Tavi

Wednesday at 09:14 AM

On 3/24/2024 at 12:54 PM, Zeptari said:

If I owned something and someone was using it without my permission.. just saying.

I imagine this would be like trying to sue Google Earth/Streetmap for displaying your house. You can always ask to have it removed, but Google is not actually stealing anything from you.

I am no lawyer, but I am thinking if this was a valid case, every TV show and movie would be facing hundreds of lawsuits for any identifiable product/logo/artwork being shown on screen.

As this does not happen, I am thinking that an IP being incidentally shown is not considered infringement.

Now if they were giving away 'Witches Brew' games with every new policy, Atari might have a case. But I cannot see this going anywhere.

Wednesday at 09:05 AM

I cannot be too helpful with some of the questions, as my Colecovision is still stock.

However, if you are looking for s controller that is a bit more like a traditional joystick you can look into getting a 'Super Action Controller'. I have a set and they are quite nice to use!

There is also the 'Wico Command Controller' though I have never tried one myself, and online comments about them I have read are not super flattering for the most part.

There are a few Colecovision titles in the AtariAge store https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=41

There are multicarts available online with the classic system titles, but other then AtariAge I have never really looked for homebrews for this system. You could try https://www.teampixelboy.com/ perhaps?

As for my favorite Colecovision titles, they would be: Ladybug, B.C.'s Quest for Tires, and Burgertime (Atari's 2600 version is not good!).

February 26

That many cartridges were no longer going to be available is exactly why I nabbed myself one of Venture Reloaded in the Last Chance Sale.

I am wondering though if Champ Games might be interested in a collaboration with the creators in this case, and offer physical cartridges though their online catalogue?

Amazing arcade ports are certainly something they excel at, and Venture Reloaded certainly would qualify as exceptional.

One can always hope a physical cartridge will be available again in the future, but as others have said the game ROM is posted here in this topic and can be played on a Harmony, Retron 77 or a PC though Stella.

February 26

That the Atari 2600+ will not play Champ Games and a lot of other homebrews (as well as a handful of original Atari 2600 titles) was certainly a negative point against ever wanting one.

But Champ games are amazing, and certainly worth owning and playing if you have a Retron 77 (roms) or an original 2600 (cartridges).

I have physical cartridges for Ladybug, Ladybug Arcade, Wizard of Wor Arcade, Mappy and Gorf Arcade. I fully intend on buying more in the future as well.

The games are all amazing and absolutely worth owning in either format.

January 28

7 hours ago, Flojomojo said:

You know how they say a new car loses a big chunk of its value the moment you drive it off the lot? This kind of furniture has to be the same way, but more so. It comes in unassembled flat packs which are easy to move, but once assembled is meant to be used and age in place. The leasing company did Intellivision a favor by repossessing it and crediting back the amount they could fetch in an open auction— at a time when real-world demand for office furniture must have been at an all-time market low. There’s still a nationwide glut of office space even now, a few years post-pandemic.

It’s not the leasing company’s fault that Tommy Tallarico bought a bunch of pumpkins the day after Halloween, and unloaded them right around Christmas. That wouldn’t be his first Homer Simpsonism, either.

I do agree that when reselling, you will never come close to recouping your original investment in a new item.

However, the claim that Intellivisions leased items all lost a bit over 96% of their value in about a year is a figure that should still raise some eyebrows.

Even considering Covid and a soft market for used furnishings, the lease company selling everything for around three cents on the dollar would have me strongly questioning if there was any backroom shenanigans going on like the lease company only having one bid/tender on the lot which happens to be a subsidiary, or something similarly dodgy.

You could have listed the items on a local Kijiji or Craigslist and still managed considerably more then 3%.

Part of Intellivisions problem is they had to have the best of the best. But I find it impossible to believe the resale market for high end items like a hardly used 450-600$ Bodi chair is maxed out at around 15$.

January 28

According to what information is on Playstation's PS3 webpage, you should be able to back data up to a USB thumb drive.

https://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/backuputility.html

From what I can see, as long as it is formatted to Fat32 then the PS3 can see and write to either a portable HD or thumb drive.

January 28

51 minutes ago, GoldLeader said:

I've seen some people mention that the company (Amur Equipment Finance) might settle for a lesser amount...But Why? I personally hope they don't! If they have an iron clad contract in writing, I hope they get their full amount...I don't know any details, but I hope they get their full amount and maybe any legal fees they've accrued.

PS: They oughta get "Pain & Suffering" too! Since when should you have to take someone to court just to get that which you are rightfully owed?

I am willing to bet the finance company will settle. Mostly as it would appear to be a lot of haircut wiggle room as Tommy/Intellivision seems to have signed up for the '600$ toilet seat' premium pricing package.

If the finance company could only sell a supposedly 180K worth of leased equipment for $5,544.48, there would appear to be some merit to the claim that the value of the equipment was grossly overinflated.

Absolutely there is money owed, and a signed contract. But I expect there will be a settlement made between the two for considerably less then 180K and assorted fees.

January 1

I see a lot of recommendations for a 2600+

One thing I would keep in mind however is this does not sound like someone with an existing Atari cartridge collection.

In which case they will be limited to the pack-in 10-in-1 games, unless they buy additional 2600/7800 physical game cartridges.

With no existing collection I would have to say the Flashback would be the most plug and play option, and the best bang for their buck for the casual gamer.

... huh, never thought I would see the day where I was actually recommending a Flashback. But there it is!

December 21, 2023

I still play mine.

My nephews are at that age they are starting to get into FPS, and while they were visiting a few weeks ago we had a blast running though some of the PS3 COD titles.

The PS3 has a massive catalogue and a lot of amazing games, the graphics are still very decent, and it is an old enough system now I can can pick up popular titles for practically nothing. Especially compared to what PS5 games are going for.

December 6, 2023

I would love to see 'Mouse Trap' by Exidy as an updated re-issue.

It was always one of my 2600 favorites, and I am sure with all the programing tricks over the last 40 year it could be updated to be closer to the arcade version.

Not that I dislike the original 2600 version in any way, but it would be interesting to see what could be done with it.

November 30, 2023

19 minutes ago, scifidude79 said:

My 2600+ is on the way, but I've owned two Atari Flashback consoles. In fact, I still have the Atari Flashback 50 Gold. Not a single one of them would take any of my 50+ Atari 2600 cartridges, where the 2600+ will. So, no, the 2600+ isn't a Flashback console. The Flashback consoles are cool for what they are, but nothing beats being able to use those old cartridges that many of us have laying about.

You are not actually playing your old cartridges though when inserting them into a 2600+ though. When inserting a cartridge into a 2600+, it reads then creates a dump file of what was inserted. Then it executes that file.

While using old cartridges is a nice nod to nostalgia, it is functionally no different then a Flashback unit reading the same file either from internal memory or off a SD card.

It is still emulation, just with extra steps.

I can see the appeal of the unit to some, but to myself it is basically just another variation of the dozen Flashback models that preceded it.

November 29, 2023

5 hours ago, Brad_from_the_80s said:

It's possible this console just isn't for everybody. It closely recreates a 2600, so the lack of menus, USB, wireless, digital delivery, flash storage, drm, etc, should not be a surprise. And I like the controller we got WAY better than the modern controller - a nice looking piece of kit that I otherwise don't enjoy that much. An entirely different product option came to market with wireless controllers and easy rom support. I feel like the VCS is the most realistic platform for some of the rest.

I think describing old carts as all corroded is a bit exaggerated. I naively thought I was one of the few without a collection trying to catch up really quick scarfing them up on ebay or locally for my 2600+, but apparently several people are doing this and having a lot of fun I'd say. Even the dirtiest carts I've received cannot remotely be described as corroded, and give every indication that they may last for decades yet. And these are just loose carts with lots of cosmetic wear. I've seen pics of really nasty ones, but many even 40+ years old are safe to buy. Some few particular games are definitely pricey, but most can still be found pretty cheap without too much effort.

I think it would be more accurate to say it emulates a 2600, rather then recreates. The 2600+ does not actually need a physical cartridge inserted to play a game, it is really nothing more then a pleasant nostalgic nod or novelty. It is effectively a Flashback that reads a cartridge, copies the data then plays the dumped rom. It could easily have had multiple games loaded internally or an option to add though a micro-SD.

The issue for some (including myself) is that pretty much every 2600-themed unit (Flashback 2 being the lone exception) released to date is emulation.

How many variations of a Flashback or Retron77 does one want to own? Especially if they all do basically the same thing? Speaking as someone who has over the years has bought three different models of Flashbacks, and a Retron77; I can say that my emulation itch has been well scratched at this point.

The other issue people are bringing up is also a good one. Original 2600 cartridges are definitely getting more expensive. 10+ years ago you could walk into a thrift store or pawn shop and buy all the 2600 games you wanted for a few dollars each or buy a box filled with 2600 cartridges in an online auction for the price of a fast food meal. Now for 120 USD console, dropping another 80-100$ online to get an assortment of 20+ common games is going to get old pretty fast I expect for those without an existing collection.

I am glad the people who are enjoying the 2600+ are having a blast with it. But at least for myself, I am talking a pass on this just as I have on the last few versions of Flashbacks.

I am not knocking the unit, it does look nice and support for 2600 and 7800 is certainly a big plus; but it is also still too similar to previous emulation units I already own to be something I feel a need to own.

November 25, 2023

5 hours ago, Stephen said:

And the sad thing is, people buy this shit so more of it gets produced and the cycle continues.

Exactly this.

Which is why Atari has been doing nothing but emulation (sometimes of questionable quality) for nearly 20 years now.

People keep throwing money at them each time they release another Flashback, so they just keep doing the same thing over and over.

November 23, 2023

2 hours ago, Dalton said:

Here is my unboxing + short review. It's in Polish and I'm going to add English subtitles soon. However, I wanted to show you the loose, flying screw inside the case: https://youtu.be/sKIcaA65oIk?t=331

I would not really be impressed about the loose screw in the housing, luckily it did not seem to damage any internal components during shipping.

I am a bit impressed the 2600+ will run a 128-in-1 game cartridge. I really would have thought it would choke on any multicart.

November 15, 2023

2 hours ago, Ben from Plaion said:

Thing is with microswitches, and it was discussed, you end up with a hard stop, no gradually rising squidgy resistance at the end of the directional action, it then feels too alien compared to the original joysticks action.

Of course it's possible to engineer some kind of rubber or silicone stopper alongside the microswitches, but that adds further time, complication and cost.

Micro-switches are in my opinion and experience the most durable option though.

I am still using the exact same Quickshot and Wico micro-switch internal joysticks I used with my first 2600, around 40~ish years ago. I also guarantee young me was not gentle with them. The last few decades I clean the internals every few years and other then that they click along just as well as the first time I used them.

Cheaper is not always the better choice, as Hyperkin found out when their Retron joysticks started failing rather spectacularly after a few weeks of standard usage. Requiring a redesign and free warranty replacement for the failed joysticks.

November 6, 2023

7 hours ago, dashv said:

Here’s hoping there is a breakthrough with the touchpad. Star Raiders is calling my name. Spent so much time on that as a kid.

Really psyched to see the UK gamepad on deck for release!!! I’ve debated importing a pair for a long while.

I have only been lurking through half of this thread so maybe I missed it. But how healthy is the relationship between the Atari+ project and the emulator authors whose work is being leveraged?

Love seeing all the behind the scenes stuff!

I have been wondering this as well.

There was mention made some time ago by Atari here on the forum about doing something for the Stella team, seeing that it is their software Atari is selling.

A lot of radio silence since on it, and I still see no mention on their webpage about Stella.

I am really hoping this was more then a bit of lip service by Atari. Without the Stella team and their work, Atari would not have a 2600+ to sell.

October 28, 2023

I have read that a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will also work.

I did try this with my very yellowed Sears Super Video Arcade (it is pushing past yellow and into light tan) and while it did technically improve the yellowing somewhat, the amount of scrubbing effort to totally remove the heavy yellowing completely would be impractical I think. Honestly, I am likely going to try the peroxide bath system myself sometime on the Intellivision unit of mine.

But if it is only a minor bit of yellowing, you might give a Magic Eraser a try.

September 29, 2023

Just now, D Train said:

I am using a laptop and if i roll over the joysticks, I see the rank.

Oh, interesting! Thanks for the information.

September 29, 2023

4 hours ago, TrogdarRobusto said:

What rank comes after chopper commander? I like that title, I might have to stop posting when I get close to the threshold to the next level.

Are there still ranks? For the last few weeks I only see posters listed either as 'Members' or 'Subscriber', I do not see any of the old titles anymore and thought they were removed for some reason.

September 29, 2023

16 minutes ago, Shawn said:

You didn't bother reading anything in this thread and are just shitposting at will I assume?

... or just stating a fact?

Quite honestly, I do not have much interest in buying a 2600+ either as it is currently.

I have an original 2600, a 7800, several versions of Flashbacks, the Atari game collection on Steam and a Retron 77.

I probably would have been tempted to add a 2600+ to the lot, but that a lot of modern releases will likely be incompatible with it and likewise there is no ability to load them in ROM format is a dealbreaker personally.

I can already play my original cartridges and classic games in more ways and formats then I ever really need as is, adding another one is not a burning priority.

I am sure a lot of people will be interested in the 2600+, but for myself it is not offering anything I don't have a system that will already do and in some cases do better then what is offered by this unit.

That is not being rude, or shitposting; but just a fact.

September 17, 2023

On 9/16/2023 at 2:56 PM, John Stamos Mullet said:

The reality is, it’s really hard to make a retro product like this that both:

1. costs low enough that casuals and impulse buyers jump on it.

2. satisfies the wants/expectations of the hardcore collectors/armchair critics without completely blowing that budget.

While nobody likes to hear it, the casuals are a market where a healthy profit can be made. The Hardcores are not. While the hardcores may be more likely to buy it because they buy everything just because (and then complain about it after) they aren’t a big enough number to cater to, if it’s going to balloon the price past the point of profitability and driving the casuals away.

This is where the 2600+ baffles me a bit. You would think the casuals and impulse buyers would rather go for the 50th anniversary Flashback, as it is two-thirds the price of the 2600+ but also comes with two paddles, two joysticks, save/load options and 130 games all in one package.

Then the hardcores are looking at this and see it has no micro-SD and questionable ability to play two button 7800 titles and 2600 modern releases, hacks/homebrews.

I am sure it will still turn a profit (12 versions of Flashbacks have proved that) but I cannot see it having large appeal to either consumer group to be honest.

September 13, 2023

1 hour ago, LatchKeyKid said:

Admittedly I've only been a member of the community for a couple of years but I don't recall seeing massive yearning for an official emulation machine even if it has some improvements over the previous ones.

Pretty much my feelings.

I would have been first in line throwing money at Atari if this was a system that can play both my old and new 2600 game cartridges. But it seems basically a Retron 77 with added 7800 support. Minus the micro-SD.

I am sure it will still sell well enough to make Atari a profit, but then I imagine the same can be said for every previous Atari Flashback model. I had no burning desire to collect all of these either.

There is certainly a market for emulation, but it is not what I am looking for personally.

September 10, 2023

9 minutes ago, GoldLeader said:

Just throwing it out there...

Maybe if they gave each Stella team member a free 2600+, any games they could spare, and a check for $1,000.? Still sounds like a bargain compared to creating their own emulator...

I would think Atari would happily give the Stella team their own 2600+'s and whatever games they are planning on selling.

If nothing else, having the actual developers of the program you are using trying out your hardware before it goes into production and seeing how the two work together would be in Atari's interest, as well as a bit of very inexpensive goodwill.

September 10, 2023

6 minutes ago, Nall3k said:

Please give me an example of a company that isn't profit oriented? It's not the software itself they are selling (as anyone can use it anywhere to play these games), it's basically the plastic shell. That's the dilemma of making something free to use, because you can't then pick and choose who gets to use it or who has to pay for it. Night of the Living Dead is another great example, accidentally released in the public domain and many distributers made money except for the people who made it.

I have no intention of buying the 2600+, mainly because I have Atari 50 and Vault on Steam, and feel those are enough for me.

I think it was explained fairly well that the issue being taken here is not that Atari is using Stella, it is that the 'new friendly, arm-in-arm with the fans' Atari is using it without even so much of a nod to the the people who actually created it. Atari is going to make money off of it, and that is what companies do but I am thinking some acknowledgement to those responsible for creating the system Atari is using would not have cost them anything more then a few moments of someones time spent to type it up. Yet there is not a peep for the Stella authors.

Honestly, I would be more then a little disgruntled as well if it was myself.

April 2, 2023

23 hours ago, number6 said:

The trademark oddities continue (somewhat applies to the original thread topic here):

This goes back to May, 2022, but I wanted to wait and see how it got handled before mentioning it.

Within days of failing to file statement of use or extension for the "1st" incarnation of IE's "Intellivision Amico" trademark (now abandoned and replaced by a new filing for the same name), another company filed a trademark for "Amico". This was filed for the classes "IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038"

I'll keep this short since we all know trademark law can be confusing. Basically this company who just happened to file for Amico has now been sent an "Office Action (Official Letter) About Applicant’s Trademark Application" indicating possible confusion with an existing trademark or trademarks. What is odd to me given the former objection concerning "Amico" is that the examining attorney is finding a conflict with "Ameco" trademarks.

I'll keep watch on any followups as I don't see IE expressing any concern atm, and surely "Amico" sounds like more of a conflict with "Amico" than "Ameco" does especially for class 009, no?

Edit added: For those who don't understand mention of "class". Simply there is a trademark for Amico selling curtain rods and other things that present no conflict. The problem with similar name really arises when one is also selling similar goods, which is defined by class.

#6

This is how it should work. But I think in reality even if there is no real name conflict due to very different products produced, bigger companies will still try to 'protect' their brand by dragging the smaller company into court. Not in belief they are legally in the right, but in hopes the costs will bankrupt their smaller supposed competition.

As is this case. I cannot possibly believe Haynes (the underwear manufacturer) was getting complaints about product confusion about Haynes (the hummus manufacturer). If there was, would love to see that complaint.

'Dear Haynes Underwear. I recently bought a jar in my local supermarket labeled 'Haynes'. Only after smearing the contents of this jar across my body did I realize this was not actually underwear, but some sort of food dip.'

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sometimes-the-little-guy-can-win-saskatoon-hummus-maker-wins-battle-with-hanes-1.3378275

Profiles

Forums

Blogs

Gallery

Events

Store

Posts posted by Tavi