OldSchoolRetroGamer

March 4

5 hours ago, Asaki said:

Edit: Nevermind. I refreshed it a couple times, and eventually it loaded.

Ah good glad to here it. 🤘 FYI mine only looks like this because I am a sucker for browser themes. 😜

March 3

1 hour ago, Asaki said:

First I thought "Oh, another Tetris game."

But this looks like it might be a neat twist.

I can't get the emulator to run on Firefox, though.

Must be some other issue or problem with your browser, I just loaded it up in Firefox and it runs fine, is yours up to date?

March 1

Most definitely others will answer with more detailed and likely netter advice. I cannot say whether ferro rod will help, what I DO know from a collection of multiple RF outputting consoles and computers is that display quality CAN very wildly. Not to say things cannot improve, I DO seem to notice your contrast might be off? Too light? What I mean is could you adjust your image so that the blacks are DARKER? Like almost pitch black, as is it looks like a dark grey or light black and for sure with the contrast set to light you would see me artifacts and unwanted / unintended "details". Also, might you have any type of "tuning" option for the input? There might even be an option in your settings menu for "Game MODE" or something similar as that is pretty common and such a mode would treat the input differently. That's all I got for quick or easy options, I think anything else gets more involved like the ferro rod you mention (can't hurt I would think) and beyond that well replacing the actual 2600 RF cable, yes it seems attached though removing the bottom and if I recall it is simply "plugged in" internally. Of course that would mean getting a hold of another RF cable which could be a pain. While inside though I believe there are also some pots or things you can turn or adjust carefully to see if that helps but as to exactly what they are or how you might go about it, I would wait for more experienced to chime in BUT in the meantime try the easy suggestions I gave you at the start and good luck!

March 1

15 minutes ago, Scotterpop said:

4 on the other hand... not so much. I was fairly disappointed in that one. I blame Tommy Wiseau!

Understand Captain America GIF

March 1

8 hours ago, buddhapkt said:

Anyone have a working link to this document?

Seconded, just clicked it know and instantly prompted to choose a download location. Not sure why you would be having an issue in your end.

February 27

I am aware however my spare funds for hobby pretty much came to a halt after a span of unemployment and now with what little income I do have I really cannot justify it. Perhaps at a later date if I ever get around to some sales or trades of my collection though 😛

February 27

It's funny to me now being a huge NES and SuperNES fan back in the day that I never owned any type of Nintendo handheld until getting my first, a RED Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP model I think about 3 years after it launched! I never had much interest in handhelds before then and literally got it to keep my entertained during over night Security shifts that mostly consisted on sitting on a barren lot. Even my most played games The SIMS on it which again was not something that interested me typically on other platforms but was an awesome time waster for me. The Sims Bustin' Out was my jam.

These days I also have a Phat original Mario Edition NDS which sadly, has these dark spots on the top screen, they appear dark on a bright image and light on a dark image, I have NO IDEA how they developed 🙁 I took out my Phat NDS a few weeks ago just to see something, the battery was STILL holding a little charge but I was shocked honestly, because I even kept it in a nice branded case, when it booted up you see these 3 highlighted DOTS on the screen? I was like WTF? That was disappointing being the only NDS I have.

Also, I have THIS one, a really nice GREEN Gameboy Pocket, green is my favorite color so I love it, which I got a a few years ago, I honestly forget the details on how I acquired it, and a few odds and ends.

Never had an original DMG or a Gameboy COLOR. Never had any until the GBA SP I mentioned. Since the top screen is screwed on my NDS, it's not unplayable but just annoys me so I'd likely go back playing on the SP if it came down to it! That thing is still 100% ! But yeah, it is surprising I NEVER once owned a original classic Gameboy considering how much I was into Nintendo previously. I really like it and makes up for not ever having an original imho.

February 26

For myself I can only say having played the first two original Zelda games as they were released back in the day that YES I was totally thrown off and somewhat disappointed when I first began playing Zelda II but I persevered and soon, though I had my frustrations did find I was enjoying it and I completed it which felt like an accomplishment that I certainly appreciated, I definitely came to love the game on it's own. It certainly was not what I expected but that turned out to not be a bad thing. As well though, it was a time when every game purchase was exciting and an adventure which is why long before that I had the same experiences with E.T. and Raiders of the Lost Ark on my Atari 2600. I was excited for them right from the start, I read the instructions straight through, enjoyed the games frustrations and all and had a great sense of accomplishment upon completing them. Great times, great memories and I definitely was a better player player in my youth.

February 25

23 minutes ago, Swami said:

old VCR - its a $5 or less coax cable to composite adapter. Goodwill or Craigslist

THIS - it's THE reason I keep a couple on hand even though I have no VHS collection or tapes left 😜 RF input, even have a splitter to select between several classic systems before going into the VCR tuner, output to composite on a tiny 14' color TV LOOKS GREAT !

February 25

February 16

49 minutes ago, 82-T/A said:

Do you mind telling me what kind of ram I need so I only have to open up my VCS once?

Do I need to get two 8gb chips, or four 4gb chips? What is it... DDR3? DDR4? And what are the fastest speeds that I can get that it'll support?

Really appreciate the help! Thanks!!!

I don't own one and my comments were strictly PC related which is what it is. You only have TWO slots and so you would want two 8 gb SODIMM DDR4 modules. You will want to use both slots as Ryzen chips work best with memory in Dual Channel config which just means you want to fill up both slots totaling your desired amount as opposed to say using a single 16 gb module in one slot. Basically, it is the modern RAM used in LAPTOPS as opposed to a typical Desktop. That said a quick GOOGLE search of - atari vcs recommended ram - gave me THIS result right at the top (Googling can be magic with the right search terms for just about anything 😜 ) and the very FIRST result entry is right of the AtariVCS support page 😉 CLICK THIS LINK FOR ATARI VCS RECOMMENDED RAM INFO

As stated in the link above -

Always mount the RAM in pairs, so to achieve the maximum capacity of 32GB you would add two 16GB modules. Please note, SODIMM DDR4 RAM is a different format than RAM used in desktop computers. Desktop memory will not fit in the Atari VCS.

* Time and effort -- Installing RAM in your Atari VCS is an advanced project and requires extreme care to ensure that you do not damage your VCS during the installation process. Installing the RAM itself is easy, but accessing it is much more difficult as the RAM is located on the bottom of the motherboard. To reach it you will need to remove the heat shield and unscrew the motherboard from the chassis. Both written and video installation guides are available to guide you through the process. You may find this task to be challenging if you do not have experience assembling or upgrading computers. Do not attempt the upgrade if you have any uncertainty about the project. Atari is not responsible for any damage you do to your device.

AS FOR SPEED, YOU WANT NO LESS THAN 2400Mhz but as demonstrated by ETA Prime in this video that processor will improve performance with faster speed ram such as the 3200Mhz that he has installed (See the 4 min 25 sec mark of the video) 😎 !!!! KEEP IN MIND YOU WILL ONLY GET 2400 Mhz Stick speeds even with faster RAM installed unless you set the speed higher in the BIOS settings. Highly advise you just watch the entire 12 min video as it is concise, detailed and informative

Lastly, this person seems to be maintaining and regularly updating this blog as he learns more about upgrading the AtariVCS firsthand -

https://doolin-digital.com/an-atari-vcs-hardware-lesson-upgrades-and-peripherals/

February 15

On 2/14/2021 at 4:56 AM, justclaws said:

I thought this might interest some people. Also, if you happen to live nearby.
I posted a link for the owner, to AtariAge, as I'm sure he could get some answers!

OK that dude just kind of scared me...240p squad !

On 2/11/2021 at 2:21 AM, justclaws said:

Watch this video while you can! It made me smile/laugh anyway.
He combined 2 things I love... ha ha.

This well, somewhat amusing perhaps but pretty much sums up how I see most fans of the atariVCS, just blind loyalty and joy for the Atari logo but no substance or perhaps even reasoning behind it. 😛 Just another pointless "It's an ATARI and that is all that matters to me" video. 😜

February 15

8 minutes ago, MrMaddog said:

I've seen a video where someone put in 32Gb and overclocked it, but also he set aside dedicated memory for the GPU.

Would setting off VRAM in the BIOS really improve GPU performace like having a seperate video card? (I never used interrgrated GPUs before.)

No, it's really NOT going to make much of a noticeable difference as it is still far below a dedicated GPU in both terms of memory AND Graphical power (IE: Bells and Whistles) as mentioned the biggest factors are the lack of dedicated quality GPU and it's just not even much of a CPU/APU in terms of speed or power. Again, beyond 16 gb you are just not going to notice much, bring it up to 16 gb, add an internal M.2 to load off of and those will be the biggest gains. This is general knowledge from a PC builder / gamer for many years now. You just cannot expect too much from that APU for big commercial retail games or even higher emulation expectations, it is simply the nature of the beast. You need only search and research the exact APU used in the AtariVCS and how it stacks up when comparing recommended specs for a given title.

February 15

29 minutes ago, Tanuki876 said:

Stop hating on the Amico. Tommy Tallarico is a great man. He brought so many great people to this project. Please give him great credit. He's trying to make a great console for the family. If some people dislike the Amico that's fine they can play the Switch instead. But not all people should hate it. Because come on. Tommy put so much effort to make a great console for the family. He really cares about the family. Stop hating on Tommy Tallarico and the Amico.

That's just GREAT 😏

February 14

9 hours ago, justclaws said:

On Discord, a developer just announced he plans to bring a game to the VCS.
It's a retro version of an even more retro original, which was a classic game, apparently.

It was released for the Switch previously. D/Generation : The Original for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details

The developer web-site is here. The first VCS game from Wales, anyway.
Home | West Coast Software (west-coast.wales)

This was a classic game I played and was frustrated with many times on the Commodore AMIGA. Great game.

Capture.PNG.97be428fffbb3a805aceb6f0e16e6ed0.PNG

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D/Generation

February 7

I have loved and used emulation in various formats pretty much since I started using computers, if I recall my first experience was emulating C64 on my Commodore AMIGA. Then when 16 bit emulators for Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis appeared it seemed magical to play all those classics on PC. But now original PlayStation, Dreamcast, Wii are incredible running at higher resolutions then the original consoles could output natively is really cool imho. I have pretty much every popular console, computer, handheld (minus perhaps the current and last couple generations) but most of my collection is in storage at any given time it is a hassle pulling them out to play a game here and there so emulation is a great quick fix that is very convenient.

February 7

February 6

February 2

Just a heads up to those enjoying STADIA on VCS or otherwise - Google is shutting down its Stadia game studios
Industry veteran Jade Raymond is leaving Google as it focuses on third-party games.

https://www.engadget.com/google-stadia-game-studios-shut-down-montreal-los-angeles-201811811.html

January 29

Over in a ColecoVision Facebook Group (ColecoVision Lunatics) I commented previously on fellow member Jorge Gonzalez post about the ColecoVision Super Action Controllers, that they in fact were the first item I collected kicking off my Youtube channel back in 2008. For yucks here is the video, 3 minutes of low res cringe but it did kick off what would become a rather nice retro collection, ColeocVision related items including 2 ColecoVisions, 2600 expansion module, Steering Wheel adaptor, and I would eventually even preview the Atarimax SD flashcart for Steven Tucker beta cart (successor to his amazing USB original Atarimax ColecoVision cart) Feel free to search COLECO in my channel for several videos I made related to ColecoVision, some much improved in resolution at the very least 😆as I DID get a better camera later own, I even review a homebrew and dissect a Super Action Controller 😜 FYI I DO plan to get around to finally doing new videos though I have slowed down a lot in recent times but I can definitely do more ColecoVision related content.

January 22

18 minutes ago, youki said:

I can assure you, i'm not Itchy nor Richard7th! 🤪

suspicious ned flanders GIF

January 22

Funny such a topic would appear because even though I have enjoyed CAVE MAN themed classic games just lately I was REALLY impressed by how fun and gorgeous of a little gem THIS game turned out to be, anyone into these type of platform games will definitely have a blast like I did! I played the PC version but it is also on the Switch, just look at it!

Jet Kave Adventure! - Jet Kave Adventure brings everything you love about 2.5D platformers. Enjoy the skill-based action, challenging boss fights, clever secrets and thrilling set-pieces in a game where the Stone Age and Science-Fiction collide.

Jet-Kave-Adv_07-02-19.jpg.0f3d714c9984a6f32762dc131b82913d.jpg

January 21

1 minute ago, Tempest said:

If you're leaving, leave. You don't get to rant and rave about it.

I thought you might of intervened, I seen his rant just before and was thinking "So you're still here?" No doubt he will do plenty ranting and raving playing victim on several places outside atariage as they always seem to do.

January 19

1 hour ago, Paul Slocum said:

FYI: This was posted on Reddit, emphasis mine: "Atari has said in the official Discord that users should not use 4k mode right now because it is causing OS corruption. Until an OS update is released they ask that you do not use my 4k mode."