RickR

Not so fast!  These items came in the mail today from Greece. One allows the use of a USB mouse on an Amiga or ST. The other allows the use of 2600 joystick on a 5200. 

I think the 5200 will be out soon. 

Nice!!

I like this setup! This reminds me a lot of the room I had set up when I first launched this website (pre-forums). I had a rack just like that with 2600 and 7800 components that had been parted out into parts bins. I'm glad to see you get to enjoy this hobby to the extent of having a room for it 🙂

Thank you.  I have to give it up when we have guests or the kids come back home to stay for a visit.  But otherwise, I've had some fun in this room.

Nice get, Rick!

I never knew Avalon Hill made 2600 games until a few months ago. So many companies made games for the 2600 that I never heard of. It’s pretty amazing what was happening with the 2600 while I had my nose deep in Atari 8-bit. 

That's true.  The sad part is how a lot of companies put out some really great games right before or after the crash but got overlooked by all the crap that had saturated the market. 

Cool grab Rick! I've never played this one before. 

For an Activision cart, the label looks like it's still in pretty good condition!

There doesn't seem to be any Actiplaque on the Dragster label. Looks nice. :O)

Actually, that Sneak 'N Peek box looks pretty good considering. :O)

BOOM!  Sold. 

I didn’t even know that thing existed before. I did a little bit of research, and wow. That thing is certainly... underwhelming. But interesting nonetheless. How did you even FIND that thing, @RickR? It seems pretty rare.

How did I find it?  I don't remember.  Most likely it was an ebay purchase many years ago. 

It's fascinating to me.  What was Mattel thinking?  There is no way it could compete with the VIC-20.  It's games were worse than the Intellivision.  It's just a complete miss.

As a collectible, it's interesting.  The shape of the computer is cool.  The version of BASIC included is excellent.  It's kind of rare I guess.

Hopefully I can find an appreciative buyer.

Interesting. 

I see it is in Finnish. I wonder if it is a market in Espoo, Helsinki, or Turku. Funny. XD

Thanks, J.  You know, sometimes it helps just to type it out to friends. 

My wife says I should quit.  But I don't want to do that.  It would let down too many people, including me. 

I agree with you. Don't quit unless it's what you really want to do. Do you feel this is a current project that has driven things to become more difficult? Or have things changed in your work environment in general which have made things more of a challenge?

My main issue is that I find myself with zero support from above.  My supervisors are all very busy on other important things (I guess they are overwhelmed too), and I feel too much pressure to make decisions that feel way above my pay grade.  At the same time, I work in an area of business that is shrinking. 

I’ve never played one. I thought it was Professor Layton at first. 😀

Hmm.  A CAPCOM game.  Those guys have been known to make some of the best "odd" games around.  It's not like CAPCOM to release something that is total crap.  Personally...I never knew about it.

I played the first "case" last night.  It's fun!  Such a unique game.  Feels very "Japanese". 

Joe Decuir's lectures are the best in the Atarisphere imo. What an interesting man to listen to.

Is that at Seattle U, Rick?

I made his acquaintance online last year. He’s a generous man and wanted to meet up with me when the pandemic clears up. I’ll let you know when that day comes. Maybe you could join us. 

Yes, Seattle U.  I've met him, and yes, please let me know if you don't mind me tagging along when the time comes.

That looks like a cozy corner!

Working from home is awesome.  I didn't like it at first.  But I've come to appreciate it very much now.  BUT using space efficiently and keeping things neat has been a challenge. 

Here here!!🍷

Peace and blessings to you also Rick, very thoughtful of you! ❄️

Same to you and yours Rick.

That works!

We may also make it multi-platform with the 5200 version, which is brutally hard. 

@RickR I agree, I was thinking along similar lines. Definitely would open it up to Berzerk and Berzerk Enhanced so everyone can play. 5200 is super hard. How does scoring on 5200 compare with 2600?

I'd have to examine it further, but I think the scoring is very similar.

And Berzerk Enhanced is NOT the same game.  When I was playing last night, the robots can shoot diagonal.  I don't think they do on original 2600 Berzerk.  It makes the game harder. 

This is very upsetting. Regan is a friend and colleague. We worked on a project along with Gene Landrum for many years pioneering mixed reality in ways that have yet to be done on a mass scale. That's Regan pictured with me at Atari World Headquarters on Borregas in the top left photo. Regan is a hell of a talented designer, and a very interesting person to talk with. I'd give him a quick call and 3 hours later would realize we really need to get going. I learned so much about product design from him, where inspiration is drawn from, etc. He showed me his vintage Jeep once that he bought with "Atari money" which was very cool. What an unbelievable loss to this world.

You finally found CV One on One! I remembered you had been looking for that one forever. Now you can play inbred Sneetches basketball!

It's horrible!  I know the CV could do so much better than this.  WTH!  The horribleness makes me love it even more, though. 

Can I call you Ricky?

Sure!  I've been called much worse. 

Oh Ricky you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind! HEY RICKY! HEY RICKY!

It's hard not to say Opie, that's such an iconic role. Happy Days is nearly as iconic, as is American Graffiti. I've really enjoyed Ron Howard as a film maker. My "favorite" role honestly has to be as the narrator on Arrested Development as the show would not be what it was without it.

Oooh, Arrested Development narrator is a great one that I didn't think of!  Nice. 

My favorite Ron Howard role is probably Richard Cunningham from "Happy Days." Opie Taylor is a close second. I have never seen all of "American Graffiti," so I have no opinion about that one.