HDN

120,438 is my best score so far. I might post another later tonight, but this might be the best I can get before the contest is over. I’m pretty sure I can do better in general, but I’m not sure how much I can improve by the end of the night! I can’t believe that @btbfilms76’s giveaway is almost over! This giveaway has been around for almost all of my time here on the forums. I hope I might win those beauties myself, but good luck to you all!

Miniature Golf Atari 2600 Difficulty: Game 1, Difficulty B Low Score: 27 November 30, 2020

That's cool that you had a somewhat-rare game without knowing it! I have been interested in collecting some of the text-labeled games recently. They just look so cool to me. The only text-label game I have CIB is Outlaw, which I got for $5.00. Thanks for reading my blog! I think you might enjoy it. Thanks for sending me the copy and helping me "capture" Flag Capture!

So, I have a question for @btbfilms76 and @Justin. Since I entered in the Galaxian, Wrecking Crew, Elevator Action, and Major Havoc Squad Challenges, would I have four entries in the contest? Those are all the contests I've entered here, from what I remember. So, do I have one entry (like one raffle ticket in the box) or four? Thanks. Just a little confused.

They did retire this one, however it did get a picture label at one point. That one's even rarer. Poor Miniature Golf was also retired. That one only got the text label. I was lucky enough to find a single copy of that one at the store. I believe Flag Capture, text label, is a rarity four. Though, I've seen plenty of other rarity four games there with multiple copies. That guide should be updated a bit. I'd give it a five probably.

Recently, I have been thinking of my favorite games on the Atari VCS and coming to the realization that I have some pretty unpopular tastes. Pac-Man, the "worst video game ever", in my number two spot? Donkey Kong closely behind at number three? Artillery Duel in the top-ten? Video Chess near the top of my most-wanted list? These are some pretty unpopular, if not downright hated games. What's more, some of the 2600's most beloved games, like Yars' Revenge, Adventure, and Pitfall!, aren't near the top of my list. Not that I dislike these games; quite the contrary. I just have some that I prefer more. This also got me thinking of Flag Capture. Ever since the Wii2600 days, I have really liked this game. I'm very fortunate to have people in my life, particularly my dad, who will sit down and play Atari with me. My dad and I like to play video games together sometimes. With some experimentation, I have found that it is most fun to play the older, simpler games together, like 2600 through Super NES. I've also found that it's more fun to play games with direct competition rather than co-op. This game was always a fun one to play on the Wii or Atari Anthology on XBOX. Strangely, I've found that this is one of the more hated games on the system. It's not as famous as Pac-Man or ET are as Flag Capture (released by Sears as simply Capture) didn't sell too well. I never understood the hate for this one. This is also one of the less common games for the system. Not terribly rare, but I've never found one in the wild. And believe me, I've tried. This one was very elusive. I've found XONOX Double Enders in the wild at my regular used-game store. I saw a JVC X'Eye, a Sega Nomad, and a CIB Jaguar there, too. Motor Psycho, sure! Tengen Tetris, you betcha! But no Flag Capture. I simply couldn't find it in the 2600 rack, and I looked every time. Thankfully, Flag Capture isn't terribly sought-after and still goes for pretty cheap; about the same price as your average 2600 game. So where did I get my copy of Flag Capture after all? I never did find it at that store, despite their large 2600 collection. Instead, Atari.io's very own @socrates63 kindly sent it to me. Young was kind enough to send me something from our recent Retro Junk Box, which I was unable to participate in. What I didn't know at the time is that he was going to send SOMETHINGS, plural. Flag Capture was a big surprise for me. Thanks, Young! Flag Capture was released in 1978 for the Atari VCS and contains 10 "Video Games". Developed by Jim Huether, Flag Capture was initially designed as an adaptation of Stratego. If you're unfamiliar with Stratego, it's a board game that involves teams of two players traversing across the board attempting to capture the opponent's flag piece. Each of the pieces is assigned a number, one through ten, and the design of the pieces shields what it is from the opponent. If two pieces touch each other, the piece with the lower number is discarded. Along with the numbered pieces are spies, which are the only pieces that can kill the number ten pieces, bombs, which will blow up anyone who comes in contact with it (except 3), and the flag. On each turn, you can move one piece one space (except for twos which behave like rooks in chess) in any cardinal direction. Think of Stratego like Chess with a pecking order and end goal. I'm not very good at the game, but I enjoy it quite a bit. Due to the limitations of the VCS and the 2k ROM cartridges of the time, Huether couldn't make a straight port of the game to the lowly 2600. Instead, he took the core element of the game, finding the flag, and ran with it. What we're left with is Flag Capture, which plays like a mix of Stratego and Minesweeper. Flag capture is certainly a unique experience on the 2600. For most of the variations, two players go around the 7x9 grid of squares searching for the flag before the other. Each player can press the button while on a square to search underneath it. Several clues aid the player towards the whereabouts of the hidden flag. One could find arrows pointing in the general direction of the flag, numbers indicating how many spaces away the flag is from the player, and devious bombs that send the player back to their corner of origin. The goal of most two-player variations is to find the flag fifteen times before the opponent. Especially in the first variation, games between players can get pretty hectic and fun. The variations are where the game really shines. The default mode has both players freely moving around the grid simultaneously. This mode challenges players to not only think faster and smarter than their opponents, but also use their reflexes to get to the right block before the other. If you'd prefer something a bit slower-paced, there is also a mode in which both players take turns moving around and checking spaces, a bit like a board game. There are also modes in which both players solve their own individual flag puzzles and compete to see who can get the flag in the least amount of space-checks, as well as variations where the flag will move after every space checked. If you're going solo, Flag Capture has you covered to an extent. The last few variations are one-player time trial modes. You must find the flag as many times as you can within 75 seconds. This game mode is fine, though it's missing a little something without another player. Still, Flag Capture has a much better for a single player than many other 1970's games on the VCS. I'd rather play Flag Capture by myself than Combat or Outlaw. Flag Capture, while not a must-have for the system, is a worthwhile pickup if you can find it. Especially if you have another person willing to play Atari 2600 with you, Flag Capture is a spectacular time. I'd say that Flag Capture is one of the better 2600 games of the 1970's.

You know, not many people talk about the REALLY old 2600 arcade ports. Many of Atari's 1970's coin-op releases are very obscure nowadays. Some of Atari's pre-Golden Age ports include Anti Aircraft (Air/Sea Battle), Tank and Jet Fighter (Combat), Canyon Bomber, Sky Diver, and Night Driver. Many of these games are much better known nowadays by their VCS adaptations. I'm sure the vast majority knew about these games, but I find it interesting. Not many talk about how these games originated in the arcade.

I’m having a lot of fun with this one. 111,469, my best so far.

As a lot of you know, I have been collecting lots of Atari 2600 arcade ports over the past few months, hoping to build a sizable "Ataricade", @Willie!-style. I still like collecting the arcade games, but I think I would like to collect some other styles of games, too. I was thinking of collecting some of Atari's earlier offerings, like Video Chess, Sky Diver, Surround, Star Ship, Bowling, Golf, and some other early games like that. Particulary the less action oriented ones, like Hangman or Video Chess. I still will buy some more arcade games as I find them, but I'm pretty content with my library right now. @socrates63 sent me most of the top games on my list. What types of 2600 games are you all collecting right now?

Very true. The most hated of the arcade ports by far, Pac-Man, is actually my favorite arcade port on the system and my second-favorite game on the 2600 overall. It's also my favorite version of Pac-Man ever! Donk donk donk! But, if you'd like to share your opinions, that's fine too. I don't mind that lots of people hate one of my favorite Atari games. More for me! I was looking at that link you shared with us. Is it true that Warlords was on the 2600 first? How cool is that?

As a lot of you know, over the past few months I have been collecting 2600 arcade ports. I have discovered quite a few gems, and I have enjoyed all of the arcade ports that I have bought for the system so far. However, there are some that aren't so good that I've played on emulation. Inspired by a recently dug-up post by @RickR on the best home conversions for the system, I will now be asking for your picks for the worst arcade ports for the system! There won't be a poll for this topic, so feel free to pick any port you like and tell us about why you don't like it. Just keep in mind that they have to be retail releases! No unfinished prototypes allowed! My pick? That's a hard one. I'd have to go either Double Dragon or Zaxxon.

This was a bit of a hard one for me. Many of my favorite arcade conversions for the system, while not near as arcade perfect as the games on this list are very fun. I'd say of the ones here, I will have to go with Space Invaders along with a few others that are both faithful and ones that I personally enjoy. My favorite arcade ports? To name a few: Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Venture, Galaxian, Moon Patrol, Space Invaders, Missile Command, Defender, and Q*Bert.

Atari 7800 forever? Sounds awesome! I got one of these bad boys a couple months ago, and it’s awesome! Thanks for sharing, @Funkmaster V! The best part about my 7800 is the I/O connection. This site convinced me to purchase one, and it also is where I got the vast majority of my games (along with AtariAge).

I didn't realise this until the other day, but my copy of Joust also has a shutter door! Funny how I never noticed that. I wonder if I have missed any other 7800 games.

Thanksgiving had some rough patches, but it ended up being a pretty nice day. How was all of your days?

YOU LOSE TURKEY!

Nice! I was actually thinking of picking those both up. Today, I played some regular Breakout. I have played Super Breakout on 2600 before via emulation, though I feel I haven't really played it until I can use my trusty paddles. There are some things I like about it, and some things I don't. I feel you need BOTH Breakout games to get the full experience! Both are great. Circus Atari is also really fun, but would be better with paddles.

I played lots of Sears Haunted House on Halloween and had a load of fun with it. Push forward! And play some Super Metroid later this week, too! @socrates63 I am sure your turkey will turn out great! I have helped my dad make the turkey many times over the years. We are using the oven this year for the first time. My thanksgiving plans: play Luigi’s Mansion 3 with my sister, board games, a walk, some Demons to Diamonds, and maybe watch a movie. Oh, yeah, and eat!

Actually, quite the opposite. They're my favorite! Sadly, I won't be able to travel across the country to eat all the cranberries, so I'll need some help. My actual least favorite thing on the Thanksgiving table is mashed potatoes. I wish I liked them, but the weird texture and smell make me gag. I just hate them. Life would be a lot easier if I didn't hate them.

Happy Atari Day and happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for Atari! I hope you all have a wonderful day and make some good memories. Stay safe! Eat all of the cranberries for me.

I freaking LOVE the Atari 2600! And @socrates63, you don’t need to have played many to make a list. Just pick a few of your favorites if you want to. But as far as recommendations go, it all depends on wether or not you have another person to play with. If you do, try Flag Capture, Artillery Duel, or Home Run. I picked those three as they aren’t terribly well-loved, but they are some of my favorites. With single player games, you really can’t go wrong with any of these listed above. I would add a few, like Popeye, Q*Bert, and Night Driver. There are so many good games on the system. I brought back the Woody the other day. The picture on there is a lot cleaner than on the Vader! I don’t know why. I think some of the internal components of my Vader are on their way out.

Thanks again, @socrates63. I may have to build you a mini junk box myself someday! The Coleco handheld is very far from perfect, but it isn’t completely devoid of fun. The Diving game is where I have spent most of my time with the machine so far. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m not having at least a little bit of fun with the machine! The coolest part though is that I can go on the internet and watch a video of it! The exact same one. About 8 or so months ago when I first discovered the NSG, I never thought that something like this would happen! I have “bragged” to a few people about this. It’s so weird that this exact Coleco handheld from the video now lives in my house. Also, I am happy to have found a compatible AV cable as well for it. At least the Coleco 10-in-1 isn’t alone over here. It has a couple other bootleg systems from various thrift stores and the like to hang out with, as well as the handhelds. Once the Christmas decorations are down, I plan to put it on my retro handheld shelf for all to see!

This thing, this is laughably bad. Though I am very happy to own the Coleco 10-in-1 Sports unit, I have to say this is the worst game system I have ever played in my life! Fortunately, I had a compatible AV cable laying around. This thing has a ridiculously small jack on it. I’m not 100% sure where this cord came from; maybe my old camcorder? Anyways, the games on this unit are really, REALLY bad. And there’s only ten of them. I have seen cheap handhelds not dissimilar to this one with equally terrible games (like the GoGamer Portable), but at least those had dozens if not hundreds of crappy games on them. And to be honest, many of those cheap bootleg games are of higher quality than the ones on the Coleco unit! Some, not all. I am honestly surprised that @nosweargamer managed to, well, not swear while reviewing this! Even though this unit is frankly terrible, I am proud to own this piece of “YouTube History”. Didn’t you say that you got this from @Willie!, NSG? No wonder I am like the 79th owner of this thing. Either way, this Coleco handheld will look nice on my shelf and has a really cool story behind it. Thank you, @socrates63! You didn’t have to send this. I hope I am not offending anyone by making fun of the poor Coleco, but do know that I am really happy to have this in my collection. I would have to say the “least bad” of the games is the deep-sea diving one, followed by air hockey.