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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTodd Rogers’ claimed 5.51-second time in the Atari 2600 game Dragster was removed from Twin Galaxies’ records on January 29, 2018. Guinness World Records removed its associated title the next day, following Twin Galaxies’ finding that times below 5.57 seconds were not possible under standard and normal play conditions. Rogers disputed the decision, and the available evidence does not establish his intent.
What happened to Todd Rogers’ Dragster record?
Rogers had claimed a time of 5.51 seconds in Activision’s Atari 2600 racing game Dragster. On January 29, 2018, Twin Galaxies removed all of his scores from its system and banned him from its competitive leaderboards. Guinness World Records followed on January 30, removing Rogers’ title for the longest-standing videogame record. Guinness said Twin Galaxies was its trusted adviser for videogame high scores and that the Guinness title had been verified using information from Activision. Contemporaneous reporting by Kotaku described the sequence of removals.
Why did Twin Galaxies remove the score?
In a decision summary reproduced in a Classic Arcade Gaming forum post on January 29, Twin Galaxies said its software-analysis model concluded that a time below 5.57 seconds was not possible under “standard and normal play conditions.” The summary also said further testimony supported the model and that Twin Galaxies considered other circumstantial evidence. The reproduced summary is hosted in a forum post, rather than on an official Twin Galaxies page available here.
The 5.57-second figure is Twin Galaxies’ stated analytical threshold, not a separate record time or a general claim about what every player can achieve. Compared with that threshold, Rogers’ claimed 5.51-second run was six hundredths of a second faster.
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- Atari 2600+ PAC-MAN Edition: The iconic console, now in PAC-MAN yellow with illuminated character icons across the front.
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- New Arcade-Style PAC-MAN Game: Includes PAC-MAN: Double Feature 2-in-1 game cartridge. Featuring an all-new, arcade-style version, PAC-MAN 7800 and the very first home version of the game, PAC-MAN 2600.
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What evidence was missing?
Twin Galaxies’ summary acknowledged a limitation in the historical record. It said it could not overturn Activision’s past acknowledgement of Rogers’ score, but it could not find the materials Activision had relied on to verify it, nor anyone willing to testify on the record that they had directly seen those materials. That gap is distinct from Twin Galaxies’ software analysis: the organization described its conclusion about playability while also noting that the original verification evidence was unavailable.
Did Rogers agree with the decision?
No. Kotaku reported that Rogers disputed Twin Galaxies’ decision. He said, “Although I disagree with their decision, I must applaud them for their strong stance on the matter of cheating,” while maintaining that Twin Galaxies was wrong in his case. This records his response; it does not resolve the allegation about the specific run.
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What did Dragster designer David Crane remember?
Designer David Crane told Kotaku that Rogers had played Activision games proficiently in front of their creators and demonstrated scores above those achieved by Activision employees. Crane also said that, after more than 30 years, he could not remember what those scores were. Crucially, he did not recall whether he had seen the disputed 5.51-second result. His recollection supports Rogers’ skill generally, but does not verify that particular time.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the ruling prove Rogers cheated?
The organizations’ actions and findings should be stated precisely: Twin Galaxies removed Rogers’ scores and banned him from its leaderboards after concluding that times below 5.57 seconds were impossible under the conditions its model addressed; Guinness then removed the associated title. Rogers contested the decision. The available statements do not independently establish Rogers’ intent, so the ruling should not be presented as proof of what he knowingly did.
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Best Value
- Builds on the Legacy: The new Atari 2600+ builds on the original machine with modern quality of life features such as HDMI output, USB power and multiple screen resolutions, and includes an exact replica of the original CX40+ Joystick.
- Backwards Compatible: The cartridge slot is backwards compatible with hundreds of original Atari 2600 and 7800 games. The ‘10 Games in 1’ cartridge includes iconic games such as Adventure, Combat, Dodge ‘em, Haunted House, Maze Craze, Missile Command, Volleyball, Surround, Video Pinball and Yars’ Revenge.
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- · This product features retro classic video games. Please note that the sound and picture displayed on your TV may not match the quality of modern technology.
- Video game console with 130 Built-In games, including Atari 2600 classics like Asteroids, Centipede, and Missile Command, as well as other legends like Activision Pitfall and River Raid. Refer to the uploaded game list picture to find games of interest.
- This is a mini console, significantly smaller than the original Atari console. HDMI video output (720P) Plug & Play on HD TV (HDMI cable included). Save/Load/Rewind all games/Powered by Micro USB (adapter included).
- The joystick is wired, not wireless, and includes red buttons on the side. There are no additional buttons. Wired paddles may not have the flexibility to move to the side of the TV, but this is consistent with the original gaming experience.
- Please review full game list. For better gaming experience, please update the firmware for the product as soon as you plug the item in.
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- Officially licensed Atari titles. Titles include Asteroids, Centipede, Millipede, Breakout, Missile Command, Crystal Castles and many more. Game save options.
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- Includes two 2.4 GHz wireless joysticks, inspired by the original Atari joysticks, include paddles for paddle games like Breakout, Warlords and many more.
- User Guide Languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Japanese and Arabic. Dynamic RGB LED lights.
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