Missing 8-bit Astro Chase

[video_game_addict]

I know this was in the printed guide, but I can't find it online.

First Star Software's Astro Chase (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4315&item=8199110197&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

The Parker Bros description actually reads like the First Star version, but then there's no entry for the First Star version.

I have feeling it was dropped, and this was considered a proto, or a never released. Although, I do recall an auction for a Exidy Max-A-Flex a couple years ago on ebay, that included all 4 carts & marquees. So I know it existed at least in very limited numbers. But I was really surprised to see the box!

Any guess, on this box, was it sent to owners of the Exidy cab, who purchased the game seperately?

I'm thinking it must of been sold, just in very limited numbers for the 8-bit line, before they licensed to Parker Brothers.

[AlanD]

Hmmm Very strange. I'll get in contact with the guy and see if I can get a few better pics of the box and cart since it is hard to tell much there. It is definitely a different label than the standard but I would love to know what is changed on the cart since he mentions a rom difference. I'm not $300 worth of curious so I doubt I'll win it :)

Thanks for the heads-up

[video_game_addict]

Well it's a First Star Software cart, not a Parker Brothers. The label is the same style as other First Star titles, like Boulder Dash, Bristles, & Flip and Flop. Those three clearly exist & are in the database, but for whatever reason Astro Chase is not listed. Although the text for the Parker Brothers release is about the First Star Version. I thought this was listed in the actual print guide, but I only have DP7, maybe it was in 6 or 5, it was in an eariler version, I'm almost positive. Mayeb 5 didn't have any 8-bit section, and it was 6 it appeared in? There were a number of changes to the last guide, several cart removed from the US listings to Rummor Mill like Tapper. But I thought it was listed in the guide at one time. I think it was also listed on Andrew Kreig's list at one time too, but he had a number of rummor mill games listed in with his.

The box & cart label are typical First Star Software, although that manual looks different from the one's I have seen for Boing! (2600) & Flip and Flop, & Bristles (8-bit) But it being the first game they made, perhaps it was designed differently then?


The difference between roms is in the fact this cart was designed for the Max-A-Flex (which housed an Atari 800XL) and the Parker bros version was for 400/800 only. It did not work on the XL/XEs so Parker Bros bought the rights, and created their own version, but it only worked on the eariler versions, not on the XL line.

This isn't the only one of these carts around, but this is the first time I've ever seen one complete in the box like that.

Whether Mark DiLuciano wants to help a fellow DPer I don't know, but I wished he would have scanned both front & back of box too. Those pics aren't the greatest.

Still this cart exists, & it appears to be an official First Star cart/box, so it should be added to the database.

[AlanD]

You are correct it does seem to be a modded version by First Star for the 600XL to use in the Max-A-Flex and should be listed under First Star. I'll get it in the next release of the database which I am behind on. The print version of DP7 hs essentially the same text as the online section so I'll need to update that also.


I have seen several of the carts but meant by different label that it was different from Parker which you knew :) I have never seen a complete one either. If it was sent to arcade owners to use in the Max-A-Flex they were probably disposed of since there is no reason to store it unless you throw it in the back of the machine or some such.

[video_game_addict]

Just an update, someone mentioned this game was released by First Star on both Tape & Disk. The box currently up, most likely came from one of those versions.

There are scans up already here (http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?MENU=8&VERSION_ID=356)

However, this cart certainly exists, whether it originally sported a box like that or not. This should be included back with the other releases.

[vintagegamecrazy]

It doesn't look like this made it to the database as of yet, here's a heads up bump. Alan I take it your in charge of this section?