zeitshabba

Well well well... what have we here? I win an auction here or there and you old ladies... err, "village elders" make with the jabberjaw rather quickly. At least attempt something close to humor if you're going to try talking smack on me - like Trench and Prodos did, make it funny. This isn't in response to everyone who posted in this thread but a select few, as not everyone keeps presenting themselves in such a negative light before me. I'm growing incredibly weary of the AtariAge community when this is the crap I find. I've already witnessed ample jealousy and bitterness within this community during my A2 find, but this thread is different and not the first like this with certain folks. Are a few of you being petty because I won't share what I'm working on with you, and this is merely your revenge tantrum like some spoiled and petulant child? If that isn't it, then were a group of you folks infected with the same strain of general asshole-itis? Thanks in advance and stuff.

Only that much for someone who already owns one. I was surprised to see Espial be such a low rarity given the few times I've seen 'em in my searches. ...then again, what do I know about finding rare games in auctions... Well aren't you special? Nah. Not me. ...but my Atlantis II...

Only that much for someone who already owns one. I was surprised to see Espial be such a low rarity given the few times I've seen 'em in my searches. ...then again, what do I know about finding rare games in auctions...

What method is being used to create these? Is it not possible to create them via plastic injection molding for less?

Not this lot. Only the Dig Dug, ET and possibly Super Breakout would be sacrificed. The rest would be thrown into a complete Atari auction to continue funding my madness. I spend a few hours a week searching for my kinda deals & put in a general bid based on quality of labels and/or lack of certain games to build more complete lots. This lot has too few original Atari games, let alone in decent condition, for me to be very interested. Depending on how my next batch of auctions go, I might keep the perfect label Waterworld & Pengo I possess for sacrifice. The debate is still raging between my personalities, and I think Easily Distracted currently has a point to ma... ... ...look at the birdie!

Just to advoid any confusion as to if it stands or not. Jim Even if you didn't read my myriad of responses disregarding your "offer", fear not, Jim. You would need to put another zero at the end of your retracted offer to even have a chance. Noone who currently holds an Atlantis II would ever get this one from me. And for those nice enough to suggest such, I have three other identical night label scenes I can choose from to replace the bad label. Anyone who contacts me with an idiotic message will receive the mockery they deserve. And if it is sufficiently idiotic enough, I'll mock you openly, like the drooling mongoloid up thread who suggested I somehow forced him to view my auction. Jealousy has brought out the "best" of so many that I'm thankful to have this experience so I better know the audience here.

To clarify for the community just what he means... He was walking past my computer and saw the light of my display and the auction I had up. Before he realized, I had him in a double chicken wing and forced his beady li'l eyes to within about three inches of the monitor. Between his wild sobs and cries for help, he asked why I would do this to him, forcing him with such brutality to look at my outlandish auction. To confuse him further, I wrote with a stick in his freshly-fallen tears in the dirt at his feet that I am a deaf mute, and he simply needed to see the auction. As he tried to flee, he dropped his puffer. Handily, his mother had his name and email on it in case it was lost. I politely emailed him with my find. I guess he didn't appreciate my kindness.

I'd go with A2 over time. It's not that I'm biased or anything... The reason why I was willing to go big to get this is the history of it, and its ultimate place within video game history. It is the original competition cart, and is actually still quite a challenge to play. I do admit the Air Raid cart shape is incredibly cool. But beyond the limited number of them that have surfaced, unless a scroll is found in a skeletal hands clutch high atop Mt. Everest documenting a sordid history of this game, I cannot see this being more rare. Production of such a unique case should easily be big enough to outnumber the A2 contestants. I have no doubt over time more of both will be found.

I'm still surprised how many people think I expect $50k after repeatedly saying otherwise... As for the loss of the original label, remember that the marker II was already stinking it up and couldn't be removed. Is the label the valueable part? Sure, its nice, but I could care less. I'd rather have the chip authenticity verified and replace the label with a nice one than have a marked up label on a game folks keep questioning. I'm not worried if the AA community feels the value has been destroyed by the label switch, as I don't think I'm going to sell it at this point. This game is only known & appreciated within the very small, very tight-knit Atari community. The value isn't in selling it at this time to me, including the original $2500 offer. Plus, I would never sell it to someone who already owns one except at the most ridiculous of prices. If it ever leaves my hands it will go to someone who doesn't already have a copy, unless dire straits force a sale unexpectedly. Don't hold your breath for that. This whole adventure has been a rather interesting introduction into the hardcore Atari community. Thanks to all for the, um, fun.

I sure as hell hope so... I must have taken 50 photos to get just 3 good, usable ones. Damn new camera. Can anyone link me to or post a pic of a chip that can be written to? I have no idea what looks right and what doesn't.

First, the chip in question beside a Star Voyager chip - I'm not mentioning which one is which. Next, an angled photo of A2 And finally, straight on... CPUWIZ, thank you very much for your help with this.

I think it's fake. Hey, you did ask. Here's the reasoning: First, I doubt anyone would cut open a cart that could be worth $2000 plus. My most valuable game is worth $100 or so, and I get cranky when anything sharp comes even close to it. One can weigh the Atlantis II cart to prove its authenticity instead of cutting up the label. ... Fourth, there is no way of knowing if that is indeed the board that was in your cart. Likewise, nobody here actually knows if the board I pictured is from my Fathom cart. They have to take our word for it, and there's a lot less reason to spoof a $4 game than there is a $2,000 game. I appreciate the honest respons shadow460, and these two points are the two that I can address - points 2 & 3 I have no clue to speak to, so I'll defer to yourself or anyone else with more knowledge. Speaking to point 1, I was not aware of the weight determination method of authenticity, and would have definitely used that first if given the chance. But given the ease by which replacing the label can be done, as I just learned in this thread, I figured it best to open it up and answer all questions as soon as possible. If it is simply the label that needs replaced, than I'd rather know immediately if it is a $0.50 game or $2.5k game. It was already marked up when I received it, and my attempts to remove the marker alone appeared to remove the paint as well. You can tell a slight difference in the marker mark between the photos before and after the "surgery". As for your final point, that is a matter of character that cannot easily be proven to those most skeptic. I will gladly stand before any volume of scrutiny to this end. As I am new to the community here, I expect none of you to simply take me on my word for such a serious matter. But as you grow to know me, you will know I am a man of my word and straight to my point - hence my expeditious cart butchery. I think I'll open a few other Imagic games tomorrow after work, just to get a better distribution sample.

As strange as it sounds, at this point I hope noone bids! I'll never get my hands on another without spending a princely sum, and I think the legend of this game is just beginning to grow.

So its been two days since the pictures went up, and this thread has apparently lost a desire to question the authenticity of my Atlantis II. Don't get me wrong, but I dig the rarity argument and (surprise!) side with homer & co. I was ready to go rather long to get this game even though I have no intentions of (re- re-) building a collection. This single game will be the entirety of my collection. Does anyone still question or have reason to question the authenticity of my Atlantis II? Or does the drifting of the thread topic imply the matter is settled?

Hahaha... I couldn't help but do the same.

And that's where you'd be caught. Everyone knows Cosmic Ark was the best Imagic game! Poseur! Poseur! The reaction time that game requires at higher levels against the meteors is the most ridiculous I can recall.

The concept of something being "my mistake" would imply this was not an original Atlantis II. The pictures suggest otherwise. Ergo, what mistake of mine are you trying to correct again? And a pick is something you get to decide. For example, a waiter/waitress asks you what you want to drink with your dinner. She offers milk, soda, water and beer, and you pick which one you want to wash down your dinner. This post brought to you by the letter P.

You are correct with the name, and it would appear you were in turn lied to, given the internals of the game as I have shown them. Now that the game has been opened and the truth unveiled, why not bring the original owner - your "brother," as you earlier claimed - onto the board? But this last post you didn't mention your brother as you did earlier, but now it has become "THE ORIGINAL OWNER"? Which is it? Also, why would you have requested my full contact information from eBay and contact someone else without directly contacting me as well, if you thought I was in error? That would be rather, how should I say it... spineless? honorless? You pick. Your story stinks all over.

Yep, what Deus said. This is a reason I thought there was a very good chance it was real even with the original auctioneer denounced it. Now I don't think you've lowered the value of your cart at all, in fact quite the opposite. This is the best thing you could have done to authenticate it other than having the paperwork (probably better). Grats! I'm fairly positive CPU will give you good news. Deus pegged my original rationale - I spent at least 10 hours just staring at the auction before it closed, trying to run through every possible reason why it would be marked with a 2 before I max bid at damn-near a week's pay. I suspect, as does CPUWIZ, that the poster here known as solow_rider is not the same as the eBay handle... If it is, then simply post your first name "solow_rider" - you know I know it. I'm almost ready to bet the game back that it isn't the same person. (Plus, none of the communications with the original seller included the lazy caps lock BS, which tipped me off. You gotta love the haters...

Do not listen to him!!!! Well I said IF POSSIBLE. READ PEOPLE!!! But if you want to count the fact that the board saids "Imagic" on it, then it's real then. No offense meant by my other post, Fighter17... If you read above, my electronics skills are still covered in techie afterbirth. I haven't gained my confidence enough to screw with something so potentially valuable if someone can identify it without attempting such a procedure.

Do not listen to him!!!! I'm with you. It's easy to tell who knows their pooh, and I'm waiting on CPUWIZ before I do anything further. I'm just thinking if it's authentic, perhaps I should put it into an Atlantis day scene case, and put it up on my shelf amidst the rest of my Imagic games. It's not like I could accidentally put it into an auction lot without realizing...

I have no idea how to identify one over another. That's why I laughed when people suggested I forged it... I wish I was that good. I just learned how to soldier two years ago to make the Atari poker table.. and fried 2 six switch units along the way. I can open plenty of Imagic games... I have at least 40, and enough Riddle to not give a damn about a dozen of 'em. Hell, I'll cut all the Imagics open and count the mean, median and mode of the chips if I must. But something tells me CPUWIZ will be along soon enough with the official verdict...

It's not white - it is metal that my camera flash made appear like something white. If you look closely, you'll see some minor scratching on the metal in the lower left-hand corner. I can post a larger picture, or take another, if it is absolutely necessary for validation.

And I too quick to put this debate to an end. ...now that I've butchered the label... Is it authentic?

What's the prognosis doctor? Is my baby gonna live doctor? That was not an easy cut to make... Now gimme good news! I don't wanna make an ass out of myself both here and on my eBay account...