Ballblaɀer

The year was 1984, and I had just turned four years old a few weeks before Christmas.  It turned out that Santa Claus not only brought a 5200 for me that year, he hooked it up to the console TV in our living room overnight!  I later heard through the grapevine that Santa had bought the 5200 pretty close to Christmas, but didn't realize until he got it back to his workshop and opened it that the included pack-in game was Super Breakout and not Pac-Man.
 
OH NO.
 
Apparently I was a Pac-Man fiend even at that early age -- I think the neighborhood club where my parents often dated in the late 1970s had a Pac-Man cabinet, and they must have taken me there at times to play on it.  I definitely recall playing arcade Pac-Man at a very young age, but couldn't tell you where or when.  I certainly remember watching the Pac-Man cartoon on ABC when it aired in '82 - '83, and I *was* Pac-Man for Halloween one year, too.  I'd love to find a photo of that -- I was this enormous, bulky, yellow, homemade cardboard monstrosity -- but so far no luck...
 
Anyway, at the 11th hour, Santa and his helper were scrambling around trying to find a store and/or elf that still had Pac-Man in stock.  It came down to the wire, but long story short: I was a very happy kid on Christmas morning.  I can't recall what other games were under the tree that first year -- I'll have to dig out the old family photos to take a look.  For Christmases every year after that for the next 6-8 years, there would be at least a game or two under the tree.  I'd guess that I played Joust, River Raid, and Star Raiders more than any of the others over the years, but 5200 Pac-Man was the start of it all for me.  I never had another console in the house growing up, so video gaming at home was Atari 5200 or nothing until we saved up and bought our first computer (a Mac LC).

I don't know for certain, but if you google the seller username it pulls up a name that matches one in the Atari Employee Directory ('83?) that can be found online. Whether that's who it is, or someone they married, or it's just a red herring, I don't know.
 
I guess maybe they had extra blue plastic leftover from making the Kids' Controllers for the CCW games? It's an odd look for a console for sure.

Much of this is miles above my head, but I'm certain that a number of you here will be interested in this:
 
http://www.chzsoft.de/asic-web/
 
Christian Zietz has uncovered schematics for a number of Atari ASICs, including a 68K video shifter that is almost certainly related to the Atari Panther.  Most of what's discussed on his page is with regard to the Atari ST (hence my posting it to this forum), but he also found an incomplete schematic for the Atari Sparrow (Falcon prototype).
 
Here's hoping for more discoveries like these, and kudos to him for his efforts so far!

Yars' Revenge
Atari 2600
Difficulty: Game 6 (Ultimate Yars)
High Score: 1,260,846
August 2, 2016

I showed these off back in my pickups vid from a few months ago, but here are some photos to add to the mix. 

Quest Industries Inc.'s Questar II -- a high quality 8-way leaf-switch joystick with arcade styling, a metallic base, and dual buttons for ambidextrous use.
 

 
TG Products' EnjoyStick -- fits in the palm of your hand, has a self-centering stick similar to a Vectrex joystick, and the top black piece is reversible, allowing placement of the button on either side.
 

 
I still need to take some good photos of the Fire Command II...

Much of this is miles above my head, but I'm certain that a number of you here will be interested in this:
 
http://www.chzsoft.de/asic-web/
 
Christian Zietz has uncovered schematics for a number of Atari ASICs, including a 68K video shifter that is almost certainly related to the Atari Panther.  Most of what's discussed on his page is with regard to the Atari ST (hence my posting it to this forum), but he also found an incomplete schematic for the Atari Sparrow (Falcon prototype).
 
Here's hoping for more discoveries like these, and kudos to him for his efforts so far!

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!

A game & watch. No way!! Cool

Really cool stuff.  The box is looking a little paunchy.  That's good I think!

A Game & Watch Game!       
 
Also dig that mini Famicom    

I kept a few things simply 'cause I couldn't cram them back in and after it was all sealed I found Batman on the floor 
 
anyways some epic junk:
cool Hotwheels Caddy, theres a 60' Chevy around the corner with a similar paint scheme  Family Guy DVD season 1-4 ...this looks straigly familiar Atari 2600- Super Cowboy beim Rodeo, will have to test guessing PAL Atari 2600- Space Race, ain't got this one INTV - Las Vegas Blackjack & Poker - CIB Centipede for PC-Win-95 , had to sacrifice it NOT going back into the box  1 expandable TMNT guy , didn't wanna crush him, should someone in the junk path kinda need this shoot me a PM note box molded to look like a Super Famicom  Nintendo Game & Watch DK2 ... where is the off switch ? NES Solar Jetman  N64  Mickeys SpeedwayUSA  oXB Controller , needs some stick tinkering, I think I haz a couple pots couple PS2 discs oXB Mechwarriors gatta check this one out thinking it's prolly better than Chromehounds  XB-360  Assassins Creed America collection - ain't played these yet  

Last minute pick up, one of my family members wanted this Mickey Mouse watch so I took this also.

My update on what I took out of the junk box:
Star Trek for atar 5200, I played the coIecovision version, really good game
Pit stop for colecovision, I've never played this one, so hopefully a good one!
Frogger handheld game, I love handhelds so picking this one up was a no brainer.
Various Atari 5200 and 2600 manuals, I don't boxes for these, but it's always nice to have the manuals for them.
Finally, whoever put these in, many thanks, this tmnt action figure and book, as always a ninja turtles fan, so the more the merrier.
Wrapping this up as soon as I have an address for the next one in line will be out the door, hopefully this Monday
I'm throwing some good stuff into the box, was hoping to throw a console here, simply won't fit, guess next time, very happy with the junk box so far! ????

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!

Sweet stuff.  My goal of getting someone else hooked on 8-bit carts was a success! 

Looks like the box is heading for NYC! Have a few things to add from my personal collection which will make someone happy ???? was hoping to throw in a console, but don't know if there will be space, but I'll definitely try!

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!

I believe it is one of the first. If memory serves, Jakks Pacific absorbed Toymax and used their plug n play to jump-start their TV Games line of PNPs, which lea to the popularity of PNPs in general. Also, I think the Toymax PNP is basically the same as Jakks Activision PNP, except for the controller used:

I can confirm they are identical.  I had 'em both and "eeny-meeny-miny-moe'd" which one to put in the box. 

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!

Junk!  Juuunk!  Juuuuunk!
 

 
What'd I take?
Space Dungeon, for the 5200.  A very nice upgrade to what I had, which was looking a little worn. Riddle of the Sphinx, for the 2600.  A *big* upgrade to the copy in my collection, which was far more faded than I'd realized. Compute!'s First Book of Atari, from 1981 -- gonna have to try typing up some of the included programs on my 1200XL sometime! Alphabet Zoo (Spinnaker) for the Atari 8-bit line -- I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to start collecting 8-bit carts, I'm not going to... A CX-40 Atari joystick, in excellent condition.  A new cassette tape!  I honestly took this for the case -- I needed one for a loose Starpath cassette I have.  But now I can record you a mixtape, too. Time Lord (NES) -- well, I wasn't gonna take this initially, but it was the one thing that wouldn't make it back in the box.  Hmm, maybe I'll start the next RJB... Koopa shell McDonalds friction motor toy.  Came in the original plastic; I opened it so the cats could chase after it.  The Big Book of Hell -- as a huge early Simpsons fan (man, isn't it a shame that it ended after 9 seasons? ) I've never read any of Groening's earlier comic work.  That changes now. Activision TV Games plug-and-play from Toymax -- one of the first "modern" P&P devices (2001?). I'm curious to see how the 10 games compare to the originals! Onto the next!