Boxed Texas Instruments TI-99/4A

Having sold over 2 million units and being the first properly affordable (and decent) 16-bit home computer ever, the Texas Instruments TI99/4A is a rather historic micro and the first computer I ever touched. It was a machine with an excellent keyboard, an easy to learn version of BASIC, great sound, decent graphics and dozens of great games. It also is something you can grab via this Texas Instruments TI-99/4A eBay auction.

The computer comes complete in its box and is accompanied by a couple of joysticks, PAL TV encoder, manuals and power supply. The computer is essentially untested, but should probably work fine.

Seller ships to the U.K., Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Australia, U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Israel.

Texas Instruments TI-99/4A (untested)

This shiny, early 16-bit Texas Instruments TI-99/4A may be being auctioned as untested (due to lack of the required cables), but a) it does come with an abundance of goodies, b) looks perfectly fine, and c) this particular micro has always been a sturdy machine. The buyer will be getting the computer, 17 cartridges, some cassettes, a programming dossier/manual and the TI Speech Synthesizer. Seller ships worldwide.

Texas Instruments TI-99/4A NIB

I wont once again mention the fact that the TI-99/4A was my very first computer or that it remains a lovely thing to own. I will instead focus on admiring this pretty amazing Texas Instruments TI-99/4A that has been discovered by the dear Retro Treasures friend MadPlanet. It seems like a perfectly preserved specimen of one of the earliest 16-bit micros ever, that comes complete in its box containing everything the computer shipped with originally. The TI-99/4A has apparently never been removed from the box and is thus a de facto rarity. Seller ships only within the US.

bargain.bin retro review: TI Invaders (TI 99/4A)

TI Invaders for the Texas Instrument TI 99/4A home computer was the first game I actually owned and played at home, and I absolutely loved it. It did after all look and play so much better than Space Invaders on my cousins' Atari 2600 and was actually better than the eponymous game glimpsed in arcades. Or at lest, well, so I fiercely believed.

I also remember being rather good at it too, but that was probably the result of spending more hours playing TI Invaders than anyone else in my then-limited social circle. This beautiful cartridge, you see, was constantly replacing boring math and alphabet games, just like nature intended it to:

The game itself, a bold Space Invaders clone, felt totally unique and incredibly high-tech. Little did I know back then that the cheap yet powerful TI 99/4A my father had bought off a colleague was an early 16-bit machine. All I cared for was its one-button joystick, the impressive looking keyboard and its infuriating lack of a pause function, the inclusion of which would make mandatory sleep-breaks a mere temporary stop to my high score beating attempts.

Nowadays, in our era where everything comes with pause buttons and save options and despite the fact that I always keep the old Texas Instruments micro close, I rarely plug the thing in. Connecting it to a modern TV can be quite a problem, you see, but, as I recently re-discovered, a problem worth solving. TI Invaders remains a fantastic game. Possibly the best retro iteration of Space Invaders ever. I mean, really, look at these graphics. How many 1981 game could be this wondrous?

The game is slightly faster than your average invaders shooting offering, sports a lovely death animation, has a unique scoring system and way more variety than even the arcade it perfectly apes itself. Every three or so levels a new kind of invading alien appears -all of them sporting unique appearances and abilities- two difficulty levels allow you to start off with a less brutal game, an impressive variety of smart little touches enhances the overall experience and then there's the bonus stage that really spices things up. Obviously, constantly improving ones high-score remains as addictive and enjoyable as ever...

Where to get it:
TI Invaders (TI 99/4A): eBay.com, eBay.co.uk
Via emulation: Win994a

More info on TI Invaders:

• Wikipedia
• MobyGames
• VideogameHouse
• Retroist
• TI Invaders manual

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Target; Renegade
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Texas Instruments TI99/4A

Back in 1981 when your truly was really -really- young Texas Instruments released its early 16-bit computer: the TI99/4A; the follow up to the not particularly successful TI99/4 that improved on its graphics capabilities, added more than a few extras and shipped with a proper high quality keyboard. Having owned this wonderful machine for over 25 years, I just can't recommend it enough.

This TI99/4A bundle currently up for auction, seems like a great way to start your TI collection. You'll be getting the computer, 14 cartridges, 2 joysticks, the power cord, the RF adapter, the rare(-ish) Speech Synthesizer and quite a few manuals. Seller ships worldwide.