Ballblaɀer

If you've been following me over at @AtariSpot then you've seen me post these things already, but 140 characters doesn't leave much room for blatherin' on about things! 
 
A little while ago I completed the CBS collection of games for the 2600:
 

 
Is Wizard of Wor the only Atari cart that explicitly spells out your game objectives right on the label?  I can't think of another one off the top of my head.  Tunnel Runner is probably my favorite of these games in terms of gameplay, but I'll always love Gorf having played that one as a kid.  I didn't get to play it in an arcade until relatively recently, so I never knew what I was missing with the 2600 version.  Four unique screens of gameplay was never not awesome!
 
I picked up a nice copy of the Atari 1983 Coupon Calendar in an eBay lot:
 

 
I should have taken the photo with something else in the picture for scale.  It's about as big as a standard magazine.  Then you open it up, and... wow!  Before Art of Atari was released, this was one of the only ways to see some of Atari's best artwork in a larger format.
 

 
I'd never seen this particular artwork anywhere before...


 
...and until the other day I didn't notice that it had a signature:
 

 
Any ideas?  I've asked Tim Lapetino about it and will update should he be able to tell me more.
 
One final thing for this post -- the second-to-last Atari 5200 title I was missing:
 

 
I need to get a photo of my entire 5200 collection now (since I likely won't have the last cartridge I'm missing in the near future given its typical asking price).  A few of my carts could use an upgrade, and I'm still in search of a number of manuals and overlays, but having QFQR was my last *major* goal for 5200 collecting -- so I'm happy to have finally crossed it off!

If you've been following me over at @AtariSpot then you've seen me post these things already, but 140 characters doesn't leave much room for blatherin' on about things! 
 
A little while ago I completed the CBS collection of games for the 2600:
 

 
Is Wizard of Wor the only Atari cart that explicitly spells out your game objectives right on the label?  I can't think of another one off the top of my head.  Tunnel Runner is probably my favorite of these games in terms of gameplay, but I'll always love Gorf having played that one as a kid.  I didn't get to play it in an arcade until relatively recently, so I never knew what I was missing with the 2600 version.  Four unique screens of gameplay was never not awesome!
 
I picked up a nice copy of the Atari 1983 Coupon Calendar in an eBay lot:
 

 
I should have taken the photo with something else in the picture for scale.  It's about as big as a standard magazine.  Then you open it up, and... wow!  Before Art of Atari was released, this was one of the only ways to see some of Atari's best artwork in a larger format.
 

 
I'd never seen this particular artwork anywhere before...


 
...and until the other day I didn't notice that it had a signature:
 

 
Any ideas?  I've asked Tim Lapetino about it and will update should he be able to tell me more.
 
One final thing for this post -- the second-to-last Atari 5200 title I was missing:
 

 
I need to get a photo of my entire 5200 collection now (since I likely won't have the last cartridge I'm missing in the near future given its typical asking price).  A few of my carts could use an upgrade, and I'm still in search of a number of manuals and overlays, but having QFQR was my last *major* goal for 5200 collecting -- so I'm happy to have finally crossed it off!

Got the Junk Box today, here's what I grabbed:
 

 
The TMNT stuff and Transformers figure is for my nephew, he loves that stuff! My daughter wanted the Goomba and the Mario candy cube thing, it actually has some Mario stickers inside of it too. Shark! Shark! is for me, I've been looking for a copy for a while, and the Challenger Famicom game just looked cool after watching some Youtube vids of the gameplay. Finally the Pokemon Ash Gray was claimed by my wife, she was super geeked when she saw it :-)
 
The box is fully (and I mean fully) loaded, and will be on its way to AtariBrian on Monday!

Looks like batman beyond

"Low junk supply" is a real issue brother!  I've had to go out and buy junk for the last few!  Not that I mind.  But junk supplies DO run low sometimes. 

I really wanted to be part of this one. Low junk supply, wrist surgery and moving, just didn't feel I could do it justice. It is an awesome thing!! Hope to be in on the next one!! 

Don't get discouraged!  We've had 3 quick junk boxes in a row.  It may have been better to spread them out a little.  We've had deaths, new babies, graduations, jobs and job losses, and sicknesses in the group.  Please don't take the lack of responses personally.  Your junk boxes are always great.  And the junk boxes have always been a crowning feature of the Atari.io forums. 
 
I can only speak for myself, but it seems like I've barely had time to breathe since March.  I'm still here and still trying to participate as best I can.  I'm sure there will be a time soon when the chat room is back up, and people have more free time to spend with their friends here.  Like any good thing, there are ebbs and flows of energy and people. 

Scarf gone in 1!  
 
Glad it went to a loving home.   That GBA game is still factory sealed too  
 
Starbuck is next!

Ok so gere is what i took out. Im on the way to the post office as i speak.
 
Ive always heard great things about the slick stick, but have never had a chance to use one. Now when i saw the terror of tinny town i just laughed. Havent seen that one in a while had to snag it.
 
Not sure if yall can see it but the coax adapter thing says scientific Atlanta on it. Its a compy that builds alot of cable tv electronic supplies. I believe it was cisco that bought them out, but their building is still there in Lawrenceville

So I hear these are worth a bit:
 

 
2.99 at a local Disc Traders 

FT / FS:

B.C.'s Quest for Tires for ColecoVision, with instructions.  An uncommon title in fantastic condition.  Not tested since I don't own a CV, but this came from the same place as the things in the pickups video I did a while back -- so it was likely used once or twice to be reviewed for the magazine, then stored away for 30+ years. 
 

FT / FS:

B.C.'s Quest for Tires for ColecoVision, with instructions.  An uncommon title in fantastic condition.  Not tested since I don't own a CV, but this came from the same place as the things in the pickups video I did a while back -- so it was likely used once or twice to be reviewed for the magazine, then stored away for 30+ years. 
 

FT / FS:

B.C.'s Quest for Tires for ColecoVision, with instructions.  An uncommon title in fantastic condition.  Not tested since I don't own a CV, but this came from the same place as the things in the pickups video I did a while back -- so it was likely used once or twice to be reviewed for the magazine, then stored away for 30+ years. 
 

Some CIB games new to my trade list:
 
Atari 2600
Airlock
Astroblast
Outlaw
Vanguard
Video Pinball
 
Atari 5200
Gorf
Zone Ranger (cart label has a big tear -- I'll take a photo if you're interested)
 

 
The 2600 boxes have a bit of a cigarette-y smell.  No, of course I wasn't told about that in advance.

Purchased from Scott Stilphen.  Thanks!
Fantastic Voyage is an amazingly great 2600 game.  I've got this game on the Atari 8-bit and the 2600 version is nearly identical.  No flicker.  Fast and colorful.  I love this game.  Combat - because I do not have one that has the "01" label. Sears Missile Command - my Sears collection is growing stronger! Junk box fodder???  Only those who participate will know. Scott is a good guy to buy from.  The games were packed nicely and work great. 
 

NSG traded me back the Xonox double-ender that I traded to him a while back (thanks for hanging onto it!)... plus a STACK of 2600/7800 manuals. 
 

I'm not a big fan of the mobile servo either, but he made me laugh on Time Travelers when he was pretending to hoist up the rocket.
 
Not so far.  I did love the shorts.
 
And I don't really care much for the band, or even the Moon13 set to be honest.   It looks like they set it up in a format where they can cut to commercials with Oswalt's synopsis, but on Neflix it just seems odd. 

The wife and I have been through the first 11 so far, and we more or less agree with all of the mentioned pros/cons.  My wife has commented that it feels more like Joel-era MST3K than Mike-era in terms of overall attitude, and I don't disagree.  You can certainly feel and see Joel's influence throughout the show.  I was initially hesitant to get on board as I thought Cinematic Titanic was dreadful, but I, too, have been pleasantly surprised.  Servo's personality / voice could use some honing, or at least some further distinction.  Gypsy is supposedly delivering "a payload", but they haven't elaborated.  It feels like a way to shoehorn in a new voice on a riff, and I agree that the voice is jarring.
 
A few more of each...
 
Pros:
Just enough throwbacks to "old" MST3K without taking it too far.  "Watch out for snakes!" The skits have been largely great.  A few clunkers mixed in, but I think Jonah has done a great job with everything he's been handed so far. Use of a Wico Bat-Handle Joystick in the show-open Cons:
Riffs sometimes begin before what's being riffed on appears on-screen.  I get that they're trying to time things for maximum effect, but when it no longer feels like they're watching the movie with us it's a bit off-putting. Servo flying around the theater.  I don't mind some additional physical comedy (dodging on-screen objects, pretending to peer up and over ledges, etc.) but the flying makes me roll my eyes every time.  The one instance that I enjoyed was Servo emulating the Pink Floyd flying pig at what looked like Battersea Power Station (was that in Reptilicus?), but that gag suffered from my previous con listed -- he started it before the scene appeared, IIRC. The first handful of movies felt like they had WAY too many riffs crammed in.  Fortunately, this did seem to improve.  But: quality over quantity, please!  Give the movie (and the viewer) some breathing room... Neither pro/con:
Guest stars.  I could do without them.  I don't think they've been terrible, and I'm okay with innovation and keeping things fresh, but so far it's felt a bit "look at meeeee I'm guest starring on MST3K" to me.

The wife and I have been through the first 11 so far, and we more or less agree with all of the mentioned pros/cons.  My wife has commented that it feels more like Joel-era MST3K than Mike-era in terms of overall attitude, and I don't disagree.  You can certainly feel and see Joel's influence throughout the show.  I was initially hesitant to get on board as I thought Cinematic Titanic was dreadful, but I, too, have been pleasantly surprised.  Servo's personality / voice could use some honing, or at least some further distinction.  Gypsy is supposedly delivering "a payload", but they haven't elaborated.  It feels like a way to shoehorn in a new voice on a riff, and I agree that the voice is jarring.
 
A few more of each...
 
Pros:
Just enough throwbacks to "old" MST3K without taking it too far.  "Watch out for snakes!" The skits have been largely great.  A few clunkers mixed in, but I think Jonah has done a great job with everything he's been handed so far. Use of a Wico Bat-Handle Joystick in the show-open Cons:
Riffs sometimes begin before what's being riffed on appears on-screen.  I get that they're trying to time things for maximum effect, but when it no longer feels like they're watching the movie with us it's a bit off-putting. Servo flying around the theater.  I don't mind some additional physical comedy (dodging on-screen objects, pretending to peer up and over ledges, etc.) but the flying makes me roll my eyes every time.  The one instance that I enjoyed was Servo emulating the Pink Floyd flying pig at what looked like Battersea Power Station (was that in Reptilicus?), but that gag suffered from my previous con listed -- he started it before the scene appeared, IIRC. The first handful of movies felt like they had WAY too many riffs crammed in.  Fortunately, this did seem to improve.  But: quality over quantity, please!  Give the movie (and the viewer) some breathing room... Neither pro/con:
Guest stars.  I could do without them.  I don't think they've been terrible, and I'm okay with innovation and keeping things fresh, but so far it's felt a bit "look at meeeee I'm guest starring on MST3K" to me.

I've been steaming a few episodes on Netflix, and I'm honestly pleasantly surprised. 



I think we're about to start Ep 6, and here's my pros and cons.

Pros:
Set is perfect, feels like home.  Theme music is perfect. Riffing is still good, this is key of course.   Characters are mostly true to form (see cons) A positive change in trying to make sure riffs don't cover movie dialogue. (Yes, some of us do want to keep up with the movie) Crow's new voice is almost spot on. Patton Oswalt Cons:
Gypsy.  Not digging her voice at all.  (also is that an ice chest she puts down at the beginning of the movie and picks up at the end?) Tom Servo isn't familiar to me, and he used to be my favorite.  Bringing me to my next point On MST3K I could tell which riffs were coming from which robot and/or host by the nature of the riff.   They had definite, distinct personalities.  I'm not feeling that yet with this one.  Maybe it will come in time. I'm a big fan of Felicia Day, but she wasn't quite won me over as Kinga yet.  Lastly, the movie selection hasn't been great so far.  Mostly the lower end of average rather than truly horrible. I'm happy it's back, I think it will get even better as they go on.  Thoughts?
 

Funny you bring this up. I was just discussing this last night on a recording I did with The Retro League Podcast for their next episode.
 
I'm only 2/3's through the first episode, but here are my thoughts. (some the same as Rows)
 
Crows voice is great!
Tom Servo is ok.
Gypsy....what did they do to her?!?!?!?
 
I wish the first episode set up the host getting trapped better. It seems like they glossed over it with him getting kidnapped and being like  "Ok. Whatever."
 
I like the new set, the reintroduction of the inventions and especially the new doors.
 
I don't like how much they had Tom Servo flying around during the movie. Once every other film would be plenty.
 
Overall I find the new series refreshing and worthy of the MST3K name. I still like Joel & Mike better and Tom Servo has lost his edge in this version, but I am slowly warming up to the new host and am glad MST3K is back in 2017.

The wife and I have been through the first 11 so far, and we more or less agree with all of the mentioned pros/cons.  My wife has commented that it feels more like Joel-era MST3K than Mike-era in terms of overall attitude, and I don't disagree.  You can certainly feel and see Joel's influence throughout the show.  I was initially hesitant to get on board as I thought Cinematic Titanic was dreadful, but I, too, have been pleasantly surprised.  Servo's personality / voice could use some honing, or at least some further distinction.  Gypsy is supposedly delivering "a payload", but they haven't elaborated.  It feels like a way to shoehorn in a new voice on a riff, and I agree that the voice is jarring.
 
A few more of each...
 
Pros:
Just enough throwbacks to "old" MST3K without taking it too far.  "Watch out for snakes!" The skits have been largely great.  A few clunkers mixed in, but I think Jonah has done a great job with everything he's been handed so far. Use of a Wico Bat-Handle Joystick in the show-open Cons:
Riffs sometimes begin before what's being riffed on appears on-screen.  I get that they're trying to time things for maximum effect, but when it no longer feels like they're watching the movie with us it's a bit off-putting. Servo flying around the theater.  I don't mind some additional physical comedy (dodging on-screen objects, pretending to peer up and over ledges, etc.) but the flying makes me roll my eyes every time.  The one instance that I enjoyed was Servo emulating the Pink Floyd flying pig at what looked like Battersea Power Station (was that in Reptilicus?), but that gag suffered from my previous con listed -- he started it before the scene appeared, IIRC. The first handful of movies felt like they had WAY too many riffs crammed in.  Fortunately, this did seem to improve.  But: quality over quantity, please!  Give the movie (and the viewer) some breathing room... Neither pro/con:
Guest stars.  I could do without them.  I don't think they've been terrible, and I'm okay with innovation and keeping things fresh, but so far it's felt a bit "look at meeeee I'm guest starring on MST3K" to me.

Wow, nice little haul there. I had one of those joysticks (Championship Electronics' Super Champ JC 250) before trading it away -- the retractable cord on that thing is a mile long! I liked it alright, just not enough to keep.
 
Cannon Man is a tough cart to find -- they sometimes sell for $40+ and I'm guessing you paid a fraction of that. Great score.

Wow, nice little haul there. I had one of those joysticks (Championship Electronics' Super Champ JC 250) before trading it away -- the retractable cord on that thing is a mile long! I liked it alright, just not enough to keep.
 
Cannon Man is a tough cart to find -- they sometimes sell for $40+ and I'm guessing you paid a fraction of that. Great score.

Wow, nice little haul there. I had one of those joysticks (Championship Electronics' Super Champ JC 250) before trading it away -- the retractable cord on that thing is a mile long! I liked it alright, just not enough to keep.
 
Cannon Man is a tough cart to find -- they sometimes sell for $40+ and I'm guessing you paid a fraction of that. Great score.