I just rolled over asteroid for the first time!

[FLANNERY]

So I decided that I wanted to break my hand(roll over the score in asteroids). I made it to 99,999 and it started all over again. But the weird thing is that it switch from a color picture to black and white and there was a lot of static interferance on screen, I made it another 34,660 points before one of those stupid little ufo's got me. Is this normal, I'm asking because ive never rolled over the score on a atari before. I'm definatly tracking down a sega genesis controller though. I have a blister in my palm and my wrist is screaming!

[accousticguitar]

I've never had that problem. It just goes on like before.

[FLANNERY]

I've never had that problem. It just goes on like before.

 

So that's not a good thing? Ive had games do this before but not after a roll over. I would just turn the unit off and clean the carts and the problem seemed to resolve it's self. You dont think it could be the console going bad do you?

[NE146]

Yeah the b&w & static problems you were having on your screen more than likely don't have anything to do with the score rolling over.

 

So what game variation did you play? It only counts if you play the even-numbered ones you know (and of course with the UFO's enabled, but it sounds like you did).

[FLANNERY]

Yeah the b&w & static problems you were having on your screen more than likely don't have anything to do with the score rolling over.

 

So what game variation did you play? It only counts if you play the even-numbered ones you know (and of course with the UFO's enabled, but it sounds like you did).

 

 

I did play with the UFO's but I didnt know that it only counts if you play on even numbered levels I played it on level one like a true noob. But regarding the b&w and static problems, is my console starting to go bad I really hate that if it is I had big plans for it this summer.

[FLANNERY]

OK so I tried to replicate my feat and after a couple of tries I rolled the score over again but only made it to 19,500. This time however my atari behaved normally and there was not odd color to b&w with static interferance problem. Hopefully it was a one time fuke. Can someone give me more insight to what may have happened. I did not clean the cartridge or the slot in the atari. This just really weird!

 

 

[tetrode kink]

So I decided that I wanted to break my hand(roll over the score in asteroids)...

 

...I'm definatly tracking down a sega genesis controller though. I have a blister in my palm and my wrist is screaming!

Heresy!

 

Don't you know that VCS games are made for a joystick? In the same way, most D-pad games are made for a D-pad. G'head, plug that Genny controller in and just try to play "Asteroids." I dare you to get as much enjoyment out of the game! IMHO, there's some ineffable quality which is lost when playing a VCS game with a D-pad.

 

Seriously, though, get your hands on a Flasback 2 joystick. Same design as the classic, original stick, but the buttons are the modern carbon dot/rubber membrane switches, instead of those ache-inducing, finger-breaking steel dome switches. I'm tellin' ya, you won't go back to the old stick once you feel that modern button action!

 

-tet

[Trinity]

On a quiet serene evening the Cosmic Space Patrol sets out for the usual night cruise through the boulevards of space. This beat was always the same; calm, no action and no excitement. For some reason this night feels different. Shortly before 0200 hours some form of intergalactic material is sighted through the visual particle counter. The material is too large a mass to measure. It's drifting closer. Lookout, it's a giant asteroid boulder and it's headed straight for the Cosmic Spacecraft. The only chance for survival is to dodge the boulder or destroy it. Destroying it doesn't mean just breaking it up, it means vaporizing it. Small asteroid boulders are equally as fatal as large ones.

 

Whew, the boulder just missed colliding with the Cosmic Spacecraft, but suddenly the Cosmic Space Patrol find themselves surrounded by thousands of the deadly asteroids. The Cosmic Space Patrol must act quickly to save their spacecraft and spare their lives. The spacecraft is equipped with photon torpedoes, hyperspace, shields, and flip control.

 

The Cosmic Space Patrol is highly trained to handle this situation. Could you do as good a job as the Cosmic Space Patrol? How would you protect yourself if you were caught in a deadly asteroid belt? This is your big chance to fly throughout the demensions of space and fend against asteroid boulders. The longer you survive, the more space hazards you'll encounter.

 

 

I think game variation #4, difficulty A is the most true to the coin-op.

[DickNixonArisen]

I just rolled over asteroid myself

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and boy are my arms tired!

[tetrode kink]

I just rolled over asteroid myself

 

 

 

...

...

...

 

 

 

 

and boy are my arms tired!

...ba-dum-pum-psssshhhh!

 

[classicgamingguy]

[FLANNERY]

I just rolled over asteroid myself

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and boy are my arms tired!

 

 

That's Just Wrong!

[FLANNERY]

So I decided that I wanted to break my hand(roll over the score in asteroids)...

 

...I'm definatly tracking down a sega genesis controller though. I have a blister in my palm and my wrist is screaming!

Heresy!

 

Don't you know that VCS games are made for a joystick? In the same way, most D-pad games are made for a D-pad. G'head, plug that Genny controller in and just try to play "Asteroids." I dare you to get as much enjoyment out of the game! IMHO, there's some ineffable quality which is lost when playing a VCS game with a D-pad.

 

Seriously, though, get your hands on a Flasback 2 joystick. Same design as the classic, original stick, but the buttons are the modern carbon dot/rubber membrane switches, instead of those ache-inducing, finger-breaking steel dome switches. I'm tellin' ya, you won't go back to the old stick once you feel that modern button action!

 

-tet

 

Thanks tet for pointing out my ignorance. I have looked on ebay but can not find flashback 2 sticks just by them selves and I dont want the console because I already have the real thing. I have one working stick and one non working stick. This is my dad's old setup and he broke it long ago. I have seen some repro sticks on ebay for around $10 I think. They look like the sticks shipped with vader and Jr units, black with nonpainted stripe around stick and orange fire button. Are these worth the money? I know that one day my current 29 year old stick will fail on me and I cant stomach the thought of not being able to play Asteroids, Berzerk, Cosmic Ark, and even Pac-Man, there I said it!(ducking thunderbolts) It may be called the worst port of Pac-Man but I dont think it's too bad.

[classicgamingguy]

The age-old debate on Pac-Man continues for the 2600! If you look at it outside the context of it being an arcade "port", then it's not a bad game! I also like Pac-Man for the 2600...

[accousticguitar]

Best Electronics sells original joysticks, upgraded joysticks, and many other types of joysticks.

[tetrode kink]

Thanks tet for pointing out my ignorance. I have looked on ebay but can not find flashback 2 sticks just by them selves and I dont want the console because I already have the real thing. I have one working stick and one non working stick. This is my dad's old setup and he broke it long ago. I have seen some repro sticks on ebay for around $10 I think. They look like the sticks shipped with vader and Jr units, black with nonpainted stripe around stick and orange fire button. Are these worth the money? I know that one day my current 29 year old stick will fail on me and I cant stomach the thought of not being able to play Asteroids, Berzerk, Cosmic Ark, and even Pac-Man, there I said it!(ducking thunderbolts) It may be called the worst port of Pac-Man but I dont think it's too bad.

I hear ya 'bout the Flashback sticks being hard to find by themselves. I was lucky that one came in a lot with a six-switch Heavy & kit I won on eBay a while back. Basically, you have to be both diligent and patient: Diligent, meaning hit eBay every day; patient, because even with diligence it may take a while to get one.

 

Just keep an eye out; watch Atari system and accessory auctions. Sometimes they show up with systems, sometimes by themselves or with other accessories. Watch pictures - unless the seller is knowledgeable, many times they don't know they have a FB stick because they look practically identical to the originals. But you know what they look like so you'll spot one right away if its pictured.

 

If you really want one and can't wait for one to surface on eBay, buying a whole Flashback set is always an option if you can swing it. They're really quite reasonable considering what you get. If you don't want the FB unit itself, just sell it with some original sticks and keep the FB sticks. Heck, it could even be a selling point:

 

"Brand new Flashback with original Atari joysticks! Don't mess with those modern repro sticks, now you can play all the classic games with the original Atari equipment in your hands!"

 

-tet

[FLANNERY]

Thanks tet for pointing out my ignorance. I have looked on ebay but can not find flashback 2 sticks just by them selves and I dont want the console because I already have the real thing. I have one working stick and one non working stick. This is my dad's old setup and he broke it long ago. I have seen some repro sticks on ebay for around $10 I think. They look like the sticks shipped with vader and Jr units, black with nonpainted stripe around stick and orange fire button. Are these worth the money? I know that one day my current 29 year old stick will fail on me and I cant stomach the thought of not being able to play Asteroids, Berzerk, Cosmic Ark, and even Pac-Man, there I said it!(ducking thunderbolts) It may be called the worst port of Pac-Man but I dont think it's too bad.

I hear ya 'bout the Flashback sticks being hard to find by themselves. I was lucky that one came in a lot with a six-switch Heavy & kit I won on eBay a while back. Basically, you have to be both diligent and patient: Diligent, meaning hit eBay every day; patient, because even with diligence it may take a while to get one.

 

Just keep an eye out; watch Atari system and accessory auctions. Sometimes they show up with systems, sometimes by themselves or with other accessories. Watch pictures - unless the seller is knowledgeable, many times they don't know they have a FB stick because they look practically identical to the originals. But you know what they look like so you'll spot one right away if its pictured.

 

If you really want one and can't wait for one to surface on eBay, buying a whole Flashback set is always an option if you can swing it. They're really quite reasonable considering what you get. If you don't want the FB unit itself, just sell it with some original sticks and keep the FB sticks. Heck, it could even be a selling point:

 

"Brand new Flashback with original Atari joysticks! Don't mess with those modern repro sticks, now you can play all the classic games with the original Atari equipment in your hands!"

 

-tet

 

 

I can just see the negative feedback already because there joysticks would'nt work!

[+Omegamatrix]

So I decided that I wanted to break my hand(roll over the score in asteroids)...

 

...I'm definatly tracking down a sega genesis controller though. I have a blister in my palm and my wrist is screaming!

Heresy!

 

Don't you know that VCS games are made for a joystick? In the same way, most D-pad games are made for a D-pad. G'head, plug that Genny controller in and just try to play "Asteroids." I dare you to get as much enjoyment out of the game!

 

And while you got the Genesis controller pulled out... check RevEng's thread of Atari games converted to use a Genesis controller!

 

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/158430-rom-hacks-to-support-2-buttons-with-genesis-controllers/

 

 

Asteroids is one of the conversions. One button to fire, and one button for hyperspace. Pushing down controls the shields, and 180 degree flip. Awesome hack. Get a Harmony cart today!!

 

 

If you are using Stella, you need to download the latest version to use these 2-button hacks. Here are instructions on how to configure Stella for the Genesis controller:

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/158430-rom-hacks-to-support-2-buttons-with-genesis-controllers/page__view__findpost__p__2001669

[Atari2600Lives]

So I decided that I wanted to break my hand(roll over the score in asteroids)...

 

...I'm definatly tracking down a sega genesis controller though. I have a blister in my palm and my wrist is screaming!

Heresy!

 

Don't you know that VCS games are made for a joystick? In the same way, most D-pad games are made for a D-pad. G'head, plug that Genny controller in and just try to play "Asteroids." I dare you to get as much enjoyment out of the game!

 

And while you got the Genesis controller pulled out... check RevEng's thread of Atari games converted to use a Genesis controller!

 

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/158430-rom-hacks-to-support-2-buttons-with-genesis-controllers/

 

 

Asteroids is one of the conversions. One button to fire, and one button for hyperspace. Pushing down controls the shields, and 180 degree flip. Awesome hack. Get a Harmony cart today!!

 

 

If you are using Stella, you need to download the latest version to use these 2-button hacks. Here are instructions on how to configure Stella for the Genesis controller:

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/158430-rom-hacks-to-support-2-buttons-with-genesis-controllers/page__view__findpost__p__2001669

 

 

There is no end to the cool creative stuff you guys do, thanks for the link.