Personal Game Programmer (PGP-1)

[Dire 51]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZJmYtfkTy4

(starts at 1:01)

THIS THING WAS REAL?!

Forgive my outburst there, but back in my last year of junior high/first year of high school, when I was known as the "Atari Guy", one guy I knew told me about this thing that he had which let you change things around in a 2600 cartridge. I thought it sounded cool and asked him if I could borrow it to play around with several times, but he always refused, ultimately leading me to believe that he was full of shit - I think that he was the guy that also told me about the game G.I. Joe II: Smurf Massacre, which I never found any evidence of either. I never saw any evidence that one of these existed (and believe me, I searched for a few years), which furthered my belief.

But now, thanks to Joe posting this video, I can see that he wasn't full of shit after all. I'd be willing to bet this thing is pretty rare, but does anyone here own this? If so, can you give me a little info on it beyond what Al talks about in the video? It seems like an early, early, early Game Genie from the sound of things.

Hey, maybe this means G.I. Joe II: Smurf Massacre is floating around out there too...

[Vectorman0]

Judging by that GI Joe game he lied about, I think it's safe to assume he was also was lying about the topic at hand and it's only coincidence that there is a PGP-1.

Al Backiel sold it to a fellow DP member. I believe another PGP-1 is also owned by a different DP member. Al did a short review of it here.

[MASTERWEEDO]

That GI Joe game sounds like fun though

[Zap!]

Joe owns one. So what do these sell for, I want one and will spend what's necessary.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Joe owns one.

I believe John Hardie owns the model pictured in the video that originally belonged to Al Backiel. Joe doesn't have one, AFAIK.

So what do these sell for, I want one and will spend what's necessary.

If you have to ask, don't bother. Only around a dozen of them were made, and there are only two or three known to exist in the hands of collectors.

[Zap!]

I believe John Hardie owns the model pictured in the video that originally belonged to Al Backiel. Joe doesn't have one, AFAIK.

Joe is on the list of people who own one over at Atari Age.

If you have to ask, don't bother. Only around a dozen of them were made, and there are only two or three known to exist in the hands of collectors.

Try me. Is it more than a few thousand? I'll through out a decent offer.

[Vectorman0]

I think you would have to throw out a five figure offer if you wanted a chance at getting one.

[Jorpho]

I want one and will spend what's necessary.

Why, exactly?

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Joe is on the list of people who own one over at Atari Age.

I don't know what list you're referring to, but I'll let Joe confirm or deny whether he owns one (if he chooses).

Try me. Is it more than a few thousand? I'll through out a decent offer.

Quite a bit more...read Vectorman0's post above.

Why, exactly?

My thoughts exactly.

[Zap!]

Why, exactly?

Because it's a piece of history for me, and I have wanting for for nearly two decades.

I don't know what list you're referring to, but I'll let Joe confirm or deny whether he owns one (if he chooses).

I seen a list of PGP owners at AA. Of course it may be wrong, but Joe's name was on the list. Wouldn't surprise me in the least, he deserves one more than anyone. I believe he also owns an Odyssey 3 and CIB Adventurevision.

[Kid Ice]

Wouldn't surprise me in the least, he deserves one more than anyone.

Why? Did he invent Atari or something?

[Buyatari]

Joe owns one. So what do these sell for, I want one and will spend what's necessary.

As far as I know one has never been on EBay. Just private sales.

There are very few out there. The guys who have them are not those inclinded to sell at any price. Should another just happed to turn up the bidding will be fierce. I'd say 5 figures for sure. You would be up against the biggest spending collectors for that thing.

[Jorpho]

Because it's a piece of history for me

But why? Practically no one has heard of it, and all it's likely going to do is just sit on your shelf somewhere. I doubt it even looks particularly nice sitting on a shelf.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

Should another just happed to turn up the bidding will be fierce. I'd say 5 figures for sure. You would be up against the biggest spending collectors for that thing.

Indeed. There are several long time collectors and big spenders (Rick Weis, Wonder007, etc.) who don't have one, but want one. You'd have to outbid the likes of them.

But why? Practically no one has heard of it, and all it's likely going to do is just sit on your shelf somewhere. I doubt it even looks particularly nice sitting on a shelf.

It's also quite difficult to use if you have no programming knowledge. It's not like a Game Genie where you just punch in a bunch of codes and make cool stuff happen on the screen. You need to know exactly which addresses in the code that you want to edit to get the desired effects.

[PapaStu]

But why? Practically no one has heard of it, and all it's likely going to do is just sit on your shelf somewhere. I doubt it even looks particularly nice sitting on a shelf.

That didn't stop me from buying a Net Yaroze.

[megasdkirby]

Indeed. There are several long time collectors and big spenders (Rick Weis, Wonder007, etc.) who don't have one, but want one. You'd have to outbid the likes of them.

I always thought Rick had one... now I'm confused.

Anyway, it's easy to win one on Ebay. Just bid the max amount ($99 million, I think?) and you are guaranteed an easy win...

[Dire 51]

Judging by that GI Joe game he lied about, I think it's safe to assume he was also was lying about the topic at hand and it's only coincidence that there is a PGP-1.

I had considered that possibility. Either way, it's nice to know that such a device actually exists.

Al Backiel sold it to a fellow DP member. I believe another PGP-1 is also owned by a different DP member. Al did a short review of it here.

Ah, very interesting. Thanks.

Now, who wants to work on a homebrew G.I. Joe II?

[Jorpho]

That didn't stop me from buying a Net Yaroze.

Well, a Yaroze does have practical uses. Plus it's that nifty alternative color. And it won't set you back several thousand.

[Kid Ice]

He might have seen an ad for the PGP-1 or read about it in a magazine.

I vaguely recall such a device being advertised that could make "changes" to games (I think Pitfall was mentioned by name). I don't remember if it was on TV, or in the pages of EG magazine*.


(yes kids, those two things were more or less the ONLY sources of info about gaming in the "good ole days")

[Buyatari]

I always thought Rick had one... now I'm confused.

Anyway, it's easy to win one on Ebay. Just bid the max amount ($99 million, I think?) and you are guaranteed an easy win...

From Rick over at Atariage.

Marco got the one from william's collection! and John has the one from Al. i'm looking for one also (7500$ i'll pay) if anyone has a spare one !

Rick