[Post your latest/recent pickups!]

6 hours ago, RickR said:

The fat PS3 has been diagnosed -- it has a failed laser.  I'm going to replace the whole blu-ray drive.  I think it's a worthwhile fix because these original PS3's are fully backwards compatible with PS2 and PS1.  Something like this will offer a lot of gaming in one console for my limited space!

 

Nice!  Just note not all PS3 fats are backward compatible with PS2 unless jail broken.  All PS3 are fully compatible with PS1. 

The fat PS3 ones with 4 USB are PS2 hardware compatible (they have the actual PS2 emotion engine chip on hardware).   These though tended to fail due to heat creating cracked solder joints.   You will get the yellow light of death.  There are videos on how to fix.

There are a few limited fat 2 USB port ones that are software emulation PS2 compatible but Sony may have disabled that with a firmware update if the system was updated. 

There are a few websites that go into how to check. 

[Squad Challenge - Donkey Kong (NES)]

6 hours ago, Marco1019 said:

My guess is the developers didn't think they could add the pie factory, given what they knew of the NES capabilities at the time. To wit: the Atarisoft version for the Commodore 64 is also missing the pie factory level.

I have also heard it was because of limited cart memory available for this near launch game (Donkey Kong Jr has all the screens but a later release).  Also heard it could have been done on purpose to not impact arcade cabinet sales/agreements. Not sure we will know. 

[Squad Challenge - Gates of Zendocon (Atari Lynx)]

Gates of Zendocon (Difficulty B): 4,872,000

Recently got into the Lynx with Evercade.  This one is fun; amazing what this handheld did in 1989 compared to Gameboy!

[Squad Challenge - Donkey Kong (NES)]

Donkey Kong (Game B): 100,700

Will give this squad challenge a try.  Played on original NES hardware. Made it to level 6.

[What, IN YOUR OPINION is the BEST looking "classic computer"?]

On 4/3/2021 at 2:50 PM, - Ω - said:

I've never owned one, but the Atari 1200XL has always looked sexy (at least to me).

Agreed.  Had one as a kid and loved how it looked then and still do now.  Recently acquired an 800xl and like the smaller footprint yet similar design style. 

[Squad Challenge - Jr. Pac-Man (Atari 2600)]

Jr Pac-Man: 517,860

Played this one recently at hardest level making this level now much easier after struggling with that.  I am quite impressed with some of the YouTube videos I have seen and high scores. 

[What happened to America's electronics stores?]

Here in my state was lucky to have many Fry's Electronics,  couple of Microcenters, Circuit City, and many Radio Shacks.   

Frys was my favorite to just go and browse around, try out many of there demo areas, and loved the themes even as corny as they were. Lots of cables for every connector that you can need.

Microcenters were great as I felt the employees were quite knowledgeable. Stores were smaller than Frys but quite fond of them. 

I only experienced Circuit City towards there end.  Found it funny when I bought a $50 portable Sony CD Walkman and they were pushing a $75 2 year warranty.   No thanks.   Will buy another if it breaks.

Radio shack had some nice educational items for kids back in the day.  My favorite were there electronic kits to build circuits. 

[What happened to America's electronics stores?]

For those that grew up in the 80s, this was interesting to see these old stores many of which I went to myself that are no longer around. He talks about the reasons which got me thinking of why I stopped going to some of these stores though I miss browsing around and trying out gadgets. 

 

[Squad Challenge - NES Open Tournament Golf (NES)]

86 (+14)

Some improvement!  Playing with the swing type helped.

[Squad Challenge - NES Open Tournament Golf (NES)]

90 (+18)!

That 18th hole is tough!

Never played this one before but used to love the Gameboy version of Golf.  Played that one against my friend with the Link cable as a kid. This one is good but I find the Gameboy take on it better.

[Wavy lines, "jail bars", rolling horizontal bar through the screen, snowy picture on 2600's]

This is a great summary. I did the 820 ohm resistor add to my 4 switch rev 14 board and it did improve make the colors brighter.   Worth the effort.

[Squad Challenge - Joust (Atari 7800)]

Joust (7800, Intermediate): 71,150

Scored on emulator.  Grew up playing the Atari computer version and recently played the 2600 which was able to roll.  This version is really good but definitely more challenging than the other two like the arcade version.   I have a version on the original Xbox (Midway Arcade Treasures) that would like to retry and see how it compares. 

[What Is The Greatest Pre-Crash System?]

For me, while not a dedicated gaming console, it is the Atari 400/800 systems and their derivatives. 

I may be biased as that was my first gaming system and first computer.  I had the 1200XL version and was lucky that my close friend's dad worked at Atari.  I played nearly 100 or so games most of which were great and had the best graphics for Atari games.   Plus it was a computer so used word processing, paint programs, learned programming, and even arranged basic music.

Between the C64's cost, marketing, and mass adoption it lost the computer/computer gaming space and the NES/remaining dedicated Atari consoles dominated the plug and play gaming space, the Atari computer line really was a niche product.

[Squad Challenge - Q*bert (Atari 2600)]

Q*bert (A/A): 66,000

Probably my final effort.  Really great port of this game.  

[Squad Challenge - Q*bert (Atari 2600)]

Q*bert (A/A): 62,000

Got in a few more runs.

[NSG's January 2021 Giveaway!]

11 hours ago, nosweargamer said:

Congrats @AtariSphinx, your goal to get more Atari 2600 games has won you a Qbert mini arcade! You have one week to send me your address through the messenger here or risk losing your treasure to another desert falcon!

Awesome! PM sent.  I am a fan/subscriber of your YouTube channel, particularly the 2600 reviews which I have watched most of them.

Qbert was a favorite of mine on the Atari 1200XL computer.  So much so that in college wrote a Qbert clone game for a computer graphics class.  It was more of a tech demo to meet the requirements of the project but I was the only one trying to shoe horn a classic game into a 3D world while everyone else was doing FPS type games.

This unit will get some use and a prime location on my shelf!

[Squad Challenge - Q*bert (Atari 2600)]

Q*bert (A/A): 58,600

Improvement.   Really good port but frustrating when coily reaches near the top of pyramid and when you jump on the disk he waits for you at the top cube to hit you. 

[NSG's January 2021 Giveaway!]

I plan on continuing to build up my 2600 collection as I have the most fun with this console.  Recently got into the SNES which has been a blast to play. 

[Squad Challenge - Q*bert (Atari 2600)]

Q*bert (A/A): 40,600

This should be fun playing.

[A View of the RickR Sanctum]

4 hours ago, RickR said:

A quick look at the 3 "Avalon Hill" games that I have for 2600.  London Blitz, Shuttle Orbiter and Wall Ball.

Nice!  How are these games compared to some of the good/great 2600 games?

[Squad Challenge - Video Pinball (Atari 2600)]

Video Pinball (3 A/A) : 1,734,308

Finally got the hang of this. Rolled the score.  First picture just before the roll (2nd ball), second picture is when I stopped (still on second ball).  

[Squad Challenge - Video Pinball (Atari 2600)]

Video Pinball (3 A/A):  731,056

Improvement.   Might give it one more try. 

[Squad Challenge - Video Pinball (Atari 2600)]

9 hours ago, Justin said:

Welcome to the Forums @AtariSphinx it's great to have you join us! How did you hear of Atari I/O? I think you'll find this is a nice community with some terrific people, I hope you enjoy your time here!

Thanks!  I saw the site mentioned in various YouTube videos couple months ago (I don't remember whose video but probably one of the Atari.io members with YouTube videos that I frequently watch/subscribe).  Decided to join here.  Looking forward to being in this community!

[Squad Challenge - Video Pinball (Atari 2600)]

On 1/11/2021 at 9:54 AM, RickR said:

You want it to avoid the spinner and hit that first "step".  You may have to nudge a little on the way down to get this trajectory

I also found if I hit the top most step closest to the plunger (doing everything else as @RickR stated) but go from the right side of the spinner can fairly reliably get into the extra ball lane.

Definitely many ways to do this but that worked best for me.  Hope that helps someone crank up their score.

[Squad Challenge - Video Pinball (Atari 2600)]

Video Pinball (3 A/A):  607,668

Saw how much fun everyone was having with this one and decided to join the forum!

Never really played this game before and couldn't see why it would be any fun but after spending last two days I really like it now.   Took awhile to get the hang of it but once you do you can break that 6 figure score barrier easily.