atari2atari

Hmm, those droids probably aren't the ones I am looking for either, eh? Your Jedi mind-tricks are strong indeed . . . -a2a

No, actually it sells on eBay for $5.50: eBay SUBTERRANEA Auction: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 120668405144 No instructions, no pack-ins, unknown quality, and "economy shipping" (?) . . . In all seriousness, pricing is based off an extensive sale history from here and other sites, stretching back to 1996, as well as adjusted for the additional pack-ins, condition of the cartridge, and current demand. As well, I prefer to just start listings with a solid number. The ambiguous listings with "email me an offer!" always leave me wanting more . . . -a2a

SOLD - Pricing Adjusted Below to Reflect Accepted Offer More New Year's resolution cleaning - - a tight, great condition SUBTERRANEA with instructions AND a collection of "pack-ins" like IMAGIC catalogs and a warranty registration card: Good, thick PCB that fits tight in the console No corrosion - - GREAT looking un-worn contacts! Boots right up and plays just fine! Label is tight, and has no peeling Slight label wear noticed on "One and Two Player Game" and the "All Rights Reserved" area (see detailed pictures below) Instructions are in great condition, with one slight corner crease noted (again, see detailed pictures below) Pack-ins include: IMAGIC Warranty Card, "Sneak Preview" card with new games teased, "electronic GAMES MAGAZINE" promo offer brochure, AND a nice gatefold brochure of multiple IMAGIC games, which also advertises the "NUMB THUMB CLUB" (fun!) It's really a SWEET set, just missing the box (yeah, I wish it wasn't, and so does everyone else!) $55 for the cartridge, instructions and pack-ins $35 PLUS cost of USPS Priority Shipping from 80401 and insurance ($5.00, small box, but risks crushing, $10.50 large box, safe, but, well, large!) Shipping, $5.00, small box USPS Priority Mail PAYPAL gift payment only Cartridge will be bagged, dessicant pouch added, all put in an anti-static bag, and then surrounded by bubble wrap Instructions and pack-ins will be sandwiched between stiff cardboard Feedback should be left for me, and I will do the same for you (big group hug, wahoo!) Thank you, but I won't split any part of the set Lots more detail pictures: THANKS for looking!

Well, eBay it appears (of course, I shoulda' guessed!): ATARI Nikes on eBay: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 170585524939 I know from time in New York and LA that small-run sneakers like these are very desirable by collectors. You think WE are crazy for cartridges of THRESHOLD or SUBTERRANEA or other-such? Sneaker-freaks FREAK for new, small-runs of certain brands. Witness: The Churches of the Divine Sneaker -a2a

http://cpuwiz.com/images/MOV00001.MPG http://cpuwiz.com/images/MOV00002.MPG http://cpuwiz.com/images/MOV00003.MPG http://cpuwiz.com/images/MOV00004.MPG http://cpuwiz.com/images/MOV00005.MPG http://cpuwiz.com/images/MOV00006.MPG Wow, that's cool, basically an in-store advertising unit - - "TRY IT Move the Joystick Press Fire" What does it demo when you jiggle the stick? And the best part of the "attract mode" - - "IT EXPANDS THE AMOUNT OF RAM MEMORY FROM 120 TO 6272 BYTES" Ha! Nice. I have really been enjoying the Starpath games via the Harmony cart. Fun to play DRAGONSTOMPER, the only "good" RPG for the 2600, really! The FROGGER release is classy, too. Can't wait to hear what these promos might have . . . -a2a

Sorry to hear about your joysticks and financial issues, Scootie. Bradley at BEST ELECTRONICS has the nicest breakdown of "why 5200 controllers go bad" and he offers a GREAT re-manufactured set of parts to make them whole again: http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/cx52_j.htm Bottom line - - you can rebuild it yourself, OR Bradley does a "core exchange." You give him an old, busted joystick, and in exchange he sells you a freshly reconditioned 5200 joysticks with the upgraded parts for $21 per joystick (link jumps you to his pricing scheme): http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/5200.htm?#gold Now, you have 4 joysticks, and so I estimate if you trade him 4 "cores" and order one or maybe two reconditioned joysticks from him, you are sitting pretty at around the $15 you want to spend, maybe a tad more . . . Whaddya think of that? I suggest you email or call Bradley and strike up a conversation. He's the real-deal for ATARI parts! -a2a

Whew, how DOES one carefully dump or process the old Starpath tapes? As an old audiophile, I know how finicky those little bits of iron oxide clinging to a thin film can behave, particularly after sitting for so long! It would be great to dump them, though, for use in emulators and the Harmony carts . . . who in the community is trustworthy and does that sort of work? They might indeed just be "previews" of the retail version, but it would be neat to be able to compare and contrast! -a2a

Yes, SOLD! I will take them. PM SENT! Thanks, ianoid! Heh, "eaters" - - yeah, it certainly looks that way! I wish COMMAVID had made more durable labels! Supergun, thanks for your interest! I responded to your PM and I'll get these shipped promptly for you on Monday! More goodies listing soon . . . -a2a

Been doing some New Year's cleaning and found some COMMAVID-brand ATARI 2600 cartridges that I am willing to part with (the first of many New Year's resolutions . . .), COSMIC SWARM and ROOM OF DOOM: CAVEAT EMPTOR - These COMMAVID carts have very poor labels, however the cartridges *physically* are perfect! Good, thick PCBs that fit tight in the console No corrosion, good looking un-worn contacts Nice, smooth and responsive springs on the side posts Boot right up and play just fine! I recognize that these labels could be a bummer to some, so as a BONUS, I am including another "wounded warrior," SEGA's game THUNDERGROUND: $30 for the set PLUS cost of USPS Priority Shipping from 80401 and insurance (will try to use small box) PAYPAL gift payment only Will be bagged, dessicant pouch added, and surrounded by bubble wrap Will ship on MONDAY so it doesn't sit around somewhere all weekend Feedback should be left for me, and I will do the same for you (big group hug, wahoo!) Thank you, but I won't split the set Here's the detail pictures on the label condition and PCBs: THANKS for looking!

Best instruction I have seen, and he sells the parts to get it done with, is Bradley over at BEST ELECTRONICS: http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/cx30_paddle.htm He spent literally YEARS looking for the best re-manufactured option for the potentiometers. I have ordered from him a LOT, and highly recommend him. -a2a

I'll agree with Benz - - sounds like the RIOT. The single-port behavior with just the paddle is unusual, though. The RIOT fails in mysterious ways, however, so I don't doubt it, but some other follow-up questions - - - - can you play other JOYSTICK games with the second controller and get glitches, or is it only PADDLES? - - Does it happen consistently with other PADDLE games? - - Does the game give up completely when it glitches, or can you keep playing it? If it does come to soldering, those soldered ICs are indeed tricky to desolder, but - - - - use lots of flux, - - don't leave the heat on the solder points too long at any one time, - - get some "de-solder braid" from Radio Shack and don't be afraid to keep trimming off the end of it for a fresh piece and sucking up solder with it! and you'll come through fine! Put an IC socket on there while you are at it, and future RIOT swaps (unlikely to need again, but . . . ) will be easier! Good luck! -a2a

I am a very big fan of the fake burl-wood myself. I have kept my six-switch SEARS TELE-GAMES for personal use, and moved out a bunch of other sixers, including a few heavies, in favor of the TELE. Nice set, great find! -a2a

Wow, very cool - - thanks for sharing! I look forward to seeing that documentary! I like your setup, by the way. Very clean and organized. A personal goal of mine, for sure. The "ATARI Service" sign is neat - - what's the story behind that? -a2a

I'm going to add my vote for changing out Integrated Circuit (IC) chips - - specifically, the Television Interface Adapter (TIA). This website has a nice view of the chipset (last image on page); bottom one in the trio of ICs is the TIA: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Atari-2600-Teardown/3541/1 I had a similar problem with a few consoles, and swapping the TIA solved the problem. It is also possible that the Ram Input/Output Timer (RIOT) IC can cause that issue, by messing with the sequencing and timing of the graphics and causing that rolling horizontal stripe error, but I would start with the TIA. If you need a TIA or RIOT chip, Bradley at Best Electronics has them in stock. He's the solid go-to for those types of things! -a2a

I'm going to add my vote for changing out Integrated Circuit (IC) chips - - specifically, the Television Interface Adapter (TIA). This website has a nice view of the chipset (last image on page); bottom one in the trio of ICs is the TIA: http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Atari-2600-Teardown/3541/1 I had a similar problem with a few consoles, and swapping the TIA solved the problem. It is also possible that the Ram Input/Output Timer (RIOT) IC can cause that issue, by messing with the sequencing and timing of the graphics and causing that rolling horizontal stripe error, but I would start with the TIA. If you need a TIA or RIOT chip, Bradley at Best Electronics has them in stock. He's the solid go-to for those types of things! -a2a

That is awesome. A long-lost relative of Ben Heckendorn? I have long contemplated the clear, Lucite/plexi ATARI 2600 case mod, with laser-etched writing and maybe blue lights . . . but lack the manufacturing connections to pull it off! -a2a

I don't need it myself, but thought someone else in the Denver area might want a heads up: http://denver.craigslist.org/vgm/2124494456.html Heavy sixer in box, paddle controllers, too, it appears. Good luck! None of my ATARI that I post locally here on craigslist last more than 48 hours, so act fast if you are interested in this guy's system! -a2a

Eh, I would be excited, too, except it is all "backups" - - a giant pile of burned CDs, and only 5 original games in real retail packaging! I guess $80 would be worth the time of burning, though - - getting a good, usable Dreamcast "backup" burn can a real art, and you can make a lot of coasters in the process! -a2a

PM sent!

PM sent!

Actually, whoever is running that "tuvendes.com" website is selling them for $10. Are you not associated with that person or company? I really am still confused about how this whole Venezuelan warehouse thing works. Does someone own it and you and several other people are just buying small quantities of stuff to resell or do you all work for the warehous owner or do you get the stuff on consignment or what? Is a very long and complicated story, But only few people had access to that warehouse. everyone wants to keep the secret I didn´t do my homework (to check on Ebay), I just checked the rarity list on AA and see R7, seems that needs to update that rating. Well, how about sharing the story? It's not like someone from here has the capability to deal with the warehouse directly and it's pretty tough to get stuff out of Venezuela anyway as a US citizen, so I don't see what all the secrecy is about. Also, the stuff that is being sold is going for dirt cheap prices anyway, so I can't see what the issue is. maybe some day I will post the Story, is facinating, and I´m still getting info about what happen. I just found some games with "Musicland" price stickers attached (with 3-4 sale prices), so I´m still do not have all the story. Fascinating! Can't wait to read it someday . . . Looking on tuvendes.com is great - - not terrible prices, for NIB. Are those all mostly NTSC? One would assume, but still . . . -a2a

I am looking for a WORKING "Santo 88" circuit board for the older ATARI CX-10 joystick. Looks like this: No reasonable offer refused! I appreciate any assistance! PayPal, quite naturally! Thanks! -a2a

Excellent! Ordered two, one for home and one for work! Thanks for that link! -a2a

Go for it, I think it's an idea that SOMEONE needs to do! Dreamcast, yes, I have soldered extensively and troubleshot those. That was a lot of my time last year, the Dreamcast. I am taking a break by playing and repairing ATARI now. Genesis, for some reason I never liked - - I think I saw too many anti-Sega ads as a kid, and and as result was die-hard Nintendo! Someday, yes, I might take an interest in the Genesis, however a hobby-guy has to have his limits, and my collection is pretty big already! :-) Let me know if you get to work on molding a clear PLEXI/LUCITE ATARI case! If we could get a mold of an ATARI case, we could slump the clear PLEXI into that mold using an hot oven . . . -a2a

AX - - fo' sho, I always tell people who buy about ATARIAGE, and have been directing anyone who wants to self-repair to BEST ELECTRONICS! I just like spreading the enthusiasm, although I do have to fund my "habit" as well! :-) Nathan - - Thanks for the "best of" vote! Regarding modding, no, I do not engage in any on the ATARI, although I am perfectly capable of doing so. My personal philosophy is one of "restoration," not changing things. So, I resolder and replace power sockets, switches, DB9 connectors and ICs, but I don't seek to make the ATARI "better." Most of the mods I see are not major improvements, anyways, like pause switches, power LEDs or the like. The composite output mod looks interesting, but I am not jumping on that. One mod idea I DID have, however, is a CLEAR LUCITE/PLEXI case mod, with blue lighting! I would need to cut and heat bend make my own ATARI case from a clear material, and mount it all up special. The idea would be to exhibit the ATARI circuit board, which I find beautiful in a way, and give the system a little modern "bling," like a lot of the custom illuminated cases I make for my gaming computer systems. Finding a way to show off the ICs but yet have RF shielding would be a challenge. Aluminum mesh cage around the ICs, perhaps, with gaps so you can still see things (like a Faraday cage)? It would work best with a 4-switch, because the cast-aluminum RF on the light sixers and heavy sixers would be quite the challenge! RF shield is big aluminum box in center, of course Another view (no static strips installed yet on switches, by the way, this one was still being put back together!) That's a long-tail idea for sure, but I will let you all know if I do engage it! I think you can picture it - - quite classy! UPDATE - - sold that most recent listing - - I think all the ACTIVISION carts and instructions, plus the XONOX double-ender with instruction, plus WICO BOSS sticks, really helped! Didn't last 24 hours on craigslist . . . ! Listing more soon! :-) -a2a