A word about Gamestop.  Gamestop has been trading in the $4.00 range recently.  That's not good.  While I have seen companies come back from that (some of those being juggernauts today) most fizzle out.  So their plan is to reformat their stores (again) in an attempt to mimic the Mom and Pop stores by selling retro games and magic cards.  As all of you well know Mom and Pop shops have been struggling for years and closing up left and right.  In fact there are two left where I live.  Of course Gamestop recently tried this and FAILED since they did NOT properly train their employees to spot counterfeits and fake repo games (this issue was prolific). They also mentioned local gamer leagues and tournaments.  Wait, didn't Game Crazy do that before they locked up too ?

Now some have feel they have a "cater to the collectors" mentality and truthfully they're not wrong.  Its a direct result of one of the recent past reformats' to draw in retail sales and generate revenue.  I just wait for stuff to go on clearance until it becomes reasonably priced.  So imagine, with Gamestop gone you will have one less nationwide avenue for USED games, one less decent gamer magazine, and one less physical place for games to congregate and talk shop.  I think that's what bothers me most.  It would be one less place for us to be. 

In the end its the same path that our beloved EB Games, Kay Bee Toys, ToyRus, and Radio Shack all went down.  Too little too late.  While Gamestop was never really my first choice I hate the idea of relying solely on the Walmarts, Targets, and Best Buys for retail experiences.  I close with this question to you...do you think the big three already see the writing on the wall and that's why there's such serious talk of digital distribution it this next generation?  Now I question which came first, the demand for digital distribution or the need?

-kaokensho

GameBoy Restoration

Today we are replacing a classic Game Boy shell with an aftermarket clear shell from out friends on the other side of the planet.  Now most of the time I try to keep everything original but in this case there are three factors as to why I will not here.  The first is that both the screen and battery cover need to be replaced.  The screen is deeply scratched and the battery cover is missing the c clip that keeps tension.  The third reason is that there is still some remaining battery corrosion on the lower battery terminals.  I have gotten enough of the corrosion off to ensure the unit still works but to completely clean I must disassemble.  If I’m having to do that might as well do it all!

So here’s my clear shell kit a la eBay for about eleven bucks and a month transit time.  It comes with the screen, battery cover and the infamous tri-wing screw driver needed to remove these six outer screws.  Be careful when opening the unit since there is a sizeable ribbon cable connecting the two halves.

Look at this mess inside!  First I will focus on the back half since that will need the attention of both white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. 

Okay, so after cleaning for a bit I assemble the back half.   I find that the kit provided power switch is okay but I find using the original purple power switch works better.  Now onto the front half.  Here there are ten Philips screws.  Technically the new D-Pad is black and the original is dark gray but I’m gonna keep the buttons original for that pure tactile feel.  Again I reused original equipment by using the same screws from the original.  However, that may have been a mistake because you can see stress marks in the plastic where I tightened the screws.  Oh well, I can live with that.  Later I would find that the stress mark appeared to disappear once the innards were installed.  All in all this took about forty five minutes and it was well worth it!

-kaokensho

Pac-Man 256 makes sense...

I have to admit that even though I did play Ms. Pac-Man as a kid in the laundry mat back in 1988 I had no programming experience let alone knew what a kill screen was.  I came across this video that explains very clearly why level 256 looks and acts the way it does.  I would also encourage you to check out the app Pac-Man 256 which captures this idea and just runs with it! 

-kaokensho

Level 4-2

I've never had much interest in the speed running scene. However, the old you tube recommend one presentation by Summoning Salt about the classic Super Mario Bros. level 4-2.  I thought,"heck I remember that level, its how I got to level 8."  This video is amazing and changed the way I see record progression and speed running forever.  While I'm not ready to quit my day job and start speed running Mega Man 2, I will tell you that if you've ever warped to level 8 in Super Mario Bros. you need to watch this.

-kaokensho

Magnovox Odyssey 2000 Repair and Modernization

Evil Game Switch

Equally & Uniquely Evil Video Cable

As I dusted off my old Odyssey 2000 (Model BH7510) I found that one of the devils pitchforks, I mean one of the connectors on that evil game switch was broken.   I tried splicing a new connector on it but the signal quality was poor.  I then turned to world wide web (aka Google) for answers.  I know that folks have used simple Radio Shack components to bypass Atari's evil TV/Game switch the Odyssey series uses this unique video cable which makes that impossible.  Enter Ozyr's Emporium and the solution to this problem.  On this page it shows that this Magnavox video cable can be replaced with a standard RCA video cable on an Odyssey 2.  Well if it works on an Odyssey 2 maybe it will work on the 2000 unit?

To find out we popped that Odyssey 2000 on the operating table and behold!  Under a ton solder was the video connector that appeared a lot like a standard RCA cable.  We replaced the cable but now we still need a slightly more modern answer to the evil TV/Game switch.  For that we turned to Radio Shack's successor, eBay.  Shown in the picture is a RCA to COAX adapter that runs for less than five US bucks.   This same simple cheat come be used on other systems of its time like the Atari 2600/7800 and the Coleco.

Game RF Video TV Cable Adapter RCA to COAX

 
After re-assembly I now have the clearest and sharpest image I have every seen come out of this Magnavox Odyssey 2000.  Of course this carries video signal only since the internal speaker handles all the beeps and boops of pong.
. -kaokensho