From: drudetb@infonode.ingr.com (Ted B. Drude)
Subject: Classic Atari Video Game Digest FAQ
Organization: Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL.
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 16:33:40 GMT

Before this newsgroup showed up, I had started a mailling list in the
Internet called the Classic Atari Video Game Digest.  We discussed the
classic Atari home video game systems: 2600/5200/7800/XEGS.
The mailing list started as an occasional email newsletter,  primarily
for game collectors and traders,  where subscribers would send me email,
and I would edit it into a digest format, then re-mail it out.  Over
the summer,  I was able to do about six issues of the Digest.

I am now so busy that I cannot continue to edit the Digest.  With the
emergence of alt.games.video.classic, the need for the Digest is
greatly reduced.  But there are still many people who cannot read the
alt. newsgroups. If anyone is interested in taking over the editorship
of the Classic Atari Video Game Digest, and mailling it out,  or even just
posting it occasionally to rec.games.video,  I would appreciate it. I'll
be happy to send you all the back issues of the Digest and you can take
them over.

I'm including a draft Atari Video Game FAQ that was a portion of Digest
#3, so you can see what kind of stuff we were doing.  It should be of
interest to all 2600/7800/5200 fans:

--------------------------------------------------

(ED.NOTE:  I decided it might be a good idea to try to start an 
Classic Atari game FAQ.  Here is what I came up with.  Please 
look it over and give me some feedback on what you think does or 
doesn't belong in this FAQ, or whether it's a good idea at all. 
Thanks!)

                        Frequently-Asked Questions

              Classic Atari 2600/5200/7800/XEGS Game Systems

                         First Edition 17-July-92

Frequently (?) Asked Questions:
 General:
--  What is the Classic Atari Video Game Digest?
--  What is the Giant Atari 2600/7800 Games List?
--  Is there an anonymous ftp site for Atari game machine information?
--  What is The 2600 Connection?

Software:
--  Where can I find games for my 2600/5200/7800?
--  What are the most common and rarest 2600 games?
        
Hardware:
--  What different 26/52/7800 models and accessories did Atari make?
--  How many 2600 clones/emulators were made?

Information needed for the FAQ/Digest:
-- Complete game lists for the 5200/XEGS.
-- Secret messages and codes for 26/52/7800/XEGS games.
-- How to develop games for the 26/52/7800.
-- More details on hardware systems. Especially the 2600 clone/emulators
   and 7800/XEGS systems. 
-- Information on other good Atari fanzines.
-- Any other trivia that Atari freaks would like to know.

---------------------------------------------
What is the Classic Atari Video Game Digest?
----------------------------------------------

 The Classic Atari Video Game Digest is a mailing list of 
serious Atari 2600/5200/7800/XEGS game collectors, traders, and users. 
Any and all comments and  questions relating to these game systems is 
welcome fodder for the Digest. Most 400/800/XL computer games and Lynx 
games are being adequately covered on the comp.sys.atari.8bit and 
rec.games.video newsgroups, respectively, so we recommend keeping 
those topics in those groups. 

 The Digest is e-mailed to subscribers on the Internet. It is maintained 
separate from the rec.games.video newsgroup because the bulk of the 
postings there are irrelevant to Atari collectors.  As VGR succinctly 
puts it, "..we would stay on r.g.v, in fact, if it weren't for all the 
NES/Sega sludge we must wade through." 

 Until we get something like rec.games.video.classic.atari, a mailing list 
Digest should be sufficient.  A mailing list also allows those Internet 
users without Usenet access a chance to get in on the discussions.  New 
issues will be sent out infrequently, depending on the amount of postings 
received. 

---------------------------------------------
What is the Giant Atari 2600/7800 Games List?
----------------------------------------------
  VGR (Craig Pell) maintains a gigantic listing of every known game 
cartridge produced for the Atari 2600 or 7800.  The list contains the 
game's name and manufacturer's model number.  Games are grouped together 
by the cartridge manufacture. Currently, more than 600 games are on the 
list. This list is a must-have for every would-be Atari game collector.  
A similar list for the Atari 5200 has yet to be developed, but probably 
will be. 

  To receive a copy of the latest game listing, or to suggest a change or 
update to the list, send e-mail to VGR at vgriscep@rac2.wam.umd.edu. 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Is there an anonymous ftp site for Atari game machine information?
------------------------------------------------------------------
    Alas, not yet.  There are some general Atari 8-bit anonymous ftp 
sites that might occasionally have some data relevant to Atari game 
machines (check comp.sys.atari.8bit for more infomation). We may 
eventually post past copies of the Digest and other files to such a site, 
but we have not yet setup any ftp access to back issues.  

   For now, if you want a back issue of the Digest or any text file 
related to the Digest, send an e-mail message to drudetb@ingr.com. 

-----------------------------
What is The 2600 Connection?
-----------------------------
  It is a bi-monthly Atari 2600 collector fanzine published by 
Tim Duarte. The 2600 Connection is an excellent source of 
information about Atari video game collecting in general, including 
news, game reviews, interviews, and entertaining anecdotes.  
Rare and collectable games are frequently discussed.  Classified 
ads in the Connection are relevant to all Atari game machines.  
Subscription price is $6 for a year's worth of bi-montly issues.

From: Frank E Seipel <fseipel@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>

To subscribe send a check payable to Timothy Duarte to:

The 2600 Connection
c/o Tim Duarte
P.O. Box 3993
Westport, MA  02790-0298
(508) 636-3674

---------------------------------------------
Where can I find games for my 2600/5200/7800?
---------------------------------------------
      There are still several sources for new game cartridges. 
Mail order firms such as Telegames USA and Best Electronics  are 
probably the best source for new games. They still stock many 
different games cartridges for all the Atari game machines.  Many 
titles they carry are extremely rare and collectable.  Although 
some of the rarer titles in their inventories are dwindling, they 
seem to have good stock of many others. 

      Occasionally some retail stores will still have Atari 
cartridges in stock, although sometimes they are hidden in the 
backroom. One good places to look is toy stores who used to carry 
the Atari, such as Toys 'R Us, Kaybee Toys (formerly Circus 
World), and Children's Palace (now in bankruptcy).  Another good 
source is discount liquidator stores, such as Toy Liquidators, 
Big Lots/Odd Lots, and Sears Outlets.  These stores typically have huge 
quantities of a limited number of titles, but their discounts are the 
greatest.                          

      Another excellent source for rare and collectable games is 
the classified ads in The 2600 Connection. The Usenet newsgroups 
are another place to find new and used game cartridges. There are 
frequent postings to both rec.games.video and misc.forsale by 
individuals who have Atari game cartridges for sale.  You might 
also find a rare Atari want-ad in a local newspapers or 
pennysaver.  A better source would likely be the want ads  of a 
local Atari computer user's group newsletter.            

     Finally, there are the many good 2600 games and systems 
waiting to be liberated from flea markets, thrift stores, and 
yard sales around the country. Few people will advertise that 
they have Atari games for sale, but if you get out and look 
around, you'll find them.  If you relish the thought of finding 
"a diamond in a dumpster" and you've always liked treasure 
hunting, you may enjoy rumaging through piles of junk to fill 
those elusive gaps in your game list at minimal cost. 

-------------------------------------
What are the best games for the 2600?
--------------------------------------
This can be a subjective matter, of course, but recently Mike Littau conducted 
an informal 2600 games poll on r.g.v., trying to find answer this very 
question.  Here are the results, with some slight changes in format: 

From: littaum@jacobs.CS.ORST.EDU (Mike Littau)
Subject: Atari 2600 poll results
Date: 12 Jun 92 16:49:35 GMT

Here are the results of the atari 2600 poll I conducted:

Best overall 2600 game:         Best original idea for a 2600 game:
1. Adventure                    1. Pitfall!                        
2.(tie) Solaris,Yar's Revenge   2. Adventure                      
3. Asteroids                    3. Yar's revenge
4. River Raid                   4.(tie) Stampede, Kaboom, Kool Aid Man

Best music or sound for a 2600 game:        Best adventure game:      
1. Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns             1. Adventure              
2. Frogger                                  2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3.(tie) Haunted House, California Games     3. Haunted House          
4. Asteroids                                4. Superman               
                                            5. Secret Quest           
  
Best action game:                       Best sports game:  
1. Asteroids                            1. Activision Tennis
2. Demon Attack                         2. Skiing
3. Missile Command                      3. RealSports Tennis
4. Warlords                             4.(tie)  Super Football, 
5.(tie) Chopper Command, Moon Patrol     RealSports Football, Activision Boxing
      
Best racing game:                       Best graphics for a game:   
1. Indy 500                             1. Solaris                           
2. Enduro                               2. Pitfall!                          
3.(tie)  Sprintmaster, Grand Prix       3. Moonsweeper                 
4.(tie) Barnstorming, Slot Racers       4.(tie) Barnstorming, Demon Attack, 
                                          River Raid

------------------------------------------

In addition, The 2600 Connection recently ran an article on the 2600 
cartridge "Hall of Fame", listing the best classic 2600 games. There 
was an excellent capsule description of each game.  Here is the list:

The 2600 Connection Cartridge Hall of Fame (from issue #10:

Combat                  Asteroids                    Honorable Mention:
Super Breakout          Centipede (and Millipede)    Draggonfire     
Defender                Donkey Kong (and Jr.)        Demon Attack      
Adventure               Mario Bros.                  Megamania         
Space Invaders          Pitfall! (and II)            HERO              
Missle Command          River Raid (and II)          Rampage           
Pac-Man                 Kaboom                       Miner 2049er      
Ms. Pac-Man             Frogger                      Skatboardin'      
Solaris                 Q*Bert                                         

-----------------------------------------------
What are the most common and rarest 2600 games?
-----------------------------------------------
The following two lists are a quick compilation of what many collectors would 
consider to be the most common and rarest 2600 games.  Neither list is 
exhaustive, they are simply provided as as quick reference. 

The rare list includes only Atari-brand games, but there are many rare third-
party titles which are not listed. Some debate exists as to whether several of 
the rare Atari titles were ever actually released. Many may exist only as 
unreleased prototypes. 

There is currently an effort underway to rate all the games on the giant 
2600/7800 list with respect to their quality, rareness, supply, and demand. If 
you would like to participate in this effort please contact Jeff Scott 
(bs066@cleveland.freenet.edu). 

Common Atari 2600 Games:
                                              
Adventure               Donkey Kong             Pitfall!                
Asteroids               E.T.                    RS Tennis     
Astroblast              Frogger (Parker)        Space Invaders
Battlezone              Galaxian                Space Attack  
Berzerk                 Indy 500                Stampede      
Canyon Bomber           Joust                   Stargate      
Circus Atari            Kaboom                  Street Racer  
Combat                  Missle Command          Super Breakout
Defender                Ms. Pac-Man             Vanguard      
Demon Attack            Othello                 Warlords      
Demons to Diamonds      Pac-Man                 Yar's Revenge 
Dodge 'Em               Pele's Soccer           Q*Bert        
        
Rare Atari 2600 Games:

Asterix                  Grover's Music Maker    Quadrun              
Atari Video Cube         Honker Bonker           RS Basketball        
Boing!                   Jinks                   Rubik's Cube         
Choplifter               Klax                    Saboteur             
Crack'd                  Miss Piggy's Wedding    Sinistar             
Dukes of Hazzard         Monstercise             Slapshot             
Dumbo's Flying Circus    Montezuma's Revenge     Snoopy & the Red Baron   
Elevator Action          Motorcycle              Snow White           
Fatal Run                Nebulus                 Sorcerer's Apprentice
Food Fight               Obelix                  Super Soccer        
Frog Pond                Pengo                   SQ Airworld         
Fun w/ Numbers           Peek-A-Boo              3-D Asteroids
Galaga                   Preppie                 Tempest             
Garfield                 Qix                     Tetris              
Good Luck Charlie Brown  Track & Field           The A-Team          
The Last Starfighter     Xevious                 Turbo 
White Water Madness      Xenophobe               Zookeeper

----------------------------------------------------------------
What different 26/52/7800 models and accessories did Atari make?
----------------------------------------------------------------

Some people not only collect game cartridges, but hardware systems as 
well.  Here is some basic information on the various game systems that 
Atari has made over the years.

Atari 2600 and Sears Video Arcade Systems
-----------------------------------------

Atari VCS CX2600 - Original model. Woodgrain and black plastic enclosure.
        Six silver switches across the upper front panel.   Bundled 
        accessories include two CX40 joysticks,  one CX30 paddle controller, 
        AC adapter, TV switch and a CX2601 Combat game cart.
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
        "Mfd. by Atari, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA.  Serial # 048181."
        "Mfd. by Atari-Wong Ltd. in Hong Kong.  Serial # 568213514."

Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I - Same as above except external cosmetic 
        differences (the "difficulty" switches  are labeled "skill level", 
        switch panel is silver instead of black, woodgrain pattern is 
        different.)
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:      
        "Mfd. for Atari Inc. by Dimerco Electronics in Taiwan for sale to
        Sears, Roebuck, and Co.  Serial # 82077230."
        
Atari VCS 2600A - Revised model.  Externally it is nearly identical to the 
        original, except there are four silver switches across the upper front 
        panel instead of six.   Internally, the motherboard is a simplified 
        one-piece design.         
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
        "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by TRW Electronic Components Co. in Taiwan.
        Serial # 811510200."
        "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by Atari Taiwan Mfing. Corp. in Taiwan.
        Serial # 827030354."

Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade I(A) - Same as above except external cosmetic 
        differences. 
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:      
        "Mfd. for Atari Inc. by Dimerco Electronics in Taiwan for sale to
        Sears, Roebuck, and Co.  Serial # 82299647."
        
Atari VCS 2600A (black) - Second revised model. Externally it is nearly 
        identical to the 2600A, except the enclosure has a more modern 
        looking "black out" treatment.  The areas of woodgrain on the original 
        models are now simply black plastic.  Internally, the motherboard is a 
        mild revision of the 2600A.
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:      
        "Mfd. for Atari, Inc. by Atari Taiwan Mfing. Corp. in Taiwan.
        Serial # AT831150153."
        
Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade II - Entirely new model of the 2600 designed 
        just for Sears. Black wedge-shaped enclosure, with push button 
        switches and LEDs on top panel. Four joystick connectors on lower 
        front panel.  Internally very different from other 2600 models, but 
        still uses the same basic chipset.  Bundled accesories include two 
        combination joystick/paddle controllers, AC adapter, TV switch 
        and a Space Invaders game cart.      
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:      
        "Sears, Inc. (Atari, Inc.) Serial # SV 392 005539."

Atari 2600 Jr. - Third revised model. [need more information]

        
2600 Accessories
----------------
CX20 - Driving controllers for Indy 500 (set of 2)
CX21 - Video Touch Pad for Star Raiders
CX22 - Track ball
CX23 - Kid's keyboard controller for Sesame Street titles
CX30 - Paddle controllers 
CX40 - Joystick
CX42 - Remote control joysticks (set of 2)
CX50 - Keyboard controllers (set of 2)
CX78 - Joypad

Atari 5200
----------

Atari CX5200 - Original model.  Four controller connectors on lower front
        panel.  Bundled accessories include two CX-52 controllers, AC adapter, 
        CX-522 TV switch, and a SuperBreakout game cart.
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
        "Atari, Inc.,  Atari Model No. 5200,  Serial # 0151320 SV-442."
        
Atari CX5200 - Revised model.  Two controller connectors on lower front
        panel.  Bundled accessories include two CX-52 controllers, AC adapter, 
        TV switch, and a SuperBreakout game cart.
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
        "Atari,  Inc.,  Atari Model No. 5200,  Serial # 036412 EP-233."
        
5200 Accessories
----------------
CX52 - Controller
CX53 - Track ball
CX55 - 2600 cartridge adapter

Atari 7800
----------

Atari CX7800 - Two joystick ports on lower front panel. 
                [need more information] 
        
7800 Accessories
----------------
CX24 - Proline joystick

Atari XEGS
----------

        [need more information]


----------------------------------------------------        
How many 2600 clones/emulators were made and by who?
----------------------------------------------------
Coleco Gemini Video Game - Inexpensive clone 2600 made by Coleco. All black,
        box-shaped enclosure. Six small slide switches on top of front
        panel. RF modulator port and power adapter port on back panel.
        Two joystick ports and difficult switches on front panel.
        Bundled accessories included two dual-joystick/paddle
        controllers, a 9volt/500ma DC adapter, RF cable, TV switch and
        Donkey Kong game cart (?).
        Sample wording on label on bottom of unit:
        "Coleco Gemini VGS - Coleco Ind., Inc., Serial # AG0145189."
        
ColecoVision Expansion Module #1 - [need more infomation]

Intellivision Expansion Module - [need more information]

Commodore VIC-20/2600 game adapter - Rumored to exist.  Was advertised
        by Protecto in mail order ads in during the 1983 time frame.  Plugged 
        into VIC expansion connector  and provided 2600 software emulation.  
        Original price, emulation quality, and reliability  all unknown. 
        [need more information]
        
----------------------------------------------------

End of Classic Atari Video Game FAQ