Tales from the Game Room

If you cannot find the problem, simply purchase another system all together! They are over 30 years old, and unless you are buying one from a retro-gaming outlet or a collector, you should be able to pick up another one for about $20 at the most [probably with some games thrown in too]. Just a suggestion...and more than likely, a more affordable one... - Ash

That Game Room, how I love thee! I present the 7th installment of my "Tales from The Game Room" reviews: "BOMB SQUAD" by Mattel Electronics...

Can someone please explain to me what "Funbags" is? I have seem partial screen shots and the title mentioned, but other than that, I know nothing. If I had to garner a guess, I would say it is an "X" Rated game, in the vein of games like Custer's Revenge for Atari 2600... Is this a game that is going to be released on Intellivision? If so, I can only imagine what the overlays are going to look like...lol... - Ash

Just wondering if anyone out here has an extra set of overlays for both "Blockade Runner" and "Sewer Sam", both for Intellivision...??? Some of the releases came with overlays, some did not. I managed to get the set that does not...lol. Being a collector of all things Intellivision, I would be very grateful if you can help! - Ash

It is a unique game, but not really for the casual gamer...

I have had my copy since 1984...lol...

DZ, This game is actually one of the unsung heroes of Intellivision. Interphase only produced 2 games for this system..Blockade Runner and Sewer Sam. I am actually impressed with a lot that BR has going for it. I kinda get a kick out of the graphics and sound that the enemy spaceships make when they zoom past you...lol. I will tell people this: The learning curve on this game is definitely moderate to tough. It is definitely not a game that one will pick up and master immediately. I have only gotten as far as the 2nd or 3rd mission myself. If you like space games, and a challenge, then this one is definitely worth picking up!

The Game Room calls to me in the middle of the night! I present the 6th installment of my "Tales from The Game Room" reviews: "BLOCKADE RUNNER" by Interphase...

Point made DZ...no worries, I was not taking your comment in a personal way. I agree. Quality must be the deciding factor, or we risk another video game crash. Not everyone is going to like or want every release. As a collector, I tend to collect them all. But not everyone will feel as I do... - Ash

Personally, I never worried about the box style. For me, as long as the game came with overlays, and was a quality title, that was enough to see me. If the box was not gatefold, and the instruction booklet was in black and white, I am more forgiving than the next collector. I know that new retro system released put a strain on all involved, and that costs can be high. I will tone it down a smidgen on the pitches to buy Elektronite. But I think that if we want future new releases for our retro systems, be it Intellivision or other, that we as the ones who hold our systems sacred have a duty to support those companies and creators. After all, if no one buys their product, then there will eventually be no more products for us to buy... Personally, I am looking forward to Caves of Kroz and Super Chef BT. Those two titles look awesome! - Ash

As a collector, I always recommend that, at the very least, people try to get the cartridge, overlays, and instructions. This package always gives the gamer the best game play experience. In my reviews, if the cart only is all that is needed, I explain this in case a title is difficult to get, or if the gamer simply wishes to purchase the title to play it. My reviews try to inform you, the gamer, on what you will want to purchase, depending on what your needs are...

Thanks ALL! I am so happy that my review helped some of you to decide on purchasing Match 5. This tells me that I must be doing something right if my reviews are helping you! The honor is mine! Elektronite has some great games coming through the pipeline. But it is up to us, the gamers, to help these titles see the light of day! With our support, we show Elektronite, and other companies, that there is a demand for quality, as well as quantity. Nothing hurts me more than when a great game system loses all of it's support. So, for me, companies like Elektronite are a blessing, and I am so happy to be a part of the excitement! Match 5 is a great game, so pick it up while the sale and copies are still here, and hopefully I will be reviewing other Elektronite games in the near future! See you on the game grid, programs!

Hey Chuck D. Head. Sorry about the length of the videos. I am actually trying to keep them at the 10 minute range, but sometimes it can be difficult, especially if it is a game that requires a lot of explaining or reviewing. I appreciate the feedback...and the compliments!

Sqoon: Excellent ideas. I see a homebrew sequel ready to be made! I would definitely buy a "Beauty and the Beast 2".....any volunteers?

For some reason, I have always had a love for this game. Maybe because it was a pseudo-clone of Donkey Kong, or maybe it was just the premise...but it is one of my favorite platform games... - Ash

YES, you can score diagonally! I actually did so in the review, but it might have been edited out. If you are into strategy games, then Match 5 is right up your alley, and I suggest you RUN, not walk, out and get one! Thank you so much for the compliments on my reporting style. I am not a big fan of "expletives" myself, and I never saw the point of them as they never get the point across and only make the report sound rushed and unsuitable for all audiences. Anyone who can tell the story without using F-bombs can tell a great story! I just like to go over some of the great treasures that I have amassed in my game room, and share my thoughts with the true fans out there that can appreciate them. You guys keep watching 'em, and I will keep making 'em

There are a lot of great homebrew games now available for Intellivision. One thing I want to point out, is that Elektronite goes the extra mile in giving us quality! The games are not rushed, they come complete with overlays, color instruction booklet, and flip-open book style box. They are true fans of the system and they "get it"! If we want more games of this caliber, then the simple truth is that we as gamers need to support them with purchasing their titles. Trust me, Elektronite has some great titles coming out in 2013...

Sqoon: I am in the same boat as you on Maze-A-Tron...lol. I never really understood the plot or the goal, but I always seemed to enjoy the fact that I was playing a Tron game...lol. Especially since Tron is one of my all time favorite films! I was considering Tron Deadly Discs because that is such a great game and easy to figure out...not to mention I actually got past the 1,000,000 points once, and I considered a few other Mattel titles as well. There are just so many great games for that system...

BEAMRIDER RULES...!!!

I have always been a fan of strategy games, even when I was a teenager. I have fond memories of playing Utopia and Reversi, and Match 5 is indeed, a welcome addition to my Intellivision library... - Ash

The Game Room beckons my return! I present the 5th installment of my "Tales from The Game Room" reviews: "MATCH 5" by Elektronite...

Great tips DZ-Jay...keep the thumbs on ice...lol! IntyMike: Bite well, my friend...bite well!

IntyMike: Awesome high score! You are a Dracula-Maestro! - Ash

Games for your Intellivision: I too prefer the Intellivision version above all! I have actually made it to level 21 [all 7 levels in the game 3 times each], and let me tell you...it is a challenge still! I remember playing Intv's Diner when it came out, and while it is also a great game, it is made with the He-Man II backgrounds and was thrown together at the last minute...but still a great game. But I am still hooked on Burgertime! In fact, IntelligentVision is working on releasing Super Chef BT for Intellivision later this year, which will have more than 60 new levels on the Intellivision Burgertime game that we all know and love! I cannot wait! - Ash

Ignorama, Actually, the CBS versions of Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap do NOT operate on the Intellivision II. I have these versions, and not only does it state this on the box and in the instructions booklets, but I know from trying them myself. I have gotten them both to work by messing around with the Intellivision II and turning the system on and off quickly while inserting the cartridge, to fool the lockout feature, but I do not wish to mess up my Intellivision II...especially for a crappy Coleco/CBS version of Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap...lol... Sqoon, I have a lot of systems. Systems I currently own are Atari 2600, Mattel Intellivision II, Commodore 128D, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, and Microsoft X-box. I also have the Sega Nomad, game.com, and an old b&w Gameboy. With the console games, I have many of the games that were made, as well as a lot of the imports that did not make it to the USA. My Sega Saturn has a ton of import games and so does my Sega Dreamcast. My Intellivision is being spoiled lately with all of the homebrew games, and my game.com has every game made for it. My Commodore 128 has more games than I can count. Everything from store bought to unreleased titles to homebrew games. I have been collecting video games since I was 9 years old, and I had a lot of import connections in the early days of the internet. The game room is a converted walk-in closet that I made when I bought my house 10 years ago... I figure that I will eventually do a review on some of the other systems very soon. There are too many great games out there not to... - Ash