Rather LEGO 2532, yes 68 pieces shy. Someone should've caught this. The carts were not many pieces, maybe a couple more would have got it there.
Here are the build pics:
Building the base:
The cart carrier and the first cart and diorama:
More base:
Back panel:
The swivel mechanism for the popup diorama:
Selfie: Quick break to play some Asteroids on the VCS and enjoying an ice cold cola:
Popup diorama installed (note the spaceship is not the Asteroids ship, but the new re-release of the LEGO space ship - this also appears on the Asteroids cart art):
Building the top. LEGO's lend well to the iconic design:
Ahhh, Woodgrain:
Top installed:
Switchplate complete. Switches work. Game Select/Reset bounce back into top position after being pressed down. Cool! Words are all silk screen printed, not stickers!
Switchplate installed:
The ATARI pieces are silk screened as well:
Joystick mech (yeah it moves!):
Joystick Mech encased . Enclosure gradually slopes in at the bottom just like the real one. Sadly the button doesn't press - LEGO makes springs so an oversight I guess. The circle is silk screen printed, not stickers, just like the switch panel:
Joystick complete with cord. Note the shape of the connector which resembles the original. This actually plugs into the LEGO VCS, I wish they would have included enough parts for 2 joysticks:
Here is all done. The carts will plug into the console. If you look at the carts from the end, there is a green piece inside which makes it look like there is a circuit board inside. The VCS itself has the cart guides as well. The joystick is slightly smaller (1/4") than an actual one. My real 6 switch VCS is packed away so I don't have a comparison pic with it:
Top slides out and diorama pops up!
(and yes, I fubar'd the CENTIPEDE sticker on the cart end). My eyes were very tired and struggling to see the black on black edges. Once the sticker is 1/3 on, its pretty much on for good so you go with it. I wish LEGO did all silk screening like in the old days. All in all, about 6 hours of total build time.
Very cool. See the empty space (well almost empty) shelf in the TV stand in the background? That's where this will live by this weekend! Probably the top shelf with some rearranging. Very pleased with this LEGO purchase.
Brilliant!!