Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Star Castle finally finds a home on the Atari 2600, gets a redesigned cartridge]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/star-castle-atari-2600/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/star-castle-atari-2600/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/star-castle-atari-2600/#comments Image

Halo may have made its way to the Atari 2600, but wouldn't porting a retro game to this '70s-era console be more appropriate? MAKE Magazine has the skinny on former Atari dev Scott Williamson's port of the Cinematronics shooter Star Castle. Though Atari execs decided the title was too complicated to bring over in the '80s, Williamson took it upon himself to make that transition possible. The result of some serious coding is 8K of ROM and 128 bytes of RAM's worth of good ol' space war. But he didn't stop there -- he redesigned the cartridge with a transparent casing and LEDs that flash during gameplay. Click through to the source link for the full step-by-step.

Star Castle finally finds a home on the Atari 2600, gets a redesigned cartridge originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtariAtari 2600Atari2600developerdevelopersdiygamegamesgaming consolegaming consolesGamingConsoleGamingConsolesretrostar castleStarCastleFri, 27 Apr 2012 03:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck crafts Atari-styled Xbox-360, takes us back to the '70s]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/ben-heck-crafts-atari-styled-xbox-360-takes-us-back-to-the-70s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/ben-heck-crafts-atari-styled-xbox-360-takes-us-back-to-the-70s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/ben-heck-crafts-atari-styled-xbox-360-takes-us-back-to-the-70s/#comments Our man Ben Heck has done it again -- this time, he's taken modding to a new, retro level. Atari requested that Heck create a modded system as a promo for its new games, so our man teamed up with element14 and did what he does best. The master of mods has gutted an Xbox 360 and shoved it into a one-of-a-kind Atari 2600-esque case that he calls 'Xbox 360 1977 Edition.' The system's got switches from old Atari systems had that control disc-ejection and controller synchronization. Just like the classic Ataris, Heck's portable gaming laptop's got wood panels and a black finish -- and it's huge. The best part of this mod? Well, playing Street Fighter on Xbox 360 hidden inside of what would be a modern version of a classic like Atari is pretty cool, in our opinion. As cool a classic like the Virtual Boy though? We'll leave that for you to decide. Oh, and be sure to hit the source link to watch the mod get formed in 23 glorious minutes.

Ben Heck crafts Atari-styled Xbox-360, takes us back to the '70s originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1970s70satariatari 2600Atari2600benben heckBenHeckheckheckendornlcdmodmodificationportablepromotionvirtual boyVirtualBoyxboxxbox 360xbox 360 1977 editionxbox 360 modXbox360Xbox3601977EditionXbox360ModTue, 22 Mar 2011 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[iFixit continues its retro gaming rampage, reduces an innocent Atari 2600 to bare components]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/ifixit-continues-its-retro-gaming-rampage-reduces-an-innocent-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/ifixit-continues-its-retro-gaming-rampage-reduces-an-innocent-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/ifixit-continues-its-retro-gaming-rampage-reduces-an-innocent-a/#commentsiFixit continues its retro gaming rampage, reduces an innocent Atari 2600 to bare components iFixit, is no device safe from the scars of your screwdriver? These eyes have been scarred, forced to witness the destruction of yet another childhood icon. Previously it was the RCA Studio II and the Magnavox Odyssey 100 before that. Now it's the rather more memorable Atari 2600 going under the scalpel, four simple screws removed to reveal an eight-bit, 1.19MHz processor featuring 128 bytes of RAM (yes, a massive 1,024 bits) and a graphics adapter capable of 192 x 160 resolution with 128 colors -- though only four could be used on any given line. Through these humble beginnings the cartridge-based console was born... and now here it rests.

iFixit continues its retro gaming rampage, reduces an innocent Atari 2600 to bare components originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2600AtariAtari 2600Atari2600cartridgeClassic gamesclassic gamingClassicGamesClassicGamingconsoleifixitteardownThu, 02 Sep 2010 20:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Microsoft VP brings Halo to the Atari 2600]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/former-microsoft-vp-brings-halo-to-the-atari-2600/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/former-microsoft-vp-brings-halo-to-the-atari-2600/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/03/former-microsoft-vp-brings-halo-to-the-atari-2600/#comments Sometimes you just can't stop a man and his dream. In this case, the man is Ed Fries, the former vice president of Microsoft's game publishing division, and the dream is a version of Halo for the Atari 2600. That actually started out simply as a way for Fries to learn to program for the 2600, but quickly turned into a full-fledged, Adventure-style game that made its debut at this past weekend's Classic Gaming Expo -- in cartridge form, no less, and with a label that'd look at home in any shoebox full of 2600 carts (check it out after the break). Just as impressive as the game itself, however, is the story behind it. Here's just a sample:
It's around this time that I discovered the existence of what I call "Magic Land". I was working on a bug with the boss encounter and accidentally found myself completely outside the 64 room map. I was wandering through memory that was never intended to be interpreted as part of the map but the code was doing the best it could to interpret what was being thrown at it. Strange, misshapen monsters attacked me in even stranger ways as I wandered through this bizarre land that I had unintentionally created. I left a bug or two in the final game to allow others to find and explore this strange landscape as I did.
Oh, did we mention you can play it right now? Hit up the source link below and prepare to forget that Halo Reach even exists.

Continue reading Former Microsoft VP brings Halo to the Atari 2600

Former Microsoft VP brings Halo to the Atari 2600 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2600atariatari 2600Atari2600classic gaming expoClassicGamingExpoed friesEdFrieshalohalo 2600Halo2600retroTue, 03 Aug 2010 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Canon DSLR shutter remote hacked into Atari joystick]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/canon-dslr-shutter-remote-hacked-into-atari-joystick/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/canon-dslr-shutter-remote-hacked-into-atari-joystick/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/17/canon-dslr-shutter-remote-hacked-into-atari-joystick/#comments Just point and shoot.

Video after the break.

Continue reading Canon DSLR shutter remote hacked into Atari joystick

Canon DSLR shutter remote hacked into Atari joystick originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 May 2010 03:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600atari joystickAtari2600AtariJoystickCanon DSLR remoteCanonDslrRemoteDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfDSLRdslr remoteDslrRemotehackjoystickmodmodsretrovideoMon, 17 May 2010 03:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Students create CRT emulator, hope to recapture that analog gaming vibe of yesteryear]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/students-create-crt-emulator-hope-to-recapture-that-analog-gami/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/students-create-crt-emulator-hope-to-recapture-that-analog-gami/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/students-create-crt-emulator-hope-to-recapture-that-analog-gami/#comments The retro gaming insurgence seems as strong as vinyl these days, but you don't see as many people looking for a CRT monitor to complete the set. More likely, they're playing a HD remake or the original title on a digital screen in more detail than the developers ever anticipated or intended. A group of Georgia Tech students are looking to change all that by modifying open-source Atari 2600 VCS emulator Stella to give players that good ole fashion analog vibe. As highlighted by associate professor Ian Bogost, key attributes such as color bleed, "burned" afterimage, RF-engendered signal noise, and texture created by the phosphor glow have been imitated here in recreating the effect. Hit up the gallery below for pictorial examples while we wait anxiously for video and / or the mod itself to rear its blurry head.

Gallery: Students create CRT emulator, hope to recapture that analog gaming vibe of yesteryear

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Students create CRT emulator, hope to recapture that analog gaming vibe of yesteryear originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>26002600 vcs2600Vcsatariatari 2600atari 2600 vcsatari emulatoratari vcsAtari2600Atari2600VcsAtariEmulatorAtariVcscrtcrt emulatorcrt monitorCrtEmulatorCrtMonitordigitaldisplaysemulatorgamegamesgaminggeorgia techGeorgiaTechhackhacksian bogostIanBogostlcdledmodmodsvcsvideo gamevideo gamesVideoGameVideoGamesMon, 04 May 2009 06:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck crams Xbox 360 controller into Atari 2600 joystick]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/ben-heck-crams-xbox-360-controller-into-atari-2600-joystick/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/ben-heck-crams-xbox-360-controller-into-atari-2600-joystick/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/ben-heck-crams-xbox-360-controller-into-atari-2600-joystick/#comments
As we've seen, a little Atari 2600 is a sure way to liven almost anything -- cakes, candles, landfills -- and it looks like the Xbox 360 is no exception, as none other than Ben Heck has proved with his new so-called 3600 controller. As you might expect, Ben didn't exactly take the expected route to wind up at this creation, instead opting to use the guts of a Guitar Hero 3 controller, which he somehow managed to squeeze into the base of everyone's favorite one-button controller (even leaving room for a guide button and ring of light on the underside). Be sure to hit up the link below for a must-see video of the controller in action and, of course, plenty more pics.

[Via Xbox-Scene]

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Ben Heck crams Xbox 360 controller into Atari 2600 joystick originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>26003600 controller3600Controlleratariatari 2600Atari2600ben heckBenHeckxbox 360Xbox360Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari 2600 stuffed into Game Gear, Sega Nomad seen casting envious glances]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/30/atari-2600-stuffed-into-game-gear-sega-nomad-seen-casting-envio/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/30/atari-2600-stuffed-into-game-gear-sega-nomad-seen-casting-envio/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/30/atari-2600-stuffed-into-game-gear-sega-nomad-seen-casting-envio/#comments
Oh sure, there's bound to be some protrusion when shoving a retro console into a gaming handheld, but inelegant styling was a way of life for Sega back in the mid-90s. Modder Chris Koopa has achieved the impossible by stuffing an Atari 2600 (or the important parts, anyway) along with 40 games into a hacked up Game Gear and enabling it to operate for nearly a full workday with just five AA batteries. And yeah, there's totally a 2600 cartridge slot to allow for playback of original titles. You know you're oddly interested in seeing more, so tap the read link for a few shots from the rear / side.

[Via technabob]

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Atari 2600 stuffed into Game Gear, Sega Nomad seen casting envious glances originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600Atari Gear 2600Atari2600AtariGear2600chris koopaChrisKoopadiygame gearGameGeargaming handheldGamingHandheldhackmodsegaSun, 30 Nov 2008 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari Hero mod lets you rock out with ET]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/atari-hero-mod-lets-you-rock-out-with-et/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/atari-hero-mod-lets-you-rock-out-with-et/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/atari-hero-mod-lets-you-rock-out-with-et/#commentsAtari Hero mod lets you rock out with ET
Those of us old enough to remember crap games like E.T. and Sssnake have every right to be thrilled by the relative quality of modern gems like Guitar Hero. We're guessing modder Conner Flynn over at SlipperyBrick feels that way too, melding the old with the new by inserting an Atari 2600 console into the body of a faux-Gibson from Guitar Hero. This meant adding two controllers to the body (an eight-way joystick plus a paddle-style controller for Breakout), wiring up the green button on the neck, and adding a small screen where the strum bar would normally reside. It's a layout that makes this axe best suited for play Jeff Healey-style, and with a pocketful of AA batteries you can game your Angel Eyes out wherever you like. No, it's not the most ergonomic portable 2600 we've ever seen, or most practical, but is certainly is the most badass.

[Via technabob]

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Atari Hero mod lets you rock out with ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600Atari2600diyhackmodretrovintageMon, 29 Sep 2008 09:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Genintari project is finished and ready to make you envious]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/14/super-genintari-project-is-finished-and-ready-to-make-you-enviou/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/14/super-genintari-project-is-finished-and-ready-to-make-you-enviou/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/14/super-genintari-project-is-finished-and-ready-to-make-you-enviou/#comments

DIY game consoles are hardly the rare occurrence they once were, but this so-called Super Genintari project (previously known as Leviticus) is definitely a step above most, and more than enough to make us a little green with envy. As you may be able to discern from the project's name, this behemoth of a console brings the Atari 2600, NES, SNES and Genesis together at long last, with each system available at the push of a clickety-clackety button and ample controller ports provided for each. What's more, while there's quite the mess coming out of the front of the console with all the controllers attached, the rig does at least neatly connect to a TV with a single AV cable. Be sure to head on over past the break to check out a video of it action, and hit up the link below for the fully story and plenty of pictures.

[Thanks, Jenn]

Continue reading Super Genintari project is finished and ready to make you envious

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Super Genintari project is finished and ready to make you envious originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atari 2600Atari2600consolediygame consoleGameConsolegenesisnessnessuper genintariSuperGenintariMon, 14 Apr 2008 16:12:00 EST<![CDATA[The Multari: Atari 2600 gets elegantly shoved in a handheld]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/10/the-multari-atari-2600-gets-elegantly-shoved-in-a-handheld/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/10/the-multari-atari-2600-gets-elegantly-shoved-in-a-handheld/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/10/the-multari-atari-2600-gets-elegantly-shoved-in-a-handheld/#comments
We already knew what Marshall was capable of when we caught wind of his masterfully assembled portable Nintendo 64, but the modder extraordinaire has really outdone himself this time. As the name implies, The Multari is a portable Atari 2600 with 32 games built right in. The chassis itself was crafted from vacuum-formed styrene plastic, and aside from the colorful buttons and iconic D-pad, there's also a 5-inch display and what appears to be a set of speakers. Mmm, retro never looked so good. Peek the video after the break (right after you grab your drool cup).

Continue reading The Multari: Atari 2600 gets elegantly shoved in a handheld

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The Multari: Atari 2600 gets elegantly shoved in a handheld originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600Atari2600diyhackmarshallmodmodderMultariretrovintageThu, 10 Apr 2008 10:51:00 EST<![CDATA[The Atari 2600 cake, mascarpone cartridges sold separately]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/24/the-atari-2600-cake-mascarpone-cartridges-sold-separately/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/24/the-atari-2600-cake-mascarpone-cartridges-sold-separately/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/24/the-atari-2600-cake-mascarpone-cartridges-sold-separately/#comments
What can you really say about this? It's simply the most delicious looking 8-bit console we've ever laid eyes on. Now, if someone could just whip up an Xbox 360 hot-fudge sundae or Genesis-brûlée. Hey -- maybe for our next birthday?

[Via technabob]

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The Atari 2600 cake, mascarpone cartridges sold separately originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atari 2600Atari2600cakepastrySun, 24 Feb 2008 19:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari 2600 enters Strong National Museum of Play's Hall of Fame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/12/atari-2600-enters-strong-national-museum-of-plays-hall-of-fame/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/12/atari-2600-enters-strong-national-museum-of-plays-hall-of-fame/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/12/atari-2600-enters-strong-national-museum-of-plays-hall-of-fame/#comments
We know that the Atari 2600 doesn't really need more accolades, but it's always nice to see the system get propers from the man upstairs. In this particular case, the man upstairs happens to be the Strong National Museum of Play's Toy Hall of Fame (that's a mouthful). To date, the museum has only added 38 toys to its list, so Atari's old pixel pusher joins the ranks of luminaries such as G.I. Joe, Barbie, the Slinky, Hula Hoops, and the Kite. In addition to being the newest entry, the console also has the distinction of being the most recently invented toy in the Hall of Fame, though we understand that claim was nearly edged out by Silly Putty. Congratulations, 2600, you've come a long way.

[Via Next Generation]

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Atari 2600 enters Strong National Museum of Play's Hall of Fame originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2600atariatari 2600Atari2600consolegame systemGameSystemhall of fameHallOfFamestrong national museum of play's toy hall of fameStrongNationalMuseumOfPlay'sToyHallOfFameMon, 12 Nov 2007 09:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy 30th birthday, Atari 2600!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/happy-30th-birthday-atari-2600/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/happy-30th-birthday-atari-2600/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/01/happy-30th-birthday-atari-2600/#comments See that Wii or Xbox sitting under your TV? The PSP or DS tucked away in your messenger bag? That copy of Pac-man on your cellphone which cost five bucks and expires next month? Each of them owe a debt of gratitude to the granddaddy of all videogame consoles, the Atari 2600, which ushered in an era of unprecedented television usage, and which turns 30 years old this month. That's right, the first 2600 units rolled off the assembly line in October of 1977, delighting both children and kids at heart with games like Pitfall and Pole Position, and helping distract the nation after the untimely death of the King, the tragic crash of Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane, and Pele's retirement. So here's to you, dear 2600: Atari may only be a shadow of its former self today, but you've lived on in our fond memories, in retro Flashback products, and last but not least, in tricked-out mods from the great Ben Heckendorn.

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Happy 30th birthday, Atari 2600! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600Atari2600birthdayMon, 01 Oct 2007 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck's NEStari is twice the fun]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/ben-hecks-nestari-is-twice-the-fun/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/ben-hecks-nestari-is-twice-the-fun/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/23/ben-hecks-nestari-is-twice-the-fun/#comments
You just can't put this guy down. Just when you think he's had his full share of soldering injuries and heatsink frustration, Benjamin Heckendorn goes and builds the NEStari, a flavorful combination of NES and Atari 2600 in a convenient, portable package. The story is half the fun, but short of it is Ben had a NES-on-a-chip lying around and a spare Atari Flashback 2 chip, but only a single 3.5-inch LCD, so he decided to make a nice, fat portable that can load both NES and Atari cartridges. Sure, the DS lite kids may laugh, but you can always bludgeon them with this monstrosity, while playing gaming classics that far surpass the Pokemons of today. Well, at least Ben can. He's not going to be making any more of these, since the hack wasn't exactly easy to pull off. Hit up the read link for the step-by-step and even some video of the NEStari in action -- if you can get it to load.

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Ben Heck's NEStari is twice the fun originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600Atari2600ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendornhandheldnesnestariThu, 23 Aug 2007 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari 2600 controller candleholder]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/atari-2600-controller-candleholder/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/atari-2600-controller-candleholder/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/15/atari-2600-controller-candleholder/#comments
Looking for a way to crank up those romantic evenings with your significant other, yet still want to remind them that gaming is your true love? This old school Atari 2600 controller candleholder from Mixko should do the trick. At least until someone starts selling a Miyamoto candle.

[Via Joystiq]

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Atari 2600 controller candleholder originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2007 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atari 2600Atari2600candleTue, 15 May 2007 22:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck's latest: Atari VCSp Revision 7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/22/ben-hecks-latest-atari-vcsp-revision-7/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/22/ben-hecks-latest-atari-vcsp-revision-7/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/22/ben-hecks-latest-atari-vcsp-revision-7/#comments
What does Ben Heckendorn do when he's not modding up consoles for Engadget? Why, mod up consoles on his own dang time, of course. His latest is another Atari 2600 portable, this time aping the DS lite almost too well -- Nintendo just looks bad now. Sure, the processor requirements of the 2600 aren't substantial, but that cartridge sure is. Unfortunately, after inital tests, it seems touch screen input is a no go. Read on for some more pics, including a straight up DS comparison shot.

Continue reading Ben Heck's latest: Atari VCSp Revision 7

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Ben Heck's latest: Atari VCSp Revision 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atari 2600Atari2600ben heckendornBenHeckendornhackmodrevision 7Revision7vcspFri, 22 Dec 2006 13:29:00 EST