Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Electronic HandHeld Games & Vintage Toys, Home Consoles & Computers => Topic started by: DarthNuno on August 15, 2010, 05:49:53 PM

Title: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on August 15, 2010, 05:49:53 PM
Long time ago I had a game : Galaxian2 by Namco ...huh ... Midway? ...nope... ENTEX!
Very strange, there is NO mention at all about Namco or Midway somewhere?! Legal ?

Well, each time I went to my father's house these last years, I tried to find it out... because I'm sure I saw it *boxed* before I left the house.
But no luck... impossible to put the hand on it  :'( So the only option for me is to buy it... once again  ;D
Fortunately, I got it for fews bucks on ebay... but, without the box  :-\ It's better than nothing, and because I'm not a crazy Handheld games collector, I can live without a box  :P

OK, here's the beast I got from ... US (too bad I didn't find it back close to my home/country at the time I was looking for  :'()

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_1.jpg)

Not too bad condition... but very dirty  :-\  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_2.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_3.jpg)

See the back... fortunately, the battery cover is there  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_4.jpg)

...and under the cover, the SN maybe? :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_6.jpg)

The instructions are on a sticker on the back :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_5.jpg)

Some scratches on the plastic 'bezel'... but I can live with...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_7.jpg)

Closer :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_8.jpg)

Important : the game works  8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/galaxian2_9.jpg)

...but I'll have to clean the button contacts, because I've to press to much on them for moving my ship.

Here's the to do list :

- clean the game
- clean the button contacts

 ;D
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Belike on August 15, 2010, 07:20:59 PM
Looks great, thanks for the pics and for the new handheld topic! ;D
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 18, 2010, 11:12:41 PM
I'm very good at cleaning them now :). The magic is a soft tricot sheet with plain water, and an empty balpen or so to push the cloth in the edges. Sometimes some alcohol, but never near the stickers that are supposed to be on a hand held. I just did a Tomy Ufo Attack that was gross like shit with tape remainders and pen-marks in the grill, but it turned out pretty well. Got it for free with an order of some nice ones. Bought one of these Galaxians too. Hope the women in France got the money by now. Damn those French banks are lazy. Germans get my money within 3 hours, French take 10 days or so.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on August 18, 2010, 11:16:40 PM
Thanks for the Tips Blanka. I'll try to work on this one this WE. I also have to clean the contacts (I've to push very strong on the button  :-X)... hope it's not harder than cleaning the controls on our arcade games  :P ;)
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 18, 2010, 11:19:50 PM
The controls are easy to fix. Same as remote buttons. I fixed a dead button on a Entex Pac-Man 2, very similar to this one technically. Just remove the rubber pad, wipe the logic board tracks and put it back together.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 20, 2010, 04:07:00 PM
I have this one on the way to me now too. Curious how it looks. Quote from "The complete guide to Electronic Games", a book from 1982:
Quote
This is the finest, most sophisticated version of SPACE INVADERS ever published in Hand Held electronic form....this is everything an electronic game should be, and more
Can't wait to open the box when it arrives. Mine will come from just accross the border next to your place Bruno. You can probably CYCLE there....  :wink:
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on August 20, 2010, 06:58:51 PM
Did you get it boxed?
When the price is not to high, I try of course get the games boxed...but I do not want to buy such games for pure collection or speculation... just want to found back the games I've meet/played in the past (owned or not)... and get a good dose of 'Back In Time Feeling' when I try them  :P
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: level42 on August 20, 2010, 11:54:11 PM
I love the trouble shooting section on that instruction sticker !  ;D ;D ;D

"Malfunction: Try new batteries"


Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 23, 2010, 05:52:26 PM
My Galaxian arrived this morning :D. Looks good, but the transparent window is cleaned with Cif one time I guess. No hurt to the letters printed on the glass though. Anyone know a good way to polish perspex?
Yours Bruno looks like it can use some polish of the glass too ;)
I also have the same yellow edges, but it seems to come off. No flame retardants in this one, thank god. That's stupid shit Nintendo (poor DK Jr tabletops and panorama's  :'( ) and Bandai used, and a problem maker everyone with a C64 must know.
BTW, it is REALLY big. Did not expect it to be that thick and large.
Mine is not boxed. I don't like paying double to receive a piece of smelly shit around it ;D. The game counts for me. I only have a few with box because they were unused (Mint LCD Zaxxon, Mattel Gravity, Tomy Speedline and DK Hockey micro VS). That's OK with me ;D .

What I don't get, is that you can get a beauty like this for half you pay on a piece of shit version of Donkey Kong jr, which is sold 100 times more. The name Nintendo makes people turn wacko with their wallet.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: level42 on August 23, 2010, 06:38:05 PM
My Galaxian arrived this morning :D. Looks good, but the transparent window is cleaned with Cif one time I guess. No hurt to the letters printed on the glass though. Anyone know a good way to polish perspex?
Yours Bruno looks like it can use some polish of the glass too ;)


MicroMesh:
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/acrylic_plastic_hand_kits.htm

Be sure to get a kit for acrylic !

I picked up a kit here (at the shop) but they don't seem to list it on their site anymore:
http://www.modelbrouwers.nl/shop/catalog/advanced_search_result.php/keywords/mba0/sort/3d/language/nl/page/1

They do have ultra-fine waterproof sanding paper in various grids. However, the micro-mesh kit is re-usable LOTS of times.

Lot's of other people use Novus 1-2-3: http://www.novuspolish.com/

By the way some guy found out a method against the yellowing from fire retardants as you mention but I can't find the link right now....
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: jimmy2x2x on August 23, 2010, 06:41:37 PM
like this?
http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/ (http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/)

Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 23, 2010, 10:46:09 PM
I know Retrobright, but this game does not have the problem.

Bruno, mine is clean now. I have some experiences to share:
-With all the little edges, I found out a toothbrush is very handy. And then the type with a softer tip for not damaging your gums. Use this tip with some alcohol and the edges are very easy to clean, even the holes in the small embossed text and the FIRE in the red buttons.
-There was some sticky tape on the black ENTEX sign on the side, but don't use alcohol on that, the black is printed and is not so black anymore on mine :S
-Removing the pads and cleaning the contacts and the black circles on top of them was very useful. Have much better button response now.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: level42 on August 23, 2010, 10:51:35 PM
Why does one side have up/down buttons ?
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 23, 2010, 11:12:48 PM
Player 2 can play the Galaxians. You control the one that goes down, and thus you can move it in 4 directions.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: level42 on August 23, 2010, 11:14:51 PM
AHA ! That's pretty funny !
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 24, 2010, 10:04:06 AM
Here a pic I made this morning. Note that hanging a black cloth behind the reflection on the glass hides all the scratches :).
(http://www.martijnkoch.com/glxn2.jpg)
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: scr33n on August 24, 2010, 10:13:59 AM
Woooww, nice condition ... it looks like new  :-*
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on August 24, 2010, 10:20:33 PM
Here a pic I made this morning. Note that hanging a black cloth behind the reflection on the glass hides all the scratches :).
(http://www.martijnkoch.com/glxn2.jpg)

Wow, I hope mine will look as beautiful as your after my wip  ;)

And... once again, I love the way you're taking pictures  :-* This one is wonderful  :)
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 26, 2010, 03:52:59 PM
Here:
Who of you is the first to buy this:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51060472/1981-entex-galaxian2-hand-held-video

Housewifes selling their attic and stuff means good deals sometimes.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 26, 2010, 03:55:19 PM
If you buy, please make a 600dpi greyscale scan of the book for me :).
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Belike on August 26, 2010, 03:58:45 PM
Ships to USA only. :-\
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on August 26, 2010, 04:37:33 PM
If you buy, please make a 600dpi greyscale scan of the book for me :).

I think I have the manual... let me check  ;)
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on August 26, 2010, 05:15:28 PM
Ships to USA only. :-\

Always people who don't know those brilliant flat-fee USPS evelopes.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on December 25, 2010, 02:39:50 PM
It's time to open the beast, 'coz I need to clean the 'sometime unresponsive' controls  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_1.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_2.jpg)

Here's the parts to clean...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_3.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_4.jpg)

It should be better like this  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_5.jpg)

Now, let's try to remove that yellow dust everywhere on the game  :?  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_6.jpg)

...and try for the first time the 'magic sponge' I got here (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1741.msg19049#msg19049).

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_7.jpg)

Well, I'm not very happy with that cheap sponge, because it disintegrates almost immediately...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_8.jpg)

...which is normal, but that one disintegrates does it very quick  :?

Anyway, here's a first result...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/handheld/galaxian2/Galaxian2_inside_9.jpg)

Mhhh, I've to found an other way for cleaning that stuff... I will use these magic sponges rather for flat surfaces, like control panel for example...
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on December 25, 2010, 03:04:48 PM
better take it apart, put the plastics in a bath of soap and use a toothbrush..
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: Blanka on December 27, 2010, 03:44:21 PM
better take it apart, put the plastics in a bath of soap and use a toothbrush..

+1
This one is easy to disassemble. Not a Nintendo or Coleco.
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: level42 on December 27, 2010, 09:30:39 PM
Oh-no....contact cleaner.......

Please tell me you wiped it off the PCB right after applying it...

I hate contact-spray. It sucks. It will makes things worse in the long run.

Also, I tried one of the "real" magic erasers (Mr.Proper I think ?) and they are not THAT much better than the cheaper one's. They both disintegrate pretty quickly on rough surfaces like that...
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on December 27, 2010, 10:09:50 PM
Oh-no....contact cleaner.......
I hate contact-spray. It sucks. It will makes things worse in the long run.

The idea behind contact cleaner is ... to clean contact, and it seems to work for me  ::) I've used that many times without any problem...

Also, I tried one of the "real" magic erasers (Mr.Proper I think ?) and they are not THAT much better than the cheaper one's. They both disintegrate pretty quickly on rough surfaces like that...

I've used "magic erasers /Mr Proper" many time in my previous restoration and they seems better than the cheaper one's. But to be honest, I've mostly used them on plane surface. I'll try Mr Proper on rough surfaces and see if it does the job better...
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: level42 on December 27, 2010, 10:41:07 PM
Oh-no....contact cleaner.......
I hate contact-spray. It sucks. It will makes things worse in the long run.

The idea behind contact cleaner is ... to clean contact, and it seems to work for me  ::) I've used that many times without any problem...

Also, I tried one of the "real" magic erasers (Mr.Proper I think ?) and they are not THAT much better than the cheaper one's. They both disintegrate pretty quickly on rough surfaces like that...

I've used "magic erasers /Mr Proper" many time in my previous restoration and they seems better than the cheaper one's. But to be honest, I've mostly used them on plane surface. I'll try Mr Proper on rough surfaces and see if it does the job better...

Yes the idea about contact cleaner is clear. But what happens if you do not wipe it off immediately it will start to build up dirt and make things worse over some time. I've used it a lot when I was young (on old radio's potmeters) and the final conclusion was that the only option is to replace the potmeters instead.
I would have used some pure alcohol on a cloth to clean that. Cleans great and leaves no residue like contact cleaners do.

The Mr.Propers are a bit tougher for sure, but there's also a huge price difference. Vinyl surfaces with some structure (like CPO's) are "eating" them :)
Title: Re: Galaxian2 by Entex / WIP
Post by: DarthNuno on May 16, 2012, 09:04:22 PM
Found this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB9J0UZ-YbY), from a true and very happy Galaxian2 fan... and his daughter.  :)