Ian Primus

I'm not going to bid, I don't even have a 7800. That's what I really want. I was just wondering... Ian Primus [email protected]

I know that most people on this list have multiple Ataris, so I was wondering, what is your favorite model? Personally, I really like my Sears Telegames heavy sixer. What about you? Ian Primus [email protected]

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?V...item=1246446869 I found this while attempting to find an Atari 7800 console. It _looks_ real, but I don't see a hex inverter to compensate for the eproms, and the eproms themselves _should_ have little sticky labels over the glass window, to prevent them from being erased. Just a thought. Ian Primus [email protected]

Someone told me that the Sears Video Arcade II was not compatible with 7800 carts. I always thought that it was just the Sears version of the 7800. Is it compatible? I have been hunting high and low for a 7800, and have a chance to get a Sears Video Arcade II, but I am worried that it wouldn't play 7800 carts. Is it 7800 compatible? If it isn't, what IS it? Ian Primus [email protected]

After having constructed arcade style controls for myself, I thought that others might be interested. I typed up an ad so-to-speak, and I thought I would post here to see if anyone was intereseted. Are you sick of the stock controllers for your favorite video game console/computer? Do you want a real arcade joystick and some mashable, poundable arcade buttons? I can help you! I can create controllers for many systems, in any layout, with real arcade parts. The cost will vary depending on the type of console it will be for, as some consoles need special encoder chips, etc. Also, there are a lot more buttons on a SNES controller than there are on the Atari 2600 controller. Email me at [email protected] for an estimate. Also, be sure to consider what size case you want it in, what the case should be made from, button layout, etc. If your favorite console isn't on the list, email me with what you want anyway, there is a good chance I can do it, but I may need to borrow the console to test it with... I can make custom controllers for the following systems: Atari 2600 (track and field, video touchpad and paddle style controllers possible) Atari 7800 Nintendo Super Nintendo PC(digital) Sega Genisis Sega Master System (controllers are electrically the same as Atari 7800) Sony Playstation Systems I can _probably_ make controllers for ColecoVision(I don't have one of these, so I would have no way to test it, but I can probably build one when I get a test unit) Intellivision(In the case of the Intellivision 1 and 3, this would require modifying the console itself, and in the case of the Intellivision 2, I would need to borrow one to test it on, as I only have the Intellivision 3) Macintosh The following require analog control sticks, and are possible, but I have never tried Nintendo 64 Sega Dreamcast Atari 5200 Apple II TRS-80 Color Computer PC(analog) I really don't know about the following consoles, and I would need a test unit for them, but anything is possible. (also note that I have never even seen these consoles...) Bally Astrocade Vectrex Sega Saturn Atari Jaguar I _MIGHT_ be able to add features like autofire for an additional cost, but I haven't done it before. NOTE:I do not do this as a business, but as a hobby. I do not charge much for labor, mainly just parts. I am not making a lot of money off of this, I do it for fun. If you think the cost is too high, keep in mind the quality of the parts I am using. $2 a button may seem like a lot, but they also last forever. I also have a 90-day warrenty on controllers. If it stops working due to construction defects instead of manhandleing/misuse, I'll fix it free. (+shipping). Also, if something goes kafluey after that time is up, I'll probably still fix it free (+shipping), provided it was a construction problem and not wear and tear or manhandleing/misuse. Any other repairs (dropped, manhandled, abused, button wears out(very rare!), etc. can be fixed for a small fee for parts) I am not responsible for any damage to your console, personal injury or property damage, resulting or pertaining to the use/misuse of one of my controllers. (Not that I believe it would happen, but I don't want to get sued by someone with an acute case of "Pac-Man elbow".) So - what do you think? Ian Primus [email protected]

Not to mention the constant joystick replacement... (I still think that Nintendo made Mario Party for that purpose...) Ian Primus [email protected]

I forgot about this one when I started the topic, but I felt I could include it anyway. I own a Nintendo 64, and when I had some friends over, one of them brought a game called Mario Party. It is a lot of fun, but there is one drawback. Some of the minigames require twirling the joystick around. The best way to do this is to use the palm of your hand. After a long game of Mario Party, not only are all the controllers worn out, but your hand has a callous in the middle. Reminds me of how sore you can get after a long game of Decathalon... Actually, I think games like Mario Party are released by Nintendo for the sole purpose of causing people to wear out their control sticks and have to buy new ones. That could explain why they are up to Mario Party 3... Ian Primus [email protected]

Anyone interested in an Atari joystick made from actual ardace parts? I can build them, and I figured I'd ask if anyone would want to buy one. They wouldn't be super cheap, due to the prices I have to pay for the parts. But if anyone would be willing to pay >$30 for a high quality joystick, feel free to email me at - [email protected] . I don't know exactly how much it will be, but I think it will be a little over $30. I can also build two button 7800 compatible ones. Ian Primus [email protected]

I am going to Madison, Wisconsin for a week or so, and I was wondering if there are any good flea market/thrift store/used game stores that might have Atari carts/systems. Any help would be appreciated. Ian Primus [email protected]

After playing Asteroids for two hours strait, my hand cramped around the joystick base... I had to pry the thing out of my hand and soak my hand in hot water. Anyone else had any Atari/video game related injuries? Ian Primus [email protected]

After playing Asteroids for two hours strait, my hand cramped around the joystick base... I had to pry the thing out of my hand and soak my hand in hot water. Needless to say, the standard Atari joysticks are still my favorite. After my hand cramped that one time, I hacked an old NES pad to work on the Atari. They are good alternatives to the controller sometimes, but I still like the Atari joysticks. Ian Primus [email protected]

I don't recall them having a power LED. Only the junior models had those. Ian Primus [email protected]

If you don't like Atari games, then why on earth are you posting to an Atari message board? Ian Primus [email protected]

And translated, that is... Inspired by large success enjoys the Activision, Imagic becomes 1981 the second software third manufacturer. The former Atari employee Bill Grubb and Dennis Kobel, one of the first programmers with Atari 1971, creates this enterprise with fewer than 2 million dollar together with Brian Dougherty. Imagic has originally 10 employees, mainly earlier Atari and Mattel coworker. Under those is also the 24jaehrige Rob Fulop, which were responsible for the Atari VCS hit Night Driver and Missile COMMAND, as well as the VCS video pin ball developer Bob Smith. Fulop sketches Demon Attack, which is published 1982 and which bestverkaufteste Imagic cartridge becomes. The play resembles much that 1980 developed Centuri play Phoenix and Atari as a licensee sues 1982 Imagic because of these Phoenix Portierung, which finally also before court output-fenced becomes. Fulop develops also Cosmic Ark for Imagic, together with the fewer well-known Fathom and the unbelievably rare Rubik's Cube play with name Cubicolor. While Imagic its plays on other platforms, like the Intellivision and even the dying Odyssey 2 portiert, the enterprise succumbs to the large Videospielecrash after only 20 publications 1983/84. Ian Primus [email protected]

Heat the labels up with a hair dryer - they get gooey and peel right off. All that is left on the cart is some stickey goo, and that can be removed with a little bit of goo gone or oops!. Ian Primus [email protected]

I have a Sears heavy sixer, and the channel select switch is hidden on the bottom. Ian Primus [email protected]

I plugged in Space Invaders real quick, and the player 1 score is a dark green, and the player 2 score is a lighter green. All the numbers are the same color in each score, but the numbers are not solid. They are made up of closely spaced horizontal lines. Hope this helps! Ian Primus [email protected]

I have two copies of Gremlins - I didn't know it was rare. I got them both with a big box of "Atari junk" including 30 carts and a 2600jr. from a friend for $15 when he was cleaning out his basement. They are in pretty good shape, but not perfect. I have noticed that on some silver label carts there is a mottleing similar to actiplaque. Anyone know what causes this? Ian Primus [email protected]

I have 3 variations of Combat... Ian Primus [email protected]

I was at a flea market, and I saw a couple of dusty 2600 carts for a buck apiece, and fished through them. Combat, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Defender with a torn up label, nothing special. I was putting them back on the shelf when I noticed an old Sega Master System controller stuffed in the back. There was no Master System there, so I bought the controller for a buck. I hoped it would work on the Atari, and lo and behold, it did! The only problem was that the single fire button was the lefthand one, kind uncomfortable. I opened the controller, and found two circuit boards, one for the buttons, one for the d pad. The cable was soldered onto the edges of these boards. I tried connecting the non ground sides of both buttons, but that resulted in continuous fire, then I realized that i should probably disconnect the second button from the cable, before shorting it to the first one. I snipped the wire, and it worked! Both fire buttons function as the one fire button. If you want to do this yourself, it's easy. All you need is a soldering iron, a scrap of solid core wire (or even a paper clip, it should work), and some solder. Open the controller and flip it button side down. there should be a board for the buttons and one for the d-pad. Flip the button board over to see the solder points. Follow the trace from the tops of the two buttons to the edge of the board. Solder the scrap of wire / paper clip bit between those two solder pads. Snip the white wire off, and tape over the end of it to prevent a short. Trim the wire you soldered between the solder pads so that it doesn't short. Double check your work, and reassemble the controller, traking care to route the cable the correct way in the case. Get an Atari cart such as River Raid, Defender or something that uses all 4 directions and Fire, and plug it into the Atari. Test the conroller. Both buttons should act as the same fire button, and the d-pad should work. If it doesn't, you did something wrong. This conversion should be easily reversable by simply snipping the added wire, and resoldering the white wire you shipped off. I am not responsible for any damage done to your controller, Atari, carts, television set, body, car, pet rock, chia pet, nor am I responsible for soldering ireon burns to yourself, or any other damage resulting from following/not following these instructions. If you have any comments, questions, gripes, email me at [email protected] Hope this is helpful! Ian Primus [email protected]

I never had a 2600 when I was young. Our family had an Atari 130XE computer. It was fully loaded with switchable OS ROM's, two 5 1/2 floppy drives, color monitior, dot matrix printer, 300 baud modem, and a big box of "freeware" game disks. I spent hours playing Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Mr. Robot, Clowns and Balloons, and many others. I really wanted a Nintendo Entertainment System, but my parents used the "We already have a computer, play games on that" approach. When my dad got a PC (386 - wow!), the Atari migrated to my room, doubleing as a TV set with an old VCR as a tuner. Eventually, the Atari wound up in a box, and I got the 386. I finally got a game console when I saved my lawn mowing money and bought a Nintendo 64 with the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire game. I played the heck out of the Nintendo 64, and soon found out that once I beat Star Wars, it was really boring. One day, I found a box of Atari 2600 carts in a Salvation Army. It had like 30 carts and 10 joysticks. I bought it for $5, and set out to find a machine to play them. Later, I was at a flea market and I found a neglected Atari 2600 (Darth Vader model). It had a broken chunk in the corner, but it looked like it should work. I paid $10 and got a set of paddles, two joysticks, the Atari, and NO power supply or cart. I went home, looked up the power supply voltages on the 'net (thanks Atari 2600 Nexus / AtariAge) and went to the local Radio Shlock er.. Shack. I found the power supply I needed, and shelled out $15 for it. I hooked up the Atari and had a blast. It's a few years later and I have 4 Atari's, a Coleco Gemini (2600 clone), about 130 carts (lots of duplicates, I am going to catalog them soon), and a drawer of joysticks. I will be getting my driver's licence soon(I'm 16) and when that happens, I am going to be hitting the flea markets and thrift stores every weekend. Ian Primus [email protected]

What do PAL carts do in NTSC systems? Are they playable? My old TV I have the Atari on has a vertical knob in the front, so I can adjust that easily. If they are playable, I am interested in even the most common of PAL carts, just for the sake of having a couple. Ian Primus [email protected]

Currently there is "Surround" in my heavy sixer, with "Target Fun" and "Combat" on top of the Atari. This Atari is hooked to my 43" projection set in the basement. My friend and I play those three games for hours. "Donkey Kong" is in my darth vader Atari, which is hooked to a 12" TV at the foot of my bed so I can play in the middle of the night "Space Invaders", "Missle Command" and "Frogger" are on top of the TV. Ian Primus [email protected]

I buy just about every cart I see, even if I already have it. I rarely see any 2600 carts in thrift shops anyway, but when I do, I buy them. Ian Primus [email protected]

As you may know, I'm dabbleing in 2600 programming. I am building an eprom burner so that I can create carts for my 2600 for testing. The only plaoblem is that I need carts that I can take apart, remove and replace the roms. I have a few test subjects here (A Pac-Man with no end label and half the front label, and a naked Space Invaders), but I will probably need more. I am looking for carts that are of NO collectible value, for the purpose of donating their carcasses to a noble cause. If anyone cares to help, I would really appreciate it. Also, if anyone knows anything about 2600 EPROM/EEPROM/RAM carts, I would much appreciate any help they could give. Thanks! Ian Primus [email protected]