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Atari Lynx

The Atari Lynx is Atari's only handheld game console, and the first such machine with a colour display. The system is notable for its forward-looking features, advanced graphics, and ambidextrous format. The Lynx was released in 1989, the same year as Nintendo's (monochromatic) Game Boy.

The Atari Lynx had several innovative features including it being the first colour handheld, with a backlit display, a switchable right-handed/left-handed (upside down) configuration, and the ability to network with up to 17 other units via its "ComLynx" system (though most games would network eight or fewer players).

The Lynx was also the first gaming console with hardware support for zooming/distortion of sprites, allowing fast pseudo-3D games with unrivalled quality at the time and a capacity for drawing filled polygons with limited CPU intervention.

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The games were originally meant to be loaded from tape, but it changed to using ROM, but the loading didn't change so the data had to be loaded from ROM to RAM before it could be used, thereby eating up memory and making the games slower than necessary.

The system was developed by Epyx as the "Handy" and completed in 1987, at which point Atari bought the rights to it. Atari changed the internal speaker and removed the thumb-stick on the control pad before releasing it as the Lynx two years later, initially retailing in the US at USD $189.95. The two creators of the system, RJ Mical and Dave Needle, were also members of the Amiga design team and much to the frustration of Atari, the Amiga was used as the software development platform.

In 1991, Atari relaunched the Lynx with new packaging, slightly improved hardware, and a new sleek look. The new system (referred within Atari as the "Lynx II") featured rubber hand grips and a clearer backlit colour screen with a power save option. It also replaced the monaural headphone jack of the original Lynx with one wired for stereo.

Though technologically superior to the Game Boy, Nintendo's marketing muscle, domination of 3rd party developers, and quality first party game releases (particularly Tetris) meant the Lynx was soon marginalized. The Lynx also suffered from needing more batteries (six versus four in the original Game Boy) which managed to run down much faster. The more powerful CPU of the Lynx, plus its backlit screen, would drain a set of six AA batteries in only four hours (five to six hours in the Lynx II).

The Lynx was also physically larger than it needed to be; Atari had followed the advice of focus groups who wanted a bigger unit because that gave them "more" for their money (much of the inside of the Lynx's housing was empty air). It also didn't help that the Lynx was sold at a substantially higher price than the Game Boy. By the mid-1990s, the Atari Lynx was no longer widely available.

The Sega Game Gear followed a similar formula to the Atari Lynx, and the Game Gear did fare somewhat better due to stronger marketing and better titles. At the same time, the Game Gear was also plagued by similar problems that hurt the Lynx; higher price, shorter battery life, larger size and the Game Boy's dominance of the portable video game market.

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Ishido

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Notes: 
This game is brand new and sealed
Box: 
yes
£12.00
Manual: 
yes
£12.00

Featuring the Authentic Oracle of the Stones. Introducing Ishido, the ancient and intricate Game of the Stones. You must place stones on the game board, matching colours and patterns according to centuries old rules. It requires great skill and concentration - but if you can unlock the secret of the Oracle, it's wisdom will help you!

Kung Food

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Notes: 
This game is brand new and sealed
Box: 
yes
£14.00
Manual: 
yes
£14.00

The ultimate food fight! Mutant munchies from your freezer invade your kitchen, your life, and your world. Speed and your martial arts skills are required to overcome vicious veggies!

Electrocop

Box: 
yes
£14.00
Manual: 
yes
£14.00

The criminal brain has kidnapped the presidents daughter and threatens to kill her if he does not get control of the world. Only you, Electrocop can invade the Steel Complex where evil robots and dangerous traps protect the criminal brain. The odds are against you. Your only hope is to find the weapons and terminals hidden in the mazes of the criminal brains fortress.

Gauntlet - The Third Encounter

Box: 
yes
£14.00
Manual: 
yes
£14.00

Generations ago an enchanted Star Gem crashed to Earth at the base of an ancient castle. Loathsome creatures crept from the castle and carried the Gem into the depths of the fortress. All attempts to retrieve the Star Gem failed. The adventurers were destroyed. The creatures in the castle gain magical strength from the Star Gem. Unless the Gem is taken from them, the evil ones will soon have the strength to destroy mankind!

Crystal Mines 2

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Box: 
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£10.00
Manual: 
yes
£10.00

Great treasure still lies deep in the abandoned Crystal Mines. But over the years, underground demons have made them deadly. Guide your robot through the mines, destroying demons and gathering great wealth. Or fail, and become history.

Chips Challenge

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Notes: 
This game is brand new and sealed
Box: 
yes
£14.00
Manual: 
yes
£14.00

Before Chip can join the Bit Busters computer club and hang out with the girl of his dreams, Melinda the Mental Marvel, he must solve all 144 challenging puzzles. You bird's eye view can help Chip rush through the puzzles and mazes before he's deleted by monsters, traps, and the passage of time. Show Chip how to use blocks of soil to overcome water traps and cherry bombs, find keys, and pick up the computer chips which Chip needs to solve some puzzles.

Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure

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Notes: 
This game is brand new and sealed
Box: 
yes
£14.00
Manual: 
yes
£14.00

Bill and Ted are about to embark on their most excellent adventure through time & space. those two beautiful babes from Medievil England, Joanna and Elizabeth, have been kidnapped by the most heinous Grim Reaper. Bill & Ted must use the circuits of time to find the princesses. Will they be most triumphant? Only you can help!

Battle Wheels

Box: 
yes
£16.00
Manual: 
yes
£16.00

In the year 2019, Humankind turned to more and more dangerous games for it's entertainment. Fight in high-tech cars armed with missiles, machine guns, flame-throwers, and more through dead cities and desert wastelands; a sixteen arena battle-royal! Fight as a team or go in sole! Custom build your car, or buy one from the Bodyshop. You can even go on foot! fast paced 3D six player action like you've never seen before.

Awesome Golf

Box: 
yes
£12.00
Manual: 
yes
£12.00

You are on the eighteenth tee, one stroke behind the defending champion. Do you take your Caddy's advice and play it safe, or do you risk the water? Awesome Golf provides great realism and challenge for one to four players

Batmans Returns

Box: 
yes
£14.00
Manual: 
yes
£14.00

Gotham City is in desperate trouble again. Catwoman and the penguin have joined forces to terrorize the entire metropolis! Only you can help Batman foil their deadly scheme and save the city from their fiendish clutches.

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