Sabertooth

$10 for these games is an incredible deal.  And it seems like they are getting better and better as they go. 
 

That looks so cool. 
 

Your reviews are worthwhile too.  I trust your opinion. 

I do. Enjoyed both.

Thanks, @RickR!  I agree that the pricing on this series is just where it needs to be. I'd add that even if though I'm reviewing the VCS versions, I know the Switch and PS4 versions are good too. I imagine the same is true for XBOX.  I think @Atari Creephas reviews up for the Switch version of both this and Centipede. 
The main difference between this and the other versions is the 10 additional VCS exclusive challenges and multiple controller options. I appreciate that Atari made the extra effort for their home platform. 
AT $250, that Microcenter deal was a steal, even if you're just using the VCS as a Mini PC. Too bad they are such a small chain!
GameStop is offering the Onyx All-In for $279 which is also a great deal. I'm a woodgrain person myself! 😂

Awesome write-up as usual.  I love how the VCS games are reasonably priced as promised. 
I was thinking about jumping on at the recent $250 sale price for the VCS, but I don't have a microcenter near me.  I'll keep my eyes open for similar deals.  
 

Thanks @Justin and @MaximumRD! 
These Recharged titles have been pretty fun to play.  Black Widow is especially addictive and is - in my opinion - an improvement on the original in many ways.  We'll see if the current iteration of Atari can keep up the pace with Asteroids (December 14) and Breakout (Q1 2022). 

Excellent blog, looks good! 

Your Blogs have been superb @Sabertooth, especially with the new VCS titles. We're lucky to have you contributing to the forums 

I took a lot more pictures.  Probably close to 100 pics.  The museum is a really cool place.  That day I visited, it was mostly empty (maybe a dozen people).  So I had plenty of room to take as many pics as I wanted (and also sneak in a few "touches" on the cars I really cared about -- Shhhh don't tell).  I would definitely go back to this museum. 

This is kinda weird! I googled "Neo Geo Gold" last night, looking for the original US release Neo Geo system that seems to be more difficult to get your hands on today than the Japanese released system. People today usually refer to it as the "Neo Geo AES" (Advanced Entertainment System) but at the time we all called it the "Neo Geo Gold" as the US system that came with two joysticks and two pack-in games was called the "Gold System" on the box and in catalogs.
Searching "Neo Geo Gold" on Google Images brings up countless photos of the "Neo Geo X" mini console which was frustrating. It's increasingly difficult to find relevant results for the US Neo Geo "Gold System" but I continued my search! 
After scrolling through a number of pictures on Google Images, I saw a De Lorean out of the corner of my eye. I clicked on it and it was a 24k gold plated De Lorean with a Neo Geo setup on the hood of the car. What?? I immediately thought of your recent blog post and wondered how this person was able to pull off taking this picture. I suspect this is the same gold car you saw at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV and likely where this photo was taken. Possibly by a Neo Geo playing employee sneaking a photo when the car was in the back? Not sure how they pulled this off!
There were only two 24k Gold De Loreans sold through the American Express catalog at $85,000 each (equivalent to $257,000 in 2021) and a slightly different third gold car that was assembled from spare gold parts in 1983 and was not sold through American Express. The second of the two original cars was on display in a bank in Snyder, TX for many years until 2004 until it moved to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles where it's currently on display. The first of the two cars was sold to a collector named Sherwood Marshall in San Francisco. This is the car that currently resides at the National Automobile Museum in Reno that you got to see in person! It's possible the car in the Neo Geo photo is the third "leftover" car and that it the photo was not taken in a museum. I can't tell what color the interior is for the car in the Neo Geo photo (the seats look potentially grey to me but it's hard to see) that would be an easy way of telling them apart.
You can read more about what happened to the 24k Gold De Loreans at the De Lorean Directory: https://www.deloreandirectory.com/articles/going-gold/
Honestly this was the last thing I expected to see when I googled "Neo Geo Gold" 🤯

I wanted to hop in and drive home in it. 

I'll have to take a look at that blog @Justin, thanks!
Here's an interesting interview with Wade Rosen, the new CEO, via GameBiz.  It's clear they want refocus the brand and I hope he gets the chance. 
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gamesindustry.biz/amp/2021-09-29-how-ataris-new-ceo-is-looking-to-recharge-the-brand

I'm hoping you're right! When the Forums were new, @Doctor Octagon had a long Blog entry drawing parallels between Fred Chesnais (CEO of Atari until not too long ago) and Gil Ameilo (CEO of Apple when it was 60 days from bankruptcy until Steve Jobs took over again). Fresh blood, a new vision and a lot of integrity would really help Atari's chances. So glad to hear the new Centipede game was able to impress you this much 

Thanks @Justin! It's a great game. I picked up the PS4 version to try the "Immersive" graphics setting with my PSVR and I have to say, the VCS and PS4 (Pro) versions are roughly at parity. A big plus for VCS is the additional exclusive challenges.  I imagine that it's a solid experience on any platform on which it's available and for $9.99 you can't go wrong. 
I'll add that with the change of CEO, Atari seems to have turned a corner. They are paying attention to the brand and the VCS in a way that gives me some confidence for the future. It's a breath of fresh air as an Atari fan. 

This is our first in-depth review of a new Atari VCS game, great to see that it's Centipede! Have to say your review has made me more interested in the new console. Great to have a new Blog post from you @Sabertooth🔥 🔥 🔥

An addendum to my blog post with a bit more about me:

I never had a Colecovision in the 80's.  However, I drooled over them in the stores.  I remember being totally blown away by the pack-in game "Donkey Kong" on the demo unit at my local "Payless" store.  At the time, there was a choice for gamers for the latest system:  The Atari 5200 or the Colecovision.  As much as I love Atari, I would have chosen the Colecovision in a heartbeat.  It had more unique games and they looked great. 
My next system after my Atari 2600 was the Commodore VIC-20, which I loved. 

I did get a CV about 15 years ago when I started retro-collecting.  I was not disappointed.
What am I playing on the Phoenix?
My go-to on CV -- my favorite game -- is Frenzy.  It's fun.  It's challenging.  And I really like the sound effects and graphics.
I'm also revisiting a lot of the classic arcade games.  Looping, Ladybug, Donkey Kong, etc.  I like the games that don't take a ton of time investment. 
Next on my list will be some of the "Super Game Module" ROM files I have. 
 

I played this on N64 at release. It was fun and I recently considered picking up the DC version. A remaster sounds interesting.
Also, the Legacy of Kain is a great series but the original is a 2D game, while the rest are 3D in the vein of the original Tomb Raider. Soul Reaver is the high water mark in that series. 

I've heard of the Legacy of Kain games but haven't played them either. It sounds like something I would likely enjoy so I guess I need to check it out on my DC sometime soon. Thanks for your blog post reminding me about it.
 

I missed this video @Atari Creep but this is a great video and so right on.  Well done and a lot of fun!  Stay safe!

Two quick additional thoughts on this:
(1) I recently picked up the UAV mod for a spare 7800 and Rikki & Vikki looks and sounds way better than on my LHE. It's really incredible how good the music is. 
(2) I finally played two-player co-op for a few hours with my GF and its a different experience. Several co-op screens require team work to solve and really adds to the fun of the game!
P.S. According to the thread at AA, there are fewer than 83 copies left so if you're on the fence, visit PenguiNet and treat yourself to a unique 7800 experience! 

@RetroGameBoyz  - Those improvements sound really interesting.  I think its great that you're taking feedback from users to incorporate into future revisions.  I'm still very happy with mine; it hasn't left my 7800 in a week! 

I agree, this is one excellent controller. 

Wow thank you! I really don't now what else to say. I greatly appreciate your review and thoroughness. 
I am working on a new variant with a micro-switch that will allow you to switch button modes - so both buttons when pressed will act like port 2 button fire 1 - so you can use it to play spy hunter,  star gate and raiders of the lost ark - etc. there is an updated video here to show the example:
Thanks again
 
 
 

Great post! You can't really go wrong with the core 7800 arcade conversions. All of them are fantastic in my opinion and make the 7800 worth owning.  I happen to really enjoy Joust, DK, DK Jr. & Mario Bros. in addition to the ones that you've named.
Ballblazer is just amazing with a second player. It's stunning, really. It would definitely make the list. 
These days many of my favorite 7800 games are homebrews. My top game on the system is probably either Jr. Pac-Man or b*nQ. I also really like DK PK, Space Invaders and Moon Cresta. I can't wait until Baby Pac-Man gets released. I missed the list. It looks great!