The Vintage Game Spot

Game Review: Wild Gunman for NES

2012-06-10T12:46:00.001-04:00

Rating: 85 out of 100

Grab some Shasta and connect your NES Zapper gun. Its Vintage Game Spot’s first review of Nintendo’s “light gun series.” Just a little note, if you have a plasma or LCD television, the light gun will not work on your TV. That’s right, technology has caught up with the all mighty Nintendo. For more on this read my previous blog, “WHAT A PIECE OF… Antiquated Equipment: The NES Zapper.”

Wild Gunman was developed by Nintendo as an arcade game in 1974 and was modestly successful. It was released for the NES in 1985. The game was made famous by Michael J. Fox when he played it in Back to the Future II and made reference to it in Back to the Future III.

The game is very straightforward. Armed banditos come out and try to shoot you. You have to shoot them first. If you shoot them before they draw their weapon, you lose. If they shoot you first, you lose.

Overall the game is very fun. The graphics and audio are classic 80’s and give a real feeling of nostalgia. The game play is very easy to pick up on and you never get bored with it. My roommates had never played it before and they became almost instantly addicted. The cartridge is available almost everywhere classic games are sold and isn’t very pricy. I don’t quite remember how much I spent for mine but I would venture to say it was $5 or less.

CULTURAL REFERENCES: I am a big fan of the Back to the Future trilogy. In fact they were my favorite movies in the 80’s (ok, they tied with Star Wars, but still.) In Back to the Future II, Marty goes into the Café 80’s and finds 2 kids (one played by a young Elijah Wood) trying to figure out the Wild Gunman arcade game. He demonstrates it to them, to which they reply “You mean you have to use your hands? That’s like a baby’s toy!” (See video below for that clip.) In Back to the Future III, when Marty uses the Colt Peacemaker to shoot every target at the town dance, the Colt salesman asks him where he learned to shoot like that, to which Marty replies “7 Eleven.”

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

WHAT A PIECE OF... Antiquated Equipment: NES Zapper

2012-06-10T12:08:00.001-04:00

I have seen this issue pop up in a few places, and even appear on eBay with people selling their “broken” NES Zapper guns. But guess what? Your gun probably isn’t actually broken.

The main problem is the NES Zapper was made 25 years ago, with the technology of the day, particularly CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Televisions. Plasma and LCD televisions just don’t display an image in the same way. It might be clearer and cleaner and prettier, but it is never truly black and white and has a refresh rate that the NES just doesn’t recognize.

Here is basically what happens when you play a game with the NES Zapper:

1. You aim and pull the trigger

2. This causes the NES to change one frame of the screen to black (background) and white (target.)

3. If the phototransistor in the zapper gun detects the black (or nothing at all) in that single frame it registers a “miss.” If it detects white in that single frame, it registers a “hit.”

4. The dog holds up a dead bird and peppy music plays if you hit your target, the dog laughs at you if you don’t. (Had to throw a Duck Hunt reference in there.)

Can you modify the gun to register hits and misses on an LCD, Plasma or anything else? Probably not. Can you change the settings of your TV to make the NES register hits and misses? No. Get used to it. The simple answer is if you want to play zapper games, you need a CRT television.

And for those of you who are holding your breath, hoping that the SNES’s Super Scope will work on your flat screen, Stop holding your breath before you pass out. Guess what? The SNES Super Scope uses the exact same technology as the Zapper. So if you don’t have an old TV, then no Bazooka Blitzkrieg for you.

So what is the good news? EVERYONE wants a flat screen TV these days. No one wants their bulky old CRT anymore. This means there are MILLIONS of them going unused. They are in peoples’ garages and basements, in thrift stores and flea markets. You can even drive around on trash day and find perfectly good working CRT televisions awaiting their final resting place at your local dump. What does this mean for you? Well obviously it means that you can get one for a few bucks (or free if you don’t mind grabbing one sitting beside rotting garbage.)

So this weekend, instead of waking up late and wondering around your house in your underwear for a few hours, drive around and find a nice, big, extremely heavy tv and play some Duck Hunt, Hogan’s Alley or Wild Gunman.

Don’t believe me? Think you can play Duck Hunt on your new 197 inch plasma screen with it’s wicked awesome SRS and its fancy PIP and awesome ABCDEFG? Check out this video! (Not my video, please give credit to the original YouTube user)

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game System Review: Atari 7800 ProSystem

2012-06-07T22:41:00.000-04:00

So my compulsive eBay watching has finally payed off! Thats right, I have my very own Atari 7800 Pro System. As most of my faithful readers know, the Atari 2600 is probably my favorite platform, and with good reason. Its cheap, fun, simple and has an abundance of titles that can be found almost everywhere for a bargain. The 7800 may just knock the 2600 off its high horse.

The 7800 was originally supposed to replace the Atari 5200 and was slated to be released in 1984, but that was shelved due to a combination of factors such as the video game crash of 1984 and the Atari company being sold the same year. That could have been the end of this story, but it wasn't.

With the release of the NES in 1985, video games were back with a vengeance and the new owners of Atari thought it would be a good idea to re-release the 7800, which they did in January of 1986. There were several problems with the 7800, none of them being the system's fault. Competing against the Sega Master System and the hugely successful Nintendo NES proved extremely difficult. Nintendo had exclusivity agreements with it's software developers so the titles produced for NES wouldn't be appearing for the 7800. There were also a number of canceled peripherals for the system, including a High Score Cartridge and a planned connection to laserdisc players. These broken promises led to a lack of confidence in Atari. The company also didn't give the system much financial backing, especially when compared to the advertising the Nintendo juggernaut roled out. This led to slow sales and eventual cancelation. Very few game titles were developed for the system.

The Atari 7800 ProSystem is not without it's redeeming qualities though. Like I said before, most of the problems with the 7800 was poor advertising and poor timing. Most 7800 owners will agree that it's biggest selling feature is nearly full backward compatibility with the Atari 2600, meaning those with an extensive library of 2600 games could play them on their new machine. There were several very good titles developed for the 7800, but less than 100 titles total and none of them enjoyed the fame and notoriety of many of the NES titles being released at the same time.

For the vintage gamer the Atari 7800 Pro System has a certain allure to it. It's rarity compared to the 2600 (3.7 million sold versus more than 30 million Atari 2600's), its sleek almost futuristic design, it's front control ports and push buttons all make it more desirable than the 2600. Another huge bonus is the 7800 is about a decade newer than the 2600. This means the electronics in it are a decade newer and less prone to failure. All these factors are reflected in the price these units can fetch. The 2600 can easily be found at your local vintage video game store for $40 and online for between $20 and $50. The rarer 7800 can go for anywhere from $50 to $150 and actually, I haven't seen one locally in several months. The prices are very dependent on functionality, bundled games, controls, etc. I got my 7800 on eBay for $33 including shipping. This low price means I didn't get any games and only one controller. This was fine by me since the 7800 can play all my 2600 games as well as the eight 7800 games I picked up along the way. The 7800 also accepts the paddles and joysticks I already had for my 2600.

The games developed for the 7800 are GREAT! They are fairly easy to find for a reasonable price, have great graphics and just enhance the entire Atari experience. I recommend Choplifter, F-18, Donkey Kong Junior and Pole Position II. (ALL games I will be reviewing by the way)

If you are familiar with the 2600, picking up the 7800 will be a breeze. The controllers are a bit hard to get used to, and i actually prefer using the 2600 controllers, but to each his own. Other than that, there really isn't much difference between the systems. If you are reading this while looking at the two systems and wondering which one to buy, go for the 7800. The backward compatibility with the 2600 combined with the (admittedly small) library of 7800 games and the sexy sleekness of the unit itself just make it a better buy. It will look great on your shelf next to your NES and Sega Genesis.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game Review: LadyBug for ColecoVision

2012-06-07T22:38:00.000-04:00

Rating: 90 out of 100

YES! Finally! It’s the Vintage Game Spot’s VERY FIRST ColecoVision game review! I am brand new to the ColecoVision, so bear with me if I make few slight mistakes, and feel free to discuss them below.

Ladybug came out as an arcade game, of course, in 1981. It was ported to the ColecoVision in 1982 and was moderately successful. I picked up my copy at Oogie Games for $5 so it can’t be that uncommon.

It was inspired by Pac-Man and once you play it you can tell why. But there are several twists that set it apart from Pac-Man. First off, you are a ladybug, hence the name. Instead of ghosts you are chased by bugs. You eat little dots that are arranged in a maze like in Pac-Man, but unlike Pac-Man there are several bonus dots. There are also skulls that if you eat them, you are killed instantly. On the plus side, if the bugs eat them they are also killed.

One of the major differences between Pac-Man and LadyBug is that the maze can be rearranged by pushing on doors located throughout the maze. Also unlike Pac-Man, where the ghosts seem to almost randomly move about the maze, the bugs actually chase you and can be lured by you into the skulls mentioned earlier. There is also a countdown located around the perimeter of the screen to tell you when the bugs will come out of their center square.

The more I play this game, the more I like it. The game play is so familiar due to everyone being used to Pac-Man that within a few minutes you are already on your way with no instruction whatsoever. Being able to change the maze yourself creates many opportunities and challenges not seen in Pac-Man. If you are lucky enough to be able to get the fruit/vegetable that appears stationary (and usually in the most bug infested part of the maze) then you score a nice bonus. The more levels you complete the faster the game goes, and the more challenging it becomes. The graphics aren’t wonderful, but its 1982, what do you expect!

A ColecoVision system: Hard to find and about $50. A bottle of Shasta: $3. An action game that makes you think: Priceless

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

How to find ColecoVision Game Cartridges

2012-06-07T22:37:00.000-04:00

OK, if you own a ColecoVision you have probably run into this problem: Tons of stores, flea markets, etc that carry old Atari games but none that carry ColecoVision games… or so you think.

The first rule to ColecoVision games is they look nearly identical to Atari cartridges, so a lot of the time when they are purchased in bulk, sellers will just stuff them in boxes of Atari games and not give them a second thought. So get ready to dig through a ton of Atari games.

The main difference that makes ColecoVision games stand out is the back. Most Atari cartridges have a simple back side that is just flat. The ColecoVision cartridge has a recessed portion with tabs which are designed to hold the controller insert card. Sadly, 99% of the time this card is missing. Another huge difference is Atari games are labeled upside down when compared to the ColecoVision. Note the pictures. Atari games are on the right, ColecoVision games on the left. You will notice the Atari side label (slightly pealing off on the top right hand picture) is on the bottom. The ColecoVision game (top left) has the cartridge contacts on the bottom. You can also clearly see the indentation in the back of the ColecoVision cartridge (bottom left) WARNING: Coleco made games for the Atari too! Just because it says Coleco doesn’t mean ColecoVision! Check the back for the indentation and make sure it says ColecoVision!

Once you have dug through a hundred copies of Missile Command, Combat and Space Invaders for Atari you should have come across at least 10 ColecoVision games. Sellers might get it in their head that it should command a higher price, when it (in most cases) shouldn’t. Just let them know there is a much lower demand for ColecoVision games, so they can either sell them to you, or they can hold on to them until they rot. In some cases, when you are friendly with the person selling or you are a repeat customer, it’s not a bad idea to school them on ColecoVision games. You might make a new friend, the best kind of new friend, a new friend that will set aside ColecoVision titles for you in the future!

It is one of those relationships that benefit both parties. They sell something they would normally have to sit on or throw away, and you don’t have to go through more trouble than Indiana Jones (minus the Nazis everywhere) to find new games.

At the flea market this weekend I talked to 3 different video game retailers. Only one knew he had ColecoVision games mixed in with his Atari games. The other two were clueless. One didn’t even know what Colecovision was and wanted to know if they could be played on the Atari. Those two were glad for the information and promised to hold back any ColecoVision games so I could have first grabs next weekend. The one who actually knew he had ColecoVision games mixed in was so impressed with the simple fact that I knew it that he gave me a bundle deal of 9 Atari 5200 games, a ColecoVision power supply, 3 ColecoVision games and 2 Atari 7800 games all for 20 bucks! So it pays to know your stuff!

So educate yourself, get out and dig, make some friends and have some fun! Who knows what you will end up with!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game Review: Choplifer! For Atari 7800

2012-06-07T22:36:00.000-04:00

Rating: 70 out of 100

The history of Choplifter is pretty much backward of the games I have reviewed in the past. Almost every game I have reviewed started life as an arcade game. In contrast, Choplifter started out as a game on the Apple II computer. In the game you rescue various hostages from various buildings and return them to base. It came out in 1982, a year after the Iran hostage crisis. Coincidence? Apparently. It was ported to arcade games in 1985 and made it’s way to the Atari 7800 in 1987.

Game play is pretty simple. You lift off, you shoot a building, hostages spill out, you land and let them get on board. You have to watch out for other helicopters, jets and tanks that will shoot you down. Once you pick up the freed hostages you return them to your base and go again.

The game is pretty fun to play and is extremely popular so finding a copy isn’t that hard. I picked mine up at Oogie for a few bucks. It is fairly easy to pick up on and a joy to play, until you get to frustrated at the damn jets! I love playing it, until I inevitably get shot down by one of those damn jets which are almost impossible to shoot down. The tanks and helicopters are easier to get rid of, but it eventually gets so infested with enemies that you die.

I would recommend picking up a copy, even if it just sits on the shelf. Choplifter has some pretty cool artwork on the cartridge and the box, if your lucky enough to find one with the box.

VIDEO OF CHOPLIFTER FOR ATARI 7800: Note, this video was made by Classic Game Room. I am not associated with him, but I HIGHLY recommend you check out some of his videos. He really knows his stuff and does great video reviews.

Play Classic Arcade Games Online FOR FREE!

2012-06-06T23:23:00.001-04:00

This is just a really quick posting to tell you about a very exciting website I found. No I am not paid to promote them, no I don't get anything out of it at all. It is just because it is fricken awesome! You can play classic games such as Astroids, Dig Dug, Frogger and many many others! No need to install anything!

The games start up very quick and are a pleasure to play. The graphics are very close to the original and its a great way to spend downtime or break time at work. It is, however, no substitute for popping in a Space Invaders cartridge in your vintage 2600 and going to town on those ships. So play away, but don't forget those original systems and cartridges!

Here is the link!
http://free80sarcade.com

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game Review: Carnival for ColecoVision

2012-06-05T20:41:00.002-04:00

Rating: 70 out of 100

Carnival for ColecoVision is another port from an arcade game. It came out for the ColecoVision in 1982. The name is slightly misleading as you don’t get to choose from different carnival games. It is one game: The Shooting Gallery.

Even though it is not really action packed, it is probably one of the funner classic games I have found. You control the gun and shoot various items as they scroll past your screen in one of three levels. The higher the level you shoot the items at, the more you score. If the ducks make it to the bottom level they take flight and if you don’t hit them pretty quickly they go down and eat some of your bullets, shortening the game. After killing everything on the screen you get to kill bears that increase in speed depending on how many times you hit them.

There is a bonus box in the upper left corner which you must hit before it goes away! It comes back ever so often so keep your eye out. The flags at the top center aren’t there for decoration either. You can shoot them and get a few more bonus points. And speaking of bonus points, if you shoot the letters “B O N U S” in the right order to spell out the word “bonus” guess what you get?

I picked it up for a few bucks at the flea market and it was totally worth it. It is not one of those games you get addicted to, but is easily one you can spend an hour a week playing off and on. The graphics are pretty good. The music is annoying after awhile but can easily be turned off by shooting at the music note in the far right corner.

I would recommend this to just about anyone. It is an easy game to pick up on, it plays well and its just plain fun and different. It is one of the first games I found for ColecoVision so I don’t figure there will be any problems finding it.

Check out the video below to see an extremely corny original commercial for the game.

How To Keep Your Vintage Cartridges Looking and Working Like New!

2012-06-04T18:50:00.000-04:00

Today I am going to talk about a few situations that really annoy me and can be fixed with a few dollars worth of materials and/or some basic common sense.

First, as most of you know, when games get REALLY old the labels start to come off. I HATE THIS! I hate seeing a cartridge with no labels. And I REALLY hate when people write notes on them to tell you what they are. Here is a super easy tip of the labels start coming off of your game:

1. DO NOT USE SUPER GLUE! It bleeds through paper and is just plain to messy. You will end up with a really crappy looking cartridge. The only thing that looks crappier is someone who uses clear tape to reattach their labels.

2. Keep your cartridges away from the air conditioner/heater and away from direct sunlight. I know it says it on the back of NES cartridges, but use your head. Air conditioners and heaters take moisture out of the air, glue dries out and the labels come off. Direct sunlight will eventually discolor your cartridges.

3. DO NOT blow in your cartridges. The chemicals in your spit and moisture from your breath are actually very bad for the games. Don’t blow in the game system itself either.

Here are some great alternatives to keep your games in tip-top shape without killing your bank account:

1. Labels coming off? Go to the arts and crafts aisle at your local big box store and pick up a dollar thing of stick glue, the kind you used in grade school. Clean the cartridge with a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol then apply a bit to the effected area and hold it down until it sticks. If the entire label has come off, apply a good coat to the entire label and reapply it firmly. Cleaning the cartridge with rubbing alcohol is very important as it gets rid of old useless glue, debris and dirt.

2. Video game storage: Like I said before, don’t store your games near heaters, air conditioners or direct sunlight. Remember this are basically 30 year old electronics and need to be treated as such. I keep mine all in a bookcase. It has 6 shelves so I use 2 of them for my systems, 1 for controllers, and 3 for games. It is set to where there is no sun on them and is on the opposite side of the room from the air vent.

3. Cleaning your games: Everyone has come across the problem of your games not working. Dust gets into the pins and you get squat. Most peoples’ first solution is to blow in them. That is about the worst thing you can do. It may work for the short term but will deteriorate your games in the long term. All you need is a can of compressed air like used to clean out computer keyboards, rubbing alcohol and Q-tips. Blow out your machines with the compressed air occasionally with the compressed air, and clean your cartridges with the q-tips dipped in alcohol.

If your games come in the original box, leave them in it! It is rare to find games in original boxes so the boxes themselves are rare, and are an excellent way to show off your collection while keeping them away from light, heat, cold and liquid. Following some basic guidelines and using your head will save you lots of trouble down the line.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

ColecoVision Update!

2012-06-03T21:31:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I just got the ColecoVision two days ago and I was upset that I couldn't play it because I didn't have a power cord. Well guess what I got today? Yup, thank you Gary at the Super Flea Market. So tonight is the night. My loyal fans are going to get their very first Vintage Game Spot ColecoVision game review!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

The Video Game Crash of 1983

2012-06-03T21:14:00.000-04:00

By now you have heard me mention the Video Game Crash of 1983 in almost all of my blogs. It just occurred to me that I really never explained what it was. So here we go, an expedition into the past.

Imagine, if you will, that you have 3 tv channels. Duran Duran was on the radio, Michael J. Fox became Alex P. Keaton. Ronald Reagan was in the White House, Nancy was leaping around the country telling kids to JUST SAY NO, and video games were in their golden age.

Only, by this time, the golden age had tarnished (YES, I know gold doesn’t tarnish but just go with the analogy.) The industry dominant Atari 2600 was 6 years old, and 30 million people had one. Arcades were the place to be and everyone was jumping on the home video game bandwagon, hoping to score some quick bucks.

This led to a massive oversaturation of the market. At the time, if you were in the market for a new video game system you could choose between the Atari 2600, the new Atari 5200, the ColecoVision, the Arcadia, Fairchild Channel F, Magnavox Odyssey, Mattel Intellivision, and a handful of others, not to mention the clones of those systems released by big box stores like Sears and RadioShack. Some of these systems were awesome and are worthy of buying even 30 years later, others just outright sucked.

Of course when you have such a glut of video game systems you get a glut of video game cartridges. Back then there were no controls on third party software development and EVERYONE jumped on the bandwagon trying to make a quick buck with hastily released, unplayable games. Even Purina and General Mills were making games. There were so many sucky games out there, that a lot of people were starting to dread buying a new one, not knowing if they would like it. Some extremely high profile games, including Pac-Man and E.T. The Extraterrestrial both for the Atari 2600, were such horrible titles that more copies were either unsold or returned than were actually retained by customers.

In fact, there is a conspiracy theory rumor about E.T. for the Atari 2600. As rumor has it, MILLIONS of unsold copies of E.T. were removed from Atari’s El Paso warehouse and taken to Alamogordo, New Mexico where they were quietly crushed and buried. This attempt to rid Atari of it’s huge embarrassing failure was picked up on by the local paper, and a few days later by the New York Times. The next day, concrete was poured over the site.

These public failures led to a drop in consumer confidence in the entire industry. Retailers were just as sick of their customers returning sucky games as the video game companies were of receiving tons of unsold copies back from the retailers. So what did the retailers do? Well the principals of capitalism took over and they simply stopped stocking their shelves with things that were more of a headache than a source of income. Sales industry wide fell from about $3 billion in 1982 to around $100 million in 1985.

So, without anyone to sell their junk games and glut of systems, the system and game manufacturers began hemorrhaging faster than one of Jason’s machete slashed victims. The software giant Activision took a HUGE hit and switched over to developing games for personal computers. Game developers such as Games by Apollo and US Games quickly went out of business.

On the hardware side, Magnavox gave up on video games and went back to making TVs and VCRs. Coleco also got out of the business, but wouldn’t be as lucky as Magnavox. They filed for bankruptcy in 1988 and their assets were bought by Mattel the following year. Even the almighty Atari was not immune to the huge downturn in the market. After booking massive losses, Warner Communications sold Atari to Jack Tramiel in 1984.

So why do we have video games at all anymore? One word: Nintendo. First off, Nintendo knew that it would be hard just to get on toy store shelves. So what did they do? They made their system look more like a VCR than a video game system. They also initially packaged their deluxe system with R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy), a robot that played a total of two games. Once the Nintendo took off, ROB was discontinued. Nintendo also kept strict control on it’s software, with an innovative lock-out chip that would only play Nintendo approved games.

The Nintendo flew off the shelves. Video games were back with a vengeance. Atari jumped back into the fray, re-releasing 1984’s Atari 7800. But it was to to little to late. Atari didn’t give the 7800 any financial backing, advertising or attention. The 7800 did have the advantage of near 100% backward compatibility with the 2600. Of course, all this meant was that you could play games that, at the time, were between 3 and 10 years old. The 7800’s own library of games was rather good, but extremely limited, mainly due to exclusivity agreements between game developers and the great Nintendo. Atari kept making game systems until the Jaguar in the mid-90’s, but without much commercial success.

This spelled the end of American dominance in the video game market, and the rise of Japanese companies with such everyday names as Nindendo, Sega and Sony. The United States would not produce another successful game system until the 2001 introduction of the Microsoft Xbox, and even that is made in China.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

FINALLY! A Colecovision!

2012-06-02T20:14:00.001-04:00

Yes, thats right boys and girls! I finally got a Colecovision! But not just one, but TWO! And both of them are still in their original boxes! I had to cough up $50 for the pair and neither have a power cord but I can pick one up easy enough. But I am slightly bummed i can't play it right now. So the system review is on hold. Since I can't review it yet I am going to give a short history of the system.

The ColecoVision was released in August 1982. IGN praised it for "Its incredible accuracy in bringing current-generation arcade hits home." By 1983 it had sold over 1 million units. Then came the video game crash of 1983. EVERYTHING was hit by the crash, and the newish ColecoVision was no exception. Sales fell off a cliff and by 1985 Coleco decided to pull the plug on the ColecoVision. Coleco itself wouldn't live to see 1990. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 1988 and Hasbro bought all it's assets the following year.

The unit itself is very attractive. It has a very vintage 80's look to it. One of the main features i like is the pig tail controller cords and the storage slots on the unit itself so there are not cables and remotes laying everywhere. The controllers have a keypad, which you slide a plastic cover over depending on the game you are playing so you know what button does what. but good luck finding a used game that actually has these inserts with them. If you look at the back of a cartridge, there is a strange looking plastic pattern which houses the inserts. This is also one of the easiest ways to distinguish ColecoVision games from Atari games.

It was never as popular as the Atari but thats mainly because of the bad timing, right before the video game crash. The casual vintage gamer might have a NES and a SNES on his shelf. The dedicated vintage gamer has those plus an Atari 2600, 5200 and 7800. The true gaming fanatic has all of those plus an Intelivision and a ColecoVision. So guess what system I will be getting next?!

Before I close this out, I want to talk about the Colecovision's expansion port. This port wasn't for attaching empty promises, like the Atari 7800. There were actually three expansion modules made for the system. First, and probably most famous/infamous was the module that allowed you to play all of your Atari 2600 games on the ColecoVision. This prompted a lawsuit from Atari, which they lost because the system could be made with readily available parts. This prompted Coleco to come out with a stand alone Atari 2600 clone known as the Gemini. The second module was a steering wheel and foot peddle for the racing games Turbo, Destructor and Dukes of Hazzard. The third, and probably the neatest expansion basically turned the ColecoVision into a full fledged computer known as the Coleco Adam.

Well that's it for the ColecoVision until I get a power cord and can power these bad boys up. By the way, I now have an extra Colecovision if anyone is interested!!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

80’s Gamer Mancave: The Complete Vintage Video Game Experience!

2012-05-28T18:06:00.000-04:00

The popularity of Man Caves is growing by leaps and bounds. The feminine touch, once confined to the Kitchen, has spread to the living room, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, hallway and even the lawn! This leaves the average guy wondering what part of the house is HIS part of the house.

By now, most people are familial with the DIY Network show “Man Caves,” hosted by former Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Tony “the Goose” Siragusa. The show follows Goose as he transforms unused garages, attics, basements or spare rooms into the ultimate monument to testosterone. But what about the average blue collar guy that doesn’t have $20,000 to sink into transforming their spare room into a man cave?

Well, if your reading this, you already know that I love vintage video games. I also love almost anything from the 1980’s. So guess what theme my man cave takes on? Now I am far from rich. In fact, I am usually playing catch up on the utility bills. But for next to nothing, I turned my extra room into an oasis of 80’s tech that my roommates often refer to as “That 80’s Room” all without spending more than $200! Here’s how:

FURNITURE: First off you need furniture, and since you will probably be sitting on your butt for several hours playing video games, you need comfy furniture. The great thing about an 80’s themed room is it requires 80’s themed furniture. This is something the world has in abundance. You can find old furniture at thift stores, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, or even sitting out by the curb on big trash pick-up day. I picked up a very vintage looking dining table with 4 swivel chairs at the local thrift store. It had been sitting around unsold for quite some time so I was able to get it all for $5. I recycled a bookcase I found on the curb down the street from my house, which was free, to hold my systems and games.

ELECTRONICS: No man cave (especially a vintage video game man cave) would be complete without a huge compliment of electronics. Lets start out with the tv. It is a mid-1990’s 27 inch Magnavox that a friend was just going to throw out when he upgraded to flat screen. (NOTE: It is important, not just for nostalga but for functionality, to get an older tube type tv as opposed to plasma or flat screen because for some reason, attachments such as the NES lightgun DO NOT work on flat screens!) So the TV was free.

GAMING STUFF: Connected to this is a Playstation 1, an Atari 2600, an Atari 7800, and my RetroN 3 which plays NES, Super NES and Sega Genesis games. I also have more than 150 games for the systems mentioned above. All of this was mostly aquired through trade. I would venture to say that I spent less than $100 in actual cash on all my video games and systems.

And what 80’s themed room would be complete without a rockin’ Hi Fi system? This actually proved to be the hardest thing to get. Everyone over the age of 30 has a record player sitting in their basement. The downside is that most of them don’t work anymore. I bought 4 record players before I got one that worked. Of the other 3, one had a seized up motor, the other had no sound, the other had to many problems to mention. BUT since most of these Hi Fi all in ones are just sitting around collecting dust, you can get them very cheap. For all 4 I paid a total of about 20 bucks. The one that actually worked cost me $2. It is also my favorite as it includes an AM/FM stereo and a built in 8-track player! I also picked up some records for 25 cents each!

The great thing about putting a man cave together like this is that it is almost a hobby just assembling the room. My room is not finished, as I want to keep adding little touches here and there. At the top of my list right now is a working Apple Macintosh Classic computer, and some more wall hangings. I’ll keep you up to date!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game Review: Wall Street Kid for NES

2012-05-28T16:19:00.001-04:00

Rating: 73 out of 100

Introduced in 1990, Wall Street Kid for NES is probably the most fun tycoon strategy game I have found for the NES. In the game you are the heir of the $600 billion Benedict fortune, but to prove you are worthy you are given $500,000 to invest. You must make enough to buy a house, a yacht, and finally the family castle. You must also maintain a good relationship with your fiancé/wife, and maintain good health. If you succeed, you get the billions, fail and you get squat!

The gameplay is, at first, hard to pick up on, but once you get the hang of it, its fun and challenging. If your looking for a no holds barred 8-bit thrill ride, look somewhere else. It’s a strategy game, pure and simple. The “save codes” are a bit complex. If you write them down, make sure you write down where they are shaded digits or regular. Otherwise you will end up losing your progress. That being said, once you get the hang of it, you can play the entire game from beginning to end in about 2 hours, less if you are really good. I can actually get through the entire game in about an hour now. But there are always curveballs, so watch out.

The game throughs a bit of humor at you with the names of the companies, which are essentially spoofs of real companies such as Yapple instead of Apple, Firedman’s instead of Freidman’s, Charles Schlob for Charles Schwab, YBM for IBM, Strayhound instead of Greyhound, and Carnivore Cruise Lines instead of Carnival Cruise Lines.

The game is fairly easy to find, and since its not in high demand. I picked up my copy at the Cheektowaga Super Flea in Cheektowaga, NY for $2. I have seen them online, I have seen them at Oogie Games, and I have seen other copies at the flea market, all for between $5 and $10. For the price, it is well worth it. If you are into strategy games I definitely recommend you pick this one up.

HINT: The stock tips are a VERY useful way to make money. Sure they may cost $1000, but they are worth 100 times that!

CHEATER'S CORNER:

To get to the cheats, simply go into the "saved game" section instead of new game and enter one of the following codes.

Code: 24[!][?]9 Q[X][%]2[K] [%]2[D]3[?] 01[D]31 02[D]3[L] 03[D]3H 04[D]3Y [%]2DB7 [!]0[Q][M]3 4C0[O]3 [%]2

Effect: Start Game on Monday, April 5th at 9:00 with $999 Million+ Cash/$360 Million+ Stocks/Max.Stocks(999)/Full Portfolio.

Code: MCAIB 10W0? SH40Q 2020E 0?%4? %4?%4 2V8MK CQ208 M30C0 C

Effect: Final week of game

Code: L50UB %452? %4?%4 ?%4?% 4?%5V 60W0D 0C0M3 0C08

Effect: Mansion

Code: MC50W %2W0! 7H10E 2030Z 0?%4? %4?%4 1P8MC CQ208 M30C0 C

Effect: Skip to week 15

Code: G1HGL L3%34 6?%4? %4?%4 %4?%5 E62%2 70C0M 30C%2

Effect: get the Yacht

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game Review: Ms. Pac Man for the Atari 7800

2012-05-28T15:25:00.004-04:00

Rating: 95 out of 100

FINALLY THEY GOT IT RIGHT! If you read my last blog on Pac-Man for the Atari 2600, you will know how much I disliked it. That is because of its poor graphics and sound. It was nothing like the arcade game.

In sharp contrast, Ms. Pac-Man for the 7800 is a fantastic port of the Ms. Pac-Man arcade game. The sound is great, the coloring is awesome, the graphics are top shelf.

Here is a little history about Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man that I left out of the last review simply because of my lack of enthusiasm for Pac-Man on the 2600:

The original Pac-Man was released in 1980 and became an instant hit. As an arcade game, the original Pac-Man grossed more than $2.5 Billion dollars in quarters. Ms. Pac-Man came out 2 years later as an unauthorized sequel to the original. The only real difference between Mr and Ms is that Ms. Pac-Man has a sexy red bow on her head. The unauthorized sequel probed to be so immensely popular that the original developer, Namco, adopted it as an official version.

The game was ported to more home gaming systems than I care to list and all did fairly well. In fact, the Atari 2600 version of Ms. Pac-Man won Video Game of the Year at the Electronic Games Arcade Awards in 1984.

Game play is extremely easy to pick up on. Its just like Pac-Man. You go around the screen eating dots and avoiding ghosts. Simply contacting a ghost kills you. Bonuses include eating fruit that occasionally bounces around the screen and eating the ghosts after you stun them by eating the larger dots. It is, however, almost impossible to win. But still loads of fun.

This is one of those games you never get sick of. It is just as fun the first time as it is the 1000^th time. I personally like to sit with my roommates and play it, switching off each time one of us die. The game is so well known and so fun that everyone from 5 year old son to 65 year old grandma will have a great time playing. So grab a pizza, some soda and some friends and have a mini-Ms. Pac-Man tournament!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Game Review: Pac-Man for the Atari 2600

2012-05-20T19:14:00.001-04:00

Vintage Game Spot Rating: 50 out of 100

This review will be short and to the point because of my lack of enthusiasm for this particular version of this AWESOME original arcade game.

OK everyone has played Pac-Man and if you haven’t, you are obviously not a vintage gamer. Shame on you. Anyway, in Pac-Man you go around trying to gobble up all the dots while avoiding the four ghosts (Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde) who kill you on contact. The larger dots change the ghosts into eatable targets. It is a port of the extremely popular arcade game of the same name. That is pretty much where the similarity ends.

Released in 1982, over 12 million copies were produced in anticipation of extremely high sales. But, like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the game was rushed into production and become a huge flop. Copies of the game were returned to store en mass and more than 7 million copies went unsold.

The game play resembles the arcade game but the colors are different, the graphics are horrible and the sound is way off. The game does somewhat function like the arcade version if you can get past the differences in sight and sound. It is just very hard to get over it being such a horrible port!

Because so many were produced, the cartridge is VERY easy to find. You can usually get it for just a dollar or two at your local game store. It is nice to have in your collection, if only to say that you have it. But if you have the option, I recommend getting this game on another platform.

The Vintage Game Spot Mini-Update

2012-05-12T01:58:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to give a quick update on some (for me) REALLY exciting news. As you know, the Atari 2600 is my all time favorite system. Well I have upgraded! Yes, that's right. I recently purchased an Atari 7800 ProSystem on eBay. The deal was just to good to pass up. I acquired the system, the AV and power cable and 1 remote for the low low price of $33 including shipping! Another plus is that it has been tested and is working. The down side to the purchase is there is only 1 remote, and it didn't come with any game cartridges. But you know me, always prepared. I ran out and traded some rather sucky Playstation games that were gathering dust for some 7800 games. So in the near future expect reviews of the Atari 7800 as well as 7800 games such as Pole Position II, Ace of Aces, Choplifter, Food Fight and many many others!

Game Review: Space Invaders for Atari 2600

2012-05-11T13:59:00.006-04:00

Vintage Game Spot Review Rating: 93 out of 100

Space invaders is probably one of the greatest arcade games ever created. It was so popular and addictive that when released in Japan, it caused a nationwide shortage of 100-Yen coins. This popularity carried over to the Atari 2600 port of the game. It was released for the 2600 in 1980 and quickly became the very first “killer app” for ANY video game platform, quadrupling the sales of the already popular console. In it’s first year Space Invaders for the 2600 sold 2 million copies, becoming the first game in history to sell more than 1 million copies. The game was also ported to other systems, with hit or miss popularity. It was somewhat successful on the Atari 5200 but was received poorly on the Nintendo NES.

The game has spawned MANY cultural references, many continuing today. My favorite modern cultural reference is on the Comedy Central cartoon Futurama. One of the main characters, Fry, controls a real life gun that shoots down “Invaders! Possibly from space!” controlled by Lrrr of the planet Nintendu 64 (A spoof on the character Lrrr, ruler of the planet Omicron Persei 8.) Fry declares that all he needs to win is a 2 liter bottle of Shasta and an all-Rush mix tape. After failing to shoot down the last ship, Fry says “I could never get the last ship! My brother always got it for me!” After landing, Lrrr says “Instead of shooting where I was, you should have shot at where I was going to be.” As a demand for conquering earth, the invaders demand “A million allowances worth of quarters.”

Like most Atari 2600 games, the gameplay is very simple. The player controls a moveable gun on the ground. Right above him are 4 green shields. Above that, in a square grid pattern are four different kinds of ships that drop bombs while moving back and forth, descending as the game progresses. The goal is to destroy all ships before any of them reach ground level. If you are killed, or any of the ships reach the ground, you lose. If you are able to destroy all ships, you win. Simple right? Did I mention that after awhile your shields disappear? Did I mention that the more ships you shoot down, the faster and more aggressive the remaining ships become?

This is one of my favorite games. It never gets old and most of the time you don’t win. There are several varieties of 1 and 2 player games on the cartridge so you can always mix it up. The overwhelming popularity of the game means that you can easily find it at flea markets, swap meets, game stores and garage sales, usually for only a dollar or two. The only downside is… honestly I can’t think of a downside aside from the addictive qualities of this game and the nostalgia it brings back to anyone over the age of 30. If your younger, try it. You’ll like it. If your older, get your kids to play with you. Its hours of fun. In short: BUY THIS GAME AND PLAY IT! You will have no regrets!

Game System Review: Atari 2600

2012-05-10T23:07:00.000-04:00

Paul’s Review: 97 out of 100

Today I get to tell you about a video game system that is probably my favorite system of all time, and probably one of the most recognizable pre-nintendo video game systems: The Atari 2600!

The Atari 2600 made its debut in October of 1977 and was not officially discontinued until January 1, 1992, after 14 years and 2 months. This makes it the longest-lived home video game consol in history. During this time more than 30 million consoles were sold, and (for better or for worse) more than 900 unique games were created for the 2600.

The original Atari 2600, at the time called the “Atari VCS” (Video Computer System), the system took on its numeric name in 1982 to distinguish it from the newly released Atari 5200. The “2600” came from the system’s part number, CX2600. The original system can be distinguished by it’s distinct wood-grain front. Later models looked more like a miniature Atari 7800 than the original 2600. These are often casually referred to as “2600 Jr.”

The 2600 is credited with sparking a revolution in home gaming, and, perhaps more notably, the main factor in the video game crash of 1983. Many arcade games of the era were ported for the 2600 including the vastly popular Galaxian, Asteroids and Space Invaders. On the flip side, many games were so horrible that they killed consumer confidence in the entire industry, leading to the massive decline in video game sales in 1983. Most notable of these would probably be hugely unpopular E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. Based on the hugely popular movie of the same name, the game was rushed to the market so it could be released for the 1982 Christmas season. This gave developers only 5 weeks after securing the rights to the game to completely develop, produce and market it. Atari completely lost control of the creative process for its 2600 games, leading to some real stinkers. Nevertheless, there are MANY awesome titles for the 2600.

Game play on the Atari 2600 is a very easy and very pleasant experience. Almost every game is easy to pick up on and impossible to master. There have been times when I have gotten a new game and played it all day, often getting my friends and roommates involved, who also end up playing it all day. The graphics are simple by today’s standards but groundbreaking for 30 years ago, and the controllers are easy to pick up on: a directional joystick and 1 button.

I had one of the wood-grain Atari 2600’s handed down to me when I was very young. I think it originally belonged to my aunt. I played it, gaining a few fond memories before I got my first NES for Christmas in the mid-1980’s. Over the years my original Atari was lost, the games and controllers scattered to the wind, being replaced by a sucession of video game systems such as the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Playstation and Xbox.

That would have been the end o this story if I hadn’t started getting nostalgic a few months back. When beginning this blog, I sat around thinking about what I could write about and quickly decided to see how hard it would be to get my hands on an old Atari.

It was actually surprisingly easy. As most of you know, I trade for most of my games and systems, but just for the sake of giving an example, I am going to list approximate cash values. The system I was able to locate at the flea market, the local used games store and various sources online for anywhere from $20 to $150 depending on bundled games, controllers, functionality, etc. I paid about $30 for mine, which included 10 games in their original boxes, a plethora of manuals, controllers, attachments, etc. The only thing that was missing was the power adapter which I located locally for 10 bucks.

The best thing about the Atari 2600 is the availability of games. As I said before, there are over 900 titles for the system. The best part is that, even though they are 30 years old or older, they are surprisingly abundant and easy to find. I highly recommend you start your collection with Asteroids, Space Invaders, Pitfall, Video Olympics and Donkey Kong. They are some of the most popular games made for tha 2600 and if you look around you can find them for $1 each. If you are a good negotiator you might even be able to bundle many games into a lot to make the price even lower. I once picked up 32 different titles for $5 and a Wii remote I never use.

So grab a 2 litre bottle of Shasta, a cheap frozen pizza and a Rush mix tape and settle in for a night of fun…. 80’s style!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

Retro gaming craze: What's old is new again

2012-05-03T18:12:00.001-04:00

REPRINTED FROM AZCENTRAL.COM

Today's video games may boast photorealistic graphics, surround sound and worldwide multiplayer matches via the Internet, but many still long for the days when games were, well, simple.

You know, when you didn't need to master 14 buttons just to beat a level or suffer from vertigo because of a dizzying first-person perspective.

If you've got a sentimental spot for bustling arcades of the early '80s -- or sitting on a shag rug in front of the boob tube, with an Atari beside you -- then you'll be happy to know there are many ways to regain the glory of the "golden age of gaming" -- in 2012.

Retro to go-go

Many of the game apps for smartphones and tablets are the classics from yesteryear. You can download authentic versions of "Ms. Pac-Man," "Galaga," "Centipede," "Asteroids" and "Space Invaders," to name just a few -- many of which are just $0.99 cents apiece. Some, like Atari's "Missile Command" and "Breakout," are completely free.

But a touchscreen might not feel right to video game purists. If you agree, a couple of the iCade accessories can help. ThinkGeek.com's iCade ($99.99) is a tabletop arcade cabinet that lets you drop in your iPad tablet to play classic games -- complete with a red-topped joystick, responsive buttons and faux coin slot.

Coming soon is a smaller version, the iCade 8-Bitty ($24.99), a Bluetooth-enabled gadget designed to work with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android device. The wireless game controller sports a vintage D-Pad and button layout reminiscent of retro 8-bit game consoles from the '80s and '90s, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Master System. The battery-powered device will work with many hundreds of games, with a full list available at thinkgeek.com/icadegames.

TV time

If you prefer to play these digital diversions on your big-screen television, all three video game consoles -- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii -- offer downloadable versions of retro games.

The Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) for Xbox 360, for example, offers nostalgic titles like "Asteroids," "1942," "Frogger," "Choplifter," "Defender," "Dig Dug" and "Bomberman." Most of these titles are 400 to 800 Microsoft Points (or $5 to $10 each).

Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) for PlayStation 3 also houses many downloadable titles for a couple of bucks apiece, like "Crazy Taxi," "Mega Man," "Crash Bandicoot," "Yar's Revenge," "Marvel Pinball" and "Worms." Some games are new spins on old favorites, like "Space Invaders Infinity Gene" or "Galaga Legions DX."

Nintendo's Virtual Console on the Nintendo Wii, has dozens of classics from older Nintendo systems, including games from "The Legend of Zelda," "Super Mario Bros.," "Metroid," "Final Fantasy," "Mega Man" and "Bomberman" series. These timeless adventures usually cost between 500 and 1200 Wii Points, or about $5 to $12 per game.

Go big and go home

If budget permits, you might consider picking up the Gamerator ($3,499) for your basement or "man cave." This custom-built, full-sized arcade cabinet contains nearly 100 video game classics €" including "Beer Tapper," "Joust," "Mortal Kombat," "Dragon's Lair 20th Anniversary Special Edition" €" plus you can also connect new video game consoles, if desired, to the 26-inch flat-panel HD screen with dual joystick and trackball controls.

Speaking of beer, there's a special surprise for those who'd like to sip a cold one while playing: inside the Gamerator is a built-in tap and keg fridge for your favorite brew.

Game Review: Super Mario Brothers 2 for NES

2012-05-03T18:07:00.000-04:00

Part two of our three part review on the Super Mario Brothers Trilogy for NES!

The Vintage Game Spot Rating: 73 out of 100

Super Mario Brothers 2 is the 1988 sequel to the hugely popular Super Mario Brothers. It is actually based on a retooled non-Mario game from Japan called Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panikku, which is why it bears so little resemblence to Super Marios 1 or 3.

There are a few extra characters compared to its predecessor, namely Toad and Princess Peach. Each character has its own special ability (e.g. the Princess can fly and Luigi can jump higher) and there is much less emphasis on shooting the bad guys. Instead you pick them up, or pick up turnips or bombs planted in the ground, and throw them at other bad guys, bricks, or the main enemy at the end.

This game was listed as #18 on the 100 Best NES Games by IGN.

Paul’s Review: 75 out of 100

I didn’t like this version as much as the first or third Super Mario Brothers but it is still a very good game. The graphics were somewhat lackluster, but still a huge improvement over Super Mario Brothers. The music was also a lot better.

I did like that you had more characters to choose from, but wished there was more shooting. The things you picked up were slightly hard to aim when throwing and there was no scoring system.

It is, however, a very fun game to play, and being a member of the Super Mario Trilogy for NES gives it instant fame and credibility. Game play is easy to pick up on, even without a manual. The game as a whole is challenging and engaging.

Aaron’s Review: 70 out of 100

Good game also a classic. Wasn’t as popular as the first and third games but that’s pretty much how it goes with any trilogy. But still a lot of fun.Mario was a good character couldn’t jump very high but still all right. He’s just the classic character in all these games. Luigi is one of the better characters. He can jump a lot higher than any of the others but when jumping he’s a little harder to control. Toad was alright about the same as Mario in the game: nothing to special. The princess was in my opinion was the best character because she could float and was a lot easer to control when she is in the air than Luigi.

This was a great game over all. the graphics are a lot better than the first Super Mario Brothers but not as good as Super Mario Bros. 3. One thing I really had fun with in this game is when you have to battle the Yoshi looking creatures at the end of each world but I never really understood the eagle head that you have to go through after killing him, but that’s the Japanese for you thinking they know how Americans think and what we want to see.

Game Review: Super Mario Brothers for NES

2012-05-01T11:27:00.001-04:00

The next three reviews will be over probably the most well known video games of all time: Super Mario Brothers one, two and three for Nintendo Entertainment System. There is hardly a person alive that has not played one, or all three of these games, and they have spawned so many TV shows, cultural references and sequals that they deserve a high place in the annals of video game history. So here we go…

The Vintage Game Spot Game Review Rating: 90 out of 100

Super Mario Brothers for NES was released in 1985 by Nintendo and is arguably the most well known game of modern times. It was developed from the arcade game of the same name, which came out in 1983. The game is often credited for the success of Nintendo and for bringing the country out of the Video Game Crash of 1983.

In the game you control either Mario or his brother Luigi (2 player mode only) as they move through the Mushroom Kingdom and do battle against Bowser to save Princess Toadstool while killing enemies such as Goombas and Koopa Troopas.

Paul’s Review: 100 out of 100

This is the first Nintendo game I played when I originally got the console back in the 80’s so my rating might be more based on the good memories rather than the actual gameplay. That being said, the game is very well developed, the characters are memorable and fun. The gameplay is engaging and challenging without being overly difficult. Overall one of the best games ever made for NES!

Downsides would include the fact that there is no way to save, and when you die, you have to repeat the game from the very beginning. Also, player 2 (Luigi) doesn’t begin play until the first time Mario dies, which, if Player 1 is good at the game, can be a very long time. BUT I still gave this game a 100 due to its nostalga, notoriety and just plane funness (yes I made that word up) to play.

This is truly one of those games you can just sit and play for hours on end without getting bored. In fact me and the roommates have played it more times than I can count in just the past month.

Another huge plus to this game is it was included with new NES systems as the bundled game so there are MILLIONS of copies out there. It makes it one of the most affordable games at your local flea market or used video game store. If you have never played this game, I suggest getting your hands on a copy. If you have played it but don't have a copy currently, I suggest going out and getting it. You can't go wrong with this game!

Tyler's Review: 80 out of 100

I wasn’t ever much of a Mario fan, but this game is a classic favorite amongst all gamers. Born in 1992, I was not around for the release craze, however my older sister was, she is a big vintage gamer, so essentially I was raised on it, since this game in particular has always been one of her favorites. Looking back at the game today it has brought back numerous fond memories. Super Mario Brothers has made history, nobody will ever forget the adventures of this Italian, princess saving plumber Mario, along with his brother Luigi.

I’ve always enjoyed the hidden levels, and the gameplay is quite amazing for 8-bit. I wish it was available to play 2-player at the same time instead of turn based, but it is an old game, can’t expect too much. Overall, this is a great game and I would recommend it to anyone, although I would question a person’s sanity if they have never played it before!

Video of the Game
Here is a video review of the game, published on YouTube by Classic Game Room. He is a GREAT reviewer and has great footage of old games. Disclaimer: I am in no way connected to the Classic Game Room and offer a link to his video as information only. Any copyright or intellectual property, actual or implied is owned by him not me.

Check out what’s Up for May on VGS!

2012-05-01T09:17:00.003-04:00

HAPPY MAY 1ST EVERYBODY!

FINALLY the day has come! My Atari 2600 should be in the mail today! So this week be prepared for quite a few Atari game reviews! I will be reviewing Atari classics such ans Vanguard, Asteroids, Missile Control, Combat and Donkey Kong!

I will also be reviewing the Atari 2600 itself, as well as other system reviews such as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System. and Sega Genesis.

I also have several game reviews for other systems in the works. Some are popular games such as Super Mario World for SNES, Super Mario Brothers 2 and 3 for NES, Zelda for NES and Galaga for NES. Some are some more obscure and much less popular games.

And as mentioned before, this weekend I will be trading off some unused equipment for yet another 20 Atari games! Add to this the upcoming articles on the Video Game Crash of 1983, how to build a cheap game room and portable gaming systems and you can see that May is going to be an exciting month here at The Vintage Game Spot!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE!

The Quest: In Seach of Vintage Games

2012-04-30T21:58:00.002-04:00

A lot of people who have fond memories of their Atari or NES would like to play them again but they just don’t know where they can find something that hasn’t been made for 30 years. Here are a few hints and tips to help you track down those oh-so-hard-to-find items.

My first tip is stay away from chain stores. Wal Mart, Target, K Mart and the like are not really even good places to buy new games. They are just big box stores. Their associates don’t have the knowledge you will find at an actual video games store. Add this to the fact that they don’t carry old games at all.

Big chain video game stores, like Game Stop are a good start, but they are geared more toward the newer game systems. You are not likely to find anything older than mid to late 1990’s games there and they are not going to have the more obscure titles that you may be searching for.

Locally owned stores are quite a bit better, but are hit and miss depending on what you are looking for. I live in Buffalo, NY and we have a great locally owned small chain called Oogie Games. They carry everything from Atari to Xbox. Their older systems and older games are hit or miss simply because they are dependant on people trading them in. A good advantage to locally owned stores is they are more likely to offer at least a short term warranty with the old games and systems they sell. I believe Oogie offers 30 days.

Thrift stores and flea markets deserve a category all their own. Thrift stores are not as reliable as flea markets as they rely on donations and most people don’t donate their video games. Flea markets are a lot better. If you find a large flea market, they may have several stands that sell vintage video games exclusively, and other stands that have the occasional system or box of old games. Another advantage is the ability to haggle and bundle items. You can often talk a flea market stand owner into a 3 for the price of 2 deal or get them to knock a couple dollars off the price of a game you have been searching for.

A category I am almost hesitant to mention is Garage Sales. That is because they are so hit or miss that they are almost not worth checking out. But if you enjoy going garage selling or enjoy checking out estate sells, then by all means try it. If you do find a system or some old games you may be able to get them for next to nothing if the person doesn’t know what they have or they simply want them out of their closet.

Before I close out this post, I feel like I have to discuss online sellers. The advantage to buying systems, and especially games, online is you can almost always find exactly what you are looking for. The biggest downside to buying online is shipping. If you find that special Atari title you have been searching for you may be able to buy it for $2 but you will end up spending another $5 in shipping. A great way to buy online is to find someone who is selling several games as one lot. You will end up paying less per game and may discover a few you never knew existed.

My final piece of advice is ask around. Ask your friends, and let them know you are interested in vintage games. I have come across situations where a friend gave me a game system he was going to just throw out during spring cleaning. They might know of other people who have old games or systems they don’t want, or know of a cool little shop they passed by a few months back. So get creative, communicate, ask questions, have fun and happy gaming!

Game Review: Friday the Thirteenth for NES

2012-04-30T09:36:00.002-04:00

Vintage Game Spot Review Rating: 7 out of 100

Today I am reviewing what Game Informer once called “One of the worst horror games of all time” and Nintendo Power rated as the 6^th worse game ever made, stating "After playing a few minutes of this aardvark, you wanted Jason to slaughter all the counselors and then you. Anything so it would just end."

In the game you run around Crystal Lake lighting fireplaces at various cabins and doing battle against zombies for some reason, (because I really remember Jason having a bunch of zombie sidekicks?) and the occasional wolf and crow that attack at random. (Yet another thing I never remember happening in the movie?)

The game is fairly easy to pick up on but near impossible to play for any length of time due to the extremely poor quality and general unplayability of the game. Thank god it only cost me a dollar.

Paul’s Review: 10 out of 100

Honestly, I hated the game. The 10 out of 100 is being generous. I bought it because I really enjoyed the movies as a kid and thought the game would provide some much needed nostalgia. Sadly this wasn’t the case. None of the characters, except for the ONE appearance of Jason, were in the movie and the only kills made by Jason were children, which you never see but are listed as children lost on your screen. When he kills all the children the game is over.

The biggest disappointment was the fact that for a horror game, it was in no way scary. The only scary part about the game is how horrible it is. The graphics were poor, (Jason's coloring was weird.. sort of neon. looked horrible) the characters didn’t make sense, the enemies were no challenge at all, being killed with 1 to 2 hits. That was probably the worst part because after playing for 15 minutes or so, you are almost wishing your character would die so the terrible experience would be over.

I honestly wouldn’t recommend this game to ANYONE. If you see it in a bargain bin at your local video game store, put it back and pick something else.

This will go on The Vintage Game Spot's "Worst Games Ever" list.

Aaron’s Review: 50 out of 100

It is complicated to figure out. not sure I’m going to play it again. The movies are kick ass but the game falls very short. You are constantly being attacked by these zombie-like things, birds and wolves. It’s easy to figure out the map and where the notes send you but its almost imposable to kill Jason when you run across him. And your suppose to save some children that were captured, there’s no way to directly save them without finishing the mission and I’m not even sure what the mission is. But some of the notes keep telling you “go to a cabin by the lake” or “go to the cave” which is where the children are being kept. The graphics are pretty crappy and since the N.E.S. controller is so old you push right and if you don’t push it perfect than it will send you up to the lake or to the woods or even the cave.