Classic Gaming Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Team Yofa: Checked on this cache today, and it's indeed missing. There is no free/legal nearby parking as there was when I placed this 15 years ago, so I'm going to say goodbye to this one.

Dr. Flonase and Lucky_Turtle should both change their DNFs into Found logs, as they were in the right place.

As always, I post a full solution when archiving a puzzle. Here's the games in the crossword:

3d: Adventure (Atari, 1980)
13d: Kaboom! (Activision, 1981)
4d: Gorf (Bally Midway, 1981)
6a: Gauntlet (Atari, 1985)
14d: Joust (Williams Electronics, 1982)
17a: Q*bert (Gottlieb, 1982)
11a: Space Invaders (Taito, 1978)
9d: Star Castle (Cinematronics, 1980)
7d: Berzerk (Stern Electronics, 1980)
16a: Boulder Dash (First Star Software, 1984)
1d: Circus (Exidy, 1977)
2a: Galaga (Namco, 1979)
8d: Haunted House (Atari, 1982)
15a: Astrosmash (Mattel, 1982)
12d: Karateka (Broderbund, 1984)
10d: Lode Runner (Broderbund, 1983)
5a: Zork I (Infocom, 1980)

More
Hidden : 9/21/2007
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

NOTE: The listed coordinates are NOT the position of the cache. You must solve the puzzle below to determine the actual coordinates of the cache.


Ah, more 80's memories... Many gen-xers like me were all but raised by computer and video games. Today it's hard for the younger generation to understand how fat pixels and tinny sounds can still evoke such wonder and nostalgia in us, the more "seasoned" gamers. Adventure Construction Set, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Bard's Tale -- these are but a few titles that (in toto) consumed thousands of my hours. For better or for worse, they defined much of my childhood.

See how many of these games you remember. Perhaps you'll discover some new ones you missed along the way.


Use the pictures above to fill in the crossword puzzle below. Remove punctuation and any other non-alphabet symbols from the game titles. Assume any numbers are roman numerals.


In the weird notation you see below, [A1,3] would refer to the 3rd letter in 1 Across. [D2,5] is the 5th letter in 2 Down. Get it? And when you locate each of the indicated letters in the crossword puzzle, they need to be converted into their numerical order in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, . . . Z=26) so that you can perform the following sums:

A = [D1,1] + [A2,1] + [A2,3]
B = [D3,7] + [D4,3] + [A5,1]
C = [A6,4] + [D7,2]
D = [D8,3] + [D9,6]

E = [D10,2] + [A11,4]
F = [D12,1] + [D13,1]
G = [D14,2] + [A15,7]
H = [A16,11] + [A17,1]

  • For each value A through H, only keep the rightmost digit (e.g. if A = 43, then A = 3)
  • The cache is located at N37° 4A.BCD, W121° 4E.FGH
  • Checksum: A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H has a rightmost digit of 1

Hint: The only game system types you need consider:

There is a $2 parking fee in the area, but there are limited free visitor parking spaces (good for 30 minutes), or you can find alternative parking and walk. Parking permit enforcement M-F 7AM-11PM, and Sat 7AM-6PM. Free parking Sun. No parking on campus between 11PM and 6AM.

FTF went to geodanimal. Cache initially contained:
  • A FTF certificate
  • Secret code for those who thought this cache (GC16397) was too easy, and wish to try a harder version ( GC16398).
  • Small metal 2007 Team Yofa tokens

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zntargvp

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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