colecovision controller question

[colecovision controller question]

If you open it up and look inside, I bet you see wear on the pc board where buttons press down or cracked plastic in moving pieces like joystick.

 

If it still works, I'd just continue using it until it fails, then replace the joystick or repair with replacement parts, if you can find them.

[Who decided it was a good idea to put the power supply in the printer?]

It was three different people, but they were all probably senior management.

[Custom cartridge shelf case/book for loose carts]

I used a Universal Game Case and have experimented with a few ways to hold Vectrex carts securely. 

 

On the left, I used a bit of hot glue and a plastic straw cut to fit.  I set the cartridge where I wanted it wrapped in wax paper, applied the hot glue and squeezed a tall dab using the straw for support, with a little lip over the cartridge.  After it hardened, I peeled off the wax paper.  Seems to work well (but might cause a mess if somehow my carts sit too long in a hot attic or something).

 

On the right, I just applied two "fuzzy dots" in strategic locations inside the UGC.  I had to put another one over the top to hold down the cart down when the cover is closed.  I got them at the dollar store, they're designed to put under lamps or small appliances when the original feet fall off.

[Pac Man Fever album art]

I though I'd post this in Classic Gaming General, but I guess it's not available anymore, so I'm just posting it here thinking this is where most people would be interested. 

 

I was looking through my record collection and noticed the inside sleeve for Pac Man Fever by Buckner & Garcia LP contains instructions on how to win the game:

 

[Atari Hotels: roach motels or the bomb-diggity? YOU decide!]

Ask yourself this question: "Would I actually enjoy spending the night at Chuck E Cheese?"

[Atari 2600 Games You Still Play?]

Jawbreaker, millipede, Jr pacman, kaboom, enduro, worm war I, amidar, plus lots of other less frequently. I also throw robotron in there since I use a 7800.

[Power mod smoking]

I know many who have smoked for years and still work fine.

[Heavy Sixers - why the hype?]

I don't think it really matters that much; all 2600s play (pretty much) all games, and that's the important thing. But after bringing home many from flea markets, yard sales, etc over many years, it's just natural to choose the "best of the best" when deciding what to keep. Then you might start comparing what you have to what other collectors have and it becomes a king-of-the-hill sort of thing. All those particulars you mentioned are generally true, but how important is a matter of personal taste. I just use a 7800 for convenience.

[Getting insurance for your collection?]

You can get insurance if you want it, but you'll have a deductible and you probably will need professional appraisal of individual items over a certain value. In addition, the insurance company may require certain security measures. Most significantly, the cost of insurance and required efforts and services may make it quite expensive compared to the actual value of the collectibles.

Don't expect most normal household insurance companies like Farmers, State Farm, Allstate, etc. to be very interested in helping you set it up. There may be some people here who can refer an agent or company to you, but I once looked into it and decided my collection wasn't valuable enough to be worth it, especially with all the rigamarole involved. I've since divested myself of most of the rare stuff I never used, so my collection isn't really worth much anymore anyway, other than to me for playing the games I like.

[HOMEVISION/FRISCO- the song]

I have the 45 I got when the song was popular. I heard it was "the first computer generated song on the pop charts", and I was really into computers.

[Is there a test cart that works with no video output?]

Excellent idea I never thought of.

Sort of like the self-test a pc does before booting off the hard disk.

[The sequel with no first game (and other sequel rarities)]

Atari VCS:

Breakaway IV?
Speedway II?
Encounter at L 5?

I also remember looking for Worm War II to come out, but that's inverted from what you're asking.

[Ex-Activision Designers Launch Retro Game Publisher Audacity Games™]

Well, that was fun...

I just dug up my cart and played Plaque Attack. Must've played it when I first got it, maybe 2004, but I don't remember. Good game, actually.

Edit: PS. I guess getting older has its advantages: as your mind goes, game novelty improves.

[Ex-Activision Designers Launch Retro Game Publisher Audacity Games™]

Piracy destroys potential, and spirit unfortunately, but is ultimately inevitable. That's the beauty of doing it for the satisfaction and appreciation of the art itself. And continued stepwise refinements help.

[Ex-Activision Designers Launch Retro Game Publisher Audacity Games™]

If this is an indication that the market for these games is getting bigger, maybe we'll see some new vcs consoles from somebody at some point, maybe even a handheld with a big screen?

[Is this RF interference please?]

Next, I would take it apart (six phillips-head screws on the bottom) and look around, and clean the end of the cable that connects to the board inside. While it's open, you might see something out of whack, and there are many things you can test, including swapping the cable.

Many people have been down this road, and there are many threads that may assist you.

[The 7800 Minnie In-Cart Sound Chip]

Snickering quietly to herself, the marketing secretary inserts test language to prove that management doesn't read the middle of paragraphs.

[Is this RF interference please?]

Yes, an imperfect signal is typical, but yours is pretty severe. Should be able to improve.

A better cable might help, but first try cleaning all the connectors with rubbing alcohol and/or deoxit. Also, if you are using an RF switch box, try a coax to RCA adaptor instead.

[Wikipedia wrong about Atari 2600 Super Breakout]

If you could buy a shrinkwrapped WP, it would be at the dollar store. Only those who are extremely motivated will correct things, and many editors are busy grinding axes. It has been co-opted by various ideological and commercial interests, is NOT accurate, and never will be.

[current source for replacement potentiometers for 2600 paddles, joystick fire buttons?]

If you can tolerate merely age, used ones go for less than ten bucks a pair, and in my experience most have not been used that much. After cleaning the pot, I have found them to be very reliable for a long time.

[Galaxian - Secret Messages]

I wonder if Jeneane Eisenstein is on here reading this.

[Logging into Atariage from my Coleco Adam]

Up 'n' Adam.

[ATARI COMPANY STORE PRICE GUIDE FEB/82 COOL AND STRANGE ITEMS]

Cool. So I (sort of) added everything up.

Two of each, one to open and one to keep on the shelf cost about $12,000 plus taxes and shipping... several months of gross income for me at the time, but certainly within reach of many.

Wonder if anybody ever did that?

[Atari 2600 hardware problems]

If you haven't, and are able, try another TV or another Atari to isolate (maybe Intellivision or Colecovision or other system from that era). Also maybe fine-tuning is necessary. A TV with a known working analog tuner may be a little easier to diagnose with, as well. Also could try running through a VCR, if you have one.

Of course, you could also painstakingly check the PC board for voltages, continuity, etc.

[The Road Less Traveled]

Well, how about a non-platformer...

Maybe the first time was when I saw someone playing Space Invaders counting shots to get 300 every time on the mothership.

Then later I saw someone else waiting for the whole group to get to the very bottom before sliding across and taking out the bottom layer without danger of being hit by enemy bombs.

Even later, I discovered if your last remaining alien was one of the biggest size (bottom two rows), it would leave a trail on the screen when moving to the right.

There was also the "flying left at full speed" trick on Asteroids that allowed you to aim and shoot behind you while flying fast, so you could pick off a long series of flying saucers.