NightSprinter

You could duct tape the Pause button down so it'll stay in place. 1003139[/snapback] Well, I tried out an experiment popping the DigDug cartridge and held down the Pause switch to see if it would go into a pause/unpause cycle. It didn't. So apparently the switch can be replaced with an "on/off" type. The only concern I have is for the 7800 games how would one ues such a switch to unpause the game after putting it back into "off" position?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the FM Synthesizer an expansion for the Mark III? I remember having read that at old-computers.com

I'm really enjoying the surprisingly intellectual conversation about what's happened to the arcades lately (and I can even start a new topic just for that if anyone wants). I really have to agree that what's being done with arcade games in terms of getting the "every last detail fully captured on the console port" treatment. Back when I used to live in southwest GA, virtually every Saturday when I was a kid 20 years ago (every other saturday I'd go to the flea market with my grandparents to see if I could scour some Atari games for cheap) I always took advantage of the "Super Saturday" deal at the local Putt-Putt Golf & Games (which changed their name a few years ago). After I was done with all my games of minigolf and got my slice of cheese pizza and cup of Pepsi for $10-$15 until noon, I'd immediately take the roll of thirty gameroom tokens (and any bonus allowance I had left from saving up) and went to play my favorites. The place had stuff like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Crossbow, Punch-Out, Bubble Bobble, Senta Mini-Golf (ironically, since I'm AT a mini-golf place), Vs. Super Mario Bros., Paperboy, etc. Even later on when the CPS-2 hardware came out there were still great games like D&D: Tower of Doom and Super SF2 Turbo (blew a lot of tokens on those). Also sometimes on Friday afternoons after I got out of class my older brother and I would go to the mall and play at the arcade over in the Albany Mall. Back when I was still a toddler there was an Aladdin's Castle arcade. I remember seeing machines like Discs of Tron, Rampage, Karnov, and a few others. I mean there was even a Showbiz Pizza next to the mall as well (I remember having tried to play "Bubbles" and some game that involved a rodeo scene?). Later on, Aladdin's Castle would go out of business and was replaced by "Take Ten" over in the late 80s and early 90s. The place did get some more modern games over the years (X-Men Vs. SF, SF3, Bloody Roar), but still kept a lot of the classics (Final Fight, Galaga, Robocop, SF2, etc.). But even it closed down sadly. Even the Stardust Skate Center had numerous classic videogames before it moved its location: 2 Ms. Pac-Man machines, Galaxian, Pac-Mania, Puzzle Bobble, Bagman, Kung-Fu Master, etc. Sadly after they moved to a location near the mal around 1998 they had far fewer good games. I mean even my main vacation spot back then: Panama City Beach, FL, was a treasure trove of great game places. Some of the condos there had game rooms that contained some really great arcade games over the year (Bionic Commando, KFM, Zaxxon, Ladybug), and there was a fantastic arcade in front of the Miracle Strip Amusement park that had what I thought then was the jackpot of great arcade games (Jr. Pac-Man, Space-Invaders Pt. 2, Asteroids, Ms. PacMan, Pac-Mania, Crossbow, Donkey Kong, DK Jr., Double Dragon, Crystal Castles, Zaxxon, Pac-Man, etc.). It was the one place I looked forward to each trip outside of going to the beach and having fun. Sadly according to a friend of mine who lives up there, the amusement park AND arcade were taken down apparently for more condominiums. So yeah, there are a lot of factors as to why we've lost the good arcades of the 1980s and early-to-mid 1990s. I honestly wonder if it's possible or even feasible to bring such places back into the mainstream.

Yeah, it's definitely the "Munchers" series. Yours in particular "Number Munchers".

Orlando, FL: S&F Video Games on West Colonial Drive Orlando, FL: GameWare Games/DVDs/CDs on East Colonial Drive Sanford, FL at FleaWorld: DJ's Games and Toys, Kids at Heart, Cybertron Video Games, and Game Trader [Note] Whoo, 300th post.. or somethin'.

Thirded! 1001006[/snapback] Fourthed. It really is a fun lil game. I didn't realize some of the CBS Electronics titles for the 2600 were so enjoyable until I tried this one (despite I have Wizard of Wor).

For whoever commented about the flashing blip for the S-Flag on the radar, it was actually "New Rally-X" that had that feature. You had to look for the S-Flag on your own in the original.

Every Circuit City in the Orlando region I've been to has the 2-player ones for $10

Sounds similar to an NES game I played. I think it was called "Pinball Quest" or similar. Had an RPG mode just like what you mentioned.

Anyone ever figure out what you do with his horse when you find it? I could never find a use for it. Tempest 1000006[/snapback] According to some FAQs I've read (many which are posted at the KongMing "Three Kingdoms" archives: www.kongming.net ) state that Chi Tu Ma (a.k.a. "Red Hare" for you Dynasty Warriors fans) is supposed to increase the agility (order of attack) of the person who has him.

Much agreed, NE146. Plus also let's not forget how Smash T.V. also added factors such as bonuses, music, and powerup weapons to the Robotron formula. In any case, here are my personal top-whatever list of arcade games (and maybe reasons as to why they're important): 1.) PONG (it started the arcade game revolution, made videogames money-makers) 2.) Space Invaders (arcade game made so popular Japan had a money shortage) 3.) Asteroids (first popular vector-based arcade game, first to introduce patterns to beat the system) 4.) Pac-Man (first game to have a wide audience appeal, not just guys) 5.) Galaxian (first color game?) 6.) Robotron: 2084 (first game to feature dual-joystick controls) 7.) Defender (first game that had a scrolling world and intense level of difficulty) 8.) Donkey Kong (debut appearance of Mario and DK) 9.) Berzerk (first recorded death related to games?) 10.) Gauntlet (first to feature four-player co-op play) 11.) Teenage Mutant Ninja(Hero in Europe) Turtles (first major arcade license of a cartoon?) 12.) Dragon's Lair (first to use laserdisc and cinema-quality cartoon animation) 13.) S.T.U.N. Runner (first to use filled polygons in a 3D game?) 14.) Pit Fighter (first to use digitized actors and movements) 15.) Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (first to make fighting games ver popular) 16.) Neo-Geo (just name a game): First arcade system to also have a home system based on it 17.) BeatMania: Started the entire "music game" genre that "Dance Dance Revolution" is now associated with. 18.) DDR: Arcades are visited because of it now?

Thats S&F Games. I go there every now and then. Got a 3DO for 10 bucks. and they still have older games, along with all kinds of old game magazines. Oh, and they also do trade-ins... EXCEPT PS2 systems.. Thats why I love that place. I also hate the PS2, I fix them day in and day out ¬_¬ 908124[/snapback] Yeah, S&F is great. They were the ONLY place I managed to find last fall that still had a toaster NES in stock (and to think in November I also found one with 7 games at a yard sale for $10 ). The fact the couple who owns the store PLAYS their games during business hours is pretty reassuring that they'll know SOMETHING about the item at least.

Damn right, Bydo. In fact, those two places are really the ONLY places outside I go to at Flea World (save for when I go play a round of "Pole Position" or TMNT and say hi to my friend Abe over at FunWorld). Also try "Kids at Heart" over there as well. The guy who runs it has some decent stuff (got some good 7800 games I like and play now for under $4 a pop), and can get you something you don't find. He also does trade-ins. Zonie, I think FleaWorld is at the earliest open on Thursdays (damn, didn't realize you were going to be down here until I just read the post TONIGHT on Friday). Open 9am-6pm, and I'm absolutely sure they're open during the entire weekend from those times.

Again, a bit off-topic but just how often do you watch those "Celebrity Jeapordy" skits Bruce?

Destiny of an Emperor: I agree, despite the cheesy dialogue at times Capcom's first RPG has some immense depth. I still rue every moment Lu Bu betrays me if I recruit him. Gargoyle's Quest: Surprising action/adventure game for the GameBoy. First game in which a Red Arremer (whom we know as FireBrand in this game) is a hero instead of an enemy. The Guardian Legend: Irem/Compile just did a hell of a bang-up job in creating this hybrid shooter/adventure game. The various weapons, music, graphics (for an NES), and play control are just amazing. I'm surprised noone rated this higher. Metal Arms - A Glitch in the System: Hillarious "Unreal"-style third-person shooter. Can't help but laugh at the number of times vulgarities get bleeped out. By the way, there's a reason why the two bots you're with at the start are named "Hosed" and "Screwed". Just gotta play through the intro stage to find out why.

The topic says it all. Just amazing. Even after 26 years, the 2600 Video Computer System still can have influence.

I'd buy that for a dollar! 993190[/snapback] Wait until you get to the last boss, then you'll just go "NO WAY!!". Despite Robotron was the first to feature it, Smash T.V. was also the first game of its kind to take the "John Woo style" of controls (two-fisted, left hand for movement, right hand for firing) and made it into a multiplayer game. Also, let's not forget that Defender should go on the list as being one of the first seriously "Intense" videogames out there. Eugene Jarvis had a knack of making arcade games that were very punishing to the player (yet kept them coming back for more).

That's what I'm wanting. I just wanted to hear discussion about the merits and drawbacks of the two systems from not as much of a TECHNCIAL standpoint as much as a GAMER'S standpoint. But I guess we can't always get what we ask for, Helmet.

And yet on some arcade machines and on ALL the home versions except opcode's "Pac-Man Collection" for CV you've managed to foil that one glitch that the original arcade machine's A.I. had (go directly up under the right side of the "T" shape below the ghost's box, they go into an infinite search loop that never targets the player's location).

So, when are we going to talk about the 5200 vs. the 7800 again?

Went to ThriftKo out in Casselberry today. Found a picture-label "Video Olympics" with a GREEN end-label and a gameport MS Sidewinder Gamepad. Sadly the 2600 games were $1.99 a pop, and Atari paddles (yes, I saw a pair at the place in the very back with the electronics) were FIVE-NINETY-NINE.. I saw that price and was afraid of what the Sidewinedr gamepad would've been so I left.

Actually, "Mean Bean Machine" (and "Kirby's Avalanche" for that matter) were just mere translations of Compile's original puzle game "Puyo Puyo". Nothing related to Tetris, if I remember right.. but what do I know?

I'm ABSOLUTELY sure of it, Kevin. This was one of those games I played quite often after getting home from school back when I was in GA. Even the title screen starts with the sound effect of your shooter blowing up.

The name of that title is "Bug Attack". I LOVED that game when I used to have my Apple //e. Wasn't much of a "Centipede" clone, per-se. Of course there were a few stages that were a bit "Centipede-like" (as in there was a segmented bug you had to kill), but you had ZERO vertical movement. Was still quite the enjoyable game.

Ah, so if I was to have a monitor like say the 1084S I could theoretically use the AUX connector for full RGB output?