TrekMD

EP 321: Video Pinball
 

The ending isn't the greatest but I really enjoyed the throwback to the original Pitfall in the Mayan Adventure ending:
 

 

Oh, that' is some nice Vectrex stuff! 

Probably just issues with the game contacts.  The console is very sturdy.  This stuff is not likely to hurt it.  Try cleaning the carts.

Q-Tips and alcohol do wonders.
 
Forgot.  You could clean the contacts on your 2600, too.  Cut a piece of cardboard to the width of a game cartridge's card edge but long enough for you to hold and use.  Press one end of the cardboard to where it is almost flat.  On the end you pressed place masking tape starting on side and wrapping it around to the other side making sure that there is little to no slack.  You will want the tape to be as snug as possible against the edges of the cardboard.  Now, get a toothpick or small flat-head screwdriver to hold open the cartridge slot on the 2600 and insert the cardboard with the masking tape going inside the slot. Insert and remove a few times without using any liquids.  Believe it or not this will remove some build-up that might be on the cartridge pins on the system.  It works for me.

Probably just issues with the game contacts.  The console is very sturdy.  This stuff is not likely to hurt it.  Try cleaning the carts.

Oh, dust will creep into any space!  The amazing thing is that the equipment still work!

That looks amazing!

Donkey Kong Advanced
A remake of the classic arcade game. This is not a rom hack. It's meant to be more difficult than the original giving players new levels and new challenges. I've tried to study the original as close as I can to maintain the same feel, but added new elements and challenges. Even though it can be played on your PC, it's meant to be played in people's mame arcade cabinets. If you ever put this game in your cabinet, send me a screenshot or video!
 
https://ophelius.itch.io/dk-advanced
 
[bug Reports] Contact me at justinbohemier@gmail.com if you find a bug. Please try to be as detailed as possible and include system specs.
 
[updates]
-Added 16-bit support for older video cards
-Added the option in the config tool to manually enter a specific resolution.
-I included a tool to map out keyboard keys if you're using a joystick.
 
[Changes from the original]
-Obviously the levels look different, some completely new, and others have the same level structure with some differences
-New switch, laser, and key system to save Pauline.
-Mario can jump off high platforms and land without killing himself(c'mon, he's mario)
-New heart bonus items are worth 2000 points but are tricky to get.
-No intro scene, I might add one though.
-Barrels rebound off the floor higher than before
-Hitting barrels with the hammer doesn't pause the game during the explosion
-Level 4 is icy, with a shoe item you can get that makes it not slipery
-and some other stuff
 
[Possible Future Changes]
-More levels. I'm tempted to have 1 long game that doesn't repeat. Instead of repeating every 4 levels, you might have 12 levels with an actual end to the game.
-Bonus level if you collect all the hearts.
-Intro to the game when you push start.
-Cut scenes
 
More information
 
Install instructions
Extract the Zip file and run DK.exe. Press C to add a credit, then Enter to start. Use the Config tool to remap the keys, to make it Free Play, enable full screen, and other options.
 
Anti-Virus Warning: Some people have had their anti-virus flag the exe as a virus, myself included, but I can assure you there's no virus. It was compiled using Freebasic and for some strange technical reason, certain anti-virus programs flag programs compiled with this compiler as having a virus, I don't know why. Just add it to your exceptions list.

Thought i'd share a quick update on this.  Finished the full conversion to actual atari 2600 hardware and a CRT monitor.
 

Probably just issues with the game contacts.  The console is very sturdy.  This stuff is not likely to hurt it.  Try cleaning the carts.

This new HP video, dubbed “Computer Show,” hits the sweet spot perfectly with its recreation of a Reagan-era public access show about technology, but with a fish-out-of-water spin. The host is stuck in time—stilted stage manner, goofy haircut and all—but his guests are current-day tech pioneers. Awkward hilarity ensues.
 
 

The 2016 Hot Wheels Minecraft Minecart

Another nice episode.  DK Jr. is more complete than DK on the 7800 as it has all the arcade screens.  Looking forward to the Mario Bros episode. 

Oh, dust will creep into any space!  The amazing thing is that the equipment still work!

Another nice episode. 

Blasting space rocks!  Today, Isaac from Trainboy Productions and the Gemini Gamer are reviewing the 2600 port of Asteroids.
 
 

From Goodwill: 
A boxed Commodore 64.  Risky, but it actually works!  The picture doesn't really show, but it's got some weird discoloration.  Like part of it was in the sun.  It needs a bath badly, and that will be the next step.  Disassemble it, soak and clean the case, and careful cleaning of the keyboard and innards.  An Atari 2600.  Very diry, and with a taped up/cut RF cable.  My theory here is that it hasn't been used for a long time since the cord was cut.  Risky purchase, but worth a $10 gamble.   

Part 2 for those interested. 

Two more videos worth sharing from Southern California Retro Gaming Expo where they present their prototype in action and answer questions about the project:
 
 

 
 

I never had one of these.  I went from VHS to DVD. It's cool you got this for free.  It does look like it is a huge unit!

I've always enjoyed the game.  I did not know of the bad reputation until recently and it made no sense to me.

I LOVE seeing old pricing on games!!!!! It's sometimes funny to see what they sold for knowing what we know now in both directions to be honest!!!!! 

I think this is finally complete enough to share: I've put together a tabbed spreadsheet documenting major Sears and Atari 2600 game manual variations.  Sites like AtariMania, AtariBoxed, and VideoGameVariations are all extraordinarily useful, but I don't believe anyone has aggregated info on manuals like I've done here.  There wasn't a whole lot of variation going on with 5200 and 7800 manuals, but the 2600 is a different beast altogether.  A perfect example: including foreign language manuals/supplements, Combat has at least 8 major variants.
 
No, I'm not crazy enough (yet!) to track minor manual revisions...
 
Anyway, as esoteric as the subject of Atari manual variants may be, it's still a part of video gaming history.  There have been many recent/ongoing efforts to preserve and document information relating to old consoles and games, but I feel like Atari hasn't received nearly the level of attention as some others.  Certainly there are a number of online resources for Atari information already -- a few of which I named above -- but there's still lots of room left on the internet! 
 
I'll be continuing to add links to images of the lesser known manuals as I have the chance.  Please feel free to message me here or email me (address is at the top of the sheet) with images of uncommon manuals to be added.  I may eventually also extend this to cover manuals for third-party 2600 publishers and 5200/7800 manuals, but for now it's being limited to just 2600 Atari/Sears.

I've always enjoyed the game.  I did not know of the bad reputation until recently and it made no sense to me.