Matra and Bitwise to release games on cartridge

Following the release of INK: EXXON SURFING last year, both Matra and Bitwise are currently re-releasing INK on a somewhat unconventional software medium: for the first time in years it's possible to buy MSX software on cartridge again! The game itself has been improved in several ways: extra options were added and it now features the Double Dabble feature. Much like with old Konami games, INK behaves in MSX1-mode when run on a genuine MSX1, and in MSX2-mode when run on an MSX2 or higher. This re-release marks the beginning of a new software label: $olid $tate $oftware. New software released under this label is likely to be released on cartridge!

A limited offer runs until April 16th: when the game is ordered before that date, a free audio CD containing the background musics of the game will be sent along: THRILL OUT: SURGEMIX. Afterwards it won't be possible to separately order the audio CD anymore.

Relevant link: $olid $tate $oftware - INK (Bitwise)
Relevant link: $olid $tate $oftware - INK (Matra)

Comments (23)

By BiFi

Enlighted (4348)

02-04-2006, 12:07

Much like with old Konami games, INK behaves in MSX1-mode when run on a genuine MSX1, and in MSX2-mode when run on an MSX2 or higher.
The only thing Konami did like this is palette updating... MSXdev'05 also has games which have this feature. Real MSX1/MSX2 things would look more like King's Valley 2 for MSX1 or MSX2.

By Google

By Ivan

Scribe (8942)

02-04-2006, 12:34

I like the idea of MSX games on cartridge (so I've ordered this new version of INK).

Btw, is there any site where I can see screenshots of Bloody Paws? I've only found a ZX Spectrum review of the game at Computer Emuzone.

The story of Bloody Paws is quite curious, it seems that it was released commercially for the ZX in the early nineties.

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8204)

02-04-2006, 14:14

Btw, is there any site where I can see screenshots of Bloody Paws? I've only found a ZX Spectrum review of the game at Computer Emuzone.Well, I don't know how to make shots of tape games, otherwise you'd have got some... On the web there's a website with a ZX emulator and the game. You could try that, the MSX version is pretty much the same

By Manuel

Enlighted (7234)

02-04-2006, 14:23

Just record the tape into your PC and run it with openMSX and use the screenshot feature.

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8204)

02-04-2006, 14:33

The problem is of the first category: recording it into my PC... Don't have the right equipment, I'm afraid :\

By Ivan

Scribe (8942)

02-04-2006, 15:22

Well, I don't know how to make shots of tape games, otherwise you'd have got some... On the web there's a website with a ZX emulator and the game. You could try that, the MSX version is pretty much the same

Is it a direct conversion from ZX? I wonder if it makes use of the MSX capabilities.

By snout

Ambassador (13688)

02-04-2006, 17:45

Great initiative, guyz!

By wolf_

Ambassador (9116)

02-04-2006, 20:33

Are these newly produced cartridges? Or are they just reincarnated boxes from old games that have been killed?

By Manuel

Enlighted (7234)

02-04-2006, 22:09

D-Tail: are you sure you don't have an MSX datarecorder at hand? You can connect the white pin to the audio-in part of your PC and start recording!

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8204)

02-04-2006, 23:09

Are these newly produced cartridges? Or are they just reincarnated boxes from old games that have been killed? These carts are - by definition of Matra - new. Wouldn't surprise me if they'd be wrapped in that neat plastic of them

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8204)

02-04-2006, 23:10

D-Tail: are you sure you don't have an MSX datarecorder at hand? You can connect the white pin to the audio-in part of your PC and start recording!I know, I know... point is, I don't have the right cable. BTW - My datarecorder died in Nijmegen. For the last recording session, about 2PM, I had to borrow a recorder from MCWF. By the way, thanks again guys!

By Manuel

Enlighted (7234)

03-04-2006, 09:07

You just need the standard MSX datarecorder cable...

By viejo_archivero

Paragon (1295)

05-04-2006, 23:40

/me waiting for my INK cartridge to arrive . This is a moment to remember: the development of new MSX cartridges... and it's just 19,95€... and the game is really FUN!.

By Ivan

Scribe (8942)

05-04-2006, 23:53

19,99€ is an excellent price for a cartridge. I will buy more games on cartridge from Matra.

Btw, is it the first game on cartridge after the "commercial period"? Time ago Parallax released a game on cartridge if I remember well.

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8204)

06-04-2006, 11:32

Ivan: afaik that was for the copy protection. But hey, that's also years ago, isn't it?

Some dude, who wants to remain anonymous for a certain reason, mailed me some shots of Bloody Paws and INK - Tape version. For the interested, read the INK (tape) game description and the Bloody Paws game description.

By viejo_archivero

Paragon (1295)

06-04-2006, 12:36

Some more info about the speccy version of Bloody Paws (spanish), here. AFAIK is a direct spectrum port, done with the permission of the author of the speccy game.

INK is a great arcade/maze game, with a nice gameplay (I bought the game in tape some months ago). There are a lot of stages, and difficulty increases makin' the game really addictive. You play the role of a squill that must paint all the stage with its ink in order to proceed to the next one: but is not that easy! -you do not have infinite ink-. You must reload your ink reserves by passing again over a already painted zone of the sea, so your ink meter can grow and you will be able to paint again. And you must avoid the other sea creatures not to touch you, otherwise they will kill you!. You can pause the enemies by pressing the action button... all enemies over the "inked" sea will freeze! (you can do this just a few times). A nice fun game with a great playability and very very polished, from the ingame to the intro screens...!. And now, you can have it in a cartridge!... go get it now! (/me waiting for it) :D

By Ivan

Scribe (8942)

06-04-2006, 21:06

I would also buy Bloody Paws if it was in cartridge format.

viejo_archivero: thanks for the link to the review at Computer Emuzone, I already submitted in the second reaction to the newspost.

[D-Tail]: thanks for the screenshots. Last time they weren't there, Bitwise has updated their homepage.

By [D-Tail]

Ascended (8204)

06-04-2006, 22:03

I would also buy Bloody Paws if it was in cartridge format.

viejo_archivero: thanks for the link to the review at Computer Emuzone, I already submitted in the second reaction to the newspost.

[D-Tail]: thanks for the screenshots. Last time they weren't there, Bitwise has updated their homepage.You never know when Matra is involved - it just may be around someday

BTW - Welcome, twice

By Sonic_aka_T

Enlighted (4129)

12-04-2006, 01:24

Does anyone know if these cartridges use a mapper? And if so what the maximum size of a cartridge would be? It would be really cool to see more MSX software released like this!

By poke-1,170

Paragon (1605)

12-04-2006, 03:57

nice to see some good gfx guys doing the INK game...
it looks pretty damn cute, I like the style.

By tomelom

Supporter (4)

03-05-2006, 17:27

Anybody heard anything about these catridges? I got an email from Bitwise today: "We'd also like to announce that $$$ - INK hasn't been arrived at the Bitwise
Web HQ yet and as such, it hasn't been sent out yet. We expect to receive
the package later on this week, or maybe next week."

I have'nt payed for it yet. Should I trust that they will deliver and pay them before they have the cartridges in stock?

By mohai

Champion (336)

02-10-2006, 17:36

To the ones who are doubting about Matra quality. http://www.matranet.net/
I bought INK EXXON SURFING a couple of days ago. The quality is impressive. A brand new cartdrige. No used parts at all. A good looking board (i could not open) inside a black rounded-square case. In the case there is a sticker with the game logo. Cart is completed with a small instructions manual. All this is inside a small card-shaped full colour box, made of thin cardboard. There is a small lier to cover the rest of the cart and it. The box comes wrapped in plastic.
I think the cart looks really professional and the price is quite cheap. The game is funny and really addictive also.
Also, Matra offer the opportunity to have your own game inside a cart. Read more in http://www.matranet.net/

By jltursan

Paragon (1340)

03-10-2006, 18:54

Indeed!, I purchased one too and it's really superb, nice and original packaging and even better cartridge quality, in no way it seems a fan production. Very good job!

...and thumbs up for the color palette used in the MSX2 version!

Matra and Bitwise to release games on cartridge

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