socrates63

Freeway Atari 2600 Difficulty: Game 7, B/B High Score: 20 July 13, 2020

Stampede Atari 2600 Difficulty: Default B/B High Score: 3,528 August 8, 2020

Conquest of Mars Atari 2600 Difficulty: Default B/B High Score: 46,690 August 21, 2020

When I first got into retro gaming, I wanted everything hooked up to a modern TV with HDMI. I watched a lot of videos from My Life in Gaming and considered going all out on RGB and SCART and OSCC. I backed off due to cost. I only went as far as getting a RetroTINK 2X and stuck with component and s-video on the older consoles with my home theater receiver acting as the hub. Rather than video, I'm toying with improving the audio of my CRT TV gaming setup (2600, 5200, 7800, PS2, SNES). I've been spoiled with the sound system used with my 4K TV setup, and the sound out of my 27" Trinitron just isn't doing it for me. I'm trying to find room in my small gaming space in the office to squeeze in an older home theater receiver (need to get one) and couple of monitor speakers (which I have already have).

AR gaming -- is that the future? I happen to like gaming from the comforts of the couch at home with little to no cardio involved 🙂

Wow, so this is why people talk about getting an RGB signal out from consoles. Even on these still shots, the difference in quality is very apparent. You do a lot of cool stuff, Jesse. Thanks for sharing and explaining.

Prior to assembling my Atari 5200 SuperSystem setup, I did a little homework into the infamous 5200 controller issue. Based on the what I heard on The Atari 5200 Podcast and Wired-Up Retro, I decided early on to order the DB9 controller adapter for the 5200 made by AtariAge user ikonsgr (he also sells on ebay but I can't find his ebay link right now). Atari 5200 Podcast https://theatari5200superpodcast.libsyn.com/episode-1-getting-started-and-new-beginnings Wired-Up Retro The adapter arrived a few days ago from Greece (it's times like this when I love how technology has brought us closer together to share a hobby). Today, I got a chance to use it with my Atari 7800 controller (made by Retrogameboyz) and a few games. Now I was aware that 7800 controllers would not work perfectly with this adapter and the 5200, but that's the DB9 controller I had on hand (Genesis arcade stick on the way). I tried three 5200 games (via AtariMax cartridge). Berzerk didn't like it -- the man wouldn't move and continuously fired shots. In Moon Patrol, the joystick worked well, and the fire button too, but both 7800 buttons registered to fire the gun only -- no jump button. Pac-Man worked flawlessly. The conclusion of my limited testing? I'm very happy as I had expected. Since nearly all 5200 games do not require analog controls, the ikonsgr adapter is a very affordable solution to enabling digital joystick/gamepad on the 5200 platform. Once the Genesis arcade stick arrives, my 5200 setup will be complete. Atari 5200 controller issues are really overblown and overstated IMO and shouldn't stopped anyone who wants to experience arcade action at home on the beautiful Atari 5200 SuperSystem.

Yes that’s what I was talking about. Thanks for posting the links.

Welcome! I'm in the opposite corner of the country in the suburb of Seattle. Atari 8-bit emu for the Mac? Maybe I should take a look into this. Might be faster than me trying to set up my 800XL.

👍 I've seen Blades of Steel before but didn't even know about the other two Konami NES sports titles. Thanks for sharing. Following on FB.

YASSS! Did it! These 👻 get scary fast! I posted in the Scoreboard forum.

Woot! Congratulations, Rick! 🕹️ 🏆 🏁 IIRC the Slik Stik has a short throw. Did that help?

Pac-Man Atari 2600 Difficulty: Default (B/B) High Score: 9,588 August 21, 2020

With 200+ 2600 games reviewed, have you done a retrospective type look-back at the games reviewed? From the games already reviewed, it might be a fun talking point to pull together a list of hidden gems or a group of games based on other criteria. Just a thought -- feel free to ignore 🙂

Thanks for the History video link, Justin. I haven't yet seen the Netflix series nor this one from History. I wonder whether the rise of the home computers A8, C64 etc. had a role in the crash. It's certainly not the main cause of the crash, but I wonder how that may have contributed (if at all) to the circumstances. I mean, I think the first wave of kids who grew up on the 2600 jumped to computers and ignored consoles completely or at least used them less as their primary home video gaming machine. Or, it could just be since that was my personal story. After I went to the Atari 800 from the 2600, I ignored the console scene and didn't get one until the late 90s (original PlayStation to play FF7). I didn't even know that a video game crash happened until I heard about it when I got into retro gaming.

Talk about standing the test of time! Reviewed during episode 25 and still maintaining a spot in the Top 5. Very impressive!

8763 — inching closer

Yes, I also focus better when there’s distraction around me. That’s why I never liked studying in a quiet library as a kid.

Slowly inching up to the 9k high score... crossed 7k today 🕹️ I just have to say that this thread has helped me to do a complete 180 turnaround on my feelings towards 2600 Pac-Man. My original disappointment in this game as a kid was the strongest memory I had of 2600 gaming. Because of its infamy in my childhood, Atari 2600 Pac-Man was the first 2600 game that I purchased when I got into retro gaming a few years ago. When I spotted a CIB copy at 2017 PRGE, my eyes grew wide and in my mind I said, "You! You!" with an imagined pointing of an accusatory finger. I had it on my shelf to relive my utter childhood disappointment. But now, as a classic gamer, I've come to really love this game and appreciate it for what it offers. I've thoroughly enjoyed playing it this week. Thanks all for the healing ✌️ 🕊️ My soul is at peace with Atari 2600 Pac-Man.

😊 Yes like the Edladdin controller ❤️❤️👍 Actually, I’d have ordered that one if it was available, so I went with what I have now.

Yes. You can have him make it any way you want.

Ah yes... since I grew up with the CX40 and Wico joysticks, I had always held the joystick in my right hand. Before I ordered the first one, I went back and forth in my mind and just went for the standard configuration that I have since the seller offered satisfaction guarantee. It turned out using the joystick with my left hand wasn't an issue for me. I did briefly consider ordering another one with the joystick on the right side though. I've seen ambidextrous arcade stick designs (joystick in the middle, two sets of buttons to the left and right of the joystick), but at the time, I wanted a smaller controller.

@HDN the left one? Are you talking about the Robotron gamepad?

I have 5 controllers made by Retrogameboyz. The red one is my everyday joystick.

😮 Is it damaged? Atari 5200 is the best of the best in terms of 80s aesthetics. Actually, it was ahead of its time. It reminds me of KITT from Knight Rider.