The 1982 Boscov's Atari Championships - What do you know about it?

[fabman99]

Hi all, need to get some info on this topic as could not find any info on searches. Whoever has some info on what this was about and such would be a great help. Thanks

[Gorfy]

Scrabbler15 played in some tournaments in the early '80's, so he might know about it. Try giving him a PM.

[Scrabbler15]

I don't remember anything about this, but there were no Boscov's stores where I was in 1982.

 

My hobby back then was scouring video game magazines, looking for competitions. I don't recall even reading anything about this one.

[fabman99]

Hi, this is why i ask. It is about 2" , standard shirt pinback.

[Neon Rocketship]

Hey guys.

 

I know this post is old, but I was researching the Boscov tournament on my own.  I came across this post and wanted to share what I found.  These are from the Standard Speaker newspaper in Hazleton, PA (via Newspapers.com).

[+cvga]

That's really cool and a great update to a nearly 8 year old post! I believe Boscov's is still around in the PA area. Also, not a surprise that the 13-17 year old division winner's score was higher than the 18+ winning score.

[godslabrat]

Yeah, I grew up near Hazleton, and Boscov's was still around last time I visited.

[VectorGamer]

11 hours ago, cvga said:

 I believe Boscov's is still around in the PA area.

Yes there is one down the street from me at the local mall. A lot of rumors of the mall being demolished though.

[Atarian7]

I lived in a city called Laurel but not the one in that ad.   We didn't have a Boscov's . 

 

 

[Atarian7]

Those winning scores are kind of low. 

[aramis]

3 hours ago, Atarian7 said:

Those winning scores are kind of low. 

Maybe you saw it in the ad photo, but just in case: each player was only given two 5-minute attempts to get their highest score. I haven't played 2600 pac-man in a while, so I don't remember if that's a good score for just 5 minutes of play or not...

[godslabrat]

6 hours ago, Atarian7 said:

I lived in a city called Laurel but not the one in that ad.   We didn't have a Boscov's . 

 

 

The Laurel Mall is in Hazleton, Pa.  Its ironically named for the plants that were cut down in order to build it.

[+cvga]

4 hours ago, aramis said:

Maybe you saw it in the ad photo, but just in case: each player was only given two 5-minute attempts to get their highest score. I haven't played 2600 pac-man in a while, so I don't remember if that's a good score for just 5 minutes of play or not...

I was wondering what my score would be in 5 minutes. I'm sure it would be less but I may try it this weekend. We can revive the Boscov Challenge!

[Neon Rocketship]

5 hours ago, cvga said:

I was wondering what my score would be in 5 minutes. I'm sure it would be less but I may try it this weekend. We can revive the Boscov Challenge!

That sounds like fun.

 

I live a few miles away from the Laurel Mall, and Boscov's is still open.  Maybe I'll give it a shot on-location. 

[MrMaddog]

I didn't live near the Boscov's in Hazelton at the time but the store in Wilkes-Barre had an exhibit of different video games & computers to play on. My mom took me to it and later that Christmas I received an Atari 2600 and a copy of Donkey Kong, which was one of the games I played there.

 

So yeah, Boscov's was a major start of my gaming life...

[+cvga]

On 2/11/2020 at 5:58 PM, cvga said:

I was wondering what my score would be in 5 minutes. I'm sure it would be less but I may try it this weekend. We can revive the Boscov Challenge!

I took the Boscov Challenge. My score was 3,561 in 5 minutes. Not too bad given that I didn't practice and was a little afraid I wouldn't last the full 5 minutes

[joeatari1]

If Boscovs' ever does a new version of this, I am in!  I live within driving distance of 10 or 11 of them.

[+cvga]

14 minutes ago, joeatari1 said:

If Boscovs' ever does a new version of this, I am in!  I live within driving distance of 10 or 11 of them.

That would be awesome. There are 50 Boscov's (26 in PA). None super close to me but I would drive to do this

[high voltage]

I always wonder why people dissed Pac-Man, it was very popular way back for sure....

[MrMaddog]

On 2/22/2020 at 2:48 AM, high voltage said:

I always wonder why people dissed Pac-Man, it was very popular way back for sure....

It was the only way for us to play Pac-Man at home as the Atari 8-bit systems (including 5200) were way too expensive.

 

Either that or get the handhelds...