Game Life: A Retro Game Showdown

Summary

In this episode of Game Life, Peter S. Rubin hosts a retro game showdown between Chris Kohler and Mike Micah. Each participant showcases a rare game that was not available in retail stores. The judge also discusses their love for Atari games and their recent acquisition of a rare prototype cartridge for a game called Donald Duck’s Speedboat. The judge also shares their experience with newer gaming systems like the PlayStation 4 and discusses two rare video game finds.

Mike Micah’s Sword Quest Water World for the Atari 2600
Chris Kohler’s Mario’s Tennis for the Nintendo Virtual Boy
The Judge’s Rare Video Game Finds
Conclusion

Mike Micah’s Sword Quest Water World for the Atari 2600

Mike Micah showcases Sword Quest Water World, a game for the Atari 2600 that was never officially released due to Atari canceling the program after releasing the first two games. The game was part of a series that was meant to have four installments, each with a prize worth $25,000. However, the contest was canceled after two games were released due to financial issues at Atari. Micah explains that he obtained the game from a collector and that it is one of only a few known copies in existence.

Chris Kohler’s Mario’s Tennis for the Nintendo Virtual Boy

Chris Kohler showcases Mario’s Tennis for the Nintendo Virtual Boy, a game that was only available with the game system but had a box if rented from Blockbuster Video. The box was sold to customers when Blockbuster and Nintendo got rid of their inventory of the Virtual Boy. The box alone is now worth around $150. Kohler explains that the game is a hidden gem and that it is one of the few titles that makes the Virtual Boy worth owning.

The Judge’s Rare Video Game Finds

The judge discusses their love for Atari games and their recent acquisition of a rare prototype cartridge for a game called Donald Duck’s Speedboat. The game was part of a Disney licensing program and was never officially released. The judge purchased the cartridge for $2 at a flea market in California and was able to get a discount despite the seller not knowing what it was. The judge also discusses a rare and valuable rental store exclusive John Madden Championship Edition for the Sega Genesis. The game comes with an intact instruction manual, making it valuable. The judge also talks about a golden cartridge of Mike Tyson’s Punch Out, which was never sold and only given as a prize for a golf game in Japan. The judge obtained it in Japan for $50 despite cosmetic damage and considers it a centerpiece of their collection.

Conclusion

In this episode of Game Life, we saw some rare and valuable games that are not available in retail stores. Mike Micah showcased Sword Quest Water World for the Atari 2600, while Chris Kohler showcased Mario’s Tennis for the Nintendo Virtual Boy. The judge discussed their love for Atari games and their recent acquisitions of rare video games, including a prototype cartridge for Donald Duck’s Speedboat and a golden cartridge of Mike Tyson’s Punch Out. These rare finds show that the world of retro gaming is still full of surprises and treasures waiting to be discovered.