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GRay Defender

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  1. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to RickR for a blog entry, Day Trip to Evergreen Air Museum   
    A quick trip on a beautiful Saturday to the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville Oregon.  It's about an hour drive from my home.  This museum is most famous for housing the giant WWII Howard Hughes "Spruce Goose".  I assure you, it is huge. 
    Also a picture of the author on Atari Day with an Atari shirt, relaxing in an old airline seat, a delicious lunch at a place that serves sandwiches on fresh-made bread, a sweet late 60's Ford Falcon I spotted in a parking lot, and our current sweet ride too, which looked nice in the sun. 








  2. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to RickR for a blog entry, Old DOS and CD-ROM Gaming, Part 3....   
    I had a blog entry a little while ago about the desire to set up a machine to run my old collection of DOS and CD-ROM games.  I successfully set up a Win 7 laptop, but hinted at something better....

    Well, here we go.  It's a Gateway Profile 4 all-in-one with a built-in LCD screen.  Windows XP, Pentium 4 (single core), 1GB DDR memory, 40GB HD.  Built in speakers, modem, network, DVD drive, etc.  It needed a bit of repair, but I got it up and working.
    I tried DOOM and DOOM2 first, and they both had issues with the integrated sound card.  Very choppy sound.  I loaded up DOSBox, and that problem was solved.  So I'm very happy.  This is going to be a really cool way to enjoy this project. 
    The machine has an integrated NVidia based video card, so I'll see if the 3D games of the time work next.  Maybe Quake?  We shall see.
     


  3. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to RickR for a blog entry, A Vectrex Collection   
    My Vectrex collection!  I just got the Vectrex back from being refurbished (buzz-off kit installed, all caps replaced, general clean-up) and thought it would be a good time to document the whole collection. 
    The Vectrex is one of my all-time favorite parts of my collection.  I purchased this one in Feb 2013 from a chap over on AtariAge.  Over the years, I've added a few carts and overlays, and that sweet converted Genesis arcade stick (that turns-out was made by a guy I know!).  I'm now up to 3 multi-carts, with the newest being the Jason Kopp cart that I 3d printed a case for. 
    The refurbishment went really well.  It absolutely looks, sounds, and plays like new.  Better-than-new in the case of the missing buzz. 
    Thank you for indulging me!
     









  4. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to RickR for a blog entry, Disneyland - Dec 2021   
    I had to pleasure of visiting Disneyland / California Adventure while visiting one of my kids.  I thought I'd share a few notes, especially on the newer rides.
    One thing to keep in mind when planning your visit is that you'll need to make reservations at the park of your choice in advance.  You don't just need a ticket, but also that reservation.  They are limiting how many guests are allowed in each day, and I think that's a really good thing.  Pre-planning is necessary.
    The "Marvel" area at DCA
    They've replaced the old "Bug's Land" area with an all new Marvel-themed area and also re-themed the Tower of Terror to Guardians of the Galaxy.  It's a big improvement and a really fun area to visit for fans of the Marvel movies (and comic books).  There is one new ride in the area, and it's Spider-Man themed.  It's similar to "Toy Story Midway Mania" or "Buzz Lightyear" in that it's kind of a game with scoring.  You use your arms to "throw" webs.  The tech here is pretty cool.  The ride is fun, but it's also a bit too fast and confusing.  I wish they'd chosen a real villain to fight instead of generic bots.  It feels like a video game and it's fun.  Grade:  B.

    The GOG overlay of Tower of Terror is excellent.  It's fun instead of scary now, with a 70's soundtrack that seems to change with every ride.  Grade:  A+.
    The New Star Wars area at DL
    I've been before, but it's still amazing.  "Rise of the Resistance" is incredible in it's scope.  It uses every trick in the Disney bag.  Grade:  A+.

    "Smuggler's Run" lets you fly the Millennium Falcon as a team of smugglers.  It's a dream come true for every Star Wars geek.  Grade:  A+

    And now for a few random photos from the trip.
     










  5. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to RickR for a blog entry, RickR Trip Blog - Reno   
    This is a quick blog entry with just a few pictures from a short trip to Reno, NV.  I'm not a gambler, so I visited several museums in the area and had a great time.  Here are a few pics appropriate to this site from the National Automobile Museum (highly recommended if you like cars).  They had tons of cars, all drool-worthy.  But here are a few of the TV-based pieces they had. 
     








  6. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to Arenafoot for a blog entry, 2018 Atari VCS/2600 Homebrew List (Final list for the year)   
    2018 Homebrews:
    A Very Galactopus Christmas (bB) by Ric Pryor “KaeruYojimbo” Alien Attack by Edward A. Smith “easmith” - available at Good Deal Games Alien Greed 5 by Chris Read “atari2600land” – available thru 2600connection NO “Public” ROM available Alien Revenge! by Edward A. Smith “easmith” - available at Good Deal Games Apollyon (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” will be available thru Retronics Asteroid Rescue (bB) by Ross Adkin “TidusRenegade” – available on the Retron 77 and thru Good Deal Games Astronomer (bB) by Alex Pietrow “Coolcrab” – available on the Retron 77 and thru Packrat Video Games Baby (bB) by Robert Raymond Holmes III "Robsome" – available on itch.io for $1 and on the Retron 77 Balloon Trip by “bluswimmer” available thru AtariAge Beeware (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” Bifröst by David Weavil “s0c7” (updated from 2010) Birds and Beans by “bluswimmer” CAAAT (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” Death Voyage (bB) by Eric Pryor "KaeruYojimbo" Drakko (bB) by John Von Neumann Dungeon II: Solstice by David Weavil “s0c7” – available thru AtariAge Fear of the Dark (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” Flappy The Duck (bB) by Brian Wayne Shea "metalbabble" Gatecrasher II by “Mr SQL” High Score Slow Burn Screen Burn (bB) by B.J. Best “bjbest60” {Best Games #1}  –  sold out private sale, now available thru 8-Bit Classics Horizon Shift (bB) by Flump Studios UK Journey to Xenos by Nick A. Bild, MS Kar Kombat (bB) by Alan W. Smith - available at Good Deal Games Mappy by John W. Champeau {Champ Games} – available thru AtariAge Maze of NewBorne (bB) by “Reverend Jared” Monkey King (was Climb the Tree) (bB) by Alex Pietrow “Coolcrab” – (will be) available thru Packrat Video Games Muncher 77 by Rick Skrbina "Wickeycolumbus" – available on the Retron 77 NO “Public” ROM available Neko 2600 (bB) by Brian Wayne Shea "metalbabble" NeXion 3D (bB) by Brock Keaghey “TheMajorHavoc” – available on the Retron 77 Pabling's Glitch Adventure (bB) by Skyler Hanners "superskyphoenix03" NO “Public” ROM available Parsec 2600 (bB) by Howard Oberg "hloberg" Pickle by Edward A. Smith - available at Good Deal Games Plague (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” (will be) available thru AtariAge and Retronics Red Light Green Light by “Secamline” Refraction by Norbert Landsteiner “NoLand” Sheep It Up! (bB) by “Dr. Ludos” - available thru AtariAge Shifty Lifty (bB)  by Ross Adkin “TidusRenegade” – available on the Retron 77 (1st update) NO “Public” ROM available Sky Destroyer (bB) by Eric Pryor "KaeruYojimbo" Space Game (bB) by Karl Garrison "Karl G" & Maggie Vogel – available at AtariAge Stacker (bB) by ‎Desmond Jones Stardust (bB) by Brian Wayne Shea "metalbabble” Stripes of Terror (PAL only) by Krzysztof Kluczek, Michał Żuchowski, & Mariusz Górski Sword of Surtr (bB) by Jeff Stermer “ultima” – (will be) available at AtariAge The Gizzle Wap and the Terrible Blizzard of Firn (bB) by Jeff Smith "Mountain King" Tron (bB) by “Orange808” Turtle Bay by “Unlink2” Tyre Trax (bB) by Lewis Hill "Muddyfunster" demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth Zombie Road Kill by Scott Dayton {NEO Games} - sold out private sale NO “Public” ROM available  
    2018 WIP’s:
    Aardvark (Pending Release) by Oscar Toledo Gutiérrez “nanochess”, Thomas Jentzsch (coding), Nathan Strum (graphics) demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth Amoeba Jump (was Doodle Jump 2600/Poodle Jump) by Dion Olsthoom demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth Apshai (aka Lost Dunjonquest Apshai) (bB) by Justin Gibson “waderain” Attack of the Timelord! by Flavio Nunez NO “Public” ROM available Bag Boy (bB) by “KevKelley” Bike Warriors by “gfvh” Black Jack Theta VIII by “azure” Castle of Doom (bB) by Chris Read “atari2600land” (updated from 2015) Castle of the Cryptid by “Buckaroo” ChaoticGrill (Burgertime) by “splendidnut” (updated from 2015) demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth Choplifter! (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” Choplifter! by Flavio Nunez NO “Public” ROM available Dare Devil (bB) by Lewis Hill "Muddyfunster" Disc Donk (bB) by B.J. Best “bjbest60” {Best Games} Distopia (bB) by Fehér János Zoltán “MemberAtarian” Dragon Racer: Trials of the Wyrm (bB) by “Revontuli” Dragon’s Descent (bB) by “Revontuli” El Alquimista (bB) (The Alchemist) by “Fdx” Falling Sky (bB) by “bogax” Guns'n Corpses by “gfvh” Jumpity by William Pilgrim "Nowhere Man" Kelly Kangaroo (bB) by Denebola Interactive KnightGuy in LowRes World by John Von Neumann Lights Out by “mcmartin” Low Res Racer by John Von Neumann Magimaze (bB) by B.J. Best “bjbest60” {Best Games} Ms. Galactopus by “KaeruYojimbo” (updated from 2016) Nyan Cat by “JeremiahK” Orb (bB) by Ed Riley "winkdot" (updated from 2015) Pac-Man 2600 8K by “DINTAR816” <updated> Peril by John Von Neumann Phantoms of the Dark (was Flicker of Light) (bB) by Justin Gibson “waderain” Please Save My Baby (bB) by Jeff Stermer “ultima” Point Procurer beta by BJ Best Quantum Tunnel (bB) by Jared Gray West “graywest” Railslider (bB) by “Lillapojkenpåön” Resident Evil 2 (bB) <demake> by Jeff Stermer “ultima” Robo-Ninja Climb by “gauauu” demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth RoboMechanik by Krzysztof Kluczek “KK/Altair” demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth Robot X (bB) by “goofyblocks” Robot Zed (bB) by Chris Spry “Sprybug” demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth Seaquest II by Flavio Nunez NO “Public” ROM available  Shark Jaws + (bB) by Ed Riley "winkdot" Shifty Lifty Plus (bB)  by Ross Adkin “TidusRenegade” Skee-Ball (bB) by Michael Salzman "Dethfactor” Spies in the Night 2 (bB) by Jared Gray West “graywest” Stranded (bB) by “OldAtAtari” (abandoned?) Temple Runner (bB) by Ross Adkin “TidusRenegade” was Escape From Kukuku Temple The Cabin (bB) by “Odourman” The Quest (bB) by “Lewis2907” Tombstones (bB) by B.J. Best “bjbest60” - will be available at 8-Bit Classics Tower of Rubble by Dion Olsthoorn "Dionoid" Toyshop Terminator (bB) (was Christmas Cookie Cutter) by Karl Garrison UT2600 by “MLdB” (updated from 2016) Wal-Rush 2: Tick Tusk (bB) by “JWalrus” White Water Madness (bB) by Chris Read “atari2600land” Wizard of Wor Arcade by John W. Champeau {Champ Games} demo’d at 2018 PRGE at AA booth  
    2018 Hacks:
    Active Shooter (Turmoil hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” ALF (Taz hack) by Scott Dayton {NEO Games} & James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” - available thru Repentless Video Games Alien Greed Jump (Amoeba Jump hack) by Scott Dayton Alien Lifeform (King Kong hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games NO “Public” ROM available Alien Revenge! Halloween Hack (was Monster’s Revenge) (Alien Revenge! hack) by Edward A. Smith “easmith” – sold out at Good Deal Games Alien Turmoil (Turmoil hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Alien Visitors Are Our Friends ["V"] (Cosmic Ark hack) by “doctorclu” Anorak's Adventure (Adventure hack) by “Knarfian” Asteroid Belt (Turmoil hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Batman (Popeye hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Battle Checkers (Checkers hack) by James Francis "Out_of_Gas" Battlestar Galactica (Space Attack hack) by “doctorclu” Battlestar Galactica NEO (Space Attack hack) by Scott Dayton Beer Capture (Flag Capture hack) by “TheHoboInYourRoom” Bentley Bear's Honey Heist (Donkey Kong Hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Berzerk Blast (Turmoil hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Berzerk NEO Version 2 (Berzerk hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games Boringly Superbly Fair Dragster (Dragster hack) by “Omegamatrix” Bouncer (Boing! hack) by Scott Dayton {NEO Games} - sold out NO “Public” ROM available Broadside (Combat hack) by Claudio Salvucci {CDS Games} - available thru the AtariAge forums Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Buck Rogers hack) by “doctorclu” Cat Attack! (Pooyan hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Daredevil: Blackwing's Nightmare (Spider-Man hack) by James Francis "Out_of_Gas" Dawn of the Dead (Worm War I hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games Enigma Of Mars (Riddle Of The Sphinx Hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Extinction (Demon Attack hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games Flag Capture NEO (Flag Capture hack) by Scott Dayton Freddy’s Fear Factory (Cake Walk hack) by Scott Dayton – available thru Repentless Video Games NO “Public” ROM available Hole Hunter (diagonal fix hack) by “Lucky Man” Hyper Joust (Turmoil hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” If Rob Kudla Met Todd Frye (Ms. Pac-Man hack) by “Wolfy Danger” Infestation (Jr. Pac Man hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Ketchup Kaboom! (Kaboom! hack) by Scott Dayton {NEO Games} - sold out Klax Color Hack (Klax hack) by “Omegamatrix” Mars Explorer (Jr. Pac-Man hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Miner 2049er Faster (Miner 2049er hack) by Thomas Jentzsch (speed up hack), “OmegaMatrix” (reset bug fix), and “doctorclu” (sprite hack) MissADVENTURE (Adventure hack) by Alan W. Smith - available thru Good Deal Games Monster’s Revenge! (Alien Revenge hack) by Edward A. Smith “easmith” Moon Patrol Arcade DC (Doctor Clu) Version (Moon Patrol+ hack) by “doctorclu” Nitemare (Megamania hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games Outatime (Dragster hack) by Lee Kebler "keebz" Pepper Penguin (Birds and Beans hack) by “bluswimmer” on the Retron 77 (1st update) Pirates of the Caribbean (Popeye hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Prison Moon (Sky Skipper hack) by Scott Dayton Pumpkinhead (Frankenstein’s Monster hack) by Scott Dayton – available at Repentless Video Games Q*Bert Jump (Amoeba Jump hack) by Scott Dayton – released at Free Play Florida 2018 NO “Public” ROM available Santa Bros. (Mario Bros. hack) by Scott Dayton – sold out private sale NO “Public” ROM available Santa HERO (H.E.R.O. hack) by Scott Dayton Santa HERO ET (H.E.R.O. hack) by Scott Dayton Scraper Caper w/ Bounty Bob (Fire Fighter hack) by “doctorclu” Space Foxes (MMSBC hack) by Jason Schelhorn and Ricky Henry (of Electric Tapes) - released at Mountain State Pop Expo (proceeds go to the Children's Home Society of West Virginia) NO “Public” ROM available Space Invaders Blue (Space Invaders hack) by Scott Dayton Stargate Desert Raid (River Raid hack) by “DevKK” and “Whip” Stranger Things – Barb’s Revenge (Dig Dug hack) by “keebz” Sub Strike (Turmoil hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (Halloween hack) by Scott Dayton – available at Repentless Video Games NO “Public” ROM available The Thing (Alien hack) by Scott Dayton – available at Repentless Video Games Tron: Bit Frenzy (Dr. Flin and His Pills hack) by Scott Dayton TRON Saves Atari With Trackers (Fast Eddie hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games TRON Saves Atari No Trackers (Fast Eddie hack) by Scott Dayton - available thru Repentless Video Games U.F.O. Galaxian (Galaxian Hack) by James Catalano “JamCat Reloaded” Wings of Death (Seaquest hack) by Scott Dayton AtariAge Trak-ball hacks released: Centipede, Millipede, Reactor, Plaque Attack, Star Wars: The Arcade Game, Missile Command, SpaceMaster X7, Challenge of Nexar, Colony 7, Missile Control  
    2018 Demos:
    AcidRain by “Jeremiah” & “Kno1” - 5th at Nordlicht 2018 Alpha Cucks by “Dentifrice” - 3rd at Silly Venture 2018 Compofiller by “g0blinish” - 4th at Silly Venture 2018 Dengue Fever by Digital Sounds System & “Flush” - 1st at High Coast Hack 2018 Happy 2019 (bB) by John Von Neumann Hard 2632 by “Imp” & “SvOlli” - 1st at Deadline (Berlin) 2018 (there is a default Demo game built it) Lapin Kulta by “Dentifrice” - 2nd at Simulaatio 2018 M by “Flush” - 2nd at Silly Venture 2018 Mushroom Adventure by “Satori” - 2nd at Riverwash 2018 Ram @tack by “Trope” - 2nd at @party 2018 Stella A Trois by “Flush” - 3rd at Revision 2018 Three Minus by “altair” - 1st at Silly Venture 2018  
    2018 Technical Achievement Award:
    Hard 2632 by “Imp” & “SvOlli” - 1st at Deadline (Berlin) 2018 Gray Screen with no Music by “Tjoppen” Aardvark for a 32 pixel sprite that smoothly enters, traverses and exits the length of the color changing playfield (both single line) without using HMOVE blanks, WSYNCs or using extra sprite data Aardvark for alternating playfield priority to create transparency effect (sun/moon shining through the clouds) Mappy for Player and Enemy anti-flicker code Mappy for the 85 pixel multicolor title screen Mappy title screen BIN (by Thomas Jentz.)
  7. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to StormSurge for a blog entry, Fire Call!   
    I thought it may be interesting to share what happens when my pager goes off for a fire call.
    Thankfully, I've only had false alarms to respond to, aside from two minor car accidents. (Since October 2017).
    We average one call per week. Thankfully, most of them are during the day, but there have been the occasional middle of the night calls. (The pager also goes off for any ambulance calls, which I only assist if the EMTs need help lifting the stretcher onto the ambulance boat.)
    Technically, I only need to respond to every call while officially on call (we're split into teams that are on call for two weeks at a time, eliminating the need for 20 people to show up for a false alarm), but because I live so close to the fire house and that I want the practice of putting my gear on & driving the truck, I make it a point to go to every call. (Again, there's not that many calls, so it's no big deal.)
    The pager tones don't sound like Station 51's tones but it's still pretty startling when it goes off.
    Anyway, here's the video. Let me know if you have any questions!
     
  8. Like
    GRay Defender reacted to Atari 5200 Guy for a blog entry, Adventure (Atari 2600)   
    It may come as a surprise to others reading this but Adventure on the 2600 was one game that I missed completely. From the time it first hit store shelves until now I have never had the chance to play the game that has been considered one of the best on the system. Even when my mother and I would find lots of 2600 consoles with lots of games Adventure simply wasn't there. And since the 5200 was my first game console I felt the 2600 was lacking and never gave it a fair chance. 
    It's almost fall 2016 and I have been blessed, thanks to Atari.IO members, with a 4-switch woody console and a copy of Adventure. I finally got the chance to see what all the hype was about with this game. So...I plug it in and flip the switch. As usual I just start a game with default settings. I don't even bother to check the difficulty switches. It's just something I don't think about.
     



    I'm moving my block along after picking up the gold key to get my sword. Then off I go to find the black key and get the chalice. I run into the gold dragon (which looks like a duck to me, sorry Adventure fans) and he ate me. So I reset the switch thinking, "Alright. I got your number!", and set off again. I managed to kill the gold dragon, find the black key, and retrieve the chalice. On the way back I find the green dragon. He chases me all the way back to the gold castle and I get stuck just for a split second on the entrance. I'm dragon food, again. So I try again and ... success! The 1st level became clockwork in about a half-hour's time. 
    Being brave, and taking one for the team, I changed the game setting to the 2nd level. Oh my word. You would have thought I was trying to start world war three or something with the things I was saying, no...yelling at the images on the TV screen. I couldn't find half the items I needed and when I did that stupid bat would come along and switch whatever he was carrying, which was a dragon most of the time, with what I was after and fly away...leaving me defenseless and fleeing for my life! I spent about a week trying to complete a level 2 game just once...just ONCE! And I finally did it before I started writing this review. I have yet to embark on a level 3 journey as I am still trying to re-cooperate from the level 2 journey. But it is on my to-do list.
     



    After all of that I sat down and gave it some thought while I stare at the square on the TV standing next to the gold-flashing chalice. The adventure I embarked upon already took me in dark catacombs to find items, fighting very aggressive dragons, searching for items a bat would take off with, only to have been rewarded with what some would expect to be the fact I managed to make it back with the chalice. The true reward was all the challenge I was put through just to get that chalice and bring it back. This game can easily be your classic Dungeons & Dragons stuff, of which I've never had the chance to play before either. But from what I've heard about D&D from regular players the 2600 Adventure is easily the first video game adaptation of the popular D&D games. That is where I would expect to find this game on store shelves because it really is in a category all of its own. In other words, the Adventure title fits perfectly. 
    This is a well thought-out game and as simple as the game's graphics and sounds may seem beneath that cartridge shell is a game that is very well capable of giving the player one heck of an adventure. I recommend bringing a joystick along for the ride that you know will not break. You will find intense moments where the joystick in your hands will most likely receive extra force that it normally wouldn't receive otherwise. A highly recommended game for 2600 owners.
     
    With all of that being said I am updating my favorites list. I actually need to start a new post about how my 2600 games rank as I get them. This, unfortunately, would be way too similar to NoSwearGamer's method...and I don't want to be a "me-too" thing. That is his way...but, sadly, that is a method I would have to use for the time being until I can come up with my own method.
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