UPDATE (Mar-09): 720 - 2 1/4" Ribbed Black T-Molding Available: For years the large piece of T-Molding that surrounds the base of the 720 cabinet has eluded collectors. I’ve had a small line about the molding on my want page for at least 7 years. After a considerable amount of work and expense, Chris Rhodes has finally made brand new replacement molding available. Click the picture to the left for a comparison of my old molding to his new product. It’s a perfect match and looks great. Send an email to inquire about purchase: rhoades45@comcast.net – Huge thanks to Chris for allowing us to finally finish our restorations! The 2 1/4" Ribbed Black T-Molding is also used for Major Havoc.
EDIT: I received my molding yesterday. It was well packaged and is perfect.
EDIT: I received my molding yesterday. It was well packaged and is perfect.
UPDATE (Mar-09): 720 Skate Deck: Arcade and skateboard collector Jeff B. was first to point this out to me. I was later sent links to multiple Ebay sellers listing this board as well as Gowindholz here. There are multiple classic arcade game boards available including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga and Dig-Dug. I picked mine up from Gowindholz; it arrived as very fast and will someday have a spot on the wall near my 720.
UPDATE (Dec-08): 720 Vinyl Available: Most who’ve restored a 720 have opted to refinish and paint their cabinets, matching the paint as close as possible to the original color. Original 720s were covered with grey vinyl that had a reflective quality. Those looking to restore their 720 as close as possible to original “factory” quality, now have another option. Rich Lint at ThisOldGame.com, has finally finished a project to offer pre-cut 720 vinyl pieces. Keep an eye on this KLOV thread for lots of information and pictures. The very highest quality 720 restoration I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen and played it in person) is Francis Mariani’s 720 in the Ataricade. He completely stripped an applied new vinyl, and it looks amazing. While it should be noted that the Vinyl he used is not identical to that supplied by ThisOldGame, the newly available set looks to be great quality.
UPDATE (Oct-08): Side Art Returning: The few vendors who sell 720 art have mostly run out of the awesome side art. It was good to hear that Darin of Phoenix Arcade will be printing off a new batch very soon. More details HERE. I purchased my 720 Boom Box overlay, and a complete set of Tron art from Phoenix. The quality of the product and the customer service are superb.
UPDATE (Oct-08): I get the question: "Where can I get a 720?" enough that I've decided to create a page with the info I usually send back via email. If you're not familiar with arcade game collecting, and thinking of looking for a game, hopefully this this info can help you get started: How to Buy a 720 or Other Arcade Game.
UPDATE (Sep-08): I'm very happy to have some great 720 scoring competition going on. For a moment I was just barely back in 2nd place, but was quickly pushed back to third by a great 470K game by Mike Stephenson . For full details on high score progress, keep an eye on the Twin Galaxies Forums Post: "720 Gamers in the House?"
Edit: Back to 3rd place for me!!!
Edit: Back to 3rd place for me!!!
UPDATE (Sep-08): 720 Art Reproduction - COMPLETE! - I'm a bit late in posting this, but the final, missing piece of 720 artwork has been reproduced. The "720 the ultimate aerial experience" nameplate decal has been redone by Rich at This Old Game. Thanks to Wade Lanham for donating his NOS decal for the reproduction. The final product is excellent quality. I've installed one on my 720 and am very happy.
All 720 Art is Available:
Control Panel and Boom Box Overlays: Phoenix Arcade
Side Art: Arcadeshop Amusements
Nameplate: This Old Game
Control Panel and Boom Box Overlays: Phoenix Arcade
Side Art: Arcadeshop Amusements
Nameplate: This Old Game
UPDATE (Aug-08): Dethroned!!. I’ve been surpassed as the 2nd place 720 record holder. Big congratulations to Mike Stephenson for getting a stellar 720 performance accepted. . He’s officially acknowledged as the 2nd place world record holder, but if you’ve read my 720 world record theory, you know I’d consider him the 1st place “with verified settings” record holder. I’ll admit a slight disappointment at seeing my score fall, but I’m thrilled to see more respectable scores being added to the record list. Great job Mike. Time for me to go practice!
UPDATE (Aug-08): NEW 720 Opening Video - I've been asked quite a bit about gameplay videos, and plan on uploading more soon. In the meantime, I've improved on my 720 opening video I'd uploaded previously. I'm up to 14K before the first park and 28K leaving. See the new video HERE.
UPDATE (Jul-08): 720 @ CAX 2008 - I attended California Extreme 2008 and played quite a bit of 720. The game represented at the show had a rough joystick, but was otherwise in good shape and was for sale for $650. I managed to put the high score up with 398K. the show also had 720 shirts for sale. See my full show review HERE.
UPDATE (Jun-08): Twin Galaxies 720 Arcade Game World Record: Well, the top spot is still a long way off for me, but I’ve had a score accepted and have taken the number 2 spot with: 410,660.
UPDATE (May-08): 720 Music - Covered!!! - The New Orleans based band: Metronome the City as covered the entire selction of 720 songs. Check it out:
Metronome the City - 720 Music - Myspace Page
Metronome the City - 720 Music Video - Youtube
Metronome the City - 720 Music - Myspace Page
Metronome the City - 720 Music Video - Youtube
UPDATE (May-08): I’ve finally added the Joystick Help Page. 720’s unique joystick was the source of its distinctive style of gameplay, but also a cause of many problems. Any 720 still in existence has had, or will need, joystick repair and maintenance. Hopefully this page can serve as a resource for 720 collectors looking to get their skater spinning smoothly.
UPDATE (May-08): I've uploaded a short video of my 720 opening and first ramp park. It's a good example of 11K before entering the first park and illustrates the ramp lip trick, further described on this page.
UPDATE (Apr-08): Added a page dedicated to my Star Wars arcade game. There are plenty of Star Wars resources on the internet already, so its just a small single page dedicated to my machine, as opposed to the comprehensive 720 page. Check it out here: My Star Wars Page.
UPDATE (Apr-08): My Collection Doubles! After more than 5 years with just the 720, I’ve finally picked up another game. I’ve wanted to own one of these for 2 decades, and am very fortunate to have picked up a very nice Star Wars. The cabinet and artwork are in great condition, its got a rebuilt Amplifone monitor, a brand new Wintron HV unit and plays great! I’m doing some knit-picky restoration items to get it as close to “mint” as I can, and will post more pics when done.
......but of course, my focus will never stray from 720. SKATE OR DIE!!!
......but of course, my focus will never stray from 720. SKATE OR DIE!!!
UPDATE (Mar-08): I've finally discovered a long sought after glitch in the game, which could explain some otherwise impossible high scores. See the "Invisibility / No Bees" Glitch page.
UPDATE (Mar-08): 720 Registry - Do you own a 720? Please contribute to the 720 Registry. Email me with your name, game serial number, location, and if possible any other comments or a website or picture link..
UPDATE (Mar-08): Atari 720 Degrees Operator’s Manual – I am adding a direct download of the full Operator’s Manual. Hopefully this will assist those who’ve emailed me with specific repair questions. There are detailed instruction and schematics for the always troublesome joystick assembly on pages 15, 16 and 23. There are also very detailed maintenance and repair procedures, and some game play instruction. Edit: This one was my own scan. I've since become very familiar with the Arcade Archive, which has an amazing number of manuals including the 720 Operator's Manual and Schematic Package.
UPDATE (Mar-08): I was amazed I couldn't find any game-play videos of the coin-op 720 on You Tube, so I've uploaded a full run through on my machine. Unfortunately its simply the video camera over my shoulder while I played. The quality is not all that good, I'm way out of practice and have a lot of room for improvement, but hopefully this video at least takes you back to how it was to play 720 back in the day. Enjoy!
UPDATE: Coming Soon - Atari 720 Degrees Inspired Nike Shoes (Feb-08) - No, I'm not making this up.. Apparently Nike is coming out with several pairs of "tribute" shoes, one of which pays homage to the best arcade game of all time. Click the pic below for more info, or Google: "Nike 720 Shoes". EDIT - These shoes are now available and can be found on Ebay and other internet retailers.
UPDATE(Feb-08): I wanted to thank all of those people who've emailed me with questions, comments on my restoration, game play advice, and especially their own 720 stories and memories. I very much appreciate all of the wonderful feedback. Special thanks to Michael Stanton for providing the original 720 distribution flyer, and www.arcadeflyers.com for the alternate flyer. Click the thumbnails for large, printable versions:
UPDATE(Dec-07): I've recently renewed my interest in 720 and decided to try playing a bit again. It's been several years since I played more than a few seconds of the game, so I'm way out of practice. I'll try to get back into the swing of things, and perhaps get some game play content up. In the meantime I've put up a few pictures of my 720's current home in my garage. Picture 1 Picture 2.
Anyone interested in 720 who hasn't seen it should check out the Twin Galaxies Web Site; specifically the world record score on 720, and this forum thread that is packed with 720 information.
Anyone interested in 720 who hasn't seen it should check out the Twin Galaxies Web Site; specifically the world record score on 720, and this forum thread that is packed with 720 information.
UPDATE(Nov-06): It's been a long time since I've updated, or even checked on this page. My email contact info is now up to date. I've moved into a new, larger home, and am hoping to begin my next restoration soon!
UPDATE(Mar-03): I've finally found reproductions of the boom box overlay and "ultimate experience" nameplate. These pieces were the only things I was previously unable to restore. They had been "yellowed" by years exposure to smokey restaurants and general grime. I can now consider my 720 complete. To see how it looked with the old boom box and name-plate click here or see the Before & After section of this site.
SITE LAUNCH(Feb-02): I've finally taken the plunge into arcade game collecting. I've started my collection with one of my all time favorite games: 720. In our early teens my buddies and I would ride our bikes to the local arcade and pump quarters into this machine like crazy. 720's unique control, innovative game play, great music, and awesome "boom-box" style cabinet makes it such an epic game.
I always had it in the back of my mind that some day I'd like to own one. In college I looked into the collecting scene a bit, and actually went to a couple auctions. Unfortunately, due to the time and expense involved, and the fact that I was constantly relocating, getting a machine wasn't in the cards. Now I'm a bit more settled, so the time was right!
Locating the game was pretty painless. I began looking on ebay and watching the rec.games.video.arcade.collecting newsgroup for someone selling a 720. I eventually ran across a guy selling one about 90 miles from my home. When no one met the reserve on Ebay, I gave him a call and made an offer. The next Saturday, I drove up, slid it into the van, and brought it home. It was in perfect working order, but like so many of its 80's arcade brethren, was "cosmetically challenged." That's when the restoration began.
I always had it in the back of my mind that some day I'd like to own one. In college I looked into the collecting scene a bit, and actually went to a couple auctions. Unfortunately, due to the time and expense involved, and the fact that I was constantly relocating, getting a machine wasn't in the cards. Now I'm a bit more settled, so the time was right!
Locating the game was pretty painless. I began looking on ebay and watching the rec.games.video.arcade.collecting newsgroup for someone selling a 720. I eventually ran across a guy selling one about 90 miles from my home. When no one met the reserve on Ebay, I gave him a call and made an offer. The next Saturday, I drove up, slid it into the van, and brought it home. It was in perfect working order, but like so many of its 80's arcade brethren, was "cosmetically challenged." That's when the restoration began.
All content © 2009, Jeff Civitate, all rights reserved.
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.
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 (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.
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.
