TunnelRunner

Aw, don't weep. Think of it this way...if I'm having a bad day I can open a brand new 5200 game, ripping away the shrinkwrap!

Count me in. I think my Xevious score is still on top at 83,000.

Anyone got any graphics or background info on this game? I know it's a port from the XL version. I'm generating boxes/labels for this and other XL conversions (thanks, Classics!). Nice game, a thrill to play 'new' 5200 games after 18 years (last new releases were Fractalus/Ballblazer/BBSB).

Sure, I got a bunch of 5200 River Raid boxes...oh, wait. Those are still shrinkwrapped!

Yo, CPU, glad to be back! Sittin on a pile of 5200 cart shells myself, maybe I should talk to albert.

Good for you! I love those controllers, easy to fix and they bring me great memories when I hold one! CX52! G

It's either the cable or more likely the optocoupler sensors. You can buy new ones at Best Electronics for about $5 apiece. If it's the cable, you'll have to mod a CX52 joystick cable. Good luck! G

The best rebuild for those old CX52 sticks is to replace the flex circuit completely and verify the cable works. Iif you have a diagnostic cart it's easy, otherwise use one that utilzes as many keypad buttons as possible. I recommend Dreadnaughht Factor. New cables, if needed, are still available from Best Electronics. For the keypads, find a bottle of Chemtronics keypad restorer. It' made for silicone keypad contacts such as in telephones. And clean out the two pots with some contact cleaner spray before you button it up. I've rebuilt a hundred of these, no problems yet. G

Yeah! Keep us posted, and maybe we can do a box/manual for that. I still have a box of 5200 Berzerk and Pac Man carts, great for shells.

So what, the font is slightly different. It's still Bob Polaro's 1980 game and the box looks pretty nice. It's a hobby, right?

I can recommend Voltman's 5200 EPROM test cart, very handy. Uses one of Joe's PCBs

Same here, Voltman. The best part about this hobby is not the acquisition of hard-to-get toys, but the contacts and friends you make online and in person. Some of the most generous folks I know are connected with the love of old Atari games. I met a lady on a bulletin board, looking for a 2600 and games for her handicapped son. I bundled up a system and some carts and asked some friends to scrounge together some carts. They came through like champs! The lady and her son were thrilled, and I was proud of the friends I'd met online, through Atari. Voltman is one of those friends, so's Cafeman and numerous others. Proud to know you folks!

Well, I had to echo the sentiments...Voltman is THE man. I've been trading with him for a couple years now, and he's the most generous guys out there. Also been lucky enough to shake his hand (at the 2002 CGE) and hope to meet up with him again. On another note...I've learned his 5200 repro cart auctions have been cancelled by Ebay. I don't have a problem with him selling repros, does anyone else?

How much is something worth is the question on the century! I bought my Masterplay brand new in the box, all parts and documents included, for $200. To me, that was nuts, but it was done. I had it. If you have the budget, go for it and be done with wondering. But be sure of your source, not all classic game community members are exceedingly honest. I got mine from John Hardie in New York, so I didn't have to worry about the source. But to be honest, I think that device is highly over-rated. My friend Voltman makes a killer 2600 stick adaptation that eliminates the need for a masterplay and even centers! All you need is the Y cable, he may even be making those now. Whatever you decide, have fun with it!

Yes it does, and it's better with the Trak-Ball. So's Galaxian. And the Trak-Ball buttons never corrode and stop working!

Yes, Super Pac Man is a tremendous game. My understanding is that Curt Vendel made the ROM Voltman is using available, so thanks to both for allowing us to have some more 5200 fun. If any of you want a repro box for Super Pac, let me know. It does exist!

Those voltage regs are available from Best Electronics for about 29 cents. I need to swap out a couple myself, luckily I keep a few handy. TunnelRunner P.S. The 5200 service manual is well worth getting!!!

quote: Originally posted by calamari: ...blah blah.. controllers suck.. blah blah blah Have you ever even used a 5200 with Wicos or a Masterplay interface? Oh..hmm, wait, maybe you've used a 5200 trakball? Really? Well, how about this: have you ever even used a 5200? No? Then what are you posting this crap here for? LOL, I give your post a huge fat "F".. get lost! Either that, or reform, make an effort to get some good sticks. The 5200 has a great amount of "A+" games that you are missing out on because of your ignorance. BTW, can anyone guess my favorite classic 5200 game? I'll give you one guess calamari Way to go, Calamari. I like the CX52, so let's just leave it be. And is your favorite game Space Dungeon? Or could it be Solitaire.....? TunnelRunner

quote: Originally posted by skatepunk60: Yes thats right i acctually like the 5200 controller Skatepunk, I like the cut of your gib! I love the CX52, and have a half dozen apart at any given time. I've found a few good ways to eliminate the button problem without actually altering the controller. But I'm glad to hear a word of praise in favor of the 5200 stick. So it's no good for Asteroids! It's got LOTS of buttons! TunnelRunner

Dutchman, Got any artwork for the box? I'd be glad to fab a few for those boxophiles who love cardboard! TunnelRunner P.S. And put me on the list for an order!

Okay, my opinion on boxes.... If you just collect to play or fill in holes in your library, you don't have to sweat the box (and in most cases the manual, too). But if you want to get those prized carts out of shoeboxes and up onto a shelf so you can let the world know you finally got BBSB, then boxes are the completion of your collection. I happen to prefer my vintage games in their boxes because that's half the presentation. I'm a graphic artist and tech writer, so I appreciate the value a box with exciting artwork gives to a video game. In most cases the artwork was much more exciting than the game itself! I feel Ron's game, Koffi: Yellow Kopter, should have at least the option of a box to house it in. The artwork generated for his box and label is first-rate, and would really add to a complete CIB 5200 library. I've been building Atari-style boxes for my reproduction prototypes, and have made myself available to help Ron and a couple others with their projects. So sure, make Koffi available with and without the box. I am working on a way to bring the cost down, but as most of you know there's no real interest in making a profit on any venture concerning old video games. It's for the love of the hobby we do this, hopefully we won't lose our shirts in the process. Say, what do you think of a generic box for lab loaners? TunnelRunner

I recommend The Atari Historical Society site (other than this one) and the Atari Gaming headquarters for pics of 5200 stuff. eBay is a good source, just have to catch the stuff when it's there! And hello, Calamari. How's Solitaire coming?

quote: Originally posted by Dutchman2000: Tunnel Runner- Could you show us your box and label? Dutchman, Sorry, I didn't check the board for awhile. I'll e-mail you a thumbnail!

quote: Originally posted by Adrian M: My newly acquired 5200's silver metal piece (the horizontal metal piece in the middle of the console with the Atari 5200 logo on it) has unstuck from the left most side! It just kind of detached itself one night and the next day I saw the left side sort of curled up. The rest of the metal piece is still attached, but I'm wondering what the best glue is to ensure a safe bonding with the black plastic underneath? I'm not sure why this happened. It seemed to be on their pretty strongly. If I press the unstuck piece back down, it will stay for a few seconds and unstick again. Which glue or adhesive is the best? SuperGlue? Rubber cement? Elmer's wood glue? Best solution is Best...Electronics! Get a new one with the pink film, $10 bucks.

quote: Originally posted by Tempest: I have the exact same problem with a moded 4 port (no * in the serial number, but it works with a normal switch box). It powers up (the light doesn't go on, but the internals get warm), but I get nothing on the screen. I think something may have blown in mine, but I can't be sure. Is there an easy way to diagnose a 5200? Anyone got a 5200 field service manual? Tempest Ah, Tempest my old friend! You have a universal four port (the * in the serial number). Does the light come on? I do have the service manual and diagnostics.