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King Atari

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    Northeast Ohio
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    Video Games, Music, TV & Movies, Vintage Advertising (Broadcast & Print)

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  1. Oh wow, awesome news! Thank you! I neither own nor have played it, but for some reason I've long been fascinated by Hobo for the Arcadia, so I'm particularly interested to see a 2600 version was planned.
  2. Focusing solely on "original era" releases, these are my top five for the good ol' 7800: - Commando: Fantastic POKEY music and addictive, rock solid gameplay. Superior to the NES port in every single aspect (and yes, the hidden areas ARE in this one too!) I'm a sucker for vertical shooters like this anyway, but this is just an incredible, high quality product - exactly the sort of thing the 7800 shoulda been getting all along! - Double Dragon: Yes, the sprites (save for Abobo) are ugly. No, the legendary soundtrack isn't particularly pleasing to the ears. And to be perfectly frank, the gameplay can occasionally be considered broken (punches are basically worthless, for example). And yet, despite all that, I really, genuinely enjoy the 7800 DD! The levels are faithful to the arcade, simultaneous two-player action, and once you get a knack for the gameplay (you can spam the reverse kick if you want, but I prefer to just 'normal kick' my way through), you can really get into a beat down groove. Plus, this is precisely the sort of game the 7800 needed at the time. (Shameless plug for my big ol' review of this one? Sure!) - Food Fight: It seems almost everyone loves this one, and you can add me to those ranks. While not quite exclusive to the 7800 (there's an apparently inferior port on the XEGS), this is the pure arcade goodness the console was designed for. - Kung-Fu Master: I can ignore that this is essentially the same as the 2600 version (right down to the single-button limitation) with a new coat of graphical paint, because I can play KFM on pretty much any platform. I do loves me some KFM! - Midnight Mutants: Very possibly the one game that I can see making NES-only'ers truly envious back in the day. A big huge Zelda-like adventure with a cool Halloween vibe - and Al "Grampa" Lewis to boot! It seems Atari realized far too late that this was the sort of game the console was begging for, but better late than never! I think I'd be happier with a top ten list, but that said, I'm satisfied with these as my top five. Honorable mentions: the best (IMO) classic era home version of Centipede and an incredibly fun port of the original Mario Bros. Also, big big props to the unreleased Missing in Action, which comes dangerously close to making my top five despite its unfinished, prototype status. (If I was going to make an exception...)
  3. I know I'm replying to a question from over 12 (!) years ago, but 2600 Ghostbusters does indeed have an ending. Just like the computer versions, if you sneak two of your three 'busters past Stay Puft, you get an image of them crossing the streams (signifying the defeat of Zuul), which completes the game. The screen isn't as elaborate as the 'big' versions of course, but it's certainly a welcome addition nevertheless. Also, while on the topic of 2600 games with endings, I'm continuously impressed with Superman not only having an ending, but also an intro. Pretty impressive for a 1979 game!
  4. Yes, every cart I've tried works on the 65XE except the Popeye (well, that and my Basketball, but I think that one really is DOA). That's what confused me so much in the first place; the 65XE was handling everything I threw at it like a champ, until this unassuming title just refused to go. Then, after reading about compatibility issues with some other carts (linked in the original post), I was wondering if this was one of those. Evidently it is not, nor is the cart dead, but nevertheless, it simply won't run on my 65XE, for reasons that are beyond me.
  5. An update: I cleaned the cart with Mothers, had the contacts absolutely gleaming, still wouldn't go. I was about ready to call it DOA and go for another copy, BUT, I had the chance to try it on an 800XL, and it worked just fine. So, for whatever reason it just doesn't like my 65XE. At least I didn't waste my money. But, this begs the question: WHY? Why wouldn't this cart want to run on the 65XE? Can I presume this would be the same with any copy I tried on the computer? (I'm not intending on buying another, but if I came across one while out and about, and it was cheap, well...?) And, should I be concerned about other Parker Brothers games on the 65XE? There's a few I'd like to pick up at some point, but I feel like now I gotta be cautious.
  6. Yep, I've had pretty good luck. In fact, two of the very few games I've had that were/are apparently 100% dead (7800 Donkey Kong Jr. and 400/800 Basketball) were listed as working! I got a refund on the DK JR., and the other was mega cheap and actually free with eBay bucks anyway, so no big losses. Still, you can never be totally sure until it's in your hands. I get the untested thing with cartridges; resellers don't always have the consoles/computers to test, or at least the ability to get them connected (mainly the modern TV issue). Of course, if they're specifically game sellers, I start to wonder, but if it's just some general flipper (apparently the case with this Popeye), I'll often take them at their word. I *am* leery of sellers that list consoles and/or computers as untested though. Granted, they may have the same connectivity issue, but when they've got a lot that includes all the hookups, well, that's a bit of a red flag. Plus, for some of the astronomical asking prices out there, yeah, caution is key.
  7. Terrific, thanks! I actually tried an eraser on this one, either it wasn't abrasive enough or it wasn't reaching far back enough into the cartridge, but I'm going to keep an eye out for one that'll hopefully do the trick.
  8. Thanks so much, both of you! My dad might have a voltmeter, if it comes to that. For now, I'll try to find something stronger than 91% alcohol and try another cleaning (any suggestions? Deoxit?); just glad to know that the cart should be compatible with the 65XE! Thanks again!
  9. Hey all! I've been primarily a console guy when it comes to Atari (though I'm not totally new when it comes to the computers), so please forgive me if I come off a little clueless here. (Which I, uh, sorta am.) Anyway, when a boxed 65XE for an okay-ish price presented itself to me this past December, I took the plunge, and have been building up a bit of a collection for it. I've long been a sucker for Popeye, and I found a loose copy for a decent price, albeit untested. I wasn't too worried about that, I can literally count on one hand the number of carts I've had over the years that have been well and truly dead. But, despite numerous cleanings, I just can't get it to go. Now, I just might need something stronger than 91% isopropyl, but I've also learned that some games have issues on computers beyond 400/800. I did a little research and found this thread wherein it appears some Parker Brothers games do indeed have issues. However, I haven't seen anything saying Popeye is one of them. I've cleaned over and over, I've held down option, nothing doing. So, has anyone else had issues getting this one to run on a 65XE? Should I just keep cleaning? Or try again with a confirmed working copy at some point? Thanks in advance for any and all help!
  10. Interesting! I guess given the number of things found (or rather, the things we at least know about), half a mil sounds like a lot but really probably isn't too far off...
  11. I don't think I've checked MotoRodeo in forever - you're right! It was re-ranked 5, but I remember that one being like a 9 or 10! (As far as these uber-late releases go, Atari's version of BMX Airmaster remains a 10, which makes sense, since AFAIK it wasn't found in the Venezuela haul. Wonder why that one wasn't in there?)
  12. Well, I mean, I *can*, it's not like I'm multitasking while posting this, but nevertheless, I'm totally addicted to the 2600 port of Ikari Warriors. Now, I do loves me some vertical run-and-gunners in general, and just prior to my current obsession, I was devoting my 2600 time to Front Line. That's a goody for sure, but MAN, I sure didn't get into it like Ikari. Certainly the 2600 version doesn't throw the number of enemies at you that the arcade or NES port did, but I actually find this more appealing; each confrontation is more intense. And I enjoy the sense of progression the game presents - especially when you're "in the zone" and lobbing off grenades successfully left and right while marching forward. It just makes you feel good inside. The tank and helicopter graphics are awfully blocky ("On the 2600?!! No way!"), but otherwise, methinks the game looks really nice. The continuous background score is just fine, too. Add to that the tight controls and spot-on progressing difficulty, and you've totally got a "just one more round" kinda game here. Not gonna lie: I easily prefer this 2600 version to the NES port. The 7800's too? Dunno, don't have that one. In fact, one of my favorite aspects of that past Venezuela find is that this game in particular became far more affordable in the NTSC format, which ultimately resulted in my present, pleasant condition. (Though prices DO seem to be climbing again...) Refresh my memory: ignoring the fact the AA rarity guide is waaaay out o' date, I seem to recall the NTSC version ranking way higher than the 5 it currently holds. Am I crazy in remembering it as a 9 or thereabouts in the pre-Venezuela days? So, anyone else share my fondness for this gem from the latter years of the 2600? Speak up, and let your voice be heard as a, dare I say, Jr. Ikari Warrior! Attached picture: my current highest score. Admittedly, I haven't been able to conquer the second round yet, because BOY do those enemy bullets start flying fast on the second go-round! And yet, I keep coming back to try again, as any good Ikari Warrior would/should.
  13. I lurk more than I post, but I'm still here. And rest assured, my heart sinks a little every time I see something moronic I posted 20+ (!!!) years ago get randomly revived. This is actually the second mega-old topic of mine that's been necrobumped in recent months, and while this one isn't TOO bad (I guess), the other thread actually had me considering a snotty reply, given the idiocy of my original post and the needlessness of what I got it revived. I held my digital tongue, though. I'm a peaceable sort. Oh now that's just precious. (And by "precious" I mean "wildly stupid.")
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