Q*Bert Talk

[Robotron Jon]

It's an incredibly original concept.

I think I've made it to the 3rd or 4th level, but haven't played it a whole lot. Mine still needs some repair, then I'll work on getting better. Very cool game. Nearly 30 years ago I didn't play it much but when I did I could make it to the 2nd or 3rd screen and that was it.

 

[Mike29]

Qbert was one of my must have games when I started in the hobby. Really weak to play in Mame without a diagonal joystick orientation.

I'm glad to read you guys accept the burn. I am always second-guessing my limited restores compared to the unbelievable quality of the restores posted here on KLOV. I have lived with my screen burn, but have been wondering if it would be worth replacing and unacceptable to leave as-is...

Qbert is also my wife's favorite game and one that she can beat me on. I can only get to the beginning of level 4.

 

[Tronic]

I would like to hear more about this secret Howie switch anybody know anything about this or what it does ?

The Howie switch was a DIP switch setting that turned on or off certain gameplay options that their manager "Howie" wanted in the game. Warren said he remembered it being one or two of the unused switches.

My wife has been able to play Q*bert for 21 hours straight (almost made it 10 million), and she said the the hardest level was level 2 round 4. When she asked Warren Davis about it, he said he put a bump in there.

 

[Mike Doyle]

Or how about working on one in the wee hours of the morn' and discovering another game hidden within the code?

http://www.rotheblog.com/2008/11/arcade/discovering-qbert-7-11-version-by-mike-doyle/

 

[tron guy]

I would love a Q*Bert, but will never own one so long as I live in CA. *sigh*

what makes you say that? I sold 2.

hell there was one in manteca on craigslist 2 days ago.

 

[Hyde]

What an awesome read. Thanks for sharing!

I think it is neat how the designers came up with the game and developed it. They didn't carefully lay it out or have a master plan. Things were just suggested, tested, and implemented at whim.

Heck, that is a perfect match for such a weird game as Q*bert!

 

[Braido]

I never played it in the arcades as a kid. I dont even think I saw one at an arcade that I can remember. We had it on the atari 2600(still have the cartridge today). I got mine when a co-worker told me there was a pacman sitting on someones porch. A quick drive down and I find out it was a jamma converted (and well abused) qbert cab. I bought it for $50. Several hundred dollars and about as many hours time restoring it and its like new again. Its one of my favorite games in my collection and one that will probably never leave.

Great story, Mine had also been converted to another game. It wasn't easy putting it back to a Q*Bert again but thanks to you its up and running like new. I appreciate the help you gave me getting mine working and the self test switch you made me! Not sure if you remember all that as it was a few years ago now, but thx again.

oh yeah and if anyone knows where i can get a multi kit please send me a pm, thx

 

[mort]

Still play mine quite often, had it for just over a year.
I've always dreamed of owning my very own, it will never leave the gameroom.

 

[80scoinops]

If you haven't already read this, or don't know the history of Q*bert's development, give this a read:

http://angriest.blogspot.com/2011/01/qbert-1982.html

Near the end of the article, the author writes:

It is a slightly odd game in a modern context, however, because unlike pretty much all of its contemporaries Q*Bert has never been reworked or re-imagined for new consoles or platforms.

Not true! Both Q*Bert 3 (SNES) and Q*Bert (Dreamcast / PlayStation) exist and are pretty fun. The SNES version is the better of the two, but the modern console games offered two-player simultaneous play.

 

[gregr]

Q-bert

Always loved the game as a kid, had the cartridge for the VIC-20. I remember the first time I played it in the arcade - it must have taken me 5 or 6 games to figure out what that odd knocking noise was in the bottom of the cabinet.

I'm currently hooked on FHMC Q-bert.

The one I have is not leaving the collection.

 

[Phetishboy]

Or how about working on one in the wee hours of the morn' and discovering another game hidden within the code?

http://www.rotheblog.com/2008/11/arcade/discovering-qbert-7-11-version-by-mike-doyle/

I just read that yesterday. How frickin awesome. That discovery would have made me so damned excited I woulda shit my pants. Thanks so much for putting that kit together with Widel, I love mine. 7-11 Qbert is the icing on the cake, but I find myself playing the Mello Yello version or Cubes the most.

 

[Slackmoe]

Theres one for sale in Temecula area for 490

Andrew

QUOTE=jow;1570920]I would love a Q*Bert, but will never own one so long as I live in CA. *sigh*[/QUOTE]

 

[paulliadis]

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

I'd love to have a Q-Bert someday. Much like I'd love to have a Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, etc. For now, at least I've got MAME.

 

[jow]

what makes you say that? I sold 2.

You fucker. I wish I would have known you were selling some.

Ive never seen a working Q*Bert in CA for less than $700. Im sure you will say you sold both of your working ones for $350 right?

 

[pookdolie]

Ive never seen a working Q*Bert in CA for less than $700.

There was a *sorta* working Q*Bert cocktail at a Captain Pinball's auction last year. I think someone on KLOV ended up getting it.

The paint on the topglass was toast, but a little joystick work and some other reconditioning and it would've turned out okay.

 

[tec9]

I enjoy playing Q-Bert....but man that game pisses me off. The green guys (slick/sam?) that change the cubes back to the original colors are tough. I could have a great game going and it seems these little bastards come out when I'm about to jump on the last cube.
-Mark

 

[pookdolie]

I could have a great game going and it seems these little bastards come out when I'm about to jump on the last cube.

...which makes for one of the best "Son of a BITCH!" moments in all of classic gaming.

 

[Riptor]

I have mello yello roms in mine. I like the fart sound he makes after he chuggs some soda. Yeah im sure its supposed to be a burp but sounds like a fart to me.

 

[Phetishboy]

I have mello yello roms in mine. I like the fart sound he makes after he chuggs some soda. Yeah im sure its supposed to be a burp but sounds like a fart to me.

Since they included a knocker for sound, maybe they should have included an apparatus for smell as well. In addition to the knocker, the 30V could have also activated a bellows or small fan connected to a cartridge based air freshener that would blow out the scent of your choosing. I'd choose 'vanilla', you'd choose 'fart'. Kind-of like an on-board Glade Plug in.

 

[HighScoreSaves]

In living color....oh, the memories...