atari_envy

I asked the wife for a couple hombrew carts from the AA store. But alas, I guess I was not a good enough boy this year I did get an eBay gift card which will eventually equal Atari goodies.

I'm positive. It is hard to tell on youtube, but easy to spot on TV if you are looking for it. They were playing the Lexus-Atari commercial last night during the Dallas-Ravens game. Maybe if NFL Network keeps carrying that commercial, I will try to get a screen grab.

Seriously? Obviously no concept of Atari literature worth. It's people like this who try to sell Combat carts for $25. http://cgi.ebay.com/ATARI-Video-Computer-S...1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm curious what would draw a 20 year-old to old school gaming/collecting, especially the Atari 2600 and 5200? Every 20-something I've talked to bashes the old-school games as being just "blocks bouncing around" compared to today's "realistic" games. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, just genuinely curious.

I put all my crushed game boxes in a large container marked EVIDENCE along with the name and address of the person who shipped me the game. When the day comes (hopefully) when it's a felony to ship boxed Atari games in a bubble mailer, I prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

What is it with Pele's Soccer that makes people want to crush the box and rip off the top? It took me 3 years to find a Pele's Soccer that wasn't mangled. I guess people use it for soccer practice once they are done playing Atari.

It isn't that hard to get replacement parts. I have picked up quite a few replacement parts for joysticks over the years. What is available varies from time to time. I have two original, new old stock, joystick repair kits from Atari that I picked up from eBay. Here are a couple examples: New PCB Board: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ATARI-2600-JOYSTIC...93%3A1|294%3A50 New Inserts: http://cgi.ebay.com/2-White-Inserts-Joysti...93%3A1|294%3A50 Rubber Pads: http://cgi.ebay.com/28-Rubber-Feet-Atari-2...93%3A3|294%3A50 You can also buy new (i.e. Atari clone) and used joysticks on eBay. In your case, it sounds like the cable is bad. An option would be to buy a used joystick and swap the cable out. I agree that these joysticks are very easy to repair. All you need is a screwdriver. But ToyMailMan is right, watch for the fire button spring. It is small and can get away from you. One of the best sites for Atari parts is the Atari Best Electronics store. They have all kinds of Atari parts. Their site can be tough to navigate but they have great customer service. http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/ One repair you can do without replacement parts is to clean the contacts. It has helped several of my joysticks that were becoming unresponsive. Unscrew the screws in the bottom of the joystick. Pull the two halves apart, being careful to catch the spring from the fire button. Make a note of which colored wire goes where from the cord to the PCB board. Note the position of the silver discs on top of the PCB board. Pull the multi-colored wires off the PCB board that run to the cable (btw, it will become apparent doing this how to swap a cord out). There is a transparent tape over the top of the PCB board that holds the five silver discs in place, peel the tape off and remove the discs. Where the disc contacts the PCB board, use an eraser, superfine grit sandpaper, or an exacto knife (depending on your level of comfort) to buff/scrape the PCB board -- get the copper surface nice and shiny again Take some Q-tips with 90% alchohol and swab the area you just cleaned, then swab the inside of the discs Place the discs back on top of the PCB board in their original position Take a piece of clear packing tape and place it over the PCB board securing the discs Use an exacto knife to cut the sides and holes in the tape. Replace the cord wires on the PCB board. Replace the joystick spring and position the PCB board in the joystick base. Put the two joystick halves together and replace screws.

Great! It is good to know the top portion is interchangeable. Thanks for the reply! Just one note if you are a purist. While the top portion is interchangeable, there is a slight difference in the font used from the heavy to the light sixer. The light sixer has a slightly thicker, brighter font on all the switch labels. It's an improvement, making it easier to read, but just something to keep in mind if you want a 100% original parts heavy sixer. (Confession, I switched it out on my heavy sixer because it looks better, but I have held onto the original cover). You probably already know this, but you can either swap out the entire top as one piece (i.e. switch labels, top, and wood trim), or just pop out the orange-framed switch label piece.

I have a smattering of Parker Bros, Imagic and Activision games, and quite a few Atari Silver and Red label CIB that I purchased new and then opened. I will post as I am able to next week. I also have some games that didn't have shrinkwrap, but were new. I can go through those and hopefully remember which ones. After that, I can look at my other CIB, but like what has been voiced earlier, it would be tough to judge the accuracy of what has been stuffed into a box once it has changed hands a couple times. However, I really like the idea of having a master list to check what should be in a game box. This is also a way to ease my conscience for opening all these new games. After all, I am providing an important service

If I remember right, I got Quest by Telegames new, but the shrinkwrap was so bad that I discarded it. Here is what it has, there aren't many number designations: Quest for Quintana Roo by Telegames: Box numbered 6057 A227 (first number on top, not sure which, or both, is the number) Silver cart Typed instruction sheet, folded in quadrants Telegames silver cover catalog

I am curious, where was it made? There are quite a few misfolded M Network manuals. I have 3 in extra copies, and found that there are a lot for Armor Ambush. Do a search on eBay and you will see several.

Abolute Entertainment. All games were purchased in shrinkwrap and opened by me. Pete Rose Baseball, Game AK-045-04, Box No. AK-045-02, Manual stapled grayscale AK-045-03, Registration card AG-946-89, Catalog AG-946-103, Triton Products order form Skate BOARDIN', Game AG-042-04, Box No. AG-042-02, Manual stabled grayscale AG-042-03, Activision warranty card AG-940-00, Registration card AG-946-89 TITLEMATCH Pro Wrestling, Game AG-041-04, Box No. AG-041-02, Manual black and grayscale AG-041-03, Registration card AG-946-89 TOMCAT The F-14 Fighter Simulator, Game AK-046-04, Box No. AK-046-02, Manual stapled grayscale AK-046-03, Registration card AG-946-89, Catalog AG-946-103, Triton Products order form

epyx Games. All three of these I bought new in shrinkwrap and opened myself. California Games, Game c1987 white label, Manual stapled grayscale and one-color 19319-60, Catalog c1988 16 pages, Warranty card 6/88, Color Ad c1988 NOW YOU CAN PLAY THE WAY THE PROS DO. Summer Games, Game c1987 white label, Manual stapled two-color 08519R-60, Box c1984, Catalog c1988 16 pages, Warranty card Winter Games, Game c1987 white label, Manual stapled two-color 08919R-60, Box c1985, Catalog c1988 16 pages, Warranty card 6/88 Side Note, I really like the big sturdy boxes that epyx used.

M-Network games: Here is what I have that is not already on your list or if there is something different than you have listed. I marked with asterisk* if there is something different than your list. These are games I have an extemely high confidence are original factory shrinkwrap and have opened myself. Adventures of Tron, Game c1982 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 4317-0950, Box No. 4317-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 Armor Ambush, Game c1982 USA black label w\blue text, Manual in color but folded incorrectly 5661-0950-G2, Box No. 5661-0910, no inserts (see note below) Air Raiders, Game c1982 Korea black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 5861-0920, Box No. 5861-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 BurgerTime, Game c1982 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual color stapled 4518-0950-G1, Catalog 0151-0050, Controller NOTICE No. 4518-0040 Bump'N'Jump (Mattel Electronics release) Game c1983 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual booklet stapled color 7045-0950-G1, Catalog 0151-0050 *ASTROBLAST: Game c1982 black label \blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 5666-0950, Box No. 5666-0910, Catalog 0007-4290, FREE DECAL card 0151-0060, SAVE $2.50 ON M NETWORK GAME CATRIDGES Card 0007-4310 *Dark Cavern, Game c1982 black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 5667-0950, Box No. 5667-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 International Soccer, Game c1982 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 5687-0950, Box No. 5687-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 *Lock'N'Chase, Game c1981-1982 Korea black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 5663-0920, Box No. 5663-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 Super Challenge Baseball, Game c1982 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold in color 5665-0950, Box No. 5665-0910, no inserts (see note below) Super Challenge Football, Game c1982 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual dual-fold in color 5658-0950, Box No. 5658-0410, no inserts Space Attack, Game c1982 Korea black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold color 5659-0950-G1, Box No. 5659-0410, no inserts Tron Deadly Discs, Game c1982 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold color 5662-0950, Box No. 5662-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 I have Frogs and Flies NIB on the way, I will report when I receive. I have these CIB, but did not receive in shrinkwrap: KOOL-Aid Man, Game c1983 Singapore black label w\blue text, Manual color stapled 4648-0950-G1, Box No. 4648-0210, no inserts Masters of the Universe, c1983 Singapore black label with blue text, Manual green and black 4319-0950, Box No. 4319-0210, Comic Book 0152-0170 Note on Armor Ambush: Based on another copy I have, it appears that non-USA versions don't have the "G2" on the manual, are folded correctly and come with inserts. The two versions also have different addresses for warranty service. I didn't open this one myself, but my other CIB: Armor Ambush, Game c1982 Korea black label w\blue text, Manual tri-fold color 5661-0950, Box No. 5661-0410, Catalog 0151-0050, FREE DECAL Card 0151-0060 Note on Super Challenge Baseball: This has a sticker over the "made in" location, it is japan, korea, etc. I strongly suspect it used to say USA.

The box number on some of these games can be found on the bottom flap of the box. Ahhh Haaa! Inside part of the flap. I was only looking at the outside. I will post my M Network stuff in the next hour. A personal bitch about M Network games new in shrinkwrap: About half the time, the inside of the game box is upside down (game holder), meaning the cart holder is at the bottom of the box and the only way to get the cart out is through the bottom (at least without damaging the box). This means to retain the shrinkwrap, I have to carefully slide it off, get the cart out the bottom and then slide the wrap back on. grrrrr

I am a good candidate to help since I often buy games that are new in shrinkwrap and at some point will cut open the top to play the game (oh, the horror!). I will list the ones that I have opened, and as I open new ones, I will post the contents. (There are a few sacred enough that I might not ever open, Motezumas Revenge comes to mind). Note: I started on this and realized it was a little more time consuming than expected, so I am going to just do multiple posts as I am able. Question: I am working on my M-Network games first since I bought most of them new in shrinkwrap. You list the box number with a dash and an additional number, but I don't see the dashed number anywhere on the box? (e.g. astroblast)

You mean there is more than the 2600? Perish the thought. Besides the heavy sixer, light sixer, and 4-switch woodgrain, I have a 5200, 7800, Intellivision I, and ....*ahem*....a Wii. (It's for the kids I swear).

Gawd, I would LOVE one of those big "ugly" console TVs for my Atari. :love: What a perfect marriage that would be for my heavy sixer with the faux wood trim.

My pleasure. Glad someone will use it. Maybe this will inspire me to actually play this game.

Wow, didn't realize I had something rare, having both overlays. I scanned them in as pdfs (600dpi) so you have something until you get your hands on the original. These should be easier to print correctly than a jpg. NOTE: When printing, turn off any Page Scaling (i.e. set to None) so it prints out true to the original size. You will need 14" long paper to print the "both" scan. 8.5" x 11" paper will work for 6-switch scan. Happy flying. space_shuttle_overlay_both.pdf space_shuttle_6_switch.pdf

I recently bought an INTV because my favorite old-school game is Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. (Gawd, I love that game). Other than AD&D, I never plaved much INTV as a kid. So I decided to pick up some INTV games and give it a whirl. I still remember the Inty commercials showing how absolutely lame and archaic the 2600 looked in comparison to the INTV. Based on the power of advertising and my love of the AD&D game, I thought I might actually like the INTV better. Wow, I could not have been more wrong. Maybe it is the nostalgia factor, but i just couldn't get hooked playing the INTV. And the those short-corded, weird-disc, uncomfortable, permanently attached controllers -- yuck! I got a pair of Stickler joystick attachments to help a little. INTV is great for the adventure games: AD&D, Thunder Castle, Tower of Doom, etc. Hands-down those beat anything the 2600 has. Sure, Burgertime looks better on the Inty. But for every Burgertime, there are many other games where the Atari is as good or better. And when taken in their entirety, it's really hard to compete with the 2600's HUGE library. For me it is all about the classic (and removable) joysticks, the sounds, and the quick gameplay of the 2600.

It really is too bad. Atari obviously put a lot of effort into the Swordquest series. The box looked great, the comic was awesome, the series concept was good, and the contest was intriguing. Then you fire up the game with high expectations, see a cool intro screen, and *splat* the game falls flat on its face.

I just pick my spots. I decided to get a CIB collection of Activision. Looks cool on my shelf, people are familiar with them, and for the most part affordable. Same goes for my Atari colored box collection. But as for the Atari silver carts, it's a little of both. For example, $100+ for Waterworld cart, manuals, comic book = ok. But the premium for that box is beyond my interest. Same can be said for Quadrun -- I own only the cart and manual. However, I own a lot of other silvers that are CIB. I picked up all the Mattel CIB because it was pretty easy (still missing the box for Star Strike, tho). But I opted to get all the 20th Century Fox games with cart and manual only, the boxes didn't do much for me. And list goes on. Some CIB, some cart and manual. I enjoy looking at the box, opening it up to get the game, looking at the flyers, catalogs, etc that come with it. In the case of Activision, I store the patch in the box. All of that is part of the fun of owning it.

Alright, you caught me on that one, it is a bit too easy. Like you mention, once you get the hang of it, you can pretty much play for as long as you like. But the same can be said for other games (Pac_Man and Pengo come to mind). I just don't feel it deserves to be lumped in with the likes of Airlock, Warplock, and SSSnake. I would have been p***ed if I had shelled out $ for those games back in the day. Thanks to you and Skylark68 for the bump on Journey. Maybe I am not quite as crazy as I thought.

For me it is the opposite. In a lot of ways, I love the Atari 2600 more as an adult than as a kid. The games are still fun and now there is a nostalgia factor. Playing these old games reminds me of how fun it was being a kid. What a great period of imagination in my life playing games on the Atari 2600, TRS-80, C-64, Apple II and being a part of the original Star Wars trilogy. As mentioned by others, it is an escape from (today's) reality. I may not be a kid anymore, but I can feel like one when I play the 2600.