timdu

Has anyone seen and played the game K.C.'s Crazy Nightmare! By: John A. Reder? It's for the Atari 2600. Kind of cool. Sort of like a cross between KC Munchkin and Berzerk The story: K.C. has found himself trapped in a Atari 2600 system along with some enslaved O2 zombies! The Atari system maze is deadly, he cannot touch the maze walls, if he does his 02 code will mix with the 2600 code and destroy him! Check it out @ http://tacticalneuronics.com/content/KCsCrazyNightmare.asp Tim

I forgot to post the screen shot of the game... Enjoy!

I am happy to report that we (2600 Connection and Rafael Cardoso) are announcing that a new ODYSSEY2game a called WILDLIFE! - with inspiration coming from the famous Atari 2600 game Pitfall! (by Activision) - will be released in March 2014. WILDLIFE! features a "jungle adventure" style of gameplay that has never been available in the library of ODYSSEY2 / VIDEOPAC videogames. It will surely receive a warm welcome! Rafael recently programmed HIGH WATER PATROL! and PIGGYBACK PLANET! for the Odyssey2 / VIDEOPAC. I personally love the Odyssey2 system. Years ago, it was the frist system I bought in 1981. Even though I started playing home videogames on a friends' Atari 2600 systems, there was something magical about this system that attracted me to it. About a year later, I gave in to the dark side and caved in and bought an Atari 2600 in 1982. I have published 2 homebrew games for the Odyssey2: GOSUB! (in 2012) and WALLS! (in 2013) Both games were created and programmed by none other than Chris "atari2600land" Read, who is quite active here on AA. Chris is very talented. Look for more details and information on WILDLIFE! to come. Stay tuned! Happy New Year 2014! Tim

Hi Chris - Just taking a break from work and I wanted to comment. I know you want to keep the game at 2K. Adding all these features is probably going to make it be a 4K game. Time is in your side - since this will be released Christmas 2014 you can learn how to do the bankswitching I am sure. But if not, how about this: can you make the ice pond a little bigger? Instead of 7 ice blocks, maybe 10? That would make Santa have to successfully land on 10 ice blocks, rescue the reindeer, and then land on 10 ice blocks back to safety. The other thought is that there is not enough scoring. Maybe a point could be awarded for every ice block? 100 points when a reindeer is back to safety. If you do not want to worry about making the ice blocks go faster in higher levels, then maybe you could change the game to be a race against the clock and see how fast the reindeer can rescued. That would be a cool contest, too! So instead of having the 4 digit score, you would have a timer that would increment in minutes, and seconds... once the reindeer is brought to safety, the game would be over and the time would be displayed. I think this would allow you to keep the game at 2K. Just an idea that came to mind... Tim

Take a hop on over to the 2600 Connection web site @ http://www.2600connection.com We have some new additions, including a link to an external site (gametrailers.com) that is running a video series called ROLLIN' WITH NOLAN. In the 3 episodes that were made, Nolan Bushnell talks about the current console war, gaming trends, and the future of gaming. He also mentions his new book, Finding the Next Steve Jobs, available at Amazon. We also have some older articles now online: http://www.2600connection.com/articles/playing_strategies/super_football.html and a new article on Dukes of Hazzard: http://www.2600connection.com/reviews/doh/dukes_of_hazzard.html ENJOY! Tim

I am happy to report that an agreement has been made with wickeycolumbus for the 2600 Connection to offer an unlimited edition (unnumbered) of Muncher. A limited run of 40 boxed copies of MUNCHER were made available for sale in July 2013. These cartridges quickly sold out. An agreement with wickeycolumbus has been made so that 2600 Connection can sell an unlimited version of the game. Artwork for the manual and label was created by Necron99. Necron99 has changed the color of the artwork from the original release (red) for the this release (purple.) Cartridges are $20 USD, shipping is $3.50 to the US, $5.50 to Canada / Mexico, and $10.50 to anywhere else. Muncher (unlimited edition) color manual and loose cartridge please send a private message to timdu if you are interested. More info is at: http://www.2600connection.com/features/muncher/features_muncher.html thanks, Tim

I am glad you took my suggestion and named the game REINDEER! Very cool! I like how this is coming along. I am looking forward to seeing the elf in the game. If you finish programming the game on or around December 25, I would love to publish the game on cartridge on January 1, 2014. In my opinion, it does not have to be a Christmas-themed game. It can be a winter-themed game that can be played year-round!

Thank you! Lots of useful information. One show that I do enjoy is watching is the Travel Channel's TOY HUNTER. I will miss that once I cancel cable TV. I looked on Amazon Instant Video and I see it is there, but I have to pay for the content. http://www.amazon.com/Rise-From-Ashland-HD/dp/B00C1BUW86/ref=sr_1_2?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1379191038&sr=1-2&keywords=toy+hunter If I sign up and join Amazon Prime, will I have to still pay for the content? I see it is like $2.99 per episode or $20.99 for the entire season. Are these the prices for the general public?

I bought a number of odyssey 2 games from Ben and it was a nice, smooth transaction. Would gladly do business with him again. Tim

Hi Chris - I read your blog as well. How about if you call the game REINDEER instead of SANTA Just an idea I am throwing out there for you that came to mind.

Here are 2 brand new articles... interviews with former writers of ELECTRONIC FUN magazine... Randi Hacker http://www.2600connection.com/interviews/randi_hacker/interview_randi_hacker.html and Michael Blanchett http://www.2600connection.com/interviews/michael_blanchet/interview_michael_blanchet.html Enjoy! Tim

2600 Connection is releasing WALLS!, a new game for the Odyssey2. WALLS! is a new game created and designed by Chris Read. Chris also is the author of GOSUB and FATSO! In the game, you have to defend your home from the evil balls. You press the joystick in the direction of an approaching evil ball, and a wall is formed and the evil ball is blocked! You're safe! Wait - there's another one coming at you, and another one, and yet another one. This all continues at a frantic pace! Can you endure? How long can you defend your home? There's only 50 numbered cartridges being made. The price is $25 plus shipping. Includes a color manual and a plastic storage box with cover artwork created by Rafael Cardoso. As of today (July 1), we are a little bit behind schedule. (Wow, this year is going by fast!) Cartridges are being assembled and labels and manuals are being printed at the moment. I am taking reservations for games at the moment - but I do not want to accept any payments for the games at this time. I will provide an update later in the week as to where we stand. For more information, please check out the 2600 Connection web site: http://www.2600connection.com/features/walls/features_walls.html thank you, Tim

FYI - Scott's pages are now being hosted on the 2600 Connection web site. They are no longer being updated on the DP site. Check them out @ http://www.2600connection.com/eastereggs/eastereggs.html And one game that also has a kill screen is Tunnel Runner. Check out: http://www.2600connection.com/eastereggs/26tunnelrunner.html thanks, Tim

Here's our exclusive, in-deptn interview with former Atari designer Roger Hector! Roger started at Atari back in 1976, and eventually managed Atari's Advanced Products Group where he helped create the fabled Cosmos system. He later co-founded Videa, and worked on 2 unreleased Atari 2600 VCS games - Lasercade and Meltdown. We cover a lot of ground, and there's a wealth of never-before-seen photos! Check it out at: http://www.2600connection.com/interviews/roger_hector/interview_roger_hector.html Enjoy! Tim

Ken agreed to allow me to make an online quiz using his box art images. Test your knowledge @ http://www.2600conne...ames/games.html Enjoy! Tim

I think what you have there is a Zircon Video Command joystick Take a look at our controller FAQ. Scroll down to the controllers that start with the letter Z. http://www.2600connection.com/faq/controllers/faq_controllers.html Enjoy! Tim

The 2600 Connection web site has moved The new home is: http://www.2600connection.com/ Please make note of the change. thank you Tim

I am a big fan of Kaboom!, so this game has me interested. I think the play area is fine and that it does not need to be wider. If this were a game that used the paddle controllers then yes. But since it uses the joystick (Yay - I don't have to unplug the joystick and plug in the paddle controllers ) then I think it is perfect and challenging. Just playing it this morning for about a half hour, my best score is 294. Maybe I will do better after I have some coffee.... :.) I was thinking of an option that you could put in as a handicap for younger players / children / toddlers: make the bird a little wider a "if switchrightb then" .... actually I am not sure how you would program it... I'd love to let my son try this game but i wonder if it would be too challenging... If the bird was a little wider, he may be able to eat more Just a suggestion... keep up the great work! Tim

The Videosoft games are now hosted on the 2600 Connection web site: http://2600connection.atari.org/features/video_soft/video_soft.html please let me know if you have any questions, Tim

Here is a link to an interview with Doug Leighty. Doug was Atari's 1983 Centipede champion in a contest that was held back in the day. Check it out @ http://2600connectio...ug_leighty.html Enjoy! Tim

Congrats. I enjoyed reading yout story. I am in the process of doing the same ( cleaning up the basement and starting a small computer lab / videogame area - but I am also dubbing it as a man cave - ha ha ) I would love to see some pictures of your finished room in the basement. I am browsing IKEA's products as well for ideas.

Just an update: All of the Odyssey2-style carts have been sold. There are only 2 left of the Videopac - style carts in stock : serial # 48 and 49

Just a few cartridges remain for the Odyssey2 game GOSUB. Price is $25 plus shipping. We have 4 left of the Odyssey2-style carts in stock - serial # 21, 22, 23, and 24 We have 3 left of the Videopac - style carts in stock : serial # 47, 48, and 49 Once these are sold, no more will be made. GOSUB was programmed and created by Chris Read (and ported from his Atari 2600 version of the game) If you are not familiar with the game, here is a brief description: Controlling a submarine, you must navigate a perilous maze to reach the exit. Touching the walls will destroy your submarine, so you must pilot your craft with great skill! And as if the narrow passages were not enough danger, in the maze lurks a monster octopus determined to crush your sub with its mighty grip! Can you survive 20 different mazes to reach 'The End'? Please semd me a Private Message if you would like one of these game cartridges. thanks Tim http://2600connectio...ures_gosub.html

Take a look... we have posted an interview with LOST LUGGAGE ( by Games by Apollo) programmer Ernie Runyon http://2600connection.atari.org/interviews/ernie_runyon/interview_ernie_runyon.html Enjoy! -Tim

My vote is for a timed game - just like Freeway. One point for every successful trip across the road!