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Last night, a long-standing dream of mine came true: Atari released pretty much its entire classic library on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. I am beyond ecstatic. If you’ve ever heard me talk about gaming, you’ll know that I’m a casual gamer. I don’t get into first-person shooters and I don’t lose myself in RPGs. I do, however, love a great old-fashioned game Pong.

Atari’s Greatest Hits is absolutely free in the app store! Pong comes pre-installed at no cost and additional games are relatively inexpensive. You can pay for game packs or buy the entire library for only fifteen bucks. I have a feeling that this thing will end up being the highest-grossing app for the entire year. Yes, people, I really just predicted that this will beat out your beloved Angry Birds.

There are 18 arcade titles and 92 games from the Atari 2600. You’ll enjoy favorites such as Missile command, Breakout, Centipede and even Asteroids. Certain games – like Warlords – give support for Bluetooth multiplayer mode. From what I’ve found already, the games which are played using some type of paddle work very well. Those which would have used a joystick seem to be just a tad jerky.

You’ll find the original box art, along with several different ways of searching through your collection. Thumb through the tiles, click a button to see your recently played games or list them in alphabetical order. It will only take you a moment to find exactly what you’re looking for to quench your classic gaming thirst.

One game that I’ve noticed is missing makes me rather sad. The title began with the letter “E” and was played on the Atari 2600. Can you guess what that is?

If you have long since forgotten how to play or beat your old favorite, you can read through the game’s manual right on your device. Those are included with your purchase so you’ll have them whenever you may need some additional help.

Which title was your favorite back in the Atari days? How quickly will you be downloading this app?

How to Play Classic Atari Games on your iPad

Do you remember your first gaming system? Which games did you play the most? I’ve never been a hard-core gamer, but I have always enjoyed playing games. I’m a casual gamer. I may try my hand at the hottest new FPS, but I know that I won’t be very good at it. I play for the fun of it, not to see if I can beat the next guy’s score or have bragging rights at the end of the day.

How many of these have you owned?

No, not the LEGO representations of the home entertainment video game consoles, but the game systems themselves?

I’d have to say that in this grouping (photographed, by the way, at the 2010 BrickCon)… the first one I owned was an Atari 2600. Didn’t we all?

Next, our family had a NES – the Nintendo! Oh, man… that one brings back memories.

Fast forward a few years, to when I had a Gameboy – at least, I think that tiny brick assembly is a Gameboy? That was my first portable game system, either way.

I also had a Sega Game Gear, but I don’t know if that’s pictured above. Could be, unless that’s a Sony PSP (in which case, I had one of those, too – although long after I had an Xbox).

Oh, then there’s the Nintendo Gamecube – had that for a brief while, along with a Sony PlayStation 2. These two didn’t get much play, so to speak. They collected dust. I haven’t been a very good gamer lately.

Uh, let’s see – the Wii! Yes, and the PS3. Although, much like their respective brand predecessors, they aren’t getting much play in my home today. Maybe all of that will change when I get more time to play instead of working on uploading blog posts and photos of LEGO video game consoles?

How Many Home Video Game Consoles Have You Ever Owned?

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I’m the one in the KC Chiefs pajamas, although I don’t care a lick about sports (the outfit must have been on sale). Decades later, I’m still playing with LEGO and video games – longing for the simplicity of an Atari 2600.

You’ll have to mix in your own soundtrack, as the video camera did not record sound. Imagine a whole bunch of high-pitched screaming – much like the rest of my videos.

You can get your old memories digitized as well, via Pixorial.

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First LEGO Set

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I finished a game of Ms. PacMan, and decided I’d rather play Tempest. No wait, I think it’s Pong I’m wanting to play. I’m not hacking anything, honest! I’m using my very own arcade machine from Dream Arcades!

The complete pre-built has over 200 games available, plus you can add your own. Designed for full sized adults (no stooping over to play), yet simple enough for the youngest kids to enjoy. Just plug it in and start playing. It stands approximately five feet high, and the casing is quite solid.

Unlike other arcade builders we are an arcade manufacturer. We do not build our tables one at a time in a shop. Dream Arcades does not offer dozens of different color options, configurations or full customization services.
Our tables are built on an assembly line in large quantities. This saves hundreds of dollars on every table we build, which we pass directly to the consumer. This also allows us to focus on quality and craftsmanship.

We realize that many of our customers may wish customize their arcades after purchase we have kept this in mind during the development and manufacturing process. Our tables are easy to open and dismantle, include Ultimarc IPAC programmable controllers and high-end computers that can easily be upgraded with new software or hardware.

Here is a sampling of the games that came with my new Arcade:

• Asteroids
• Battlezone
• Centipede
• Millipede
• Pong
• Tempest
• Dragon’s Lair
• Defender
• Joust
• PAC-MAN
• MS. PAC-MAN
• Dig Dug

This isn’t something I’m getting sponsored on, folks. I bought this out of my own pocket. I love to play old games like this, and have long wanted my own. Ponzi enjoys some of these games, as well. It will definitely be put to good use… and I may never get any work done!

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Arcade Fun

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I’m a casual gamer, always have been. I don’t really get into creating characters. When I DO get a chance to play, I still love the old classics. That’s why I’m hooked on Asteroids for my Xbox 360. The best part is being able to hook the Xbox to my 42″ plasma screen tv, and have it in surround sound. It doesn’t get any better than that.

You can now buy and play the following old Atari games on your Xbox 360 and/or Xbox Live account:

• Centipede/Millipede: defend your village against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. In addition to the classic mode, the evolution mode offers high definition graphics and special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions to make the experience as enjoyable today as it was decades ago.
• Battlezone: the original tank vs. tank action classic has received an Xbox Live overhaul, adding in exciting new multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. This updated version is truly a must-have for any fan of the original, which is also included. Additionally, players can use the Xbox Live Vision camera to watch live video of their opponents. Combine these features with new special effects for weapon firing, impacts and explosions and you have one killer classic as you’ve never experienced it before.
• Asteroids/Asteroids Deluxe: rotate, thrust, flip, fire and jump to hyperspace as you blast oncoming asteroids to smithereens just like in the 1979 original, but in updated, beautifully rendered, high definition graphics that complement the classic original.
• Missile Command: protecting your city from alien missile attacks has never looked better now that this classic has been overhauled with updated graphics and 3D rendered vistas. Choose from the evolved mode or the timeless original gameplay.
• Tempest: clear a web of enemies before time runs out and advance to the next stage, using an arsenal of weapons at your disposal. This evolved version features a graphics overhaul while maintaining the same addictive gameplay of the original.
• Warlords: a multiplayer classic that resurrects the competitive spirit of arcade games from years gone by. Knock out the other kings in their castles while keeping yourself protected at the same time. Up to four players can join the action with the game taking control of any vacant castles allowing for a variety of single- or multiplayer experiences. Gamers can also import their own pictures to their castles for an extra personalization.

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Asteroids!