There's a retro gaming expo going on this weekend in the area where I live. I went yesterday, and they have a lot of vendor booths selling old console games (some even in original packaging) and consoles, and some with some more unique stuff (there was a guy there selling Nintendo Game Boys that he reconditioned with modern backlit screens, etc.), and they also had some consoles & retro computers set up with games on them you could play, as well as a section with arcade games & pinball machines. They also had a Tetris tournament going on.

I thought it was cool to see everything there. I almost thought about buying an old console, such as a Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, or a TurboGrafX-16. I thought they all wanted too much money for them though. For instance, the ones who had a TurboGrafX-16 for sale, they were asking about $200 or $250. I checked eBay and saw some there for less (around $100 to $150 or so). Also, honestly I might not play them very often, and I already have several ways to play old console games via emulation (and often, emulation handhelds or even something like a custom Raspberry Pi setup would cost less than what people often ask for an old console). I think it would be cool to have some physical consoles though. Maybe if I can find some deals somewhere.

Nightfox

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Re: Retro gaming
By: Nightfox to All on Sun Sep 29 2024 01:03 pm

There's a retro gaming expo going on this weekend in the area where I live.

Does anyone go to VCFs? I discovered the whole vintage computing thing several years ago... I have personally been into the hobby since those machines were just 'computers' instead of 'vintage computers.'

I went to VCFSW in Dallas and VCFMW in Chicago last year, but was only able to attend VCFMW this year because of financial constraints.

I did a Packet Radio exhibit at VCFMW both years, which was well-received. I sold a few of my Laser 128 Apple II clones this year, along with a black face ADAT machine that I used to use in my studio.

I bought an Atari 800XL, an ADM-22 terminal, and brought home a couple of
free G3 iMacs. I also found a RGB monitor for my Apple IIgs in the free pile, which turned out to be perfectly functional!

The ADM-22 looks nice sitting on top of my Altair 8800 :)


o
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BeLLy

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There's a retro gaming expo going on this weekend in the area where I l

Does anyone go to VCFs?

I'd love to go to VCFSE (which is part of Southern Fried Gaming Expo), but I can't afford transportation to/from, and lodging in, Atlanta. :/

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Re: Retro gaming
By: halian to Belly on Tue Oct 01 2024 06:17 am

I'd love to go to VCFSE (which is part of Southern Fried Gaming Expo), but I

I haven't made it to VCFSE yet, which is strange as it's actually the closest to me. I know several who go every year, though.

VCFMW is definitely the most fun that I have, mainly because it's a really relaxed atmosphere. A convention center and hotel full of old computers and drunk nerds! I even chatted to the front desk clerk about Sinclairs as I was checking in!


o
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BeLLy

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Re: Retro gaming
By: Belly to Nightfox on Mon Sep 30 2024 02:08 pm

I bought an Atari 800XL, an ADM-22

Have you gotten on any Atari 8bit BBSes
yet? :) area52.tk:5200

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Re: Retro gaming
By: phigan to Belly on Mon Oct 21 2024 06:44 am

I bought an Atari 800XL, an ADM-22

Have you gotten on any Atari 8bit BBSes
yet? :) area52.tk:5200

I have not. I haven't even built a wifimodem for it yet. Too many things on the RL plate at the moment.


o
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BeLLy

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Re: Retro gaming
By: Belly to phigan on Mon Oct 21 2024 11:52 am

I have not. I haven't even built a
wifimodem for it yet. Too many thing
on the RL plate at the moment.

Something that's super easy and cheap
to build is an SIO2PC (not the original
one) with a simple $2-3 FTDI interface
board. One side goes to the Atari, the
USB goes to a PC or Pi or whatever you
have, and you run Fujinet-PC on that
(or RespeQT or a handful of
alternatives). But, there's also a
regular/real Fujinet :).

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Re: Retro gaming
By: phigan to Belly on Tue Oct 22 2024 07:24 am

Something that's super easy and cheap
to build is an SIO2PC (not the original
one) with a simple $2-3 FTDI interface
board. One side goes to the Atari, the
USB goes to a PC or Pi or whatever you
have, and you run Fujinet-PC on that
(or RespeQT or a handful of
alternatives). But, there's also a
regular/real Fujinet :).

What I typically do is use an ESP8266 with wifimodem firmware, since I have a drawer full of those things. The hardware is close to free and it emulates a Hayes modem. Fujinet is something on my list to look into, though, although the idea of having it tethered to a PC isn't appealing.


o
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BeLLy

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Re: Retro gaming
By: Belly to phigan on Wed Oct 23 2024 12:47 pm

Re: Retro gaming
By: phigan to Belly on Tue Oct 22 2024 07:24 am

a Hayes modem. Fujinet is something on my list to look into, though, although the idea of having it tethered to a PC isn't appealing.

Fujinet does not have to be tethered to a PC. It can be 'connected' to your LAN wirelessly but even that doesn't have to happen.

IMHO, the best thing about a Fujinet is the ability to connect your Atari 8 bit computer to ATASCII BBSes... like mine:

bfbbs.no-ip.com : 8888

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Re: Retro gaming
By: Bf2k+ to Belly on Thu Oct 24 2024 03:29 am

IMHO, the best thing about a Fujinet is the ability to connect your Atari 8

bfbbs.no-ip.com : 8888

sounds like a wifimodem

(yes, I know what Fujinet is)


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BeLLy

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Re: Retro gaming
By: Belly to phigan on Wed Oct 23 2024 12:47 pm

What I typically do is use an ESP8266 with wifimodem firmware, since I have drawer full of those things. The hardware is close to free and it emulates a Hayes modem. Fujinet is something on my list to look into, though, although

Which firmware do you run on the ESP8266?

The regular Fujinet does not connect to a PC. I was talking about using a PC (or other device) as a Fujinet with Fujinet-PC software.

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Re: Retro gaming
By: phigan to Belly on Thu Oct 24 2024 09:35 pm

Which firmware do you run on the ESP8266?

I'm at work now, but I believe it's this one: https://github.com/dhansel/WifiModem


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BeLLy

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https://x.com/historyinmemes/status/1828195718970171656?t=6SZjiAK6-IWFEVtb A&s=08

Over 400 hardware consoles connected to a single TV... someone has too much time/money on their hands!!!

Welll.. admirable... and seriously worth Sheik's budget :)

-h1

... Xerox Alto was the thing. Anything after we use is just a mere copy.