Atari2008

Pac-Man (Channel F): 3.5 hours

Atari 2600 Atari 5200 Atari 7800 Bally Astrocade Fairchild Channel F

My table was my grandfathers and dates back to at least the 70's. Tempest These sound interesting, any chance of posting pics?

I just thought I'd give an update since you were all very helpful in my decision-making. I actually ended up getting a Channel F (system 1) and Pac-Man, and have had the system for about 2 weeks. So far, I think it's great! I like the console design - it definitely looks very retro - and I think it's cool that it resembles more an 8-track player than a game system. I like the controllers, they're very different and comfortable to use and responsive. I even don't mind the sound coming out of the system and not the TV. I do admit that my first impressions are probably skewed a bit since the first and only game I've played so far is Pac-Man but I like what the system can do. I'm having a lot of fun with it and am playing it much more than I even expected to, almost every day practically. It'll be a while until I get some new games since the system wasn't cheap, but eventually I'll start dipping into its original library. So thank you everyone for your input, I haven't been this pleased with a classic console purchase in a while. The Channel F is definitely a cool and fun addition to my collection.

I wish I had been there as well - the 70s and 80s. I think it would've been fun to have experienced Atari and all the other classic consoles in their heyday, not to mention I enjoy other things from those eras as well such as the movies, music, TV shows, slang and even the fashion. But I think the cool thing is that we have all of those things as a legacy from those eras that will live on. One example is the good old 2600, which this board and many other sites like it serve as testament to its popularity till this very day. And the fact that it's caught on among those of us who weren't around for it shows that it has no signs of slowing down. My friends have video game systems and facts in their heads that they would've had no clue about had it not been for hanging around me.

I have an old coffee table down there. It's good for setting drinks on as well. Tempest Cool, I might look into getting a coffee table or an end table to set my classic consoles on. Sounds like a good idea.

I figured it was because you had to interact with the console to adjust game difficulty, hit reset, etc. I just put whatever system I'm playing on a TV dinner table which allows me to move it near or far from me as needed. What do you put your classic (short controller cable) systems on? The TV dinner table works but I'd like something sturdier.

Pac-Man on Channel F

My Channel F (system 1) came in earlier this week, and so far I've been very impressed. I like the overall look of the system, I think the fact that it resembles an 8-track player is pretty cool, makes it a nice timepiece from the 70s. I also think the console design is very functional, the controllers fit nicely in the storage wells in the back, and the plastic lid does a nice job of concealing them when they're not in use. I like the fact that the cartridge port has a tight lid that keeps dust out. I've read varying reports on its reliability, but the system seems very solid to me especially considering its age. I really like the controllers, they're very comfortable to hold even during extended gameplay sessions. I like the fact that the controllers are ambidextrous since being left-handed I've struggled with the controllers for other classic consoles. I also found them responsive and easy to use. It took me a little bit to get used to the audio coming out from the system itself but I find it to be an interesting quirk. I know I'm spoiled since the first and only game I've played is e5frog's excellent conversion of Pac-Man, but I haven't been able to put it down. I like the unique and simplified look of the graphics and how the system switches between scenes (like the Pac-Man start screen to the maze). I'm definitely interested in exploring the system's original library. I'm pretty new to it, but I have to say I'm a fan. I can see how it isn't a system for everyone, but I'm one of the few that likes it.

I'm expecting my first-ever Channel F system 1 to come in by next week. After following the progress of the Pac-Man homebrew I thought it was too cool to miss out on. Once I saw the box and instruction manual, I was sold. It did inspire me to dig into the Channel F library on an emulator and while I didn't find too many games that held my attention, the Pac-Man one certainly did, and I'm looking forward to experiencing the games on the actual hardware with the actual controllers. While the games may not seem much to write home about, I find the history of the system and its creator - Jerry Lawson - to be very fascinating. I'll post my initial thoughts on the system when it comes in.

In case anyone has a Channel F out there, I'm still looking.

Wow, my Pac-Man cart came in today! I haven't opened the box yet to take a look at the actual cart but the box sure looks cool! It's very professional and nicely wrapped. Great job on this! And thank you for the super fast shipping. I can't wait to get a Channel F so I can play it. This is my first Channel F game. Here are some quick pics I snapped on my phone.

I look forward to getting my game, instructions, and box. I'm hoping by the time it arrives, I will have gotten a Channel F console to play it on.

Sorry I was going to ask a question that was answered earlier in the thread. Decided not to be lazy and I went back and looked.

I've been looking at that one, but I'm really trying not to spend $70 on a Channel F, although this one looks to be in the best condition I've ever seen one. The ones I've seen on eBay recently have all had issues or were sold "as is." This one was recently serviced and physically looks great. But I'm trying to spend much less, I'll keep it in mind though. It might be worth it since it comes from a reliable store and is guaranteed to work...

I'm looking to buy a Fairchild Channel F console either system 1 or 2. I don't need a box or any documentation or any games really. I'm just looking for a console in good physical condition and in excellent working condition with the controllers, RF cable, and power supply, basically everything needed to plug it in and play. I'm looking for a unit to play the excellent Pac-Man homebrew on. If you have one you'd like to sell or know where I can get one either reply to this thread or send me a message. Thanks!

I have gotten an example of text to put on the back side of the box, I'll try and get some of it done this weekend. All Fairchild Channel F Pac-Man cartridge owners will get the box and instructions. However I might ask for a small donation to cover postage, printing costs are on me. If anyone like to help writing the text for the instruction booklet it would be most appreciated. I just want to congratulate you on doing such an awesome job bringing Pac-Man to the Channel F. While I'm no longer interested in a Channel F console, I am still very impressed with all of your effort and dedication in turning out such an awesome product. It all looks very professional and cool. I'm sure Channel F owners will be very pleased with this one. That box is too cool for words.

Sadly no since my 2600 isn't conveniently hooked up and ready to go. I have limited space in my entertainment area and can only have one system hooked up at a time. Going to do some clean-up so hopefully I'll be able to have the 2600 hooked up in addition to another system. Hoping to play today.

There's also Video Games New York located at 202 East 6th street. I've bought a few 2600 and 5200 games. They have many systems on display too, its like a mini museum.

It seems like there aren't many places that can repair an Astrocade. I was asking around, and 4Jays and Old School Gamer said they can't repair it. That made me realize I need to take extra care of my Astrocade, but it is hard to do since there's so much that can go wrong with the units.

I never knew this, thanks for sharing! I don't have a huge collection, but I'm at the point where I don't have space to have them all hooked up, so one of them spends time in the closet. Now, I have a good reason to take it out and play it occassionally.

Hey I'm very new to the Astrocade scene but from what people have told me is that to prevent overheating, the best solution is to remove the RF shielding. I had mine on a hard surface and 5 minutes into gameplay, the system started acting up. So you might want to look into that. The folks at ballyalley.com will probably be able to provide more insight.

I agree with this actually, which is why I have yet to invest more time and money on my 5200, and it spends considerable amount of time in the closet, compared to my 2600 and 7800. It's hard for me to justify, at least right now, spending the kind of money that I'd need to spend to properly rebuild the controllers, and add to the fact that I would need to invest in some sort of adapter, like a Masterplay, since I'm not a fan of the controllers, it all adds up to be a bit much for me. In retrospect I probably should've gotten an 8-bit, but at least I have one semi-working 5200 controller. My 2600 and 7800 definitely spend more time being used, since it's much easier to use practically any controller with them and they don't have any issues. Still the 5200 is a cool machine...just wish it were easier to get one up and running.

It should have said that Pac-Man on the 5200 is outstanding, because it is rightfully so. I would be interested in playing Opcode's Pac-Man collection for the Colecovision. The problem I have with Opcode is that their carts are hardly available. I question if they would be better off selling through AtariAge after their initial production run than not at all. I love Pac-Man on the 5200. It's not the most arcade-accurate nor was I around at the time to experience the 5200 version when it first dropped, but I think it's awesome. The bright colors, the sound is just amazing, and the unique look of the maze and the unique overall of the game, makes it an amazing experience. Also, it's one of those games where the controller doesn't get in the way of gameplay, although I also have a Wico Competition Pro which is much better in my opinion. But I personally can't stand the 5200 controllers.

With more colors and sprites, Atari 7800 games should look way better than Atari 2600 games, but the graphics don't seem to be as crisp and clean. Although I love certain Atari 7800 games, they just don't look as good as a colorful Atari 2600 game can. Since the Atari 7800 can play Atari 2600 games, you'd think the Atari 2600 magic would carry over. That's my issue as well. Although graphically inferior, I'm drawn to the bright and vibrant 2600 colors. The colors of the mazes in Ms. Pac-Man, the sky in Chopper Command, the later stages of Missle Command - bring a smile to my face and keep me coming for more. The colors on most 7800 games don't look as vibrant, they look grimey and dull to me most of the time. Although the graphics are much better, I'll give the system that. Also the 7800's sound isn't on par with the graphics, on the 2600 they are. The 5200 also has those bright vibrant colors and awesome sound to boot. It seems like Atari missed an opportunity with the 7800. Still I'm going to give it a run for its money this weekend...