King Atari

Oh wow, awesome news! Thank you! I neither own nor have played it, but for some reason I've long been fascinated by Hobo for the Arcadia, so I'm particularly interested to see a 2600 version was planned.

Focusing solely on "original era" releases, these are my top five for the good ol' 7800: - Commando: Fantastic POKEY music and addictive, rock solid gameplay. Superior to the NES port in every single aspect (and yes, the hidden areas ARE in this one too!) I'm a sucker for vertical shooters like this anyway, but this is just an incredible, high quality product - exactly the sort of thing the 7800 shoulda been getting all along! - Double Dragon: Yes, the sprites (save for Abobo) are ugly. No, the legendary soundtrack isn't particularly pleasing to the ears. And to be perfectly frank, the gameplay can occasionally be considered broken (punches are basically worthless, for example). And yet, despite all that, I really, genuinely enjoy the 7800 DD! The levels are faithful to the arcade, simultaneous two-player action, and once you get a knack for the gameplay (you can spam the reverse kick if you want, but I prefer to just 'normal kick' my way through), you can really get into a beat down groove. Plus, this is precisely the sort of game the 7800 needed at the time. (Shameless plug for my big ol' review of this one? Sure!) - Food Fight: It seems almost everyone loves this one, and you can add me to those ranks. While not quite exclusive to the 7800 (there's an apparently inferior port on the XEGS), this is the pure arcade goodness the console was designed for. - Kung-Fu Master: I can ignore that this is essentially the same as the 2600 version (right down to the single-button limitation) with a new coat of graphical paint, because I can play KFM on pretty much any platform. I do loves me some KFM! - Midnight Mutants: Very possibly the one game that I can see making NES-only'ers truly envious back in the day. A big huge Zelda-like adventure with a cool Halloween vibe - and Al "Grampa" Lewis to boot! It seems Atari realized far too late that this was the sort of game the console was begging for, but better late than never! I think I'd be happier with a top ten list, but that said, I'm satisfied with these as my top five. Honorable mentions: the best (IMO) classic era home version of Centipede and an incredibly fun port of the original Mario Bros. Also, big big props to the unreleased Missing in Action, which comes dangerously close to making my top five despite its unfinished, prototype status. (If I was going to make an exception...)

I know I'm replying to a question from over 12 (!) years ago, but 2600 Ghostbusters does indeed have an ending. Just like the computer versions, if you sneak two of your three 'busters past Stay Puft, you get an image of them crossing the streams (signifying the defeat of Zuul), which completes the game. The screen isn't as elaborate as the 'big' versions of course, but it's certainly a welcome addition nevertheless. Also, while on the topic of 2600 games with endings, I'm continuously impressed with Superman not only having an ending, but also an intro. Pretty impressive for a 1979 game!

Yes, every cart I've tried works on the 65XE except the Popeye (well, that and my Basketball, but I think that one really is DOA). That's what confused me so much in the first place; the 65XE was handling everything I threw at it like a champ, until this unassuming title just refused to go. Then, after reading about compatibility issues with some other carts (linked in the original post), I was wondering if this was one of those. Evidently it is not, nor is the cart dead, but nevertheless, it simply won't run on my 65XE, for reasons that are beyond me.

An update: I cleaned the cart with Mothers, had the contacts absolutely gleaming, still wouldn't go. I was about ready to call it DOA and go for another copy, BUT, I had the chance to try it on an 800XL, and it worked just fine. So, for whatever reason it just doesn't like my 65XE. At least I didn't waste my money. But, this begs the question: WHY? Why wouldn't this cart want to run on the 65XE? Can I presume this would be the same with any copy I tried on the computer? (I'm not intending on buying another, but if I came across one while out and about, and it was cheap, well...?) And, should I be concerned about other Parker Brothers games on the 65XE? There's a few I'd like to pick up at some point, but I feel like now I gotta be cautious.

That's what I like to see!

Yep, I've had pretty good luck. In fact, two of the very few games I've had that were/are apparently 100% dead (7800 Donkey Kong Jr. and 400/800 Basketball) were listed as working! I got a refund on the DK JR., and the other was mega cheap and actually free with eBay bucks anyway, so no big losses. Still, you can never be totally sure until it's in your hands. I get the untested thing with cartridges; resellers don't always have the consoles/computers to test, or at least the ability to get them connected (mainly the modern TV issue). Of course, if they're specifically game sellers, I start to wonder, but if it's just some general flipper (apparently the case with this Popeye), I'll often take them at their word. I *am* leery of sellers that list consoles and/or computers as untested though. Granted, they may have the same connectivity issue, but when they've got a lot that includes all the hookups, well, that's a bit of a red flag. Plus, for some of the astronomical asking prices out there, yeah, caution is key.

Terrific, thanks! I actually tried an eraser on this one, either it wasn't abrasive enough or it wasn't reaching far back enough into the cartridge, but I'm going to keep an eye out for one that'll hopefully do the trick.

Thanks so much, both of you! My dad might have a voltmeter, if it comes to that. For now, I'll try to find something stronger than 91% alcohol and try another cleaning (any suggestions? Deoxit?); just glad to know that the cart should be compatible with the 65XE! Thanks again!

Hey all! I've been primarily a console guy when it comes to Atari (though I'm not totally new when it comes to the computers), so please forgive me if I come off a little clueless here. (Which I, uh, sorta am.) Anyway, when a boxed 65XE for an okay-ish price presented itself to me this past December, I took the plunge, and have been building up a bit of a collection for it. I've long been a sucker for Popeye, and I found a loose copy for a decent price, albeit untested. I wasn't too worried about that, I can literally count on one hand the number of carts I've had over the years that have been well and truly dead. But, despite numerous cleanings, I just can't get it to go. Now, I just might need something stronger than 91% isopropyl, but I've also learned that some games have issues on computers beyond 400/800. I did a little research and found this thread wherein it appears some Parker Brothers games do indeed have issues. However, I haven't seen anything saying Popeye is one of them. I've cleaned over and over, I've held down option, nothing doing. So, has anyone else had issues getting this one to run on a 65XE? Should I just keep cleaning? Or try again with a confirmed working copy at some point? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Interesting! I guess given the number of things found (or rather, the things we at least know about), half a mil sounds like a lot but really probably isn't too far off...

(D'oh! Double post!)

I don't think I've checked MotoRodeo in forever - you're right! It was re-ranked 5, but I remember that one being like a 9 or 10! (As far as these uber-late releases go, Atari's version of BMX Airmaster remains a 10, which makes sense, since AFAIK it wasn't found in the Venezuela haul. Wonder why that one wasn't in there?)

Well, I mean, I *can*, it's not like I'm multitasking while posting this, but nevertheless, I'm totally addicted to the 2600 port of Ikari Warriors. Now, I do loves me some vertical run-and-gunners in general, and just prior to my current obsession, I was devoting my 2600 time to Front Line. That's a goody for sure, but MAN, I sure didn't get into it like Ikari. Certainly the 2600 version doesn't throw the number of enemies at you that the arcade or NES port did, but I actually find this more appealing; each confrontation is more intense. And I enjoy the sense of progression the game presents - especially when you're "in the zone" and lobbing off grenades successfully left and right while marching forward. It just makes you feel good inside. The tank and helicopter graphics are awfully blocky ("On the 2600?!! No way!"), but otherwise, methinks the game looks really nice. The continuous background score is just fine, too. Add to that the tight controls and spot-on progressing difficulty, and you've totally got a "just one more round" kinda game here. Not gonna lie: I easily prefer this 2600 version to the NES port. The 7800's too? Dunno, don't have that one. In fact, one of my favorite aspects of that past Venezuela find is that this game in particular became far more affordable in the NTSC format, which ultimately resulted in my present, pleasant condition. (Though prices DO seem to be climbing again...) Refresh my memory: ignoring the fact the AA rarity guide is waaaay out o' date, I seem to recall the NTSC version ranking way higher than the 5 it currently holds. Am I crazy in remembering it as a 9 or thereabouts in the pre-Venezuela days? So, anyone else share my fondness for this gem from the latter years of the 2600? Speak up, and let your voice be heard as a, dare I say, Jr. Ikari Warrior! Attached picture: my current highest score. Admittedly, I haven't been able to conquer the second round yet, because BOY do those enemy bullets start flying fast on the second go-round! And yet, I keep coming back to try again, as any good Ikari Warrior would/should.

I lurk more than I post, but I'm still here. And rest assured, my heart sinks a little every time I see something moronic I posted 20+ (!!!) years ago get randomly revived. This is actually the second mega-old topic of mine that's been necrobumped in recent months, and while this one isn't TOO bad (I guess), the other thread actually had me considering a snotty reply, given the idiocy of my original post and the needlessness of what I got it revived. I held my digital tongue, though. I'm a peaceable sort. Oh now that's just precious. (And by "precious" I mean "wildly stupid.")

The 7800 version has the secret rooms too. There, now there's no reason to never have a 7800 again! ? That said: G'n'G on the 7800 - WOW!

18 years later and I've now got ZERO memory of ever hearing of this game, let alone playing it. Go figure! The description from my past-self doesn't exactly make current-me want to play it. (Of course, I'd still snap a copy up with extreme fervor, should I happen upon one cheap during my travels...)

As much as I generally loathe seeing things I posted nearly 20 (!!!) years ago, this was a nice little memory. Thanks to the power of the Wayback Machine, I was evidently talking about this. (Ron "The Ghoul" Sweed passed away on April 1, 2019 - I've continued to be just as big a fan in this day and age as I was back then. I remember Lemmi and I PM'ing back and forth about him; whatever happened to Lemmi?) Anyway, regarding the topic at hand... It's amazing to recall a time when a game selling for $500 was considered outrageous. Can you imagine the news of a loose Air Raid selling for 10 grand back in 2002? AA would have had a veritable site-wide mental freakout or something! Nowadays, a boxed copy of that or Red Sea Crossing selling for $500 would be considered the bargain of the century! (In these parts, at least.)

Disregarding a few pick ups from dedicated used video game stores, these are my two best game-related thrift finds from recent weeks: - The jumping Mario is from the 1989 Applause line of Nintendo figurines. Similar to the one SMB3 Happy Meal toy, except without the racoon ears/tail. It was in a small $5 bag of toys, and MAN, I knew immediately it was coming home with me. I come across Mario/Nintendo stuff all the time, but vintage items (specifically 1980s to early-90s), not nearly as often as I'd prefer. Side note: the Batman (Michael Keaton dress-up version!) figure and Burger King Superman cup holder fig seen in the background were from a different $5 toy bag found at the same time/place as Mario. The Batman, I still have my childhood one buried away somewhere (this one immediately became a nice display piece), but the Supes cup holder, THAT'S something I've really been wanting for years. I had one when I was a kid, but it disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Mario was the big find here, but the Superman wasn't exactly a chump acquisition either. - A carded Coleco Pac-Man figurine! Blinky, obviously. Despite the card being a little rough/worn/etc. (particularly the bottom-left corner, as you can see), I was perfectly okay with the $12 price tag. (I was able to get that green sticker off easily and without damage, BTW. The Revco one, however, stays - mainly because I absolutely want it to.) Like Mario, I was supremely stoked to find this; and actually, despite being at another location, this was at the same chain as Mario - considering they were only found two days apart, I wouldn't be surprised if they both came from the same person originally, and they were just separated at wherever this stuff is divvied up before being sent to the retail locations.

Taito's 1988 Superman beat-'em-up arcade game. As far as I know, it was never ported to any console or computer - and I've sure looked over the years! Way back when, I discovered the coin-op at a nearby party center and was totally enamored by it, so I set about trying to find a home console version... but it just never happened. I still recall picking up a copy of Sunsoft's Sega Genesis Superman at a used game store BITD, looking at the screenshots on the back of the box, and proclaiming "this is it!" It wasn't. I also got the Kemco NES Superman at that same used game store (before or after the Genesis one, I don't recall; probably before), and that REALLY wasn't it! Maybe the game has since made it onto some compilation somewhere, I don't know. When I was old enough to have disposable income, the first vintage coin-op I bought? You guessed it: Taito's Superman! (The game has its detractors, and yes, like so many beat-'em-ups, it gets repetitive. But you know, I still love it.) In the same wheelhouse, but without the same nostalgic memories attached (mainly because I didn't know about it until yeaaaaars later) is Atari's Batman coin-op. Lotsa games based on the 1989 film of course, but as far as I know, that coin-op was never ported to anything. Years ago, I recall seeing a machine for sale in, I think, Texas, and I did start the mental process of figuring out a way to get it, but I never followed through. Also, Sega's Star Wars Trilogy Arcade. Man of man, if there was one coin-op that recalled the movie theater lobby ever presence of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles machines of my youth, this was it. A Dreamcast port seemed like such a given, but alas, twas not to be.

I can't really speak for those other titles, but there's a tremendous difference between the Game Boy and Gear Gear editions of Double Dragon, way beyond just black & white/color or gameplay aspects. Namely in that they're two totally different games. Double Dragon on the Game Boy is basically a diluted handheld version of the divisive NES game, itself more of an interpretation of the coin-op original than an outright port. Still, the object is to save your kidnapped girlfriend. As for the Game Gear version, it tends to be listed as a port of the coin-op due to it misleadingly presenting itself with that title and by-then-well-known box art, but it's actually an original, unique game. Some tripe about avenging the (supposed?) death of your brother Jimmy Lee, with all-new levels, enemies, etc. (The European release remedied this somewhat by including the subtitle The Revenge of Billy Lee on the cover.) Aside from the fact they're both beat-'em-ups titled Double Dragon and starring protagonist Billy Lee, there's really not much in common between the two. The Game Boy version is a little sluggish but ultimately pretty fun, but my recollection of the Game Gear DD is that it's a choppy mess. Granted, I haven't played it in years, back when I used to emulate (it's been awhile), but even so, I remember it being pretty bad. It looks decent as static screenshots, but in action? Well... (In fact, aside from allowing that it's fine graphically, as stills anyway, I don't think I've ever really heard anything positive about the game.) Oh, but one trait both versions definitely share: a lack of simultaneous two-player action! Okay, sure, the GB features a two-player one-on-one mode (just like the NES), but where the main, 'real' game is concerned, it's a solo flight on both the GB and the GG. So much for Double Dragon!

Last week I got a text from my brother with a pic of a 2600/7800 cart lot at a thrift store near his work, asking me which ones I wanted. There were five 7800 carts I particularly needed that he grabbed for me, but these were the big ones. They were all $3 apiece - easily my best video game-related thrift score in awhile! (The only comparable score in recent months was 2600 Tapper in a $10 lot of nine games in April, but that was from a specific movie/music/games/toys store, not a thrift. Generally these guys price games around what they sell for online, though luckily for me this location evidently doesn't place much importance on Atari, because there were some other good titles in there, though technically only a few I actually needed. Tapper though, man was I happy to add that one to the collection!)

Not meaning to leapfrog over atarian1 here, but in my experience that's exactly where Atari ads of the late-80s were commonly found; granted, video game spots in that era generally weren't seen during network prime time anyway, but those midday/early evening hours really seemed to be where Atari was often focused. As far as the 2600/7800/XEGS consoles go, it seems to me that the last 'big' (relatively speaking) television push Corp. gave them was in late-1987; for example, ads for all three aired fairly heavily during local evening M*A*S*H reruns here that Christmas season. Atari & M*A*S*H? Now you're speaking my language! (The 2600 was "The Fun is Back!", the 7800 was "More Games at Half the Price!" and the XEGS was the anti-Nintendo "toy robot?!" spot - nothing too out of the ordinary or unique where this subject is concerned.) I don't remember what it aired during, but there was also a Toys-R-Us ad spotlighting the 2600 & 7800; I *think* it was that very same Christmas season, but it could have been 1986. As far as late-80s Atari goes though, I'm not sure they were ever more visible than they were in 1987, especially during Christmas (for obvious reasons). Needless to say, ads for Nintendo were more plentiful (also for obvious reasons), and of course they seemed, to me anyway, to show up during the 'big' kids shows of the time more than Atari did. The Sega Master System, while not up to NES levels, was also seemingly more visible than Atari was. I'm not saying 2600/7800/XEGS spots didn't commonly air during those too, or that they didn't air during more "prime" kids hours, but generally speaking...? The Atari sports and 7800 "Choice of the Experts" commercials were from 1988, weren't they? Even so, to me their post-1987, pre-Lynx/Jaguar television advertising seems like it was almost non-existent. To get back to the question in the original post, in 1989 and 1990 I can't think of any Atari TV advertising - except for the Lynx, in 1990. (Atari did have that 7800 "Pick a Fight After School" print campaign during the era, which should have also been seen on television, but as far as I know never was.) Regarding the Lynx, there was that spot (the inexplicably violent one) featuring Gauntlet and Electrocop around '90, and Batman Returns in 1992, but Atari television advertising didn't seem to gather anything resembling steam until the Jag and the numerous spots for it. (My favorite? The one for Troy Aikman NFL Football in 1995, not because I care all that much about the game - I don't really - but rather because the Jaguar version was seen alongside the Genesis and SNES versions at the very end, something I can't recall happening very often.)

For me, it was all about it being "the original." Certainly they're more 'solid' and apparently the picture is better, but personally, it was less about playing the thing (I've got other 2600s, including light sixers, as well as 7800s for that) and more about the relative rarity and importance of it. Not that they're impossible to find, but at least in person, the only one I've ever come across is the one in my collection (luckily, it also came with the original 1977 joysticks and power supply, so evidently the lot was all from an original owner and not pieced together by the thrift I found it at). But really, you look at the Heavy Sixer, and you're seeing the 1977 beginnings of what would become an absolute phenomenon. It's just plain cool. I might argue that, from a cosmetic standpoint, the more-streamlined 2600s that were the norm during the biggest period of popularity - so probably the four switch woodgrains and then Vaders - were more iconic simply because that's when most people were buying 'em and that's what was available when Atari was most on top of the video game world, but there's no doubt that having all six switches right up front is very, very nice. Ideally a light sixer would be used for any daily driving - that's what I'd prefer to use if I didn't do all of my 2600 playing on a 7800 - but there's something incredibly special about 'the first.'

Aside from general "shoulda bought [new, sealed, now-valuable game/console/toy] cheap on clearance when I had the chance" feelings (we've all been there), a few specific incidents come to mind right now... - Here's the biggie. 2004: There was a used game store fairly close to me that had been there for awhile, but that I inexplicably only went to once, and even more inexplicably, didn't buy anything from. And this was a GOOD used game store, with REALLY GOOD prices. Lotsa stuff, plenty of 2600 games. The items that stick out most to me are 1) a Coleco Combat dedicated console. 2) A TurboExpress handheld. And 3) a copy of Quest For Quintana Roo for the 2600. I no longer remember the prices, except Roo was, I think, $60 or $80; not exactly cheap, but a decent price for what it was going for at the time. (Still is?) I believe I posted about it on here, and was told I could have gotten more for it than the asking price - I guess I could search through my post history, but seeing/cringing at my writing from all those years ago is not something I'm prepared to do at the moment. Roo was one thing, but looking back, the Combat console and TurboExpress are the ones I wish I'd have had more interest in. Like I said, I don't remember the prices, but the pricing in the place was, as I recall it, entirely reasonable, for the time then and even more so now. I probably couldn't have afforded all three things in that one visit, but certainly at least one of 'em, maybe even two. 18-year-old, part-time job me should have had more foresight! The Combat is the one I'd really love to have in my collection nowadays (though there's no guarantee I wouldn't have wound up selling it later, in those years before the current "aw, just keep everything!" mindset I have today), though the TurboExpress was the one that, from a value standpoint, I should have waltzed on out of there with. That store is now long gone, but before it disappeared, it went from video games to board/card games - convenient in not having to change the name of the place, but of little help to me since the latter ain't my scene, man. - Another tale, same general era (probably about a year later), this time at a thrift store: the place had a pretty decent selection of retro games, especially NES. They had a Tengen Tetris, I didn't buy it, it was gone next time I went in. Another time (same time?), they had a box full of, uh, boxes; that is, empty Atari game boxes, with a 7800 Kung-Fu Master box the standout. I didn't buy it or any others, they were also gone next time I went in. On a related note, a dude I used to work with claimed he got the 2600 Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre games there. I kept pretty regular tabs on this thrift and I absolutely knew even back then to buy those without hesitation if the opportunity presented itself, so my hope is that he was just full of it. Sometimes life balances things out though: I later found a Tengen Tetris at a dedicated music/video game store for $5 - evidently they saw no difference between it and the regular Nintendo edition, but I did, and happily took the opportunity to rectify my earlier mistake. Also, at that above-mentioned thrift store, I wound up finding a complete boxed copy of 7800 Basketbrawl for a few bucks. And honestly, my amount of scores/chances took far outweigh my misses - though that just makes the missed opportunities all the more glaring to me, IMO. - Actually, at that dedicated music/video game store I just mentioned, they once had NES Wayne's World for $5. I didn't buy it, and naturally wound up with the nagging feeling that I should have. Needless to say, another missed opportunity was eventually revealed. I later had to pay substantially more money for a used copy online, though in another case of life occasionally balancing things out, what I paid would be considered an absolutely terrific price compared to what the game goes for now. - Want to know an odd regret that's been popping into my mind lately, despite not being THAT big of a deal? If you have Save-A-Lot grocery stores near you, you may recall that in the early-00s, in addition to the normal cheapie budget DVDs (a 'genre' I have serious love for anyway), they could also get some new old stock stuff in that they'd then sell for like a buck apiece; some cool NOS PC games popped up there, and in the waning days of VHS, I cleaned up. But what continues to stick out to me is my passing up of a carded Toy Biz Marvel figure from the early-90s that somehow wound up there. The card was pretty wasted, and to tell you the truth, I don't even remember for sure what figure it was; I'm not particularly a Marvel Comics fan (except for Spidey, I was always more of a DC guy), but it was such an odd, random, not to mention CHEAP, occurrence that I really should have just gotten it. It wasn't even with other dedicated toys; it was on their clearance (expired?) food racks. And what's more, I think this was more mid-00s, or maybe even late-00s, after that NOS clearance boom at the start of the decade, which just made the whole event all the more random. Nowadays, I'd like to think I've learned from past mistakes; I generally try not to leave anything to chance. If it looks interesting, and it's affordable enough, just go for it and sort the rest out later. Better safe than sorry! Although, I do still have occasional lapses in judgement. Case in point: I collect vintage local promotional memorabilia. Mugs, glasses, keychains, businesses, restaurants, that sort of thing. Hey, I find it interesting, it's relatively plentiful, and it's usually cheap! While my main focus is on items local to me, I do indeed take an interest in things from other states too, though almost always in a "well, if it happens to cross my path while out and about..." kinda way. Anyway, several months ago, or maybe even about a year ago now, there was a little paperweight from the Chicago Leather Co. in a showcase at Goodwill. It was just a little glass thing, with some kind of leather blotter (?) with the company ID stamped on it. There was definitively some age to it, but despite that and it being in the showcase, it couldn't have been priced very high. I stupidly walked out without it, or without even asking to see it up close. And, well, of course it was gone next time I stopped in (and I hit this particular Goodwill really frequently, too). I'm honestly surprised someone besides me cared about it, truth be told. A neat little piece of promo memorabilia like that isn't likely to cross my path again, so while it may not sound like a big deal (and it really isn't, all things considered), there's still some regret there on my part. Oh boy, I've got some stories there, but they honestly hurt waaaaaaaaay more than the tales of the things I passed up. There's things I got rid of years ago that I try not to think too much about, because, OUCH. (One of the easier-to-take examples: the 7800 Basketbrawl I mentioned above. I wound up selling it for like $30 a few years after, and while that was a decent price at the time, the rarity, and more importantly, my love of the 7800, has grown exponentially since. Regret!) Another quick example: my boxed, childhood copy of Punch-Out!!, the Mr. Dream re-release. It was one I had my eye on at KB Toys for awhile, eventually I bought it, and then somewhere in the early-00's I traded it (along with another now-forgotten but less-important NES game) for the unlicensed Chiller. It wasn't so much the trading of the game itself that came to bother me, but the nostalgia associated with it. Still, in yet another case of life helping balance things out, this was ultimately the catalyst for my later buying a sealed NOS copy of Mr. Dream's Punch-Out!! on eBay for, IIRC, $29.99. Yes there was a time when non-top tier sealed NES games could be had affordably. If it wasn't Mario, Zelda, or even more related to the subject here, Mike Tyson, prices could generally be pretty reasonable. This has since changed considerably, which made the purchase a wise investment on my part. (And Chiller goes for some decent bucks nowadays, too.) I'm not sure that makes up for the loss of nostalgia I associated with that childhood copy, but it's something anyway.