Atari 7800.com

www.turbografx-16.com I would like to invite everybody to visit our new website, TurboGrafx-16.com! It's not completely finished yet, but there are a few pages up that we think you will enjoy if you are a Turbo gamer. TurboGrafx-16.com is the culmination of all things Turbo, featuring history of Turbo Grafx systems & software, quotes, articles, & historical images, as well as resources for enthusiasts: tips & tricks, special weapons & tactics, detailed game strategy & reviews. TurboGrafx-16.com is the ultimate resource & support line for all Turbo enthusiasts. TurboGrafx-16.com is brought to you by the same team that did Atari 7800.com. You will see many of the same features and nuances at TurboGrafx-16.com, as you did at Atari 7800.com, including intense history, Turbo sales with 2-year limited warranty, 24-hour customer assistance, and a professional looking website. We hope to see you soon! Visit us @ www.turbografx-16.com Justin J. Scott Atari 7800.com / TurboGrafx-16.com

I have a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 for sale if anybody is interested. It has 12,000 original miles and is in pristine condition. Stainless steel exterior, grey leather interior, 5-speed manual, freezing air conditioning, Sony in-dash. This is the same model year and interior color as was used in "Back To The Future" as well as the new video from Moby. Car is autographed by John Z. DeLorean himself. Please email me directly for more information if you are interested. Thanks

www.turbografx-16.com I would like to invite everybody to visit our new website, TurboGrafx-16.com! It's not completely finished yet, but there are a few pages up that we think you will enjoy if you are a Turbo gamer. TurboGrafx-16.com is the culmination of all things Turbo, featuring history of Turbo Grafx systems & software, quotes, articles, & historical images, as well as resources for enthusiasts: tips & tricks, special weapons & tactics, detailed game strategy & reviews. TurboGrafx-16.com is the ultimate resource & support line for all Turbo enthusiasts. TurboGrafx-16.com is brought to you by the same team that did Atari 7800.com. You will see many of the same features and nuances at TurboGrafx-16.com, as you did at Atari 7800.com, including intense history, Turbo sales with 2-year limited warranty, 24-hour customer assistance, and a professional looking website. We hope to see you soon! Visit us @ www.turbografx-16.com Justin J. Scott Atari 7800.com / TurboGrafx-16.com

I have an entire room of my house that smells like this now =) Its the greatest smell on earth, it reminds me of like Christmas morning when I was a kid. But on the other hand, there is nothing more dank than the stench that wreaks from old musty used Atari games that have been down in someones basement or closet for years. Smells like crap, blech. Thats mainly why I dont even deal in used games any more. Justin Atari 7800.com

This debate over Jack Tramiel is intriguing, but yet only one person has agreed to go on the record to stand up for the Tramiels in the article. I have currently spoken with 16 people who have dealt with Jack on a business level in one light or another, and not one of them outweighed the bad side of Jack with the good. Now don't get me wrong... I didnt start this thread just to bash Jack Tramiel, I think he did enough of that on his own. As a business man, he was mediocre. As a person, he was a jerk. I have dealt with him myself in the past, and I know several people who dealt with him on a *BUSINESS* level, and I can tell you from experience, Jack was anything but professional. Ask any Atari employee close to Jack or Sam's office who were there during the Tramiel age and they will vouch for many -a- screaming match, even between Tramiels. I am not anti-capitolist and I have a very good understanding of business practices, and one of the most basic things you learn about business is the bottom line... some of you support Jack by saying "Jack saved Atari!" ...or "well you have to remember what shape Atari was in when Jack took over to see just how much he turned the company around." ... well the bottom line is that he DIDNT save Atari. He liquidated it. He purchased what was left of Atari from Warner Communications, brought out a few of his pet projects which were named after members of his own family (ST seems awefully close to Sam Tramiels initials) and re-released the 7800 and 2600 jr primarilly to sell off the warehouses upon warehouses of games he had to unload, while supporting these systems just enough to keep them on life support in the retail market. Like I said, it comes down to the bottom line... Jack did not save Atari. Had he saved Atari, we would all be playing 128-Bit Atari games and sending emails on our brand new Atari computers. Instead we get all excited every time we see a commercial for Test Drive. Good job Jack. Email me personally if you are willing to go on the record to support the Tramiels. I promise I wont be as anti-Tramiel then =) My email is [email protected] Justin Atari 7800.com Manhattan Digital Media

I have spoken with many former Atari employees.... ALL of whom dispise Jack Tramiel with such a passion that they dont even want to get into it. This is why I have no other choice than to seek out those who support Jack and are willing to go on record as doing so. Justin Atari 7800.com

I am currently working on an Atari History article for Atari 7800.com, focusing on Jack Tramiel... basically explaining his bio, how he came into ownership of Atari, the good, the bad, and the ugly. ....However I'm running into a problem. It seems as all of the atari retrogamers I have spoken with (including myself) simply despise Jack Tramiel and his sons. This article comes down pretty harsh on the Tramiels, and I want to keep it balanced by offering the "Pro-Tramiel" point of view to keep things fair. I just can't find anybody with a "Pro-Tramiel" view, thats all. So if any of you see the good in the Tramiels, or are willing to go on record to defend their business practices at Atari, please step forward and email me directly at [email protected] You will recieve full credit in the article for your input. Thanks! Justin Atari 7800.com

I am currently working on an Atari History article for Atari 7800.com, focusing on Jack Tramiel... basically explaining his bio, how he came into ownership of Atari, the good, the bad, and the ugly. ....However I'm running into a problem. It seems as all of the atari retrogamers I have spoken with (including myself) simply despise Jack Tramiel and his sons. This article comes down pretty harsh on the Tramiels, and I want to keep it balanced by offering the "Pro-Tramiel" point of view to keep things fair. I just can't find anybody with a "Pro-Tramiel" view, thats all. So if any of you see the good in the Tramiels, or are willing to go on record to defend their business practices at Atari, please step forward and email me directly at [email protected] You will recieve full credit in the article for your input. Thanks! Justin Atari 7800.com

I am currently working on an Atari History article for Atari 7800.com, focusing on Jack Tramiel... basically explaining his bio, how he came into ownership of Atari, the good, the bad, and the ugly. ....However I'm running into a problem. It seems as all of the atari retrogamers I have spoken with (including myself) simply despise Jack Tramiel and his sons. This article comes down pretty harsh on the Tramiels, and I want to keep it balanced by offering the "Pro-Tramiel" point of view to keep things fair. I just can't find anybody with a "Pro-Tramiel" view, thats all. So if any of you see the good in the Tramiels, or are willing to go on record to defend their business practices at Atari, please step forward and email me directly at [email protected] You will recieve full credit in the article for your input. Thanks! Justin Atari 7800.com

We just wanted to let everybody know that the Atari 7800.com ProSystem will be available for purchase very shortly and we are already taking reservations. We recently updated the information page for the Atari 7800.com ProSystem which features photos, information, FAQ, ordering & reservation information, accessory details, and more! You can visit this page at : www.atari7800.com/prosystem We hope you enjoy our work! -The Atari 7800.com Family *More info on the Atari 7800 ProSystem: The "Atari 7800.com ProSystem" is the culmination of years of thinking, dreaming, development and listening to what serious Atari 7800 retrogamers wanted. After years of neglect from Atari under Jack Tramiel, the Atari 7800 is finally going to receive the factory-like support it has lacked for well over a decade, and truly, never really had at all. It is at the heart of this support that you find the pinnacle of our efforts, the Atari 7800.com ProSystem. These real Atari 7800 units have been built new, from preexisting quality new and refurbished Atari parts and accessories which have already passed through certain steps of our exclusive Quality Assurance program. We then package the Atari 7800 with new games featuring exclusive Atari 7800.com label treatments, Atari history materials, quality Atari accessories, and the new Atari 7800.com ProSystem Owner's Manual printed in full color, all bundled together with our exclusive 2-Year Limited Warranty and 24-hr customer assistance inside of brand-new full-color packaging. Try finding dedication like that from the likes of eBay or O'Shea Ltd.

Hey- We have recently started on a project to develop a "modified" 7800 ProSystem that would have a few new features that the normal Atari 7800 and OShea 7800s dont offer. What I'd like to know is what would you like to see worked into a modified 7800. What would your dream 7800 have? S-video? Modified power input? Built in games? The works? Im really interested in hearing your ideas! Justin Atari 7800.com

Atari 7800.com has launched its "Specials Page" in the Atari 7800.com On-Line Catalogue, and is currently running specials on items for the Atari Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Panasonic 3DO REAL Multiplayer, and Sega Saturn. More specials will be coming shortly. Please visit our Specials page at: http://www.atari7800.com/catalogue/pg17 Thanks! The Atari 7800.com Family

I am also looking for one of these machines. Please contact me and I will pay top dollar. Thanks

Lance at VIDEO 61 has these items MIB in stock if you want to drop him a line. You can contact him at www.atarisales.com or by phone at 651.462.2500

I just wanted to invite everybody interested in premium Atari 7800 and Lynx merchandise to visit the new Atari 7800.com On-Line Catalogue at www.atari7800.com/catalogue Everything sold comes with a 2-Year Limited Warranty, and we offer overnight shipping, free gift wrapping, posters, and gift certificates. Game on! The Atari 7800.com Family

If anybody is interested, I still have a few copies of these left, perfectly mint in the box. I know its not everybodys favorite game but its mint with a 2-year warranty. They are 24.95, and I will ship for free. Thanks! Justin Atari 7800.com

I hate to tell you but that sexxxy plug is pretty useless. Atari, under Warner Communications, had been discussing many peripherals and components that were to utilize the expansion port, however when Atari fell under Tramiel control, these great ideas were scrapped within days. Contrary to popular belief, the Atari 7800 KeyBoard was not designed to be plugged into this side port. It was to plug into a joystick port, just like the ProLine controllers. I believe that the expansion port would have been used to connect to existing Atari thermal printers and disc drives? I have also heard *rumors* about talk of a future add-on laserdisc component which was to sit under the 7800. This was to be the first "cd" component on a game system, years before Turbo Grafx-16 or Sega released their versions. These are just rumors, and I can't back it up with actual proof, but I have heard this from a few too many knowledgeable Atari historians and former employees to dismiss it. It would have been really cool to see that release though! Dont have too much fun with that expansion port. Justin Atari 7800.com

If anybody has any specific questions regarding Atari 7800.com feel free to contact us at [email protected], or you can contact me directly at [email protected] You can also call our 24-hr customer assitance line at 941.598.1862 and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have. The history of Atari 7800.com may be found in our articles section, located at http://www.atari7800.com/7800magazine/ The site is currently mine. I did about 95% of the web work on it, and Ben Roberts helped out with some of the rest. Jon Dyer takes care of some of the business aspects of the operation. Joseph Rivera helps with shipping. Information on the staff can be found at www.atari7800.com/delta/staff.htm The site was never Curt's responsibility. As he said, it was parked at the AHS for quite some time when the site was down. Also, the whole team at Atari 7800.com is new. Except for myself, the entire Atari 7800.com staff has been brought together from the ground up. It is a totally new website and new operation. Again, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Justin Atari 7800.com

Another thing to take into consideration is the packaging issue. I have a good feeling that there were more original 7800 boxes produced than systems (or system parts) when the Tramiels aquired Atari from Warner Communications. I have seen 7800 units, with the newer (standard) rainbow print, no side port, and a 1987 Pole Position II cartridge, all packaged inside a 1984 system box. This could mean one of two things. 1.) Warner had unused boxes laying around which carried over thru 1986 with the Tramiels. 2.) The "mint" system I purchased was just a newer 7800 package placed inside of an older box, lol. Does anybody else know anything about this? Justin

You know this is really one of the most intriguing issues with the 7800. The 7800 had a really weird beginning... it was designed as the foolproof answer to the 5200, brought into this world under warner, and then neglected by the Tramiel dictatorship at Atari. The deal with these "spring-loaded" cartridges has been bugging me for about 15 years, and the only thing Ive been able to come up with is that Atari, under Warner Communications, didn't have enough "standard" 7800 cartridges made up for the launch of the system.... (or maybe there was just a glut of 2600 cartridges, which could very well have been the case at Atari in Spring 1984) so they used existing 2600 cartridge shells to house the 7800 games. If you take a look at one of these games, you will see that the cartridge bung was not made to fit the 7800 cartridge pinout. All they did to modify these things for the 7800 was to slice off the small plastic areas which sat between the 2600 cartridge pinout opening, and the tooth-holes on the cartridge which allowed the 2600 cartridges to be unlocked and opened by the system. They just made more room for the 7800 cart by cutting away these plastic bridges, and taking out the backing mechanism that can be found on all pre-1984 2600 games. These were HAND CUT! ...why? That's the real question. The only games I have *ever* seen for the 7800 that feature this cartridge bung were the first ten or eleven 1984 release games for the 7800. These games include: Pole Position II Centipede Asteroids Dig Dug Joust Robotron: 2084 Ms. Pac-Man Food Fight Galaga Desert Falcon What is interesting is that its not a consistent rule of "all pre-Tramiel games had the spring bottom" or anything like that. I have a few mint 1984 7800 units in the box and all of them feature a regular 1984 Pole Position II. I also own some of the original pre-release "holoptic label" 7800 games, and again, all of them had the regular case design. I hope maybe this helped spread a little bit of light on the matter. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me directly : ) Justin

Im working on scans of these right now. Its taking a bit of time to get them up tho. Hopefully I can get these scans up within a few weeks. Keep an eye out for them at the Atari 7800.com 7800 Museum page. Justin

All the reliable sources I have ever spoken with regarding this have basically told me that Fatal Run began development as RoadBlasters for the 7800 ProSystem, to compete with games like Nintendo's Rad Racer and Sega's Out Run. However, from what I'm told (and I think they are right) RoadBlasters began its life as an arcade game at Atari Coin-Op in 1986. Atari Coin-Op (at that time called Atari Games) was NOT sold to the Tramiels in 1984 and was retained by Warner Communications until 1996 when they sold it to Williams. What this means is, even tho RoadBlasters was an "Atari game" it was not the Tramiel Atari, and Jack would have had to pay money to Warner to license RoadBlasters for the 7800. Jack Tramiel as we all know was cheap. To port RoadBlasters to the 7800 it would cost money for the liscense, and even more money for the larger rom cartridges it would require to make the game the right way. (RoadBlasters would have had to have been a Super Game Cartridge... and jack didnt want to put that much money into a game) So needless to say, the Tramiels cut corners, didnt liscense RoadBlasters, and didnt spend the time and money required to make a GREAT game...so they made Fatal Run. Warner still owned a percentage of Atari Corp in the late 80's and early 90's and was pretty fed up with Jack's attitude and more or less forced him to release RoadBlasters on the LYNX, which I personally think is one of the best games ever made for a hand held system period. It would definately have been nice to see RoadBlasters on the 7800. Maybe one day someone can program it for the 7800 =) Justin

The Ms. Pac-Man on Curt's site is a 1984 pre-release Ms. Pac-Man from Atari under Warner Communications. I know this for a fact because I'm the one who gave the cartridge to him. I own a few copies of other early release games including Joust, Centipede and Dig Dug. The ends dont have the covers on them contrary to popular belief. The labels are TOTALLY different than anything I've EVER seen come out of Atari. They are aluminum prints with a 3-D gridfield on it, and scanning them into the computer just doesnt do them justice. If you'd like to see more pictures of all of these games, or get more information on them, I have them up in the Atari 7800 Museum at http://www.atari7800.com/7800/museum.htm Hope this helps. Justin

Another good way to know if you have one of the first-run 1984 units is just by looking at the rainbow on the face of the 7800. On the early 7800s, the rainbow spectrum is just in different. The later 7800s' rainbow starts with orange on the left, while the early units start with Blue and Purple. The whole thing just has a different look to it. Ive owned over 100 7800 units in my lifetime, and out of those I have only had two with the original ranbow. Justin

I'll eMail it to ya : ) Justin