Joystick Jolter

Hi, I just listed a Coleco Atari 2600 Kid Vid Video Module on eBay. This unit has never been used. It was opened and the box has banged around the attic for years but it was never used. Great chance for someone to buy a unit with cassettes still in their original plastic wrap. The URL is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...3008522683&rd=1 Good Luck Bidding ... By the way there is NO RESERVE!!!!!

Just for information sake. I have put up to prototypes, Krull and Battlezone for the 2600. Complete with the paperwork. I have for the first time put reserves on them and if they don't meet the reserves they will stay in my possession for my two grandsons. The reserves on either aren't over $100. I have a couple more for next week. One of them is Data Age Frankensteins Monster. I doubt there are more than a few of these around, as Data Age was not the easiest company to deal with. I'd like to thank everyone for a real informative string. Thanks Anthony

All I can say to that is: two wrongs do not make a right. eBayers usually work pretty hard to keep their feedback GOOD. Of all people you should know. Giving him a negative is just showing yourself as a person to be wary to deal with. The buyer was certainly a bit childish to give you the feedback he did without some communication.

What I was trying to bring out is that, the real "RARE" pieces are prototypes(even finished product). And that I see people paying lots more for off the shelf games than they are willing to pay for prototypes. Not today maybe, but some day soon, somebody is going to come to the natural conclusion that prototypes are rarer than rare. And as far as counterfeit goes, there are some available with documentation. Few and far between though. I sold some last year complete with the paperwork direct from Atari to me. Would you not think that a piece like that truly is museum type in the future. And don't kid yourself there will be Atari pieces in many museums in the future. It was and still is a large part of the electronic world. Hope I made more sense this time, Anthony

I believe that most collectors have been passing up on the "REAL" rare Atari cartridges. People spend more money freely on cartridges that come up high on the Atariage Rarity List than they are willing to pay for prototypes. I really hopes this gets all collectors to thinking about this. Who could possibly think that there are more "Pacman" (just to go to the ridiculous) prototypes or eproms available that there are cartridges of Halloween. In my wildest dreams I doubt that there are many prototypes that are more available than most of the 8's, 9's or even 10's on the rarity list. How often do you see them on eBay. I'd really like and hope that this will bring a deep discussion with maybe the "World's Most Informed Prototype Expert" Matt and the rest of the Atariage gang. I hope everyone joins in with their 2 cents or even their 20 dollars worth. This is an area that I believe many Atari collectors are letting slip through their fingers. Matt might not like the fact that this could open a few more peoples eyes on his "great" thinking, but it is a subject that needs some discussion. Sorry for the long drawn out message.

Hi, I listed some Rare Tigervision 2600 Game ad sheets on eBay the other day. I guess from the response they were missed by most. If I had to offer an honest opinion on these, I'd rate them as "extremely rare" because other than the few others I sold 6 months ago I haven't seen 1 show up on eBay since. Of course it is possible that I missed one if there was one listed. I'll list the URL's below: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1945918896&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1945918391&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1945917826&rd=1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1945917070&rd=1 I also listed an Atari Press Photo of George Lucas playing a Star Wars Arcade Unit. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1945910563&rd=1 I'll be putting more goodies up in a couple of days.

Hi, Just want to let all know I am going to start listing some of my goodies again. Lot's of one of a kind paper work and pictures. Since I am one of the only people selling original game manufacturers paperwork most of the stuff I'll be putting up is "one of a Kind" type stuff. I've got a few more of the small poster/ad sheets and other pieces of Atari History. I started with a 5200 Mountain King Prototype. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=1377278017 Much more to come. Anthony

Hi, Just want to let all know I am going to start listing some of my goodies again. Lot's of one of a kind paper work and pictures. Since I am one of the only people selling original game manufacturers paperwork most of the stuff I'll be putting up is "one of a Kind" type stuff. I've got a few more of the small poster/ad sheets and other pieces of Atari History. I started with a 5200 Mountain King Prototype. https://www.paypal.com/xclick-auction/busin...115451&jmagic=1 Much more to come. Anthony

Stan, OK, I don't getted ticked off at anyone. I just tried to make a point that all sellers do not rip off their customers by charging $5 for a cartridge. Many even pay part of the postage. Good Luck and Good Health to You Stan, Anthony

Bulldog, Congratulations on your win. Thank you for your purchase. You bit off a nice piece of history. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the package. I am trying to put up things that collectors would like to add to their collections. The way I look at it is that the paperwork is hundreds of times harder to find than the cartridges and really is an adjunct to the games. Once again thanks for the purchase. Good luck and good health. http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?...&sort=3&rows=25

Stan, I watched this post grow into a monster. I originally decided not to stick in my 2 cents, but I think that I must. I hope I'm wrong but I took the "Out of Control" as the swipe at my Out of Control cart I have up on eBay now. Yes, I am asking $5 for postage and it will cost me more than that. Priority mail is $3.85, Tracking another .45 and insurance $1.30, Total $5.60. I refuse to send an Out of Control cartridge in a puffy envelope by first class. Somebody is going to pay "real" good money to get that cartridge and I plan to see them get it. Also I recently sold a couple of eproms with $5 shipping on them. I will tell you what happened there. The same bidder won both of them and I billed him the $5 for both of them. I sent them via Express Mail at a cost of 17.85. So it cost me 7.85 to insure delivery of what I consider "highly insurable merchandise". I am currently selling lots of historic videogame paperwork and am charging $1.50 for postage. I am sending everything with heavy pieces to keep them from being bent "if at all possible". Yes there are sellers who cheat the public, but remember it is the bidder who is bidding on this with the knowledge of the postage. Now if you were to say you bid on a cartridge and the seller had no postage listed and that when you won he billed you $5 to ship, I would agree with you slightly. But it is the duty of the bidder to know what it will cost him when he bids. Enough said. http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?...&sort=3&rows=25 Anthony

I wish I had, but I lost all of it to a basement flood quite a few years ago. I'm just happy most of my gaming stuff was in the attic. I am still finding stuff in the attic so some day I may find some of the issues. I found an old page that I scribbled all up with notes tucked into one of my press releases so there may be hope to find more. Of course they were not extremely detailed as this was a videogame newsletter and I covered during that time, the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Intellivision, the Odyssey2, ColecoVision(when it came out) and the launch of the Nintendo. A lot to cover in an 8 to 10 page newsletter. I'm hoping that I can locate some of the issues to share. One of the people on one of the Atari Age boards contacted me saying that he had read one of two of the issues and had them, but couldn't find them. Oh well I guess as with much of the type of gaming memorabilia I'm selling now on eBay, when there are so few copies of something around and it is paper it is easy for them to become almost one of a kind type items. I hope I didn't get too long winded here, as that is a bad habit I have. Thanks, Anthony

And I've just added some INCREDIBLE stuff today. Halloween Poster Texas Chainsaw Massacre Poster Ram It Poster Fast Food Poster Gorf Press Release and 8 X 10 Photo Wizard of Wor Press Release and 8 X 10 and more to come tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

Manuel, Too bad. Arnie Katz is a great guy. Had lots of talk time with him many years ago at both CES and SCES. He really helped me early on in my endeavors and was always available if I wanted to ask him anything. Their Marketing dept. was great too. I'll bet that you would have enjoyed yourself. Anthony

. I have started to put lots of videogame paperwork now. These are things that you can get no where else. I haven't seen more than a couple of pieces of any type of paperwork except for catalogs and manuals. This is priceless to all collectors. Image you having an actual letter from Atari, Activision or any of the cartridge manufacturers releasing their game. Every one should have at least 1. I'm starting most of the stuff at $9.99 and I'm sure some of it will go for that money. This could in all honesty be the last chance to get something like this. It's not like cartridges where millions were made. These are things that were made in hundreds with most being thrown away shortly after they were received. Once more thank you, one and all for your time and efforts. GOOD LUCK and GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!!! http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?...&sort=3&rows=25 Thanks, Anthony

I want to thank all the people who either bid or just checked out my eBay lots. I especially thank the winners for their fine taste in Atari games. I have started to put lots of videogame paperwork now. These are things that you can get no where else. I haven't seen more than a couple of pieces of any type of paperwork except for catalogs and manuals. This is priceless to all collectors. Image you having an actual letter from Atari, Activision or any of the cartridge manufacturers releasing their game. Every one should have at least 1. I'm starting most of the stuff at $9.99 and I'm sure some of it will go for that money. This could in all honesty be the last chance to get something like this. It's not like cartridges where millions were made. These are things that were made in hundreds with most being thrown away shortly after they were received. Once more thank you, one and all for your time and efforts. GOOD LUCK and GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!!! Thanks, Anthony

Note above, the OUT OF CONTROL is just the CARTRIDGE. NO BOX, NO MANUAL.....SORRY, MY MISTAKE........

Want to see a perfect London Blitz. I have one up that is LIKE NEW. It was used for a few hours at most and has been stored away ever since. Complete with box and manual. I might add if you check out the Out of Control I have up, it's just the cartridge. I reused the HTML from the London Blitz auction and forgot to take out the fact that says box and manual included. I have put an additional note on the auction that it is for the CART ONLY!!!!! I've also started putting other "REALLY RARE" stuff up. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1370982585&rd=1 THanks, Anthony

Of course to check out the stuff on eBay you would need a link right? Age does absolute marvels to your mind. http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?...&sort=3&rows=25 Anthony

Starpath did have another unnamed game for the 2600. At the summer CES in Chigago in 1983 Starpath showed an untitled Multi load game the pitted the Blue team against the red team in high action party games for up to 4 players. I another unnamed game the shipwrecked player must evade shark attacks, conserve food and find a secret temple. I've just taken these directly from a Starpath press release dated: May 6, 1983 PS: I will be selling an almost "NEW" Complete Starpath Supercharger complete with all the games. The icing on the cake for that package will be a complete press kit from Starpath in 1983. Check out some interesting stuff on eBay and watch for more daily this week. Anthony

Hello, Well I have Avalon Hill's Out of Control cartridge and London Blitz complete with box and instructions on eBay. The both of them are absolutely "LIKE NEW" . Sometime today I will be adding a 5200 eprom and some really rare items. I thank everyone who has taken the time to check on my auctions and "Double" Thanks to those who have bid on them. Look for lots of "goodies" this week. Plenty of stuff to really add to your collections that you may never have a chance to again. I am really going to sell off a lot of paperwork. Things such as: press releases, press kits, photos, catalogs and the like. These will be affordable to almost everyone and could be that piece that makes the collection more than just a game collection. A piece of History goes on sale this week!! THANK YOU, Anthony

Well, for my 2 cents worth, and I'll make it 2 cents worth short. EBay is well run as you can find on the internet. We all have our moments of discontent, but they don't usually last too long. EBay's major problem is with throwing out the garbage. They have been very slow in throwing out some real frauds. Quite a few of them had been selling magazine subscriptions and getting tons of bad feedback. There are other cases were frauds have continued to be allowed to sell for a long time. But, as a buyer, who does not pay eBay, they'll throw you off in a flash. With all that said I think eBay is GREAT. Were else can you sell things like you can on eBay? Try Yahoo. Their auction should be named HaHoo. Your lucky if on some types of auctions a couple of people see your auction, were as on eBay hundreds see many auctions. My auction for the 5200 Meteorites eprom has had over 300 hits. On yahoo I'd have maybe 10. Give my vote to eBay. Keep the Napster version of auctions in your mind. Then think of all the crooks you'd have with almost no recourse ever. Who would tell you that they have frauded 1000 people last week selling something they never had. By the time the police would get involved they would be long gone. Well as usual my 2 cents landed up being 20 dollars worth. I am very long winded when ever I jump up on a bandstand. Comes from my many days of filling time on a cable access show. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...1369356465&rd=1 Anthony

Hi all. I've now put up Polaris eprom for the 2600, including all authenticating paperwork. I also have small Atari posters and press releases on eBay. Try the link below. Oh yes the 5200 Meteorites eprom is still available.. Thanks, Anthony http://cgi6.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?...&sort=3&rows=25

JOB??? I don't know if it was a job, it was more like the labor of love. I wrote and edited a video game newsletter called the "Joystick Jolter" in the early 80's. I also appeared on a local TV cable show weekly showing new video games. I graduated into the home computer phenomenon that had started in around 1983 and had a weekly TV show on CTN( a network that was shown on every cable system in the state of New Jersey. Well over a million homes.). It was one of the first of its kind. It was called the Home Computer Show(simple, but explanatory). Then came the crash of 1984 and I lost quite a bit of money and then interest, so I banged up everything. It was wild while it lasted. One thing I wish I had from that time that got lost in the shuffle was video tape of a 2 hour session I spent with Gary Kitchen. It would have been an amazing tape to have been able to show everyone. It was very candid and covered the videogame and computer industries. Maybe I'll write some more at a later date. I do have some interesting stories of those days. Including being one of the first outsiders to see the Amiga. Anthony

King, I think I owe you an apology. I should have as you said, emailed you directly rather than post a public message. You are obviously right. To do this publicly is wrong and not really my style either. I had just had a bad experience the day before with pop ups locking up my computer and I had lost quite a bit of unsaved work I had been doing. So PLEASE accept my apology to you. For information sake I have listed a couple of really cheap web hosting companies for you, if you are interested: 50 Megs for $5.00 http://www.your-site.com/ 30 Megs plus Free Domain name http://www.lowesthosting.com/ 500 Megs for $5.75 http://www.ehostsource.com/ Thank you and I'm Sorry, Anthony