Super Rare Games Of The Atari VCS/2600: Part 2
We recently showcased a few of the rarest games in the Atari 2600 library. On a scale of 1-10 on the ridiculously hard to find scale, games like Air Raid, Mangia and Video Life easily score a 10. Only the most dedicated collectors (and those with a whole lot of disposable cash) will be able to score even one of those titles as the centerpiece of their retro collection. Good luck trying to collect a complete set of Atari games, as some titles have less than 10 copies available. To make matters worse, previously unknown games are still being discovered.
Today we'll take a look at some more rare Atari 2600 games. But these titles will not be as impossibly difficult to find or incredibly expensive as the ones in Part 1. They may not be "holy grails" but they are still very valuable, very rare, and are perfect additions to any 2600 collection.
Super Rare Games Of The Atari VCS/2600
Of all the video game systems in the history of the hobby, the Atari 2600 is probably the most fun to collect for. Due to very loose publishing rules (pretty much anybody who knew how could make and distribute a game) the 2600 was like the Wild West of the old time video game scene.
Unlike the structured and orderly game market of today, with it's few software companies and strict third party publishing rules, the home gaming scene of the early 1980's was a very chaotic place. Scores of companies blinked into existence just long enough to create a game or two (usually in very limited numbers), market it (poorly), and release it (via a myriad of ways including mail order and even primitive download services) before disappearing.
Anybody just getting in to Atari 2600 collecting will find there are not just one or two ultra rare "holy grail" games for the system, but perhaps dozens. More than a few 2600 games have less than 100 copies in existence, and a couple titles only have copies numbering in the single digits! Even today, collectors are discovering evidence of never before seen games, making collecting an entire set of 2600 games pretty much impossible.
Keep reading for just a sampling of the rarest of the rare Atari 2600 games.
Atari Video Computer System/2600 - 1977: Part 3: The Peripherals of the VCS
In the previous installments of our Atari VCS/2600 profile, we took a look at the history and console variations of Atari's legendary machine. Today we'll explore some of the interesting peripherals that came out for the 2600.
The Atari 2600 has one of the largest collections of controllers and plug-ins of any system, with perhaps only the NES/Famicom having more. Atari peripherals include multiple types of joysticks, an adapter that plays cassette tapes, and even a modem!
Join us below the fold for Part 3 of our VCS showcase: Plug Ins and Peripherals.
It's Hard Out Here For A Pimptendo
Are you looking for the perfect classic console to compliment your pimp style? Many gamers, like PG's own Elder Kozo, often find themselves sitting on their oversize thrones, pimp cup in hand, their bejeweled canes sadly resting by their side, wishing that they had a more flashy Nintendo.
These poor deprived playas can now rejoice, as the ultimate pimped out classic console has appeared! Say hello to the Pimptendo. We're not quite sure where this magical creation originated, but we think it was probably Huggy Bear's gameroom. This majestic modded NES has just appeared on the video game auction site Chase the Chuckwagon, with a low starting bid of only $50.
Keep reading for all the details. (We'd make a pimp joke here, but it's a long article and we're trying to pace ourselves.)
Angry Barry: Rage We Can Believe In
Politics and video games usually don't mix. Apparently beating up zombies and shooting magical fireballs at dragons is much more interesting than Senate Subcommittees or Whig Party caucuses. Only a small handful of games involving politics or political figures have ever been released. And those are mostly obscure campaign related PC games like Howard Dean for Iowa, or John McCain's exciting Pork Busters.
That is all about to change, thanks to the folks at Arrogancy Games who have just released a hilarious political themed game on Xbox Live Marketplace called Angry Barry. Yes, they're talking about that Barry, as in President Barack Obama. Why is Barry so angry? Keep reading to find out.
Atari Video Computer System/2600 - 1977: Part 2: Console Variation Gallery
In Part 1 of our Atari VCS/2600 profile. We took a look at the history of Atari's flagship console. In this part, we have a gallery of the many different variations of the long lived system. This includes not only domestic versions from Atari, Sears and Coleco, but also a number of foreign clones.
If you reeeeeally like pictures of old Atari consoles. Then this page is totally for you.
Atari Video Computer System/2600 - 1977: Part 1 System Overview
Life Cycle- Released in 1977 (MSRP-$200), original console discontinued around 1986. Atari 2600Jr. discontinued in 1991.
Number of Models Released- 7 Official Atari versions, 2 Sears versions, and over a dozen foreign clones.
Number of Units Sold- Over 30 million.
Number of Games Released- Depending on the source, anywhere between 700-1000, including multiple variations of the same titles. A growing number of homebrew games have been released, with more constantly being created.
Flagship Titles- Space Invaders, Pac-Man, E.T. (not for a good reason), Pitfall!, Combat!
Reminder! NW Pinball and Gameroom Show
Don't forget that the fabulous Northwest Pinball and Gameroom show is this weekend, June 12-14, at Seattle Center. The show kicks off Friday at noon and runs through Sunday and will have over 200 pinball and classic video games on freeplay throughout the show. Last year the Elders stopped by and had a great time and even caught Steve Wiebe, star of the King of Kong, giving some tips on Donkey Kong. Who knows, maybe even The Fonz Pinball might show up! Take a look at the awesome promo video with footage shot last year:
Stay tuned for a full recap from the Northwest Pinball and Gameroom show, here on the PG blog!
8bitone: The iPhone's Chiptunes Synth
The Elders have always been a fan of retro game music, so when the chiptunes scene in Seattle started to jump off, the Elders were right there to hear the best the city had to offer. Pinkapalooza 2 had not one but two chiptunes artists, Leeni and Fighter X, performing with their Gameboy’s in hand. PG was also in attendance at the NW Folklife festival and caught CrunchyCo’s 8bit showcase, even capturing Fighter X’s performance on video.
Move over KORG DS-10 there's a new synth in town for Chiptunes fans, 8bitone for the iPhone and iPod Touch. 8bitone is a Monophonic Synthesizer and Sequencer that simulates sounds from "8bit Personal Computer and Console Game Generator from the 80`s" to recreate that nostalgic chiptunes music. Using the built in Piano Roll sequencer, composing songs couldn't be easier using the iPhone's Multi-Touch screen, putting the power in your fingertips. Designed by Japanese company Yudo, (the company behind Rectools02 and Aero Guitar) 8bitone features 1 oscillator as well as a Hi-Speed Arpeggiator and up to 128 monophonic ‘voices’ (notes) per song.
With a slick interface, decent sounds and a whole bunch of Knobs, Switches, Sliders to control all the different options, 8bitone provides a great experience for $9. While KORG DS-10 provides a much fuller experience with Polyphonic sounds, a more robust sequencer and an easier to navigate UI, 8bitone is still a fun little app to play around with. Yudo presents 8bitone as a micro composing studio, which it does successfully, providing a lot of room for creative chiptunes musicians. Hit the jump for pics and video from 8bitone!
Collector's Tip #1: Theme Collecting
Collecting video games is a hobby only for the most dedicated gamer; someone willing to spend months or even years looking for that one special gem to round out a collection. With so many video game consoles and so many games, its hard for even the most passionate gamer to assemble a 'collection.' Throw in the fact that some games never get released outside of their native territory and the list of hard to find games gets even longer. Trying to collect every rare or valuable game is almost impossible, so focusing on a particular genre or series is a great way to start a collection or round out an already flourishing one. Even trying to collect memorabilia for one of your favorite games is a great way to have items that stand out.
One great idea is that if your a hardcore shmup fan start by collecting all the classic (and rare) titles like Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, Donpachi, Batsugun, to start a good collection of the best the genre has to offer. If you’re a fan of rail shooters then titles like Sin and Punishment, Rez, and Panzer Dragoon are good games to start with. The big picture is to start with a genre or game that is a favorite and go from there. Collecting all the games of a large series is an even bigger task, like trying to collect every Dragon's Lair game, which has quite a few titles on multiple systems. Hit the jump for some ideas on how to start a theme collection!
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