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Loader And Screen Differences


Spider

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There are some changes between the various releases and re-releases of Manic Miner with both the loader and the loading screen itself. Here I'll detail the changes.

There are four* official versions:

The Bug Byte release (this comes in two inlay covers to confuse matters more and has two slight variations in code)
The Software Projects release
The MAD (Mastertronic Added Dimension) re-release
The Ventamatic release

Loader (Bug Byte) original:

mm_orig_loader.jpg

And its loading pic. Note this is just the middle third attributes with this version' date=' ie 256 bytes starting at 22784. Shown on a white background to illustrate:

mm_pic_orig.gif

Loader (Bug Byte) 'alternative':

mm_orig_alt_loader.jpg

The loading pic is a full 768 bytes starting at 22528

mm_pic_alt.gif

The basic is also slightly different between these versions too, the 'alt' version is missing a Border command.

Loader (Software Projects):

mm_sp_loader.jpg

And its picture shown with the basic text display of author / publisher:

mm_sp_pic.gif

The picture is again a shortened one, just 256 bytes starting at 22784

Loader (Mastertronic Added Dimension) Re-Release:

mm_mad_loader.jpg

Different loader again.

What is interesting (shown on loading picture) is the pic code starts with a t: indicating it may of come from a +2A/+2B or +3 machine. Again a short one 256 bytes again. The game code uses the Software Projects release.
 

mm_mad_pic.gif

Loader (Ventamatic) Release:

Substantially different loader with a cheat if you type VENTAMATIC (caps needed) although its slightly based on the Software Projects loader with regard to the author information block. The game code appears to be using the Software Projects code too with some language changes, based on the 'triangle' used in the SP version of the game on the Warehouse screen and the 'typewriter' version of the screen cheat.

mm_venta_loader1.jpg

mm_venta_loader2.jpg

Author info is shown on the loader, added by the basic:

mm_venta_pic.gif
 

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