Willie!

HAPPY ATARIVERSARY! One year ago today, I finally got the system of my dreams after wanting one for years and years. I'm very happy to finally have these systems and I can't believe it's been a year already!

I've gone a little cuckoo for Atari collecting these past 365 days. I've collected close to 100 Atari 2600 cartridges! I also have around 25 games for my 7800 (thanks to the site for convincing me to get that awesome system). Many of the games I've gotten from Atari.io. Special thanks to @RickR, @chas10e, @socrates63, @cjherr, and @Scott Stilphen (I really hope I'm not forgetting anybody). A lot of you sent me free games completely out of the blue, which you didn't need to do. I'm very grateful, and I'm trying to find a way to repay you.

Some of my accomplishments thus far:

I finally found in the wild (and bought) my favorite game, Tunnel Runner!

I lucked in to getting Flag Capture and Adventure, which had been hard to find for me (thanks Young!)

I revived a broken Atari 2600! It was super corroded and needed a good scrubbing.

I gave games a second chance and grew to like them, like GORF and Dragster to name a few (thanks Rick for teaching me how to play Dragsterand Chas10e for sending me GORF out of the blue!)

I got my first-ever CIB retro games (thanks Jon for saving your boxes from forty years ago, and thanks Young for sending Gravitar!)

I have been working on building a decent collection of home arcade ports for my 2600. I'm proud of it so far! I hope to expand further in the future!

I joined various Atari communities, including this one (especially this one)!

I wrote in to an Atari podcast! (thanks @fergojisan for putting up with me)

I got an Atari 7800 as well! (thanks to CJ for sending me so many games! Some were pretty rare and it was very kind of you to do that!)

I participated in many Atari-related challenges here at Atari.io! (thanks @Justin for setting them up, and thanks Rick for trading me Galaxian for one of said challenges!)

I hacked my DSi, so for the first time I can play all the Atari 2600 I want WHEREVER I want!

I taught myself how to fix controllers because I was a cheapskate with the Atari and didn't want to buy new controllers! I also know new methods of cleaning games and systems.

After wanting to do it for some time but not having the equipment to do so, I finally starting making gaming videos, including Atari videos! I hope to shoot Atari Night ep. 2: 7800 games, soon! There have been a few delays this weekend.

I started a blog!

I discovered some great new gaming channels on YouTube with lots of Atari content, like @nosweargamer and @Atari Creep! (I already knew about @Willie!)

But, most importantly, I made a lot of new retro gaming friends along the way! People who will listen to my silly rants about games from before my time and talk about it with me. Seriously, YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! THANK YOU ALL!

My Atari journey is far from over. What do I hope to accomplish on year two? Here are just a few select things.

Complete my Atari 2600 and 7800 Nintendo subsets. I love Nintendo, and I'm really close to having all of their games for my 2600 and 7800! All I need is Donkey Kong Junior on the 2600 and Mario Brothers on the 7800. Should be easy! I just have to keep my eyes peeled.

Collect more home arcade ports!

Maybe get some homebrews? If I can afford it, that is!

Build a real arcade-style controller? I know I've wanted to for some time now.

Give one of my 2600s back to its original owner! I have wanted to do this pretty much since I got my first two 2600s, but with the pandemic I haven't been able to visit Jon and give it back. I have been slowly collecting parts like adapters and controllers for him, and I plan on buying some games from somebody here for him. He said that he would maybe like it back someday, just not with the pandemic. I think that it'll be safe to return it before March 1st of 2022.

Get some keypad controllers, and games to go with it! I only have a video touch pad now.

Keep on collecting!

Really, thank you all for being there. This has been a fun journey to go on, and I'm happy to have people willing to join me. You're the best, all of you.

Take care and best wishes,

Harrison D. N.

Thank you to everyone here at the I/O who helped me reach reach 5,000 subscribers on the YouTube!

Thinking about starting a new segment on NSG tomorrow.