View Full Version : Atari 2600 or 7800?
Tupin
10-04-2008, 01:33 PM
Which would you guys recommend to someone that wants to get into Atari? I know the 7800 is backwards compatible, but I've heard it doesn't have many games of its own and the American controllers suck.
EricDeLee
10-04-2008, 01:57 PM
I say the 2600. But you are talking to a guy that has 550 different Atari 2600 carts. So... take your pick. Try emulation. To me it was an easy pick: I played 2600 when I was younger. Never touched a 7800 until years later. I have no connection to the 7800
thousands of games for the 2600 is a plus.
Lots of GREAT games as well.
namzep
10-04-2008, 02:03 PM
I agree with Eric that the 2600 would have my vote. I owned it when I was young and I love the paddle games (Breakout, Super Breakout, etc.).
Tupin
10-04-2008, 02:06 PM
The 2600 controllers work with the 7800, right?
Because I think I can get a 7800 for relatively cheap but want to also use 2600 controllers.
theChad
10-04-2008, 02:08 PM
Third vote for the 2600. Easier to find a power supply for, for one thing. Um, otherwise I just think it's better all-around.
Atarileaf
10-04-2008, 02:38 PM
What is this "or" stuff? :)
Get both. I love both machines although like Eric I have the connection to the 2600 from childhood. However I like the 7800 for the great translations of some arcade classics like Galaga, Robotron, Food Fight and Ms Pacman. Compare 7800 Centipede, Joust, or Dig Dug to their 2600 counterparts and its like night and day.
You can use 2600 controllers for any of the one button games but you'll need either a pro-line stick or a mod another two button stick for the two button games.
There's a few people that have modded a Radica Space Invaders plug and play for the 7800 and I guess its great. I'm hoping someone will do this for me since I'm not technically gifted.
Tupin
10-04-2008, 03:04 PM
What is this "or" stuff? :)
Get both. I love both machines although like Eric I have the connection to the 2600 from childhood. However I like the 7800 for the great translations of some arcade classics like Galaga, Robotron, Food Fight and Ms Pacman. Compare 7800 Centipede, Joust, or Dig Dug to their 2600 counterparts and its like night and day.
You can use 2600 controllers for any of the one button games but you'll need either a pro-line stick or a mod another two button stick for the two button games.
There's a few people that have modded a Radica Space Invaders plug and play for the 7800 and I guess its great. I'm hoping someone will do this for me since I'm not technically gifted.
I'm fine with using the ProLine joystick for 7800 games, I just want to use 2600 controllers for 2600 games. Maybe I'll import the European gamepad if I find one.
Yeah, a major reason why I am considering the 7800 apart from 2600 compatibility is the great arcade conversions and the fact that you can find 2600s around here pretty easily, but not 7800s.
coreys429
10-04-2008, 03:11 PM
7800: Ninja Golf. Done.
Tupin
10-04-2008, 03:48 PM
7800: Ninja Golf. Done.
Good point. LOL
I'll be sure to get that.
Trebuken
10-04-2008, 04:21 PM
2600. Get a 7800 later if you find yourself really enjoying classic gaming.
ApolloBoy
10-04-2008, 04:27 PM
I'd go for the 7800, being a big 7800 fan myself. You can play almost all 2600 games on it, and if you decide that you want to start collecting 7800 games, you won't need to go and buy a second system just for 7800 games.
Steve W
10-04-2008, 04:43 PM
Another vote for the 7800. It plays pretty much every 2600 game I throw at it other than Pitfall II (but then I can't get either of my two copies of Pitfall II to work on a 2600 either, even after cleaning the contacts). The only problem I found with the 7800 is that the colors of 2600 games tend to be a bit muted in comparison to a real 2600. And the controllers tend to cramp my hands after a while. But other than that, it's well worth getting just for games like Midnight Mutants (imagine Adventure's gameplay with more RPG-like overtones and with an isometric viewpoint, loads of pumpkin-headed zombies, and gigantic bosses), Ballblazer, and Ms. Pac-Man (arcade perfect).
Though also being an owner of both, I'd go 7800 first. The bkwd comp. speaks for itself, plus you can get the 7800 carts too (stay away from Karateka though!)
7800 Mario Bros is leaps & bounds (hoho!) over the VCS version. In fact I cant think of a 7800 game that doesnt beat out the 2600 vers, if one exists. Plus there's 7800 exclusives (not on the VCS) like Midnight Mutants, Tower Toppler, Ninja Golf, Robotron 2084, etc etc.
Leo_A
10-04-2008, 05:58 PM
The 7800 plays everything (At least mine does through a Cuttle Cart II, compatibility with original carts varies depending on which revision you get but its at least 98%), supports 2600 controllers, and you get the ability to play some nice 7800 coin-op conversions as well.
Atarileaf
10-04-2008, 06:12 PM
Yea Karateka is a stinker, so is Choplifter which really disappointed me since I was such a fan of the C64 version.
Hattrick is pretty bad too, choppy gameplay.
One on One basketball is pretty good though, and Food Fight is my personal favorite.
MachineGex
10-04-2008, 06:54 PM
I love playing 7800 Asteroids. The 2 player option is so much fun. I also picked up a Starplex controller at CGE and absolutely love it. It is hands down the best way to play Asteroids and Space Invaders. I recommend picking up a Starplex controller. I wish I knew who was selling them at CGE, cause I want to pick up a couple more. They were $12-14 each, brand new in the box. Anyone knows who has them for sell, drop me a PM please.
Steve W
10-04-2008, 06:56 PM
Actually, Hat Trick is pretty close to the original arcade game. Too bad the original game wasn't all that impressive... You don't leave ice trails behind you when you're skating on the 7800 version, but other than that, it's all there. Which isn't much. Still, I kinda liked the arcade version back in the day, so it's nice to occasionally relive the experience.
Tupin
10-04-2008, 08:03 PM
Oh, I love Food Fight.
I remember there was going to be a port on the GCN a few years ago, but it got canceled because the GCN was dead by the time they had gotten the license and ideas hammered out.
The only games I hear that don't work on the 7800 are Tigervision games for some reason. Which really isn't a big deal, since the only Tigervision game I enjoy is Jawbreaker.
Do those European gamepads go on eBay on a decent basis?
As said above, some 7800 games have great co-op versions, Asteroids & Centipede being 2 I know of.
& while the 2600 has some decent games (Crystal Castles, Vanguard, etc etc) 7800 doesnt, you can always take advantage of the bkwd compatibility for those. Cant be said vice-versa, obviously.
To be fair, IIRC Imagic carts & Activision's RobotTank dont go too well w/ the 7800. I think I kept a 2600 around just for Demon Attack (but it's also on PS2 Activision Anthology, & RT's on it too).
& yes, 7800 Food Fight is worth getting a 7800 alone!
Frankie_Says_Relax
10-04-2008, 10:19 PM
2600 - woodgrain model if aesthetics are your thing ... polished up it's a really boss looking game console.
7800 - if console library is your thing, there are some downright fantastic arcade ports and a few killer original titles on 7800, and the list of incompatible 2600 games is pretty miniscule.
In case you really want to know, here's a list of what 2600 carts will not work on a 7800 (http://www.atariage.com/7800/faq/index.html#cat3_3).
Tupin
10-05-2008, 01:09 AM
In case you really want to know, here's a list of what 2600 carts will not work on a 7800 (http://www.atariage.com/7800/faq/index.html#cat3_3).
Thanks, that's very helpful.
Atarileaf
10-05-2008, 02:48 PM
I have 2 7800's; one with the expansion port and one without. Both play Robot Tank just fine. I'll be getting another 7800 in the mail this week hopefully so I'll try it again.
Anyone know if any of the 2600 homebrews will or will not work on a 7800? I ordered a Ladybug from AA and was wondering if it'll work or if I need to break out one of my 2600's to play it.
Ze_ro
10-05-2008, 02:53 PM
The 7800 is probably the better overall choice, since you get a larger library of games... but it'll be more expensive and harder to find than a standard 2600. The 2600 also has a nicer aesthetic quality, but that's just my opinion.
I would say take a look at the games that are available for the 7800. Unless there's something amazing in there that you don't want to go without, I'd say just get a 2600 and see how things go.
--Zero
I have 2 7800's; one with the expansion port and one without. Both play Robot Tank just fine. I'll be getting another 7800 in the mail this week hopefully so I'll try it again.
Yeah, apparently the 7800s manufactured in 1984 seem to be fully compatible (http://www.atariage.com/7800/faq/index.html#cat3_3). Later ones can have problems, including Robot Tank. (I take it from that link that you might get one manufactured post-'84 that works just fine, but that's my guess.)
I don't have one at all, so I can't say! Personally, I would go for a 2600 only because it completes the experience! Woodgrain, baby. :D
Tupin
10-05-2008, 07:16 PM
How hard to find are the European gamepad controllers?
Frankie_Says_Relax
10-05-2008, 08:05 PM
How hard to find are the European gamepad controllers?
It's easier to find a Sega Genesis controller, which I believe works fine on 90% of joystick based 2600 and 7800 games.
Tupin
10-05-2008, 08:39 PM
Are the 7800 versions of Xenophobe and Impossible Mission as bad as I hear?
Oh, the NTSC Impossible Mission has a bug that makes it impossible to beat. That's why it's so bad. Too bad the PAL version can't play on a NTSC 7800.
Atarileaf
10-06-2008, 08:17 AM
Are the 7800 versions of Xenophobe and Impossible Mission as bad as I hear?
Oh, the NTSC Impossible Mission has a bug that makes it impossible to beat. That's why it's so bad. Too bad the PAL version can't play on a NTSC 7800.
Appropriately named game isn't it ;)
BydoEmpire
10-06-2008, 10:41 AM
Another 7800 vote. I use mine mostly for 2600 games, but there are quiet a few great arcade ports for the 7800 that make it worth owning (Food Fight, Asteroids, etc). You can't go wrong either way, but the 7800 gives you more games so why not?
[Edit]The stock 7800 controllers are simply awful. Worse than the Inty, worse than the 5200, worse than the Colecovision. Almost completley unusable for me - my hands cramp up in about five minutes. I did pick up the Euro pads at CGE a few years ago, and they're much, much better. Plus, only a few games actually require two buttons, so if you get a couple of 2600 sticks you're good to go.
Tupin
10-06-2008, 04:31 PM
Appropriately named game isn't it ;)
Yeah, Atari must have taken it too literally.
brucebidder
10-06-2008, 05:01 PM
I still like my 2600 but it is nice to hook up the 7800 and be able to play both sets of games now if only it worked with the 5200 life would be perfect...:-P
I always liked 7800 Xenophobe. I cant get anywhere in the PS2 MAT2 vers, & I heard 7800 vers. is better than the NES.
Tupin
10-07-2008, 06:39 PM
I always liked 7800 Xenophobe. I cant get anywhere in the PS2 MAT2 vers, & I heard 7800 vers. is better than the NES.
Yeah, I've played both and I agree the 7800 version is better.
boatofcar
10-07-2008, 08:03 PM
I still like my 2600 but it is nice to hook up the 7800 and be able to play both sets of games now if only it worked with the 5200 life would be perfect...:-P
Are there any good 5200 games that weren't ported to the 7800?
Tupin
10-07-2008, 08:25 PM
Are there any good 5200 games that weren't ported to the 7800?
Most 7800 games are arcade ports. Really good arcade ports, but no ports of 5200 games.
I would say the 2600 for starters for sure. A great system with hundreds of great games. But, Food Fight and the 7800 is hard to pass up. Food Fight is my personal favorite on the 7800. But, I would trade 1 game for many any day. Especially witha system that pioneered the video gaming industry. As far as the backward compatibility the 7800 offers, there still is nothing like playing a game on its original platform. Hard to explain but it just feels more genuine.
The Manimal
10-08-2008, 06:38 PM
Another 7800 vote. I use mine mostly for 2600 games, but there are quiet a few great arcade ports for the 7800 that make it worth owning (Food Fight, Asteroids, etc). You can't go wrong either way, but the 7800 gives you more games so why not?
[Edit]The stock 7800 controllers are simply awful. Worse than the Inty, worse than the 5200, worse than the Colecovision. Almost completley unusable for me - my hands cramp up in about five minutes. I did pick up the Euro pads at CGE a few years ago, and they're much, much better. Plus, only a few games actually require two buttons, so if you get a couple of 2600 sticks you're good to go.
I actually like the 7800 controllers, but only for certain 2600 games. The joystick works very well and smoothly...much smoother than the CX-24? But playing any game that uses more than barely any button pressing is quite painful.
Tupin
10-08-2008, 09:11 PM
Just checking, the 7800 is region-locked, right?
7th lutz
10-08-2008, 09:16 PM
Just checking, the 7800 is region-locked, right?
Yes, it is.
Tupin
10-08-2008, 09:25 PM
Yes, it is.
There goes playing a Impossible Mission that is actually possible.
The CX-40 is the standard Atari VCS joystick.
IIRC the CX-24 is the mini keypad for the 8 bit computers. Dont know why I know that.
Mitch
10-09-2008, 01:21 PM
There goes playing a Impossible Mission that is actually possible.
Swapping the BIOS to disable the lockout isn't very hard but it still doesn't help with the NTSC vs PAL issue. By the way, PAL 7800s don't have the lockout only the NTSC 7800s.
Someone did backport the PAL version of 7800 Impossible Mission to NTSC. If you own a CC2 or know someone who can make 7800 repros then you should be able to play it with no problem.
Mitch
Oh hey I got out my 7800 from storage for some final "goodbye" plays before I sell some games. My 2600 Demon Attack worked fine.
I had some scary moments at first, couldnt get a power on light, turns out I just had to jiggle the cord where it meets the actual plug. Didnt see any probs. to the naked eye though.
NytroSkull7
10-11-2008, 02:11 PM
I have to personally say "Get Both" unless you are tight on money or space then get the 7800 because you get play both the 2600 and 7800 libraries.
ApolloBoy
10-11-2008, 04:43 PM
Are there any good 5200 games that weren't ported to the 7800?
Berzerk
Countermeasure
Gremlins
Qix
Rescue on Fractalus (although a 7800 port was in the works)
Space Dungeon
Star Raiders
Want more?
Tupin
10-11-2008, 04:52 PM
Well, I got a 7800 with 24 7800 and 28 2600 games, and I must say, I am impressed. It doesn't work on my flatscreen, even though it has an RF port, so I'm using an old CRT.
The controllers really aren't that bad.
I never minded the 7800 ProLine controllers either, & they work fine as ColecoVision replacements (but you need one plugged into port 2 to select game difficulty).
At least it worked on CV SpacePanic the other day, each button does a different thing (left button digs holes, rt button fills holes)
Hey what 7800 games did you get?
Tupin
10-13-2008, 05:31 PM
I got 25 7800 games, and 28 2600 games.
I'll try to list them all.
7800:
Summer Games
Dark Chambers
Asteroids
Karateka
Choplifter
Hat Trick
Xenophobe
Donkey Kong Junior
One on One
Basketbrawl
Crossbow
Touchdown Football
Galaga
Pole Position II
Pete Rose Baseball
Aces of Aces
Mean 18
Fight Night
Barnyard Blaster
Ballblazer
Impossible Mission
Xevious
Super Huey
Donkey Kong
Centipede
F-18 Hornet
Winter Games
Food Fight
But wait, there's more!
2600:
Defender (Sears)
Yar's Revenge
Pac-Man
Jungle Hunt
Chopper Command
Galaxian
Starmaster
Frogger
Vanguard
Berzerk
Missile Command (Sears)
Adventure (Sears)
Midnight Magic
Moon Patrol
Space Invaders (Red label)
Super Breakout
Pitfall
Venture
Dragonfire
Demon Attack
Kaboom!
Keystone Kapers
Ms. Pac-Man
California Games
I think that's all of them. :roll:
niolani
10-13-2008, 08:34 PM
Well, since my Atari 2600 isn't working, I play all my games on the 7800 using a Wico joystick.
My dad recently got me an Atari 2600 jr. I tried it and it doesn't work well. Maybe it need to be cleaned. I'll do that when I'll have.
If you just want to play games, you should get a 7800. If you hate the controllers, just use a 2600 joystick like I do.
Awesome score on the games!
PM sent.