Ok, it was me not saving the config for the Rom in the Options menu... Now it works perfectly. Thanks again.

Found an issue with source code. Pull request are pending. https://github.com/libretro/libretro-atari800/pull/38

@mitu I solved it by zipping the roms

Ok I just did one more test and I downloaded the Atari800 core from the retropie setup and it does have perfect sound quality (audio coming from my left speaker only, though), and it uses the same BIOs files than the lr-atari800 core. Is this normal? I want to use the lr-atari800 because of the keyboard being mapped to the joypad, or maybe if it is a way to get into the Retroarch menu in Atari800, and the set up my gamepad being Atari Joystick? Thanks in advance!

UPDATE: Not sure how it happened, but the keyboard was no longer "configured" in retropie. So I re-configured it as a controller... and now my keyboard is working for both the Atari2600 and 800. I am able to use the old school joysticks for gameplay, with the keyboard for the extra buttons. So to tweak my question... for those of you using older joysticks with limited buttons, what's your favorite way to handle those extra buttons for emulators that need it? Use the keyboard and label those weird buttons (like Option, difficulty, etc) so others can play without you babysitting? I saw someone solder buttons onto the atari joystick to handle those extra 2600 buttons - that seems aggressive! I was thinking of a small, wireless keypad (like this: https://www.amazon.com/Jelly-Comb-Financial-Accounting-Extensions/dp/B078XQR7R6/) that I can label to make it easy for others. Thoughts?

This is the solution of the problem: Step 1 Launch any game If the game starts automatically then everything is OK, otherwise one of these 2 conditions may occur: 1. Black screen 2. 2a. Atari logo and "Copyright 19 Atari" text 2b. Crash screen: "!!! The Atari computer has crashed !!!" and a series of options If condition 1 occurs, you must do this: a. Press F5 if you have the keyboard inserted, or X button on the joypad The system will perform a "warm reset" and at this point you will arrive at condition 2. Step 2 If you have the keyboard connected: press ALT + C, If you only have the joypad (not recommended, because many games require the keyboard), click A with the joypad on "Menu" and in the next menu click A with the joypad on "Cartridge Managment" Select "Cartridge: none" and press the enter key (or A with the joypad) (there may already be the name of the rom instead of "none", but it does not matter) Now you should see the directory (atari800) with all the roms, and the rom you have chosen in the emulation station menu already selected Press the enter key (or A with the jpypad) on that same rom * A new menu will open: "Select Cartridge Type" Select "Standard XX KB Cartridge" (where XX may vary with 8, 16, 32 or 64 depending on the selected rom) and press the enter key (or A with the joypad) Then you will return to the menu: "Cartridge Management", press ESC and again ESC (or X and again X with the joypad) The game will be launched! * it may happen that the menu: "Select Cartridge Type" does not appear. No fear, just press ESC and again ESC (or X and again X with the jpypad) to launch the game.

The stand-alone Atari800 emulator, not the Retroarch lr-atari800, you can goto the menu (F1), then "Display Settings", then scroll down to "Color preset" and select "Vibrant". That fixed the washed-out look, for me. There is also a manual "Saturation" setting, under the color preset, so you can further increase the saturation, if required. Mine is set to 0.28.

@SpudsMcToole said in Is it possible to reinstall an older version of an emulator?: Fortunately, in the last possible attempt before having to type lines like THAT, I got it all working... Very nice! Glad to hear everything's working now. Something to keep in mind for future endeavors is that no one actually types command lines like the ones listed above, as there would be too much margin for error. For situations like that, a quick copy and paste into a remote ssh session will save finger cramping and your sanity.

@lummox-jr It should let you edit it now that some time has passed. If not, I'll delete it and you can post your revision below. In any event, thanks for posting your solution. I don't currently have any games in mind that this would apply to, but I'm sure I'll run across some eventually and I'll give this a shot.

Doesnt look like atari800 emulation has robust input mapping. But read more here? https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Atari-800-and-5200

@buzz Well thats a given when moving to any new set of packages. :)

I forgot that updated GOONIES Logo

I think i have similar problem. i can't change type of the machine and TV standard. I always endup with Atari 800, 48k, NTSC. If screen mode of my Pi Zero is 50Hz i have difficulity with the keyboard, like it running on max speed. Only game i have and can run with this setup is Jet Set Willy. Music is obviously at 60Hz sync and scroller have drops due to 50Hz screen and 60Hz emulation interference. Changes made in emulators menu (F1) are saved properly. But the emulator never respect them. Or some of them. Because paths to ROM files and BIOS files are used so as the color settings. Am i missing somehting obvious? It's seems to be caused by something in emul. execution parameters witch overrides the cfg values. I don't know. And i want my Draconus, believe me. What i have already done: Downloaded and installed the retropie twice. Updated system and retropie Changed, rewrited, downloaded from other people and saved from emulator. Config file Atari800.cfg. Changed the rasberry screen mode to 50Hz and back. Changed ROM specific (a button during game launch) config to 50Hz, added MACHINE_TYPE=Atari XL/XE, DEFAULT_TV_MODE=PAL and... nothing. thanx guys.

@spruce_m00se is there a BIOS file for the 800? The required BIOS files are listed here. Edit: Be sure not to enable the 'save on exit' option, as it will corrupt your config file when exiting.

@LS650 its nice to see more and more atariage users showing up on here. Im pimpaul69 on atariage.

FYI I have same problem but in RetroArch that recently gained atari800 support, different platform - NVIDIA Shield TV (Android). I have decided to file a bug report at: https://github.com/atari800/atari800/issues/13