Page 10 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #7

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3. R.G.V.C.

Next, I posted a message on rec.games.video.classic noting my attempt
to reach 300 and asking for help to achieve my goal. I received many trade
requests, despite the fact that I had nothing to trade. Everyone who owns
these cartridges seems to be a collector, so they don’t want to get rid of
any of these games unless they get one back in return. Damn! Where are
the people who are in it just for the money?
Luckily for me, I was able to hook up with a collector who valued some
of the more modern video games and game-related items that I had in my
collection. Even though we had already made a deal previously, before I
started my quest for 300, he decided to throw two carts in because he
#294 knew that I needed them. What a guy! #293
Cosmic Commuter Quick Step

4. Classic Gaming Expo

The annual Classic Gaming Expo came right in the middle of my quest. I figured that this ought to be a good place to pick up some
hard to find titles, right? Not to mention the exclusive homebrews…

#295 Combat Two #297 SCSIcide
#296 Elevator Action
I responded to Joe
Should I count these? Why not? Grand’s announcement
These two unreleased Atari of a new game a while
games were resurrected and re- ago. Good thing I did! At
leased at the 2001 Classic Gam- CGE, the remaining
ing Expo complete with boxes, games went very quickly.
instructions, and labels. Price: Price: $25.
$30 (Combat II) and $40
(Elevator Action)

#298 Fathom
#299 Jawbreaker

I broke down and purchased these two from the 2600.com booth at CGE2K1. I paid
$10.50 for Fathom and $32 for Jawbreaker. Although that last one was pricey, the
reason I wanted it was because the game’s programmer, John Harris, was in atten-
dance at the show. After hanging out with him during the past few shows, I knew him
well enough to ask if he would sign it for me. He did, making it worth the purchase
price, but as it turns out he doesn’t even have a copy of his own game! (Sadly, there
were no more available for purchase at the show).

5. #300 Checkers

th
This was it! My 300 game! It seems very fitting that the game that allowed me to reach my goal didn’t
come from a thrift store, an eBay auction, or a direct sale. Instead, it came as a free gift from a fellow
collector. Of all the people who replied to my newsgroup post, John Greeve was the only one who of-
fered me a game on my “want” list free of charge. He made the trip out from Wisconsin to Classic Gam-
ing Expo in Las Vegas, where we managed to hook up. Despite the fact that he is a Packers fan (and
I’m still smarting from their defeat of the 49’ers in the playoffs), I couldn’t turn down his offer.

Thanks to John, and his extra copy of Activision Checkers, I now own 300 Atari 2600 games. And with
that, I can now rest easily, putting my collecting days behind me.

Of course, that means “400” is now a mere 100 titles away!

Classic Gamer Magazine July 2004 10