RickR

http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/rob-fulop/I found this to be a worthwhile read.  Rob Fulop created a lot of the very best Atari games.  Missile Command, Night Driver, Demon Attack, etc. 
 
One interesting quote from this article in regards to the 8-bit version of Space Invaders:
 
There was nobody looking over my shoulder to tell me that I should copy the original Taito arcade version as closely as I could so I just made up my own, inferior, version. Nobody cared, nobody even looked at my version compared to the original, they just released it. Looking back, it seems incredible that the company was run so recklessly but it’s a testament to how seriously mismanaged Atari was at the time. Literally not one person in the company asked “hey, why not just make our Space Invaders look exactly like the coin operated version that we are licensing?” That’s how little they cared

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.
 
 

http://www.arcadeattack.co.uk/rob-fulop/I found this to be a worthwhile read.  Rob Fulop created a lot of the very best Atari games.  Missile Command, Night Driver, Demon Attack, etc. 
 
One interesting quote from this article in regards to the 8-bit version of Space Invaders:
 
There was nobody looking over my shoulder to tell me that I should copy the original Taito arcade version as closely as I could so I just made up my own, inferior, version. Nobody cared, nobody even looked at my version compared to the original, they just released it. Looking back, it seems incredible that the company was run so recklessly but it’s a testament to how seriously mismanaged Atari was at the time. Literally not one person in the company asked “hey, why not just make our Space Invaders look exactly like the coin operated version that we are licensing?” That’s how little they cared

I may have peeked at your want list for that Maze Craze.  Maybe. 

I have a photo of the box for the Kingsway on my site:  http://www.ataricompendium.com/faq/faq_vcs_system_kingsway.jpg
That PAL version of Commando Raid looks pretty funky - http://www.atarimania.com/game-landung-in-der-normandie_s10819.html

I may have peeked at your want list for that Maze Craze.  Maybe. 

They work on a 2600?
 
I've never seen those before. Pretty cool.

Those are sticks that came with the Funvision Home Computer (2600 clone from Spain).  Pretty neat find!  You can maybe grate some parmesan cheese with those.

They work on a 2600?
 
I've never seen those before. Pretty cool.

I may have peeked at your want list for that Maze Craze.  Maybe. 

Well, that's when you just ask them to replace disc 1.  "I'd like to keep the complete box and manual".  They've done that for me.

I may have peeked at your want list for that Maze Craze.  Maybe. 

SWEET! 

Nice job!  Wow. 

I took another self portrait while playing:
 

Ah, I thought you bought it at a brick/mortar store. 

Well, that's when you just ask them to replace disc 1.  "I'd like to keep the complete box and manual".  They've done that for me.

Well, that's when you just ask them to replace disc 1.  "I'd like to keep the complete box and manual".  They've done that for me.

It's worth a shot:  Try cleaning the disc.  I just use plain old dish soap.  Get the disc wet, add a drop of Dawn, and then rub the business side of the disc in circles with your finger.  Rinse, Dry it off with a clean soft towel and try again. 

Haha yep. Loved the show. The Q bert stuck out like a sore thumb and when i screamed about it my friends thought i was crazy and didnt get what was so "cool" about it. I might need some new friends

It's worth a shot:  Try cleaning the disc.  I just use plain old dish soap.  Get the disc wet, add a drop of Dawn, and then rub the business side of the disc in circles with your finger.  Rinse, Dry it off with a clean soft towel and try again. 

Rick inspired me.
Here's mine...

Outta my way!