B & C Computervisions Atari Prototypes?

[bangtango]

I used search to an almost exhaustive extent and barely see these guys from my subject line mentioned. I was surfing around their web site and entertained the idea of ordering some Atari Jaguar stuff: mainly Aircars, Charles Barkley Basketball, Brett Hull Hockey, Space War 2000 and Phase Zero (which is sold on Songbird, as well). Mostly for the sake of getting a prototype item, something a little different. That and I hear these ones are at least playable.

Do they come recommended and what can someone tell me about these above games that they are selling at: www.myatari.com

Any feedback or reviews and should I consider picking up a game or two from them? I've seen reviews linked off their page, but would rather have it straight from someone here. Besides, reading the web site was a complete eyesore, the way their small text is.

While you all are at it, what sort of track record do the Songbird or any other later day carts (i.e. Telegames) have for the system, meaning after its demise. Meaning are most of them at least good.

[Leo_A]

Since no one else has, I'll answer the question.

First of all, all retailers you've mentioned have a good reputation. They all produce quality products, good customer service (Besides Telegames, but I think only the UK division even sells Jag stuff now). Prices vary and tend to be high, but considering the small amounts these things are produced in, and the amount of labor, it's understandable.


Stuff like Aircars, Charles Barkley Basketball, Brett Hull Hockey, Space War 2000 and Phase Zero aren't the best of games. Several are incomplete, and all make it evidently clear why they never were released when you play them. Only worth it for having a complete collection.

The Songbird titles are great. They're all finished and very playable. Skyhammer and both versions of Protector are great. The others are also nice games (Soccer Kid, Total Carnage, and Hyper Force), but feel more like Super Nintendo ports than Jaguar games. They're average, but nothing wrong with them, the only question is do you want to be paying $70 for average games.

[Ze_ro]

Well, I can vouch for Skyhammer... I bought my copy from AtariAge, and although it was a little pricey, it's just as high quality as any commercial release I have. The game itself is also very impressive. I haven't tried any of the other games mentioned, but I'd like to pick up a few of them in the future... especially Total Carnage, Space War 2000 and Brett Hull Hockey (actually, I expect BHH to kinda suck, but I'm a hockey fan, so...)

--Zero

[bangtango]

Thanks, Leo and Zero for the replies. Anyone else who has opinions on my first post above, feel free to offer your own opinions.

With that said, is there any reason to buy Protector if you already own Protector: SE? Doesn't seem to be, besides a collecting thing for a completist. Am I right?

[Leo_A]

Check this out if you want to know the differences.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83202

And if you decide you want a copy of the original, best go post your name in that thread soon. :)

[slapdash]

Just FYI, but I'm pretty sure Charles Barkley Basketball, Brett Hull Hockey, Space War 2000 and Phase Zero are reproductions, not true prototypes, in case that matters to you. Aircars is, I assume, the production version, unless B&C are making their own now...

[bangtango]

Doesn't matter all that much, Slapdash. Actually not for collecting. I am now going with the mindset of reducing the number of systems I own and increasing the libraries of the ones I keep. I guess it is mainly to pad my Jaguar library. I have many of the well-known US releases, so far, and am looking for others to add that I don't yet have.

[Ze_ro]

Aircars is, I assume, the production version, unless B&C are making their own now...
Actually, I was under the impression that it WAS their own version... I'm not sure what (if any) differences their are between this and the original ICD release though. The original release was pretty lame, so I'm guessing the only difference might be B&C's logo on the label or something.

--Zero

[slapdash]

Aircars is, I assume, the production version, unless B&C are making their own now...
Actually, I was under the impression that it WAS their own version... I'm not sure what (if any) differences their are between this and the original ICD release though. The original release was pretty lame, so I'm guessing the only difference might be B&C's logo on the label or something.

Hmm... I wonder if it's legit then... It would seem odd to copy just one game if they're pirating, but I hadn't heard about them getting the rights to make more or anything. Odd.

[bangtango]

Text may be jumbled, but this is what they claim on the site. I assume someone has already read this.


Jaguar B&C Aircars cart only $40 or $45 with original ICD
manual. Years ago we purchased the rights to several of ICD
products. Over the years we have also bought and traded
each others products for resale. In 1997 we traded
several Jaguar developer items for several ICD products
including Aircars. Since ICD never delivered their
products due to internal problems(????) we are now
producing our own B&C version. Our B&C Aircars is sold
with or without the original ICD Aircars manual. The label
says B&C. Other than that they are identical to those
shipped by ICD when they were shipping them back in 1996.
Pictures of manual: www.myatari.com/ebay/acman1.jpg
and www.myatari.com/ebay/acman2.jpg
Picture of cart www.myatari.com/pics/bh1.jpg