RickR

Dang, now I have that catchy Smurf theme stuck in my head.

And AtariBrian.

OMG...I just played 2600 RS Baseball myself after watching your review. I forgot about the most ridiculous "feature". All the pitches look the same! Even throwing a ball! How the heck are you supposed to know when a ball is thrown if it looks identical to a normal pitch??? Well, somehow the computer knows and NEVER swings at a ball. That's cheating, plain and simple. I give this game an F-.

Totally agree with you on RS Baseball. I got this game as a kid, and I liked it at first because it looked good and it was so easy to crush the computer. I mean, who doesn't like to win when you're 11 years old? But it got boring fast. There were some really good sports games on the 2600. Basketball on the difficult level was really challenging. Ice Hockey looked and played great. RS Volleyball looked great, played great, and was very unique. Pele's Soccer didn't look good, but there were a lot of variations and beating the computer was an accomplishment. Plus fireworks. Who doesn't like fireworks? Oh, and the 5200 version of RS Baseball is AWESOME. The best classic baseball game period.

Here is the blurb:

I don't think anyone has the true story on that one. The plausible stories I've heard: - It was the codename for the Indy game. - It was a plane/jet based game that got cancelled -- never made it past the prototype state. - It was the codename for Realsports Baseball. - It was a game in the works, but the programmer left for a different company. Took all traces with him/her. That second one sounds the most plausible.

Awesome! #2 on your list works for me. I don't have Ninja Golf (which is #1 on your list on this video), but I think I should go look for it. Thanks.

Looking forward to your 7800 One on One review -- It's one of my favorites. And is there a 2600 Pole Position review?

We've had a lot of good trades go down, and I'd like to thank everyone for being cool and honest. The whole point is to spread the fun with those who love and appreciate the great systems from yesteryear. Trade something you don't need for something you don't have. Have fun and meet some great people. My trade box was empty for a while, but it's getting big again...please go look at post #1 (and everyone else's lists too) and keep the trades going!!!! I'll make sure to post any future trade pictures here. Thanks everyone! -Rick

YES!

Steal the "stop smoking" app? Blech, no thanks. Maybe we can add an Asteroids or Pole Position app instead. They need help!

Oh man, this just reeks of someone buying the name for a bargain basement price.

Link does not work for me. Maybe they got busted for using the name?

Ooooh. Very nice.

Here's the other two in the lot I got. Both are working now. Just needed some TLC. Mostly it was the power switches that went bad. Coleco Football and Milton Bradley Comp IV. And here's a shot of the whole handheld collection I've been building over many years. These things are a lot of fun, and don't take up much space.

LOOK what I found! I got this in a bundle of broken handheld games. It just needed some serious cleaning, and a new battery connector soldered in. Now it works perfectly and looks great. What an uncomfortable name they chose though. "Touch Me". Things were quite a bit different in the 70's I guess. I suppose you'd put on your polyester leisure suit, head on down to the Regal Beagle, and ask attractive people if they'd like to play "Touch Me". Then whip this thing out of your breast pocket, and everyone gets a good laugh. Yes, that's exactly how it was in the 70's I'm sure.

Bumpity. Added a bunch of 2600 carts to post #1.

Sure thing.

Looks like the 128 in 1 *is* still available from Atarimax for $130 + shipping. I'd get the SD card version if I was buying today.

Ah, the Atari 5200. It's basically the same hardware as the Atari 8-bit computers, repackaged as a gigantic, over-the-top, "Big is Better" gaming system. Consider it an Atari 400 with no keyboard, but with some very "interesting" controllers. Love it or hate it, it's the perfect system to buy a multi-cart for. The original library is reasonably small -- easy to fit on a multi-cart. But what's really special here is the number of homebrews, and hacked 8-bit ROMS that really expand the library of games. A lot of this stuff isn't available on the 5200 unless you use a multi-cart. . The multi-cart I have is from AtariMax, and it's called the "128-in-1 USB Flash Multi-Cart". This particular model isn't available for purchase anymore (replaced by the newer "Ultimate SD" model). But it can be found on ebay if you prefer a slightly less expensive option. AtariMax 128-in-1 USB Flash Multi-Cart Pros Holds 128 Games Beautiful, easy to use menu selection system. Cons Expensive This older model is programmed using a PC, the AtariMax 5200 Flash Studio software, and a USB cable. It's really pretty easy to load up with ROMS, and honestly, once you fill up the 128 slots, you probably won't use the studio software very often. It's a drag and drop interface. Simply drag a ROM file into one of the 128 available slots. Once you are satisfied, hit the "Synchronize" button. Simple. Below is a shot of the software on my laptop: And a few pictures of the multi-cart itself. It's got a very nice sticker--very professional looking. And there is a USB port on top for connecting it to your PC. Again, very well done. They must cannibalize more common carts to make these things, as the case is 100% authentic Atari. Once you are done programming the cart, you unhook the USB cable, plug the cart into your 5200, and an amazing menu system appears. Choose a game by either using up/down to select a game (left/write move the list by a full page), and then hitting the lower button on the controller to select. This is the perfect interface for a multi-cart. Fast and easy. Here's a few shots of the interface: Let's talk about the games. You can load in any ROM, but check out a few of the choices on mine. 8-bit conversions, hacked versions, prototypes, homebrews. It is awesome! Here are screen shots of a two 8-bit conversions (Donkey Kong and MULE). In my opinion, games on the 5200 are excellent. Most of the arcade conversions are really good. My favorite games are Berzerk (it talks!) and Realsports Baseball (probably the best baseball game on any classic console). But (don't get mad at me, this is just my opinion) the controllers are TERRIBLE. Mushy buttons, a non-centerering stick -- what was Atari thinking with this thing? On the bright side, the controllers have a pause button, which I think was a first for home consoles. To sum it up -- great games, bad controller. . The newer multi-cart is even easier to use than mine -- it has an SD cart slot. Load up the ROMS on the SD card, put the card into the cartridge, and away you go. Same great menu interface. Let's talk costs--this multi-cart isn't cheap. The newer version is $130 plus shipping. The older one I have was $100 when I bought it new. I've seen them on ebay for around $80-$100. Both options are costly. But it's a lot easier to use your console without having to find and insert cartridges. And did I mention the hacks, conversions, and homebrews? Would you rather deal with this: or this? To summarize, the AtariMax multi-cart is totally awesome. It's easy to load ROMS, has a beautiful and fast interface, and just plain works. Huge thumbs up. Please send any questions you have in the comments!

Updated me list in post #1. Got a few extra Atari carts.

The Atari tape player can play audio from the tape. So it's actually pretty neat. You hear real pronunciation.

You do get used to the 7800 controller, but it's really a shame when compared to the gamepad Nintendo made for the NES. There is a ton of criticism of that controller out there, and I hate to pile on. I did buy an upgrade for one of mine that has just a short ball instead of the long shaft, and it's a huge improvement. And many games don't need that second button, so the ability to use a 2600 stick is a huge plus.