Interest Check: 2600 Game Upgrade Service

[CDS Games]

Been toying with an idea lately and thought I'd throw it out to see if it was worth pursuing or too dumb to waste more time on.

Basically it involves upgrading common VCS carts via bankswitching to add levels, variations, and other functionalities that weren't in the original: like a 4-screen Donkey Kong for example (see my hack here). The original PCB would be swapped out for a new one with added memory (8k or higher), and a brand new sticker would be slapped on it. Alternatively, I suppose, this all could be done as an upgrade kit, where you can order a PCB and a sticker and assemble it yourself from your commons. There are quite a few games that I think could benefit from something like this: Combat (more scenarios), Venture (level 3), Wizard of Wor (more levels), Superman (different heroes), Adventure, etc.

Why not just go the traditional homebrew route? Mainly I want to spare myself the trouble of acquiring donor carts. Also, I just like the idea of cart designs blending seamlessly into your stacks of vintage ones, like Al's beautiful Coleco-style Turbo and Lady Bug.

 

Does this all sound like something folks would be interested in?

[toiletunes]

would there be a way to switch between classic and upgraded modes?

[+save2600]

Cool idea, but largely already exists in the form of hacks found here and elsewhere. AND I personally wouldn't want to send in any of my originals to have their innards and labels messed with.

 

That said, if you produced finished/polished hacks like your excellent DK Lost Levels and they're on a level of quality that the AtariAge store provides, I'd be in to purchase them. Just wouldn't want to send my originals in for a swap out.

 

And/or you could also offer the ROM's on a budget for play in Harmony, etc.

[hizzy]

I'd buy pre-modded carts, too.

[swlovinist]

I am interested in this service, and would like to know all that you can do plus prices. PM sent

[Crazy Climber]

Price is the kicker here, if it's cheap I'm sure you will get loads of interest...if it costs more than just buying a hack/etc then probably not much

[IMPXANDER]

I would definitely check out carts ready-to-go, but I would not want to be hunting down more Atari carts just to send in for modification.

[HawkMines]

That would be great! Then I could send out one of my 5 Donkey Kongs to the slaughter to become a better version of itself. Only problem would be the price. Anything more than $10 and I'd rather just spend the extra money to buy a hack on the AtariAge store.

[CDS Games]

Thanks all for the comments! Lots of good points...sounds like I may be trying to reinvent the wheel here.