Exidy Max-A-Flex Arcade, Boulderdash, Bristles, Flip Flow & Astrochase

[Parrothead]

I am fortunate enough to be picking up an Exidy Max-A-Flex arcade with all four game carts, Boulderdash, Bristles, Flip Flop & Astro Chase. Best part is it's only home use only with 300 plays. It belonged to someone who worked at Exidy. Comes complete with all four marquees, too. Picking up tomorrow. Photos to follow.

 

Here is some more info on a similar machine: http://www.arcadecollecting.com/boulder/boulder.html

[frogstar_robot]

I am fortunate enough to be picking up an Exidy Max-A-Flex arcade with all four game carts, Boulderdash, Bristles, Flip Flop & Astro Chase. Best part is it's only home use only with 300 plays. It belonged to someone who worked at Exidy. Comes complete with all four marquees, too. Picking up tomorrow. Photos to follow.

 

Here is some more info on a similar machine: http://www.arcadecol...er/boulder.html

 

That is extremely neat-o. I had no idea that the A8 was ever used for such things. It is the A8 Playchoice.

[Kjmann]

That's cool. you can also upgrade the 600XL inside to 64k just like a standard 600XL and use any Atari XL/XE game cartridge. =)

[Tempest]

Is it a regular arcade monitor? How did they hook the Atari up to it? That would be a neat thing to do with some other systems.

 

Tempest

[Rybags]

It uses a Composite to RGB convertor.

 

No idea why... it's a kind of roundabout way of doing things and wouldn't really improve the display quality.

 

I suppose it might be that 15 KHz large screen RGB monitors were easier to aquire back then than ones that took composite or col/luma.

[nosty]

Atarimania says about this Astro Chase cart:

"The cartridge version of the game was never meant for home use. It was designed for the Exidy Max-a-Flex cabinet (basically an arcade machine with a 600XL inside) and sold with typical arcade packaging. Unlike the Parker Brothers ROM, it runs on the Atari XL and XE machines."

[Kr0tki]

It uses a Composite to RGB convertor.

 

No idea why... it's a kind of roundabout way of doing things and wouldn't really improve the display quality.

Is it really a roundabout way? AFAIK a composite monitor internally is just a RGB screen with a Composite->RGB demodulator.

[Rybags]

Pretty much all colour CRTs will use RGB at the most fundamental level.

 

So, yes, most older computers used a very roundabout sort of way - look at the ST on a TV. RGB coming out of the Shifter, gets converted to composite/S-Video by the MC1377 IC, then modulated into a TV signal, then the TV brings that back to what you started with.

 

Of course, you get quality loss with every step of the process, once you go to an RF or composite signal there's not really much point in trying to go back as you're not going to improve the end result.

[Kr0tki]

Yes I understand. I just think that an RGB monitor with a composite demodulator, like in this case, is actually a rather straightforward way, given that the video signal at its very source is produced as chroma/luma.

Edited June 1, 2010 by Kr0tki

[Lord Thag]

These are neat. I don't have the arcade cab, but I do have one of the carts (Flip and Flop)

 

Excellent game! I'd definately mod the unit to 64k. That would be really sweet!

[Parrothead]

These are neat. I don't have the arcade cab, but I do have one of the carts (Flip and Flop)

 

Excellent game! I'd definately mod the unit to 64k. That would be really sweet!

 

 

Ok. Here is my new Exidy Max-A-Flex. The seller said all four game carts were in a box with the marquees inside the game. I got it home and opened the box and the marquees were there but no carts. I do know him and he says they are in his storage area and will mail them to me next week. I sure hope he has them or he will get the game back. I will report back after I hopefully get them and give them some play time.

 

[Bryan]

It uses a Composite to RGB convertor.

 

No idea why... it's a kind of roundabout way of doing things and wouldn't really improve the display quality.

 

I suppose it might be that 15 KHz large screen RGB monitors were easier to aquire back then than ones that took composite or col/luma.

I remember that the Laserdisc games did the same thing so they could use standard arcade monitors. I think I've got a couple of the composite boards in a box somewhere.

[www.atarimania.com]

Congratulations

 

Could you ask the seller if he knows of a demo cartridge with all four games?

 

--

Atari Frog

http://www.atarimania.com

[Havok69]

Very cool - can you take some pictures of the internals? How is the computer mounted?

[atari-passion]

Hello,

 

 

video card convertor in my Exidy Max-A-Flex

 

 

inside the arcade game

 

 

Arnaud

[Havok69]

That's too funny - they actually just took a 600XL and bolted it in there!

[Parrothead]

Behold the Exidy Max-A-Flex Video. God, Boulderdash is like videogaming crack!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxHUWiK5S-c

[Rhod]

my dream :lust:

[Parrothead]

my dream :lust:

 

Ya, it is really a great system. The games really hold up as an "arcade" too. Loving me some Bristles too!

[Mclaneinc]

That's too funny - they actually just took a 600XL and bolted it in there!

 

LOL...Yeah, I was expecting some cards here and there but it's as you say...Lol...

[a8isa1]

Is it possible for something to be both cool and absurd at the same time?

 

An outstanding find!

[Parrothead]

I answer the question, "Are other 8-bit Atari computer carts compatible with the Max-A-Flex?"

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLgfUiQcSec

[MrFish]

I answer the question, "Are other 8-bit Atari computer carts compatible with the Max-A-Flex?"

Protector II is an OS-B cartridge. That's the problem.

[Parrothead]

I answer the question, "Are other 8-bit Atari computer carts compatible with the Max-A-Flex?"

Protector II is an OS-B cartridge. That's the problem.

 

Oh, that is good news then, I guess What are some other good games that will work in this then? Any suggestions from anyone?

[Havok69]

How cool! You need to pick up one of these and make your own multi system...

 

http://atarimax.com/flashcart/documentation/