johnnywc

atari70s - I'm only doing domestic (NTSC) and non-pirated games (for now).

After completing the long task of getting a spreadsheet of all the domestic Atari 2600 games, including the title, company, label and rarity (per the Atari Age Rarity guide), I set out to 'rank' the quantity and quality of my collection. For quantity, I simply computed the percentage of games I have to the total games in the list. The result: 38%. I have a loong way to go... For quality, I computed the percentage of 'rarity points' for games I have (ie. Combat gets 1 point and Quadrun gets a 10 (if I had one!)) to the total rarity points in the list. The result: a paltry 25%. Although my results are not by any means scientific, I was wondering how my collection, modest as it may be, stacks up against the rest. Any one care to share?

Thanks Alex for the info. I was more or less asking because other color text label variations were listed (i.e. Atari's Bowling, which has a red and a blue text label). Anyway - I hope I didn't come off being ungrateful for your efforts - this site is fantastic and I really appreciate the resource you and your friends provide for the Atari community!

That's the one I got. Is it rare? Probably not...

I was cataloging my collection yesterday (finally) and updating my rarity codes from the Atari Age web site. To my suprise there was no entry for the above label variation for Football. The question is: have I stumbled upon a rare find or is this just an oversight? Thanks,

Thanks for the responses. At least I know I'm not going crazy - I think the game is amazing for a 2600 game and that Activision should be commended for their efforts. I guess that goes to show you that you shouldn't let one review (good or bad) make up your mind: Atari HQ Reviews

I just received my cart of Kung Fu Master in the mail and played it for the first time on my Atari. I wasn't expecting much, mostly because I've only read negative things about it. After playing for about an hour, I must say that I am really impressed! The graphics, sound/music, and control are top notch. I believe Activision did a fantastic job recreating the look and feel of the arcade game. How does the rest of the Atari community rate this fine gem (IMO)?

ROCKINROLL - I haven't found much in the way of thrift shops up here. I went to a flea market and found 1 atari joystick (not in that great shape). I'll keep looking, though, and let you know if I find anything.

I'm on the East Coast - Connecticut to be exact. Albert - what part of CT were you living in? I was in the Hartford area for a while and I'm now in Putnam (NE corner).

Crossbow & PH: Thanks for the offers! Crossbow : I already have the PCB/ROM out of the case, so the label is not an issue. It actually came off quite easily (with no damage). I used a cuticle remover to get under the label (so as not to bend it). It was my wife's idea... Anyway, I contacted Ben via the E-mail he provided. Crossbow, if you'd like to post yours or contact me, I'm at [email protected] Thanks everyone for your support!

So - does anyone here want a challenge? How about trying to revive my Subterranea cart? I'll ship it to you and let you have at it. I'm not too good with a soldering iron - many have said I am down right dangerous with one... Of course, if you get it working, I would like it back... In return, I have plenty of common carts I'd be willing to pay with... So what do you say? Anyone? Anyone?

Subterranea 1983-2001 Cause of death: unknown A recount of the struggle to save Subterranea's life: 9/6/01 8:14PM Well, I managed to get the label off with no major problems, thanks to the hair dryer suggestion. We're going in... 9/6/01 8:18PM After some anxious moments, the cartridge is opened and the chip is revealed for all to see. Contacts look a little worn, but no signs of a burnout. Excellent... 9/6/01 8:24PM Following the advice of our Atari Age friends, the contacts are first rubbed down with a pencil eraser, then rubbing alchohol with a Q-tip. All is looking well. Anxiety is being replaced with excitement... 9/6/01 8:32PM After waiting for the contacts to dry, the moment is upon us. I carefully insert the chip into my trusty 6-switch and take a deep breath. You can cut the tension with a knife... 9/6/01 8:33PM After a brief ceremony, it is time. With eyes peeled on the 13 inch TV screen, I gently slide the power switch to ON. Nothing. 9/6/01 8:38PM After numerous desperate attempts to get some kind of response, I resign myself to the possibility that it's actually gone. But I haven't given up yet... 9/6/01 8:43PM I've given up. I can't get those contacts any cleaner. I've tried every possible angle when inserting the chip. The power switch appears to be worn from the abuse it has taken in the last few minutes. I appear to be doing more harm than good, like scrubbing a juice stain on a white carpet. 9/6/01 8:46PM After a moment alone, I give my last respects. Subterranea, may you rest in peace.

To all concerned: My Subterranea is set to be operated on tonight at 8:00 EST. I will post updates to it's condition as the night unfolds. Thank you again for all your support and keep those flowers coming!

Thank you all for your ideas. I will give it a whirl tonight and post my results tomorrow... Anyway - if I have to compromise the label to get the game open, does this seriously lessen the *value* of the game? I'm a player, but I'm also a collector. Does a working Subterranea with 2 screw holes sound better than a non-working Subterranea without? Any thoughts are welcomed. Thanks,

Seriously though - my Subterranea cartridge has stopped working! Does anyone have any suggestions for reviving dead carts? Is there an official "CPR" that I can perform? What stops a cartridge from working? Any help would be greatly appreciated. You can send flowers, too. Thanks,

Sounds like a great project! It's fantastic to hear about NEW games being made for the 2600... BTW - wasn't Zombies also called Realm of Impossibility at one point, or am I thinking of another game?

My vote goes for Earl Weaver Baseball 1.5 for the PC or the original on the Amiga. Best baseball game ever made IMO.

Tempest and PH - thanks for the info. Now for the real question: how can I play this on my Atari (NTSC) if I don't own a prototype (and I don't want to spend $100 on a cuttle cart)? Is there any chance of the game being finished or distributed in a cartridge format (much like Combat Two or EA)? Who actually owns the rights to this game? Thanks,

I just started playing Klax on the Stella emulator and I must say it is a FANTASTIC game! Obviously inspired by Tetris (or is the other way around?) but IMO the different levels (like Joust) makes it a much more enjoyable game. Anyway, I looked up the Klax entry in the rarity guide and was disappointed (and confused) to see the game had only been released in PAL format and was only available in NTSC as a prototype. Does anybody know the story on this? Thanks!

Jesse, Unfortunately, I never got to play any of your games. I have given permission to put my games into public domain to a person who is running a web page that has information on all the games my company produced. You can find them at http://www.champ-em.com.

To all: sorry about the personal post - just wanted to response to Jess Ragan in the above post... Jess - Yes - I am the same John Champeau who had a line of classic arcade games back in the mid-90's (CHAMP Kong, Ms. Pac-em, etc). With MAME, Namco's Museum, etc. and the rise in interest for the classics back then it seemed pointless (and a bit risky) to continue. It was fun while it lasted though... were you involved in making classic reproductions???

I agree that most of the Parker Bros. games are excellent. Star Wars: ESB, Jedi Arena and The Arcade Game are all excellent. I especially like Spider Man (very well done) and have recently started playing Reactor for the first time. Once you get into it, it's pretty fun!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I'm actually looking for the original overlays (not just scans, etc). And yes - I (well my daughter) is going to play these, so I'm hoping to get the originals for the bumps in the plastic and for the sturdiness as well...

Does anyone know how to play this game? I've read the instructions but maybe I'm missing the point... When it starts, Kool-Aid Man is bouncing in the upper left. After a few seconds, I can move him and eliminate some of the Thirsties. But as soon as I get hit again, I'm back in the corner and I can't control him again. The game then ends a few seconds later when all of the water gets drained from the pool. I read somewhere that this was a fun game...I guess I'm still looking for the fun. Thanks,

I'd have to say Combat Two. My brother and I played it for about 2 hours at CGE2K1. Once we stopped playing like the original Combat (you know, going head to head and trying to blast each other to bits) and started playing it like the strategy game it's supposed to be, we both found it very challenging and entertaining (as the many witnesses could attest to...).