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I think Activision Tennis is one of the most groundbreaking video games ever, and the gameplay is excellent, but the game rarely gets mentioned on people's top lists. "They had me at the drop shadow alone"

My guess (although I must confess I really don't care on this topic) is that more successful systems have a greater entry of second-tier game developers, and therefore a greater ratio of bad games. I would venture to guess that the GBA and the PS2 have the most bad games as a ratio of modern systems, because they are the most popular, and therefore are more attractive to those second-tier game developers. But so what?

Nothing TODAY, IMHO, can come close to the speed and intensity of the 2600, not to mention the zero-second game load times!

I played it last night on my 7800 with Cuttle Cart 2 and scored 36,700. Tips - - Move to the next target as soon as you fire. Don't watch the target you shot get blown up, or you will lose valuable time. - The game gets much harder if you let any of the assaulters move in towards the vault, so try to shoot them as soon as they appear.

Other than "Spot the outlet mall flatlander yuppie pulling into Orvis"? There's one in Syracuse, NY if you don't mind driving 8 hours

Thanks for the heads up, EricBall. I might just have to join the 7800 mailing list

I do. By the way, one Wal-Mart near me is still selling original GBA's new in box for $20 on clearance - not a bad deal!.

I was 2600 only...until I bought a Cuttle Cart II. Now I am 2600 and 7800 only, and I think the 7800 arcade ports are incredible. It's like having the best of the early '80s arcade at home along with the best of the early '80s home videogames. But who cares -- play what you like to play!

Is it possible to code an Atari 7800 game using 2600 paddle controls? I am guessing that it is not. If it is, creating the first paddle-based 7800 game (I'm thinking an enhanced Breakout clone with lots of power-ups, and a version of Castle Crisis) would be quite the technical achievement...

I would add Ghostbusters to that list...

Oh man - just missed the deadline. Played a lot last night and got an 800 -- got all the invaders except the last one, and one purple ship...

The Odyssey 300 was my first video game system too! And Hockey was my favorite game. I think you're right about there being 3 speeds. Did you ever play as both teams -- right hand vs. left hand?

Has anyone checked with Wal-Mart if, under their return policy, someone could buy a FB2, then exchange it for a new one when the non-defective units hit the shelves? That way people who want one now can have their cake and eat it too. Some people might be wanting to buy their FB2 early to show everyone that there is a lot of demand for the FB2 and help it launch successfully, so that the tasty FB3 being rumored by Curt actually comes to life...

I'm very happy and looking forward to playing with it. Good idea for a topic, RT.

I like Wil's review of Fishing Derby. Here's a sample: Thought to annoy the Wil haters out there -- consider that Wil is getting PAID (I think - I'd have no way to know for sure) to write about Atari 2600 games! Jealous?

I agree, but on game 3, with 2 player simultaneous action (one player is the regular car and one is the crash car, then it alternates), it totally rocks and I've never had a topping out problem.

Here's the game - Take 2 Atari 2600 titles, switch the names, and come up with descriptions that work. Here's an example from my warped mind - having Commando and "Beat 'em & Eat 'em" switched: Commando Your hero goes "Commando" up on the roof as he offers his "tasty" confections to the lady (or ladies) below... Beat 'Em and Eat 'Em Take No Prisoners! As a one man army, you face the impossible. Locate and destroy the enemy stronghold. Leave no traces - so become a cannibal and eat your enemy! --- Any other ideas?

Oooh - this looks good - I may have to actually submit some scores this week

Same with me. I only get instant replays on certain times when I have come very close to getting hit.

I sure hope they keep recognizing how talented you are, Kepone.

Don't forget to put this cart into a tight, form fitting case to show off the entire "package"

Figured I'd point out that Wil has reviewed Human Cannonball. I'm impressed that he actually contributed a screen shot this time, which is properly attributed to atariage.com. Here's a snippet: I have this picture in my head of half of this board (the half that watched ST:TNG -- i'm in that other half that never watched it) imagining Wil as the human cannonball . I'm just happy to see 2600 reviews in a mainstream website!

Supercharger games do run perfectly on the Cuttle Cart 2, for what it's worth.

Cuttle Cart II

Think great thoughts with the words "Flashback 2 Hacking Community" in them