The Video Game Critic

[QUOTE=Harry] But it did have a slot in the bottom to plug carts into that, of course, didn't work. [/QUOTE]

Could be for Famicom carts. That's what mine is.

How about handheld multi-game systems? I have the POCKET GAME PLAYER that supposedly has 128 games. It actually has eight different ones with variations and the display is only SQUARE BLOCKS. And NO Tetris game! The only game worth playing is the Breakout one. The walls are different shapes, and it has a digitized explosion when you lose and sez "BINGO!" when you win. Other "games" are awful car/tank/shooters.

A similiar "game" system was advertised heavily on TV long ago (..Throw out those $40 carts!..AND it has a CALCULATOR!..). It was white and the case closed up. I had that one too.

These are REALLY pathetic!

it looks like the fad is finally about to pass on, but the C64 and Atari Flashback 2 are worth owning as they use almost 100% authentic hardware. that means the games are presented as close to the originals as possible without original hardware and they can be hacked to play your own software.

there is also a handheld that is a handheld sega master system with 20 built in sms and game gear games. this unit comes with a tv out cord as well, and im hoping somebody comes out with a flash card hack for it soon

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4987331?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

a: The Genesis gun and its plug-n-play counterpart are called "Menacer," I believe.

chrisbid: I had not seen that handheld Sega thing.  Neat.  Thanks.

adamant: Thank you for informing me that the Namco ones don't save hi scores.  I hadn't considered that.  It's pretty much a dealbreaker, I think--at least insofar as buying new goes.

sudz: Try a different power supply.  I read somewhere that that might make the buzz go away.  Mine doesn't buzz--but the adaptor fits loosely in the jack, causing it to reset in the middle of a game.  Anymore, I hardly use it since I've been getting my NES collection up to speed.  I just need a copy of Wild Gunmen and I think I'm through with it.

Harry: Agreed.  $15 is about right for it.  Didja notice how they will take the same game and start it on a different level and retitle it as though it were a new game?  Cheap Asian Pirates!

A guy at the flea market this weekend had four or five of them for $4/apiece.  I *might* pick one up for that price.  I just got a chance to try one out on display... Galaga and PacMan look okay, but they botched Bosconian.  No voice samples, and good luck playing with a four-way joystick!  Having no diagonals sucks!

But as PacMan on the cheap... well, it's passable.  Would be moreso if I ever "travelled for business," I suppose.

What's this nonsense about "Game Keys?"  What's that all about?

Thanks all for your thoughts.

[QUOTE=BigOldCar]
adamant: Thank you for informing me that the Namco ones don't save hi scores.  I hadn't considered that.  It's pretty much a dealbreaker, I think--at least insofar as buying new goes.
[/QUOTE]

Actually, they do save hi scores (there's even a small screen telling you it's saving when you exit a game), it just deletes them when you power the console off. That's where my interest in the original console fell a great deal. Still couldn't resist picking up the sequel when I found it for about 5$ new, though. It had better games as well.

But yeah, you're probably better off buying a Museum game. The plug-and-plays don't exactly have the most uncommon Namco games out there.

Does anyone know of a website that has reviews of plug and plays? 

I just got another expensive speeding ticket, meaning I had to sell my DS (only system).  I saw a plug and play madden system (NHL 95 and football 95) for 5 dollars.

Aw man, that sucks. I know most speeding tickets are crap. The ones I've gotten tended to be on the 71 in a 55 zone, that zone being way out in the boondocks with no other cars even on the road, except my car and a cop car!

They also tend to come up in bunches. Just about one year ago now, I got three in short order. Not only did they cost quite a bit (fortunately, they were all in different counties, which kept it down somewhat), but I almost got tossed off of my auto insurance plan!!! Thankfully, I've cured myself of the lead foot, but it stinks to drive 55-60 on country roads with nobody around.

-Rob

My Namco units save your scores after powering off. I'll mention the ones I have again, the Super Pac-Man joystick and the gamekey enabled Ms. Pac-Man controller that can twist for Pole Position. They even have things in the menu you can use to delete your high scores.

Are you removing your batteries after powering down?

[QUOTE=feilong80]Aw man, that sucks. I know most speeding tickets are crap. The ones I've gotten tended to be on the 71 in a 55 zone, that zone being way out in the boondocks with no other cars even on the road, except my car and a cop car!

They also tend to come up in bunches. Just about one year ago now, I got three in short order. Not only did they cost quite a bit (fortunately, they were all in different counties, which kept it down somewhat), but I almost got tossed off of my auto insurance plan!!! Thankfully, I've cured myself of the lead foot, but it stinks to drive 55-60 on country roads with nobody around.

-Rob
[/QUOTE]

Yea, I usually go 5 mph over the speed limit and set my cruise...I figure its a good compromise.  Unfortunately, I drive out of town (about 200 miles a day) and I'm perfect bait for a small-town cop...they know everyone in the town (and are kin to most), so they love to give this 'city boy' a nice ticket.