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Amityville315

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  1. Thanks Ikrananka! Will look into the power switch as you recommended. And Archie in Tutankham is on ice skates....got it. Thanks for confirming - wanted to be sure it wasnt a controller issue.
  2. Wow, thanks for the kind replies. I cleaned out the cartridge slot and gave the power switch a good workout (after yanking the cord out) and it seemed a little better. Star Treks graphics improved a bit, but still some flicker that makes the game unplayable. Oils Well is about 90% ok and Jumpman Jr. looks perfect. Can anyone confirm that Tutankham is supposed to move like Pepper 2? Meaning, its like you are sliding from point A to point B by just tapping the stick in that direction? Im going to try and fix one of the Action Controllers this weekend. Any recommendations on alternative controllers definitely appreciated. I may end up just buying a modded Colecovision and selling the one I have. Grabbed it from a local retro dealer in original box just on a whim and Im really enjoying some of the games. The thing is, these type of games are very frustrating without a soild controller, as they are based on skill and reflexes. With my Atari 5200, I ended up with a competition pro 2 controller after a lengthy search and many repairs on the stock ones. Id rather avoid that and just get the best option. Thanks again everyone, I always appreciate when folks share their knowledge.
  3. I picked up a Colecovision about 2 months ago and Im enjoying the games a lot! Oils Well, Pepper 2, Jumpman, Tutankham...some really excellent games. However, the system I have is giving me some problems. Sporadically, the graphics on any given cartridge get wonky onscreen - sometimes showing your character off to the side of the screen or enemies ghosting in places they are not. Does anyone have experience with this? Ive tried cleaning the cartridges and it seems to help but isnt a solution. Does the system need to be opened up and cleaned? Also, the stock controllers arent for me. I grabbed a set of Super Action Controllers but they need some work. My best one has a hard time going up, and I have to really pin it to move. Can these be fixed or would I be better off finding another brand? Ive had a 5200 for quite some time now, so Im accustomed to fixing those controllers, maybe these arent tough to refurbish either? Id love to get a Colecovision with the video mod... Thanks everyone, Id appreciate any assistance or advice you might have!
  4. Crossbow, that PDF is great. I wish I had that last year when I had 5 controllers torn apart on my work bench! I learned a bit here, some on Youtube, but finally managed to figure out how to repair them. Putting the controller back together is the hardest part. Finally learned it's easier to hold it upside down so the joystick and numberpad line up correctly without slipping! I did get one controller from Best just to have one controller working properly. After that, I took the best parts I had on my bench and repaired another one. Surprisingly, I prefer the one I fixed better than my Best one. It's smoother and the rubber boot centers a little better. I thought once I got my Competition Pro stick the CX-52s would be obsolete. I was wrong. The Comp Pro is great for certain games, but the CXs are preferable for other games.
  5. It's a great game, you'll love it.
  6. That is a good deal. I'd take a box as well!
  7. I'm digging Qix quite a bit lately. What is considered a good score? Do you have strategies you use? If so, care to share them? I make columns and when the Qix wanders in one, I close it up without completely boxing it in. Then I fill up as much red (orange?) as possible and lock in the Qix.
  8. Qix! Such a great game and solid on the 5200. A rare game I prefer the stock controller!
  9. Yeah, Congo Bongo is one of the worst 5200 games. No doubt.
  10. A trick to make the Competition Pro a little easier to use is to tweak the wiring inside so that the two buttons are on the left instead of the top. Then I rewired the buttons so button 1 is at the top and 2 is on the bottom. I had a Wico but they are so floppy and unsturdy. I prefer the Pro. Trak Ball is the best though for the games it works with (except Defender - thrusting is too much of a chore).
  11. Amazon/eBay/craigslist are good starting points. I got one that kinda worked at a flea market and then found a broken one on craigslist that I used for parts. With a few simple repairs, I was good to go! Good luck! They are very cool to own. It's a pity more games aren't trakball friendly on the 5200.
  12. I guess I just think Ms. Pac is a little better. The animation on the ghosts and the variations of mazes are cool (and slightly less likely to burn the maze into the screen).
  13. Personally, I can't see a need for Pacman when Ms Pacman is superior in every way - but thats just an opinion.
  14. Everyone is right. The common ones are cheap, so go with whatever games appeal to you. With the 5200, it is more about deciding how much you are willing to shell out for the rarer games. I think Gremlins and Dreadnaught Factor cost me the most. The trak-ball games are exceptional with the ball if you decide to get one.
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