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44 years old here. First video game console was the 2600, of course. Then 5200, TI 99/4a, Commodore 64, Amiga, and finally pulled into the mainstream. For us 40-somethings, it's simply a shared life experience... like Saturday morning cartoons, Schoolhouse Rock, and Soul Train... there were only 3 networks and and VCRs were in their infancy, so if you grew up in that era you ALL watched the same shows, at the same time (live, when they were happening), listened to the same music (whatever the radio was playing), and if you played video games it was only the 2600 (or rarely the Odyssey or Intellivision). Everyone our age had the same experience. In retrospect, it wasn't far from what we thought only happened in communist Russia -- everyone had it the same. Some of us may have held on to the past and became collectors, but all of us remember. Very different from those who grew up even a few years later. So while we on this forum all share a passion for an era of classic video gaming, it comes from different places IMO. I admire the younger collectors, perhaps exploring the mysterious time before they were born (or can remember anything). And I totally understand that, too -- I was the same way with music. Still am. Infatuated by the music from right around (or shortly before) I was born. Love the songs, and love the idea of the era they represent.

Thanks, I bought this. It looked like it included the BW manual, too... so on the off chance I ever find the box, I'll have the rest Plus with the Jr. I liked the provenance.

Nah, we get it. At least I do. Technically I agree the word "retro" means imitating something of the recent past. Hence "Retro Gaming" is playing the old-school games and systems. And something like the Flashback is retro by the more literal definition. But in reality we use the term for actually old stuff too, which is used in the "imitating of the past". For example -- a "Retro Night" at a dance club might include dancing to the music of the recent past; and dressing in the styles of the recent past. But the clothes and music used in the process would also be called "retro", even though they are the actual music and clothes, not imiations. I guess to get really techical, you could say the actual old consoles themselves aren't retro, but just outdated technology and old parts. But if you actually play them currently, using them as part of an "imitation of the past", then they are "retro". Of course, that's completely unrelated to the OP's question, no one had any problem understanding what was meant by retro in that context.

The darkness, the lights and sound, and the sensory overload. It was as close as a kid could get to being in a casino or dance club. And, like many things back then, it was easy to get "lost" in the atmosphere. If someone wanted to find you, they'd have to look pretty hard. No cell phones, no idea what time it was or whether it was light or dark outside, just a total immersive atmosphere -- didn't matter where on the planet you were, what the weather was, or who anyone was. The experience was the same everywhere.

Given what is already on your list, I'd agree with the Genesis recommendation. Or, if you wanted to fill in your collection from the oldest going up, then a 5200. If you can deal with the joystick, or get a wico, the 5200 has some seriously fun games from that era. Including some of the best arcade ports of certain games from that era. Get a 2 port and they are incredibly reliable consoles. The sticks have issues, but rebuild kits are easy and cheap.

That's been my definition for the longest time too, and I limit my collection to pre-disk systems just so things don't get out of hand. But I'm also thinking it's time to move the line a bit. To me, an updated definition would be to include any system prior to the Sony/Microsoft domination of the market. But it's a fuzzy line for me -- not a specific date (like the release of the PS1). For example, I'd consider the Saturn retro, but not the PS1. Perhaps due to the PS1's continuing lineage or connection to a current system. With Nintendo, it's even fuzzier. Like I might even consider the Gamecube retro, or right on the cusp, perhaps because it was a little behind the times even when it was released, and doesn't feel connected to the current or previous Wii iterations (despite the Gamecube compatibility on the original Wii). As I said, it's fuzzy.

My brother is selling his Lynx console and games - including Double Dragon, Electrocop, Blue Lightning, and others. If you have any questions just ask! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-Lynx-I-Console-Bundle-Battery-Pack-Atari-Carrying-Case-17-Games-/191542313076

Picked up one of the dig carts off ebay today. Phoenix. Probably spent too much, $75, but I agree with the earlier poster that it is part of Atari history... and the history of classic game collecting. I had wanted to go out to Alamagordo for the dig back in May (?), but didn't, so this is the next best thing for me. I think it's cool that the after the initial round of ridiculous prices, you can now get a dig cart in almost any price range. If you just want to own one, some are going for $35 (and a couple not even receiving bids)... if you want something nicer looking, or one of the special titles, then you can pay more if you like.

If you ever want a CRT TV of any size, go to Goodwill. Seems like they always have a bunch of them. Probably in good working condition, donated simply because of their size/weight/obscolensce. None for me, though. I'm glad Goodwill still takes them, otherwise I probably would have paid to have my last CRT TV taken away (well, I still have a TI monitor in the attic with my 99/4a collection). I just love the flat screens, especially the newer ones, very bright and so light you can almost hang them like a framed painting. I'm sure someone will come up with a good "CRT emulator" app for the newer smart TVs, to make it look better for classic gaming.

Also a certain someone who wrote "Ready Player One" living here... Austin is great city for classic/retro gaming, but forget about scoring any great thrift finds. It's all in people's collections or at stores like Game Over.

I own and love Wicos, and while they are solid machines... back in the day, my favorite workhorse was the short throw Suncom Slik Stik. It felt precise and predictable, albeit a little cheap. It was a natural transition to the tinier joysticks and eventually gamepads that later systems would use, IMO. To this day, I believe all my highest scores from the VCS to the Amiga were earned with the slik stik.

Neat to see this thread still going! My H6er's are still happily sitting in my collection, 5+ years after I posted the serials on this thread.

Arcade across from the UT campus, I have many fond memories of it... always seemed to be immune from the arcade downtrends (amazing it lasted this long), but I guess everyone gets it in the end. Campus arcade pulls the plug after 32 years

I think there are multiple versions. In the hardware section on this site, it states that they were manufactured in Sunnyvale. However, I have one that has a "manufactured in Taiwan" serial # sticker... it's got the yellow piping, different color labels on the switches, "For promotional use only" stamped in the bottom, and the chrome switches. The switches are the nicest thing, IMO. I've seen at least one other Taiwan-manufactured promo 2600A on ebay... I suggest you do a search there. The others I have heard about are all the Sunnyvale kind. I'd say it's worth picking up if the price is not outrageous, esp complete with the box. Got any pics?

Cool, because there is something about it, that's it's so black, it's like; "How much more black could this be?" and the answer is: "None, none... more black."

Other. Where is the option for Black, like on some of the original picture label carts?

Hmm, growing up the only major arcade in our area was adjacent to the local movie theatre, and I did spend plenty of time there, but... The most money I ever spent, in any "arcade", was one summer I spent mastering Tempest. I played every single day.... don't remember if it was '82 or '83, but one of those summers. And it wasn't at typical arcade, it was at a meat market! Basically, a butcher shop. But for some reason, there were 2-3 games there at any given time in the early eighties. Maybe the owner was a closet arcade buff. Who knows? As kids, we certainly weren't buying the meats... Other than that, I would say the best arcade I have ever been to was not even in the US... it was in a resort town in southern Italy. There were many arcades in this resort town, in the mid-eighties, and I was lucky enough to visit a few. One was fairly large, with all the classics at the time... and a large number of pirate cabinets with all sorts of exotic variations. The games took a lire-based token, worth about 10 cents. Basically, 10 games for a dollar... a whole evening's worth for $5. Did I mention the drinking age? It may have been 16, but that was more of a guideline than anything else.

Only one stands out over the years for me: Speedball II (Amiga) However, Tron would be a distant second.

Man, you had a cool dentist. All we had were old copies of "Ranger Rick" magazines.

It took me all of about 2 seconds to search and verify that it was legit (the Visits program, anyway). Given that you are in the Bay area, and if you can actually copy and paste a legitimate eBay URL, it's probably legit. I guess it depends on how much $100 in gift certs are worth for your time. I'd do it, probably inviting them over to my house and then complaining about fees, feedback, and everything I could. Perhaps I could make it very uncomfortable for them, if they didn't bring gifts (or at least beer). I doubt it would take the full 3 hours, and I'm pretty sure I'd get the full compliment of freebies. But no, I haven't received anything like this... wonder why?

Hmm, like the Ti-99/4a pascal card? I'd expect to see more chips on the circuit board, but definitely possible...

Actually, to back that up further... it looks like only 2-3 leads of the ribbon cable are connected to the circuit board, which would be just about right for the serial use of a 25 pin connector at the other end.

No way the left side is a serial connector. Looks to have 25 or more connections, just on the top view... way to much for the top of even a 25 pin RS232 connector. I'm pretty sure the left side is a flat connector to the CV expansion port. I'll bet there is a 25 pin RS232 hanging off the left of that ribbon cable. BTW, that's looks to be an absolutely cool device. I've never seen one like it. You should scan every page of that 50 page manual... I'm sure many people would be very interested.

Incidentally, I think the failure to "pull in revenue" is also why the cocktail versions of games went away. You can't see the screen, and there is limited area for any kind of case art... so nothing to entice people to spend their quarters. Kind of like a casino with slot machines, you needed to capture the eyes and ears of the potential customer. Plus, at arcades, the games were competing with each other (in a sense) for revenue. So there is no way the cocktail format would take off. As I remember, it was only a "niche" market for some establishments who wanted to keep that low-key feel... without blaring, colorful games with people standing all around.

Actually, I'm gonna take a guess about the serial number - It ends with an "M" or "N" Am I right?