16/32 Systems

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ATARI Lynx "Frequently Asked Questions" File!

Created by Darius Vaskelis, who saw the need and filled it. Maintained by Robert Jung (rjung@netcom.com)

This file is not maintained by, overseen by, endorsed, or otherwise associated with Atari Corp. or any of its subsidiaries. It's just a collection of questions and answers, with a few news tidbits thrown in.

This file is posted on a monthly basis to rec.games.video.atari, alt.games.lynx, news.answers, and rec.answers around the first of the month. The latest version of this file is also available via anonymous FTP at
ftp://ftp.netcom.com/ in the /pub/rj/rjung directory. It is maintained by Robert Jung at rjung@netcom.com on the Internet. Send corrections, news, updates, comments, questions, or other stuff to that address. All mail is welcome!

Updates since the last publically posted FAQ have a percent sign (%) in the first column.

Q. What is the Atari Lynx?

A. The world's first hand-held color video game system. Sold by Atari, the Lynx offers true multi-player competition, built-in 3D and distortion graphic effects, reversible controls, and fast arcade action for under $100.

Q. What's the relationship between the Atari Lynx and Epyx?

A. The Lynx was originally conceived by Epyx in 1987. It was called the "Handy" at that time. Two creators of the system, Dave Needle and R.J. Mical, were also members of the Amiga design team. Atari bought the
rights, and the rest is history.

Due to a recent lawsuit settlement between Epyx and Atari, Epyx no longer has any connection whatsoever with the Lynx. Atari was required to pay a lump sum to offset back royalties owed, cover damages from breach of contract, and an additional amount to buy off Epyx royalty rights.

Q. What are the specifications of the Lynx?

A. Physical dimensions:

Size: 9.25" x 4.25" x 2" (10.75" x 4.25" x 1.5" for original Lynx)
Screen: 3.5" diagonal (3.25" x 1.88" approx.)
Speaker: 2" diameter
Buttons: Two sets of fire buttons (A and B)
Two option buttons (OPTION 1 and OPTION 2)
Pause button
(OPTION 1 + Pause = Restarts the game
OPTION 2 + Pause = Flips the screen, which allows the Lynx controls to be reversed)
Power on light (Not on original Lynx; indicates unit is on)
Power on button
Power off button
Backlight button (Not on original Lynx; turns off the screen, but does not turn off the game. This saves electricity use when a game is paused)
Joypad: Eight directional
Controls: Volume
Brightness
Ports: Headphones (mini-DIN 3.5mm stereo; wired for mono on the original Lynx)
ComLynx (multiple unit communications)
Power (9V DC, 1 A)
Game card slot
Battery holder (six AA)

For the technically minded, the Lynx has two basic chips that form a cooperative set of co-processing subsystems that maximize the Lynx's performance by sharing the work of executing a game program. These chips are called Mikey and Suzy.

Mikey (16-bit custom CMOS chip running at 16MHz
)- MOS 65C02 processor running at up to 4MHz (~3.6MHz average) 8-bit CPU, 16-bit address space
- Sound engine 4 channel sound, 8-bit DAC for each channel, (4 channels x 8-bits/channel = 32 bits commonly quoted). Atari reports the range is "100Hz to above the range of human hearing"; spectrum analysis shows the range may go as low as 32Hz. Stereo with panning (mono for original Lynx)
- Video DMA driver for LCD display, 4096 color (12-bit) palette, 16 simultaneous colors (4 bits) from palette at one time
- System timers
- Interrupt controller
- UART (for ComLynx)
- 512 bytes of bootstrap and game-card loading ROM
Suzy (16-bit custom CMOS chip running at 16MHz)
- Blitter (bit-map block transfer) unit
- Graphics engine, Hardware drawing support Unlimited number of high-speed sprites with collision detection, Hardware high-speed sprite scaling, distortion, and tilting effects, Hardware decoding of compressed sprite data
Hardware clipping and multi-directional scrolling, Variable frame rate (up to 75 frames/second), 160 x 102 "triad" standard resolution (16,320 addressable pixels), (A triad is three LCD elements: red, green, and blue), Capability of 480 x 102 artificially high resolution
- Math co-processor
Hardware 16-bit multiply and divide (32-bit answer)
Parallel processing of single multiply or divide instruction

The Lynx contains 64K (half a megabit) of 120ns DRAM. Game-cards currently hold 128K (1 megabit) or 256K (2 megabits) of ROM, but there is a capability of up to 1 megabyte (8 megabits) on one game-card. In theory, this limit can be exceeded with extra bank-switching hardware in the card. The first few hundred bytes of the game card is encrypted to prevent unauthorized developers from writing Lynx software. This scheme was introduced by Epyx as an effort to enforce game quality.

With alkaline batteries, the reasonable average battery life is 5 hours. (4 hours with the original Lynx) The Lynx can run off rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries, but average battery life drops drastically to 1.5 hours per recharge (1 hour for the original Lynx). Your mileage may vary.

Q. What are the differences between the original Lynx ("Lynx Classic") and the new Lynx ("Lynx II")?

A. The new Lynx is a bit smaller and lighter than the original Lynx. It has a slightly longer battery life, and can also just turn the screen off during a game pause to save batteries. (The original Lynx had a five minute auto-power shut-off that would have prevented this from being useful. It is gone in the new Lynx). A power LED has been added (which also blinks when battery power is low), and cartridges are easier to insert.

The only differences in a technical sense is that the new Lynx has a more efficient internal design, and the headphone jack supports stereo sound. The speaker in new Lynx is also not as loud as the original Lynx, although it's more than adequate for all but the noisiest situations.

Also, the new Lynx can experience what is called "blinking pixel syndrome". With certain game cards, one pixel on the screen (usually stationary) cycles through all the colors very quickly. It does not affect game play, and isn't always noticed unless it's looked for. It seems to be fixed in later Lynxes, making it even less of a factor.

The power consumption in the new Lynx is about fifteen percent less than that of the original Lynx. Harry Dodgson (hdodgson@ford.com) shows Classic using 343 mA, versus 296 mA for the Lynx II. Also, about two-thirds of the Lynx power use is for the backlight screen alone, as using the Lynx II with the backlight off used only 97 mA. He concludes, "the 'battery life of five hours' claim by Atari is realistic."

Q. Is the Lynx an 8-bit or 16-bit system?

A. If 16-bit refers to the main CPU, (such as the Sega Genesis/MegaDrive) then the Lynx is an 8-bit system. If 16-bit refers to the graphics engine, (such as the NEC TurboDuo/PC-Engine) then the Lynx is a 16-bit system.

Q. Why does the Lynx use a 6502 and not a 68000?

A. "Some people believe it's less of a processor than the 68000, for example. That series of chip was used in the Amiga, but it wouldn't make our machine do things any better. In fact, it would only make the unit larger and more expensive. It's also harder to write 68000 code, so we definitely made the right decision."
--R.J. Mical

"The real answer for the choice for the 6502 vs. 68000 was price. Secondary considerations (that did not really enter into the decision making process): 68000 code is very fat compared to 6502 code. An application that takes 1K of 6502 code averages 2.5 to 3K of 68000 code. The 6502 is very bus-efficient, the 68000 has lots of dead time on the bus. As for it being harder to write 68000 code, that is probably not true, and in any case was not part of the reason the decision was made."
--Stephen Landrum

Additionally, inside sources at Atari say that one major reason for the 6502 vs 68000 processor choice was that the 6502 design was available as a component that could be plugged into a custom chip design. This allowed engineers to build a chip with a 6502 and other supporting hardware around it all in one package. It is only around 1993-1994 that Motorola offered the 68000 as a design component.

Q. What do I get when I buy a Lynx?

A. The Lynx is available in two packages:

The Lynx "Deluxe Package" includes the Lynx unit, a copy of the CALIFORNIA GAMES game card, a carrying case, a ComLynx cable, and six AA Alkaline batteries.

The Lynx "Base Package" comes with only the Lynx, and includes no accessories.

Some stores and retailers are selling a "maximum" Lynx package which consists of the Lynx "Base Package" (unit and no accessories), and four games (titles vary by store and region). There is no word on whether this is a temporary or a permanent offer.

Q. Where can I get a review and/or comments about <insert game name here>?

Q. Where can I find secrets, tips, and hints for <insert game name here>?

A. Peter Hvezda maintains the Usenet Lynx Guide. It offers the Lynx FAQ, every Lynx game review written by Robert Jung, and the Lynx cheats list. Send e-mail to phvezda@pnfi.forestry.ca, with one or more of the following in the body of the message:

send reviews - A copy of every Lynx review ever written -- over 200K!
send cheats - Tricks and cheats for many Lynx games
send help - Detailed instructions, including how to get reviews for individual/specific games

Robert A. Jung (rjung@netcom.com) has reviews for (almost) every Lynx game and peripheral available. They are available on the Internet via anonymous ftp from ftp://ftp.netcom.com/, in the /pub/rj/rjung/reviews/lynx directory.

Nick Paiement runs a database that records ratings for Lynx games. The ratings are provided by players, and average/high/low results are calculated by Nick. The ratings and "ballots" are posted regularly to the USENET newsgroup rec.games.video.atari. Or, send electronic mail to paiement@info.polymtl.ca with the subject "get_lynx" for full details.

Q. Hey! I think I just set a new high score! How can I brag about it?

A. Jim Leonard is maintaining a running list of high scores achieved on Lynx games. This list is posted to the Internet on a semiregular basis.

If you've got a new high score, send it to trixter@mcs.com on the Internet. Include all pertinent information, including your name and difficulty settings used to set that record.

Q. Where can I meet other Lynx enthusiasts?

A. Bobby Tribble maintains the Internet AtariLink Directory, a database of Lynx and Jaguar owners and where they live. This allows fans of multiplayer games to write, to meet, and possibly to get together and play games. All arrangements are made by the people involved, allowing individual control of the level of privacy.

To see the listing, and for full information on how to sign up, check out Bobby's WWW page at http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~btribble/atarilink.html. For those without access to the web, Bobby can be reached by e-mail on the Internet at btribble@ocf.Berkeley.EDU.

Q. What accessories exist for the Lynx?

A. The following products can still be found :-
* ComLynx cable. Connects multiple Lynxes together for multiplayer games.
* AC adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any AC wall socket.
* Cigarette lighter adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any automobile cigarette lighter. Will support one or two Lynxes simultaneously.
* Atari Lynx Sun Shield. Folds down to protect the Lynx screen, and pops open to shade the Lynx screen from sunlight for outdoor play. (NOTE: There are two models; you need the one appropriate for your Lynx)
* D-cell battery pack. Holds six D-cell batteries, and can be attached with a belt clip. Alkaline batteries provides power for up to 20 hours of playing.
* Atari Lynx carrying pouch. Holds a Lynx, several game cards, and a ComLynx cable. Attaches with a wrist strap/belt loop.
* Atari Lynx Kit Case. Holds a Lynx, up to 24 game cards, and assorted accessories. Padded interior with Velcro dividers, can be customized. Carried with a handle or a shoulder strap.
* Atari Lynx power pack. Mounts on the back of the Lynx II, comes with an AC adapter which allows recharging while playing.
* Eliminator cleaning kit. Cleans game cards and cartridge slots. Comes with swabs and cleaning solution
* AC adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any 240v outlet.
* Car Power. Cigarette lighter DC adaptor.
* Pro Pouch+. Holds a Lynx and up to 20 game cartridges. Nylon with adjustable carrying straps. Comes in Black, purple, or teal blue.

Q. Is there a TV tuner option for the Lynx?

A. No. Atari's official position is that market research shows that a TV tuner, while a neat idea, would not be bought by most players. The unofficial word from Stephen Landrum is that the Lynx screen display is not capable of handling a broadcast television picture.

Q. What can I use to carry my Lynx game cards?

A. A cheap and easy solution is the plastic cases used to hold trading cards. They're transparent, sturdy, and lock shut when closed. Most hobby and comic book stores will sell them; a large case can hold up to 14 Lynx cards.

Another solution are Lynx card wallets. Each wallet holds 9 cards firmly.

For Lynx owners who don't care about brand names, a Gameboy plastic cartridge case holds two Lynx cards easily. The cases can be bought from Nintendo.

Q. What does "ComLynx" mean, exactly?

A. Some Lynx games allow multiple players to play together simultaneously. This works when each player has a Lynx game machine, and all of the machines are connected to each other via cables. The connection is the ComLynx port, and the cables are ComLynx cables. Games that support this mutiplayer simultaneous play are usually identified by the phrase "1 to N players Lynx up" on the box, the instruction manual, and/or the game card.

Q. Do all players "Lynxed up" via the ComLynx need a copy of the game being played?

A. Yes. All players need a copy of the game card.

Q. What's the ComLynx port like?

A. There is limit of 18 players via ComLynx. In practice it may be possible to connect more units together, but to operate within specifications, the drivers in the Lynx cannot drive over more than 17 units with pull-ups on the serial ports.

ComLynx runs from 300.5 to 62.5K baud. It works on a "listen and send" structure. Data transmission between Lynxes is done in the background, freeing up the CPU to run the game instead of communicating. It's called "RedEye" in-house at Atari, named after an early idea of having Lynxes communicate with infra-red transmissions.

It uses a three-wire cable (+5V/Ground/Data) and allows for bi-directional serial communications. The system frames messages in terms of 11-bit words, each consisting of a start bit, eight data bits, a parity bit, and a stop bit. The ComLynx port is used solely for communications; it can't be used to control other aspects of the Lynx, though in theory it can be used to send signals to external devices.

Q. Sometimes a multiplayer ComLynx game will freeze up. Why?

A. A ComLynxed game will freeze if communication between the Lynxes is interrupted. If communications can be restored, the game will continue. The most common cause of this problem is a fray in one of the ComLynx cables, or a loose seating in one of the ComLynx jacks. Communication is broken, and the game "freezes". Jiggling the cable or reseating the jacks may fix the solution temporarily, but the best cure is a new cable.

Q. I hear there's a ComLynx port on the Atari Jaguar.   How does that work?  Can I connect my Lynx to it?   Will there be a Lynx adaptor for the Jaguar?

A. The ComLynx port allows communication between Jaguar units and Lynx units.In theory, it would be possible to daisy-chain multiple units of either machine type for multiplayer games. At the current time, however, no such plans are in the works. Instead, it is seen as allowing Lynxes to be used as peripherals: software can be developed to allow Lynxes to be part of a Jaguar game as controllers.

An adaptor to allow the Jaguar to play Lynx games is not currently planned.

Q. My Lynx screen is badly scratched! How can I fix it, what can I do?

A. Get some "plastic scratch remover" or "plexiglass scratch remover". You can find it in hardware stores, or look in your Yellow Pages under "Plastics."

Q. How do I disassemble my Lynx II (assuming I want to)?

A. The original Lynxes were easy to take apart, for whatever reason you needed. The new Lynx IIs are more puzzling, but not impossible. The following set of (edited) instructions are provided by Ken Small (kens@umich.edu)

It's not hard, but there are a lot of fragile pieces and the electronics are sensitive to all the things that electronics are usually sensitive to, like static. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

First, remove the rubber pads from the bottom of the Lynx. They're glued on, but they peel off pretty easily. Beneath them are screw holes -- remove them. Note that it's *very* easy to tell if your lynx has been opened, since you leave holes in the glue stuff. Take off the back of the case.

Remove the screw located inside the battery area. Be careful when replacing this; it can strip easily. Mine is stripped, but the rest of the case holds the battery bay in place. Remove the battery bay piece.

You will see a circuit board with a couple of wires and circuit ribbons attached to it. Carefully unplug all of these. The ribbon in particular seems flimsy. Do not puncture or otherwise damage it. Remove the circuit board.

Beneath the circuit board is an assembly screwed to the inside of the case, which contains the screen, button contacts and buttons. A warning when unscrewing this-- the are LOTS of small pieces in here, and they're particular about how they go back in. In particular, be careful about the A/B buttons, which are slightly different sizes, and the rubber mat around the LCD screen, which has nothing to hold it in place. (NOTE: Also, there are contacts on the circuit board hooked up to the high-voltage supply for the backlight. They won't do any damage, but can give a mild shock.)

The last thing is the joypad contact itself. This is a small rubber mat held in place by a snap-on piece of plastic. You can carefully remove the plastic to get under the apron, where the contacts can be cleaned. Clean
in-between the contacts, being careful not to abrase the contacts themselves. They look like half-circles with a small (half-millimeter or less) space between. Grunge between them can register an intermittent false contact, which looks to the player like the joypad is being quickly, repeatedly pressed in one direction."

Q. What are other sources for Lynx information?

 Publications: