My Dad had one of these. It seemed like such a rare console- I never met a person that also owned one. Really nice to see that I didnt just dream it existed :P

I do not have s-video and the RF is too static-y.

I've been a mod for quite a few of the retrogaming (and other adjacent) subs here for a long time -- even if kind of dormant recently. I love these topics, and how our digital "ancestors" solved hard problems, and how we've build a continuum of interest with their work. I started and even took over a few dormant subs and worked with /u/zadocpaet to help build a broad community here, even appealing to niche systems.

The mod teams are doing a great job, especially /u/Derf_Jagged. I feel like now is a good time to step down. I'm going to continue to lurk, and be a regular user and I wish the subs, the mods, and the users the best!

I was recently cleaning my dad's house out and found 2 systems new never taken out the box and 1 used one. The used one it has a chained demo cartridge in the front and the system is in a tan tray with the ballys logo. I'm pretty sure it was like the store display or something also have a bunch of games with it unfortunately my girlfriend packed 2 of them and the store display and 1 of the new in box ones so can't get pics of those at this time....I was wondering does anyone have an idea of what they are worth

be descriptive

Bally's New Name, New Games

Astrocade is now the name for the deluxe home video game that started life as the Bally Arcade. The company changed its name from Astrovision, probably to keep it from getting confused with Activision, the Atari cartridge developer. By any name, this unit has one of the best graphics and sound packages of any home video game, and some new cartridges that really show it off.

The Incredible Wizard is an incredibly good replica of Bally's Wizard of Wor arcade game. From the opening music to the between-wave screen announcements of double or quadruple scoring to an arresting light and sound show for blasting the speedy Wizard, I will take the Astrocade version over the arcade anytime.

Among other new action cartridges like Solar Conqueror, Cosmic Raiders, Conan the Barbarian (adventure type game), or Pirate Chase, the cleverest graphics award goes to Artillery Duel. The cartridge is less of a game, per se, than it is a visual delight-something you would throw into a projection TV at a party.

At the outset, a randomly selected battlefield is drawn on the screen, with a gun emplacement at each side. A small platoon of soldiers (your guys) march up to your gun. Digital indicators from a control panel display your settings for elevation and amount of powder for the next shot. Another digital display shows the wind direction and speed. Then, an amazing color reconnaissance camera is focused on the enemy gun--you see the color monitor on the panel. To add a bit more realism, the TV image flickers occasionally.

vgupdate20.jpg Astrocade. vgupdate21.jpg Artillery Duel. vgupdate22.jpg Music Maker. A direct hit or enough near misses cause the enemy gun to blow to smithereens, blackening its entire hillside. Your victorious platoon leaves its gun, marching away in formation. It is really a graphics showpiece with a little bit of player interaction thrown in.

Lest you think the trajectory data is arbitrary, Astrocade advises that the game designer is a consultant to the U.S. Navy on computer programs for fire control weapons and missile systems.

Two new Astrocade cartridges may inspire the artist in you. Creative Crayon is a sophisticated graphics generation program that lets you create colorful shapes on the screen with a light pen. Music Maker lets you explore the three-voice music synthesizer of the Astrocade, with music notation showing on the screen. With both cartridges, you can store data on cassette tape for playback later.

More, Astrocade! More!

Article: http://www.atarimagazines.com/cva/v1n1/vgupdate.php

CREATIVE COMPUTING VIDEO & ARCADE GAMES VOL. 1, NO. 1 / SPRING 1983 / PAGE 32