RangerG

dougy -- That looks like Egyptian cuneiform to some of us .

There is still lots of room for improvement with the Wico stick, but I much prefer the Wico to the original 5200 stick. The fire buttons are firmer than the original and, of course, the self-centering is a godsend. The original sticks look cool and has a strong nostalgia factor, but I'd take a Wico for actual gameplay anyday.

I was just talking with my local independent video game store owner about how Christmas went and general holiday sales. He told me that Xbox had a good season even or above PS2 and that next was Gameboy Advance and finally the Gamecube. He said the Gamecube wasn't selling well at all and that Xbox had picked up lots in the past 6 months. This is one observation at one store in one Florida town so please don't flame me Microsoft/X-box haters.

Oh man -- I just won first place in my fantasy football league so $200 is coming my way and this might be the thing to spend it on . I assume the e-card reader will work on it. I could thus have a nice little classic portable machine for airplane trips and long car drives. By the way, anyone have and play the e-card reader? How are the games and is it worth it? I know $5 a game is great and I love the classics, but wiping 5 different cards to load each game seems like it would be a major pain and cards seems so flimsy like they would wear out fast. Comments anyone?

I started a post on Wisdom Tree titles for the NES not too long ago. They are somewhat rare, but not very fun to play and not very original. They still sell Christian video games so you can check their website. I just picked up a Wisdom Tree title, Exodus, for the Genesis. I think they are fun to collect because they are not licensed and unusual in that they catered to a niche market.

Pause is a feature I really appreciate on games and it is an extra incentive to me to buy a game (new homebrew/ hack) if it has a pause. Please consider it when programming -- thanks! -- RG

I second Rob's question -- what 2600 games have pause (I assume not many and mostly only the later games)? By the way, this would be a great function to have on any and all the new hombrews and hacks -- why isn't it done more (space, complicated, no perceived interest ??). I say please try to put this on these games!

Bill -- You are correct; it is Hackmaster. I didn't buy any of them, but they looked cool and are something I would buy. Take care -- RG

Bill -- I never thought about the contradiction, but with video games I really don't like needing to study a big instruction manual before I play (probably why I love classic games -- simple to play, but tough to master). However, I do/did love good ol' basic D+D. I love the actual sitting down/ role-playing etc. and I think it loses a lot when you play RPGs on the computer (I never got into that at all). By the way, I was in a comic store the other day and saw Slashmaster manuals and basic set. It a complete parody of all the original D+D modules and the basic and expert set, but it at the same time can be played for those who want a return to the old Basic D+D. By the way, have you ever played Tower of Doom -- great game!

Bill -- I would prefer an action game. Thinking about it -- a port or something similar to Tower of Doom (Intellivision) would be great on the 5200. I personally don't like too much RPG complication. Thanks for asking!

Circus Atari -- I assume that power supply is the original from a heavy sixer. I have seen two like that and both came with heavy sixers. Both also didn't work. One made such a bad noise I was afraid it would catch fire or something. They are cool to look at though.

Those prices don't sound terrible. I assume the store isn't a thrift so the owner needs to make a profit. $3 for a game and $10 for a controller isn't bad for the convenience and ability to actually see/hold what you are buying and NO SHIPPING costs. I really believe in supporting independent/local merchants, so I would be happy with your store find -- congrats!

I am bumping this because I want to ship if it someone wants it tomorrow before my wife and I leave for Miami for Christmas (Saturday). I figure via media mail it will only cost a little over $3 to ship it so the new offer is $10. Any takers. If no, no biggie because I will just put them in with an Ebay auction after the holidays. Take care and happy holidays!

I'm cleaning out the duplicate box and I know several people have asked for cheap games as a starter kit. All of the game have lables, but some are just average and have tears/holes while others are mint. They have all been cleaned and tested. They will come via media mail to anyone in the U.S. packed in a shoebox. Everything including shipping is $12. You can Paypal, money order or send a check. First to respond gets it! Here you go: 2600: Asteroids (3) Chopper Command Codebreaker Combat (2) Defender Donkey Kong ET Frogger LaserBlast Missile Command Pacman Raiders of the Lost Ark Realsports Baseball 5200: Baseball (Realsports) Defender Pacman Tennis (Realsports) NES: Quattro Sports

It has been mentioned before, but I would love to see Gauntlet ported to the 5200 from 8bit (I know it is on disk on the 8-bit, so I don't know if it could be done). However, could a game like Gauntlet or Dark Chambers (or a new game in the mold of an old D&D hack and slash style game) be made for the 5200? That would be my wish for a 5200 homebrew.

Best Electronics is a class act. I have ordered from them many times.

I hope everyone realizes how nice it is of you to ask before doing something. I hope people that wanted you to choose another route will not now be upset. I would sell the one rare copy you have with all the history and mystique it has on Ebay. You make a nice sale and don't need to mess with making boxes or finishing it etc. etc. - unless you have the time and desire to do it. I would also release the rom here on AA and create a nice buzz and make everyone appreciate what you did. Take care! -- RG

Thomas -- If this is 100% true, you should tell us who it is and we would e-mail him and stop buying his stuff. If this were rumor or just your side of a story, that would be different -- but it sounds like you really are being taken advantage of and you should be able to go public. You are not attacking character or taking a judgmental opinion -- you are suggesting someone is stealing another person's property and you should do something about it.

It sounds like what I thought from looking at completed items. The last few years at this time I saw systems going for twice what they would in the summer. I think common Atari stuff is in a soft market (good for buyers), but I think rare stuff still has a market, but Christmas doesn't really affect rare stuff and big collecters. I'll save my stuff to trade at PhillyClassic .

I remember this summer there were a couple posts about how basic systems and common carts were selling so cheap that a couple sellers said they were going to stop selling and wait for November and December (when prices historically jump). I saved some stuff to sell around this time, but I haven't gotten around to it this year. I wanted to know if sellers think the season has been average, below average, or above average. -- RG

Voltman (Charles) fixed my Wico keypad for me (the start wasn't working) and I just wanted to post to tell him I got it and to say thanks. It looks and plays great.

Wow -- you had a great site anyway, now it is A+. Please label the pics so we'll know better what we are looking at (although I surprised myself and knew most). Is that a switch on the Epyx 500XJ? Does the Colecovision joysensor work as poorly as an Intellivsion disc (why copy that idea?). Terrific collection Mr. Retrogamer!

I like the credit card idea. I posted this exact question several weeks ago because I have messed up too many bezels by using a screwdriver from the outside. Good ideas!

Do you think a heavy sixer would last the longest being so sturdy or did the later models have electrical improvements that would/will keep them going longer. Hmmmmm!

Cupcakus -- I can't wait for your new flash-something . Honestly -- I hope it works out great and like I told Clay working on the new 5200/PS1 adaptor -- take your time and make it the best possible.These are both awesome projects and we can wait for something that will last and fill a real need in classic gaming.