The Lynx Effect

It is always a safe bet to assume that most retro gamers have a list of hardware they would like to own. For some this list contains a delightful array of exotica. For others it is list of childhood dreams that have thus far evaded capture. For me it is a mix of both.

The top 3 on my wishlist (in no particular order) are the illusive Vectrex, the Atari Lynx and an Out Run arcade cabinet. Obviously the Vectrex and Out Run cab, much like a high class hooker, would be an expensive purchases to make. The Lynx on the other hand, like your average hooker, is both affordable and readily available – yet still it evades me.

I have lost count of the auctions missed or lost on eBay. The amount of hours spent contemplating spending the money on a lesser quality unit just to own one – despite knowing there is better out there. The multiple afternoons lost to wondering the car boot sales and charity shops to return empty handed. It was starting to look like this seemingly accessible console was to remain on the wish list for some time. Or was it…?

It was Tuesday the the 18th of June 2013 and I had just returned home from a hard game of reality. As I walked into my lounge, ready to collapse in a heap on the sofa, my girlfriend smiled and gestured towards an object on a chair. The mysterious object appeared to be a medium sized boxed and was covered by a sheet. Fearing it to be a chinchilla I cautiously peeled back the sheet to reveal a plain brown box. Still fearing an attack from a small fury animal I again opted to take caution when opening the box. Digging through the foam packing it started to become clear what this was. It was not a chinchilla. It was an Atari Lynx! a Lynx 2 to be precise, and with 6 games plus a power supply!

I could not believe it! Had I subconsciously been mentioning how much I wanted a Lynx to the point where buying one to shut me up was the best option? Is there a catch to this gift? Am I dying? As luck would have it the answer to all of my questions was no. It seems I am simply blessed to be with a girlfriend who appreciates, understands and is willing to fuel and support my nerdy ways. For this I am not only extremely grateful but also the proud owner of an Atari Lynx.

That’s another one crossed off the list.