Kevin’s Classic Gaming Corner

Here’s my small contribution to the growing list of web pages dedicated to classic video games. Its scope is small, but it will grow and blossom with time.

There are a large number of older games which ran on my Atari 2600 console and 800 computer which I am increasingly nostalgic about and am currently interested in restoring and playing again. This page I hope will grow to encompass my many interests.

Video Console Games

For a while (1993-1994) I was a serious Sega Genesis player. I bought it in part because I missed playing arcade style games in color (my Mac SE/30 was cool, but it was mono). After I bought a new color Macintosh (April 1994), I consolidated my video game playing to the Mac to cut down on costs (part of my great simplify my life period), and in fact I loaned the console and games to my brother. Since the Genesis is now slowly being discontinued, I may start picking up games for it again, particularly the later Sonic the Hedgehog games. The earlier incarnations were absolutely terrific, and I spent a lot of time playing Sonic 1, 2 and 3.

Classic Atari video games

I also was (and still am to some extent) a classic video game collector, especially Atari 2600/7800 and 8-bit computer. Sadly it appears Atari is failing to maintain that tradition, as their later systems (the Lynx and Jaguar) have either been discontinued or about to be. Atari itself merged with a hard drive manufacturer, and has ceased to exist. On the other hand, Atari lives on in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts everywhere. I still fondly remember spending hours playing Space Invaders, Yar’s Revenge and Berzerk on my trusty 2600, and countless days programming in BASIC and assembly on my Atari 800. With emulators now available on the PC, Mac and Unix, I should be able to indulge in my passion without needing more storage space.

A few years back I began a frantic effort at collecting a ton of old carts and systems in a bit of nostalgic enthusiasm. After a while though I realized that I had lost my focus and was picking up anything I could find. So I have since rethought the broader goals of my hobby, and paired down some of the excesses of my early efforts. Gone now is the Odyssey², Intellivision and Nintendo.

From now on, my efforts will focus on completing my Atari 7800 cart collection and adding a few fairly common Atari 2600 and Atari 800 carts. I’m also thinking of starting to pick up an occasional Sega Genesis cart, but link to my Atari 8-bit cart list, which I believe is still the most definitive even after several years, although Andrew Krieg has taken responsibility for the “official” version. Eventually I’ll get my collection cataloged and listed here.

There are a number of great sites on the web to visit if you’re interested in classic video games. Start out by checking out the History of Video Games Home Page, which is slowly building an enormous store of information starting with Pong.

Lots of cool info will be here soon on my favorite classic video game consoles.

Atari 2600

Not the first but definitely the best of its time. The 2600 is decidedly primitive, but cool nonetheless. Atari 2600 fans should check out VGR’s Homepage, where the definitive list of 2600 carts is headquartered.

Atari 7800

A doomed system from the start due to its late arrival, the 7800 could have been a smash success if it was released in 1984 instead 1987. Unfortunately, the video game collapse shelved it till too late. Graphically this was a very advanced system, and could play most 2600 games. If Atari had included the POKEY chip from their computers for the sound, it would have rivalled NES in most respects. It is a favorite among video game collecting enthusiasts, in part because it is fairly easy to assemble a complete collection. I myself have most of the carts and two consoles.

Atari 8bit (400/800/XL/XE)

My first computer was an Atari 800, and I devoted a lot of time when I was younger learning everything there was to know about it. I also played quite a few games on it. My favorites were the Ultima series, which I played II, III and IV. Ballblazer was awesome.

Sega Genesis

Not a classic yet, but this system introduced in 1989 in the US is being slowly retired. I bought a system in 1993 and played with it till the end of 1994, when I loaned to brother for his kids to play when they visit. Now the prices of games are starting to come down, and I’m thinking of picking up a few games, such as the Sonic series.

Last modified: December 21st, 1996