HDN
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Posts posted by HDN
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7 minutes ago, RickR said:
I'd say that's a pretty good game store right there. In all my years of collecting, I haven't come across a store that has a stack of 7800 games like that for fair prices.
I rewatched the video and counted 51 of the cheaper games. Some notable ones include Hat Trick, Joust, Jinks, Robotron, Ms Pac Man, Choplifter, Centipede, Touchdown, RS Baseball, Food Fight, Galaga, Xevious, Asteroids, and Desert Falcon. In the glass case I saw all three Nintendo titles, Ballblazer, and a few others. I am very fortunate to have this near me!
9 minutes ago, RickR said:I'm going to give Super Metroid a go too. Thanks guys.
Please do. It's my favorite game of all time. I love it so much. So much. It is absolutely perfect. Almost no flaws whatsoever. You both will have a blast, I promise you.
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11 minutes ago, RickR said:
I went "Hat Trick" because 7800 games are harder to find. Buy them when you see them. Whether they suck or not.
Not as hard as you would think. Here's a screenshot of a video of the cheap games ($5-$10) fifteen and over are in a glass case and you have to ask for them. This is a little less than half of the cheap games. My dad took this when he picked up One on One and Karateka. There are some Channel F games below them too. It's a great store!
@socrates63 Super Metroid will make you a fan. 26 years later it is still the best in its genre. It is so freaking good. The ending is very touching and I will NOT SPOIL IT. There is no dialog after the opening cutscene. All the story is told through subtext.
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7 hours ago, socrates63 said:
I voted for Crystal Castle to take advantage of the markdown. The other game I’d recommend on your list is Missile Command. I haven’t played any others except Demon to Diamonds.
Video Chess is about what it sounds like. Hat Trick is supposed to suck but I would like to try it. Dragster plays like a mobile game and I am very nostalgic for Grand Prix.
@socrates63, I am so excited for you! You got the holy trinity! I was trying to wait until you actually got them to post, but I am just too hyped! You're getting them Monday, right? My mom didn't take the SNES, so I will replay Super Metroid again. It is, hands down, the best video game ever created. Don't spoil it for yourself! I honestly can't believe you haven't played any of the Holy Trinity games!
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I have my last $5 discount at my local game store. This is my last hurrah. I spent my money on Mario Kart Super Circuit and Home Run. This discount offers me most of their 2600 games for "free". I was almost 100% set on Crystal Castles, but I'm not sure. Here in this poll are a few games for the 2600 and 7800 I was considering. If you have suggestions not on the poll, please feel free to suggest them below. A much less serious problem than my last poll I made! But your help would be appreciated.
I sadly can't play any of these games for a while as my mom still has my Atari stuff. She wants me to learn the guitar before I get them back. *Sigh* I will just wait it out. This has happened before.
This poll won't necessarily determine my purchase, but it will help me make up my mind a bit. Plus, it's fun.
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I used to have a Vtech learning computer when I was little, obviously much more modern than this one. It had an LCD pixel matrix thing, like a cross between Tiger Electronic LCD Games and true Dot Matrix displays like the one seen on Game Boy. Very low resolution. I had a Thomas the Tank Engine learning computer circa 2007 and this one without the license (exact clone of the Thomas one but with a monkey instead of trains) circa 2009. It is very obvious that they were evolutions of this computer.
About that University of Michigan fight song you made early in the video, @nosweargamer. I have a funny story somewhat related to that. A few years ago I found this really cool hat in the basement that happened to fit me perfectly. It was really comfortable and I still wear it to this day. I am not a big sports guy like, at all, so I had no idea that this was a Michigan hat. I only know the sports teams around here that no one will shut up about: the Packers, the Bucks, and the Brewers. I know a few others, like the more famous ones like the Dodgers and the Patriots, but I don't pay much attention to them in the slightest. So, fast-forward to a few months ago, I'm mowing the lawn at my grandparents' house and they are sitting out on the deck talking and stuff.
I'm finished mowing the lawn and I come out onto the deck to join them. I have the hat on as it has sort of become my lawn-mowing hat. The first thing my grandpa says to me is: "Harry, at Christmas I am going to get you a real hat."
I'm like, "What are you talking about? What is wrong with my hat?"
He replies while pointing to the M: "That. We need to get you a hat with Bucky Badger on it instead. You need to be a bit prouder of your state."
I know nothing about sports. I'm completely oblivious. I do really like some sports games, and I do know the rules and things of all of the sports, but I have no idea about any of the non-Wisconsin teams or any players or statistics. I will just stick with Home Run, Ten-Yard Fight and One-on-One for the time being.
Or was it a Michigan state hat? They're different things, right? Sorry, no absolutely nothing about Michigan sports. Just a comfortable hat. It just says Michigan on the inside and has a M on the front of it.
- Justin and nosweargamer
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45 minutes ago, socrates63 said:
A couple of guys in the local retro gamer FB group did run an online sale yesterday. I
That is what I was thinking of. Sorry! And sorry for ruining the surprise! I will pretend I don't know. Shhhhh!
I didn't see anything...
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@socrates63 Didn't your local video game place have a sale recently? Did you pick anything up?
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@nosweargamer That's cheating! Plus Link to the Past isn't in there. I know they have their fans, but I think all four games are mediocre. I feel all four have aged somewhat poorly. Sorry NES and N64 fans.
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@socrates63 Inspired me to make this post by mentioning that he recently played 5200 Space Invaders.
Well, I guess I will just say it, I'm doing a review of Space Invaders as a pilot for my new YouTube series that I'm only posting here. My buddy is helping and one of you is also, I won't say.
But I'm trying to get feedback on all of the versions of the game. I have the 2600 game as the main course but I would like to touch on a few other versions. I have LCD and arcade and maybe Famicom covered. I have never played the 5200 version, so I need your thoughts on it! And also the Atari 8-bit version if you want.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Found a copy today at my local game store that happened to be only $5 instead of $10. I may have hidden it behind the Colecovision games for when I am ready for it.
I have also noticed that all common Atari 2600 sports games are only $2. I can afford one of those. Maybe Bowling or Golf and Crystal Castles with my discount.
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On 9/17/2020 at 8:23 AM, MaliciousCarp said:
it is true that the trackball doesn't have the same weight and momentum as the original arcade cabinet, but it was a bit exaggerated due to leaning around my camera (I had that centered and I was trying not to block it).
So it's partially you and partially the ball, right? Makes sense.
On 9/17/2020 at 8:23 AM, MaliciousCarp said:The trackball controls about like any other home one that I have used (I have the sega sports pads and the Atari trackball) - if that helps
Never used a home trak ball controller, so it doesn't help, but thanks anyways.
On 9/17/2020 at 8:23 AM, MaliciousCarp said:The other thing that I should mention is that the stock spinner on that machine is not great. It clicks as you turn it instead of gliding smoothly. There are conversion kits to add an actual spinner, but I haven't upgraded mine yet.
That's horrible! What a ripoff! At least you're playing Tempest and not something like Breakout with it.
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I can't for... various reasons. I can't pay for shipping and I don't have anything to put into it. But it does look like fun and I am sure others would be interested.
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11 hours ago, socrates63 said:
Great job, Harry! Creating something is a special act unlike any other.
This reminds me of Justin's notes that he posted somewhere his creations and notes he made as a kid.
Oh, his 7800 Strategy guide?
I was going to design it on a computer, but I have been banned from the printer after accidentally printing multiple copies of something last year and draining all of the ink. So I'm hand-drawing it.
I'm also including in the package a "The HDN Advantage" mini poster. It features images on it from other games I made around the same time. I even drew it hastily like whoever made the real "Atari Advantage" poster!
The label on the compact disc is also based on 7800 Pole Position II. I really like the basic, cliparty monochrome style of that label and wish more 7800 labels did that instead of just regurgitating the box art in grayscale.
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Thanks for everyone's kind words here. Seven of you have voted at the time of writing this, and I think that will help my case here. I have also been trying to focus more on other things, like art and video-making. I have been doing pretty good in school, and I have before the games were taken away, so that isn't an issue. Thanks for being so supportive. Thankfully, I still have my computer, old as it is!
Unfortunately, things haven't gotten much better around here. Still a lot of fighting and arguing. Not just about video games, but other things I won't get into here. Right now, I'm trying to get my DSi back so I can use Flipnote Studio to animate a segment of my upcoming Space Invad-- er, I mean, Mystery Review pilot.
Again, thank you all for the nice words and good advice. And thanks for being an online oasis. I like to talk, well, a lot. My friends all have social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Tik Tok. My parents don't let me get those, but it's not like I want them. I just like to talk to people, and it has been a bit lonely since quarantine started. After a few months, it starts to get to you. I'm glad I came over here to talk to others about my true passion: retro video games. Thanks for being there.
I mentioned before in a recent status update that I was porting a few of my games to disc. I couldn't put pictures there and I didn't want to make another post and run down my daily posting limit, so I decided on posting the pictures here. I'm not quite done yet, but I think it is coming along nicely. I hope to port more of my old games over to executables on disc someday. It's a fun project. This beaut, HDN Run Duology + The Criminy Maker, contains three games and is making its way over to @RickR's house when I'm done with it.
The back of the Jewel case even parodies the manual for the excellent Tunnel Runner!
The two HDN Run games I made in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The Criminy Maker was also a 2019 game, and it is a level creator spinoff of my Criminy Chronicles series that was quite popular in my small school. The games aren't great and don't have very high production values, but 8th grade me tried his darndest at making a few fun games. I think they are fun for the most part, and I like porting them to disc as it gives them a bit more appeal and value.
I haven't really tried making a game since 8th grade as I don't technically know any real script-coding language. I used a graphical-style coding language for those games I made.
- socrates63 and MaliciousCarp
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14 minutes ago, socrates63 said:
Who called? Your local game store?
Yes. Thankfully I won't have to take a ferry to get there. We may stop and feed the geese as well in our travels. If you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a goose-maniac. I even bought Untitled Goose Game on Switch at launch. The goose in my profile picture now responds when we call his name. He won't be flying anywhere anytime soon.
Geese aren't evil. They put up a charade. There is nothing on a goose that can hurt you. Unless 50 of them try to smother you.
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@socrates63 remember how we talked about Mario Kart last night in the chat and how I said that I liked the old flat-style games? Well, guess who called today with Super Circuit! Quick, mention Lode Runner or Pilotwings! They might call about that too if you mention it like you did Mario Kart!
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37 minutes ago, RickR said:
NSG says you can't stop, but you can. Just pull back on the stick once.
I'd recommend holding the stick until you slow down.
YAHOO! I got some .exe files converted for your game disc, Rick! I couldn't get the one I wanted as it was too big, but I think you will enjoy the games I am sending your way.
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That is by far the most bizarre, over-dramatic and unrealistic advert I have ever seen. It makes Puppy-Monkey-Baby seem like one of those tame arthritis medication commercials, where all they do is walk in the park with their grandkids and play golf.
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Thank you @MaliciousCarp for your input. Now that you mention it, that machine could have been broken. Like you said, they're pretty cheaply made. $120 is a pretty good deal, though. Especially for the Asteroids 12-in-1 machine. That one has the dial and trak-ball, two things not easily recreated on modern systems.
I did notice that you kept stopping while playing the game. I heard the trak-ball making sounds. Were you controlling it directly or letting go and letting it spin? I feel with a smaller ball like that it would be harder to let it spin. I play Crystal Castles pretty recklessly in the arcades and spin the ball really fast to make Bentley zoom around the stage collecting gems! Was your constant stopping your playstyle, or was it a limitation of the smaller trak-ball?
You do seem to be having a much easier time playing than I did. That trak-ball was still probably broken.
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7 hours ago, Atari 5200 Guy said:
Best SMB game? Debatable. They are all good but my favorite is the N64 version. For once in the series I could relax for the most part. I didn't have a timer to worry about all the time...I could wander off and explore if I wanted to. I don't know if the DS is the same game or not as I've not had the pleasure of seeing it but for me it was Super Mario 64. It had a few flaws, yes, but still a great step in the right direction for the series. I actually have a close tie as I found Galaxy on the Wii to be a blast!
64DS is a remake of the Nintendo 64 title. It has better graphics, more levels,more stars, and more characters. The problem most have with it is that you have to use the d-pad, but that was never a problem for me. There's also a dedicated run button. It's very fun, and the controls are not nearly as bad as the internet would have you believe.
I love Tunnel Runner so much. It's the best game on the system. If @Justin were to choose it as a Squad Challenge someday, I would be so happy. *cough* *cough* Sorry, I had something in my throat there. *cough* *cough* Tunnel Runner *cough* *cough*
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I should start assigning homework to y'all. Like how I assigned Tunnel Runner to @RickR or how I'm assigning Super Metroid to @socrates63.
Everyone's next assignment: Super Mario 64 DS. I want a five-page paper on how it's the best Super Mario game by Monday! Just kidding! About the paper. It's still the best Super Mario game.
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3 minutes ago, RickR said:
First thing is a favor to ask: I could not find a PDF version of the manual to download. If anyone knows of a link, please let me know! I ended up perusing an on-line version of the manual, so I'm not sure I fully got the gist of the game.
@nosweargamer did a great job with it in his video. He explained things that weren't even in the manual from what I could tell.
4 minutes ago, RickR said:It can be disorienting. Sometimes you intend to turn 90 degrees but the controls are so twitchy, you can do a 180 without realizing it.
I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but there is a little compass on the bottom left corner of the screen where the timer bar is. It is oriented according to the map. That may help.
5 minutes ago, RickR said:Thank you @HDN for insisting I give it a try. I want to spend more time with this one. I had to emulate due to my game room being occupied by a guest, but I want to play on real hardware for sure.
Thank you so much, @RickR! I'm so happy you finally gave this one a go! I can stop bothering you about it now! This is such a great game. It legitimately startles me sometimes. Great fun on the Atari VCS and well worth the higher price tag.
- socrates63 and nosweargamer
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On September 15, 2020 at 12:43 PM, socrates63 said:
Finding 7800 games in the wild in general is tough, at least in the Seattle area. I posted in the local retro gamer Facebook group my list of 7800 games that I was looking for, and that yielded the Commando cartridge from a retailer a couple of hours away. But other than that, nothing. I was happy to have found one game.
I have had great luck finding 7800 games at my usual place. I called them the other day to chart out their prices. Only $20 for Ballblazer; I would save almost $10 than if I bought on ebay. Mario Brothers for only $15, too. That's around $5 less. Unfortunately I can't buy any at the time, but I'm going all out 7800-maniac when I get some more money. They've had every game I asked about accept Asteroids, which I saw there earlier. Must've sold the one copy.
I have heard stories of game stores with nothing but the occasional Pole Position II. If you find yourself in Northeast Wisconsin for some reason, check out Game Trade. I say local, but it's really about a half hour away from me. Not even the closest store to me, I'm just that loyal.
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6 hours ago, socrates63 said:
I remember playing Crystal Castles on an Atari computer -- can't remember whether it was on the 800 or ST -- very fun game. Looks like I should revisit it.
I was watching a video of the XE version today while in posting jail. The controls look painful. I see how it's a good port of the arcade game with accurate levels and all, but I feel the simpler levels of the VCS edition better suit the joystick controls. Unless the XE version has true trak ball support that I don't know about. Impressive port nevertheless.
What 2600 game (or Hat Trick) should I get with my $5 discount?
in Atari 2600
Posted · Edited by HDN
Socrates63 hasn't played any Nintendo console games? What?
Level? Hah! There are no levels in Super Metroid! There are different areas each with their own bosses and items, but the game is somewhat open world. Picture it as Zelda but platforming. You run into obstacles and need specific items to pass. When you find the item later in the game you are like "Aha! I need this to pass this obstacle earlier in the game!" It's very exploratory and has several item puzzles in it.
By "given set" I assume you mean set of levels? Well there are no levels. You can play for five minutes or five hours. It is up to you to explore planet Zebes at your own pace. That is part of the beauty of Super Metroid. You really feel like you are "in the game" in a sense. There are no timers or end level "flagpoles".
And yes, you can save the game whenever you wish by going into one of many save rooms. Don't save in the one right before the final boss as you can't go back to the rest of the planet if you do. Yup, the only flaw with this game is one wayward save point.
Hope you enjoy this groundbreaking title, you two!
@socrates63 If I read your post correctly you have only played TWO Nintendo console games? No Super Mario Brothers? No F-Zero? No Mario Kart 64? No Luigi's Mansion? No Super Smash Brothers Melee? No Clu-Clu Land? No Super Mario 64? No Mike Tyson's Punch Out? No Startropics? No Jekyl and Hyde for NES? If I remember from our chat on Wednesday you had a Game Boy, right?