godslabrat

Maniac Mansion for the NES. The ending was absolutely worth it. Of course I still own it and play it (I have yet to beat the game with every combination of kids) If you have an NES and haven't played this game, shame on you.

Looks like Sony's getting the jump on a slimline system this generation. They've filed for patents for a PS 3 slimline that features a 40GB HDD, no memory stick port, and only two USB ports. No word on release date, though. Hmmm.... if the DVR capabilities follow, and they don't dump the Blu Ray drive, this could be an awesome bedroom setup.

I really like the blend of old/new techs... using the flashback and SNES2 alongside the XEGS. Very creative use of space (I'm imagining you don't have much room to work with. Though with all those awesome DVDs, why the hell are you watching some skank on TV?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_kid Tempest Ummm... haven't there been self-pitying teenagers since time began? What part of this is new enough to warrant a label?

Why is this so damn hard to find? New copies on amazon are upwards of $100, none of the stores have it. I could buy it used, but I really don't want to. Crap... it's barely 2 years old, why is it so scarce? For that matter, shouldn't it be re-released in a "Players' Choice" edition, if it's apparently selling so well?

Hi all. I've really enjoyed AtariAge these past few months, but like many of you, I frequent several forums. Many of us have forgotten about usenet, and it's a shame because it's got several advantages over web-based boards. It seems that numerous factors have driven people away from rgvc, and I don't want to get into specifics, but it's possible that the newsgroup is again ripe for classic gaming talk. If you have access to a newsreader, or Google Groups, take a look and have some fun!

I'm sorry, but if it's in the terms of the auction, then your hands are kind of tied. You can ask for a refund, but it's up to the seller to grant it. I, for one, always charge extra for Canadian shipments, but NEVER to the tune of $10!!!! Yes, that's way out of line... but the fact is, you did agree to it. *shrug* Sorry.

Allright, here's the deal: I got a 4-switch (I believe it's called the "Darth Vader", though I see little resemblance) and my intention was to mod it with an 8BitDomain board. Problem was, when I opened up the case, I found the TIA chip to be soldered onto the motherboard, making the mod significantly more difficult to do than need be. So, I'm thinking, is it only the "Woody" that has a pre-socketed TIA? I guess that's what I need then. I'm needing a 4-switch I can mod and a power supply. Oh, and if you happen to have some butt-common games that need a good home, I'd certainly take them off your hands. Thanks.

That's exactly what I thought. It's not like the game-buying public is going to forgo Best Buy/Circuit City/Amazon/Gamestop/Walmart and just start hitting the Shack because now they're carrying Madden. RS doesn't have enough "cool" electronics... everything they have is middle-to-low-grade stuff intended for people who don't know any better. You go to RS because you need something in a hurry, not because what they have is distinctive enough to go out of your way for. I was wondering, "Why go to Radio Shack to buy Halo?", but that eventually led to "Why go to Radio Shack to buy ANYTHING!?!"

I'm a big movie fan. Next to gaming, it's probably my biggest techno-hobby. I've loved movies ever since I was a little kid. Today, I love my movie collection as much as my games, and I eagerly watch my mailbox to see what flicks Amazon will deliver for me each week. Of course, I like high-quality DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, and I don't have much use for VOD downloads. I don't really have any enthusiasm for the rental services offered by the XBox 360 and PS3. However... looking back... I would have loved this as a kid. When I was a kid, I lived in a rural area where there was NOTHING within walking distance. If you wanted to rent a movie, you had to drive several miles to rent a VHS tape. (I was on a first-name basis with the local tape rental store) I could order a movie out of a catalog (in the days before the internet, you actually wrote down what you wanted, mailed it to the company, and they mailed you stuff after about a month) but that would require me to have a credit card or a checkbook, and I had neither. If you wanted a movie and your parents weren't around, you were S-C-R-E-W-E-D. But dang... if I had something like the 360 when I was nine years old, I'd have been in paradise! Not only could I rent any movie they had without leaving my house... but I wouldn't need a credit card! Just XBL points, which I could buy with my allowance money! Man, when I think of how many times I scrounged for spare change so I could rent a tape... Today, I'll probably never use the video download services since I have the resources to get what I want on disc... but after thinking about it, I'll probably never be able to rag on these VOD services like I used to. There's too many kids out there hoarding their allowance money just to rent movies... this is a godsend for them. Don't blow it, kids.

I don't think you're the ONLY one, but I would say that point of view is in the minority. Platformers in general are a staple of the video game industry, so not liking them is like saying "I'm into classical music, except for Mozart." Nothing wrong with it, per se, but you're missing out on a lot. Mario, in particular, I have a hard time understanding how anyone could NOT like. Mario has been used in a HUGE number of titles, in genres ranging from sports games to racing games to RPGs. That's a lot of variety even without considering the platformers. Then when you factor in the games from the Mario Bros, Mario Land, Mario World, Mario 64/Sunshine/Galaxy series, you'll find that even within the genre, there is a LOT of variation between the different games. If someone likes video games, I have a hard time believing they can look at the gazillions of games starring Mario and not find SOMETHING of interest. But if you don't, no biggie. Not gonna hurt my feelings any. I often have this discussion when it comes to Anime or popular music-- I tend to not like anything that the real enthusiasts like. That's ok by me.

Well... I'd probably do it. I really want BBB in my collection. OTOH, if I had $500 to spend on a console that doesn't interest me, I don't think I'd be hunting around for BBB. But I'd certainly be tempted...

Just a thought... since Thompson is saying, publicly, that he sent in his kid to get the game, doesn't that imply that he gave Best Buy permission to sell the game to the kid? An M rating isn't like NC-17, where the retailer gets in trouble for allowing anyone under 17 to view it. It's like an R, where all is cool if your parents agree to it. Jack drove his kid to Best Buy, gave him money, and told him to buy that specific game. I'd say he's agreeing to BB selling it to him. Granted, it still shouldn't have been sold to a kid who didn't have a proper ID, but BB could very easily show that Thompson's actions were NOT the actions of a man who didn't want his kid playing a violent game.

I could probably unsolder it if I had to... but I accidentally chipped the TIA (Slightly) before I realized what was going on. I don't know if I did any real damage, but I might price some 2600s just to see what my options are.

(Note: I considered putting this in the Hardware forum, but decided this probably wasn't that technical of an issue. Sorry if that was a mistake in judgement) I just got my mod board for my 4-switch 2600. Much to my dismay, I can't install it! Not because I don't understand the instructions but because there's a possibility the instructions don't account for. While the directions picture the TIA being socketed onto the motherboard, the TIA on my 4-switch seems to be soldered on. What do I do? Am I screwed? I really want to use this kit. Does this mean I have to hunt up another 4-switch? If so, how do I make sure I get a socketed motherboard?

That's essentially what Wal-Mart does. I'm not their biggest fan, but it seems to work for them. I know people steal stuff, but after so many people messing with the game on the shelf, it looks pretty ratty. Why should I have to take home a beaten-up "new" game? The lock-up methd is fine by me... I very seldom make my decision to buy a game based on the back of the box. I can't even imagine why this isn't the policy in the first place.

I too ordered about a month ago, and was getting concerned. I just got an e-mail saying my upgrade shipped today, so no worries

I've had them pull out the opened cases and start fishing around for a disk after the "would you like to buy it used for $2.50 less" speech, and I've said no. Then they gave me the extended warranty bit when I said I wanted a NEW game, and I said "You've got to be kidding me. I've got a better idea - I'll keep my $2 and you go and get a factory sealed NEW game." Assholes I'm astonished at the whole mess.. it basically amounts to buying used games for more than new... and GameStop's regular prices aren't cheap to begin with!

Fine by me! Gamestop is usually my last stop when shopping, because I strongly disagree with their "We can open stuff and still sell it as new" policy. Just because it was never sold doesn't make it new-- once the cellophane is broken, it's an opened game and I'd better get a price break because of it. And after that, you sure as hell better not tell me "Well, if you're worried about it, for an extra $2 we'll put an extended warranty on your game."

The NES Advantage, while I liked it and did have certain games I enjoyed using with it, was my least favorite controller. Having said that, the thing was built like a tank. My complaints mostly stemmed from the size of it, as I preferred using smaller controllers (and still do) I do remember hearing a few minor complaints about the Super Advantage, but nothing in the range of "peice of shit". Most likely, it's just people reacting, as I did, to a controller that was better designed to play arcade games than the console games of the era.

To be honest, I've never really understood the distinction between "casual" and "hardcore" gamers. The terms seem to be bred in middle school lunchrooms and thus mean almost nothing to me. Thinking that having MP3 on the Wii makes you badass = lame Caring about someone excited to get a cool game to play on the Wii = also lame Kicking back and enjoying video games whenever life doesn't interfere = nice

The bad news: The Q-tip, with appropriate cleaner, is the best bet. The good news: There's very little you can't get off an NES game using a q-tip and a lot of hard work. I usually start by simply wiping down the game with a barely-moist cloth. Following that, I might use rubbing alcohol, or if it looks like a special challenge, Goo Gone. I know other people use lighter fliud, and that's cool, but I tend to have Goo Gone around the house more often. (YMMV) For just plain old dirt, sometimes I mix a little mild dish soap in the water. The key to cleaning an NES game is to use mild methods, and do so consistently, until the grime surrenders.

Funny you should mention that. I used to get my ass hended to me as a kid when I played Double Dragon II... now I'm pretty good, and I haven't played in years. Though DDII is actually a good game

I'm on the fence about this one, but I would definately be interested...preferably in a cart-only version

I am so ordering one of these...