Create New Atari 2600 Games With BASIC
2600fan writes "Fred Quimby, a game developer for the Stella Atari 2600 emulator, has released a new BASIC compiler that can be used to create games to run on Stella and potentially on the 2600 itself. The compiler generates efficient assembly-language code in DASM syntax, then uses DASM to make a binary. A bitmapped playfield and easy-to-use scrolling routines are included, and programmers can also add inline assembly language and directly access TIA registers if they please."
The Atari 2600 was made from off-the-shelf parts, so there are no ROM licensing issues (on the platform itself). This is why Mattel was able to make a 2600 add-on for the Intellivision.
Seems crazy now -- Imagine having a hardware add-on for the Gamecube that played PS2 games!