benheck.com Site Semi-Redesign and Content Filling!

May 17, 2004 benheck Leave a comment

I’ve been slowly working at getting this site up and going and I was trying for a fresh, new & different look from my old site. That’s all well and good, but along the way I changed my navigation system. It wasn’t really working the way I had hoped and dreamed…

I then thought to myself, “What wasÂ wrong with the frame-menu navigation of the Atari 2600 Portables Site…?” Having reflected on that, I set forth to fix up this site so it would have the same easy-to-navigate structure!

This site isÂ still under construction, but you can scroll around using the Navigator thingy to the left and check some stuff out. Here’s what works as of 5-17-04:

Videogame Forums, Downloads (all the videos at least) and Chat. For Movies you can check out the Port Washington & Lizard of Death pages.

So see what you can see, and if you end up in 404 land, just click BACK and bear with me…

If you need a (working) fix of portable videogaming action, check out my fully functional site at www.classicgaming.com/vcsp

Thanks for your continued patience!

Video Games

VCSp’s Invade TechTV – Again!

April 15, 2004 benheck Leave a comment

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!

Articles

MGDp Built!

February 19, 2004 benheck Leave a comment

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!

Â 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!

Articles

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

February 15, 2004 benheck 1 Comment

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!

Movies, Video Games

3 Videogame Movies they SHOULD make!

February 8, 2004 benheck Leave a comment

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!

Video Games

VCSp Rev 6 “Making Of” Video

February 5, 2004 benheck Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered what all steps go into the making of a VCSp? Well, wonder no longer! Now available in the Downloads section is a QuickTime movie demonstrating the construction process from start to finish! It even includes the famous “band sawing” of an Atari!

Video Games

The Future of Videogames, Part 2!

December 15, 2003 benheck 1 Comment

CHECK ARTICLE FOR PICSÂ Â Â

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