Mezrabad
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Blog Comments posted by Mezrabad
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On 9/28/2012 at 10:53 AM, Nelio said:Ok, I just checked and you reviewed the above games in later entries. I guess the games were released in 1979, although their copyright states 1978. Maybe I'll fix that info in MobyGames. I've already played most of the games, and I'm just missing Superman (I ran it briefly, but turned it off with a WTF look on my face).
I want to keep going through your blog chronologically so I'll comment on those games when I get to their entries.
I think I got a lot of dates wrong. I'm positive that, at some point, I play Super Breakout years ahead of its release date, but I was acting on the information I was able to find at the time. RandomTerrain did a great project at some poine in the intervening 16 years and by using advertisements and catalogs was able to come up with a much more satisfying release date chart. I'm using that moving forward, at least for Atari games.
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On 9/26/2012 at 8:59 PM, Nelio said:
Yeah, pretty basic game. Not immensely fun, but kind of refreshing to have a puzzle-solving game in the mix.
Yeah, it's not terrible, it's just not something we felt the need to play again. I think that could be a function of having so many games. If we really were in 1978, our options would be more limited, even among 1978 games. (i.e. I wouldn't own all of them in 1978.)
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On 1/30/2014 at 9:40 PM, Nelio said:
It's been ages since I saw that video, but I still remember it was funny as hell! You should definitely watch it!
I finally watched it!!! You're right, it's awesome! xD
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On 9/23/2012 at 9:07 PM, Nelio said:
That was an awesome experience and I'm happy that you had such a great opportunity.
The company I would have done anything to work for, a long, long time ago, would have been Westwood Studios. Lands of Lore is, to this day, my favorite game EVER. The Legend of Kyrandia games are some of the best I've ever played, with amazing graphics and storytelling. And, of course, Dune II was a game changer.
When those games were around, companies like Bullfrog, Lucas Arts, and many others were also thriving with amazing titles. For me, as an avid PC gamer, those were the times. Yes, they were.
It's still a really great memory. Obviously, I'm a big fan of my childhood console video games and they were fun because they were shared experiences with other people back in the day, and with my kids back when I was beginning Chronogamer. (Now my kids aren't around. Trying to play the two player games is difficult and makes me a little melancholy.) I didn't really get to play PC games until my early 20s but when I did, it was like living in them. I remember the feeling of hyperfocus while playing Ultimas 4 and 5. Mapping the dungeons. Keeping track of every clue and power word and rune sequence for the spell. I lived and breathed in those games like one could only do for weeks on end with PC games. (this was around 1992ish, I guess. I think other games had come out for consoles where one could get just as immersed, but I'd totally missed the boat on those, not having had access to a video game console since 1985.)
It's funny, I just reinstalled Blade Runner from Westwood Studios. They really were a creative group. I never played the Kyrandia games, but if I ever make it out of the 80s, maybe I'll give them a shot.
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On 9/23/2012 at 7:42 PM, Nelio said:
Let's get 1978 going! I'm already done with the arcades and the pongs! On to the consoles!
Oh, what happened to Channel F's videocart #19 in your list above?
Hi, I'm writing from 2021 and playing in 1980 now. I've gotten through all of the Atari and Intellivision 1980 libraries and am looking at the Fairchild Channel F (rebranded from VES) games. Back in 2005, I'd read something about 1980/81 was when Fairchild had rebranded its VES to Channel F and released the last of its games. They had skipped releasing #19 Checkers in 1978 and it didn't come out until 1980. Fast forward (well, okay, slow forward) to 2021 and I got my latest list from wikipedia which goes back and lists #19 as coming out in 1978. So.. either I missed it in 1978, or wikipedia has it wrong. Either way, #19 Checkers is probably the next game I need to play here in 2021. (After already playing two Checkers games on the Atari VCS in the recent weeks.)
Truth be told. I don't even have the US release of cart #19. I have the German release (that I got when I acquired the German #20 Schach (Chess)) I might just play the German #19 instead if I haven't already. It looks spacey.
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On 1/30/2014 at 8:08 PM, Nelio said:
Hey there. ?
Yes, 2014 has been gentle on me so far. Things at work are getting there aaaaaaand... the divorce was for the better.
Mine happened in 2015 and it really was for the better, too.
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On 10/10/2005 at 12:18 AM, supercat said:
There is no flicker in Street Racer. Flicker hadn't been invented yet (seriously--I don't think any 1977 titles used it; I think it first appeared in Home Run).
!!! Wow, and boy did they use it in Home Run! It is amazing how they kept getting around supposed hardware limitations.
On 8/29/2012 at 10:56 PM, Nelio said:On my first run on "Scoop Ball", before reading the instructions, I thought it was kind of a "Tetris" racer (quoted because Tetris hadn't been invented yet, of course). Wouldn't it be fun if you had to drive into cars compatible with the current shape of your own and avoid the others? That would be an interesting concept, I think.
Wow, like Auto-Tetris! Yeah, that could work! Speaking of Tetris, I've seen the homebrew for the Fairchild VES, but I haven't checked out the Atari homebrews in a loooong time. I guess it's time to see if anyone did Tetris for it. If it was even possible.
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On 12/9/2018 at 1:29 PM, Odd said:
One thing I don't think anyone brought up in all these blackjack reviews, but which I think is a fairly important one: Blackjack is a "sophisticated game for adults", and having a "sophisticated game for adults" in your game library is a pretty big plus if you're trying to market these rather expensive devices to families. The market for these systems were families that included kids in grade/middle school and adults in their 40s, and back in the 70s, tank games and spaceship games weren't really something that 40-somethings were going to be particularly drawn to. Blackjack, however, is right up their alley (another obvious subject is chess, but that's considerably more complex to program and has somewhat less broad appeal, which is probably why everyone went for blackjack first), and advertising that "not only can the kids play cowboy, spaceman and soldier on this new entertainment system, the adults can also use it to play blackjack against an electronic dealer" is the kind of pitch that can net you a good couple sales.
You are absolutely correct! back in 1980 (I got my Atari that Christmas) My Grandmother had gotten us the system and two more carts, so we had Combat, Space Invaders and somehow she'd decided to get us Blackjack. I'm being quite honest right now when I admit that it never once occurred to me, until this minute, that she gave us the Blackjack cart so that my Mom and Dad might be interested in playing it. I'll still probably complain more about Blackjack (and later, Checkers) but I appreciate you reminding me that adults had to purchase these systems and they'd want to play Blackjack.
On 12/10/2018 at 3:05 AM, Odd said:Same goes for Basic Math and the other generic math drill "games" that every system had, for that matter. "And it's not just fun and games, this system also has educational software in its library that can help the kids practice math and more" is absolutely going to get parents more interested in shelling out money for a system.
Yes, absolutely. I had understood the "educational" angle. I was often frustrated watching the type of "education" games that came out, more often than not just trying to make a quick buck. (Until Robot Odyssey by Warren Robinette which was freaking amazing. Technically, I guess it was a puzzle game, but it felt educational.)
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On 8/27/2012 at 9:30 PM, Nelio said:
I liked the one where you move faster and faster and faster. Particularly as I was playing against the computer and this doesn't stress it not even a bit. Still, I won.
I always thought the background sound, the "pulse" was very good at increasing the sense of stress! Was a fun cart.
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On 8/27/2012 at 9:05 PM, Nelio said:
These games were fun at that time, just like some TV shows were and you probably wouldn't stand them today. *cough*ultraman*cough*
why I've worked in videogames all my life.
I have the full first series of Ultraman on DVD now and you're absolutely right. I barely got through the first episode before putting the DVD back in its case and there it still sits. I'm glad I had it when I had it.
And WHAT!?! you're in videogames?! Cool! I wish I'd seen this comment back when you'd posted it and maybe you'd have shared more.
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On 8/28/2012 at 11:28 PM, Nelio said:
Hah, I just spent almost an hour playing in those ice tracks. The "physics" there seem so real!
It's a lot of fun! I know it's been 9 years since you've commented, but I honestly feel like we're having a conversation. Mostly because I am just reading your comments now. I imagine it's quite a bit more of a lag for you. xD
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I'm noticing now... a lot of comments are missing. I seem to remember Rob Flack commenting about the Fairchild Channel F in the same spirit that I did, something about "who knows how high Fairchild's star will rise"? I don't see it now. This might be why Nelio found so many uncommented upon entries. Though there are still comments from 2005 so... I dunno.
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On 8/24/2012 at 7:40 PM, Nelio said:
I had fun with Robot Wars but it would have been much better if there was an additional robot on each level.
Now Torpedo Alley? That's just awesome! I love sea battle games. It was obviously inspired by arcade games of the time, in particular Midway's Sea Wolf
Now, how awesome is that?
I used to really love Sea Wolf. Hated the speedboat though.
That video is really great. I had forgotten about all of the one-way mirroring helping with the effects. I do remember getting Sea Wolf up and running in MAME back in 2001-ish and feeling that it lacked a certain luster. Now I know why!
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On 10/8/2012 at 10:20 PM, Nelio said:
Yeah, if you're able to delete those posts, please go ahead. I can't delete nor edit them now. ?
I don't know that I can! I will try. Thanks for doing them. ^ ^
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On 10/1/2012 at 1:56 PM, Nelio said:
I'm hoping to beat you out of 1980! But I confess it'll be a bit sad not to have this blog keeping me company on the journey.
I know, I really petered out, but I'm working on it again. Mostly, I realize that I still have all the hardware for playing so many of these games. I want to start lightening my life's material possessions before I have to move again. (I had to move three times in the space of Summer of 2015 to Summer of 2017. It was not fun.) I realized that if I ever wanted to get back to Chronogaming, it was time. Probably past the time. xD
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On 10/1/2012 at 1:52 PM, Nelio said:
I'm glad you're also getting something from my comments!
It's a real pleasure to come back and find them! I guess I'd turned of notifications or never turned them on or something.
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On 9/30/2012 at 11:28 PM, Nelio said:
This reminds me of:
http://themetapicture.com/i-am-a-gamer/
And I'm staying away from Guild Wars 2. It's for the best.
Awww, too bad, that link is gone and a reminder that I can't just disappear for years and years and expect things to work. That being said, kudos again to AtariAge for still working!
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On 2/22/2015 at 8:25 AM, sut said:
I've also played the three 'exclusive' European titles the aforementioned Bingo (not as rare over here), Flipper and..... Wait for it..... Star Wars ! Not convinced it's officially licenced though.
Unsurprisingly these all suck as well.
There are some exclusive Japanese games as well but the only one dumped is Sumo Wrestling which I can't figure out.
Holy crap!!! You've played Bingo, that's awesome! Awesome, in a way that confirms it exists, but in other ways, I'm so sorry for your pain.
Wow, it came out in Japan? I did not know that. And Sumo Wrestling? I'm positive that it's probably terrible, but the fact they tried to do it is pretty neat.
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On 9/30/2012 at 11:18 PM, Nelio said:
Love. That. Show.
One of, if not THE greatest f*ck up of television execs.
I agree! I always wanted more of it and I enjoyed the movie and then there was just no more. Sad, really, but we can move on! (No we can't, look at us still talking about games that came out over 40 years go. We're going to be sad about Firefly until we're very very old.)
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On 9/30/2012 at 11:13 PM, Nelio said:
(Yes, I'm in fact a salesman stalking you so that I would eventually drive you to buy one of my hosting plans!)
This made me LOL, I cried out with mirth and merriment. xD
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On 9/30/2012 at 11:04 PM, Nelio said:
Sometimes I wonder if once we start forgetting about these games, it's time to start this over again.
(LOL, no, I don't!)
If only we could restart what we've forgotten without the pain of remembering how it was when we try.
That's not from a song or anything, I just make this crap up when I type and I think putting it into italics makes it look deep.
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On 9/30/2012 at 10:59 PM, Nelio said:
What is this madness?! I didn't comment on this entry? How careless of me.
I don't think I played this one. I only played a few of Studio II's games, as I couldn't find most of the ROMs. Even hackers hated this system, apparently.
By the way, the Spanish currency is "pesetas". ?
Ooooh, pesetas! okay, good to know. And... hmm, i honestly don't know anything about the roms for this system. Other than Bingo this is one of my "most completed".
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On 9/30/2012 at 10:43 PM, Nelio said:
I thought you were going to say it was hard to sell! lol
hahah, I actually think it's in good enough condition that someone who appreciated these things for just their packaging alone would want it. Nowadays we don't need many pictures on the box, so they're a bit sleeker looking and feature the hardware, maybe a few screenshots of games, but back then, it looks like they had to paint entire scenes of families sharing the joy with each other.
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On 7/12/2017 at 3:45 PM, bradhig1 said:
I just got one today. It like my Radio Shack Full Color TV Scoreboard 60-3055 are designed to act like TV switchboxes. Also the Color Game Action Games by Intercon Marketing uses the same MM-57100 chip and the Color Game Action Games also acts as a switchbox as well. There is a switch on the back of the Adversary that turns on one player mode. In One Player mode one controller is used to control both paddles.
Hello, fellow traveler! Nice to see you here. I hope you returned despite the absence of new content or interaction. xD I appreciate your comment. ^ ^ Also, I didn't know about that switch on the back of the Adversary. I still have mine. I'll bust it out if I ever have a girlfriend again.
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Dodge-It, FCF 1978
in Chronogamer
A blog by Mezrabad in General
Posted
LOL xD
I wish that worked for everything. Calming myself just makes me calm while things continue to confuse me.