atari_envy

March 2, 2009

I love faux wood. I have a heavy sixer, a light sixer, and a four switch woody. That is all I need (except for a 7800, 5200 and FB2). I mainly use my heavy sixer and 7800 to play 2600 games.

February 25, 2009

Interesting. My Porky's cart does not have the logo, but my MASH cart does. This is the first time I have even noticed it. I have all the non-proto Fox carts, and none of the others have the logo.

Dang, now I will have to find/buy a Porky's cart with that logo....

February 24, 2009

Yes.

..Al

Albert: Few words. Many actions.

Thanks for helping to fuel our obsession.

February 23, 2009

I recommend these for non-responsive joysticks -- you know the ones, works fine except you have to press extra hard to go right (or some other direction) and/or there isn't much tactile feedback from the joystick.

Bought a 100 pack, and swapped out the domes of several joysticks. Worked like a charm. A 100-pack will last you a while.

February 18, 2009

As a side note I bought a used old classic 19" TV from someone on Craigslist last year who said the picture was perfect. Of course he didn't have an outlet to test it in when I got to his house so I took his word for it. I got home and the picture wiggled as if being seduced by a snake charmer. I was only out $25 but I spent $30 worth of gas to get it.

I'll be more careful this time around...

Agreed. Same thing with me on my first Craig's list purchase. It was on when I got there, looked good, for $20 I figured I couldn't go wrong. Found out later that it required about 20 minutes to warm up, otherwise the picture shakes and sometimes disappears into a single white line. Tapping on it helped get the picture back, but I tired of that routine quickly.

Consider doing what I did to find my next TV: Actually take your Atari with the cable adapter and plug it in. Pitfall is a good game to see how the picture looks and whether the sound is right.

Good luck. A good TV makes a big difference in enjoying classic gaming. 2600 is still the best :cool:

February 18, 2009

I will second what other people have said: Buy used. You will get a better TV.

Recently my '92 Sanyo 25" bit the dust. My first reaction was to go to Walmart and pick up a new one. After all, only the best for my Atari collection, right? After dropping a few bills on a couple different TVs, I quickly realized that today's CRTs are not our daddy's CRTs. I took 'em back and started hitting the garage sales.

I now have a 27" Zenith that I really like. I am still fine tuning the picture, but the sound is outstanding. The TV is in excellent shape, came with the remote, has lots of inputs, and only cost me $60 at a garage sale. (I did buy a CRT on craig's list for $20, but it started having problems after a couple months).

Compared to the new $250 RCA from Walmart, it is hands-down better. That thing had a grainy picture and very tinny sound. Hated it and the other weird-named brand I bought from them.

February 17, 2009

Loved Crossbow in the arcade and on the Atari. Despite comments to the contrary, I think the 2600 is a great port, and I prefer it over the 7800 version. But then again, I am a 2600 bigot, and I prefer most games on the VCS with their beautiful blocky graphics.

The light gun for the 7800 Crossbow gets a nod of approval.

February 13, 2009

I have had very good luck with using a glue stick. What I like is that it is very forgiving. Too much? A slightly damp cloth will smooth it out and clean up the excess. I would be afraid to use super glue because if it gets in the wrong spot it can be very difficult (impossible) to remove without damaging the cart.

If you are like me, you have a box of extra carts in the closet. Try out a couple things on those carts before applying to your pristine cart.

February 12, 2009

The more you collect, the more you will get a feel for what is a true New in Shrinkwrap (NIS) and what is not as you compare a NIS game to other games NIS from the same company. I don't believe it is very common for people to put fakes games out, but not unusual for a seller to put out an aftermarket shrinkwrap. Here are my observations based on collecting NIS:

M-Network games are pretty easy to find NIS. The shrinkwrap has a one-inch overlap seam down the back of the game. Usually there are couple small holes in the wrap as well.

Atari redbox games are also pretty easy to find NIS. Look for a seam down the sides and bottom with some shrinkage of the wrap that often compresses the box.

Atari silver boxes vary with the game and the year made. 1987 and 1988 games are still pretty common NIS, but the original 1982 and 1983 are a little harder. The 87-88 years have a seam down the side, while the early years have a one inch overlap seam down the back. I really like the 82-83 shrinkwrap as it thick and doesn't shrink causing damage to the box.

The Atari colored boxes were not sold by Atari NIS. I realize that there are some out there, but I feel this is aftermarket shrinkwrapping. Maybe it was done by the store that sold it, maybe by someone trying to protect the game box, or possibly by someone hoping to get some more money for the game.

Activision didn't start shrinkwrapping till the later years. My guess is Plaque Attack is when the shrinkwrap started, but maybe as early as Keystone Kapers. There are eBay sellers selling copies of shrinkwrapped Pitfall, Chopper Command, Oink, etc (I own them) but I strongly feel, based on the shrinkwrap and my experience, this is aftermarket shrinkwrap added to increase the price. I guess Plaque Attack was the start since I bought it sight-unseen from a seller who didn't even mention that the game was shrinkwrapped. The wrap looks authentic, and it is the earliest game I own from Activision that is authentic NIS.

Parker Bros shrinkwrapped their thicker, split boxes, but not their thinner, open-from-the-top games. Again, I own a couple of the PB thin-tops NIS, but I don't believe that to be factory shrinkwrap. PB shrinkwrap is looser than other companies; you can see the shrinkwrap texture, and it has a seam on the top and bottom. There are a couple exceptions, I have bought two Star Wars ESB that are NIS, and the wrap on those is tighter with a stiffer, more plastic feel. It unique to any other wrap, so I feel it is factory authentic.

Imagic games can all be purchased NIS. They have seam at the top and bottom.

Coleco orange boxes were not shrinkwrapped (pretty sure). I have one in shrinkwrap, but is the international version.

Sega did not use shrinkwrap, while EPYX does with a seam on the top and bottom.

The SuperCharger games can be found NIS, look for a somewhat sloppy seam on the top and bottom.

Look for tell-tale signs like wear on the box, but not on the shrinkwrap. Look for shinkwrap that is different than other NIS games from the same company. There are other tip-offs like the Centipede game I have with a price sticker on the BOX and shrinkwrap over the box (and price sticker). Obviously aftermarket.

February 9, 2009

With all the votes for Halloween, I would be happy to pay $100 for a working copy of Halloween that is either in very good+ condition and/or comes with instructions. PM my account with a picture of your cart and the PayPal address.

$100 ?? I seen a copy of Halloween go for $455 on ebay! It had the manual but so what....$455?

Here is the ebay link if it still works http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=180318876971

Agreed, totally off the hook bidding. I don't think the people tossing that cart out there realized what has recently happened with its price.

A couple years ago, a loose Halloween cart was going for $50-$100. I should have picked one up then, but I was concentrating on the main players like Atari and Activision. Now the price is completely screwy. Even Atari2600.com's last newsletter commented on it. He went as far to suggest the possibility of price fixing where one or more people are buying and bidding to drive up the price. My first reaction was, "Naw, that just sounds like a conspiracy theory."

However, in light of the recent inflated prices and now watching the latest Halloween cartridge price get jacked way up, maybe he is on to something. Take a look at the bidding on this one, it is very suspicious.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=140299433453

(I am attaching a pic since eBay has been very quick recently in taking down previous auctions).

February 4, 2009

I find it funny that so many people, other then my self, love "WIZARD OF WOR" ...

It's like sex -- a lot more fun and exciting when played with another person. I love both of those 'games' :twisted:

February 4, 2009

Wizard of Wor.

Even with the companies you exclude there are still some major producers of quality games, e.g. Parker Brothers, Mattel, Coleco, and 20th Century Fox come to mind.

Of course, I love that about the 2600 -- so many games (and so little time) :cool:

February 4, 2009

I would say either dirty contacts or your cart is on its way to the great heavy sixer in the sky. Luckily this is a cart that isn't too hard to pick up.

Here is a thread where we 'discuss' the best way to clean contacts:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=135500

If that doesn't work, then it's time to buy a new one. I recently had a Star Wars: ESB cart that went bad. After it warmed up, certain actions would cause the game to go blue and emit a constant beep.

January 29, 2009

These were part of a set description I recently saw:

Demons to Dimminds

Math Gran Prik

Pitfull

Space Invades

Brainstorming

Tittlematch Pro Wresting

Tower Offerno

and the one that really threw me for a loop:

Slut Racing

I would like to start the bidding at $20 for that last one

January 29, 2009

I've been thinking of buying a new CRT and storing it for down the road when my CRTs finally die.

Do you think this is a good idea or overkill?

There are so few companies that sell CRTs now and I see Wal*Mart sells them so cheap that it may be a good idea.

I think you'd be better off buying a good, used set. There are many, many Sony's from 2006-2007 in my area that go for $100 or less on craigslist. I think they're probably of better quality than you could buy new right now...but maybe I'm just a brand snob

No, you are not a snob, you are right. My CRT recently died, and I did exactly that: went to Walmart and picked up one of their $175 CRTs for the sole purpose of playing my 2600. The picture and sound was awful. I boxed it up and took it back the same day. A few days later I picked up an older TV off Craig's List. That is the way to go because so many people are dumping their old TVs for HDTV.

January 29, 2009

I'll toss in for Halloween, too. I actually have gotten quite a bit of enjoyment from that one (via emulation, of course. My rarest 2600 game is London Blitz...)

Another choice would be Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I know that the AVGN tore into these two games, but I like both of them.

Or, for 100 bucks, you could get a boatload of commons and low end rares. Be a good way to bolster a collection.

With all the votes for Halloween, I would be happy to pay $100 for a working copy of Halloween that is either in very good+ condition and/or comes with instructions. PM my account with a picture of your cart and the PayPal address.

Also, since we are pitching homebrews, may I recommend my personal favorite, Star Fire. That one gets a LOT of play on my 2600.

January 28, 2009

One of my 2600's (a 6 switch woody) has a semi-broken Reset switch. It no longer returns to the up position when released....like a spring inside it broke. The unit still works fine - I just have to push Reset down and then manually raise it back up to start a game. Was just wondering if anyone has had this happen to theirs, and if there's perhaps a simple clever fix for it.

Are you good desoldering and soldering? If so you can try to rebuild the switch by prying the corners up and replace the spring that pushes it up. These switches go bad but not too often. These momentary type switches are pretty sturdy. Thisis the reason why I have parts Atari's so I can just take a switch from one and use it when I need it when I rebuild one. Honestly, I have never just rebuilt a switch. I just replace. Saves time and frustration.

While soldering is an option, servicing the switch isn't too bad. I had a reset switch go bad (it physically functioned fine, but didn't reset the program -- dirty contacts). With a small screwdriver and needle-nose pliers, you can bend the prongs that wrap around and attach the switch to the board, allowing you to free the switch and access the contacts and spring. The contacts can be scrapped and the spring replaced. It will take a little patience to line up the spring and switch again and hold it in place while you push the prongs back around the board, but doable.

January 28, 2009

We'll still have CRT. They're still being produced now, and, if you're skeptical, do a youtube or a google search on tube radios and tv's from the WWII era. There will always be hobbyists to keep these technologies alive. I really don't think you're going to find too many people on a classic gaming forum that will advocate or even prefer using ROMS over the real thing....We'll repair our TVs when they die....and what happens when all of the capacitors in the world dry up?.....none of us will be around.....so, it won't matter.

Totally agree. Well said.

January 28, 2009

Definitely Quadrun. It is a good combination of a rare and fun game. There are many other other games that are rare (and now expen$ive) because the game wasn't fun so people didn't buy it. Others are rare just because they are just some obscure title from an obscure company or just a repro of a game you can buy now for 99 cents. I am reluctant to shell out money for those games. But Quadrun I haven't regretted.

January 23, 2009

The seller has 13 posts here at AA - and all of them are in this thread. He joined and then posted this thread the next day. You're sending PMs to a guy who doesn't really hang out here anyway.

Seriously, I'd kind of move on at this point.

I haven't heard back either. But it is better to not receive an answer than to not receive a paid-for cart.....

January 22, 2009

I love the blocky graphics, vintage sounds and playability of the 2600, even if games often look better on other systems.

One that surprised me is Kung Fu Master. I can't believe how great it looks on the 2600. I got the 7800 version thinking it would be even better, but the graphics are nearly the same and the gameplay on the 2600 is MUCH better.

January 22, 2009

Still missing 6-7, 46-47.....

Had no idea those were missing--guess if I looked at every single page and followed the numbers I would have seen that. So interestingly, I have *two* supposedly complete scans of the comic that are BOTH missing different pages.. If someone can scan those pages, I can insert them pretty quickly.

Thanks,

..Al

Al, I can't seem to post anything larger than 1MB. I emailed the scans to your AA account. Let me know if that works.

January 22, 2009

Wow, I am envious. The only thing I could post is how much I overpaid for something....

January 22, 2009

Cool, no worries, I'm about to leave town for a week also. I just want both sides so I can put it together in a pdf.

I'll catch you later.

Thanks

Since you want a pdf, I went ahead and made a pdf of the pamplet. I was able to upload this. Maybe size does matter.....since the pdf is significantly smaller than the jpg.

waterworldtips.pdf