The Final Project: Atari 800 Handheld - Part 1

Ben arrived on the scene with his first Atari 2600 portable build, earning him a following and a show. Now it’s time to go full circle. For his final build he’s using an Atari 800, his first computer, as the basis of a final portable build. Visit element14 presents: bit.ly/2L99rtn
Ben Heck's S-Pi Build Part 1: bit.ly/2KVTomQ
Ben Heck's S-Pi Build Part 2: bit.ly/2zuXpZU
View the complete episode archive: bit.ly/2ueQRK4
Meet the VCP: bit.ly/2L7zmok
Visit The Learning Circuit: bit.ly/2usZ8cC
Visit sudo Sergeant: bit.ly/2ugbhSQ
Visit Project14: bit.ly/2L4zUvo
It started 18 years ago, Ben Heck arrived on the scene with his first Atari 2600 portable build, earning him a following and a show of his own. Now it’s time to bring things full circle. For the final build he’s decided to use the Atari 800, his first computer, as the basis of a final portable build! It will be similar to his ZX Spectrum portable build, he’ll rip out all the chips to make his own circuit board. Before he rides into the sunset an old nemesis makes a return but so does a familiar ally from the past. Will the sinister Pie Face, whose DNA has been fused with Pie changing it to PNA, wreck havoc on his storybook ending? Get ready for closure, get ready for more Allison, in part 1 of the final build project!
Disclaimer: bit.ly/2KPPprM

[@Phil659]

I'll tell you what hasn't been regrettable, all the good times and content you guys have provided over the years. Thanks so much, hate to see it end.

[@Kenjic]

One of my favorite channels of all time, Ive watched hundreds of videos, learned so much, laughed so much. So sad to see this is the last project from you guys, def going to miss them. No one has anything like this. I wish you well

[@bubberiffic]

He has a KZbin channel if you didn’t know. And I you did; nice. 😎

[@Donk999]

Excellent regrettable acting

[@FalcoTheImpaler]

Excellent? This is god tier. They even did a Bond-style intro I mean come on

[@herbiehusker1889]

Nothing regrettable about this.

[@lrrrruleroftheplanetomicro6881]

also, a whole lotta work.

[@sailor81]

I remember watching your show years ago when I was getting into electronics, I watched every single episode multiple times because I enjoyed them so much. Thanks for the good times, Ben (and eventually the rest of the team).

[@104d_3rr0r_vince]

Goodbye Ben, thanks for the great times.

[@willynebula6193]

Vincent GR you're avatar, also great times.

[@104d_3rr0r_vince]

:-)

[@kevboard]

Willy Nebula your*

[@TesseractUnfolded]

My cat saw the sillhouette of Dr Kitty Boots run across the screen and spent the next minute or so trying intently peering around the right side of my TV to figure out where he went. :D

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

Truly magnificently regrettable acting! Well done, guys and girls!👏👏👏😊 We'll miss you, Ben...

[@Kadjius]

My word is Alyson buff! Glad to see her back for the last time!

[@awhit003]

Thank you, Ben. You have truly been a inspiration. Felix is still my hero, though.

[@AlfredoTaken]

It's been a wild ride Ben. Will be sad to see you go, but it's been fun

[@thetastefultoastie6077]

♪ _Let the pie fall_ _Let it crumble_ _We will sit tall_ _and eat it all, together_ ♫

[@3DSage]

wow that intro!

[@AirborneSurfer]

ZOMGDATINTROTHO

[@Clell65619]

They certainly made a production out of it.

[@jasonk9779]

I just skipped it. Did nothing for me :)

[@fulano1969]

Me too, just skipped it. I don't care for "fancy" intros.

[@whollymindless]

Wow.

[@NeonSJuggalo]

I so remember watching that episode on TechTV back in the day. Oh such great memories memories.

[@darrellwertz6380]

Thanks Ben for sharing your skills and talents. I believe that you make the world a better place for people of all ages. I've talked to so many people that have been touched by your presentations. In fact I ran into you at IMTS this year, recognizing your voice before ever seeing you. LOL Good luck in what ever you do. Thanks Again!!

[@loganjorgensen]

Some of the best 'regrettable acting' ever on this show. ;) An exciting project, look forward to seeing how it all comes together. Ah the XEGS, yep an odd product for 1987 but I like the peripheral approach. Wow that Space Harrier port is really impressive and a great choice for platform testing.

[@davidamandacrambell7520]

i have been a fan forever... you are my Brother From Another Mother. i am 6'4" and will always look up to you. i put off watching these two episodes for a reason. i can not believe they put up with you for so long!!!

[@zoepentaleri]

Sad to see the show go, but I guess it's gone on long enough. It's been a big inspiration of mine for years.

[@martinedelius]

Wow, Alyson looks fantastic!

[@ChozoSR388]

Gonna miss the show, Ben. Geez, I feel kinda like I did back when I moved away from my best friend when I was a kid. Feels like when I watch the last episode of a Star Trek series, too, come to think if it. I dunno what I'm gonna look forward to on Fridays anymore...

[@LotoTheHero]

Wow, a real old school episode. Glad you guys went this way for the final episode(s). I've watched on and off for a long time, and I love the older episodes the most. Great to see Alyson again too. Hope she's doing well (looks like she is :D). It'll be strange with the Ben Heck show ending. Just want to say thanks to Ben, Alyson, and Felix for all the great episodes and the memories, and everyone behind the scenes that helped make this show possible.

[@joshuawalker7054]

Felix is giving it 110%, and instead of being hammy, he's actually a good actor!

[@_Piers_]

Boooo...BOOOOO!!! I don't approve of it's lack of regrettability!

[@herbiehusker1889]

I used to think Felix had no personality because he would just kind of sit there and would mumble in front of the camera. Who would have guessed he was a secret super villain.

[@corneleousworthington4566]

Thanks for the wonderful show, Mr. Heck! Your Apple 1 laptop inspired me to create the PE6502 computer, which 8 bit guy reviewed, and I've been selling ever since! I will truly miss your content!!!

[@richardgrier4721]

Real production values. I'm impressed.

[@PlayerOneStart]

What a way to go, that is intro is an excellent send off, as well as the project! Though I am a recent follower, you will be missed. Congrats!!!

[@rredeyee2460]

Thanks for the years of awesome content. Very entertaining and educational. I'll miss tuning in.

Oh... So *THAT* was the regrettable acting. Makes sense.

[@AirborneSurfer]

Ben has been preparing for this role all his life 😆

[@sharedinventions]

12:33 "It’s my favorite old computer, and it could be the last portable, and it could also be the most insane hand wired project we’ve done" - Eyes getting wet. I believe we are in many things common with Ben.

[@HillsWorkbench]

Love this project! I was an Atari loyalist way past it's prime, ran a BBS for twelve years, etc. Black Box with hard drives, 576kXE, hacked the heck out of my first 400 to make an answering machine...

[@strodfather]

I will miss you, Ben. I know basically nothing about electronics and a lot of what you're saying is gibberish to me, but I always enjoyed watching the show because of your funny soliloquies and pop culture allusions. Hack on, Mr. Heckendorn!

[@Seryous]

OMG Ben, i totally forgot i saw you on The Screen Savers with Leo LaPorte and Patrick Norton, or the other guy. 18 YEARS AGO. Im only 29, but i remember it well. It was on TechTV channel at the time..... just WOW. Love you Ben. Wish you all the success in your future.

[@3DSage]

The final project should of had Ben actually become a computer.

[@YommyRawr]

Alyson was awesome

[@Nonexistanthuman]

Thanks Ben for what you done for the gaming and personal computer computer along with the content you shared. Not sure what element14 Presents channel is other than it was a sponsor for the ben heck show, but it was not the channel i originally subbed too. Hope to see the content live up to the past.

[@ethanschwartz5836]

Always entertaining and never boring, sad to see you go.

[@MikeBramm]

I grew up using Ataris. I had a 2600 game console. Then I started working with computers. My first one was a 1200XL. Later, I got a 130XE. I made a 10-key keyboard for the 1200XL when I was in junior high school. I added an 80-column chip to the 130XE. I still have all that stuff (and all the accessories). Good times.

[@vinacar]

I'm glad you people did write and direct the uncharted short! I'm still sad that the been Heck show is going away I'm going to miss you brother.

[@sloankelly]

All good things... Thank you, Ben!

[@BlackSeraph]

You will be missed Ben. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

[@AirborneSurfer]

Wrapping up on a HELLUVA high note, y'all! Congratulations! 😃

[@g.h.c855]

That intro! wow love it. So miss you guys!

[@DanielS2001]

It's sad to see this is the last project. You've come a long way, Ben and company. :*(

[@sjm4306]

Thanks Ben and everyone on the show for all the great times ... and even the regrettable acting. Sad to see the show as we know it end, but as with all good things, there must be an end.

[@ThePotFather]

ayy it's you

[@massmike11]

Bens going away? Thats the suck. I will miss you ben. Thanks for everything.

[@chaosfaktor01]

Awesome! Can't wait for Part II

[@JaroslavHoudek]

My first home computer was also Atari 800 XL. I'm super excited about this.

[@billbutler2446]

Never got into the Atari, but wow that title sequence. Brilliant. Well done, couldn't stop smiling. I'm going to miss the Ben Heck show. Best wishes in the future, Benjamin.

[@BrainSlugs83]

HOW DID I MISS THIS? The Atari 800 (XE!!) was my JAM. -- It's got the best console version of Donkey Kong, and (depending on the model) four player asteroids! :-)

[@xKatjaxPurrsx]

Could you guys upload the Pieface intro as it's own separate video?

[@element14presents]

Ma~~~~~~~ybe :D

[@maximcoppieters]

element14 Presents yes please do!

[@atariandre5014]

Yes and cut it off from the really interesting stuff...o well....I guess it's too late now :)

[@niiiiiiisse]

Ben uploaded it on his own channel

[@echosmith6092]

Ben no what will I do you have been part of my day to day life for the past 5 years I have been doing an experiment only watching youtube and Dailymotion no UK tv it`s been a fun ride I will always have the replay have a good one

[@KEHICEYO]

Really cool show. Best wishes for your next projects Ben

[@00Klingon]

Pie Face's headquarters was the longaberger basket company headquarters in Dresden Ohio. Used to drive past it frequently. I often wondered if any daring barnstormers would try flying under the handles...

[@00Klingon]

I meant to say Maximum Security Pie Jail, not headquarters.

[@Eric-yt7fp]

I'm more sad to see this show go than I thought I would be. It's been a blast watching! Good luck to all in your future endeavours!!

[@fingerling2305]

Of course i found your channel in time for it to end(I've been binge watching it for the last week) c'est la vie, anke für die Zeiten, die wir teilen

[@JazzTheDogOfWar]

that intro is fantastic!!! an Alyson is on it, even better!

[@brooklyn_uav4589]

I'm going to miss you guys love your show

[@lorensims4846]

I once had the idea of mounting a (somewhat disassembled) Atari 400 in my car, with a keyboard on the dashboard and with HUD video monitor. I figured only the car would have enough power to drive the machine. I never imagined making it actually portable. I mean TVs were still all CRTs, so the HUD seemed more practical.

[@jeremy121690]

Did anyone else tear up a little reading the line "the basis of a final portable build" :'( Ive been following Ben sense the original 2600p back on the old Benheck site. I still go and look at the ben heck forums. Ive read all his wright ups on his portablized consoles and remember when the Ben Heck show was 1st announced.... He's the reason i got into the electronics hobby. I'm really gonna miss this show!

[@dzspdref]

I used to own an Atari 1200XL computer, 2 floppy drives, cassette attachment, Okidata printer. Damn I miss the good old days!

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

That intro was absolutely incredible! Wow, totally awesome!

[@m0nk3yl0v3r]

No idea what youre talking about half the time, but its still amazing to watch & wish I could do it!

[@reasonablebeing5392]

Awesome - would love to see you make "guest appearance" episodes on E14 at your leisure. This was FUN.

[@electron-1979]

Very nice intro, great lyrics, singing, sequencing, directing and composition! As good as the old days of TBHS!

[@vgtheory]

Looking forward to part 2. These hack builds are really relaxing to watch. Hope you have success in your film endeavor and here's hoping you eventually do some more builds down the road.

[@OpenKeith]

ben even if you don't continue the show PLEASE continue posting electronics projects

[@FamilienSoelberg]

Leaving with a bang!

[@nurglerider781]

My first computer as a kid was a TI-99/4A. A not-so-great machine imo. But then I got an 800XL for christmas... Best. Christmas. Ever.

[@seshpenguin]

Ohhh so sad but an awesome project nevertheless! The acting is amazing!!!!!!

[@MikeWaltonPro]

This is what we've come to expect from TBHS. A great sendoff! We'll miss ya Ben!

[@Kestrel_]

Dad-bod Ben is superior to young Ben in every way. Thanks for all the cool videos dude. Your channel got me into electronics a few years ago, and I’m extremely grateful.

[@Cycloud]

See You Space Heck...

[@waltercomunello121]

that strap that ties the pie on Felix's face is just majestic.

[@SparJar]

I just found this show a couple of weeks ago. Saddens me to know it's no longer running. Glad I have 8 years of videos to watch, though.

[@altHypothesis]

Love the intro! Good Eats meets James Bond, brilliant. Thanks for all you've done for the world, Ben :)

[@DaRUde117]

I remember knowing about this guy as he was one of the first to make a mainstream portable xbox 360 and that was really cool...sure will miss him when he's gone

[@thePavuk]

I have still working Atari 800XL and many cassettes with games.

[@jaysmith2858]

I had an Atari 400 and a 130XE. Those along with the Spectrum are my favourite 8bit systems, though I would probably have added a C64 to that list If I had owned one back in the day.

[@ScottMGehring]

I've been watching for years, I'm so sad to see you go The opening to this video was hilarious!I More Pie Face. Yay Alyson!! Thank you Ben, you've taught me many things. I will always remember you for helping me learn electronics and coding. Thank you.

[@levram2]

The "Threat Level Midnight" of TBHS

[@buildersmark]

I had watched the last time you tried to laser paint & I got the same idea that your doing now with the peg holes. It does work.

[@CoderShare]

Ben was a big part of my youth. Missing this show man. Also did Alyson come back for this ep?

[@gmugrumbach]

The excitement I felt when that Pieface intro started was equal to watching a fireworks finale.

[@mrKozmoz]

Total bummer this is the end, but pretty awesome projects, like resurrecting the Playstation prototype, what a neat one that was

[@joshhardin666]

I didn't know that there WERE so many terrible pie puns and references LOL

[@HS-eq3gk]

I'll miss the ben heck show, but am excited for what u do next

[@HS-eq3gk]

Great episode btw

[@Matt02341]

Gonna miss Ben (and gang) sooo much. I Love the intro great job everyone but especially Felix. (No, we named the cat, Felix) Allison looking really good. Finally, my computer was an Apple IIe but the game was Merlin. It was red had 9 led lights in a tic tac toe pattern, a speaker on the top and a mic on the bottom. You could replace the 6 AA batteries too!

[@NickCollide]

Don't forget the sequel - Goldenpie!

[@bryanl1984]

🎵PieMods are forever🎶

[@nicholasmeibaum5090]

Awesome intro and project!

[@theanalogkid7]

Yes! Allison!

[@iliketocolor6731]

awwww ben heck was so good

[@williamgottlieb8723]

10:05 The reincarnations of the Atari 800 is just like when Nintendo turned the Gamecube into the Wii, then the Wii-U

[@madcommodore]

To compare, Space Harrier conversion for the C64 was finished in days not years, that was the timescale of mega expensive licensed arcade projects back then.

[@wowfirebat]

my thoughts on the intro in order: poor Felix, cute cat, the jail cell bars bent out of the way as they stood up to leave, this song though lol

[@LetsPlayKeldeo]

On one hand I cant belive it's only been 3 years on the other hand it's allready been 3 years ...

[@GameTechRefuge]

Well done guys. Good job.

[@thenormanfair]

I smiled during the entire intro and the exit and HOLY COW did Alyson move into a gym?!

[@NickCollide]

You can piggyback a 2nd pokey and get stereo sound although only a few demos were made that use it.

[@roasthunter]

Only a couple more days until the FINAL episode of the "Ben Heck Show" Sad times.

[@BrentBlueAllen]

Awesome intro. What a send-off!

[@drakewhite2660]

Gonna miss you ben

[@DarrenCoull]

What better finale to the BHS to make a portable Atari 800! I'd buy that if it ever got manufactured. My entire childhood was based around Atari, never had Commodore, Sega, Nintendo etc. so brand loyalty was high with me :-)