The Official Atari Age Secret Santa 2021 thread

[SoulBlazer]

3 minutes ago, bomberpunk said:

My recipient's box was delivered over a week ago. I didn't see a post about it, so hopefully it's inside the house and not stolen off the porch.

I know how you feel -- I was in the same boat, so I had to send chicgamer a polite note asking her if she could please reach out to my SS and just confirm that they got the package, and they did.

[Crazy Climber]

11 hours ago, CaptainBreakout said:

 I was just reading Crazy Climbers experience, and how was his Santa supposed to know exactly the right stuff...

 

seriously, I was pondering playing a Black Sabbath album backwards and having a mystical vision after that. Blew my mind!!!

[Crazy Climber]

3 hours ago, bomberpunk said:

My recipient's box was delivered over a week ago. I didn't see a post about it, so hopefully it's inside the house and not stolen off the porch.

I think a lot of people wait until Christmas/etc.. I was going to but, well, you saw the post haha

[ClassicGMR]

[+cvga]

My shopping is finally done, the presents are wrapped, I've finished work for the rest of the year (sorta - it never actually ends), and it felt like the right time to open my Secret Santa present before we start our various celebrations with friends and family.

 

Secret Santa was on the ball and sent my package weeks ago. I can't count how many times I've thought about opening it but I somehow held off until now. It was 100% worth the wait.

 

Here's a picture of the presents, all wrapped nicely. What a nice touch (especially with my AA picture on the envelope) and sucked the rest of the family over to see what I was opening

 

 

I started with the largest package which contained some of my favorite candies!

 

Unfortunately, it turns out mini Snickers are some of my 15 year old's favorites also since he's been eating them since I opened it

 

I opened the silver present that says "Jingle Bells" second and discovered Bump N Jump for the NES. I love Bump N Jump for both the Atari and Intellivision. The NES version has been on my "want list" for awhile. It's in great condition and has the instructions included. Not sure if Santa knew but I absolutely love instruction booklets!

 

 

I have everything hooked up and ready to play for a bit right after I finish this post! So excited! Thanks Santa.

 

But wait there's more... The smallest package contained a Game Boy game

 

I absolutely LOVED Tecmo Bowl for the NES. Can't wait to give this a try!

 

And what was in the "last but not least" present? A Brutus Buckeye statue! He's actually an ornament but he's been traveling around with me all day. I'm convinced he's going to bring us good luck and a win in the Rose Bowl.

 

Thanks Santa! Awesome gifts and a great way to kick-off the opening of presents!

[HoshiChiri]

My secret santa box officially arrived today! And this is finally going to be the year I open it actually on Christmas! Partially because I've got double shifts right through Christmas Eve & won't have time! An early 'thank you to my Santa for what I'm sure will be an awesome gift!

[HoshiChiri]

On 12/20/2021 at 7:08 PM, FujiSkunk said:

Hey all.  I've been quiet, but I haven't been inactive.  Thanks once again to CaptainBreakout for making sure I was part of the festivities!

 

Now for the bad news: I owe my Secret Santa a grovelling apology.

 

Like last year, I'm spending an extended holiday in Florida with my parents.  Unlike last year, I decided not to open my AA Secret Santa package early, and instead take it with me.  And then... I didn't.  It's still in my game room, wondering when it will be opened, and unfortunately that won't happen until I'm back home in early February.

 

Sincerely, I'm sorry!  But I promise, as soon as I'm home, I'll tear into it, and then maybe I can make this thread and the holiday season hang around just a little longer.  Until then, whoever you are, thank you in advance for the goodies!

*impatient foot tap* you know, if you'd just done what Chicgamer wanted & opened early this wouldn't be an issue! 

 

Nah, I kid- I'm willing to state it's me, I never keep it a secret anyway- but do me a favor? Send a DM once you're able to open it & post so I don't miss it! 

[CaptainBreakout]

1 hour ago, HoshiChiri said:

*impatient foot tap* you know, if you'd just done what Chicgamer wanted & opened early this wouldn't be an issue! 

 

Nah, I kid- I'm willing to state it's me, I never keep it a secret anyway- but do me a favor? Send a DM once you're able to open it & post so I don't miss it! 

Hehehe... FujiSkunk promised me he'd post pics when he opens it, so we can all look forward to some fun in the off-season.

Edited December 22, 2021 by CaptainBreakout

[bomberpunk]

Maaaaaaan..... i just cracked open my two boxes and HOLY HELL is this a jackpot. I am emailing pics to my gmail from my phone so I can post them here!! WOW!!

 

EDIT: here are the photos!

 

 

I got tired of wondering what was inside these boxes so today was the day!

 

The bigger eBay box could have been absolutely anything, so I went for the AA box first, figuring narrowing down my guess of a new game as mentioned in my SS info. I was quite surprised to find this particular title inside because I was unaware that it was complete and released! It's one of my favorite arcade games (probably top 5 overall)! also included was some AA swag such as stickers & postcard! champ games is top notch!

 

 

with that box out of the way i started tearing at the edge of the white box, not realizing it wasn't designed to open on that end but neither me nor my scissors cared about that little detail. I was astounded to find not one but FIVE of these vintage magazines. I've never owned any in the past and didn't realize how large they were as i've never encountered one in my life! these are GREAT!

 

 

next up was the "satisfacation" of my sweet tooth. i mentioned blueberry thangs and minty thangs, and my Secret Santa delivered on BOTH!

 

 

but the last thing i pulled out.... dude.... the package came full circle with this official(??) custom(??) ROBOTRON CONTROLLER FOR THE 2600!! OMGZ!!!111010101

 

 

Thank you SO MUCH, Secret Santa!! This has been one of the best packages put together and something i REALLY needed to make my spirit bright!

 

 

Now if ya'll would excuse me, I have to dig out my VCS (no, not that VCS) and get my Robotron on!! 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Edited December 22, 2021 by bomberpunk

[+FujiSkunk]

3 hours ago, CaptainBreakout said:

 FujiSkunk promised me he'd post pics when he opens it, so we can all look forward to some fun in the off-season.

 

And I'll ping you directly when I do, HoshiChiri.  Thank you again!

[+chicgamer]

I finally got my video uploaded. Sorry about the sound issues (I should know better than to use my camcorder's built-in mic).

 

Merry Christmas, AtariAge!

 

 

[Chuck D. Head]

4 minutes ago, chicgamer said:

I finally got my video uploaded. Sorry about the sound issues (I should know better than to use my camcorder's built-in mic).

 

Merry Christmas, AtariAge!

 

 

Awesome! Sound quality was just fine for the purpose. Thanks for posting!!

Edited December 24, 2021 by Chuck D. Head

[Hydro Thunder]

5 hours ago, chicgamer said:

I finally got my video uploaded. Sorry about the sound issues (I should know better than to use my camcorder's built-in mic).

 

Merry Christmas, AtariAge!

 

 

Yup, sounded just fine to me...and love the Nightmare Sweater!!  Huge thumbs up!  That Sonic hat is terrific, looks super high quality!!

[Hydro Thunder]

Couldn’t stand the pressure, cracked… and tore into my presents!

 

SO AWESOME!!

 

I am crazy about dark chocolate, and have been after Go Fish for years!! The HSW book is something I have been after for ages too - just love reading about the Atari days from those on the inside

 

Seriously, SS, you NAILED IT!!

 

????????????????????

 

 

[ClassicGMR]

 

[+CyranoJ]

wrong. It was xmas 10 hours and 2 minutes ago

[ClassicGMR]

2 minutes ago, CyranoJ said:

wrong. It was xmas 10 hours and 2 minutes ago

Quick!!! Look up "Winning Powerball numbers in United States" and get back to me ASAP!!!!

[+CyranoJ]

20 minutes ago, ClassicGMR said:

Quick!!! Look up "Winning Powerball numbers in United States" and get back to me ASAP!!!!

 

[imstarryeyed]

My Secret Santa hit it out of the park for me this year.  Thank you so much SS, I love the gifts so much.

 

The 2 Evercade carts are amazing and I am looking forward to them, I did not have them and really appreciate it.

 

Check out the amazing generosity with the 2 original Xbox games and the awesome Kiss pinball. I love them all!

 

All of it is so thoughtful and I love it. However the biggest win for me was the princess peach crown!!!!! OMG it is so awesome, words cannot describe how wonderful it is. A perfect cosplay piece for my cosplay!!! Looking forward to using this soon.

 

Peach is my favorite character and cosplay character and this will go so well with it!!!

 

Thank you so much Secret Santa for your amazing thoughtfulness and generosity.  You have really made my Xmas so very special and I honestly cannot express my gratitude enough to you.

 

Merry Christmas everyone, I honestly hope to meet you one day at an event it convention in the future.

 

 

 

[CaptainBreakout]

Whew!

[ClassicGMR]

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by ClassicGMR

[HoshiChiri]

PRESENT TIME!

 

Ah! Someone else who admits Santa-dom immediately! I approve! The letterneath is package opening order & tidbits about each item, which I LOVED- it's kind of like having your Santa in the room with you!

 

But it's polite to always start with a card- this art style is very familiar, im going to have to look into it to see where I might know it from. Plus a shot of the box before the digging begins! All the gifts had lil' notes like that on the wrapping. Please argue amongst yourselves if you agree with this Princess tier list! (I think I'm a bit partial to Mulan, in all honesty!)

 

First up is the packing candy- I love the local touch! Our local chocolates are made by Brown & Haley, who are best known for their Almond Roca, which I think is sold countrywide at Christmas (I'd need verification on that!) Fun fact: I live about 15 minutes away from their outlet store. Cheap chocolate! Whoo!

 

And gummi burgers, to reference the mention I made of collecting Burgertime carts! (Little did I know what was to come!)

 

Package 1 contained: MORE GUMMI! I like that it's made of individual bits of Gummi, easier to share! ?

 

Package 2 is custom-made acrylic Burgertime sprites! (Methinks there's a theme here!) I've seen this kind of thing before & always liked the style- I'll have to find a good way to show them off! Maybe I can rig up something in a shadowbox...

 

Package 3 is crackers! Yum! Oh wait, wait- it's a custom Burgertime logo! Sadly, it did not survive its journey intact- but it did break in the best possible way! Now I can display it along a corner if I need to ?

 

Package number 4 was equal parts awesome & incredibly touching. It's a Burgertime Card Game, which I had no idea even existed! Then I read the note- this is from Imstarryeyed's personal collection, & a was Kickstarter item! I cannot put into words how moved I feel- thank you SO much! We try to have board game night at least once a month, I'll have to insist this makes the rotation in the new year! 

 

And lastly, package 5 is a book on programming Intellivision games! Very appropriate given the theme, as my Burgertime collection did start with the Intellivision! I personally have never attempted coding, but I do know some folks who are interested- I may have to loan this out to some people!

 

Thank you so much, imstarryeyed! This is an amazing expansion to one of the sillier bits of my collection! If I ever have the space for themed shelves, I definitely have to dedicate one to Burgertime now! ?

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by HoshiChiri

[joeatari1]

Well, I held out until Christmas morning.  All I can say is WOW!  My Secret Santa really seemed to know me (and must have done some reading up on my other posts as well).  Thank you very much for such awesome and thoughtful gifts.

 

All the presents were wrapped in cool paper that said OH all over it.  I thought maybe my SS was from Ohio, but then I looked at the address label and it said Washington state, so that couldn't be it.  Anyway, great wrapping!

 

 

Unwrapping the red ball produced tons of candy, some cool arcade tokens, and an Atari Age painted rock!  I wonder what all those letters and numbers are on the back of it??

 

 

Holy Moley!  These are some super cool gifts!  I got a CIB General Chaos for the Genesis, Xybots for the Lynx (the last game I needed for a complete, original set), and an I lost on Jeopardy 45!  This is some awesome stuff!  

 

 

My AASS recipient this year decided to send me something as well.  This will look great in my movie theater/game room when I finish it nest year!  Thank you!

 

 

And just an added bonus, our newest family addition, Allie Cat, is having a lot of fun with this tunnel toy.

 

 

Thank you to @Chuck D. Head and @Isaiah Austin, you really nailed it!

 

Also a huge shout out to @CaptainBreakout and @chicgamer for conducting this orchestra of holiday madness again this year!

 

Merry Christmas Atari Age!!!

[Guest]

I made it to Christmas this year. Well except for eating all that yummy Fudge I posted about a few pages back. The chocolate was definitely my favorite! Looks like I have enough Beavis and Butthead for a lifetime! The handmade globe was a nice touch. And I’m super excited to play the ghost recon game on the 3DS. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

[adamchevy]

 

I had a great time again this year with AA SS!

 

I opened mine the day I received it and have worn the shirt a few times. It fits great and I really like it. I haven’t used the Ranger Controller yet, but Ive wanted to try one ever since I saw them released. I’m thinking about picking up a Retron 77 to go with it. Thanks for the candy, I really like Sour Patch kids. I’ve had to fend my kids off until today. Now they have their own candy!

 

The Legos were a great extra! I used to get Lego’s every year for Christmas when I was growing up. This really made for a wonderful Christmas once again!

 

Thanks Secret Santa! Much love to you and your family this Christmas Season!

 

*Edit*

 

I forgot to mention this wonderful MultiTool that I was also given. I promptly took it out and put it in my kitchen. I’ve been using it around the house the past couple weeks. Thank you!