Archive for December, 2009

TI 99/4A added to 2010 systems

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

I finally went and pulled out the old Texas Instruments TI 99/4A computer that I bought in 2004. I originally bought it for the show, and at last got around to actually testing the system. While I have only three working games (the 4th one was DOA), I am putting the TI 99/4A into the 2010 Underdog area anyway. Why? Because it is a real underdog computer system, and I’ve wanted to have it on display for a while now. The lack of games is not an issue with me (but I hope to pick up a few more at the MGC show). I’ve got three good games, and that works for me. TI Invaders is one of them, and it is a very good Space Invaders clone, with a few unique twists of its own.

Welcome to the Underdog Chamber Mr. TI 99/4A! :)


TI 99/4A – TI Invaders
TI 99/4A TI Invaders

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Two systems added, one in the works still

Friday, December 25th, 2009

I finally got around to testing some systems, two of which are officially being added to the 2010 Underdog Chamber exhibit.

To start with, I obtained a Panasonic FZ-1 3DO system from the GOAT store. While it still will go through a bit more testing, I’m satisfied at this point to add it to the 2010 show. This wonderful and true underdog system from 1993 now joins the Underdog Chamber, and I hope it receives a warm welcome from the public in March. Some interesting 3DO games will be on display, from the original Road Rash, to Blade Force, Gex, Out of this World, and a few more.

My old favorite (still after all these years), the Odyssey2 officially is in the UC exhibit for 2010. I was play-testing an old and rare game early today (like 3 am) and also playing some classic Odyssey2 games as well. It was such fun to be playing games on my favorite classic console again. This system from 1978 will be on display with a wide range of games, with some new ones as well (yes, new). The new 233-multi-cart will be on display, along with Route 66+, and much more.

Lastly for this early morning, I have been finally testing the //e MicroDrive. I have successfully tested the enhanced //e kit, and put in the drive into slot 2. It is working for now, but I need to get some game images loaded onto the drive before I officially announce that the //e with be in the show.

Till then, more testing to come, probably starting with Mac systems for this years return of the Quake LAN (more to come on that).

Oh, and a happy Xmas to all you gamers out there. Hope you get some cool new (or classic) game(s) with your gifts this season!


Road Rash (3DO version) – Panasonic FZ-1
Road Rash on 3DO Panasonic FZ-1
//e w/MicroDrive (and more) – Odyssey2
Apple //e inside Odyssey2
Loading games w/7030
Loading games with the 7030 RAMcart

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Happy Holidays 2009

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Just thought I’d stop by and post a ‘Happy Holidays’ to the electronic gaming community! Hope you all have a great time this Christmas, and New Year’s too. It has been an interesting 2009 (both ups and downs), but I think it was pretty good overall. Lots of new games to play, and lots of old games too (that’s what I’m all about).

Have a good one, and hope to see many of you at the MGC show in March, 2010!

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NPD November 2009 – DS & Wii back on top

Friday, December 11th, 2009

The NPD has released the November 2009 (U.S.) sales figures, and a tad earlier than normal, which is fine with me. With the holidays fast approaching, sales #’s went up compared to last month, which just makes sense. The DS regained the top spot, followed by it’s bigger brother (the Wii). The Xbox 360 managed to regain its spot over the PS3, while the PSP slowly drops down. PS2 sales while even at the bottom are still amazing, simply due to the fact that the system will be ten years old soon!

NPD figures for November 2009 are:
Hardware:

  • NDS/DSi = 1,700,000 units sold! (up 372%)
  • Wii = 1,260,000 (up 248%)
  • 360 = 819,500 (up 329%)
  • PS3 = 710,400 (up 221%)
  • PSP = 293,900 up 168%)
  • PS2 = 203,100 (up 172%)

Software (top games for November 2009):

  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 360 = 4,200,000 units sold
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – PS3 = 1,870,000
  • New Super Mario Bros. – Wii = 1,390,000
  • Assassin’s Creed 2 – 360 = 794,700
  • Left 4 Dead 2 – 360 = 744,000
  • Wii Sports Resort – Wii = 720,200
  • Wii Fit Plus – Wii = 679,000
  • Assassin’s Creed 2 – PS3 = 448,000
  • Dragon Age: Origins – 360 = 362,100
  • Mario Kart Wii – Wii = 315,000

For November, 2009, the 360 took the 1st spot in software sales big time with Modern Warfare 2, selling over 4 million copies! Now that is impressive. Somewhat below that, the PS3 sold just under 2 million copies of Modern Warfare 2. Assassin’s Creed 2 also made the charts for the 360 and PS3, with the 360 outselling the PS3, but not as much as with Modern Warfare 2. The Wii managed to pull off 3rd place in software sales with the New Super Mario Bros. (I won’t deny that I look forward to getting this game for Xmas – hopefully). The Wii also took three other spots, with the popular Wii Sports Resort, the updated Wii Fit Plus, and the still well selling Mario Kart Wii (this older game keeps getting into the charts). The last two spots were filled with 360 games, Left 3 Dead 2 doing well in 5th place, and Dragon Age: Origins, the only console version to make the top ten.

Software sales were up a lot for November, and I would guess they’ll be up for December too. Past the holidays, now that will probably be a different story, unless some really killer games come out.

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Snow day…

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Winter started early again this season. I don’t mind snow, but not a whole lot of it for the first storm of the year. Very wet and heavy stuff too. Made for terrible snow blowing (my snowblower doesn’t like wet snow).

Nice side affect, my class for tonight was canceled! Nice not to have to drive in basically to drop off a piece of paper, then head back home, as the class was going to be 100% lab (and I can do the lab at home). So, no driving for over an hour on snow covered and/or icy roads.

Now if the snow would just lay off a bit this season. For the last two years in the Milwaukee area, we’ve come very close to beating the all-time snowiest season record (set like about 100 years ago). I personally don’t want to break the record, or even attempt it every year. So Mother Nature, please knock it off! :P

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CPU cards arrived and more…

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Today the 333MHz processors showed up from E(vil)bay. No instructions, but from what I can tell, it looks like I’ll have to use some heat-sink grease (whatever it is called) to put those into the old 233MHz iMacs. Something to do once school lets out soon.

I also got around to putting in the Enhanced kit into my Apple //e (four chips in all). Again, will test within the next few weeks. If this goes good, I get to finally try out the MicroDrive for the //e. Will be nice to get games on there without using a mechanical drive!

I also have that extra new (but old) game system ordered. Hopefully can pick that up within a week or so (before the Holidays if possible).

That’s it for now. Busy doing what I can with what is left of my college final assignments.

P.S. The transistor showed up in the mail too for the Odyssey2 video MOD. Another thing to add to my list of things to do.

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