11 replies to this topic

[2600Lives]

Was heading back from a haircut and figured I'd stop by one of the thrift stores. Well, I noticed a black box sitting by the computer stuff, right? I look, and it's a MINT condition TI-99 computer, still boxed with all the pieces and parts (even the dadgum paperwork!). The best part of this? The price. TWO DOLLARS! Holy jeeze, I snagged this so fast...anyway, I get home, and it all works great, so I go to a place I know and grab a couple of cartridge games for a buck each. Me am so happy!

[JB]

2600Lives said:

Was heading back from a haircut and figured I'd stop by one of the thrift stores. Well, I noticed a black box sitting by the computer stuff, right? I look, and it's a MINT condition TI-99 computer, still boxed with all the pieces and parts (even the dadgum paperwork!). The best part of this? The price. TWO DOLLARS! Holy jeeze, I snagged this so fast...anyway, I get home, and it all works great, so I go to a place I know and grab a couple of cartridge games for a buck each. Me am so happy!

4 or 4a?

And what games you got?


Nice score, BTW.

[Brad2600]

Nice score, man!

I had a TI-99/4a.

Last time I checked, it was traded to pacmanplus.

Super Demon Attack is one of the games you need to get.

[JB]

Kepone said:

Nice score, man!

I had a TI-99/4a.

Last time I checked, it was traded to pacmanplus.

Super Demon Attack is one of the games you need to get.

Funny, I was just singing it's praises a minute ago...

Personally, I always loved Parsec.

...

And while still a raster port of a vector game, Star Trek wins some redemption points for its quite good speech synthesizer usage.

[video game addict]

These things are so common around here. I've seen at least 10 over the past couple years in thrift stores. I passed one up last week, in the box with the egg carton looking stuff and all the paper work and whatnot. It was priced $9.99. Most of the ones I find are the brushed Aluminum ones. I also found a set of the joysticks a couple days ago at another thrift. They were in like half a piece of styrofoam, no box or price for that matter. The games are what I've found hard to find. I've maybe found 75 oover the past couple years, and most of those are crummy educational types. Not something I'd play.

[Christophero Sly]

Track down a copy of TI Donkey Kong. It's an excellent port. IMO, the best of the era.

I have some TI games for trade. If your interested, LMK.

[2600Lives]

The games were Parsec and Munch Man. And I dunno which one it is honestly, it's the brushed aluminum one (which I happen to think is a very attractive design myself). Never had a TI-99. Will Atari joysticks work with it? I'm taking it to OKGE, and I'd like to have a joystick hooked up so I can demo the games.

[Christophero Sly]

You'll need an adapter to use Atari joysticks.

Also, the TI branded joysticks are the worst sticks I have ever used or seen. Get an Atari adapter or try to find a pair of Power Sticks.

[justice_is_blind]

http://www.99er.net/win994a.shtml

I love a good game of CarWars just before I go to work. Jaw Breaker 2,Blasto just to name a few. Parsec and Ambulance don't work though.

[JB]

2600Lives said:

The games were Parsec and Munch Man. And I dunno which one it is honestly, it's the brushed aluminum one (which I happen to think is a very attractive design myself).

Both systems came in the brushed aluminum case.
The 4 has calculator keys, the 4a has a real keyboard.


Though if I recall, Parsec is a 4a-exclusive title(one of the few).
BTW, Parsec supports the Speech Synthesizer, if you can find one.

And #s 1,2, and 3 change your vertical speed.
Useless except for the refueling tunnels, where you just can't get through them alive at lift 3.
...
Gods, I hated the refueling tunnels.

Quote

Never had a TI-99. Will Atari joysticks work with it? I'm taking it to OKGE, and I'd like to have a joystick hooked up so I can demo the games.

No, Atari joysticks won't work, tragically.

That's why there's arrows on E, S, D, and X. Q is fire.
IJKM and Y for player 2, if I recall.
I've never seen a TI game that didn't work with the keyboard.




BTW, general purpose function keys are...
Function and
1 = delete
2 = insert
3 = erase
4 = clear
5 = begin
6 = proc'd
7 = aid
8 = redo
9 = back
+ = quit(this is the 4a version of the "3-fingered salute")

Control has no pre-programmed usage, though it IS a modifier key.

[SteveW]

Oh, and once you find some joysticks for it, make sure you have the CAPS LOCK key up. For some odd reason, up will not register on the joysticks if the Caps Lock key is down. Just another quirk of the TI99/4A.

Hopefully, i'll go to OKGE, so i'll stop and say hi.

[JB]

SteveW said:

Oh, and once you find some joysticks for it, make sure you have the CAPS LOCK key up. For some odd reason, up will not register on the joysticks if the Caps Lock key is down. Just another quirk of the TI99/4A.  

Hopefully, i'll go to OKGE, so i'll stop and say hi.

If I recall, the joysticks are actually read as an extension of the keyboard. They may have run out of keys or something.

Dunno, really.