===============================================================================
=                            Champ Games Presents                             =
=                             Star Castle Arcade                              =
=                        A game for the Atari 2600 VCS                        =
=                   Copyright (C) 2014, 2024 - Team Antonym                   =
===============================================================================

*** ABOUT ***

This ROM file is a fully playable demo version of Star Castle Arcade for the Atari 2600 with the following restrictions:

- Difficulty options are limited.
- No bonus ships are awarded.

If you enjoy the demo of Star Castle Arcade and would like to purchase the full version, it is available as a ROM file
or as a physical cartridge (includes box, manual and poster) from the Champ Games store:

Full ROM from Champ Games:                  https://champ.games/store/ols/products/rom-star-castle-arcade
Cartridge from Champ Games:  	            https://champ.games/store/ols/products/cart-star-castle-arcade
Champ Games store:                          https://champ.games/store

For additional information about the game:  https://champ.games/presents

Thank you for your support and have fun! 


*** COMPATIBILITY ***

* TV type *

The Star Castle Arcade demo ROM can be played on NTSC and PAL60 systems.  The TV type can be changed from the title screen by pressing the SELECT switch.


* Multi-carts *

Multi-carts are special cartridges that plug into a real Atari 2600 (or compatible) and allow you to play various ROM files 
either on an SD card or via WiFi.

Here are a list of multi-carts that Star Castle Arcade has been tested with and the current compatibility.  
Where applicable, the version in () indicates the minimum BIOS requirement for the multi-cart.  

Multi-carts                 Compatible?         Website
----------------------      ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Harmony                     Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html      
Harmony Encore              Yes                 https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html
Unocart                     No                  https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/uno-2600-cartridge
PlusCart+                   No                  https://pluscart.firmaplus.de/pico/

NOTE: There are two ROMs included for Star Castle Arcade:  a .bin and a .cu file.  The .cu ROM should be 
      run from a Harmony or Harmony Encore.  The .bin ROM is for running Star Castle Arcade on an emulator.

* Emulators *

An emulator is a special program that that emulates an Atari 2600, allowing you to play ROMs on your computer.  

Here are a list of emulators that Star Castle Arcade has been tested with and the current compatibility:

Emulator                    Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
Stella (v6.6+)              Yes                 https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html
Stellarator                 Yes                 https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/#/cartridge-manager
Gopher2600                  Yes                 https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases
StellaDS		    Yes			https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/StellaDS
Javatari                    Yes                 https://javatari.org/


* Emulator consoles *

An emulator console is a physical game system that emulates an Atari 2600.  These systems allow you to play ROMs on devices 
like HD televisions (or in some cases, on the go).  

Some of these systems allow you to play game ROMs via an SD cart and some even have a cartridge slot.  

Emulated Console            Compatible?         Website
---------------------       ---------------     --------------------------------------------------------
AtGames Flashback           No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-9
AtGames Flashback Portable  No                  https://www.atgames.us/products/atari-flashback-portable-2019
RetroN 77 (cartridge slot)  No                  https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
RetroN 77 (SD card)         Yes*                https://hyperkinlab.com/retron-77-hd-gaming-console-for-2600-hyperkin/
Atari 2600+	            Yes                 https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus
Atari Gamestation Pro       Yes                 https://www.myarcadegaming.com/products/atari-gamestation-pro

*requires the firmware of the RetroN 77 to be upgraded.  Details can be found at https://atariage.com/forums/topic/289929-stella-6-on-the-r77-the-eagle-is-landing/


*** THE STORY ***

For centuries the feudal Star Lords have controlled the galaxy from their 
impenetrable Star Castles.   Once they were hailed as protectors of peace, 
now they serve only to plunder the galaxy of its energy and wealth.   You 
have assembled a small fleet of ships to destroy the Star Castles and rid the 
galaxy of their scourge.   How they laughed when they heard of your plans, 
oh how they laughed!

*** INTRODUCTION ***

Star Castle Arcade is an Atari 2600 version of the classic Cinematronics 
arcade game.   The objective of the game is simple: destroy the Star Castles, 
collect as many points as you can, and survive for as long as possible.

*** GAME PLAY ***

Note: Full instructions for rubyQ are available on the Champ Games website here: https://champ.games/presents-game-manuals

Each Star Castle is fixed at the center of the screen.   The castle is 
protected by three rotating energy rings.   Each ring consists of twelve 
segments, which can be individually destroyed when hit twice by your ship's 
missiles.   Beware that destroying the outer ring completely will cause the 
remaining energy rings to expand outwards, and a new inner energy ring will 
be generated.

Star Castles are defended by three homing mines, which will destroy your ship 
on contact.   These mines will follow your ship around the screen until they 
run out of fuel or you shoot them.  The Star Castle can be destroyed by a 
single missile hit on the central gun through a gap in the rings. But beware! 
Once such a gap has been made, the gun will be able to shoot deadly energy 
bolts at your ship!

You begin the game with five ships, and an extra ship will be awarded for each
Star Castle that you destroy. The Star Castles will become more and more 
aggressively defended as you progress through the game!

Note: In the demo version, the difficulty is limited and there are no extra 
      ships awarded.

*** GAME CONTROLS ***

Plug your joystick controller into the LEFT CONTROLLER port.  Press the FIRE 
button on the joystick to begin a new game.  During the game, hold the joystick 
in the RIGHT or LEFT positions to rotate your ship clockwise or anti-clockwise.   
Hold the joystick in the UP position to accelerate your ship in the direction 
that it is facing.   Press the FIRE button on the joystick to shoot a missile 
from the front of your ship.

On an Atari 2600 console, the game can be paused by sliding the COLOR/BW 
switch to the BW position.   The game will resume when the switch is returned 
to the COLOR position.    On an Atari 7800 console, press the PAUSE button 
once to pause the game, and again to resume the game.   To abandon a game 
and return to the title screen, press the RESET switch.

*** SCORING ***

Points are awarded as follows:

  Outer Ring  - 10 points per segment destroyed.
  Middle Ring - 20 points per segment destroyed.
  Inner Ring  - 30 points per segment destroyed.
  Star Castle - 1440 points when destroyed, plus an extra ship.

No points are awarded for destroying the homing mines.

*** GAME OPTIONS ***

The game colors can be switched between NTSC, PAL, and BW modes by pressing 
the SELECT switch on the title screen.

Note: In the demo version, the difficulty switches are not suported.

When the LEFT DIFFICULTY switch is in the B position, the game will begin 
with the normal level of difficulty.  With the LEFT DIFFICULTY switch in 
the A position, the game will begin at a higher level of difficulty and 
with only three ships.

When the RIGHT DIFFICULTY switch is in the B position, your ship will be 
deflected by the rings should it get too close.   With the RIGHT DIFFICULTY 
switch in the A position, a collision with the Star Castle will destroy 
your ship.

Note that changes to the difficulty switch settings will only take effect 
when you begin a new game.

*** HIGH SCORE TABLE ***

At the end of the game, you may be prompted to enter your initials into the 
high score table.   To enter your initials, hold the joystick UP or DOWN
to change the currently selected initial, and hold the joystick LEFT or RIGHT 
to select the next or previous initial.   Pressing FIRE will save your initials 
into the high score table.   

There is a separate high score table for each combination of difficulty 
switches.  The game type shown at the top of the high score table relates 
to the following difficulty switch settings:

  Game Type | Left Difficulty | Right Difficulty
------------------------------------------------------
  Game 1    | B | B
  Game 2    | A | B (not available in demo version)
  Game 3    | B | A (not available in demo version)
  Game 4    | A | A (not available in demo version)

WARNING: The high scores are saved permanently onto the game cartridge.   
Do not switch off the console or unplug the cart immediately after entering 
your initials on the high score table.  Doing so may cause the saved scores 
to become corrupt.   It is safe to switch off the console when the title 
screen is showing.  

*** DURING THE CHAMP GAMES SPLASH SCREEN ***

Proper Bightness Calibration
If you hold the joystick LEFT and then press FIRE, a simple brightness 
calibration screen shows up. At this screen you should adjust contrast and
brightness, so that you can see and distinct all eight bars. Your leave the 
screen by pressing RESET.

Erase High Scores
If you hold the joystick RIGHT and then press FIRE, a simple menu shows up 
which allows you to wipe the high scores. With Joystick UP and DOWN you select
one entry and then press FIRE


*** CREDITS ***

Game Programming:           Chris Walton and Thomas Jentzsch
Game Artwork:               Nathan Strum
Sound Effects:              Ivan Machado and Thomas Jentzsch
Title Music:                Richard 'Kulor' Armijo
Cart Label:                 David Dries and Nathan Strum
Cart Hardware:              Fred Quimby
Publishing:                 Champ Games	(www.champ.games)

Star Castle Arcade would not have been possible without the help and support of
the great folks on AtariAge (www.atariage.com).  Star Castle Arcade may not be 
reproduced or distributed without permission.

