Old-timers can get back in the game with Atari

By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service

Who needs fancy 3-D graphics, digital surround sound, online play and complicated story lines?

Gamers old enough to hum a few bars of "Pac-Man Fever" can take a walk down memory lane with the new Atari 10-in-1 Games video-game system.

The product resembles an Atari 2600 joystick and plugs into the audio/video jack on a TV. These component (aka RCA) A/V inputs are found on the front or back of most television sets purchased over the past decade or so. The games are stored inside the controller base so no additional hardware or software is required.

Once the unit is turned on (four AA batteries not included), a screen pops up, prompting users to select one of 10 vintage eight-bit games from the original Atari 2600 console: "Pong," "Breakout," "Missile Command," "Asteroids," "Adventure," "Centipede," "Gravitar," "Yar's Revenge," "Real Sports Volleyball" and "Circus Atari."

Even with their crude graphics and laughable bleeps and blips, these classic games withstand the test of time. Here's a closer look at each:

• "Missile Command" challenges gamers to shoot down enemy missiles before they destroy Earth's bases.
• "Pong" is the original table tennis simulation where players rack up their score by volleying a white ball over to the virtual opponent's side of the screen.
• "Centipede" tests a player's hand-eye coordination to shoot down a slithering centipede weaving in between mushrooms and other obstacles.
• "Asteroids" pits your space ship against reckless space boulders and enemy UFOs.
• Similar to "Pong," the goal in "Breakout" is to use a ball and paddle to destroy colored bricks lining the top of the screen; players lose a "life" if the descending ball is missed.
• In "Circus Atari," players must move a seesaw to catch a fellow circus member, while popping moving balloons at the top of the screen.
• The plain-looking "Adventure" sets players on a quest to find and retrieve a stolen chalice. The warrior is armed with items such as a sword, magnet and keys. Watch out for the dragons!
• Blast away at the alien base in "Yar's Revenge" by chipping away through its force-field — but don't stand still too long or an enemy missile may find your ship.
• "Real Sports Volleyball" doesn't compare to the stunning Xbox game, "Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball." But the simple and fun game play proves you don't need fancy visuals to win over gamers.
• In "Gravitar," players travel to various solar systems in their space ship to find and extinguish enemy factions.

The "Atari TV Games" machine is only $20, which is worth its weight in sentimentality alone.

Its compact design, true plug-and-play accessibility and fun "old-school" game play make this novel gadget a highly recommended nostalgic gaming solution that's also portable.

For more information on this product, including additional images and a list of supported retail outlets, visit www.jakkspacific.com.