OWN A 720?
PLEASE REGISTER
PLEASE REGISTER
UPDATE (Jul-09): Jeff's 720 Page has been re-launched as 720 Zone with the dedicated 720zone.com URL. In addition to the design update, changes and additions include:
* Strategy & Gameplay - Several updates to the page - including the addition of an Advanced Tactics section.
* 720 Media - New page: See and hear gameplay videos and the epic 720 soundtrack and effects.
* 720 Zone Arcade - New games, as well as updates to the existing game pages and the main collection page.
* Art & Spare Parts - New section of the links page dedicated to available 720 restoration materials.
* The 720 Hellcade - New page with the worst 720 pictures. Inspired by Brentradio's Hellcade.
* 720 on Ebay - New page tracking past 720 sales on Ebay.
* High Score - New page with 720 high score related info for myself and other players.
* Creative Team - New page dedicated to the creators of 720.
* 720 On Screen - New page intended to report instances of 720 appearing in popular media.
* Links - Several additions to the links page, and a restructure into 720 specific, and general arcade links.
* Wanted - Updated items on the want list and a design change soon.
* News - Several news updates below as I'd held off updating the previous site. Older news is now archived.
* Strategy & Gameplay - Several updates to the page - including the addition of an Advanced Tactics section.
* 720 Media - New page: See and hear gameplay videos and the epic 720 soundtrack and effects.
* 720 Zone Arcade - New games, as well as updates to the existing game pages and the main collection page.
* Art & Spare Parts - New section of the links page dedicated to available 720 restoration materials.
* The 720 Hellcade - New page with the worst 720 pictures. Inspired by Brentradio's Hellcade.
* 720 on Ebay - New page tracking past 720 sales on Ebay.
* High Score - New page with 720 high score related info for myself and other players.
* Creative Team - New page dedicated to the creators of 720.
* 720 On Screen - New page intended to report instances of 720 appearing in popular media.
* Links - Several additions to the links page, and a restructure into 720 specific, and general arcade links.
* Wanted - Updated items on the want list and a design change soon.
* News - Several news updates below as I'd held off updating the previous site. Older news is now archived.
All content © 2008, Jeff Civitate, all rights reserved.
UPDATE (Jun-09): Quantum Complete - The 10 month saga included:
** Acquiring an empty cab, repro control panel, CPO & marquee, a Tempest harness and adapter, and a box of Star Wars parts, some 9+ months ago.
** A 6 month search for a PCB that finally yielded a partially working board that was later sent out for repair.
** A bunch of sanding, painting, drilling, cutting, bondo’ing, cleaning, etc.
** A 2 day session of assembly and wiring (hack-job) to get everything to work with the Tempest harness and adapter I had, along with some work on the deflection board to take care of some very wavy vectors, but I do finally have a working Quantum in the collection. Check the Quantum Page for more info.
** Acquiring an empty cab, repro control panel, CPO & marquee, a Tempest harness and adapter, and a box of Star Wars parts, some 9+ months ago.
** A 6 month search for a PCB that finally yielded a partially working board that was later sent out for repair.
** A bunch of sanding, painting, drilling, cutting, bondo’ing, cleaning, etc.
** A 2 day session of assembly and wiring (hack-job) to get everything to work with the Tempest harness and adapter I had, along with some work on the deflection board to take care of some very wavy vectors, but I do finally have a working Quantum in the collection. Check the Quantum Page for more info.
UPDATE (Jun-09): Smash TV added to the collection - Another game I played a ton in the arcades as a teen, and have wanted to own for a long time. Smash TV has some of the best two player cooperative gameplay ever. I've since added Total Carnage to the cabinet and am really enjoying the mayhem. More information on the Smash TV Page.
UPDATE (Jun-09): 720 at Coinopspace.com - The great new collecting community site Coinopspace.com includes game specific groups with links to that game's resources and focused discussion. Be sure to check out the 720 Group. The site also includes tons of resources for creating custom pages with pictures and videos, forums and message boards, contests, and even offers chats with classic game creators.
UPDATE (May-09): 720 Monitor Flybacks Available - Arcadecup.com has made available a brand new replacement flyback unit for the wells gardner 25" 25K5515 Medium-Resolution arcade monitor board set used in 720. They are currently selling them via Ebay.
UPDATE (Apr-09): 720 - Skate City Map: I’ve added a map of Skate City made with MAME screen captures. I’d been searching for a map without success for quite a while, so I finally decided to take on the small project myself. I’m hoping this will help plan routes between parks and ultimately aid in finding optimum Skate City scoring routines. For newer players it might help with the layout better than the in-game map. Several size options, including a full size version that matches the actual game pixels, are available. Please check it out on the Downloads Page.
Welcome to the 720 zone, the source for all things related to the Atari 720 Degrees arcade game, plus general arcade collecting resources and my own small collection.
UPDATE (Jul-09): 720 at CAEX 2009 - Well, from the 720 perspective this year's California Extreme was unfortunately a bust. The 720 represented at the show looked to be in good shape, and had a relatively smooth joystick. During the early part of the first day of the show, it was powered up and appeared to be working, but the controls were unresponsive. It was set on free-play, but would not start a game. By late in the day it had been turned off. On the bright side, this allowed (forced) me to focus my time on other games I don’t often have a chance to play. I heard the 720 may have been working by day 2, but I was not there. In terms of the entire show, one non-working game is a tiny inconvenience in an otherwise awesome event. The show was fantastic again this year. For more on my full show opinion, see my KLOV post here. I do hope to be able to SKATE OR DIE!! at CAEX 2010.
UPDATE (Jul-09): 720 - The Restoration - One of my favorite things is seeing a battle scarred 720 reintroduced to the world in like-new condition. Kevin “KillerKades” has done just that. His month long restoration included dismantling the cabinet, sanding, bondo, paint, art and everything in between. The final result is a pristine 720. Check out the full KLOV thread HERE.
UPDATE (Aug-09): 720 Mini Scale Model - Inspired by the tiny paper arcade cabinets on the Papercade site, I decided to try my hand at making a scale model 720. It’s a bit smaller than 1/12th scale, and made of balsa wood, grey construction paper, printed stickers and a few LEDs and batteries which light up the marquee, screen and coin door. I’ve already started on a 2nd model that will be slightly bigger and have many more features. Check out a full slideshow of various stages of creation:
720 Mini Model Flickr Slideshow.
720 Mini Model Flickr Slideshow.
UPDATE (Jan-10):
Gameplay - It’s been a while since I’ve had time to devote to the arcade collecting hobby and to my 720, but I do still find time to play on occasion. Last weekend I got through one full game, scoring in the 420K range - not bad, but way off my personal high. I’m still struggling find the secret of the blue flags; if you have any idea, please contact me.
720 #2 - A few months back I purchased a 2nd 720 locally. It works fine, but is of course in need of cosmetic help. When I get the urge again I plan on doing a full restore. Since doing my 1st 720 in 2002, I’ve learned much more about bringing these old games back to their original glory. I’ve got a full set of reproduction artwork, as well as the newly available vinyl and 2 ¼ T-Molding for the base. I’m very happy with my current 720, but have always been bothered by the restoration items I could have done better.
Site Update - I’ve added a few more recent sales to the 720 Sales Page. Like everything else, the economy has effected classic arcade game sales. 720 is no exception.
Gameplay - It’s been a while since I’ve had time to devote to the arcade collecting hobby and to my 720, but I do still find time to play on occasion. Last weekend I got through one full game, scoring in the 420K range - not bad, but way off my personal high. I’m still struggling find the secret of the blue flags; if you have any idea, please contact me.
720 #2 - A few months back I purchased a 2nd 720 locally. It works fine, but is of course in need of cosmetic help. When I get the urge again I plan on doing a full restore. Since doing my 1st 720 in 2002, I’ve learned much more about bringing these old games back to their original glory. I’ve got a full set of reproduction artwork, as well as the newly available vinyl and 2 ¼ T-Molding for the base. I’m very happy with my current 720, but have always been bothered by the restoration items I could have done better.
Site Update - I’ve added a few more recent sales to the 720 Sales Page. Like everything else, the economy has effected classic arcade game sales. 720 is no exception.
UPDATE (Jan-10): Registry Reminder & 720 Total Production Numbers - If you own a 720, please add it to the registry. My goal has always been to record as many of the 720s still in existence today as possible. According to Atari production numbers, originally saved from the Atari offices by Scott Evans (www.atarigames.com), there were a total of 2,265 units of 720 produced. They were originally priced at $2,995. So based on the serial numbers of our registered 720s, It looks like the original range was: UR01000 to UR03265. We currently have UR01005 and UR03262 registered. With 56 registered as of 1/20/2010, we have just under two and a half percent of the original 720s accounted for. I know there are more out there, so please register.
