Sierra Game Compiler & MPE support

The Sierra Game Compiler creates native games that run on your classic computer’s own CPU. The Mean Hamster Power Engine for 8-Bits (MPE) teams up the computer’s own CPU with the processor inside a supported cartridge for enhanced games, emulators and peripheral features.

The Windows 1.1.17 compiler supports 17 AGI adventures for both C64 and Atari XL/XE: 14 original Sierra titles and three fan adventures, including Space Quest: The Lost Chapter version 10.0. The Mac 1.1.15 catalog retains 16 adventures. Other Games includes native C64 versions of Another World and M.U.L.E.+. These versions run without cartridge CPU assistance. The cartridge supplies storage, and the computer does the processing.

Version 1.1.13 adds Highly Experimental builds of King’s Quest I and Space Quest I for MSX2, Coleco ADAM and TI-99/4A. All five systems build directly on Windows without WSL.

• MSX2: 64 KB RAM, V9938/V9958 video and 128 KB VRAM. Both games produce 4 MiB ASCII16 cartridge ROMs.
• Coleco ADAM: 128 KB total RAM (64 KB internal plus a 64 KB expansion). Output is a 2 MiB ADAMnet disk image.
• TI-99/4A: standard 32 KB expansion RAM. Output includes an RPK and a 2 MiB banked cartridge BIN.

Both games have passed packaged compilation for each system. Full-game and real-hardware testing remain open.

Use an Atari XL/XE with at least 64 KB RAM, or an Atari 800 with an Incognito board or similar upgrade. King’s Quest II, Police Quest and Space Quest II require MegaMax 2 MB cartridge capacity. Space Quest: The Lost Chapter also requires a compatible 2 MB Atari cartridge format. Choose the Atari cartridge format offered by the compiler for your game.

Depending on the game and build format, AGI releases use 1 MiB or 2 MiB cartridge images. Native Another World requires the expanded 4 MiB EasyFlash format. Your cartridge and firmware must support the selected format and capacity. A standard 1 MiB EasyFlash cartridge cannot hold a 4 MiB game. Native Atari builds use Atari cartridge formats.

• Kung Fu Flash 2: Our H17-and-later firmware supports read-only 4 MiB EasyFlash ROMs.
• TeensyROM+: Our updated firmware supports these ROMs too.
• Ultimate 64 / Ultimate 64-II: Official firmware 3.15 expanded cartridge storage to 4 MB. See the release notes.
• Ultimate-II+ / II+L: The 3.15a source includes 4 MiB cartridge storage and the required 256-bank EasyFlash addressing. Use a firmware build that includes this support. See the EasyFlash implementation.

Stock VICE 3.10 does not support this expanded EasyFlash format. We provide an experimental patch that adds read-only 2 MiB and 4 MiB support. Follow our VICE patch and build instructions to create a compatible build.

The same 4 MiB image has also been reported unable to run in Denise 2.7. A loading failure can be an emulator compatibility issue even when the generated cartridge is correct.

Released MPE support covers Kung Fu Flash 2 and TeensyROM+ for C64, plus A8PicoCart and A8PicoDuo for Atari XL/XE. Windows MPE 2.2.0 includes the latest additions; the published Mac release remains 2.1.5.

We renamed the application Mean Hamster Power Engine for 8-Bits because more supported cartridges are joining the MPE family.

MPE combines cartridge processing with our display technology. On C64, Prism+ enables higher-resolution, EGA-style graphics for supported games such as The Secret of Monkey Island. MPE also supports SCI adventures such as Space Quest III.

The C64 still handles displaying the picture, input, SID sound and supported save/load features—including floppy saves where available. Games and features vary by cartridge.

They offer two ways to play. Native versions run on the computer’s own CPU. MPE versions use cartridge assistance: AGI adventures retain their familiar appearance while benefiting from improved performance, and Another World gains a higher-resolution picture closer to the original.

No. The desktop app prepares the game files and card. The classic computer runs the native game, or works with its MPE cartridge, when you play. The desktop app is also where you prepare later updates.

No. Loading a native cartridge image still runs the game on the computer’s own CPU; the cartridge provides storage. Loading an MPE package uses its matching cartridge runtime for assistance. The game edition and launch format determine the approach.

HamsterOS for MPE is an optional desktop for the supported C64 and Atari cartridges. HamsterOS for PCs is a separate operating system with its own disk images and applications. Choose the download for your machine; their application packages are not interchangeable.

Features vary by cartridge, player and host computer. An emulator entry identifies an offered player, not compatibility with every ROM. Check its supported formats, controls, saves and device requirements. Mouse and disk features can involve emulation or supported physical hardware; follow the selected cartridge’s instructions.

The tools are free to download. For supported commercial titles, you supply your own original game files; the compiler prepares them for your chosen computer and cartridge.