The Professor

Video stores are still alive and well in Alaska, thanks to factors stemming from living in remote locations with spotty and expensive internet coverage, and poor streaming. To me, the funny thing is I already knew this but I had never put it all together. I've seen video stores appear in various Alaska-themed shows that I've watched in the past, usually on the Discovery channel. Alaskans even trade VHS tapes enthusiastically. 
 
 

 
 
From Alaska Dispatch News:
Pricey internet and nostalgia keep Alaska video stores alive
People don't just come for the movies
https://www.adn.com/business-economy/2017/07/30/in-alaska-pricey-internet-and-nostalgia-keep-video-stores-alive/

Crack open another can of spinach for


Ep: 358 Popeye (Intellivision)

So I haven't really discussed it here before, but I'm a huge DisNerd... My first trip to Walt Disney World was in 2011, and I've been hooked ever since! We have went every year except 2015 (took a trip to DC that year instead), and my family and I can't seem to get enough 
 
EPCOT is my favorite park, and I was lucky enough to get some of the 30th anniversary merchandise on one of our trips. My wife has bought me other collectibles from earlier in the park's history from eBay. I really wish EPCOT would go back to its roots in the 80's and 90's, but given recent announcements it doesn't appear that's going to happen. While I wasn't there for it, I've seen plenty of video and pictures, and I wish I could have visited during that time period. (Especially when Sega had a huge section of Innoventions!)
 
I also do pin trading when at WDW, and last year they had some of the logos from the original EPCOT Center as pins. I managed to trade for all 5 pins in the set, and had a ton of fun hunting for the last pin that I needed at the Magic Kingdom at the end of our trip. I had cast members checking with everyone trying to find someone with the pin I needed! Luckily I found one on a cast member lanyard back at the entrance on our way out that night. Mission accomplished! (you can see the pins in the photo below)
 

 
 
 
Needless to say, I was pretty excited when I saw some of the 35th anniversary merchandise, so I thought I would share the news here in case others were interested:
 
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/begin-to-dream-with-retro-inspired-merchandise-for-35th-anniversary-of-epcot-this-fall/
 
All I can say is I'm glad I bought an annual pass this year; I can really use the merch discount with this announcement! 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

Here it is....over 1 million points!  We all bow to the master.
 
http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/2307-yars-revenge-atari-2600/?hl=%2Bultimate+%2Byars

Who was it that totally dominated the last time we did this?  Was it Ballblazer?  I remember being mesmerized by the video.  Incredible.

Here's my entry! Even after 2 days of playing I can't come anywhere near your scores!
 
High Score: 51,370
 
You guys were awesome at this. I wasn't expecting that big of a turnout for a mini high score challenge but this was a lot of fun.
 

I'm aware.  But thanks for the warning.  I kind of have problems when that stupid little dot chases you around real fast and there's no neutral zone. 

133211 first try.
 
I'll try to play another game tonight. 

Sheesh!  Those are some high scores!
 
Your are correct Greenween...this game is one of the very best.  As mentioned, I love how fast things get.  And the first time those shots curve to hit you, it's a true pleasant shock.

The best game ever made for the 2600, again, just my opinion.

Proud of this one. Played on my 7800 w/ 2600 joystick. 225,018!

177873
 
This plays really nice on the 3ds.
I don't know if I ever did this well. It got crazy when the barriers turned blue, but when the swirls actually chase you down after that...wow.

That was great, very awesome family and video!! Happy HSW Day!

This is how we celebrate HSW day - how do you?

Yars' Revenge
Atari 2600
Controller: PLAYER'S CHOICE
Difficulty Level: GAME 6 - ULTIMATE YARS
Achieve high score to win challenge
Play on: Real Hardware / Dedicated Console / Emulation OK! ✔
Squad Challenge ends 11:59 pm PST August 1st, 2017
 
 

 
 
Objective: Play for the highest possible score using the difficulty settings defined in the challenge. Post a photo or video of your score in this thread. Scores must be achieved between July 30th through August 1st, 2017! Screen captures are not allowed as they are easily manipulated for falsified scores. Multiple submissions are permitted. The player with the highest score at the end of the HSW Day competition is the victor.

Eligibility: Anyone can join in. All players are welcome!

Play Rules: Games may be played on real hardware, dedicated console, or emulation, using any controller or keyboard, following rules and game settings as delineated in the Squad Challenge. Enhancements and hacked versions of this game are not allowed.

Difficulty Level: ULTIMATE YARS: GAME 6 - Ultimate Yars features a bouncing Zorlon Cannon, plus some unusual twists that distinguish it from the other Yar games. First, you must bounce the Yar against the left side of the screen to make the Zorlon Cannon appear. Also, to make the cannon appear, you need five TRONS. TRONS are units of energy which you can collect at the following rate:
 
Eat a cell from the shield: 1 TRON Touch the Qotile: 2 TRONS Catch a Zorlon Cannon shot after it bounces off the shield: 4 TRONS  
If a Yar bounces on the left side with less than five TRONS, it will not get a shot, but it won't lose the TRONS it has either. (Each time a Yar is destroyed, it loses its TRONS). Each Yar has a capacity of 255 TRONS. If a Yar tries to take on more than that, it will short out and the Yar will lose all its TRONS. The count of TRONS is not displayed on the screen. Yar scouts understand the count instinctively. 

Fair Play: Players should play fairly, be honest, and have fun! Falsified scores will result in your immediate removal from the site. It goes without saying that no use of cheats, hacks, cartridge frying, enhancements, Photoshop, subterfuge, or any other unfair advantage is allowed. Everybody hates a cheater.

More: To review detailed rules on how to play, please visit the High Score Squad page here: http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/1219-high-score-squad-how-to-play/ 

HAPPY HOWARD SCOTT WARSHAW DAY 2017! We're celebrating HSW's birthday with a short round of Ultimate Yars! Yars' Revenge is one of the best original Atari 2600 games. For this challenge we're playing on the highest difficulty setting, GAME 6: ULTIMATE YARS!
 
Remember this is for "nerd cred" and meant to be a fun celebration of Howard Scott Warshaw! This challenge runs from today through Tuesday, so you'll have until 11:59 pm PST Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 to complete this challenge and successfully submit your score. The ROM and Instruction Book are provided for you below. Remember, share Atari fun with family and friends, and enjoy the game! Good luck!


Yars_Revenge.binYars_Revenge.pdf
 

Way to go greenween! How was it playing ULTIMATE Yars?

Way to go greenween! How was it playing ULTIMATE Yars?

Played on Stella with a PS2 controller. Not impressive but it's something.

Crystal Quest is the type of game the 7800 needed in the 80's! 

Make sure to post your review...this looks really cool. 

Its on my homebrew wish list; my wife likes to get me these for my birthday and for Christmas, so I usually don't go out and buy them myself.

My schedule recently changed so that I have every other Friday off. Lucky me, I went to the P.O. box this morning to find my long awaited copy of Bentley Bear's Crystal Quest. Starring Bentley Bear of Crystal Castles and Atari Karts fame, this Pokey enhanced game was originally intended for the long-delayed XM add-on. Atari Age and Bob DeCrescenzo finally decided to move forward and put it out with the Pokey chip instead. I've avoided playing the rom via emulator as I wanted to be surprised. Early impressions are that this is one great platformer for a console starved for that genre. It also strikes me as one of the most ambitious homebrews undertaken on the 7800. I can't wait to play more.
 
Have you played Crystal Quest? What are your thought?
 

I'm guessing he'll post it on Facebook?  Not sure.

Done and done.
 
Is there any way to see the results?

Simple really, just go here and vote:
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/best-of-pittsburgh-2017-voting/Page#/gallery/?category=1124555
 
If you want to know more about his trademark hair, check out this video:



You can vote daily!