Entering Hibernation Mode

I'm afraid the time has come to put this blog into what can only be described as hibernation mode. Unfortunately national service in the army can wait no more and it's 100% mandatory, meaning Retro Treasures will hopefully be back in a year or so. Well, ok, maybe less than that and -provided things go well- better than ever.

Take care everyone!

Six Colecovision Games

What you see is what you get: 6 Colecovision games. Happily available @ eBay and complete with their inlays. Seller ships worldwide.

The Oric-1 Micro Computer

Released back in 1983 by Tangerine Computer Systems, the Oric-1 was a direct competitor to the ZX Spectrum. The Oric-1 came in 16 or 48k versions, sported proper 3-channel sound, featured a horrid keyboard and was based on the 6502A CPU, and despite (!) its colour-clash feature and similar price, failed to beat the Speccy. It did turn out to be pretty popular in France though, meaning a ton of quality and/or quirky games have been released for it. Find out more about the Oric-1 here, here and here.

To own a system for yourself you could try this boxed Oric-1 auction @ eBay, though you'd better have in mind that the computer is being sold as untested, meaning it just might be dead. Then again it might just be a huge chance at a bargain... Seller ships worldwide.

SNK Neo Geo AES & 3 Games

The Neo Geo AES remains the Rolls Royce of gaming and obviously hasn't aged a day since its original release back in 1990 (how time flies, eh?). So, uhm, why not bid on a shiny black SNK Neo Geo with 3 games on eBay? Seller ships worldwide and I'd expect it to sell for more than 300$, 200 pounds or 225 euros. The console comes complete with that amazingly luxuriant controller. As for the games (Magician Lord, Riding Hero, and NAM 1975) they are all boxed and come with manuals.

Amiga 500 Complete & Boxed

For a Buy It Now price of £29.99 (that's a mere 34 euros, that is) this Amiga 500 @ eBay is an interesting and bargain priced chance for a classic 16-bit gaming micro. Seller ships only within Europe and will also be providing you with the original box of the computer, the 1MB RAM expansion, a mouse, a joystick, 2 games and all the leads you could ask for.

Super Nintendo Starwing Edition

Time for everyone's favourite curvy 16-bit console: the PAL version of Nintendo's Super Nintendo or SNES. You can now own it in its lovely UK Starwing version complete in its box via this SNES Starwing eBay auction. Seller ships worldwide and in case you're wondering, this is the complete boxed affair with one controller, the game cart and all necessary bits to use 'em. As for Starwing it's also known as Starfox...

The average SNES sells for 20£, 30$ or 22 euros. This boxed version then might just go for quite a bit more, though it definitely isn't the rarest of available versions. By the way, you might also enjoy this link too.

A Commodore 64 in a box

Another one for the worldwide audience: a boxed Commodore 64 @ eBay. And let me remind everyone that the C64 was the most successful home micro ever and that you can always emulate it via the naughty sounding VICE emulator or play some of its better games online at C64s.

Manic Miner for the Speccy

Simple really. If you haven't got it already, get it. Now! Via this Manic Miner eBay auction. Seller ships worldwide and you'll be getting the original Bug Byte release. And if you don't know what you're missing, do yourselves a favour and find out.

The Sega Dreamcast Dreameye

The Sega Dreameye for the Dreamcast was released -only in Japan- in order to give Sega-philes another unique gadget to play with. The Dreameye is essentially a 3 megapixels digital camera, that comes boxed complete with a headset and some innovative (for the time, of course) software, that actually wasn't only about games. You can find out more about it here. Oh, and it's supposed to be a rather rare accessory too.

What's more, you can now grab a boxed and quite expensive SEGA Dreamcast Dreameye via eBay. Seller ships worldwide. The unit is apparently brand new, boxed, shiny and complete. It only works with a Japanese Dreamcast though.

Two 3DO consoles & 21 games

Let's be brief. Follow this very eBay link and find a US only auction for the two best known versions of the Panasonic 3DO, that comes complete with all proper bits and pieces to get you playing, 2 controllers and 21 games. Games include Road Rash, Star Wars Rebel Assault, The Need for Speed, Total Eclipse and Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo. Oh, and you can start learning stuff about the 3DO over at Wikipedia.

Boxed Atari 7800

The Atari 7800, despite its lack of anything resembling decent sound capabilities, is a great and cheap retro console (usually selling for less than 40$; more when boxed), that besides sporting its own range of good games also offers full Atari 2600 compatibility. You can get your hands on a boxed specimen via this Atari 7800 eBay auction. Seller only ships within the US.

What's more, the console comes complete with 2 controllers, a/c adapter, all cables and 27 (!) games. Among them you will find such timeless arcade favourites as Robotron 2048, Donkey Kong, Mario Bros., Xevious, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Yars Revenge and Pac Man. Oh, and to find out everything about the 7800 and its software do follow this link.

The Complete Monkey Island Bounty Pack

I know this classic and quite frankly fantastic Monkey Island collection is really rare -especially in its complete- though I'm not quite sure it's actually worth the asking price of say 100£. Then again if you are a Lucasarts collector or a Guybrush groupie with cash to spare, then there's nobody stopping you and you will definitely appreciate this complete & boxed Monkey Island Bounty Pack. Seller ships to N. and S. America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Jon Ritman's Monster Max

Monster Max, a game released in 1994 for the classic monochrome Nintendo Game Boy, is one of those absolutely brilliant gaming gems that the wider public criminally overlooked. It is also an excellent isometric arcade-adventure, that some actually consider better than Head over Heels. Yes, that good and you can grab Monster Max via eBay too. Seller ships worldwide.

Your Sinclair Chance

Everyone in the world wants a ZX Spectrum. Especially those that don't actually own one yet, care for a boxed specimen, don't want to overspend and would rather pay low worldwide shipping costs. That's why this ZX Spectrum eBay auction seems so sweet. 'ave a look. It even comes with a few tapes to get you started.

Boxed Lynx mk. 1 & 15 games

Pretty self explanatory them pics from a certain lovely Atari Lynx I & 15 games eBay auction, aren't they? Oh, and guess you should also know that the seller ships worldwide, that average Lynx prices start at 20£, 30$ or 22 euros (meaning this one should go for quite a bit more), while the average boxed Lynx game goes for 5£, and that you can always emulate the thing for free.

Sega Mega Drive 2 & Sonic 2

It's boxed, shiny, black, 16-bit, PAL and comes with what many consider to be the best Sonic game ever: it's an excellent Sega Mega Drive 2 @ eBay. Seller ships worldwide.

Metal Slug 5 Neo Geo MVS kit

An excellent run and gun game that comes complete with everything you need to turn your MVS into a proper Metal Slug 5 arcade cabinet? Yes, please! It's Metal Slug 5 MVS @ eBay in its complete and very mint form. Seller ships worldwide and, besides the cart, you'll also be getting cabinet stickers, flyers, a marquee banner (!) etc.

Acorn Archimedes A3000

It might not have been as successful as the BBC Micro, but the Acorn Archimedes A3000 was a true -and almost affordable- dream machine. It was released back in 1989, came with at least 1MB of (expandable) RAM, offered simple hard drive support, was fairly powerful in 3D, had high resolution 4096 colour graphics, featured a good sound chip, and above all sported that amazingly powerful and innovative RISC technology ARM CPU. It actually was way more powerful than the Amiga and even had the best version of Elite ever.

Find out more about the A3000 here, here or here. For your emulation needs either try the seemingly impressive and quite commercial Virtual Acorn or the freeware Red Squirrel.

Now, why not have a look at this fantastic Acorn Archimedes A3000 eBay auction? Seller ships worldwide, and you'll be getting a truly complete machine with hard disk, 4MB of RAM, tons of software, a mouse, DOS emulator, manuals, cables and a selection of other lovely bits. Paying anything less than 40£, 60$ or 45€ should be considered a great chance at a bargain.

Timex Sinclair 1000 and Timex printer

The Timex Sinclair 1000 is the American version of the Sinclair ZX81; the two machines are nearly identical, though the Timex did ship with a whole extra kilobyte of RAM! Imagine that. Anyway. Find out more about the Timex Sinclair here and have a look at a free online emulator here. Also do have a look at this Timex Sinclair 1000 & Personal Printer eBay auction. Seller only ships to US and Canadian addresses.

Saturn Bargain Time

With a Buy It Now price of only 15£ this Sega Saturn (PAL) console is a fantastic bargain, though one available for UK residents only. And it even comes complete with two controllers and everyone's favourite racer SEGA Rally. Be fast.

Julian Rignall's All Time Top 10 (C64)

Apparently the legendary games journalist is a man of great taste and has always been one. I mean, have a look at his alleged top 10 Commodore 64 games: Mega Apocalypse, Lords Of Midnight, Split Personalities, Guardian 2, Dan Dare, Driller, Cauldron 2, Barbarian 2, Delta and Zoids. Grab them all via this fantastic Rignall C64 boxed collection.

A fantastic Atari 400 bundle

Released back in 1979 the Atari 400 was a truly impressive and quite pricey home computer. It was powerful, it was expandable, it sported amazing colour graphics, it was built to last and it cost something around 600$. Happily you can nowadays actually get your hands on one via this lovely Atari 400 bundle that appeared on eBay for much less. Seller ships only within the US, and is kind enough to include 12 cartridges, 4 controllers, a trackball (!), the datasette and a fantastic selection of manuals, books and, err, bits.

SNES & 5 Games (NTSC/US)

If you're looking for a well priced Nintendo 16-bit console with all necessary bits, you should really try this Nintendo SNES (US) eBay auction. It comes with 5 games and two controllers. Seller ships worldwide.

Bandai Atmark Pippin by Apple

The (Apple, Bandai, Atmark etc) Pippin is a rare and sleek beast, that was -in part- the result of Apple's attempt to invade the console market, utilizing the then-impressive PowerPC 603 processor, a CD-ROM, an ultra slow modem and a stripped down version of the Mac operating system. Obviously, it flopped impressively and has turned itself into an expensive and rare collector's item. You can find out more about it here and here.

On the other hand you can have a look at this fantastic boxed and apparently mint Bandai Atmark Pippin @ eBay that dear reader Boris discovered. The seller ships only within Europe and includes a pretty impressive software selection, the rare memory card and that odd joypad everyone would like to try. Mind you, I've seen Pippin consoles sell for over 500 euros...

Freddy Pharkas Frontier Pharmacist

If you ask me (which you should) Freddy Pharkas is the best game Al Lowe of Leisure Suit Larry ever created. It's funny, smart, beautiful, original, innovative and sports great puzzles, graphics and music. The game was released by Sierra back during the adventure golden era in 1993. You can read a review here and find out more about it from Al Lowe himself. And do grab a boxed copy of the PC version via this Freddy Pharkas eBay auction. Seller ships worldwide.

Nintendo Dolphin Dev & Debug Box

Dolphin was the -slightly weird- codename Nintendo chose for the Gamecube during its development, meaning that what you see above is nothing less than a very early Gamecube development and debugging kit. And yes, you can bid on it via this AMC DDH Nintendo Dolphin Dev and Debug Box eBay auction. Seller ships -of course- worldwide.

Oh, and you might want to know that the thing comes complete with its hard drive, a controller, all necessary leads and a manual. And it's a properly working unit too. What's more, it also comes with the files of a full professionally developed game (Inline Skating) on its hard drive and the full printed version of its design doc! Here's a pretty relevant video.

Another boxed ZX Spectrum 48k

I've been searching for a boxed rubber-key Speccy that would be available worldwide, and, well, seems I've found one. Here is said lovely boxed 48k ZX Spectrum @ eBay. Seems to be in top condition too and even comes with 5 games. 10-15£, 14-21$ or 11-17 euro would be a fair price for the average Sinclair 8-bit wonder, though boxed computers might go for quite a bit more.

PS. If you are looking for a (sturdier) boxed Sinclair Spectrum + instead, do try this link.

The Vectrex Lightpen

Time for another Vectrex rarity: time for the rather brilliant Vectrex Lightpen complete in its box with the self-explanatory Art Master cartridge. Grab it via eBay (seller ships worldwide). Oh, and these links should probably enlighten you.

Amiga CD32 joypad

Not the best joypad ever designed, I know, but always handy for you lucky Amiga CD32 owners. Grab it here. Seller ships worldwide.

The complete Fujitsu FM Towns PC

The Fujitsu FM Towns is one of the few purely gaming oriented PCs and a shining example of just how impressive a Japanese computer can be. Anyway. You can find out more about it here, try an emulator here and get a complete and properly working Fujitsu FM Towns via eBay. Seller ships worldwide and is nice enough to include the original monitor, case, gamepad, keyboard and even a boxed game.

A fistful of Lemmings

A brand new highly specialized retro gaming e-shop has opened its virtual doors and it's none other than the aptly named Lemmings Ports Shop. It impressively sports over 50 versions of Lemmings covering every platform from the ZX Spectrum and the Atari Lynx to the Saturn and the Amiga. Prices seem more than reasonable and worldwide shipping is happily available. Oh, and you might also care for the obviously related Lemmings Ports blog.

Analog fun with Space Hulk

Board games and/or RPGs haven't featured heavily in Retro Treasures lately, but apparently now it's the time to change that. So, uhm, have a look at this fantastic Space Hulk eBay auction. Seller ships worldwide. And if you don't know what the lovely OOP Games Workshop board game that is Space Hulk is all about, do have a look here.

Heimdall 2 (Amiga)

A lovely isometric cartoon CRPG inspired by Nordic mythology and one of the most impressive Core Design offerings for the Amiga: Heimdall 2. You can apparently grab a boxed copy via a certain eBay auction. Seller ships worldwide.

Sinclair ZX81 16k RAM Pack

You've already got your glorious ZX81 and are all proud and refreshing your BASIC skills. Then again, it would be nice to try some classic and professionally produced games like Mazogs and 3D Monster Maze, wouldn't it? Well, I'm afraid you'll need some extra RAM in the form of a wobbly ram-pack for that. Go get a boxed Sinclair ZX81 16k RAM pack @ eBay and play away. Seller ships only within the UK.

A rare-ish NEC TurboExpress

Also known in Japan as the PC Engine GT, the NEC TurboExpress was a huge, battery devouring and absolutely excellent handheld, that was fully compatible with the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 console. Now, you can buy a TurboExpress with 16 games via eBay. Seller only ships to USA and Canada.

Apple Macintosh SE

A vintage computing beauty released in 1987, the Macintosh SE by Apple is still a sight to behold. It also happens to be a great gaming machine for stylish, high-res, black and white games and even some basic (for our time and age at least) office applications. Happily you can find out more about the Mac SE here, here or here and have a feel of how the thing worked via an online virtual SE.

To own a fully working SE complete with mouse, keyboard, official carry-bag and 20mb HD you could give this Apple Macintosh SE eBay auction a try. Seller ships only within the UK, which I'm afraid is downright nasty. I want one, you know.

Space Quest 3 (Atari ST/STe)

Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon was the last (and best) parser driven installment in the Space Quest series and a rare adventure that mocked that whole gaming piracy issue. It also was a tough bastard to beat. Oh, well, that was the way Sierra wanted things. Anyway. Find out more about it by bidding on this complete & boxed Space Quest 3 for the Atari ST. Seller ships to Europe, United States, Australia, Canada and Japan.