Have You Played Atari Today?

While eating lunch today, I came across an advertisement from Kohl's. They are selling an Atari Flashback Portable device for $39.99. It has a very small screen (less than 3 inches). It mostly plays Atari 2600 games. However there are some updated games included as well. This sounded very interesting.

Looking at the official documentation for this device, I see the following gems included:
  • Centipede
  • Dig Dug
  • Galaxian
  • Tempest
Some titles that I would have like to have seen were Kaboom and Pacman. Although the handheld has a tiny screen, you can hook up the output to a TV if you get some cables to do so. You can also plug in an SD card and play more games.

There are buttons on the pad for control. Might be a bit harder than the real joysticks/paddles from the 2600 console. Still this is a trip down memory lane. I never owned an Atari 2600. But the neighbors did. I know I really wanted to have one. Instead my parents bought me a computer. But that is another story.

Short Lived Victory

I have been playing the Warrior class in Angband. It is tough not having all the useful spells I had as a mage. But at least I strive to have good strength and dexterity. Makes hand to hand combat so much more effective. Some monsters are just resistant to magic. As a warrior, I can deliver a combat beat down.

Was scumming up and down the stairs to quickly find loot and battles. One such fight produced special boots. Boots of Feanor? These were better than vanilla boots of speed. These were +15 to speed. Unfortunately the victory was short lived. A bunch of hounds ganged up on me. I was super stunned. Essentially I got paralyzed. Game over man.