All posts by benheck

VCSp’s Invade TechTV – Again!

Hello portable fans! Sorry if I haven’t updated in a while… I have been busy with a bunch of projects. 2 of which actually involve portables! One of the portable projects is kicking my butt… I have now officially broken the construction time record of the original VCSp (which took 2 months) because I’ve been working on this new portable since January! Ah, I miss the good old days when I could whip together a PSp in 2 weeks… Actually, I kind of enjoy the fact that it’s so difficult. And one of these days I should finish that NESp…

The MGDp (see below) is still purring like a drunk kitten. I added a muffler that can be Velcro-ed over the power supply fan to make it quieter. What a great trivia question it will be, that all the looped dialog for my movie was recorded by a computer made out of an 18-pack of beer.

Oh yeah, TechTV. Once again I shall grace the airways of their fine network! Naturally I have no idea how they’ve edited the interview, or if they’ve gone ahead and stitched William Shatner’s head on my body, but here is a preview:

SEE! My “I Love Beer” coffee mug I have on my desk

LISTEN! As I give answers so long that by the end I’ve forgotten the question!

WITNESS! Me driving around in my car that got rear-ended! (don’t worry, the Atari bumper sticker was unscathed)

EXPERIENCE! What it might be like to visit the fabled “Barn” and sit on my ratty old couch that a co-worker gave me!

Tune into TechTV at 8 eastern, 7 central for all the pulse-pounding excitement!

And there’s more news coming soon! No, really, I mean it!

MGDp Built!

For centuries, man has asked the undying question: “Can a computer be built inside an 18-pack of MGD?” Now, in this brave year 2004, I, Ben Heckendorn of the Atari 2600 Portables Site, have risen to the call!

 This is a strange turn for me, to be sure. But I needed to build a cheap-as-possible portable computer, and this was the natural answer. For the heart-pounding story, click here!

VCSp and Me to be on Tech TV (notice the clever rhyming!)

On February 20th, 4 PM Pacific time (6 PM in Wisconsin), I shall appear on Tech TV – The Screen Savers!. Normally on this site you see photos of me doing stuff. But now, prepare yourself for full 29.97 frames-per-second Ben Heckendorn action! See you there!

In other news, get ready for a DIFFERENT kind of portable… The post-production of my movie required me to build a portable device (much to my joy) and since it’s meant to be OFF-camera, not ON, it’s not gonna be pretty! But I promise it will be at least worth a laugh. Stay tuned!

3 Videogame Movies they SHOULD make!

Every year we get “treated” to the latest movie based off a videogame. Have you ever wished they’d make one that’s actually GOOD? Maybe they’re just picking the wrong games?

Here, for your surf-at-work-when-its-slow reading enjoyment is MY picks for the 3 Videogames that would make great movies! I know this isn’t portable-related, but it’s an article I’ve been meaning to write for quite some time, so enjoy!

In other news, I am wrapping up work on my movie (not based off a videogame) so I should be able to spend more time with the site and portable building soon! Also look for cool new announcements later this week!

The Future of Videogames, Part 2!

CHECK ARTICLE FOR PICS    

Could this be the OFFICIAL PSP of the Future?

It’s been two whole years since I bored you all with my first essay about the video gaming future! Since some of you may have recovered by now, it is time to release another salvo! I submit for your enjoyment, “The Future of Videogames, Part 2”  Highlights include:

THRILLS! As I once again rip on Nintendo!

GASPS! As I predict the N-Gage to have its own landfill right next to Atari’s!

SHUDDERS! As the PSP and GBA face off!

CHILLS! As Nintendo and Microsoft blow more money trying to dethrone Sony!

And much, much more! Sorry I’ve been away for awhile, finishing my movie is taking a lot of effort… But anyway, enjoy!

Nintendo 8-bit Portable Found Being Built!

Hiya portable fans! I feel it’s been too long since I’ve announced anything new, so I will give you…

The NESp Story Volume 1: Attack of the Pirate Chip Menace!

Yes, it’s true, I am building a portable 8-bit Nintendo. The unit should be completed within the next month (aka “Volume 2”), but I figured people would enjoy reading the story-thus-far so I am posting it in advance.

Hopefully I can begin my Atari-building business before the end of the year. If you’re interested in either a VCSp unit or kit, please email me with the subject “VCSp Purchase Request” as the subject and I will collect your emails for notification when the time comes.

Also, I am assembling another long-winded essay “The Future of Videogames, Part II”, to be posted in the near future.