TunnelRunner

I've rebuilt so many of these damn things that I have found a few good tricks: Look up Chemtronics Keypad Repair Kit. You clean off the keypads and mix up the two halves of the kit and paint the contacts. Mine still work a few years after the fact. This is, of course, in addition to replacing the flex circuit (they went up to $8?) and cleaning the pots with contact cleaner. And check your cable before you button it all up (diagnostic cart from Best, does the trick). The Artist formerly known as 'Doc' Atari.

i find nothing wrong with the stock controllers. Thanks for saying so, they are just fine. Like a Ferrari they need to be tinkered with but when they are tuned up they are the best for that system. But as for Jess, the Comp Pro is okay but not for all games since it's digital. Your best bet, all around, is the Wico Command control with the keyboard (yeah, I know...easier said than done since they are hard to find). Harder still to find is REI's Starcon (again a digital stick but all in one with keyboard and dual buttons). Better than the Masterplay, which is hard to find and IMHO overrated. But for the standard controller I'd suggest finding a keypad restorer kit from Chemtronics (used for digital keypad contacts). Clean everything, replace the flex circuit, treat the contacts, clean the pots, lift that bale, tote that...sorry! It works great and pretty cheap way to fix all your CX52 sticks.

Funny you should mention... I dropped by this forum to suggest Fun With Numbers be bumped up a few notches. I have yet to see a box for this game (did they ever change the manual, or did all of them come with Basic Math?). Lucky dog, that's one that has eluded me. Alas, I shall die Numbers-less. Oh, cruel world!

Hey Allan, can I borrow your avatar artwork for my Spitfire cart? It's much nice than the one I cobbled together. I can my trade labels for one of yours. g

Still looking for Dave, I thought he might still be in the Santa Barbara area. Keithen says the game is 75%. It will be awesome.

Hello Ken! So glad to see the project is alive and well. Does Atari/Infogrames have an issue with this? I heard there was a 5200 Flashback in the works. I was just tinkering on the manual for this game today, and can post a pic of the box and label if there are no objections from Curt (it has his Tempest artwork).

"This is a very rough port/translation of the A8 games Elevator Repairman and Spy's Demise; I haven't figured out an exact title yet (sound familiar? ), so feel free to make suggestions! All other comments, suggestions, etc. welcome as well!" How about 'Mad Maids' or Maid in America!

Ken, That's good news, really. I'm swamped with family health issues, so no more progress on box/manual. Basic layout is done, I'll throw in as much Tempest history as possible. Geo

To that list I'd add a caution in dealing with Orphan Video Games. See my posting in this forum.

Thanks for mentioning my name, brother. You are top of my list, too! G

Well, folks...as one who was collecting Stella serial numbers I kept an eye on the heavy-bottomed gals especially. About six years ago one sold for well over 6 large, no kidding. I e-mailed the man, to get the s/n. He was happy with the purchase. Bottom line is the price will always fluctuate from one time of the year to another. Holidays will see some bargains because not as many collectors are looking as hard. And if there's a run on a certain item (Motorodeo/Ikari Warriors is a prime example) you'll see the price drop dramatically. Thank God for that...I didn't have to drop four big ones on a damned game! I paid just over $100 for my MIB heavy, a beauty! g

Thanks again, brothers and sisters. Wish I could leave them a bad feedback, but it's just mudslinging, and I don't think THEY are worth getting muddy over. Ebay says they are 'investigating' and I'll refer them to this thread for 'character reference to let them know that I'm not just crying sour grapes. I'm gettin' too old for this kinda dookie! Take two Asteroids and call me in the morning!

Rebuild those CX52s, my friend. Ballblazer is one of the all-time best games for the 5200 system. The manual is every bit as entertaining as the game, IMHO. I think there should be a big screen tournament at one of the upcoming game expos, don't you? g P.S. I used my Starcon to play Ballblazer...it rocks!

Hey, folks! Thanks for all the feedback, I don't feel so alone! Still no resolution in the matter (Orphan Games is now claiming that their sales are 'down by 41%' because of my posting. Sure.....) On the "NEW SEALED' claims, I figured they had some shelf wear and (maybe) were new. That really wasn't the issue (I mean, Spacemaster X-7 made the deal worth it - good thing the instructions were there for THAT game!). The issue was (and still is) that she claimed certain things and sent what she got at a flea market or in a trade, untested, and claimed they were tested..and complete (she is telling eBay the games were purchased new from a department store!). I'm still trying to resolve the matter by just asking for either the instructions or funds to buy them from Atari2600.com. That's fair, right? But she dug in her heels and now claims the games were complete when sent and that I am lying. On the feedback issue...well, whoever said it is a 'sucky' system isn't far off. I won't leave any feedback, period. I left negative once, and it got thrown back at me. So we'll just maintain our feedback "Mutually Assured Destruction' until the time limit expires. But I do think sellers should leave feedback as soon as they get paid, if they intend on sending what they promised. Arguments? Bottom line: just fighting the good fight for my collector friends. Tempest 5200, CIB...on it's way in 2006. g

Jerry, Thanks for your input. Their Ebay handle is Orphangames. The auction was 8244939968. What I got was (ab)used boxes, missing instructions, and plenty of stonewalling. Ebay and PayPal have, effectively, said 'tough luck, bud". Hey, CPUWIZ, glad to see you again as well! G

Hey Fellow Collectors, Anyone out there ever done business with Orphan Video Games and gotten burned? I won an auction of theirs on Ebay, paid right away....and waited two weeks to find out they hadn't shipped it yet. Then it took almost another two weeks to get the package (the tracking number was useless, but at least it arrived). Only then the contents were not new and sealed as described, but rather shaggy and missing instructions for three of the six games (all promised to be COMPLETE and NEW. Hah! Now Ebay is just saying "Sorry it happened, please work it out with the seller". Hey, Ebay...been trying to do that for a month. Orphan Video Games simply describes whatever pie-in-the-sky will sell their stuff, and then ship you the junk they found wherever, without testing or inspecting it. The last time I dealt with them they claimed the remote control joysticks were "tested and worked', but one stick didn't even have a handle! How do you test that? So beware, my friends. I'm sure some of you have dodged the bullet in dealing with them and gotten things that were as advertised. Caveat emptor, brothers and sisters......

Hey, I guess I don't have to keep quiet about Tempest now! Better get on that box and manual, eh? :!:

Yeah, me too! Happy with Motorodeo and the fact that I didn't drop three or four hundred on it (although had I waited a couple months both Motorodeo and Ikari could have been had for just under $100). But who could have seen that? Like the price of gas, you tank up when it's $2.35, and don't complain when it drops to $2.19 (although I'm still cheesed it went over two bucks!). Hey, when are they gonna raise the rarity of Fun With Numbers? Come on, ya know it needs to be done.... Hey, AJ! That PAM is just fine....

Here's a thought: lower Motorodeo to 8 and raise Fun With Numbers to 10. How often do you see THAT one CIB?

Ron, glad to see you're still programming! Looking forward to Adventure II. Koffi's Uncle Geo

Mike, try replacing the two voltage regs next to the large black heat sink. Very common problem with four ports. As for the 2 port picture, my guess is a bad chip. Try swapping out from the four port (that might even let you play Pitfall! and Mountain King).

I have a contact at Atari in Massachusettes, I'll ask him what's up. And don't worry kids, our Atari is not their Atari, right?

Nice to pick up a new 5200 game, now and then! TunnerRunner (Bristles s/n #3 owner)