Sell me on the Atari 5200

[RadiantSvgun]

So I decided I wanted one of the atari consoles. I was thinking about the 5200 because I played berserk on it. But I don't want a console for one game alone. So, wow me. Controller, trackballs, ect; give me some info.

[jb143]

Berserk was going to be my responce :p

Seriously though...I was just testing some games this weekend and got addicted to that game.

[RadiantSvgun]

Berserk was going to be my responce :p

Seriously though...I was just testing some games this weekend and got addicted to that game.

Yeah, I played it at a friend's place, and I was wondering what else was good for it. Does anyone know if a trackball was made for it?

[Wookie]

Don't bother. Yes, it has a decent trackball available, but the regular controllers truly suck (sticks don't self center, reliability very poor). Get an Atari computer (800,XL, or XE model) instead. The games in common with the 5200 are nearly identical, the library is much larger, and you can get a wide variety of good controllers, including trackballs. The 5200's only redeeming feature is the Pause button on the controller.

[kjmontana]

Countermeasure. Robotron with the 2-stick controller holder. Wico Y-adapter(to use 2600 compatible joysticks but still have the button-pad functions...like pause!) Not too much to sway you but that's where you come in to decide! Plus your Berserk fixation factors in also. Pengo is always cool(especially with the Y-adapter). I'm out of stuff to recommend. Enjoy! Oops! I almost forgot Space Dungeon(great arcade game) ONLY on 5200!

[murdoc rose]

If you only want one then you should go for the 2600.

[Greg2600]

You're probably better off with the 7800, no, because you can still play 2600 games on it? You can use 2600 controllers too I think. The problem is that many of the games the 5200/XE/Coleco generation of games had were never produced on the 7800, although most are on the inferior 2600.

[doubledownon11]

Berzerk was my answer. The only version to offer the synthisized speech if I'm not mistaken. I freakin' love that game.

[Aswald]

Centipede- Better than the 7800 version (even if it does not have simultaneous 2-player option), and with the trak-ball, unbelievable.

Star Raiders. If only the CV had such a first-person shooter.

Robotron:2084- The color green is missing, but the explosions and action makes it somehow more like the arcade experience than the 7800 version. Plus...it has the borders.

Berzerk- But you already knew that.

Pac-Man- Single-colored ghosts can't stop this excellent version. Fun.

Ms. Pac-Man- Again, nearly as good as the 7800 version.

Gyruss- A classic. Hate to admit it, but better than the CV version.

Adventure 2- Yes- an RPG on the 5200!

Space Dungeon- Little-known but nifty arcade game. Robotron-like fire scheme.

Blueprint- Somewhat obscure but underrated game. Luck plays a bit too much here, but it's still a great arcade-to-home translation.

Mountain King and Choplifter!- Just like the Atari computer versions (of course).

Pole Position- Graphics are stripped down from the arcade version, but the gameplay and sounds are there. Very difficult, though.

Super Pac-Man and Millipede- These great games are out there, courtesy of Sean Kelly, but are a bit hard to get. It's worth it, though.

Pengo- I only played the arcade machine a few times, in a grocery store a few blocks away from the Poughkeepsie post office back around 1986, 1987. The 5200 version does not fall short in any way that I can remember.

Ballblazer- Unique futuristic sports game, with split-screen action. By the people behind "Star Wars."

[cyberfluxor]

Buy a 2-port 5200 or modify the 4-port so you can use the 2600 adaptor! Now you can play either system on one big, nice, bulky unit. Get a pair of Wico or Atari sticks. If you go the Atari route then just modify them to auto-center (some people use rubber bands) or get a face plate that restricts the stick to up/down and left/right. Also you can always rip a "non-working" Atari controller apart and either fit it into a Genesis, Saturn, or of many other controller options to have a D-pad control. Maybe if you're really into it, build an arcade panel with dual sticks for games like Robotron and Space Dungeon. Don't forget the trackball unit for games like Centipede (some play Galaxian with it...). So obviously there are many options with this sytem and a lot of work on customization can pay off. It is a console that is looked down on by so many but if you're looking for an amazing system and really dive in, go for it.

As for game selection, although no games really give you the true arcade experience they are each unique and fun. Depending on the route you go with controls it can be for or against you. Aswald gave a good list to go by and there aren't that many titles to hunt down, under 100 retail releases. If you go after variants, homebrews, prototype releases, and so forth then it nearly hits 300 games. Boxes tear easily and some games can be costly if complete but whatever you prefer there are plenty of sellers, traders, and buyers guides available on the web. Be sure to run by AtariAge to check out other goodies in regards to the 5200 scene. Also read a little history about Pam (http://www.atari7800.com/html/history_5200.htm) if you haven't before. ;)

[Sanriostar]

Don't bother. Yes, it has a decent trackball available, ...

DECENT TRACKBALL?!?!?

*DECENT* TRACKBALL!!?????

The only trackball better than a 5200 is on an Atari Coin-Op Machine itself!!!
(Facial tick)

Okay, calming down.

But I play Pengo, Qix, and Berzerk on my 52. Mr. Do's Castle is a fun chaser rare for the system as well.

[Pantechnicon]

I think the 5200 is a fantastic system. This is one of the few things Aswald and I will ever agree upon.

I'll second the suggestions already made for Space Dungeon, Pac-Man, Star Raiders, Super Breakout and Countermeasure. These are all top-notch adaptations. To this list I'll add the following:

Kangaroo - Another faithful arcade translation.
Missile Command - Works surprisingly well with an analog controller.
Defender - Same as above.
Pitfall II - Just like the 2600 version, except when you get to the end a whole new level literally opens up. Only for this system, iirc. If you need just one reason to own a 5200, this is it.
Montezuma's Revenge - Exactly like the Colecovision version, but again, the analog controllers work well here.
Space Invaders - Ya rly. Same old gameplay, but very nice graphics. An overlooked title for the system

Don't listen to the "The controller sucks" people. Yes, this is true, but there are alternatives. One is that the controllers can be fixed at least temporarily if you're willing to crack one open and clean the contacts yourself. A second option is to get a refurb kit, which will run you around $25 and is available from a couple different online outfits. I bought one in 2004 and my controller has worked flawlessly since then.

And yes, it's true that the Atari 800 games are exactly the same as the 5200. 5200 is basically an 800 computer without a keyboard. So if you can't find a 5200, or you're ultimately put off by the controller issue, or you find a better deal on an 800 or some equivalent machine, by all means get that instead.

[oesiii]

Don't bother. Yes, it has a decent trackball available, but the regular controllers truly suck (sticks don't self center, reliability very poor). Get an Atari computer (800,XL, or XE model) instead. The games in common with the 5200 are nearly identical, the library is much larger, and you can get a wide variety of good controllers, including trackballs. The 5200's only redeeming feature is the Pause button on the controller.

That's the correct answer but you can still make a good case for a 5200. The trackball is awesome but I only play Missile Command and Centipede with it. There's 3 other unique games that I like on the 5200 that can't be played the same way on a 800XL, they are RealSports Baseball, Space Dungeon, and Robotron. SDungeon and Robotron let you use the two 5200 analog sticks in tandem (they make a special holder) so it's more arcade-like.

Otherwise I prefer the ease of connecting the Atari computers to my PC or laptop and having access to 1000+ games, a few hundred of which are quite good.

[Ze_ro]

Well, lets look at the case for the Atari 5200:
Extremely large and cumbersome.
Unreliable controllers, that aren't very good even when they are in perfect condition.
4-port model requires special switchbox.
Relatively small library of games.
So, yeah, it's difficult to recommend this system to anyone. I actually like the 5200 myself, but there are just so many inherent headaches involved. The Atari 8-bit computers are a much better option. People dismiss them as being computers, but honestly, what's the difference? It has a keyboard and some extra ports? Basically all the games the 5200 has are available for the A8, you don't have to put up with the awful controllers, there are several options for the system, and you can always get a disk drive and play another whole set of games that the 5200 didn't get. If you don't like the computer look, get an XEGS and just stick the keyboard in the closet or something. As an added bonus, I've found that A8 games are in generally low demand, meaning the prices are pretty cheap.

--Zero

[vespertillio]

Save for Adventure II and Koffi Yellow Kopter, I'd say get a 130XE and an SIO2PC cable and attach it to your PC. Then sit back and enjoy the 8bit goodness. :)

[boatofcar]

Get an Atari 8 bit. If you only care about 5200 games, you can get a 400 or 800. If you want to play 5200 and 7800 (graphics-wise) games, get a 800XL or an XEGS.

EDIT: I don't want it to sound like 5200 games are compatible with A8 computers, but the ports are for the most part the same or better.

[-hellvin-]

Get an atari 800xl. My first gaming machine/computer and it is an ABSOLUTE BLAST. Tons of great carts for it, and I'm sure you can find people selling floppies with tons of games on them. Pretty much everything is identical across the 5200 and 800xl releases.

[Atari 5200]

Ah...the trackball controller....the memories...

Thank you centipede.