Tavi

This is why I hate digital media. 40 years after they were made, I can still pop in a physical cartridge in my 2600 or Intellivision and get gaming. Now, as soon a company decides to no longer support a platform, all your digital media is effectively gone. I am still a bit shocked as with everyone stuck at home thanks to Corona, all console gaming has seen a huge jump in sales and thus also in profits for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. While I am certain PS3 would just be a small part of that, it still seems an odd time to decide to shut down any revenue steam while there are still continuing shortages of new consoles and an overall increased demand for console games. As it is all digital services, I cannot imagine it would be a huge expense for Sony to continue to offer PS3 sales and support? https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/05/12/video-game-industry-coronavirus/ https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54813841

I did see on my Twitter today a post by Garry Kitchen; showing a stack of Circus Convoy boxes and stating shipping was starting today. https://twitter.com/kitchengarry/status/1374402775455469578

For personal favourites, I would say the shortlist would be: Haunted House, River Raid, Missile Command and Stampede. For iconic I would have to say Yars' Revenge is probably the most iconic 2600 title, and perhaps Pac-man (for all the wrong reasons; but still iconic).

I had a look, and my eBay member information page tells me I signed up in 1999. I guess time flies when you are having fun? :D I do recall eBay giving me a credit last year, which could be used on any eBay purchase I wanted. I guess as an active 20+ year member, that was probably why? It was a pleasant bonus to be sure!

Just popping on to say they seem to be back up and running on eBay. I nabbed a cover for my 2600. I certainly looks like it is well made and will last quite a few years. Plus, I am expecting it should a lot easier to keep clean! The few other covers I have seen are usually cloth or canvas. Guess I will find out in a few weeks when it arrives. But the pictures on eBay certainly look great.

I was snooping on eBay this morning and found this: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Intellivision-II-Console-Computer-Module-Intellivoice-Bundle-New-with-Boxes/203292548774?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144 Everything looks complete to me, and the units and boxes look to be in excellent condition (they say new in the description). A very reasonable bidding price as well (at least for far) of 52$ USD plus shipping. They also have a second similar set for sale, plus a lot of other vintage gaming items. Someone downsizing their collection perhaps?

For multi-carts there are a few options. You might want to look into a Harmony Cart: https://harmony.atariage.com/Site/Harmony.html I am less familiar with it, but a PlusCart might also be an option?: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/297172-pluscart-an-inexpensive-diy-wifi-multicart/ The last one I know of is the UnoCart: https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/uno-2600-cartridge So there are a few choices for Atari 2600 multicarts.

Global shipping has been a disaster this last year. I get monthly treat boxes from Japan, and some of them have spent up to three months in transit. It used to be two to three weeks from shipment to delivery. Likewise I have had two packages shipping from the UK to Canada both take over two months to arrive. A few months ago I sent a package from Canada to the US, and had it take a little more then two months to finally be delivered. Do not even get me started on China's shipping time. I have some parts on order that have an estimated arrival date in June. I too have bought a Harmony cart a few years ago, and can confirm he is 100% legitimate. But the reality is that shipping, and especially international shipping is a complete mess and there likely will be considerable delays. But that is just how it is this last year thanks to Corona.

That is certainly very cool! ... and with two very good games as well.

That is a sad ending to a tragic tale. Insurance may have covered the monetary worth, but the collectibles are usually invaluable to the one actually collecting them. Plus, depending on rarity some of this collection may be literally irreplaceable. It is good that he got some of the collection back, but it certainly still is a tragic loss.

Well, I know nothing about the PS3 Slims, but you might want to try the tips from this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OmGCCgqVEw They seem to be repairing a similar problem, and seem to have a few things to try for resolving this problem. If all else fails, a good cleaning and new thermal paste might be something to give a try as well? The console is old enough that either of these could be a problem; or part of the problem.

I can't say I am that surprised. There was a huge jump in CPU/GPU and memory between the PS1 and PS2. Even between the PS2 and PS3 there was another sizable and noticeable jump in system specifications and graphics. Between PS3 and PS4 though I think you are now getting into diminishing returns, where system specs are still increasing but the effect is less evident then in previous generations. Which I think then makes it more difficult to convince a happy PS3 owner who can already also watch DVD's/Blu-rays and stream Netflix, to drop 300-400$ for a console upgrade. An upgrade where they also have to rebuild or replace their existing game library. The PS5 is even worse, with shortages and scalpers driving the price for a PS5 console alone to over a grand. A hefty chunk of change to spend on a console with no real library yet.

If you are looking for something a bit more joystick-like, you could try a 'Super Action Controller'? I have a few of them and though I actually use them more on my 2600 then with the Colecovision, they are an official Colecovision accessory. There is also a Wico Colecovision joystick, but I believe they are rare to find and quite a bit more expensive.

Looks amazing! Quite impressive that everything still has their original boxes and are all in such good shape!

Last year I had bought a Tandyvision that needed both the controller mylars replaced before it was playable. I ordered two from this seller, that worked perfectly: https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/brand-new-mattel-intellivision-1-controller-mylar-set-38583 There is also an Intellivision forum thread (probably buried a few pages back now) discussing this seller (Active in the forum; username 'RWAP') and the mylars.

I bought two of these off eBay, 10ft PS3 charging cables. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/10FT-Short-Wireless-Controller-USB-Charging-Cable-For-Sony-Playstation-3-PS3/202711409465?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 Under 5$ each and I can then have the controller plugged in while I am playing. Which is handy as one of the controllers I have has a weak battery and is only good for about an hour and some of use before it dies. I can just plug the cable in and then keep on playing while the controller recharges if I want.

I think the popularity of the NES Classic took even Nintendo by surprise. Which is why there was supply problems right out the gate. I imagine they thought it would be like every other flashback device and make them a tidy little profit from the nostalgia crowd for a little while and that would be the end of it. Once it was discovered how easy it was to add in new game roms to the system, and that it would emulate multiple systems (NES/SNES, Gameboy + Advance, Sega Genesis + Master System, Nintendo 64) and suddenly everyone and their dog wanted one; not just the NES fans. Even now on eBay they sell for far above (close to double, by a quick look) their original retail cost. Nostalgia is a powerful draw. Quite honestly if I had seen Atari's original unmodified campaign (back when they were promising a console with new exclusive games), I probably would have backed this campaign as well. Viewing Atari's shenanigans, broken promises and non-stop stream of dumpster fires over the last few years I am certainly estatic I did not. But at the time I likely would have slapped a few hundred down for nothing more then promises and nostalgia.

I am a little late to the party but if you are looking at a long term repair you may want to consider using clear book binding tape, rather then packing tape. It is a little heavier tape, and might work better for the bridging the box gaps and reinforcing weak spots. I also have noticed that after a few years, often the packing tape adhesive dries out and the tape peels off leaving the residue behind on your box. It would be a few dollars more for a roll the packing tape, but I think book repair/binding tape would be a more dependable long term repair. In example: https://www.amazon.ca/Premium-Clear-Book-Repair-Tape/dp/B07DTJFD2L/ref=asc_df_B07DTJFD2L/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=335224462949&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2200621490473809541&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001241&hvtargid=pla-475536787130&psc=1

Wonderful! I was waiting for this to be available before placing an order from the shop so I could get everything in one shot. Looks like there is finally an upside to 2020 :D

I see that 'The Cheese' has just given a bit of an interview, talking about the Atari Box and Atari Token. The TLDR version is it seems Chesnais wants a big push for Atari in developing more cryptocurrency and getting into blockchain gaming and digital collectibles. https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/atari-ceo-on-crypto-token-and-blockchain-gaming-we-know-this-is-going-to-work-213158823.html

I would more say pointless then hopeless. There is literally nothing it offers that cannot be done just as well or better, by devices common to most homes. Steam machines have existed for over half a decade already. Pretty much any device with internet capabilities can stream Netflix. The Atari Vault is a nice collection, but it also has been available for the last five years. The Atari Box hardware is not upgradeable and was not exceptional to start with. It will require additional effort and spending to install a second operating system to unlock its full capability. After two years of delays the hardware will be showing its age and limitations even more I expect. I am thinking once the excitement and novelty wears off of actually having the unit in hand, the backers are going to be considerably underwhelmed with what they have actually received.

Being able to play Burgertime is one of the main reasons I bought myself a classic Intellivision, the game is very addictive and quite a challenge! While the 2600 has a lot of really great and enjoyable games, the port of Burgertime was seriously unimpressive. Glad to see you are having a blast playing this!

I would not be in a hurry to return it, the box alone would have many collectors drooling over it I expect. The console itself also looks amazing. I picked up one off eBay a few months ago and while it works great it is a rather unfortunate 'nicotine yellow' now, which seems is a common problem with this model of console as result of exposure to sunlight reacting with the plastic. So it is also desirable in that the moulding is (or at least appears) to still be the original tan coloring. It probably would be well worth keeping and seeing if the video issue can be repaired.

I am thinking if it basically unused, then you should get quite a few years of play out of it. Quite the good deal for 60$!

..also also, if any of these are your vendors then run, run, check your wallet, and keep running Hahaha! Sorry for the joke, but 'Fools and Horses' is one of my favorite series; even if it does put you off a bit on flea market trading. *EDIT* Seriously though 15K seems very steep for a product that will likely quickly depreciate once you actually start selling it. I would try hard haggle a substantial discount off his asking price. You would be the one taking all the risk and doing all the work after all, and with no guarantee of what they will actually sell for.