Justin

It's a great game!

Also of note - the Intellivision port of BurgerTime is outstanding.  It's a game that showcases how much the Intellivision was capable of. 
 

This is kinda weird! I googled "Neo Geo Gold" last night, looking for the original US release Neo Geo system that seems to be more difficult to get your hands on today than the Japanese released system. People today usually refer to it as the "Neo Geo AES" (Advanced Entertainment System) but at the time we all called it the "Neo Geo Gold" as the US system that came with two joysticks and two pack-in games was called the "Gold System" on the box and in catalogs.
Searching "Neo Geo Gold" on Google Images brings up countless photos of the "Neo Geo X" mini console which was frustrating. It's increasingly difficult to find relevant results for the US Neo Geo "Gold System" but I continued my search! 
After scrolling through a number of pictures on Google Images, I saw a De Lorean out of the corner of my eye. I clicked on it and it was a 24k gold plated De Lorean with a Neo Geo setup on the hood of the car. What?? I immediately thought of your recent blog post and wondered how this person was able to pull off taking this picture. I suspect this is the same gold car you saw at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV and likely where this photo was taken. Possibly by a Neo Geo playing employee sneaking a photo when the car was in the back? Not sure how they pulled this off!
There were only two 24k Gold De Loreans sold through the American Express catalog at $85,000 each (equivalent to $257,000 in 2021) and a slightly different third gold car that was assembled from spare gold parts in 1983 and was not sold through American Express. The second of the two original cars was on display in a bank in Snyder, TX for many years until 2004 until it moved to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles where it's currently on display. The first of the two cars was sold to a collector named Sherwood Marshall in San Francisco. This is the car that currently resides at the National Automobile Museum in Reno that you got to see in person! It's possible the car in the Neo Geo photo is the third "leftover" car and that it the photo was not taken in a museum. I can't tell what color the interior is for the car in the Neo Geo photo (the seats look potentially grey to me but it's hard to see) that would be an easy way of telling them apart.
You can read more about what happened to the 24k Gold De Loreans at the De Lorean Directory: https://www.deloreandirectory.com/articles/going-gold/
Honestly this was the last thing I expected to see when I googled "Neo Geo Gold" 🤯

I took a lot more pictures.  Probably close to 100 pics.  The museum is a really cool place.  That day I visited, it was mostly empty (maybe a dozen people).  So I had plenty of room to take as many pics as I wanted (and also sneak in a few "touches" on the cars I really cared about -- Shhhh don't tell).  I would definitely go back to this museum. 

That is weird for sure!

I will tell you that the museum is set up for personal events.  They have a room for that very purpose, and it was set up for a wedding reception when I was there.  I imagine they'll put whatever cars you request in there (for a fee, of course).  It looks very much like a marketing photo and maybe a few bucks got someone this type of access.  My point being that the museum seems very accommodating to personal requests to bolster their revenue. 

This is kinda weird! I googled "Neo Geo Gold" last night, looking for the original US release Neo Geo system that seems to be more difficult to get your hands on today than the Japanese released system. People today usually refer to it as the "Neo Geo AES" (Advanced Entertainment System) but at the time we all called it the "Neo Geo Gold" as the US system that came with two joysticks and two pack-in games was called the "Gold System" on the box and in catalogs.
Searching "Neo Geo Gold" on Google Images brings up countless photos of the "Neo Geo X" mini console which was frustrating. It's increasingly difficult to find relevant results for the US Neo Geo "Gold System" but I continued my search! 
After scrolling through a number of pictures on Google Images, I saw a De Lorean out of the corner of my eye. I clicked on it and it was a 24k gold plated De Lorean with a Neo Geo setup on the hood of the car. What?? I immediately thought of your recent blog post and wondered how this person was able to pull off taking this picture. I suspect this is the same gold car you saw at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV and likely where this photo was taken. Possibly by a Neo Geo playing employee sneaking a photo when the car was in the back? Not sure how they pulled this off!
There were only two 24k Gold De Loreans sold through the American Express catalog at $85,000 each (equivalent to $257,000 in 2021) and a slightly different third gold car that was assembled from spare gold parts in 1983 and was not sold through American Express. The second of the two original cars was on display in a bank in Snyder, TX for many years until 2004 until it moved to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles where it's currently on display. The first of the two cars was sold to a collector named Sherwood Marshall in San Francisco. This is the car that currently resides at the National Automobile Museum in Reno that you got to see in person! It's possible the car in the Neo Geo photo is the third "leftover" car and that it the photo was not taken in a museum. I can't tell what color the interior is for the car in the Neo Geo photo (the seats look potentially grey to me but it's hard to see) that would be an easy way of telling them apart.
You can read more about what happened to the 24k Gold De Loreans at the De Lorean Directory: https://www.deloreandirectory.com/articles/going-gold/
Honestly this was the last thing I expected to see when I googled "Neo Geo Gold" 🤯

I only had a 2600 at first.  When I saw the 5200, I loved the look of the console and I was impressed with the games.  I really wanted to get one but I did not until much later.  I actually got a 7800 when I was in college because the graphics looked even better.  Little did I know that it was not going to have a good sound chip but, still, I loved it.  I played 5200 games in emulation for years and it wasn't until the early 2000's that I decided to finally get a 5200 so I could play using the console rather than by emulation. 
I have to say that, despite it being somewhat limited, the game library for the 5200 is overall really good!  Most of the games are quite fun and the arcade ports are well done.  The controllers are an issue but I have different controllers now to enjoy the system. 

Curious to see where this goes.  The SuperSystem was my first console and remains my all-time favorite.  
Back when the 2600 was king, and being a kid, wishing for an Atari and getting a 5200 instead was nothing to sneeze about.  It was an Atari at heart and I'm very grateful to have developed a passion for it.
I'm curious to know someone else's thoughts and feelings about it and what games they like, don't like, and think are possible hidden gems.
It is a very misunderstood system that, in my opinion, showcased everything Atari was about. Even if it was using old technology it was technology that was tried and true.  It and the 2600 were side by side the whole time, too.  There are positive things the 5200 has if one looks hard enough.

And this one reminded me of the gift Mr. Miyagi gave to Daniel-san.  Wax on, wax off. 

 

To avoid scratching the gold, I'll take one of these home instead.
 

Also one of only three with the saddle tan interior, very rare. Don't scratch the gold off driving home! Crazy to think you could just order these out of the American Express Christmas Catalog! 🎅

I wanted to hop in and drive home in it. 

It's been a while since I posted this, and just as an update -- I STILL love it.  I recently came across what I thought was an Atari joystick with two buttons and it turns out it's actually for Colecovision.  I'll make a blog post about that thing as soon as I get some time. 
 

I never had a ColecoVision in the '80s either. I went right to the Atari 7800 which I would argue is a superior system. The ColecoVision wasn't on my radar until the early 1990s when I began collecting and would see them at garage sales and flea markets for around $30 with a few games. One time in the summer of 1994 I even ran into an older gentleman walking out of the mall carrying an open cardboard box with a ColecoVision and a bunch of games. I ran over to him, stopped him and asked about the ColecoVision. He had taken it into FuncoLand in our mall as a trade in, but they did not accept anything pre-NES, so he was returning to his car. He offered it to me for - guess how much - $30. I got his phone number, should've bought the system but never did.
To this day I have never owned a real ColecoVision. It's been a blind spot in my personal gaming culture. I have a lot of appreciation for the ColecoVision, and I agree with every one of your points @RickR -- that as much as I love Atari, I would have enjoyed the games on ColecoVision much more.
Between your blog post here, and what @Willie! has shown of the CollectorVision Phoenix in some of his videos, you are really selling me on this neat little system. Without the personal sentimental feelings of having grown up with the original unit, I would feel just fine having a CollectorVision Phoenix with modern connections under my TV to enjoy some of the best games the ColecoVision has to offer.

An addendum to my blog post with a bit more about me:

I never had a Colecovision in the 80's.  However, I drooled over them in the stores.  I remember being totally blown away by the pack-in game "Donkey Kong" on the demo unit at my local "Payless" store.  At the time, there was a choice for gamers for the latest system:  The Atari 5200 or the Colecovision.  As much as I love Atari, I would have chosen the Colecovision in a heartbeat.  It had more unique games and they looked great. 
My next system after my Atari 2600 was the Commodore VIC-20, which I loved. 

I did get a CV about 15 years ago when I started retro-collecting.  I was not disappointed.
What am I playing on the Phoenix?
My go-to on CV -- my favorite game -- is Frenzy.  It's fun.  It's challenging.  And I really like the sound effects and graphics.
I'm also revisiting a lot of the classic arcade games.  Looping, Ladybug, Donkey Kong, etc.  I like the games that don't take a ton of time investment. 
Next on my list will be some of the "Super Game Module" ROM files I have. 
 

For this second-run unit, the price was $200 + $30 shipping (from Canada).  It has been a while, so I may be off plus/minus $10.  I believe it is a fair price, and I'm sure the creators do not make much per unit. 
 

Price?

There are Save Stations where you can save the game and replenish your energy at. I can't remember where they are because I haven't played in a while. They look like booths and are in special rooms on the map. Your ship in Crateria is also a save point. Going there also replenishes energy and weapons.

I've also been playing Super Metroid off and on for a while, but haven't made it too far.  Does the game have save points?  If it does, mine doesn't work right.  
 

Yes, finding out that Samus was a woman was a surprise to me as well. Looking at her armor, you never expected it.
Super Metroid for the SNES was one of the first SNES games I bought because of Harry's enthusiasm for it. I still haven't played it beyond the first couple of minutes, but one of these days 🙂 

Nice job on this blog.  Makes me want to play more Metroid. 
 

I'll have to take a look at that blog @Justin, thanks!
Here's an interesting interview with Wade Rosen, the new CEO, via GameBiz.  It's clear they want refocus the brand and I hope he gets the chance. 
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gamesindustry.biz/amp/2021-09-29-how-ataris-new-ceo-is-looking-to-recharge-the-brand

I'm hoping you're right! When the Forums were new, @Doctor Octagon had a long Blog entry drawing parallels between Fred Chesnais (CEO of Atari until not too long ago) and Gil Ameilo (CEO of Apple when it was 60 days from bankruptcy until Steve Jobs took over again). Fresh blood, a new vision and a lot of integrity would really help Atari's chances. So glad to hear the new Centipede game was able to impress you this much 

Thanks @Justin! It's a great game. I picked up the PS4 version to try the "Immersive" graphics setting with my PSVR and I have to say, the VCS and PS4 (Pro) versions are roughly at parity. A big plus for VCS is the additional exclusive challenges.  I imagine that it's a solid experience on any platform on which it's available and for $9.99 you can't go wrong. 
I'll add that with the change of CEO, Atari seems to have turned a corner. They are paying attention to the brand and the VCS in a way that gives me some confidence for the future. It's a breath of fresh air as an Atari fan. 

This is our first in-depth review of a new Atari VCS game, great to see that it's Centipede! Have to say your review has made me more interested in the new console. Great to have a new Blog post from you @Sabertooth🔥 🔥 🔥

I missed this video @Atari Creep but this is a great video and so right on.  Well done and a lot of fun!  Stay safe!