[Atari 2600] Raiders of the Lost Ark

[mikeetler]

The description mentions the "Radiers Lost Ark" end label variant but does not mention the "Sears typeface" end label. I've only seen two of these, and both were original silver label front labels with orange end labels in the same typeface as Sears carts. It would appear that there was a planned Sears release that never happened but some of the end labels were still used. I have a loose end label I can scan if interested.

-Mike

[mikeetler]

Here it is.

http://www.videogameconnections.com/temp/raiders.jpg

[mikeetler]

Thanks. I had that one in the label variations list section (in the DP Guide, page 448). AFAIK, 1981 was the last year that Sears-labeled carts were released, though you might be on to something there- the type font is the same used on Sears labels.

Ah, I didn't check the book, only the online guide.

-Mike

[Pantechnicon]

Sorry for the four-year bump. I happened to find one of these "Raiders Lost Ark" label variants this evening (not the Sears one but the Atari one). It just struck me as so weird looking. Looking at the side label I initially assumed it was some sort of foreign variant, what with the Zellers-type font, except in red, not white. Then when you look at the front label it appears completely legit. :?

Between the irregular font and the truncated name, it's such a shoddy looking product that it's hard to believe this was not only a first-party release, but a first-party release for a big license like the Indiana Jones movies.

Has anyone ever happened to uncover a reason why Atari allowed something like this to be released?

[Pantechnicon]

Could you post some pics of it?

Sure:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/pzcortez/rla_face.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/pzcortez/rla_side.jpg


Speaking of odd end labels, here's one that not too many people have ever seen:

http://home.comcast.net/~scottith/rotla_end_label.jpg

@_@ That's even weirder than mine. What does the front look like? Is that first party or something else?

[Vectorman0]

Pantech, you have one of the Atari Corp re-releases that are known for their poor quality.

http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-raiders-of-the-lost-ark_18318.html

[Sonicwolf]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/pzcortez/rla_side.jpg


Were they really that cheap? Not being able to include the whole title? LOL

[Pantechnicon]

Were they really that cheap? Not being able to include the whole title? LOL

Apparently so. Seiously, it's like a pirate title, but not a pirate title. "Eh...who needs definite articles anyway?"

[Sonicwolf]

Apparently so. Seiously, it's like a pirate title, but not a pirate title. "Eh...who needs definite articles anyway?"

Imagine if they did that with a Zelda game. "The Legend Ocarina Time"

[Raedon]

Imagine if they did that with a Zelda game. "The Legend Ocarina Time"

heh. Lazy bastards. Not that I know much about the cost of typesetting in those days but the label cost the same.

[Carey85]

I figured I'd dig out my copies of the Raiders variants to show a side by side comparison:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/4207444368_4be712a9d1.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4207444370_ccfd6f27d9.jpg

The front labels on the two Atari Inc. labels are identical, with only the end labels being different. The orange label with its font is in line with similar Sears releases, of which Submarine Commander comes immediately to mind. As for what the hell they were thinking on the end label on the Atari Corp. release, I don't know. My best explanation is that they didn't want to retool their equipment that particular day to a font size that would accomodate the space they had to work with. They did the same thing with Pole Position as I pointed out in the pic. My Pole Position misprint doesn't carry a date on it, but it is the original "shutter-style" cartridge style of Atari Inc. so I'm assuming it was built with leftover parts and then finished off with Atari Corp.'s special blend of turd polish. The Raiders misprint carries a 1986 date, which is consistent with Atari Corp. resuming 2600 production in full swing. Leads me to think that the same idiot in printing is responsible for both label snafus.

[Carey85]

Interesting post script to the story, I just found a copy of the "Sears Style" end label Raiders on Atari2600.com:

https://www.atari2600.com/item--Raiders-of-the-Lost-Ark--ATA26GAM1931.html

Sadly, he offers no insight into the history of the label nor do I believe it is worth the price he asks, but it is a nice little piece of Atari history.

[Rom Hunter]

Could you post some pics of it?

Speaking of odd end labels, here's one that not too many people have ever seen:

http://home.comcast.net/~scottith/rotla_end_label.jpg
Interesting.

What does the front label look like?

Lab loaner type?

8)

[Rom Hunter]

Could you post some pics of it?

Speaking of odd end labels, here's one that not too many people have ever seen:

http://home.comcast.net/~scottith/rotla_end_label.jpg
Interesting.

What does the front label look like?

Lab loaner type?

8)