Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

5 hours ago, Alpha82 said:

I was wondering if you might be putting out a acrylic case for Amico. I ask because the house I’m currently living in is one of the dustiest I have ever lived in so I’d like to protect the system as much as possible from dust getting inside 

Nothing in the works at this time.. but would be interesting to see.  Might be tough with the lighting system.  Controller would look cool.

2 hours ago, speedy-a said:

Global Gladiators and Cool Spot. Both awesome Action Platformer with great gameplay and great audio. Gameplay that really made a lots of Fun to play. Something most games today are missing.

 

Agreed!  We have a few games that are going to be bringing this kind of fun and design back!

59 minutes ago, wolfy62 said:

This was my wife's alltime favorite game,and the only game she would play on the Genesis. 

Whatever the highest level was for it,she made it to that.

Klax would be an instant system seller to her,although I will already have three at that point.

Is this game confirmed as in the future plans?

Nothing planned as of yet, but I've put I've added it to my future "to do" list.

16 hours ago, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

So... hey everybody!

 

It feels like I might have wandered into the middle of something... a touch shy of eternal, as this tangent may go.

I'm no good at these things, so I propose a new topic.

Is anyone else excited about the upcoming announcement for Baseball? Tommy mentioned it's coming in the next couple weeks. Personally, it'll probably be my first purchase!

Baseball was life for a younger me. Things like eating and sleeping were fine, mind you, but they weren't Ozzie Smith bare-handing a grounder off glorified cement!

Baseball video games were mandatory rainy-day playing for my brother and I. Also, RBI 3 was the first time I'd gotten my dad so flustered he (half-jokingly, I assure you) accused me of cheating!

Again, I'm really pumped for this, and can't wait to see it in action. Anyone else with me? If not, then perhaps another game's got you interested? What titles are you all waiting to hear more on?

 

And, as the price goes, everyone do as you feel is right. I'm sure I'll see mostly all of you on the global leader boards (when they come available), more than a few places higher than myself, in due time.

We don’t have Baseball over here, so if it is a ”realistic” version, it will be pretty low in priority on my purchase list, but if it’s more like the wii version then it might be interesting as a “party game”, of the sports titles I’m most excited about the Skicross that Tommy has been talking about, sounds like so much fun. I remember one of the first sports games I played growing up was called “Track & field”, I would love something similar coming to the Amico, especially with the motion controls etc.

22 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I'm curious to know what 6 couch co-op games would be bought with the Switch and if they would need an extra controller (can't even play 2 player Wheel of Fortune without a brand new 2nd controller!).

 

So $299, plus 5 more games (assuming it comes with one) and a new controller at $79.  It was said that Nintendo first party games are always quality... which I 100% agree with as well.  But they're also the most expensive.  So 5 more Nintendo AAA quality games will be at least $40 on average (low average, but want to be conservative).  So... doing the math...

 

$299 for initial machine.  $79 for a second controller (to either play certain 2 player games or 4 player couch co-op) and then another $200 in high quality AAA games.

 

With tax (depending on your state but using 7% as an average) it's easily going to run you around $620.

So the person worried about $249 won't be worried about $620?

I'm not following.

 

 

I think your math is a little off. But in a very generous way. Day one switch games still go for almost day one retail. 1-2 Switch. (Fun but underrated) goes for just under 50. Zelda. is still 60. But you need another 20 if you want the pass.  New Super Mario Bros is still 60. Same with Mario Kart. Not all couch games. But most multi player. Even Arms for the switch. (2 player) still goes for 56. All of these prices are new. (Digital and physical).

I know you can get them used for a few dollars less.  There are special editions of just ONE game on some of the systems that cost 1/2 to 3/4 of the Amico. I know physical editions are planned of some games. I think that some SUPER Special Editions of games would warrant more money. I've expressed what I'd like to see if ET ever comes to the platform. You know I've heard a rumor about that it might be happening. Wouldn't that be something?  I'm sure that if we ever get super special editions of games, they won't be $150.00. 

All of the above games are fun. So far, not all of the Amico games are my cup of tea, but dropping 7-10 on a game that I'm sure of is much easier than dropping 40-60 for something I'm not totally sold on.  With Tommy's track record of games, I think that this is a safe investment of my time in these forums AND when it hits my doorstep,  I can finally play them with the family. I can see myself (and family) trying games that we'd not normally try just due to price point. Even if the system turns out to not sell, but I end up with a decent amount of real fun games. I'll be VERY happy with that. If there aren't that many good games... And I'm out 300-500.. That's OK too. I'm sure that even if I end up with all "Retro Re-Imagined" games. I'm pretty sure I'll be happy. I have a Nuon (OK 2) and Tempest 3000 made the system worth it. So I think we are in SAFE (sorry Tommy) hands.

I am also sure that we will get a bit of (almost) every type of games as time goes on. Quick pick up games. Fun Party games. Fun one player(and up) games. Adventure games. (Including Adventure). Arcade. ETC. 

Fun times are ahead for everyone! For all you nay-Sayers out there, healthy skepticism is great! It will keep the Intellivision team on their toes. Complaining how something sucks before laying your hands on it is something else entirely. I do realize that most of those types have been just trolls... That's OK. Those concerns get answered too.  There has been more transparency with Tommy in the last month than another up and coming platform has had it's entire span. That alone makes me think that the system will be worth it. I could go on, but I'll stop for now.

Looking forward to the next round of info!!!!

57 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Nothing planned as of yet, but I've put I've added it to my future "to do" list.

I was thinking about this the other day. And was curious is a tempered glass screen protector like on a cell phone would work or if there is something ti protect the screen will be available? 

14 hours ago, OEB_Pete said:

LOL, I am working on a new minute intro. but yes I can tighten it up for sure.  You know how hard it is for me to shut up for a minute already!

Keep them coming Pete!  Since there is no hockey right now, you are my favorite Canadian (next to Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson)! 😃

Maybe you can talk some Intellivision hockey in one of your videos since we will have multiple versions to look forward to on the Amico?  Thanks for the work you do on the videos.  Your enthusiasm is infectious! 😎

25 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

Keep them coming Pete!  Since there is no hockey right now, you are my favorite Canadian (next to Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson)! 😃

Maybe you can talk some Intellivision hockey in one of your videos since we will have multiple versions to look forward to on the Amico?  Thanks for the work you do on the videos.  Your enthusiasm is infectious! 😎

Wouldn't that be something eh!

Thanks so much for the kind words!

9 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I haven't heard this music in years... so thanks for the memories!

Any time!

Something that just came to me today is the wonderful combination of Nomad + flash cart = portable Genesis/MD music player on real hardware with no emulation. Yes, the Nomad has the YM3438 instead of the YM2612 and people like to say that the YM3438 is a bigger piece of crap than the YM2612, but the Nomad's sound quality is excellent overall. There is some audio noise in the speaker when there is no other sound, probably due to the proximity of all of the parts inside the thing. My Nomad's right channel is slightly but noticeably louder than the left channel, which is annoying, but tolerable, and it's worth it for some authentic YM3438 music. Not sure if other Nomads are like this. I just got mine on or around January 1st, so I'm pretty new to the Nomad, but I like it and its sound.

Lots of games with excellent music on the system have sound tests. The entire Sonic series, the entire Thunder Force series, Gleylancer, Castlevania, Streets of Rage, Kuuga/Vapor Trail, Herzog Zwei, Xeno Crisis, Alisia Dragoon, and a whole lot more have sound tests, so there are lots to choose from. Mod the Nomad to enable CD audio and use the MegaSD in place of the Sega CD/Mega-CD and you can even use it as a "CD player" using disc images on the Sega CD/Mega-CD BIOS screen both for CD games with Red Book audio and also for your own audio CDs. I might have to do this Nomad as a music player thing more often.

Anyway, I'm still thinking about how it would really be something if there was a remake of Kolibri. It's never been ported and never been officially emulated or rereleased ever, so it's always been stuck on the 32X for its entire existence. Since you guys are talking with Sega, I'd love to see Thunder Force and Herzog Zwei with Tommy Tallarico audio on the Amico! I think they own the rights to all of the Technosoft games now. A bit of a stretch, but I'd still love to hear it.

And you know what? If there was such a thing as a Kolibri/Thunder Force/Herzog Zwei remake on the Amico, it would be a great place to stick in some authentic YM2612 music samples for that awesome FM sound. I think Yuzo is still using the damn thing even now for some projects on occasion. That guy is a legend.

Anyway, I could talk about Genesis audio FOREVER! Go check out this dude's channel on Youtube. He also did the music for Xeno Crisis.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQQcXMh_ELHjiXY4dbRD6A/videos

And now that I listen to it closely, his Green Hill does have some panning like you were talking about earlier. Nice to see all of the FM and PSG channels visualized, too!

10 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Nothing in the works at this time.. but would be interesting to see.  Might be tough with the lighting system.  Controller would look cool.

 

This might be a good project for Barb from papananny to create.  She and her dear late husband Jerry have been making really nice console dust covers for a while now.  Too bad we don't have full dimensions to give her yet. 😉

15 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Cant wait to see the Baseball reveal. Loved Intellivision Baseball, but my absolute favorite video Baseball Game was Gamestar Star League.  Listening to the tape drive load for 20 minutes while it loaded was worth it. LOVED this game. When it comes to sports games, its all about the gameplay, it really is.  

I absolutely LOVED this game!  This was the next gen baseball game for me after the Intellivision.  Commodore had some good sports games back in the day...

15 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Cant wait to see the Baseball reveal. Loved Intellivision Baseball, but my absolute favorite video Baseball Game was Gamestar Star League.  Listening to the tape drive load for 20 minutes while it loaded was worth it. LOVED this game. When it comes to sports games, its all about the gameplay, it really is.  

Man,I am really sorry I missed this game BITD,and I had a Commodore 64 too!

I was always looking for arcade style games for it because a computer was worthless to me as a computer.😄

My friends and I would have loved it for sure.

1 hour ago, woobman said:

I think your math is a little off. But in a very generous way. Day one switch games still go for almost day one retail. 1-2 Switch. (Fun but underrated) goes for just under 50. Zelda. is still 60. But you need another 20 if you want the pass.  New Super Mario Bros is still 60. Same with Mario Kart. Not all couch games. But most multi player. Even Arms for the switch. (2 player) still goes for 56. All of these prices are new. (Digital and physical).

 

I know you can get them used for a few dollars less.  There are special editions of just ONE game on some of the systems that cost 1/2 to 3/4 of the Amico. I know physical editions are planned of some games. I think that some SUPER Special Editions of games would warrant more money. I've expressed what I'd like to see if ET ever comes to the platform. You know I've heard a rumor about that it might be happening. Wouldn't that be something?  I'm sure that if we ever get super special editions of games, they won't be $150.00. 

 

All of the above games are fun. So far, not all of the Amico games are my cup of tea, but dropping 7-10 on a game that I'm sure of is much easier than dropping 40-60 for something I'm not totally sold on.  With Tommy's track record of games, I think that this is a safe investment of my time in these forums AND when it hits my doorstep,  I can finally play them with the family. I can see myself (and family) trying games that we'd not normally try just due to price point. Even if the system turns out to not sell, but I end up with a decent amount of real fun games. I'll be VERY happy with that. If there aren't that many good games... And I'm out 300-500.. That's OK too. I'm sure that even if I end up with all "Retro Re-Imagined" games. I'm pretty sure I'll be happy. I have a Nuon (OK 2) and Tempest 3000 made the system worth it. So I think we are in SAFE (sorry Tommy) hands.

 

I am also sure that we will get a bit of (almost) every type of games as time goes on. Quick pick up games. Fun Party games. Fun one player(and up) games. Adventure games. (Including Adventure). Arcade. ETC. 

 

Fun times are ahead for everyone! For all you nay-Sayers out there, healthy skepticism is great! It will keep the Intellivision team on their toes. Complaining how something sucks before laying your hands on it is something else entirely. I do realize that most of those types have been just trolls... That's OK. Those concerns get answered too.  There has been more transparency with Tommy in the last month than another up and coming platform has had it's entire span. That alone makes me think that the system will be worth it. I could go on, but I'll stop for now.

 

Looking forward to the next round of info!!!!

Yeah... I stayed overly conservative with the numbers because some banned ding dongs who read this daily will try to use anything I say in here against me as they purposely try to misinform, misinterpret and misrepresent me.

1 hour ago, Relicgamer said:

I was thinking about this the other day. And was curious is a tempered glass screen protector like on a cell phone would work or if there is something ti protect the screen will be available? 

Won't be needed with the surface we have.  Not glass... not plastic.  Won't break and difficult to scratch.  Best of both worlds

1 hour ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Any time!

 

Something that just came to me today is the wonderful combination of Nomad + flash cart = portable Genesis/MD music player on real hardware with no emulation. Yes, the Nomad has the YM3438 instead of the YM2612 and people like to say that the YM3438 is a bigger piece of crap than the YM2612, but the Nomad's sound quality is excellent overall. There is some audio noise in the speaker when there is no other sound, probably due to the proximity of all of the parts inside the thing. My Nomad's right channel is slightly but noticeably louder than the left channel, which is annoying, but tolerable, and it's worth it for some authentic YM3438 music. Not sure if other Nomads are like this. I just got mine on or around January 1st, so I'm pretty new to the Nomad, but I like it and its sound.

 

Lots of games with excellent music on the system have sound tests. The entire Sonic series, the entire Thunder Force series, Gleylancer, Castlevania, Streets of Rage, Kuuga/Vapor Trail, Herzog Zwei, Xeno Crisis, Alisia Dragoon, and a whole lot more have sound tests, so there are lots to choose from. Mod the Nomad to enable CD audio and use the MegaSD in place of the Sega CD/Mega-CD and you can even use it as a "CD player" using disc images on the Sega CD/Mega-CD BIOS screen both for CD games with Red Book audio and also for your own audio CDs. I might have to do this Nomad as a music player thing more often.

 

Anyway, I'm still thinking about how it would really be something if there was a remake of Kolibri. It's never been ported and never been officially emulated or rereleased ever, so it's always been stuck on the 32X for its entire existence. Since you guys are talking with Sega, I'd love to see Thunder Force and Herzog Zwei with Tommy Tallarico audio on the Amico! I think they own the rights to all of the Technosoft games now. A bit of a stretch, but I'd still love to hear it.

 

And you know what? If there was such a thing as a Kolibri/Thunder Force/Herzog Zwei remake on the Amico, it would be a great place to stick in some authentic YM2612 music samples for that awesome FM sound. I think Yuzo is still using the damn thing even now for some projects on occasion. That guy is a legend.

 

Anyway, I could talk about Genesis audio FOREVER! Go check out this dude's channel on Youtube. He also did the music for Xeno Crisis.

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQQcXMh_ELHjiXY4dbRD6A/videos

 

And now that I listen to it closely, his Green Hill does have some panning like you were talking about earlier. Nice to see all of the FM and PSG channels visualized, too!

Wow!  Awesome channel and link!  Thanks for sending.  Really great!

In regards to sound tests... we put all of those as Easter Eggs in all my games. 

Here's a question that was asked over at Intellivision Invasion on Facebook that I thought some of the folks here may find interesting...

Q:  Does anyone know if the Amico's Karma Engine is an option that can be turned off? While i like casual gaming with friends and family, there are definitely times that i like to be competitive and don't want the cpu to cheat for and/or against me.

1 hour ago, woobman said:

I'm pretty sure I'll be happy. I have a Nuon (OK 2) and Tempest 3000 made the system worth it. So I think we are in SAFE (sorry Tommy) hands

Fun times are ahead for everyone! For all you nay-Sayers out there, healthy skepticism is great! It will keep the Intellivision team on their toes. Complaining how something sucks before laying your hands on it is something else entirely. I do realize that most of those types have been just trolls... That's OK. Those concerns get answered too.  There has been more transparency with Tommy in the last month than another up and coming platform has had it's entire span. That alone makes me think that the system will be worth it. I could go on, but I'll stop for now.

 

Looking forward to the next round of info!!!!

 

 

 

 

Ha ha I'm in the same camp.  Nuon owner and only to have tempest 3000. And it wasnt cheap to acquire it all. Controllers are hard to fund now. But we are a rare breed. But Tommy's correct with the math. This console is a steal in  my eyes. And withtye future titles not costing me 60 bucks each its a hugh bargain.  Not sure how people dont get that. And this is headed by one of the best in the industry.  So I'm in 100% and how can people even slap 500+ on a serious x when they wo t even have games on launch lol but these are the same kind of people arguing cost. Lol its hilarious to me.

2 hours ago, atarifan88 said:

Keep them coming Pete!  Since there is no hockey right now, you are my favorite Canadian (next to Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson)! 😃

Maybe you can talk some Intellivision hockey in one of your videos since we will have multiple versions to look forward to on the Amico?  Thanks for the work you do on the videos.  Your enthusiasm is infectious! 😎

I know, it's nice to have some optimists frequently pop up in my subscriber lists.

In his latest video (unless he's uploaded three more in the time it takes to post this, he's quick.  Scary quick.  Twitch game fanatic quick), Pete revealed he'll be participating in the "Extra Life" charity supporting Children's Miracle Network hospitals, taking place every Nov 7th.  They've raised $70 million since starting in 2008.  People stream games, viewers donate.  That on top of a giveaway he's doing to donate a VIP edition Amico when he hits 1,000 subscribers.  One of my favorite channels.  Favourite. 

It'd be really fun to show support where we can, if people can show up to cheer him on, maybe have some milestone donations they'd want to make for certain games - also spread the word in whatever platforms you have decent reach as his live-stream gets closer.  If anybody else plans to participate, let's get a list together over the next several months so we can show some Intellivision love for this event.  Maybe we get Pete and anybody else participating a custom screen-print of one of those Imagic cycling shirts.. 🙂  Maybe Intellivision has plans already to get involved - Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have all supported this several years running, donating directly and/or putting together teams under the company umbrella.  How cool would it be to have some of the great Intellivision talent playing brand new Amico games or playing some favorite classics and talking a little about making those games, or approved "reveals" of upcoming games?  That'd drive some pretty big traffic, and since the games are much shorter, probably easier to keep an audience engaged and hit certain milestones, achievements for the audience to root for.  We could probably put together running lists of some achievable milestones for classic Intellivision games and some Amico games as more info gets released, maybe run some bullet lists past cmart, Nurminex, Rick & co. on the 125 (and homebrews?!) as fun fact talking points if any Intellivision streamer needs any points for small talk - help educate an audience not necessarily all that familiar with the legacy, help entertain the audience and encourage participation/donation.  A lively stream just encourages more small donations.  And if Intellivision had a press release in December announcing the totals from various streaming charity push.. that'd be pretty damn spiffy.    

Any global/regional charitable events coming up that do something similar, share it here!  Don't want to just make this North America-centric, especially with Intellivision offices in Nuremberg and Dubai and some members from around the globe.  This one's a 12-year old charity with a good reputation.

Thoughts? 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

For example... in Shark! Shark!, the person in last place will always get a "hint" of which clam will be opening next (their controller will buzz and it will show the clam on your controller screen).

More, please!! 🙂

That's a delightful tease of how the screen might be used during gameplay and a delightfully creative example of a little nudge to help folks catch up.  Nothing unbalanced, just a little help.  

What else? Huh? Huh? Pretty please? We promise not to tell anyone! 😇

1 hour ago, Relicgamer said:

Ha ha I'm in the same camp.  Nuon owner and only to have tempest 3000. And it wasnt cheap to acquire it all. Controllers are hard to fund now. But we are a rare breed. But Tommy's correct with the math. This console is a steal in  my eyes. And withtye future titles not costing me 60 bucks each its a hugh bargain.  Not sure how people dont get that. And this is headed by one of the best in the industry.  So I'm in 100% and how can people even slap 500+ on a serious x when they wo t even have games on launch lol but these are the same kind of people arguing cost. Lol its hilarious to me.

Oh I bought an Atari Jaguar only for tempest 2000. Was also worth the console. Tempest is such an awesome Arcade Gam: About Tempest 3000 and the Nuon I  only know it from Tube. Is it as good as the 2000 Version on the Jaguar?

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

For example... in Shark! Shark!, the person in last place will always get a "hint" of which clam will be opening next (their controller will buzz and it will show the clam on your controller screen).

I'm wondering about this game. Does the finger pressure on the screen have to equal the 3500psi of a real shark bite?

Unfortunately my German is limited to critical survival phases like Bier and Schweineschnitzel (basically just the important stuff ;)) but I wanted to get this posted for any German speakers here:

1 hour ago, speedy-a said:

Oh I bought an Atari Jaguar only for tempest 2000. Was also worth the console. Tempest is such an awesome Arcade Gam: About Tempest 3000 and the Nuon I  only know it from Tube. Is it as good as the 2000 Version on the Jaguar?

I personall dont have experience with 2000. Use to havejaguar but it quit working many years ago.  Never had 2000 but its on my short list. From what ive heard 2000 seemed a bit better due to 3000 having a butt load of psychedelic lighting effects which can make it difficult to play.  But 3000 is great to me. It does take some getting use to. Couple of weeks back I started it and 1st try got to level 12 which I couldn't believe tried 2nd time did it again.  Lol theres a guy making a proper spindle controller for it but it requires butchering a controller.  Definitely not ready to do that. Controllers are next to impossible to find and can cost upwards of 300 bucks now. I feel the Amico would be a perfect place for a new tempest 5000 lol the controller I think could be a nice match.

10 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Unfortunately my German is limited to critical survival phases like Bier and Schweineschnitzel (basically just the important stuff ;)) but I wanted to get this posted for any German speakers here:

 

 

Yeah... if we do have any German speaking folks here... please let us know if there was anything new or interesting that was said.