RickR

Starship 1 designer Ron Milner let slip the secret, and Ron, Ed Fries, and Michael Albaugh (another former Atari alumni) helped to figure out the sequence to trigger it:
 
https://edfries.wordpress.com/2017/03/22/chasing-the-first-arcade-easter-egg/
 

I've bought from them and the service has been great and the items have been exactly as they list them.  Searching the site is a headache, though. 

What I put in!!!!!!! Thanks for hosting NSG, this was a blast!
 
 Strong language...... I think!!!
 

The DVD's I put in were library items from a past junk box....I watched and enjoyed them, then put them back for someone else to enjoy. 

Here is what I put in:
 
 

I think it may be a one man show.  Probably a low budget for that web site!

Yep, Video61 is great too!!

And NSG -- I have a similar box that I use to store my Lynx (which I got from Best).  It's too small...but it's too cool to throw out that box. 

I plan on making another mystery game video soon, and this one will be a part of it!
 
 
That sounds good to me!

Here is what i put in

Here is what I put in:
 
 

The DVD's I put in were library items from a past junk box....I watched and enjoyed them, then put them back for someone else to enjoy. 

You put in really nice junk.  Great job!

Here is what I put in:
 
 

The DVD's I put in were library items from a past junk box....I watched and enjoyed them, then put them back for someone else to enjoy. 

That sounds good. When is it?
 
I got the box! Here's what I put in to start it and got in return:
 

 
Thank you to everyone who took part in RJB 8!

I just find it a fascinating topic -- how games were made -- what input and oversight did management have? -- how much freedom did developers have?...were their guidelines at all for arcade ports?

We probably won't ever know the full story, but it's fun to get little tidbits here and there.

And also on that 8-bit version of Space Invaders -- it's interesting that they used this version as the basis for the 5200 version.  They made some changes, but not to get it closer to the arcade version.  In fact, it went a little further graphically from the arcade version.  I don't think Rob Fulop got any credit for the 5200 version though. 

We do know from various sources that the coin-op division had more structure.  Play testing and logs of suggestions.  I've always wondered if the home division did the same.

We've seen similar quotes from other Atari programmers.  For example, Tod Frye on 2600 Pac Man stated he chose the colors based on how 2600 Asteroids took some liberties on colors.  And Howard Scott Warshaw on ET stating that they basically left the whole design up to him and to get it done as quickly as possible. 
 
Seems like there should have been some oversight or guidelines for arcade ports.  Even something as simple as "Make it look and sound as much like the arcade game as possible". 
 
These guys were in their 20's in most cases.  I know from personal experience -- I needed some reigning in with my own work decisions at that age. 
 
For me personally, I ask if I could go back in time and suggest changes -- I think some simple oversight and guidelines would have been in order.

Let me just say up front...I think the place is fantastic.  They have the very best selection of original and redesigned Atari parts, and the owner Brad really is helpful and knowledgeable. 
 
I've seen it over and over again though and it drives me nuts -- people on Facebook or other Atari sites complain about Best.  "Their website is hard to navigate", "The guy was rude to me".  Blah blah blah. 
 
Yes, the web sight is a little unsightly.  But if you are diligent and willing to dig, there is a whole ton of good info there.  Prices are kept up to date. 
 
My advice to those who need some help is to do this:
Go to their FAQ page and bookmark it.  Make note of the e-mail address.  Take a look around the site.  Copy and paste the full name and part numbers of the stuff you want into an e-mail. E-mail Best with that list.  Give them your full name and address and ask for a shipping total.  Once you get the return e-mail, call them.  Tell them your name and that you e-mailed them earlier and want to give them a credit card number to complete the order. Easy! If you have a specific question, e-mail and explain it.  Brad will help you.  It's that simple.  I was having trouble with a 400 once.  I e-mailed, explained what it was doing, and I said I think I need to purchase a new ROM card.  In that case, Brad had me try a few other things and ended up fixing it without having to buy any parts!  And those other people say he's rude????  Puh-lease. 
 
I also want to add that the shipping cost charged is exact and fair.  Not a penny more than what you see on the shipping label.
 
Anyways, I've ordered a lot from them and am always happy.
 
Just for fun, I've included a picture of my latest order....I bought 5 new 5200 controller flex circuits and also a 2600 cart to get me over the minimum order amount.
 
 

I've been buying from Brad at Best Electronics for over 25 years. I've never gotten to know Brad personally, and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't know who I am. What knowledge I have of any of the surviving original Atari vendors is that they are all for the most part "a one-man show" with some people or family members helping out from time to time, as needed. I've mainly gone to Best Electronics for parts. Best Electronics have contributed so much to the Atari world through parts availability, and re-engineering new parts like the gold contacts for the Atari 5200 joysticks. From a personal standpoint I've only had good experiences with Best Electronics and would prefer to buy from a reputable Atari dealer or another member in the forums, than from an unknown entity off of eBay etc.

Let me just say up front...I think the place is fantastic.  They have the very best selection of original and redesigned Atari parts, and the owner Brad really is helpful and knowledgeable. 
 
I've seen it over and over again though and it drives me nuts -- people on Facebook or other Atari sites complain about Best.  "Their website is hard to navigate", "The guy was rude to me".  Blah blah blah. 
 
Yes, the web sight is a little unsightly.  But if you are diligent and willing to dig, there is a whole ton of good info there.  Prices are kept up to date. 
 
My advice to those who need some help is to do this:
Go to their FAQ page and bookmark it.  Make note of the e-mail address.  Take a look around the site.  Copy and paste the full name and part numbers of the stuff you want into an e-mail. E-mail Best with that list.  Give them your full name and address and ask for a shipping total.  Once you get the return e-mail, call them.  Tell them your name and that you e-mailed them earlier and want to give them a credit card number to complete the order. Easy! If you have a specific question, e-mail and explain it.  Brad will help you.  It's that simple.  I was having trouble with a 400 once.  I e-mailed, explained what it was doing, and I said I think I need to purchase a new ROM card.  In that case, Brad had me try a few other things and ended up fixing it without having to buy any parts!  And those other people say he's rude????  Puh-lease. 
 
I also want to add that the shipping cost charged is exact and fair.  Not a penny more than what you see on the shipping label.
 
Anyways, I've ordered a lot from them and am always happy.
 
Just for fun, I've included a picture of my latest order....I bought 5 new 5200 controller flex circuits and also a 2600 cart to get me over the minimum order amount.
 
 

Let me just say up front...I think the place is fantastic.  They have the very best selection of original and redesigned Atari parts, and the owner Brad really is helpful and knowledgeable. 
 
I've seen it over and over again though and it drives me nuts -- people on Facebook or other Atari sites complain about Best.  "Their website is hard to navigate", "The guy was rude to me".  Blah blah blah. 
 
Yes, the web sight is a little unsightly.  But if you are diligent and willing to dig, there is a whole ton of good info there.  Prices are kept up to date. 
 
My advice to those who need some help is to do this:
Go to their FAQ page and bookmark it.  Make note of the e-mail address.  Take a look around the site.  Copy and paste the full name and part numbers of the stuff you want into an e-mail. E-mail Best with that list.  Give them your full name and address and ask for a shipping total.  Once you get the return e-mail, call them.  Tell them your name and that you e-mailed them earlier and want to give them a credit card number to complete the order. Easy! If you have a specific question, e-mail and explain it.  Brad will help you.  It's that simple.  I was having trouble with a 400 once.  I e-mailed, explained what it was doing, and I said I think I need to purchase a new ROM card.  In that case, Brad had me try a few other things and ended up fixing it without having to buy any parts!  And those other people say he's rude????  Puh-lease. 
 
I also want to add that the shipping cost charged is exact and fair.  Not a penny more than what you see on the shipping label.
 
Anyways, I've ordered a lot from them and am always happy.
 
Just for fun, I've included a picture of my latest order....I bought 5 new 5200 controller flex circuits and also a 2600 cart to get me over the minimum order amount.
 
 

Let me just say up front...I think the place is fantastic.  They have the very best selection of original and redesigned Atari parts, and the owner Brad really is helpful and knowledgeable. 
 
I've seen it over and over again though and it drives me nuts -- people on Facebook or other Atari sites complain about Best.  "Their website is hard to navigate", "The guy was rude to me".  Blah blah blah. 
 
Yes, the web sight is a little unsightly.  But if you are diligent and willing to dig, there is a whole ton of good info there.  Prices are kept up to date. 
 
My advice to those who need some help is to do this:
Go to their FAQ page and bookmark it.  Make note of the e-mail address.  Take a look around the site.  Copy and paste the full name and part numbers of the stuff you want into an e-mail. E-mail Best with that list.  Give them your full name and address and ask for a shipping total.  Once you get the return e-mail, call them.  Tell them your name and that you e-mailed them earlier and want to give them a credit card number to complete the order. Easy! If you have a specific question, e-mail and explain it.  Brad will help you.  It's that simple.  I was having trouble with a 400 once.  I e-mailed, explained what it was doing, and I said I think I need to purchase a new ROM card.  In that case, Brad had me try a few other things and ended up fixing it without having to buy any parts!  And those other people say he's rude????  Puh-lease. 
 
I also want to add that the shipping cost charged is exact and fair.  Not a penny more than what you see on the shipping label.
 
Anyways, I've ordered a lot from them and am always happy.
 
Just for fun, I've included a picture of my latest order....I bought 5 new 5200 controller flex circuits and also a 2600 cart to get me over the minimum order amount.
 
 

Next is a box of almost 30 boxed Sega Genesis games. Some are missing manuals and they're mostly sport games, but I paid less than 2 bucks a game and there are some titles I'm interested in.

I only ordered from Best once to get a light gun and 7800 europad, but was overall happy with the experience. I even ended up using the box wrapped in Atari security tape as a backdrop for many of my videos. The website is very outdated in it's setup and can be a chore to navigate, yet there is also a charm to it as it still has a late 90's feel to it. I've also heard of people ordering their catalog just for the fun of flipping through the pages.