Tavi

October 28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 19

6 hours ago, Rowsdower70 said:

Very true in my case being an old fart. That's why I felt like the PS2 (for me) was the last big leap. While it was similar in function to the original unit, the graphic improvement was still quite noticeable, it was supported for a long time, and had a great library.

I feel very much the same. I own an original Playstation, and the PS2 when it came out was an incredible jump ahead and I was happy to drop a few hundred on owning one. Backwards compatibility, and the PS2 has an amazing game library. Still the largest in Playstation history I believe by a considerable margin, and the PS2 also still sits the best selling console.

When the PS3 came out, it was an improvement, but certainly not as noticeable as between the PS1 and PS2 models. The gap between the PS3 and PS4 I feel is even smaller.

It has been a long while since a huge innovative leap has happened.

November 14, 2022

It could very well be that many of us are just waiting to see what happens.

I still have my FE reserved, and am hopeful the Amico will eventually come out. I do have to roll my eyes at some of the posts here though. So many variations of 'It was a scam since day one! They took the money and ran!', but if it was never anything more a scam would they have designed and then built a functional console? And hired designers to produce games and software for the console? Set up public events to show off the console and let people try it out? All this costs money, and it is a poor scam indeed if you are spending more then you are making.

Honestly, I find it a lot more believable that they were a small startup and counting on pre-orders and initial console and game sales to bankroll the consoles continued development. Then Covid hit, the world shut down for two years and electronics became rarer to find then an honest politician; and about as expensive to buy. I imagine Intellivision simply ran out of money over those two years, and before they could start production to recoup costs and start earning some revenue. That is not a scam, or malicious intent. They just got screwed like the majority of the rest of us by all the global Covid hysteria.

I also don't doubt they hoped to get noticed and bought out for an obscene amount of money by one of the industry big players. But then honestly tell me this isn't most new start-ups dream exit ever since the team behind the Oculus Rift kickstarter walked away from their project as new billionaires.

There is very little coming as official news, but they also have not officially announced the Amico as dead either. So I have to wait and see what happens with it.

July 27, 2022

1 hour ago, GoldLeader said:

Wait! Who are you and how'd you get into mr_me's computer?

This is what we've been saying. Maybe if they'd prioritized differently and worked on the console and games FIRST and not worried about the seemingly extravagant office building, the custom Running Man sign, the Ferrari parking signs, the multiple employees (presumably all on the payroll), time ~~spent~~ wasted arguing with random strangers on the internet, the chrome and neon that looks flashy, but may have cost (quite) a bit, etc....To say nothing of other mismanagement and missteps with regards to spending on parts, etc., Maybe they wouldn't be out of money...

Covid restrictions and the kick-down effect of throwing manufacturing and shipping into complete chaos globally made for a tough two years for pretty much everyone.

During this time Intellivision had to operate with no real income, that is why they ran out of money. You still have to pay your hardware and software designers for work they are doing, even if you are unable to manufacture.

As to the refunds, it does suck that they are unable to process any more refunds. But again; they have had no income. No money means no refunds.

I have spent 100$ on worse things then a FE reservation. I also still have hopes that it will eventually release. I am still waiting on Space Venture as well. Now that is a long wait!

June 19, 2022

By this topic, it could be a Sears heavy sixer?

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/287592-how-do-you-tell-if-its-a-sears-heavy-sixer/

It does have all the markings listed in the post that was stated as would identify it as a heavy sixer.

Just to muddy the waters a bit

June 13, 2022

Could the game possibly be 'SiN'?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SiN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdMb1i7fM0s

There was a downloadable demo for it, and I do believe for a fair part of the game you are playing though offices and labs?

I would also throw out there 'Corridor 7' as a long shot. It is based in a research laboratory.

While it never really was super popular, I played the hell out of the downloadable shareware version of it back in the day (it might have even been the full game? Now I think on it it was probably donationware?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corridor_7:_Alien_Invasion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4iDM1gHc9E

May 6, 2022

It is really easy to replace the blu-ray drive on a PS3 fat. You will spend more time on opening the case then removing and replacing the drive!

The important thing to remember is if it is a backwards compatible PS3 (like a CECHA01) you will have to swap the Blu-ray drive motherboards between the old and new drives as well or the PS3 will not recognize it. This is only a problem with the early PS3's though I am told, later Fat revisions you can just swap the entire drive with no issues.

January 15, 2022

3 hours ago, cmart604 said:

A fully working in good condition Sears should go for more than a regular one in the same condition. The best part of the Sears one though is the detachable controllers so unless he's selling it for $20-30 I wouldn't waste my money if I were you.

Detachable controllers is exactly why I bought a Sears Super Video Arcade. It makes adding in a controller cable extender a breeze.

But if they are selling it without controllers, you would have to find (or make/adapt) some controllers for the console before you could use it; if the console itself is even functional (you say it is listed as 'for parts'). That to me would considerably lower the value of the console. Sears are certainly harder to find then a stock Intellivision, but you might want to just keep looking and give this console a pass unless you get a real deal on it.

November 3, 2021

Necroing my own post a bit here, but I thought I would update what is new with the Master System.

Games are surprisingly expensive (at least on eBay), so I bought off AliExpress a multicart that pretty much has every game ever made on it. Not too bad for 25$ USD.

I also recently bought a box of assorted joysticks from a great seller here in Canada though eBay. While I was mainly interested in the Wico Boss and the Quickshot II Plus for my 2600, among several other various system controllers the lot also had a Sega Genesis controller that I find is a lot more ergonomic and responsive then the stock Master System controller is to use. The only downside is the cable is considerably shorter. The joystick lot also contains a wireless controller and base that I believe also is for a Genesis, but the buttons are sticky so will need some TLC before I attempt to try it out. It is just marked as 'GO' infrared wireless controller.

As a fun related sidenote, I was cleaning my storage room today and found a box I had totally forgotten about in there that a friend of mine had asked me to store it for him while he moved out of town. As this was about 10 years ago, I am suspecting he is not likely coming back for it anytime soon. Inside was a variety of older consoles and controllers including a rather cool looking lime green Xbox, a Dreamcast and a Sega Genesis.

So someday if I get the ambition to hook it up, I may give the Genesis a try as well! I know I am having a blast with the Master System. It has so many great games for it, I am quite shocked the system was never terribly popular here in the West.

November 3, 2021

As much as I hate to say it, Lego Star Wars is my little nephews favorite game to play on my PS3. Plus, he can play solo or with his brother or myself. It is a fun and easy platformer, where you can die lots and it does not effect the game in the slightest, so he doesn't get angry about dying repeatedly at some points.

You could try Mod Nation Racers for a racing game. It is a bit like Mario cart, but my younger nephew did seem to pick up how to play pretty quickly.

You can also see if you can find a copy of 'Where The Wild Things Are' for the PS3. I do not have it, but a quick look on eBay does show it is pretty cheap (around 10$ USD + shipping) and it is a very popular kids series and according to reviews easy for younger children to play.

Again, not a game series I have personally for my PS3, but you might also want to look at 'Pac-man's Ghostly Adventures'. It is also a platformer, and based of the popular kids cartoon.

Finally, my little nephew does like playing Minecraft on my PS3 in creative mode; where he can just build and explore as he likes without fighting or dying. Support is discontinued, but you can still update it to Aquatic which gives them a fair bit of content. I also recently bought Rayman Origins, which to be honest is more for myself but I am thinking he may also like it. Though it is a bit more of a difficult platformer. I also picked up 'Angry Birds Trilogy' for their next visit, as I know both him and his older brother did enjoy playing the app version at one time.

Minecraft and Rayman are probably going to be the most expensive of these, at around 15$ USD. I think most of the rest should be around 10$ give or take.

November 2, 2021

I have noticed this as well. I think with everyone pretty much staying at home considerably more the last two years has driven all video game and console prices up considerably.

People have a lot more time to kill while in the house, and looking at pricing in stores and places like eBay I would say many of these are looking to indulge themselves in some video gaming nostalgia. Reliving happier times and all that I suppose?

Which kind of sucks for those of us on the demand side of the supply/demand chain; but not much one can do about it unfortunately.

June 28, 2021

I was just snooping on eBay and found this listing: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/114870031122?hash=item1abec99312:g:~TMAAOSwcRpg2d4a

For an Intellivision Super Pro system. Listed as untested, but the price is pretty reasonable and is a 'Buy It Now' auction at 99$ CAD.

Might be a great score if someone is up for a bit of a gamble and wants to take a chance it is a Tutorvision model?

June 21, 2021

I was browsing for Super Action Controllers on eBay, and this listing popped up: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/304036433259?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144

While the Super Action Controller is in pretty rough shape, I do see they have as an unspecified extra controller a Champ CA-340 in with the lot. Which I think is fairly rare to find?

It is certainly a bit of a unique item I think, a keypad accessory that allows you to play a Colecovision using a third party 9-pin joystick rather then the original controller.

June 16, 2021

3 hours ago, Keatah said:

Didn't these once trade hands for $30,000? Or am I mis-remembering things. And confusing it with Stadium MudBuggies? It's been ages and these aren't exactly memorable bits of knowledge worthy of committing to memory. Flash in the pan conversation making - you know?

Anyhow. I have a few hard-to-find vintage 486 motherboards. I'm wondering why these can't be worth anything?!?!? There's gotta be about 100-200 in existence worldwide. Perhaps less.

My recollection is pretty questionable, but I think the $30,000 sale was for for a complete Air Raid?

I think the usual auction price for a loose cartridge was traditionally closer to $3,000-3,500.

I do see however the Goodwill one has already blown this away by a considerably margin, and is just over $5,000 with still a day left to go.

June 16, 2021

9 hours ago, selgus said:

I am disappointed that this article is very one-sided and doesn't interview people whom had much different interactions with Bradley/Best. Yes, buying from him is "different" than people's expectations these days, but if you understand that and work with Bradley, it can be a very pleasant experience. I for one, have order lots of items from Best, and there are times Bradley would tell me I would need to break up that order over a period of months (ordering ICs and motherboards for my Atari Portable project), and so that's what I would do. The results? He would respond right away to emails, I would pay right away, and the next day the package would be in the mail, well packed and perfect when it arrived.

I understand that other's might have had different experiences, but I don't believe I am one of the few that have had great results.

I noticed this in the article as well, bringing up his limiting order size as a negative.

I would expect this is intentionally done so that the maximum number of people can get always get the parts they need to service their personal systems. He likely does not want to see someone scooping up the entire supply of specific parts and then immediately 'flipping' them on eBay or Amazon for an exorbitant amount.

His making sure the people genuinely interested in keeping their vintage Atari's running can get parts and accessories for their various systems, and for a very reasonable price is a big plus in my book.

June 10, 2021

Wow...

I expect this will go for a mint. Very rare to even find one for sale, and the very few loose cartridges that have in the past popped up on eBay tended to go for thousands if I recall correctly?

This certainly will be a good boost to the Fort Worth Goodwill.

It will be interesting to see what the final selling price is for it.

May 21, 2021

It does look interesting!

Doing a bit of digging, I did find this post from a while back: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/122548-sold-swordquest-tennis-20-shipped/

It appears this is a modified Rom, that had some physical carts made for it as well.

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