Ballblaɀer

Time to get your jackets out of storage! (image: atarimania.com)
 

Forget the Ark..."of" and "the" are actually what's lost. 
 
This thread is gold.  Educational gold. 

I figured it was about time i contribute to this thread. Tell me what you think

Next up, one sorta-rare label variation, and one super-rare variation:
 

 
Two re-releases by Atari Corp., where instead of re-using the old silver label design with plaintext white titles (like most of their other re-releases), they utilized logotype titles above the artwork, "borrowed" from existing instruction manuals.  For example, here's the original Swordquest: EarthWorld manual (image from museumofplay.org):
 

 
The original silver Atari Inc. version next to the Atari Corp. re-release:
 

 
Note that the Atari Corp. release invites you to "Use with Joystick Controllers" even though SQ: EarthWorld is strictly a one-player game. 
 
Now, why this game was re-released AT ALL is, to me, an inexplicable mystery.  For one thing, it's... just not that good of a game.  For another thing, the EarthWorld contest (i.e. the *point* of playing the game) was proverbial ancient history by 1986.  And to top it off, the game was re-released WITHOUT THE ACCOMPANYING COMIC BOOK, effectively rendering the gameplay completely meaningless.  Dropping random items in random rooms to get numerical clues that match up with... nothing?!  Doesn't that sound like FUN, kids?
 
Getting back to the cartridge label design, Atari Corp. seemed to do this a lot with their re-releases (use the game manual as the basis for the cartridge artwork).  Most of the time, there was hardly a difference -- the artwork on regular picture labels was sometimes extended outside the picture's border, but that was often the extent of it.  Here's the original 1981 Atari Inc. picture label release of Basketball next to the 1988 Atari Corp. re-release:
 

 
Check out that sweet 1988 artwork, it's like the ball is coming right out of the cartridge at you!  Basketball, NOW IN 3D!!!  Okay, not really.  My absolute favorite instance of Atari Corp. using the instruction manual as the basis for their re-release artwork, however, is Pelé's Soccer from 1986/1987:
 

 
Hilarious -- where it usually says something like "Use with Joystick Controllers" it now says "Atari Game Program Instructions".  Why?  It's on the game manual (image from atariguide.com):


 
So yeah, Atari Corp. lifted the "Atari Game Program Instructions" text straight from their manual design, same font and everything!  I like to imagine that there had to be at least one special kid out there, who, upon looking at their new cartridge for the first time in 1986, wondered how on earth they would possibly plug the game instructions into the console. 
 
As for good ol' "RAIDERS LOST ARK", the end label typo is just amazing.  Right up there with Pole Positn, I think:
 

 
And perhaps it's just me, but there's something about those fonts that just *screams* counterfeit/pirate/bootleg to me, especially RAIDERS.  Like... they seem to sorta have the same styling/feel as a lot of "Engrish" on knock-off toy packaging/manuals from China, or something.  Whatever, it all just adds to their charm and the Atari lore, in my mind!

Let's look at some more unusual cartridges!  Starting off with... the French-Canadian versions of four Activision games.  Funnily enough, they're four sports titles that any French-speaking citizen would understand WITHOUT the translation:
 

 
"Sacre bleu!  'Tennis'?  What ze hell ees zis 'Tennis'?!"
*pulls out French-Canadian version of game*
"AHHHH, 'LE Tennis'!  But of course!"
 

 
Seriously, someone explain this to me. 
 
These are the only four titles with translations as far as I'm aware.  Hope to replace these with ones in better condition someday, but *standard* Activision games can sometimes be hard to find in good shape!

"Le Tennis" -- hilarious!
 
As dumb as this looks, the explanation is pretty simple....it was probably an attempt to meet the Canadian labeling law.  I don't know if the law still applies to games/books, but I'm sure Activision was just playing it safe. 
 
And man, how cool are those?  I've never seen them before.  Thanks for sharing!

Next up, one sorta-rare label variation, and one super-rare variation:
 

 
Two re-releases by Atari Corp., where instead of re-using the old silver label design with plaintext white titles (like most of their other re-releases), they utilized logotype titles above the artwork, "borrowed" from existing instruction manuals.  For example, here's the original Swordquest: EarthWorld manual (image from museumofplay.org):
 

 
The original silver Atari Inc. version next to the Atari Corp. re-release:
 

 
Note that the Atari Corp. release invites you to "Use with Joystick Controllers" even though SQ: EarthWorld is strictly a one-player game. 
 
Now, why this game was re-released AT ALL is, to me, an inexplicable mystery.  For one thing, it's... just not that good of a game.  For another thing, the EarthWorld contest (i.e. the *point* of playing the game) was proverbial ancient history by 1986.  And to top it off, the game was re-released WITHOUT THE ACCOMPANYING COMIC BOOK, effectively rendering the gameplay completely meaningless.  Dropping random items in random rooms to get numerical clues that match up with... nothing?!  Doesn't that sound like FUN, kids?
 
Getting back to the cartridge label design, Atari Corp. seemed to do this a lot with their re-releases (use the game manual as the basis for the cartridge artwork).  Most of the time, there was hardly a difference -- the artwork on regular picture labels was sometimes extended outside the picture's border, but that was often the extent of it.  Here's the original 1981 Atari Inc. picture label release of Basketball next to the 1988 Atari Corp. re-release:
 

 
Check out that sweet 1988 artwork, it's like the ball is coming right out of the cartridge at you!  Basketball, NOW IN 3D!!!  Okay, not really.  My absolute favorite instance of Atari Corp. using the instruction manual as the basis for their re-release artwork, however, is Pelé's Soccer from 1986/1987:
 

 
Hilarious -- where it usually says something like "Use with Joystick Controllers" it now says "Atari Game Program Instructions".  Why?  It's on the game manual (image from atariguide.com):


 
So yeah, Atari Corp. lifted the "Atari Game Program Instructions" text straight from their manual design, same font and everything!  I like to imagine that there had to be at least one special kid out there, who, upon looking at their new cartridge for the first time in 1986, wondered how on earth they would possibly plug the game instructions into the console. 
 
As for good ol' "RAIDERS LOST ARK", the end label typo is just amazing.  Right up there with Pole Positn, I think:
 

 
And perhaps it's just me, but there's something about those fonts that just *screams* counterfeit/pirate/bootleg to me, especially RAIDERS.  Like... they seem to sorta have the same styling/feel as a lot of "Engrish" on knock-off toy packaging/manuals from China, or something.  Whatever, it all just adds to their charm and the Atari lore, in my mind!

Procured the 2800 direct from Japan.  No box, manual, or anything else came with it unfortunately.  I'd like to eventually get my hands on one or two of the Atari 2800 game box and/or manual releases, just as a little added color (the cartridges themselves are indistinct from standard release games).  I mean, take a look at this sweet/unique/weird Air-Sea Battle box:
 

 
That is somehow both SO ATARI and SO JAPAN at the same time, it's amazing.  I must find one! 
 
@Clint Thompson -- I do have a Flickr, but there are no other game-related photos there... yet.  I'll probably publish an album of everything I post here, though, so I'll send a link when it's ready.

Let's look at some more unusual cartridges!  Starting off with... the French-Canadian versions of four Activision games.  Funnily enough, they're four sports titles that any French-speaking citizen would understand WITHOUT the translation:
 

 
"Sacre bleu!  'Tennis'?  What ze hell ees zis 'Tennis'?!"
*pulls out French-Canadian version of game*
"AHHHH, 'LE Tennis'!  But of course!"
 

 
Seriously, someone explain this to me. 
 
These are the only four titles with translations as far as I'm aware.  Hope to replace these with ones in better condition someday, but *standard* Activision games can sometimes be hard to find in good shape!

Ha, we use those tetris blocks as my daughters night lite.

AtariBrian filled a gap in my collection with Alpha Beam... and also provided a nice upgrade to my copy of Solaris!  Games on complete opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of complexity...

I got the lamp (yes, I love lamp!) as a Christmas gift some years ago, but I believe it came from ThinkGeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f034/

AtariBrian filled a gap in my collection with Alpha Beam... and also provided a nice upgrade to my copy of Solaris!  Games on complete opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of complexity...

GO SPORTS TEAM!
Thanks to Ballblazer

Delivery from No Swear Manor's new location:


Thanks, NSG!

It's hard to fathom. BOOM!

Package from nosweargamer is in!  Speaking of fun with numbers... getting a copy of Secret Quest means one more SARA Superchip game crossed off my list:
 

 
Cartridges with the Superchip weigh a fraction of an ounce more than most Atari cartridges -- for example:
 

 
And since we're weighing things, why not:


 
Thanks again!

Package from nosweargamer is in!  Speaking of fun with numbers... getting a copy of Secret Quest means one more SARA Superchip game crossed off my list:
 

 
Cartridges with the Superchip weigh a fraction of an ounce more than most Atari cartridges -- for example:
 

 
And since we're weighing things, why not:


 
Thanks again!

Package from nosweargamer is in!  Speaking of fun with numbers... getting a copy of Secret Quest means one more SARA Superchip game crossed off my list:
 

 
Cartridges with the Superchip weigh a fraction of an ounce more than most Atari cartridges -- for example:
 

 
And since we're weighing things, why not:


 
Thanks again!

Package from nosweargamer is in!  Speaking of fun with numbers... getting a copy of Secret Quest means one more SARA Superchip game crossed off my list:
 

 
Cartridges with the Superchip weigh a fraction of an ounce more than most Atari cartridges -- for example:
 

 
And since we're weighing things, why not:


 
Thanks again!

Currently available for sale:
 

 
Boxes have various levels of wear.  A few have some staining.  A couple have a bit of a cigarette-y smell.  Most are in decent shape, however, and all are CIB except Basketball, Pigs in Space, and Strawberry Shortcake, which are missing manuals.  I'll happily take additional photos of anything you're interested in.
 
Taking all reasonable offers!  Or, make a list of what you're interested in and I can send you a quote.

Currently available for sale:
 

 
Boxes have various levels of wear.  A few have some staining.  A couple have a bit of a cigarette-y smell.  Most are in decent shape, however, and all are CIB except Basketball, Pigs in Space, and Strawberry Shortcake, which are missing manuals.  I'll happily take additional photos of anything you're interested in.
 
Taking all reasonable offers!  Or, make a list of what you're interested in and I can send you a quote.

Currently available for sale:
 

 
Boxes have various levels of wear.  A few have some staining.  A couple have a bit of a cigarette-y smell.  Most are in decent shape, however, and all are CIB except Basketball, Pigs in Space, and Strawberry Shortcake, which are missing manuals.  I'll happily take additional photos of anything you're interested in.
 
Taking all reasonable offers!  Or, make a list of what you're interested in and I can send you a quote.

Currently available for sale:
 

 
Boxes have various levels of wear.  A few have some staining.  A couple have a bit of a cigarette-y smell.  Most are in decent shape, however, and all are CIB except Basketball, Pigs in Space, and Strawberry Shortcake, which are missing manuals.  I'll happily take additional photos of anything you're interested in.
 
Taking all reasonable offers!  Or, make a list of what you're interested in and I can send you a quote.

Currently available for sale:
 

 
Boxes have various levels of wear.  A few have some staining.  A couple have a bit of a cigarette-y smell.  Most are in decent shape, however, and all are CIB except Basketball, Pigs in Space, and Strawberry Shortcake, which are missing manuals.  I'll happily take additional photos of anything you're interested in.
 
Taking all reasonable offers!  Or, make a list of what you're interested in and I can send you a quote.