This series of articles focuses on the real life tribulations, joys and helpful tips for all collectors in our shared passion - video games and the hardware that drives them.
Monster video game collections - they are out there, but so few of them are rarely displayed to the general public. This is true of most significant compilations, regardless if the passion of said person are video games, stamps, coins or even Barbie Dolls. There are really two main reasons for this - security and privacy. These are genuine concerns for any avid collector, especially in today's economic climate. This is a sad reality, but appropriately pragmatic in nature. The well known collection displayed above is an exception rather than the norm - but yet he has remained completely anonymous to most everyone.
I don't classify myself in the class of collectors that I am referring to, but I still nonetheless take the following safeguards. These are a few items that I would recommend to alleviate the stress in owning a large collection (however you define it).
Insure Your Collection
This seems like a no-brainer, but do not overlook this most important aspect. Take pictures, catalogue items and keep your insurance company updated. You will need to provide a value for everything (if you truly want to insure your collection). This will take some time, but it will be well worth it. Not doing so might have you underinsured.
Be Wise When Posting Pictures
Eliminate/erase any personal references in the pictures that you do choose to share with the general public. This includes personal photos of family members, menus, anything that might be in the background that may identify you. Do not unnecessarily subject yourself - black out/blur completely where appropriate.
Be Verified via an Alternative Address
Do not use the address of your collection (or your personal home) when making purchases. You can get verified easily through PayPal without having to reveal this information. This is completely legit and will in no way harm your reputation as a buyer or seller - you just have to have a safe haven to sign/receive goods and a verifiable payment source. Do not have things delivered directly to your homeplace of your collection. This will unknowingly result in the widening of your 'circle of friends', regardless if you think so or not. Also, make purchases from trusted sources when sharing this info if you must, and only with those whom have as much to lose as you do.
Remain Anonymous
Prudently share information, and with only those you completely trust. This is of paramount importance. Ensure that your 'inner' circle is completely trustworthy. Not doing so will put you at risk. Make certain that members in your circle of trust are limited to a select few. Even with this small number, do not trust that their own respective inner circle(s) can be trusted. Instruct them that this sharing of your collection is privileged for one - not the many (including family). Can they guarantee that none of their personal entourage will spout off at some point about what they saw. This is important to consider when sharing. I have hurt someone in the past by having to instruct them not to share any info about my collection (modest as it is) with their family simply due to the fact that I was aware they were a bit too loose with their mouth after having a few pops on a Friday night at the local speakeasy.
This article is not meant to be a "fear-for-your-collection" piece at all, more of how to take the proper precautions in protecting your investment, both now and in the future. Trepidation in sharing what one has amassed is natural. Taking some steps to be able to alleviate this stress will put your mind at ease. You can share your collection - all of us gamers love seeing it. Just be wise when doing so.
Hey everyone, over the past month, I have been adding in loads of variations to both the Atari 2600 and NES databases. So far, there have been a handful of people who are aware of these variations and have added them to their collections. I'd like to go ahead and make everyone aware of these variations so that it will make it easier for everyone to update their collections. Here is a list of variation titles to look out for:
Atari 2600 Numbered Text Label Picture Label Rerelease "Use With Paddle Controllers" Error
NES 5 Screw 3 Screw 3 Screw w/Round Seal 3 Screw w/Oval Seal Round Seal Oval Seal
If anyone has any questions regarding these variations, please don't hesitate to PM me. Thanks!
Review: Mined Out, Dragon 32 I know that the older tape based systems don't seem to get much love or attention, but I really enjoy revisiting some of these games. Mined Out is one of the gems from my childhood, I originally played a friends copy - the same friend who donated his Dragon 32 to my collection last year in fact - and I loved the game even then. I don't think I ever really understood it though. The mechanics are pretty straightforward, you have to manoeuvre your character from the bottom of the screen to the top, avoiding the hidden mines along the way. After each move a little message tells you how many mines are adjacent to you, similar to Minesweeper in windows. From there you have to make informed decisions about how to progress, risk it and push forwards, or back track and look for a safer route, with the added danger that you might be caught by the chasing bug which appears after a length of time. Step on a mine at any point and it's instant game over, and you're given the option of starting again from the previous level, although the layout of the mines will have changed. After almost 25 years I finally feel able to tackle the perils of rescuing Bill the Worm.
Progression through the game was fairly easy, reaching level 3 presented no difficulties. There are seven levels to the game in all, of progressing difficulty, usually adding more mines to avoid. Level 4 included a wall with a moving gap half way up the screen which you must pass through, and other levels included 4 question mark boxes which contain bonus points, and sometimes mines. The choice here then is ignore the potential bonuses, or risk it all for higher score? The bonuses do nothing for later levels, they simply add to the final score. On level 7 I got sight of Bill the Worm - he's imprisoned in a walled enclosure in the centre of the screen, and again there's a minefield to navigate to reach him.
I didn't really have any problems with the game now, and I can't say the challenge is that great, it's amazing what the addition of 25 years experience makes to playing a game. The only times I really had difficulties were getting over-confident with my mine-logic, hitting a mine when I was sure there wasn't one. Back-tracking to the previous level and re-doing it presented no further problems. When the bug appeared for the first time I got myself into a bit of a tangle and managed to head straight for it, instead of away, but that was the last time I made that mistake. All in all the game took me about an hour to complete, which is not exactly great by today's standards, and for something that cost GBP8.00 in 1983 that was a lot of cash, for not much return. I can understand why dad was always so reluctant fund a regular supply of games now, it would have cost him a small fortune.
It's a great little game to while away an hour or so, especially if you try and beat your score. Attempting to shave a couple of moves off levels is good fun, but it doesn't have long term appeal and the sound effects will probably get to you before long.
Welcome to a world where a game's physics engine doesn't dictate what happens. Welcome to a world where damage means nothing, or everything. A world where random spawns are the norm, where accidents DO happen. Welcome to a world of Glitches. Welcome, to The Glitch Files, where you will encounter some of the strangest, most bizarre, and downright odd glitches of the gaming world. Not only will we show you footage of the glitch, but will give directions on how to exactly preform said glitch for yourself!
Today's special features the Minus 1 World Glitch, from perhaps the most popular game on the planet, Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System or Famicom in Japan. This glitch, which occurs in World 1-2, takes you to an infinite loop underwater level, and has no real purpose, because the only way to get out is to die and get a game over or reset! Nevertheless, it is still a fun and interesting glitch to preform. More info after the break.
You know what? Five years on April 28 we came into being. Five years ago seems like such a long time ago, but it's true. We're really five years old. Are we getting up in age? You tell me.
A lot has changed in those five years, lots for the good, and some for the not so good. Whatever the ups and downs though, the truth is that we're still here and we're still going strong, thanks to people like you. Without you guys we'd be nothing, and for that we're truly grateful.
You know, with our birthday we like to do contests. This year is no different. As for what the contest is... why, it's the PAIN YOURSELF WITH SUBMISSIONS AGAIN CONTEST. We're evil, we really are, and we like to see you work for your spoils. Want to play? Here are the rules:
Submissions, they make the site go round. We just don’t grow if we do not have anyone submit stuff. Funny how that works, and well, we do have one heck of a community that loves to do submissions. Perhaps, with this contest, you’ll be interested in doing submissions as well. Submissions will garner you points, and these how are they are ranked:
Title Addition: 4 Points Variation Addition: 4 Points Page Edit*: 2 Points Review*: 30 Points Overview*: 10 Points Image Upload: 15 Points Submission Review**: 1 Point Blog Post*: 30 Points Blog Comment: 1 Point Forum Post: 1 Point Forum Karma: See Explanation
*Regarding the asterisk: For page edits, it is noticed that you are consistently only adding one field per edit multiple times for a single ID just to up your points, you will be disqualified. Any review or overview completed will count as a page edit as well the points for an overview or review. To get the points for an overview or review you MUST contact me via Personal Message so that I can keep a tally. In addition, the review or overview must be on the actual game / hardware page. A review or overview of poor quality could result in less points than stated being granted. The same statement holds true for blog posts.
Because we want the forum to be a lively place of fun and interesting posts, we're enabling Karma during this contest. Karma rewards members that make good posts and smites those who do not. Your Karma will play a wildcard role in posts. Positive Karma at the end of the contest will increase your point total by a factor, while negative karma will decrease it. The equation used to decide how karma affects your points will be announced at a later date before the end of the contest.
As with any contest, there is fine print. Any submission that you make must adhere to the RF Generation guidelines / policies. We wrote these policies and guidelines for a reason, and well, we’d like everyone to adhere to them. Failure to adhere to the guidelines could result in a disqualification.
Any point reduction or disqualification can be contested. In the event that you wish to contest, you must explain why the reduction or disqualification is unfair. If you win the contest, we’ll restore your greatness, but if you lose, you shall be pelted with figurative rocks and garbage.
**KICKER! Everyone, except for the directors of this site, is in this contest. There is a catch though for staff members… their final score will be halved. So, that should lead to a lively competition. I think halving their scores is fair, and I hope you do as well. Oh yeah, there is that 1 point for a submission review, that unfortunately only applies to staff members because they are the poor souls who must review your submissions.
What do you win? Well, we’re a poor bunch here at RF Generation, especially since we're on a dedicated box, but we've got a lovely prize for the top winner:
Gaming swag not to exceed $60 and an RF Generation Ringer T.
Also, anyone in the top 5% of points gainers shall get some sort of recognition, to be determined later.
So, won't you get started? The contest starts as of 20 hours ago (midnight last night). When does it end? It ends at MIDNIGHT, JUNE 8th, 2009. (Sunday 12:00AM) So, what are you waiting for? Have your cake and eat it too! Good luck!
Gamestop, we all love them and their whole LET'S SELL OPENED GAMES AS NEW thing they like to do. Taking a stance against that policy, a clever eBayer by the name of newyorkrarebooks has put a "Gamestop NEW" copy of Valkyria Chronicles up for sale at $4,995. What's so special about this copy? I'll let the seller exlplain:
Quote
This is extremely rare to find in this state considering most other "new" / "sealed" games don't have the scratches on the disc nor the fingerprint smudges nor the somehow missing instruction manual that this version has.
Kinda funny, isn't it? Well, at least I found it funny.
Also, here's a fun anecdote about Gamestop and Valkyria Chronicles. As you may know, VC was one of the games Gamestop had as part of the recent Gamer Days thing they had. They were selling it new for 30. Initially I was like "BAWWWW IT'S GAMESTOP NEW SCREW THIS". But then I looked over at the used games and saw they had Valkyria Chronicles used for 30 and immediately stopped my whining. I even thanked the friendly Gamestop associate for saving me the hassle of having to open up the game myself.
It's been over a month since my last Treasure Hunt post, though not for lack of searching. It has been the least successful month I've ever had, so bad that I've had to resort to eBay for most of my gaming goodies, although to be fair there has been quite a lot of Dragon 32 software kicking around, so my collection has grown to 78 CIB titles, only another 1100 to go.
I even used the first camping trip of the season to do a little hunting, but again totally failed to find anything. (Note for non-Europeans: Camping in England doesn't involve campfires, woods, bears or rifles and is normally done in the equivalent of a farmers field, generally including toilet and shower blocks of varying cleanliness, and close to some tourist attraction)
Anyway, this month has netted me the following items:
PS1
Disney's Jungle Book Groove Party, which replaces my Platinum version Necronomicon: The Dawning of Darkness Machine Hunter Starsweep Midway Arcade Party Pak
for a total of GBP4.40
Complete in box: G-Con 45 and Multi-tap, for GBP4.99 each
PS2/Xbox
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon Galleon The Simpsons: Hit & Run A Train 6
for GBP1.29 each
I don't have any idea of the years total to date, look for that in the next update.
Tynstar is one of the RFGeners i have known for quite some time. Off the top of my head i think him and Captain Nintendo joined a couple months after me and Danvx6. The main difference being my online sidekick went AWOL quite sometime ago and they are both still wreaking havoc.
Well let me get on with this i guess...
GENERAL How did you find RFGeneration? A long time ago I was looking for a list of all the Genesis games that were released and I found RFGeneration. It was awesome since I am a list freak.
What made you join? The collection tool and the way stuff got added. I tried for almost a year to get some Genesis games added to IGNs collection tool and they didnt get added. I havent touch IGN collection tool since I found RFG.
What made you stay? The community and collection tool.
Have you met or personally know any of the other members of the website? Jagdiesel and Captain Nintendo are friends of mine. I have met Den68, Phoenix1967, Suaza12 and S1lience.
Are you an active game collector? If so anything specific? Yes I am an active collector. Right now I am collecting Xbox 360 games.
Whats your favorite game or series? Why? Favorite series Command and Conquer. Favorite games Ms. Pac Man (Arcade), Crackdown (Xbox360), Warcraft 2 (PC), Landstalker (Genesis), Nightstalker (Intellivision), Warlords (Atari2600) and Pac Man CE (XBLA)
What do you do outside of RFG? Hang out with friends, family and play with my dogs.
SPECIFICS Why have you decided to stop collecting for multiple consoles and focus on the 360? I had too much stuff and all it did was sit there. So I figured I would sell it and payoff my bills.
What made you decide to become the hugest Gamerpoints whore* in the world? (*self proclaimed) I am no where near the biggest point whore around. Yes thats why I play 360 games but the highest score in the world right now is a little over 300k and I am only at 111k. The game that got me started on achievements was Crackdown. I liked it so much I wanted to play it more so I started going for the achievements I didnt have. Then I started talked to s1lence who was already and point whore and he ruined my life. He was a good mentor but know I just kick his ass.
What is/was your most sought after 360 game? Dont really have one. I have both Amazon exclusive. I have Mass Effect SE which was online only. I picked up a Canadian exclusive Asterix at the Olympic Games. I would like to get the Canadian exclusive Forza 2 CE.
What is the "rarest" one you know of? Maybe one of the Fallout 3 Special Editions but I am not sure.
How did you find out about being able to earn points multiple times on consoles from different regions? And have you been able to do this yet? S1lence and different achievement websites. I have 1000 points in a Japanese game. I did that when I was staying at S1ence house.
How many consoles have you had complete collections for? It used to be 7-8. I am down to 5 now. Those being Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, Sega CD and Sega Pico. See a pattern there? I am about 30 games away form having the Sega Saturn done.
I know you were going to be keeping your Genesis collection. What other parts of your collection are you planning on keeping? I am keeping all my Sega stuff and Xbox 360 stuff. Well I am selling my Sega Game Gear stuff because I hate handhelds. I am keeping a couple 2600s I had as a kid and Intellivision II plus some games. Oh and I am keeping my Ms Pac Man cabinet.
GAMING FIRSTS What was the first game you played and on what system and how old were you? First.maybe Pong I know we had one when I was a kid. If not that the Atari 2600. I have no idea what game or how old.
First console owned? Well my family had the Atari 2600 and Intellivion. I had a NES and the first system I bought myself was the Sega Genesis model 1. Bought it the week it came out and I still have it. Cost me 217 bucks.
First game you bought yourself? I am not sure but I remember buying Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun for the Genesis.
What made you decide to buy that particular game? I liked RPG's at the time and D&D so I wanted it.
First game you beat? No idea I am too old to remember that.
First time you wanted to destroy something because of a game? Probably a Genesis games. Last thing I destroyed was the case and manual for NFL Tour for the Xbox 360. I also threw the game out the front door. Man did that last achievement piss me off. Also that game is 100% pure crap.
Also want to note any and all errors in replies are all on him. I haven't edited anyones responses and don't plan on starting now or in the future. Don't want to be accused of misrepresentation
Welcome to a world where a game's physics engine doesn't dictate what happens. Welcome to a world where damage means nothing, or everything. A world where random spawns are the norm, where accidents DO happen. Welcome to a world of Glitches. Welcome, to The Glitch Files, where you will encounter some of the strangest, most bizarre, and downright odd glitches of the gaming world. Not only will we show you footage of the glitch, but will give directions on how to exactly preform said glitch for yourself!
Today's special features a glitch from the well known game on the Nintendo GameCube, Super Smash Brothers Melee, sometimes known as Super Smash Bros. Melee or SSBM. This glitch is known as the Black Hole Gitch, and is fairly famous for the amount of hilarity that can ensue if preformed correctly.
My second music installment thing. Here are 6 songs that I feel were overlooked last generation for whatever reasons. Oh, and note I never had an Xbox so I'm missing a lot of great songs from that platform.
Throughout the years I have been amazed by the technological leaps and developments in the video game industry. By the same token, some of the gaffes that have been made by the developers and manufactures have stunned me as well. Here are a few of my favorites...
Power Supply of the Atari 5200
Nintendo's Game Packaging
Infomercials for the Philips CD-i
Now this picture does not truly give this dog it's proper justice. This was the proprietary AVpower adapter with the first run of the Atari 5200 systems. It was huge, cumbersome and is very expensive to replace (if going for the original 'module'). I can understand, to a certain degree, Atari taking this protective measure after their recent litigious bouts with Coleco (among others) concerning copyright violations. Still, I hate this thing with a passion and the think tank at Atari should not have levied part of their reaction on us gamers with this monstrosity. That point being aside, this thing is prone to failure as well.
For all of their successes, Nintendo just could just never get their game packaging right until the release of the Game Cube. I can understand the NES boxes - they basically followed Atari's lead. However, why continue on the same failed path when Sega showed you how to do it right with those sturdy, plastic Sega Master System game cases? I know cost is a big issue in this, but this bothersome trend continued well into the 1990s. If I am going to shell out $49.95 for a game at least give me a box that won't get smashed and flattened at the lightest touch. Panasonic - you should have known better has well (3DO).
Being the old school gamer that I am, I remember watching the brutal offerings as shown in the above as a young adult. I have to admit I was intrigued at the time, but these infomercials had nothing to do with my interest level in this system - it had the complete opposite effect. I wanted a gaming experience - not a multimedia device that would serve all of my needs. This way the way of the 1990s with many companies, albeit with limited success for the most part. I can only imagine what Philips invested into these lame infomercial offerings, Perhaps these monies should have been diverted to R&D.
Console Design of the NEC PC-FX
The Atari Jaguar Controller
Gakken TV Boy - Everything!
Now I rather like the design of the PC-FX. It is definitely different than the standard thoroughfare of the day. Resembling a mini tower PC, this system did indeed have expansion port capabilities. The bad thing about this system - where are you supposed to put it? It is too tall to fit under 99.9% of the entertainment centers in 1994. To top this off, the CD-Rom drive is located on top of the unit - requiring another 5-6 inches of required vertical clearance. Nice console design, just not well thought out in my humble opinion.
I have to honestly admit that I have never heard one person talk favorably about the Atari Jaguar controller. Released in 1993. this pig had only three (3) controller buttons when everyone else was sporting six (6) button models along with triggershoulder buttons on some. They couldn't even get the labeling right (buttons labeled C-A-B for some unknown reason). This thing was huge, hard to grip and only a few games utilized the numeric keypad. Don't bother trying to use the D-Pad and the keypad at the same time - it is a waste of time.
The picture says it all. The main controller was built into the system (right hand throttle- looking appendage) and this system required you to grip the 'telephone anchor' with your left hand to prevent the light-weight, miniscule console was moving all over creation. I have tested out this console a few times and it grows more and more frustrating every time. I'd like to think I am not the pessimistic type, but in all honesty I can not say one good thing about this loser. Thank goodness Gakken eventually went back to handhelds.
These are just a few of the truly puzzling decisions made by video game industry experts. I have no doubt that these individuals are highly capable and very intelligent in this field. But, still, I have to ask myself "What were they thinking??". What are some of the innovations, products, etc. that you would place in this category?
As many of you already know, I dislike eBay, in fact one might say I hate it with a passion. In fact, I refuse to buy any type of gaming device from the site. So, I was extremely pleased when in January of 2008 I read a post on the Digital Press forums from Dragon Warrior Jasen, that he was fed up with eBay and toying with the idea of making his own auction site dedicated to video games with minimal fees. When he came up with a name and made the site public a couple months later, I made sure I was one of the first to join GameGavel.com. I listed numerous auctions but had very little success, but I believed in the theory behind the site of no fees whatsoever and stuck with it. Later on in 2008 I came across another site, ChaseTheChuckwagon.com, with a similar philosophy of only charging a modest final selling fee. I quickly joined that site and have been listing auctions on there since. [img align=right]http://www.chasingthechuckwagon.com/chuckwagon150.jpg[/img]
However, a couple days ago, I got the email that every other GameGavel member got from Jasen, stating that the site will be closing. Jasen blamed the closure on himself, but I do not believe that it was any one person's fault. I think the failure was the combined result of people not believing that a free auction site could work and sellers were charging the average eBay price instead of taking into account the fact that they're not paying 8%+ fees on their sale as they would with eBay.
[img align=left width=200 height=57]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/repository/07822GG LOGO.jpg[/img]Anyway, yesterday I got an email from GameGavel's Jasen Hicks and one from ChaseTheChuckwagon's Mike Kennedy, about half an hour apart stating that CTCW will be purchasing GameGavel's domain name and will be taking over operations.
Mike's plan is to co-brand both names, keeping the ChaseTheChuckwagon.comn name that some 2,000+ member knows and love and combining it with the more universal name of GameGavel.
So what this means for us, the gamers and collectors of the world, is a bigger and better site than has very modest final selling fees, that was built by gamers/collectors for gamers/collectors.
Well, this week I didn't go out at all, there were a total of 3 garage sales listed for the entire area, and they all looked crappy from their descriptions or were perpetual sales that I've been to already. But, luckily, I've got treasure from last week I didn't have a chance to post, so that's what I'll show you now.
"Shut up you guys!!!" Jimmie barked at John and I as we were jabbering about his latest Hot Wheel addition. Our self-nominated Quarterback was definitely taking his newly acquired role a bit too far in my humble opinion. John acknowledged this as well with a quick glance towards me. Now Jimmie was the classic over-competitive, under-achiever type - like some of those bad acts in American Idol auditions. That being said, we half-heartedly complied to simply appease him and avoid 'the need to focus' speech. It was after all 4th down and we had to get to the Jones' mailbox for a 1st down, lest we forget.
"We're going for it!" Jimmie exclaimed in a confident voice to our foes (who were actually 8 year old kids - just like us).
"OK... Now John, you go out to that first tree just past the Davis' driveway and cut in." Jimmie whispered to us as though he was sharing military secrets. "Terry, get to that mailbox, and turn around, fake and then go deep." Jimmie made it sound like a plan - the only drawback was that he threw like a girl and the electrical wire 'vines' that crisscrossed through our street almost negated the long game (not that we truly had that option with him anyway).
"Hutt-hutt-Hutt" ... the next thing I knew I was on defense after our 'gunslinger' successfully completed his pass, off the wires, to my defender. Now if I were QB....
The game of football is a North American trademark of sorts. Rich in tradition, this sport has almost surpassed (if it hasn't already) the 'official' past time of the USA, baseball. I first had the pleasure of experiencing this great game as an adolescent during the 1970s. During that time, we had to rely upon gathering the required parental permissions and assembling our group of four to wage battle on the paved streets of our suburban neighborhood. Everyone, regardless of age, has experienced the raw emotions that are triggered by the simple event depicted above. Though we did not have the benefit of today's smorgasbord of electronic and digital entertainment, the evolution in the electronics field was just around the corner and would provide more options to fulfill our gaming needs.
The following takes a look at the evolution of the football 'gaming' experience during my time in the 1970s. On to the games...
Paper Football (System : Kitchen Table)
Who doesn't love this school cafeteria classic!! This game was a blast, right up there with plastering a gooey spitball smack in the middle of the some unsuspecting victim's glasses. Making a solid paper football was an art form in its own right. Too big and touchdowns were a breeze but field goal attempts would flutter too much. Craft one too small and games went on forever. Regardless, Scotch tape was always a necessity. The ultimate high, and honest goal, of any serious paper footballer - "doinking" your bud plumb square in the forehead and seeing the thin reddened crease develop there as a result of your efforts. This was an ego booster - 5th grade style.
Best Memory: Being envious (honestly, more nervous) of my paper football as it sailed over my buddy's shoulder and down the front of Kelly K's shirt (our school's hottie).
Tutor Electric Football (System : Electronic Board Game)
Believe it or not, this game debuted way back in 1947. I never really could understand the fascination with it - set up a bunch of might-mite plastic dudes on a puke-green metallic gridiron and watch them shake and shiver like a drug addict at a detox clinic. There were a great many variations of this game (Talking Football anyone?), but all of them relied basically on one thing - you had to have an vivid imagination to enjoy the gaming experience. That being said, I doubt even Stephen King could last for more than 10 minutes with this "gem".
Best Memory: Watching my buddy's cat creep closer and closer to the 'electric gridiron' and watching it jump 5' in the air when we flicked on the power.
Mattel Electronics Football (System : Dedicated Handheld)
This was one of the first truly electronic football experiences. Mattel Electronics came out with their line of dedicated handheld sports games in 1977. Football was arguably their best release in this first batch of games and quickly became a favorite of all of us teenage hooligans. Your warrior, who was basically a bright-red 'minus' sign, could only run and kick. This game rocked - as long as your 9 Volt battery did not give out. When the juice started to run low, the game became dimmer by the minute until your player would take three seconds to move just one space on the virtual playing field (grid). This game could also double as a night light to check out comics after the lights were turned off for the night.
Best Memory: Using tape to mask the built-in speaker to try and mute the 'bleeps' while playing this game way after my dictated bed time. It didn't work - I got busted every time.
Atari VCS Football (System : Atari 2600 Video Game Console)
This was Atari's first football venture in console gaming. Released in 1978, Football consisted of three-on-three play with basic pass and run functionality. Remember Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots? Well, put those guys into a trash compactor and you'll end up with a reasonable facsimile of your virtual player, less the flicker. Some might find this aspect of the game nostalgic - I just find it purely annoying and gives me a headache to this day. I do have to admit that the sound effects were kind of cool as well as the '1st down' line. Other than that, this game didn't really have that much more to offer.
One thing to note about this title - be prepared for your controller to take a beating. I remember really cranking on the joystick left, right, up, down and being severely disappointed by the lack of response. The game is just slow, but it took me a while to figure this out. It also cost me two controllers that now reside at the bottom of some waste facility back in my home town.
The box was pretty 'fly' though.
Best Memory: None to be honest - this game kind of sucked.
Texas Instruments TI-99/4A Football (System : Personal / Home Computer)
Texas Instruments released this game in 1979 for their TI-99/4A personal home computer. Now this is as basic as you can get in a football game - a choice of 4 plays on offense and 4 for the defenders. Once your ‘rock-paper-scissors’ selection is made, you are basically at the mercy of the CPU. This game was flicker-free thank goodness - I was not in danger of having any type of seizure during game play. While this was a plus, once play was initiated, action would unfold at such a tortuously slow pace that I could actually feel myself aging during each play.
I guess I am lucky that quarters were limited to only 5 minutes (smiling).
Best Memory: Getting a little buzzed with my buddy while we experimented with chewing tobacco (Kodiak) and laughing as he uttered 'Da Bomb' while I was in a goal line defense.
Atari Football (System : Arcade)
Atari Football was released for the arcades in 1979. If there was ever a video game that truly made you pay for play, this was it. Not only did it hoard up all of your hard earned paper delivery tips, it was physically abusive - literally. The innovative b>Atari 'Trakball' controller was very responsive, but the price was high to take advantage of this benefit - a pound of flesh from the actual skin of your palms. Game play was frantic and invigorating. Gamers wailed away on those trackballs and that sound alone raised the entire energy level of the arcade. This game was definitely a test of endurance as much as it was a test of skill. Bring your garden gloves with you before engaging this beast.
Note - Playing this game before a palm reading is definitely not recommended.
Best Memory: Returning pop bottles and raking leaves to earn more quarters to feed into this beast at the arcade (as well as to pay for all of the bandages for my chewed up hands)
The 1970s brought about the advent of video gaming for the great sport of football. Take a trip down memory lane and share your thoughts on these classics and others from this influential time period!
So, finally, we have an official pairing bracket for the Best of the Best contest. But! Those who are good with math may notice something: we have an EXTRA pair! So, it is up to YOU (again...) to decide which pair is automatically eliminated! So, without further ado, the pairings....
Progression through the game was fairly easy, reaching level 3 presented no difficulties. There are seven levels to the game in all, of progressing difficulty, usually adding more mines to avoid. Level 4 included a wall with a moving gap half way up the screen which you must pass through, and other levels included 4 question mark boxes which contain bonus points, and sometimes mines. The choice here then is ignore the potential bonuses, or risk it all for higher score? The bonuses do nothing for later levels, they simply add to the final score. On level 7 I got sight of Bill the Worm - he's imprisoned in a walled enclosure in the centre of the screen, and again there's a minefield to navigate to reach him.
You know what? Five years on April 28 we came into being. Five years ago seems like such a long time ago, but it's true. We're really five years old. Are we getting up in age? You tell me. 
Gamestop, we all love them and their whole LET'S SELL OPENED GAMES AS NEW thing they like to do. Taking a stance against that policy, a clever eBayer by the name of newyorkrarebooks has put a 
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"Shut up you guys!!!" Jimmie barked at John and I as we were jabbering about his latest Hot Wheel addition. Our self-nominated Quarterback was definitely taking his newly acquired role a bit too far in my humble opinion. John acknowledged this as well with a quick glance towards me. Now Jimmie was the classic over-competitive, under-achiever type - like some of those bad acts in American Idol auditions. That being said, we half-heartedly complied to simply appease him and avoid 'the need to focus' speech. It was after all 4th down and we had to get to the Jones' mailbox for a 1st down, lest we forget.
