTERING=1
VIDEO_ZOOM=1.00
SDL_JOY_0_ENABLED=1
SDL_JOY_0_LEFT=260
SDL_JOY_0_RIGHT=262
SDL_JOY_0_UP=264
SDL_JOY_0_DOWN=261
SDL_JOY_0_TRIGGER=305
SDL_JOY_1_ENABLED=0
SDL_JOY_1_LEFT=97
SDL_JOY_1_RIGHT=100
SDL_JOY_1_UP=119
SDL_JOY_1_DOWN=115
SDL_JOY_1_TRIGGER=306

Using this atari800.cfg I was able to load the ROM but it gave me a black screen.

Atari 800 Emulator, Version 3.1.0
ROM_OS_A_NTSC=
ROM_OS_A_PAL=ATARIOSA.ROM
ROM_OS_B_NTSC=
ROM_OS_AA00R10=
ROM_OS_AA00R11=
ROM_OS_BB00R1=
ROM_OS_BB01R2=ATARIXL.ROM
ROM_OS_BB02R3=
ROM_OS_BB02R3V4=
ROM_OS_CC01R4=
ROM_OS_BB01R3=
ROM_OS_BB01R4=
ROM_OS_BB01R59=
ROM_OS_BB01R59A=
ROM_5200=5200.rom
ROM_5200_A=
ROM_BASIC_A=
ROM_BASIC_B=
ROM_BASIC_C=ATARIBAS.ROM
ROM_XEGAME=
ROM_400/800_CUSTOM=ATARIOSB.ROM
ROM_XL/XE_CUSTOM=
ROM_5200_CUSTOM=
ROM_BASIC_CUSTOM=
ROM_XEGAME_CUSTOM=
OS_400/800_VERSION=AUTO
OS_XL/XE_VERSION=AUTO
OS_5200_VERSION=AUTO
BASIC_VERSION=AUTO
XEGS_GAME_VERSION=AUTO
H1_DIR=
H2_DIR=
H3_DIR=
H4_DIR=
HD_READ_ONLY=1
PRINT_COMMAND=lpr %s
SCREEN_REFRESH_RATIO=1
MACHINE_TYPE=Atari 5200
RAM_SIZE=16
DEFAULT_TV_MODE=PAL
MOSAIC_RAM_NUM_BANKS=0
AXLON_RAM_NUM_BANKS=0
ENABLE_MAPRAM=0
DISABLE_BASIC=1
ENABLE_SIO_PATCH=1
ENABLE_SLOW_XEX_LOADING=0
ENABLE_H_PATCH=0
ENABLE_P_PATCH=0
ENABLE_NEW_POKEY=1
STEREO_POKEY=1
BUILTIN_BASIC=0
KEYBOARD_LEDS=0
F_KEYS=0
BUILTIN_GAME=0
KEYBOARD_DETACHED=0
1200XL_JUMPER=0
CFG_SAVE_ON_EXIT=0
MIO_ROM=
BLACK_BOX_ROM=
PROTO80_ROM=
CARTRIDGE_FILENAME=
CARTRIDGE_TYPE=6
CARTRIDGE_PIGGYBACK_FILENAME=
CARTRIDGE_PIGGYBACK_TYPE=0
CARTRIDGE_AUTOREBOOT=1
CASSETTE_FILENAME=
CASSETTE_LOADED=0
CASSETTE_WRITE_PROTECT=0
RTIME=1
XEP80_CHARSET=
AF80_ROM=
AF80_CHARSET=
COLOURS_NTSC_SATURATION=0
COLOURS_NTSC_CONTRAST=0
COLOURS_NTSC_BRIGHTNESS=0
COLOURS_NTSC_GAMMA=2.35
COLOURS_NTSC_HUE=0
COLOURS_NTSC_GTIA_DELAY=26.8
COLOURS_NTSC_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=
COLOURS_NTSC_EXTERNAL_PALETTE_LOADED=0
COLOURS_NTSC_ADJUST_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=0
COLOURS_PAL_SATURATION=0
COLOURS_PAL_CONTRAST=0
COLOURS_PAL_BRIGHTNESS=0
COLOURS_PAL_GAMMA=2.35
COLOURS_PAL_HUE=0
COLOURS_PAL_GTIA_DELAY=23.2
COLOURS_PAL_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=
COLOURS_PAL_EXTERNAL_PALETTE_LOADED=0
COLOURS_PAL_ADJUST_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=0
ARTIFACT_NTSC=NONE
ARTIFACT_PAL=NONE
ARTIFACT_NTSC_MODE=0
SCREEN_SHOW_SPEED=0
SCREEN_SHOW_IO_ACTIVITY=1
SCREEN_SHOW_IO_COUNTER=0
SCREEN_SHOW_1200XL_LEDS=1
FILTER_NTSC_SHARPNESS=-0.5
FILTER_NTSC_RESOLUTION=-0.1
FILTER_NTSC_ARTIFACTS=0
FILTER_NTSC_FRINGING=0
FILTER_NTSC_BLEED=0
FILTER_NTSC_BURST_PHASE=0
SOUND_ENABLED=1
SOUND_RATE=44100
SOUND_BITS=16
SOUND_BUFFER_MS=0
SOUND_LATENCY=20

No matter what though, I can’t get it to successfully load an Atari 5200 ROM. I’m pretty sure it’s going to come down to having the proper config in this .atari800.cfg file but it’s just a matter of figuring out what settings work.

You can play 5200 games with the latrst mame core. You need the mame softwarelist romset or create a bunch of text files with extension .cmd to use normal .bin .a52 roms.

This guide will help but its not totally dedicated to retroarch.

Atari800 core is supposed to be more compatible

Also this guide tells you how to make the cmd files

Looks like some progress is being made to improve the Atari800 emulator.

https://www.libretro.com/index.php/atari800-core-improvements/

So… I kinda feel like an idiot because I finally fixed my problem with the Atari800 core for 5200 games. It turns out I was just not editing the .atari800.cfg properly. I assumed that the Atari800 core was looking in the System folder by default so I didn’t put the full path to the BIOS files. Once I edited the .atari800.cfg with the full path of the BIOS files everything worked!

So for anyone else having issues that comes across this. All you need to do is SSH in to your Lakka device. Then in the default directory you’re dumped in to just type “nano .atari800.cfg”. This should pull up your current config for the Atari800 core. If pulls up an empty file then it’s because you have to run the Atari800 core at least once through Lakka so that it can create the default file. So go back and do that then try again.

After that you need to modify the config file to point to the BIOS files (that you should have already downloaded and placed in the System directory, if not then go do that first).

This is what my config looked like when I was done. You can leave all your other settings alone in here. All you really need to focus on are the ones that add the path to the BIOS and OS files. Like this “ROM_OS_A_PAL=/storage/system/ATARIOSA.ROM” those are the ones you need to edit.

Atari 800 Emulator, Version 3.1.0
ROM_OS_A_NTSC=
ROM_OS_A_PAL=/storage/system/ATARIOSA.ROM
ROM_OS_B_NTSC=/storage/system/ATARIOSB.ROM
ROM_OS_AA00R10=
ROM_OS_AA00R11=
ROM_OS_BB00R1=
ROM_OS_BB01R2=/storage/system/ATARIXL.ROM
ROM_OS_BB02R3=
ROM_OS_BB02R3V4=
ROM_OS_CC01R4=
ROM_OS_BB01R3=
ROM_OS_BB01R4=
ROM_OS_BB01R59=
ROM_OS_BB01R59A=
ROM_5200=/storage/system/5200.rom
ROM_5200_A=
ROM_BASIC_A=
ROM_BASIC_B=
ROM_BASIC_C=
ROM_XEGAME=
ROM_400/800_CUSTOM=/storage/system/ATARIOSB.ROM
ROM_XL/XE_CUSTOM=
ROM_5200_CUSTOM=
ROM_BASIC_CUSTOM=
ROM_XEGAME_CUSTOM=
OS_400/800_VERSION=AUTO
OS_XL/XE_VERSION=AUTO
OS_5200_VERSION=AUTO
BASIC_VERSION=AUTO
XEGS_GAME_VERSION=AUTO
H1_DIR=
H2_DIR=
H3_DIR=
H4_DIR=
HD_READ_ONLY=1
PRINT_COMMAND=lpr %s
SCREEN_REFRESH_RATIO=1
MACHINE_TYPE=Atari XL/XE
RAM_SIZE=64
DEFAULT_TV_MODE=PAL
MOSAIC_RAM_NUM_BANKS=0
AXLON_RAM_NUM_BANKS=0
ENABLE_MAPRAM=0
DISABLE_BASIC=1
ENABLE_SIO_PATCH=1
ENABLE_SLOW_XEX_LOADING=0
ENABLE_H_PATCH=1
ENABLE_P_PATCH=1
ENABLE_NEW_POKEY=1
STEREO_POKEY=0
BUILTIN_BASIC=1
KEYBOARD_LEDS=0
F_KEYS=0
BUILTIN_GAME=0
KEYBOARD_DETACHED=0
1200XL_JUMPER=0
CFG_SAVE_ON_EXIT=0
MIO_ROM=
BLACK_BOX_ROM=
PROTO80_ROM=
CARTRIDGE_FILENAME=
CARTRIDGE_TYPE=0
CARTRIDGE_PIGGYBACK_FILENAME=
CARTRIDGE_PIGGYBACK_TYPE=0
CARTRIDGE_AUTOREBOOT=1
CASSETTE_FILENAME=
CASSETTE_LOADED=0
CASSETTE_WRITE_PROTECT=0
RTIME=1
XEP80_CHARSET=
AF80_ROM=
AF80_CHARSET=
COLOURS_NTSC_SATURATION=0
COLOURS_NTSC_CONTRAST=0
COLOURS_NTSC_BRIGHTNESS=0
COLOURS_NTSC_GAMMA=2.35
COLOURS_NTSC_HUE=0
COLOURS_NTSC_GTIA_DELAY=26.8
COLOURS_NTSC_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=
COLOURS_NTSC_EXTERNAL_PALETTE_LOADED=0
COLOURS_NTSC_ADJUST_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=0
COLOURS_PAL_SATURATION=0
COLOURS_PAL_CONTRAST=0
COLOURS_PAL_BRIGHTNESS=0
COLOURS_PAL_GAMMA=2.35
COLOURS_PAL_HUE=0
COLOURS_PAL_GTIA_DELAY=23.2
COLOURS_PAL_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=
COLOURS_PAL_EXTERNAL_PALETTE_LOADED=0
COLOURS_PAL_ADJUST_EXTERNAL_PALETTE=0
ARTIFACT_NTSC=NONE
ARTIFACT_PAL=NONE
ARTIFACT_NTSC_MODE=0
SCREEN_SHOW_SPEED=0
SCREEN_SHOW_IO_ACTIVITY=1
SCREEN_SHOW_IO_COUNTER=0
SCREEN_SHOW_1200XL_LEDS=1
FILTER_NTSC_SHARPNESS=-0.5
FILTER_NTSC_RESOLUTION=-0.1
FILTER_NTSC_ARTIFACTS=0
FILTER_NTSC_FRINGING=0
FILTER_NTSC_BLEED=0
FILTER_NTSC_BURST_PHASE=0
SOUND_ENABLED=1
SOUND_RATE=44100
SOUND_BITS=16
SOUND_BUFFER_MS=0
SOUND_LATENCY=20

Once you’re done making the edits just hit Control+X and hit enter to confirm your changes and you’re done! May need to reboot but it should work fine now.

------SSH Notes—

As a side note for anyone who doesn’t know how to SSH in to your Lakka device, it’s not difficult. First you just need to go under the “Services” section in the settings on your Lakka device and turn “SSH Enable” on.

Now go back to your PC and open your favorite SSH client. If you don’t have one or don’t know what that is then just go download Putty. http://www.putty.org/.

After that just open Putty. Make sure the “Connection Type” is set to SSH and enter the IP address of your Lakka device in to the field that says “Host Name (or IP address)”. If you’re not sure what the IP then you should be able to just put in “Lakka” since that’s the host name of that device on your network. Once you’ve done that just hit the “Open” button.

You should then be prompted for a Username. Enter “root”. Then you will be prompted for a password. Enter “root” again. (both without the quotes).

Now you’re logged in to your Lakka device via SSH. Just go back to the top of this post and follow the instructions.