SallyCanWait Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I'm just starting the process of rebuilding my Atari 2600 collection after it being stolen over a decade ago. I've ended up with a couple of carts that are acting strange. I get it. When they're dead, they're just dead, but these are coming on, ready to play, but they're not functioning correctly. One is Starmaster that I bought at a flea market. I turn the power on and reset the game and I'm perpetually flying around the starfield with no enemies ever showing up. The other is Towering Inferno that I bought from 2600.com. I click reset and the game is going like normal. The helicopter flies to the ground and the first stage comes up and is displaying as normal waiting for me to begin, but I can't move. My little guy just stands there while the fire is killing everyone off. I'm not having troubles like these with any of my other carts. Is that just the end of it? Do I just need to spend the couple of dollars to replace them, or is there some hope that I can make them work somehow? Send me to another thread if this topic is already covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cvga Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I think Towering Inferno uses the right joystick port. I recall reading about others having the same issue. Have you looked at the instructions for Starmaster? You need to use the switches on the actual Atari along with the joystick to play. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimefighter Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Have you cleaned the contacts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TwentySixHundred Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) Starmaster uses the colour/black and white switches for warping (warp zones), you have to flick the switch and a screen pops up. Move the player pixel to areas with one, two or three small pixels (they represent enemy fighters) and press fire. You will notice the ship go into warp speed and the green cockpit control panel will turn red indicating enemy within the area. Blast em and when none remain the cockpit colour will change to green repeat process until game complete. The larger pixels on the map are refuel ships that you can dock (refills the "E" meter). Starmaster is one my favorites from back in the day, a little too easy but nonetheless still fun. PS: you gotta read the manuals there is nothing wrong with your system or the carts, just haven't read the manuals. Edited January 31, 2014 by Tony The 2600 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCanWait Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Cool. No problems with Towering Inferno now. Thanks, cvga. I never would have thought to use the "wrong" joystick. Decent gameplay and kind of fun...now that I can move around. And...Starmaster also works. So, thanks to Tony The 2600 for that tip. Looks like this one is a little more complicated than I gave it credit for. Not a turn on and play type of game. Time to study that manual. Yep, I give them a good cleaning as soon as I get them, especially from flea markets. Usually the ones ordered from more reputable sites seem to be ready to go out of the envelope. Such odd gameplay for both of these, or ways to go at playing them. Thanks for the tips, y'allz... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+cvga Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 No problem and welcome to AtariAge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SallyCanWait Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks! Happy to be here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karokoenig Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Sometimes one has to read the manual. Even for an Atari game. Don't worry, most of us had this learning experience as well, hehe. Welcome to AtariAge! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TwentySixHundred Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Cool. No problems with Towering Inferno now. Thanks, cvga. I never would have thought to use the "wrong" joystick. Decent gameplay and kind of fun...now that I can move around. And...Starmaster also works. So, thanks to Tony The 2600 for that tip. Looks like this one is a little more complicated than I gave it credit for. Not a turn on and play type of game. Time to study that manual. Yep, I give them a good cleaning as soon as I get them, especially from flea markets. Usually the ones ordered from more reputable sites seem to be ready to go out of the envelope. Such odd gameplay for both of these, or ways to go at playing them. Thanks for the tips, y'allz... No worries mate, yeah may seem odd using console switches for some games. You haven't seen nothing till you pick up {Space Shuttle: A Journey Into Space} lol. http://atariage.com/manual_thumbs.html?SystemID=2600&SoftwareID=1313&ItemTypeID=MANUAL Also Welcome to AtariAge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nukey Shay Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 BTW you can substitute either difficulty switch instead of B&W for Starmaster. All 3 switches share the same function in that program (regardless of what the manual says). Useful if you are using a 7800, or a console that has no B&W switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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