How To Play Video Games: The 1976 Ways.

[Atariboy2600]

Back in my day we had no Online computers, we had ROCKS for PETS and we only had one type of video game and thats PONG!! And if you wanted to know how me and many of my pals played back in the old 1976 here's a re-creation on how it was done back in them days.

 

Fig. 0-1. To start off you may wanted to use what ever system-models they had in the early 70s and there was ALOT from Atari Pong, Coleco pong, Magnavox pong even Radio Shack had a TV-Pong unit! But for me I pick Atari 1975 Pong, BTW some of thouse pong systems on the pic may had came out after 76 but you get the idea.

 

Fig. 0-2. Now that I picked a Pong unit the next thing is what??? Fine a TV set, Duh! Almost every one in my building all had like Black & White TV sets cuase they where cheaper to get abd its way better to play Pong so the TV screen won't get burn images from any Pong units that if you leave it on too long. I use an 1970's RCA B&W TV set.

 

Fig. 0-3. Even if Pong dont have any great graphics or color for that matter that dont mean you can do more on it and to do this you need to make a Overlay-Image to put on the TV screen. To start you'll need the right tools, (ask your mother for help) Your'll need color plasitc sheet, a black marker, a per of scissor and a clear tape.

 

Fig. 1-3. Step one make a game outline with the marker.

Fig. 2-3. Setp two Cut out both the TV screen outline

to fit it on the screen. Then cut out a stip

of the game line about one-half inch wide onlong

the line then tape across the tracks so center

section won't fall out of the pattern.

Fig. 3-3. And now add interest with words and pictures to

make the overlay more fun like a Theme Park,

Outer Space or even an Olympic Event.

 

Fig. 0-4. Now tape the overlay on the TV screen so that its looks like the images is coming out from thePong game.

 

Fig. 0-5. Sopt of light, represnting skier (arrow),is guded over the trail! Now your Pong game is more then just two paddles and a ball.

 

Fig. 0-6. Now that you got the Pong game running there's just one thing missing, NO MUSIC at all! Almost all units back then edar had no sound or only have beeps and blips. And to do get some background music I have to use what was available so I have here a Record/8-Track Combo player with over a hundred 8-Track tapes I have from ABBA, Bee-Gees, Eagles, Village People even Barry Manilow---(DON'T LAUGH)

 

Fig. 0-7. Long before 'Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 Audio '(aka MP3) and Compact Disc (aka CD) we had to use Records and I have many like this one I use like Studio 54 sound track 'DISCO LIVE'!

 

Fig. 0-8. Just remember that to use one of thouse HUGE headphone just in case you dont want to wake up your mom and dad as you playing PONG.

 

Fig. 0-9. Well I hope this will show you how LUCKING you kids are living in today's world with your Mp3 downloading, DVD playing, Online surfing with your super hight god-knows how many gigs on your PCs and just remember this (Have you play Atari Today?)

[Rob Mitchell]

Funny stuff! Problem is .. with headphines .. you are obviously playing PONG by yourself!

 

Last time that I played PONG with a friend was ... 1998.

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Albert]

Great pictures and write up. I remember the overlays that came with some of these systems--pretty funny, I guess most televisions back then were the same size. Overlays wouldn't work too well these days when you have such a wide variety of television sizes. The Studio 54 album made me laugh out loud.

 

..Al

[Atariboy2600]

BTW I was wondering if AtariAge will ever have a PONG only page and if so want me to help in taking Photos of all my Atari pong units?

[+5-11under]

BTW I was wondering if AtariAge will ever have a PONG only page and if so want me to help in taking Photos of all my Atari pong units?

 

There's always this:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35400

5-11under

[candiru]

Fun write-up. I laughed at your 8-tracks though. Sorry.

[Atariboy2600]

Fun write-up.  I laughed at your 8-tracks though.  Sorry.

 

Yea after doing this I took a double take and laugh at my self too

[Stingray]

I actually still own an astonishingly large number of 8 tracks myself, so you're not alone in that respect.

 

-S

[ATARIeric]

@ Atariboy2600: Great read! BTW, How much for the BM 8track