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Atari2008

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Posts posted by Atari2008

  1. Posted

    I like your "preservation" approach, I for a while, viewed my retro collecting and gaming as such. I felt I was saving these systems from, you said it best, attics and basements and dumps. I do agree that even the unsuccessful consoles are historically significant and all contributed in some way to the history of gaming. I also do agree with your post in the Channel F thread, it really does put the 2600 in perspective. After playing the Channel F for a while, I remember being blown away by what the 2600 could do.

     

    That said I may just save an RCA Studio II from a dump.

  3. Posted

    IMO if you can fiind a "working" one, the Professional Arcade is really worth a look. Most games are dirt cheap too compared to other systems and compared to the price of the unit and accessories.

    I used to own a Bally a few years back - very great machine! Very underrated in my view. I agree it's tough to find a working one, many have overheated and shut down over the years. They're a bit pricey though. I believe in the range of $200 if I'm not mistaken. I wasn't aware that the games are that cheap though. I remember the Incredible Wizard being awesome on it as well as their Pac-Man clone Muncher.

  4. Posted

    This has been a really interesting discussion, I've learned about a lot more systems that I didn't even know existed. I did get some money for the holiday so I may get something gaming related...another console or some games for existing consoles in my collection, so I may still get one of the obscure systems. I was thinking the RCA Studio II to be ready for the multicart release, fingers crossed as there's been no official word yet. But I may just get more Atari stuff since it's more playable and leave the obscure stuff for later. Nice to see people play their obscure consoles, pretty cool.

  5. Posted

    I've been interested in "obscure" systems ever since I decided to start collecting retro. I've tried to get nice CIB examples of all pre-Crash programmable consoles released in the US. For some reason, I am missing the Channel F (just trying to find a clean, first run box). One system that I love is the VideoBrain. I guess this would technically be a home computer, but it was also the first one to accept cartridges, some of which were games. The terminal emulator look is just so retro to me, exemplifying one way how home computing design slowly evolved from industrial design.

     

    videobrain-left.jpg

    I love the look of the VideoBrain! I saw one as a friend shipped one to me to send to him abroad, pretty cool looking. Are you by any chance on the VideoBrain and Channel F Yahoo Group?

  6. Posted

    I play my Game.com :P and TG-16(although mot really obscure but underrated) once a week.I'm telling you they are just as fun to collect and play(well maybe not the Game.com) as the main consoles.

    You play the Game.com? Nice! I agree TG-16 while not obscure it is underrated! I had the TurboExpress as a kid, the handheld version and I thought it was awesome. I liked the game cards, very cool design. There are some hidden gem consoles among the lesser known, I agree the Astrocade is fun. I'll admit to having fun playing RCA Studio II homebrews on an emulator, people have programmed versions of Crazy Climber, Pac-Man and Space Invaders...games I thought would never be possible on such a limited machine!

  9. Posted

     

    There's only been one run of the Super Game Module so far, but a second one is expected. Eduardo (the developer of the SGM) has been out of touch with the community for a while, dealing with Real Life, but it's rumored there will be a second run within the first few months of next year.

     

    Thank you! I'll check out what's been going on with the CV since my absence, sounds like a lot which is great.

  10. Posted

     

    The CV is a really great choice as a secondary pre-crash system, IMO. I love the 5200 and Inty, but I have to admit the CV has a lot of great exclusive games as well as a phenominal homebrew community. Not to mention the Super Game Module. It's hard to beat the CV as a second system (after the 2600, of course), except perhaps with the 7800...once the XM comes out. Really, if I could only own 2 pre-crash systems, I'd have to choose the 7800 and the CV (since you get built-in 2600 compatibility with the 7800).

     

    I usually do drool over the CV homebrews - they are quite amazing! Lots of activity there for sure. Are they still selling the Super Game Module? How much is it? It sounded really cool, I was following it when they were developing it, but I've been away from the CV scene for a while...fun console though. Hmm definitely one to consider.

  11. Posted

    I personally think to do the reverse. I mean, no matter what, there will still be a lot of VCS, NES, Vectrex games on the market in 10 years. But, obscure systems and their games are going to be more and more scarce.

    A quick example : I bough all my Interton VC 4000 stuff in Germany, except for one system. It's not because it's cheaper in Germany, it's jsut because there is NOTHING to be found in France! I maybe see ONE Interton VC 4000 for sale per year on French sites. You can find 1 per week on eBay.de.

    So I think that, unless you aren't interested in it, you better collect for it now. As an example, I'm looking for the RCA Studio II clones sold in Europe. Amongst other things. Well I didn't found any ATM, and it's unlikely to get better in future years.

     

    I am interested in the RCA Studio II especially if there's some homebrew development for it which there is talk of, but I just wonder if that interest will be enough to justify spending money on a console. Also would be nice to collect some of the original games just for the sake of collecting, doubt I'd have much fun with them. You are right about the rare stuff becoming even more scarce since they were never produced in large numbers to begin with and now that it's been 37 or so years a lot of them don't work so that limits the supply. Plus prices have slowly climbed up on eBay. I guess it's a choice between getting a console that I'll have fun with (like the Colecovision) or just get an obscure console like the RCA Studio II just to collect something cool...

  12. Posted

    That 1292 APVS/Interton VC 4000 sure looks like an interesting machine! I guess that is part of the allure for me, it's sort of like uncovering a system from the early time of gaming, which I felt is what motivated me to look into the Channel F. I was like "wow there was something before Atari?" However you're right, it's not obscure by any means, I didn't mean to lump it in that category but rather to suggest that it's not as popular or as fondly remembered as other consoles of the era.

     

    But I'm thinking I should probably focus on the more popular consoles since I don't have a lot of money to spend on consoles that will probably sit on a shelf somewhere. As intriguing as the RCA Studio II is, it'll probably just collect dust, even after if the multi-cart gets released, even after that shock wears off...

  13. Posted

    I used to collect obscure systems just because I was curious about them. But they'd end up on the shelf pretty quickly, then eventually they'd be sold off.

     

    These days, with classic game reviews and other resources readily available, whenever I get the itch for a new but obscure system, it's pretty easy to get over it by looking at how few games on the platform appeal to me, etc.

     

    That is a good idea. I find with watching videos and also being able to play on an emulator, it calms down that urge. I do get intrigued by what may come like there's talk of a possible RCA Studio II multicart, but again it probably wouldn't be worth it for me anyway to get that and a console, probably better left to the really hardcore.

  14. Posted

    Why not pick something in between, like the INTV or CV? Easier to collect in some respects as the library is not as large in either case, yet both have very active home brew communities that'll keep you busy as well.

     

    That's actually a really good suggestion. I've owned both in the past and have sold them off. I really enjoyed the CV - fun ports of arcade games and nice-looking original titles like Smurfs. The homebrews do look awesome as well as does the expansion module. Perhaps I should pick one up again. The Intv, I've owned twice and I've never been able to get into it, too bad though as I think it's a very interesting system. The homebrews for it look great, I remember wanting the Donkey Kong homebrew. Also the Intv is generally cheaper than the CV right?

     

    I was also thinking a 5200 but the hassle of the controllers makes it more expensive.

  15. Posted

    I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I realized that for the past few years or so my retro gaming and collecting has centered around the Channel F. I was curious about the system from reading about it in a game book when I was younger so that curiosity was rekindled when the Pac-Man homebrew came out for it. I actually like the Channel F although I recognize its library is small and limited and obviously it's no Atari 2600. Now, I feel like I've been missing out on the 2600 scene by focusing so much on obscure consoles, also since I have limited discretionary funds for gaming, I need to be selective if I want to get in on the goods, which I consider to be the 2600 since it gets most of the action in terms of fans, original library and homebrews. But here I am once again looking at another obscure console the RCA Studio II. I had one earlier in the year, and it was cool for its historical value and quirkiness, I was debating getting another but I don't know if it's a poor investment given the low entertainment value, sure it can be fun in brief spurts and it's historically interesting but that's about it. So I'm curious why do you guys collect obscure consoles? I think a resolution for 2014 is I need to focus my gaming and collecting, and I think I should focus on more popular consoles like the 2600, even if I find the obscure ones to be interesting because of their rareness and obscurity.

  16. Posted

    I agree, I don't want to discourage you from getting a Channel F. I had a System I and II back in 2009 when the Pac-Man homebrew came out and, I loved it. I sold it about two years later but within the past 2 years I've purchased 2 more System I's and I'm never parting with my Channel F. It's a fun system, as has been mentioned you probably won't be spending all day playing it (unless you're me :) ) but it's fun in spurts. There are quite few games that I enjoy on it - Dodge It, Spitfire, Sonar Search, Drag Strip, Video Whizball, Alien Invasion and of course the Pac-Man homebrew. If you get the Multi-Cart you'll have access to all these games and more.

     

    And yes I'm one of those who keeps his Channel F connected for gameplay:

    bve5.jpg

    • Like 5

  17. Posted

    Now that's something I haven't tried - two player games. As you can imagine it's more difficult to find another person willing to play the Channel F or RCA Studio II, but I would imagine having a second player raises the fun factor somewhat. You can talk smack during the game, even poke fun at the limited graphics, definitely would make up for the crude and simple visuals.

     

    It's hard to recommend the Channel F, again I love it, but I know it's not for most people, including most retro-gamers. Even its best stuff is outdone by games on other systems like the 2600. Still it does have that crude charm and as the first programmable home console, the Channel F is historically significant. Also I say the RCA Studio while outclassed by the Channel F, it harkened back to the earlier Pong era and was a different route to a home console than the Channel F. Clearly the Channel F was more akin to future consoles like the 2600 while the RCA Studio II stayed more closely with the Pong-clone model. Still they're fun conversation pieces if not exactly enticing in terms of game play. For the Channel F, I do recommend the Pac-Man homebrew and the Multi-Cart, definitely increases the fun factor, but both are expensive as is the system.

  20. Posted

    I find the Channel F charming, although I play on mine far too seldom. Yes, it is primitive but as mentioned it was the first console with changable ROM cartridges. Also it brings out how advanced the Atari 2600 is if you put them next to eachother, e.g. if you're having guests, friends or family over and show them the 2600 on its own, they might consider it very dated despite being 35+ years old but if you have a Channel F next to it and mention it predated the 2600 by about eight months or whatever it was in reality, your friends will suddenly reconsider the 2600 to be the PS3 of its day. ;-)

     

    Of course if you want to hammer it in, you go for a RCA Studio II instead of a Channel F. The Studio II is if possible even more primitive and was just about dated at the launch date, see also the anecdote as once told by Jerry Lawson about when he visited CES and the security guards didn't want him to access the RCA booth.

    I find the Channel F charming as well, actually I'm a really big fan. I find the history of the console fascinating, and I do love the unique controllers. As has been mentioned there aren't as many fun games on it but there are a few gems. I highly recommend the Pac-Man homebrew and the Multi-Cart. Consoles do seem to be a bit pricey these days, and you definitely want to make sure you get one that's fully functional as very few people know how to repair them unless you're handy. And yes, if you play the 2600 right after, it will feel so much more advanced. When I first got the Channel F a few years back, it was the only console I played for months. Then I popped in my 2600 and I was blown away by how colorful and fast the games were, it really did make it feel like a PS3. :)

     

    The RCA Studio II is even more primitive if you really want to have a party. Here's the interview where Jerry Lawson talks about the Studio II, he refers to it as a piece of junk:

    http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/545

     

    The Video Game Critic has reviewed a few Channel F games to give you an idea of the library:

    http://videogamecritic.com/channelf.htm

     

    This site is also chock full of Channel F info:

    http://www.fndcollectables.com/CHANNEL_F_INFO/channel_f_info.html

    • Like 1

  24. Posted

    The 5200 is an amazing console. It can cost a lot in the long run, but you can get things one item at a time.

    Get a console and a few games, fix up the stock controllers. You can get by with that for a while..

    Add a SD cart from Atarimax, Wico stick / Y adapter... Keep an eye out for a masterplay interface.

    Maybe an A/V mod.

     

    The A8 computers are cool too, and you can easily play its whole library for the cost of a sio2pc-usb type adapter and ASPEQT software on the computer.

    Or sio2sd.

     

    The 5200 though just seems so much cooler to play on. The quirky analog controllers are very original and not as bad as people make them out to be.

    You also have the options listed above, like the analog Wico sticks. The 5200 trak-ball controller is great.

    All the a8 conversions make it even better. Being able to play those games on 5200 is great.

     

    BTW- Anyone else see the prices of the Masterplay on ebay? The prices are almost double what I thought they normally go for!

    I agree, this sounds like a good course of action. I know doing it all at once is beyond my price range, so as you suggested I'm thinking of getting a console, games and controllers as part of phase 1. Then I'll either rebuild (if I feel brave) my controllers or send them to Best Electronics for them to rebuild with their gold circuits as part of phase 2. Then I'll move beyond the stock controllers with either the Wicos with the Y-cables or a Masterplay Interface (knowing it will cost me but it would be nice to open up the world of 2600-compatible controllers) as part of phase 3. Beyond that I'll look into the Multi-Cart, Trackball and just building up my collection of games, and oh yea the 2600 adapter since I love the 2600. Sounds like entering the 5200 world will be fun, a bit more long-term and slower than most systems but I think it'll have great rewards. :) And I'll play the games on an emulator for now to get a feel for the system.

    • Like 1

  25. Posted

    The Atari 5200 is weird and quirky, but that's part of its charm. I'd compare it to the Sega Saturn in that respect. It's a real underground system, man.

     

    You should be able to get a 5200 for a lot cheaper than $150. Screw the stock controllers; they ain't worth a plug nickel. Replace them with either a PC gameport adapter and a SuperPad/MakoPad or a Wico Command Controller, one of the BEST joysticks ever released for a game system. (You will need a stock controller to select options, but don't use it to actually play games, unless you hate yourself that much.)

     

    It's been a while since I've played mine, so I can't remember which games I'd recommend off the top of my head. Wizard of Wor and Moon Patrol are musts, though, I know that much. Robotron: 2084 is fantastic too, but only if you've got two (good) joysticks for it. Defender, Donkey Kong (an XE port), The Dreadnaught Factor, Gyruss (screw the haters), Mountain King, Qix, and Adventure II all guarantee a good time.

    I think that's one of the things I like about the 5200 which is why I'm leaning over getting one (and all that entails) over the 8-bit computers or XEGS - I like the weirdness and quirkiness of it. To me it adds to the fun and makes it more interesting. I like the description of it as an underground system. Most people know the 2600 and even the 7800 but few people know the 5200. At least among more casual gamers.

     

    Glad I can get it for a lot less than $150 because that just seemed too steep a price of admission! The Wico Command Controller looks awesome!! Looks like a very sturdy, arcade quality controller. I just wanted at least one working stock stick initially so I can play games but ultimately I want to get something like the Masterplay Interface so I can use whatever 2600 compatible controller. And no I don't hate myself that much. ;)

     

    I saw the Donkey Kong port! It would definitely be on my list. I'll look into Gyruss, does seem like a game that gets hated on but it looks fun to me.

     

    @zylon: sounds like you're getting the best of both worlds! :-D

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