Lord Thag

Not sure I agree 100% on that. People pay tons of money all the time for classic automobiles that are nowhere near as advanced as newer cars. New doesn't necessarily mean better. It really comes down to the amount of enjoyment you get out of something. I'd rather play Defender than Grand Theft Auto most of the time, and I like both. I have way more fun playing Adventure than Final Fantasy. It's not really a nostalgia thing with me, it's a matter of focus. I can get in two or three good games of adventure in a half an hour. FF takes weeks. I don't WANT to play a game for weeks. I want to sit down and play a game that's fun for the whole time I play it. My rule of thumb is that if I spend less than the price of a new game for an old one, and I get the same enjoyment from it, then I come out ahead. Paying $400 for a game (old or new) seems crazy to me, but then again, I'm not rich. Collecting games is FAR cheaper than collecting old cars. When people give me a hard time for spending $100 on a stack of games, I ask them how much they paid for their rims. Usually, they shut up.

I'd be happy to help with writing the game descriptions, strategy or whatever. Let me know if you want to collaborate on this. I'll second that vote for the sub-forum too!

I beat this a time or two back in the day. Never could figure the scoring out though. I always found it to be fun (and strange). Early adventure games were so WEIRD, you know? I actually like that about them. I would love to see a scratch-programmed hombrew adventure-type game someday. Maybe I'll even do one myself when I have the time. The demo I programmed was *hard* to debug, but I had fun. Where are you, free time?

And here i was feeling stupid for spending $100

Nice! I'm STILL mad at my mom for not letting me pick up one of those in a pack with BOTH tron games back in the day. For ten bucks! We were on vacation for crying out loud. It's cruelty I tell ya! I've been scarred for life. *inserts violin music*

Ah thanks! Unfortunately, my computer time is at work presently, and I am unable to use all of those programs, or install them either, so I guess I won't be able to host the HSC. I'm still very interested if anyone else wants to pick up the ball. I WILL play weekly. Anyone else interested in starting this up? My joust cart is starting to look neglected....

Proof that games appeal to all ages. Really neat story!

I think modern games and classic games are too very different things. People who prefer the new stuff are looking for EXPERIENCES. Almost all new games are about the interactive experience, and incorporate soundtracks, cutscenes, plots and tons of other 'movie' like elements. You spend a ton of time wading through text and cutscenes or whatever, and the point is that you are part of a story, part of an experience. Classic games are games in the original sense. They have a usually limited focus, often one screen, and repetative, but steadily increasing difficulty that is made challenging by slight variations in gameplay. They are about skill, not experience. Also, a lot of folks nowadays judge things (and people) by appearance, which is part of the problem as well, as someone that shallow is likely to write off anything that is 'retro' at a glance. We retro types usually value things based on inherent worth, as well as admiring the skill involved in classic gaming. Look how many folks here get involved in the HSC, for instance. The contemporary gamer generally wants to be 'wowed' by the next great experience, and usually trades in the game when the experience is done. Much like a movie. From that standpoint, a classic game like, say, Adventure, does not meet that 'wow' factor, and is therefore written off. From our perspective, that 'wow' game may seem long, boring, scripted, and far less stimulation than a good game of, say, Galaxian would provide. In my book, you get far more bang for you buck from half an hour of pac-man than two hours of Final Fantasy. Just my opinion though, I AM somewhat biased It's too bad too. With the cheapness of the DVD media to manufacture, companies could make a mint making classic style NEW games that could be sold for $15. Ah well... On a more positive note, a friend of mine who was one of those "that's stupid' types in regards to the classic games, now owns a 2600, 5200, NES, Intellivision, SNES and Genesis. He now goes thrifting every saturday too. Let's hear it for new converts!

Sears sells driver bits that allow you to turn stripped screws like you were describing. They should fix that worn screw no problem! Oh, and welcome!

Rats. I don't have this one, and I *hate* playing on emu, so I'll probably sit this one out. Maybe I'll try playing on the PC, but it just ain't the same, ya know?

Towards the end of the 2600's amazing 16 year (or so) run, some pretty jaw-dropping games came out on the system. One of these that gets tons of recognition is Solaris, and rightfully so. It's one of the most amazing 2600 games ever coded, and far, FAR beyond anything the original designers ever intended the system to be able to pull off. Unbeknownst to many, there is another game based on this same engine, which is quite worthy in and of itself: Radar Lock. Tag along, and I'll show you what I mean. ===================================================== Game:Radar Lock Manufacturer:Atari Players: One, but two can play since both joysticks are used for the game. Difficulty: Like Solaris, just one. Info link: http://www.atariage.com/software_list.html?SystemID=2600 Review: Radar Lock is a game I heard about awhile back, and I have had a heck of a time trying to find it. Last weekend I finally did, and it was definately worth the wait. Players of Solaris will recognise the high quality visuals right off the bat, as well as some of the flight mechanics, but the game itself is actually quite different. More than anything, it resembles a more involved version of afterburner that was crossed with F-14 Tomcat. You are the pilot of some kind of stealth plane charged with blowing lots of enemy fighters and bombers up. You have three forms of offensive weaponry, to whit: machine guns, which are your main form of attack, proximity missles which blow up and take any nearby planes (including you if you're not careful), and guided missles which are critical for taking out the huge enemy bombers. You switch these with the right joystick. The playing environment is a 360' area, and you have to use your radar (hence the title) to track down enemy planes that can be anywhere around you, just like later flight sims on other systems. After you've fought through a few waves, you must dock with a refueling plane, which can be quite challenging, not to mention tense, as you fuel trickles away. The gameplay is fast and furious, and requires lots of strategy as you get farther into the game. You have limited amounts of weaponry, and have to use them skillfully and against the right targets. Bombers (which are your main and most challenging targets) are huge, difficult to destroy, and have escorts. Usually, you use guns and prox missles to nail the escorts, and then nail the bomber with one of your precious guided missles. The enemies eventually attack you from everywhere, and become fast and difficult to kill. The game has a nice difficulty progression, and is really fun. All in all, this is an AMAZING 2600 game, and it needs to get a lot more recognition than it does. This is the top of the heap, folks, and if you have it played it, this is one you need to add to your collection. It makes F-14 Tomcat look simplistic, which is quite a feat. Two thumbs up! Oh, one more thing. Anyone ever beaten this? Let us know if you have! =====================================================

AteeeenSHUN! Hold that Q-Tip at the ready position, maggot! Preeeeesent alcohol solution! Move it, we ain't payin' by the hour!

Yeah, family stuff like that is hard. It's really one of those painfull lessons we all learn at some point: you can't change anyone but yourself. I work with people who have disabilities, and there are so many of them who would have so much more happiness in their lives if they just would change something, but it usually doesn't happen. I'm sorry to hear about your brother, that's gotta be rough. Maybe he'll get it one of these days, you know? I have a really awfull grandmother who was nothing but pain and misery for everyone who really turned it around. At 84. Keep your chin up, and I'll put in a word with the Big Guy for your brother.

I'd agree with that. I got my a800 back in the eighties from a friend, and I have copies of all of the above on it, which I though strange, as they were all released later under different names or whatever.

I like it too. Just got it last saturday. Too bad my CV works like crap. I'll have to fix it again *sigh*

They do, I was just in there. Good service and fast shipping. I recommend 'em! The supercharger has some great games. I recommend Dragonstomper, Phaser Patrol, COmmunist Mutants from Space and Survival Island. Good stuff!

Crazy Climber, Quadrun and Gremlins Yeah, I'll probably find 'em for a buck tommorrow at the thrify marts. Not.

That's what my rubber mallet and hammer are for

Yep, me too. Dunno what the deal is. My score did the same thing. It's gremlins, I bet. Or devil's magic. Maybe both

Wait! I just had the GREAT idea! I'm going to start a BRAND NEW Atari company and we're gonna make new atari games! Yeah! Me and my new Super Atari Team are going to come up with great ideas for new games! It's awesome! We don't actually know anything at all yet, but we're gonna talk about it anyway! Anyone want to volunteer to program all of our GREAT IDEAS for us? Sign up with the Super Atari Team today! Wheee!! *cough* Sorry, I believe that was my ass talking.....

Sega Master system/Genesis sticks work fine. Use the 'B' button. I use a sega arcade stick with mine. I like that arcade feel when playing I guess. If I had any working original sticks, I might use them Every time I buy some they're broken, and I'm to lazy to buy replacement parts

I entirely agree with you on the Xbox lacking soul. It does have some good games, but mostly the market today reminds me of the movies: hundreds of soulless ripoffs and a few good movies. I think it's because the focus has shifted away from the indicidual programmer, and to the (expensive) team-based approach. I think the 'soul' you are referring to is that creative spirit that goes into something when the creator (writer atist etc) actually loves what they do. Most of the homebrews on this site have it, because they were a labor of love. Occasionally you get that in modern games, but mainly they are like the movies: shallow, predictable, and lucrative.

I'm interested in some of that stuff. PM me if you want to sell

I'm interested in any brazilian carts as well. I have exactly none, so whatever anyone has to offer will be great. I have a lot of common-uncommon US carts for trade as well. PM me if you are interested.

I think we're waiting for someone to volunteer to start it. I have no idea how to do all the fancy score logging and whatnot in the post, but if someone wants to give me a quick tutorial, I'll be happy to write the column. I'm doing the AAS over in the 2600 forum anyway.... Is everyone still game?