Help! Mystery Atari Cart.

[CobraPlissken]

I found this at a garage sale today and I am not that familiar with Atari and this seems like the place to go for info. If anyone has any information on a sticker like this on a game, feel free to chime in. There isn't a front label but there is whats left of a very small sticker on the top of the cart. I havent tried it out cause I don't have a 2600 but I plan on trying it tomorrow amd reporting back.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

More pics if possible (FRONT / TOP / BOTTOM / FULL CARTRIDGE ) would be helpful.

[CobraPlissken]

There ya go fellas.

[Wickeycolumbus]

Interesting, looks like a mask ROM test cartridge or something. Let us know what game it is!

[Crimefighter]

If the 038 means anything - then you may have a CX2638 which equals a Missile Command cart.

[Army Of 2600]

Law and Order: VCS

[Supergun]

So that Atari sticker is actually affixed to the back of the cartridge then. At least, that's what the pictures show. The front shows no screw in the hole either, so opening it is fairly simple. Can you open the cartridge and show us the board inside?

[Ranthulfr]

Maybe it's a sample that was pulled for a quality inspection.

[+save2600]

Maybe it's a sample that was pulled for a quality inspection.

You make it sound as if Atari had a quality control program.

[CobraPlissken]

Yeah that sticker is on the back. How does one go about opening an atari cart?

[Crimefighter]

Demo -

[CobraPlissken]

I tried this squeezing method and it isn't working. Seems like the tabs on the front come loose but its still held together.

[chas10e]

use your thumbnail running along one side

[Wickeycolumbus]

Yeah that sticker is on the back. How does one go about opening an atari cart?

 

Opening cartridges is tough the first few times, sort of hard to explain without getting some practice yourself. Maybe this post will help:

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/82578-easiest-way-to-open-2600-carts/?p=1007540

 

 

I don't anticipate it looking much different from a production cartridge inside. Did you get the chance to play the game?

[CobraPlissken]

I couldn't find anyone with a 2600, the folks I knew that had one have either traded them off or sold them. I'll mess around with another cart I have cause I would rather not damage this one.

[Crimefighter]

Where do you live dude? We may find someone near you that is a member of the board.

[BigO]

I couldn't find anyone with a 2600, the folks I knew that had one have either traded them off or sold them. I'll mess around with another cart I have cause I would rather not damage this one.

Yeah, just tear up a Combat or something so you can see all the points that need to be released.

 

As mentioned, if you tell us where you are somebody may be able to help you out with a machine to test on. We're everywhere.

[CobraPlissken]

Yeah, just tear up a Combat or something so you can see all the points that need to be released.

 

As mentioned, if you tell us where you are somebody may be able to help you out with a machine to test on. We're everywhere.

I did just that! I was about to pop it open rather easily once I could see what I needed to do. I'm at work but plan on posting some pics of the guts of this thing when I get home. I live in Eastern Ky btw so if there are any kentucky members out there.

[CobraPlissken]

Here ya go fellas. Any info is appreciated.

[Crimefighter]

Doesn't look like there's a ROM chip on this board.

[+DrVenkman]

Doesn't look like there's a ROM chip on this board.

 

There is. The blob in the center there. That's one of the form factors for ROM integrated circuits.

[Wickeycolumbus]

Looks like a production style board.. It's probably some kind of production sample from the chip manufacturer.

 

Missile Command is a good guess for what game it is. Has anyone seen a chip on board Missile Command? Or any 4K COB?

[CPUWIZ]

This looks like a production sample, usually the blob-style circuit boards have Atari markings on the PCB, not just the OKI (factory) marking. Pretty unusual circuit board.

[CobraPlissken]

Any idea what this kinda thing is worth? I'm a "Nintendo guy" and would probably be pretty willing to trade or sell it to someone who collected this sorta cart.

[DanOliver]

Playing the cart and seeing what is on the cart will tell you more about value than anything else. However I'd assume its a known game because of the kind of chip and board...but you never know.

 

You could check game stores in your area. Some are run by collectors and may have a 2600 you can use.