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DETAILS: This game came up for
sale in 2006 from a long-time collector who
was downsizing his collection. When I
received pictures of the game I was amazed
to see how nice its condition was. The
screened graphics onto the control panel were
perfect, and the marquee, side art and front
and back graphics were all in excellent
shape. This game was shipped from
Minnesota to California by NAVL, and the
shipping cost was a bit over $600, which was
the most that I've ever spent shipping a
game. A 3rd man was needed at the
pick-up location as well, as there were a
few stairs to contend with.
COSMETIC
RESTORATION: Replaced the 1/4"
smoked acrylic viewing window as well as the 1/8"
smoked acrylic spectator window, which spans
the entire back viewing area, and sits just
inside the large graphical marquee (that
back window helps shield the player's
compartment from exterior light). Also
replaced were the interior monitor bezel and the
t-molding (there is t-molding around both
the side panels, around the player's
compartment entrance, and around the
interior of the side window as well).
ELECTRICAL REPAIRS/UPGRADES:
Replaced the power cord, the fluorescent
lamp, the fluorescent lamp
starter, the coin door reject button lamps,
and replaced the capacitors on the
Regulator/Audio II board. Also,
installed a new Wells-Gardner 25" monitor
and a Super Missile Attack / High Score Save
kit (click on "Braze Technologies" on the
Links page for kit details). Some
screenshots are below.
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MISSILE COMMAND |
SUPER MISSILE ATTACK |
MECHANICAL RESTORATION:
Replaced the trak-ball rollers and bearings,
and
sanded the ball to a smooth finish (see
this tutorial for details:
Polishing balls). Also cleaned and
serviced the coin mechs.
SERIAL
#133
FAST FACT: Even before it shipped,
Missile Command had intense fans.
Speaking of the play the game got just
within the labs of Atari, Ed Rotberg said:
"There were guys there that would literally
have to worship that game for hours at a
time. Their hands were sweating, and
it was a definite adrenaline rush."
Describing some of the dedicated players at
Atari, Missile Command project lead Dave
Theurer said: "We were in the same building
as the consumer division and there were a
couple of guys from that division who would
come down and spend all day playing Missile
Command. I don't know what they did
upstairs, but they would spend the entire
day playing the game."
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