Super Explode

Super Explode v5 Screenshot
Technical Info
ROM	16 kbyte
RAM	None
Hardware features	1 Button reset (and freeze)
Manual	PDF: Super Explode V5.0 Reference Guide PDF: Super Explode V5.0 Schematic
CRT ID	None yet

Super Explode v5 by The Soft Group seems to be quite rare. The cartridge is mainly designed for fast loading and printing operations with some basic support for Video Byte II a video digitizer by the same company. 1989 was extremely late for such a cartridge to become somewhat of a success but the fast loader is quick and seems reliable. A text file accompanying the ROM states it may be the "V-Max NTSC fastloader" but that should be checked a little closer.

Mayhem64 describes the Super Explode! v5 very nicely:

Super Explode! 5

Super Explode! version 5 is primarily a graphics cartridge. It is designed to capture, manipulate, and edit screens and then print them. Its color print capability includes recolorization, and it dumps to all but one available color printer. Its extensive ability to manipulate graphics images makes it the cartridge of choice for graphics buffs. (Note that Super Explode! interfaces with The Soft Group's Video Byte system, a low-cost video digitizer designed to capture full-color images from a VCR or live camera.)

Super Explode! 5's modest utility repertoire includes a complete disk-turbo feature, directory list to screen, single-stroke disk commands, and easy access to the error channel. These commands are not implemented on function keys, nor are the function keys programmed. There is no BASIC toolkit, monitor, or disk-backup or archiving capability. There is a fast multiple-copy file routine, as well as an unnew command. The freeze button doubles as a reset.

The manual is on disk (you must print it out) and is rather haphazard. Nonetheless, it contains a wealth of technical information. Topics include split screens, elementary and advanced file conversion (for Doodle, Koala, text screens, and custom character sets), sprite manipulation, and sprite overlay. If you require few utility functions but extensive graphics capability, Super Explode! 5 is for you.

Functionality

The functions we discovered on the ROM are accessible when hitting F1, F7 or RETURN after the border flashing on reset and powerup. The meaning of F2 - F6 and F8 or SPACE during powerup remains unclear.

• Fast serial LOAD and SAVE
• Fast format
• Image conversion and printing functions on menu
• "@" - DOS wedge
• "$" - Directory
• "pound symbol" prints SUPER EXPLODE! V5.0 and towards the end of the screen (C)1989
• "+" - looks like crash, but disables fast load and save - other functions remain intact
• "-" - Executes SYS32768 (usually hits some break there) and crashes. A BRK such as Poke 2,0:SYS2 disables fast load and save as well.
• "M" - Enters the menu
• "%" - LOADs a file
• "/" - LOADs a file
• "Shift+L"FILENAME"" - translates to %
• "Shift+R"FILENAME"" - sort of "types" the file
• "Shift+S"FILENAME"" - displays the file start address
• "Shift+V" - prints POKE53281,2 and positions cursor to start
• "Shift+A" - clears the screen, prints a shifted C to line 24 and positions cursor in line 25
• "Shift+O" - prints OPEN4,4,2:CMD4:LIST' new line PRINT#4:CLOSE4 and positions the cursor on the OPEN
• "=" as well as the round brackets do something we could not be arsed to figure out

Missing

• Super Explode! v3 ROM Dumps
• Super Explode! v4 ROM Dumps
• Super Explode! Disks

Binaries

Cartridge_Speeder_all_rr.c64.org.rar contains:

• Super Explode v5 .bin and .crt
• PDF: Super Explode V5.0 Reference Guide
• PDF: Super Explode V5.0 Schematic

Weblinks

• The Mayhem64 has a passage on the Super Explode! 5
• http://commodore64.allhell.com/custom.html came up with some company info