If you collect all games, what are the oldest that you actually play?

[Mason P.]

I was thinking on starting to collect some of the "really old systems/pong machines" and I started to think i don't really like to play anything pre-NES. I would just have the old stuff sitting on a shelf. Now i wonder how old are the games you play compared to how old are the games you collect? Do you collect all the "old stuff" but find you really don't play it?

[Bojay1997]

I was thinking on starting to collect some of the "really old systems/pong machines" and I started to think i don't really like to play anything pre-NES. I would just have the old stuff sitting on a shelf. Now i wonder how old are the games you play compared to how old are the games you collect? Do you collect all the "old stuff" but find you really don't play it?

In recent years, the amount of time I have spent playing older games has been reduced significantly. I first started collecting in 1987 and at that time, systems like the 2600, Intellivision and Colecovision were old enough that they were already looking very dated, but not quite so old that the games were unplayable. By the late 90s and early 2000s, my classic game playing became something that I rarely did and in fact I looked forward to classic gaming meets or CGE since I would actually have the opportunity to play classic games without having to drag my systems and games out. Like a lot of people, I also bought classic game compilations for various newer systems and would inevitably play them a few times and then pack them away. Nowadays, I would say I rarely play older games and anything older than the PS2 or Xbox doesn't get played at all. Having said that, I definitely collect more of the older stuff and I would say that a lot of the stuff you can buy on PSN or Xbox Live plays like classic games and so I get my fix that way. If you have space and the interest in collecting older stuff, I say go for it, but ultimately, the amount of time you will spend playing it if you also own and play newer games might not be worth it.

[Ed Oscuro]

I don't actively collect anything I'm not interested in playing. I bought an Atari 2600 and a handful of games off a forumer some time ago, but I've yet to plug it in. I will sometime, though.

[thom_m]

The oldest system I have is an Atari 2600 and, although it doesn't get the same play time as the others, I do plug it in very often to play Enduro, Keystone Capers, and lots of Freeway against the wife (she's really good). I'm also planning to give River Raid some serious attention sometime. I love the game, but suck at it.

That, and it's the only console allowed to sit beside the television on the TV Rack of Mild Destruction - the other ones rest is the space right below the set. My wife says it looks "vintage", way cooler then the others, and therefore deserves to be a part of the living room decoration... :)

[ToddofDoom]

I have the most difficulty finding an opportunity to play older handhelds like the Game Gear. (Despite the fact that they are created to be played anywhere at any time)

I rotate console systems every couple weeks. About the only system I don't play very often is my Saturn and that's because I've had a hard time finding games for it. (For some reason Saturn games are very hard to find here)

[Gunface]

Excluding emulators, the oldest console I find myself playing regularly is PS2. I know, I'm shameful.

But eventually I'll be getting to some of the Saturn games that are waiting on the shelf.

It's not that I don't play the older consoles, I just don't play them very often.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

With the occasional bout of Missle Command on the Jr., it's mostly NES and above. The two systems I currently play the most of are the PS3 and the NES.

[MrSparkle]

Oldest system i both own and play would have to be intellivision. I dont spend alot of time playing it but i break it out more than my other pre nes systems. I just bought an RCA Studio 2 which im thinking wont get much use after the initial session, it is renowned for being awful lol. Oh and it doesnt have the switchbox and uses a power system similar to the 5200 where the power comes from the switch box luckily i did find a schematic for the box so i can just take a stab at building my own. I do actually break out and play some older handhelds though i personally love my coleco electronic quarter back handheld.

[hellfire]

The oldest I play is nes

[Pantechnicon]

I collect most actively for the Atari 2600 and yes, I play it quite regularly.

If there's a disparity in my play/collect ratio, it's pretty much in any system from the 90's that I happen to own. I'm all over the 1980's and everything from PS2 up, but something buried in my subconscious keeps me from giving 90's consoles the kind of love which I see (and wholly respect) a lot of other people here affording them.

[Aussie2B]

I'll never understand the point of collecting older games and yet playing almost nothing but new stuff, which actually seems pretty common around here. I feel bad for anyone that can't appreciate the joy of playing classic games every bit as much as modern stuff. Heck, if anything, I'm the other way around. I keep buying modern games, yet after a brief try, they usually sit on my shelves unplayed so many years that they become "retro" by the time I play them too. :P I still have loads of N64 and PS1 games that I bought new and haven't played more than a few minutes.

I don't have any limit on how old my gaming is either. I'll happily give anything a go, but if I look at what I play most frequently over the years, it would probably be SNES and PlayStation. I generally don't put too much time into pre-NES games as they don't tend to have an end goal and I'm not obsessive about improving scores, but they're great for short bursts of fun now and then. If you have trouble getting into pre-NES games, you should give Colecovision a try. In terms of hardware capabilities, it's not such a shock to go from NES to that as to, say, Atari 2600. And since you can play 2600 carts on Colecovision with the proper module, it can be a great entry point to pre-crash gaming. It also has some good conversions of Japanese-developed arcade games from Nintendo, Sega, Konami, etc., so if you're used to the Japanese school of design on NES, that too makes it an easier transition.

[sebastiankirchoff]

My oldest console is my Atari 2600, and I play it every once in a while just for some Missile Command or Pac Man. I mostly play my NES, SNES and PlayStation, though I also play my PS2 and XB 360 a lot also. The console I play the least is probably the Genesis and the Saturn, just because I am not a big fan of the controllers.

[Bojay1997]

I'll never understand the point of collecting older games and yet playing almost nothing but new stuff, which actually seems pretty common around here. I feel bad for anyone that can't appreciate the joy of playing classic games every bit as much as modern stuff. Heck, if anything, I'm the other way around. I keep buying modern games, yet after a brief try, they usually sit on my shelves unplayed so many years that they become "retro" by the time I play them too. :P I still have loads of N64 and PS1 games that I bought new and haven't played more than a few minutes.

I don't have any limit on how old my gaming is either. I'll happily give anything a go, but if I look at what I play most frequently over the years, it would probably be SNES and PlayStation. I generally don't put too much time into pre-NES games as they don't tend to have an end goal and I'm not obsessive about improving scores, but they're great for short bursts of fun now and then. If you have trouble getting into pre-NES games, you should give Colecovision a try. In terms of hardware capabilities, it's not such a shock to go from NES to that as to, say, Atari 2600. And since you can play 2600 carts on Colecovision with the proper module, it can be a great entry point to pre-crash gaming. It also has some good conversions of Japanese-developed arcade games from Nintendo, Sega, Konami, etc., so if you're used to the Japanese school of design on NES, that too makes it an easier transition.

The point is the same as collecting almost anything. It reminds you of the past or a different or happier time or you just like to show it off to other people.

It's not necessarily that those of us who play classic games less don't appreciate them, it's that there is so much other stuff to play and frankly do nowadays, that taking ten minutes to set up a system you are only going to play for ten minutes seems like a waste of time. You even admit that you don't spend very long playing classic games when you do play them, so I don't think you should be pointing the finger at those of us who admit to not playing them very much.

The thing about it is that many of the best modern games employ the same kind of playability and even play mechanics as classic games, so it's not like by playing modern games anyone is turning their back on the classics or denying that they are fun also. Having said that, if someone is unsure about collecting classic games, it's probably better not to. There are plenty of other ways to play classic games without spending the time and money on the actual article nowadays.

[LifeGame]

I dont really play anything pre-nes since i grew up with the NES.

[apogee_vgc]

I play a few of the older game machines but usually on a direct to tv system anymore, its a lot easier than hooking up the real thing. As for actual old consoles I spend most of my game time playing the sega genesis or the super nintendo.

[Cobra Commander]

I have a few old Pong TV games, but they're mostly just here for looks. I have several Atari's and I have 1 hooked up to play, but the NES is usually as classic as I get.
I do often get nostalgic and pull out Frogs and Flies or Word Zapper. Those are 2 games I could play forever on a deserted island if I had to.

[scooterb23]

This exact question is what I asked myself a while ago. When I discovered what the answer was...I decided that it was time to piece out the stuff I didn't play.

I either play my Commodore 64, or Odyssey 2 the most often. With 2600 and Genesis close behind.

I find that the only stuff I really play is Genesis and before, and not even all of that. That Saturn - Dreamcast - XBox era...I hold almost no interest in anymore.

[Gunface]

I'll never understand the point of collecting older games and yet playing almost nothing but new stuff, which actually seems pretty common around here. I feel bad for anyone that can't appreciate the joy of playing classic games every bit as much as modern stuff.

I'll definitely play all the old games I buy, but unfortunately I don't have time to play nearly the amount I want to. The 360 and the PS2 are the only systems I have set up at the moment, so when I have time, I play them. One of these days I'll get to all my other systems.

There is an indescribable joy to just having awesome old games too though. I love collecting just as much as I love playing.

[Steve W]

I've been in the mood for collecting Atari, Colecovision, and Intellivision games in the past couple of years. Out of those three, it's probably the Colecovision that I play the least, just because of it's uncomfortable controller. That, and I rarely find anything new to play on it. Atari games can be found fairly easily as of late, and Intellivision games to some extent. Nearly all commons, of course. But Coleco games are really hard to source around here, and the few places that have them only have dirt common stuff.

[swlovinist]

Oldest that I play occasionally is Pong and Pong variants, followed by Atari 2600.

[NES_Rules]

Some of my oldest games are from '76, but the oldest I play on a regular basis is the NES. The only thing older that I play is the occasional game of Warlords on the 2600. I've actually been contemplating selling off al my CV and INTV stuff and 98% of my Atari stuff. It really just takes up more room than it's worth to me anymore.

[makaar]

As mentioned by above, I rotate generally, but alone I usually don't play too many older ones. I will play with friends from all game eras, like Atari 2600 Boxing or Hockey. Some slightly older ones I play as Bushido Blade 2, we have tournaments, still, and my kids play just about anything...including Atari 2600 or NES but they typically favor 3D games like 64 or newer (spoiled brats! :) )

[Rickstilwell1]

I on the other hand actually play it all. I mean a little bit of everything. On Fairchild Channel F, I like the game Dodge It. And if I could find that rare Alien Invasion game I would like it as I have played the rom.

I haven't found anything I really like on RCA Studio II yet, but according to its history, I don't think very many people appreciated that system from the start because the Fairchild was so much better and came out first. I would say the most playable RCA Studio II game I have seen yet is the built-in bowling game.

Everything beyond those has the handful of arcade ports and a few original titles that I go back and play. Every version of the same game feels like a different experience, be it the graphical differences or the unique controllers.

I grew up with NES, Genesis and SNES at first. But I started with the handheld Entex Space Invader, so it was there I learned that games made before the NES ones were also very fun.

It's not nostalgia for me, it's interest in exploring the time before I was born and giving everything a try.

I also have interest in trying out any systems that came out when I was alive, but just never got to try when they were new.

I was able to find something I liked on each of the systems, even the CD-i (Tetris and Mutant Rampage: Bodyslam) so I think I was meant to be a collector who does it for enjoyment of the products themselves.

[Sabz5150]

My 2600 is on my computer desk hooked to a small 80's TV... like to get in a round or two of Berzerk or Star Trek while compiling or downloading :)

I play practically everything I own, although my Lynx and Dreamcast have been gathering a bit more dust than the others.

[Jimid2]

I play my Nintendo Game & Watches and my MB Microvision all the time, so that's going back to 1978 or so... I have the three Atari Flashbacks for when I want to get really retro, but they only get plugged in a couple times a year, each... Most of the handhelds I have get substantial play time, but the NES is about the oldest console I'll play, and the TG-16 is the oldest console I play a lot... In fact, after all these years, the TG-16/TurboExpress still has some of my favorite games to play, and there's always a Turbografx-16 hooked up to one of our TVs...

That being said, although we have multiples of several handheld systems (Lynxes, Game Gears, the aforementioned Game & Watches, PSPs, DSs and, of course, several Gameboys in all their iterations), the only console we keep two of out and hooked up to seperate TVs is the Dreamcast...

[deltoidsteep]

the oldest i have is a telstar but i get the most use out of my 360, ps2, ds and genesis. and while i have a colecovision and 2600, i generally dont do any collecting for anything older than my nes

[XYXZYZ]

I collect most actively for the Atari 2600 and yes, I play it quite regularly.

If there's a disparity in my play/collect ratio, it's pretty much in any system from the 90's that I happen to own. I'm all over the 1980's and everything from PS2 up, but something buried in my subconscious keeps me from giving 90's consoles the kind of love which I see (and wholly respect) a lot of other people here affording them.

You know, after reading your post I just realized that 99% of the 90s gaming I do (rather regularly) is strictly arcade games. Most of what I played in the 90s were SNES RPGs and arcade ports. I no longer play RPGs, and after making three MAME machines the ports just don't do it anymore.

And about a year or two ago I was on a big Sega Saturn import kick, I need to fire the ol' boy up again for some Keio Yugekitai.

[pseudonym]

I like the Atari 2600, Coleco, and Intellivision, but I usually play the NES and newer consoles on a regular basis.

[MissingNo_1231]

I collect whatever I can find and afford.

The oldest working system I've got is an Atari 7800 (or is the NES older than that?). When I finally got it working, I played some Frogger on it, and that was the only game I played for like a week. I think, aside from the annoying controller, it's a great system, and I would play it a lot more if I had more games for it. I'm looking for a copy of Ninja Golf.

I also have a Magnavox Odyssey 2, but I need to get some video cables for it to see if it actually works. I think I'd play that one quite a bit, actually.

[murdoc rose]

I collected anything and have played a lot of atari especially in the height of collecting for it. I remember buying boxes of like 100 or 200 2600 games and siting down and palying the ones I'd never played before its still a great classic system. I did play my apf some and my pong system but not very much, I was also kind of afraid to play my astrocade too much so 2600 is really your best for actual game play but the other stuff is new and exciting to play for a little while

[izarate]

The oldest system I own is a 2600 and I still dust it from time to time, mainly to play Missile Command and Defender. I have around 50 games for it but I think that I've played just 15 or so. From my old systems (90s and older) the most I play is the SNES and I play it even more than recent stuff.

That being said, I have a handful of systems with no games (Neo Geo Pocket, Lynx, Game Gear, Atari XE, Commodore 64C, Commodore 16) and some games with no system (Jaguar, CD-i, Coleco, 5200, 7800) that I just bought because they were really really cheap, like less than $5 at flea markets. I don't really have any interest in them but I guess that even if I don't play them I could sell or exchange them, if I ever get bored of seeing them in the shelf. :)

[Cryomancer]

Vectrex! Nothing else is like it.

[lkermel]

I do play with my older systems (2600, Intellivision etc...) from time to time but I definitively spend a lot more time on my Famicom and PC Engine, that's for sure. Maybe because I purchased most of my older games a while back and have played them to death - but they're all phases, they pass and go, sometimes I get the urge to get my Vectrex out of its box and play some Minestorm action. Go figure. At the end, I spend as much time with my PS3 than I do with my older systems.

[2Dskillz]

Vectrex! Nothing else is like it.

You lucky fool.

For me, like most posting on this thread the 2600 is the oldest system I currently own. I cycle all of my older consoles on a TV that sits on my desk next to my PC. I play the 2600 about as much as any of the others, but lately I am very interested in the tail end of the 8 bit era leading into 16 so I have been bouncing between the NES, Master System, TG-16 alot. If I had older systems they would gladly fall into rotation as well.

Recently a friend picked me up some complete in box intellivision games, so once I get those I may be hunting an intellivision.

I do not think collecting the classics requires you to play them, as some people have Car collections, Vacuum collections etc... It is for not only nostalgia, but also for the museum-like quality of offering a complete look at something.

[kaedesdisciple]

I have most of my older stuff (Coleco, 2600) boxed up, so most of the classic gaming I do is via a rombox I have connected to the TV. I will occasionally break the actual systems out, but having them set up via VGA and the RetroZone USB connectors with real SNES controllers do the job pretty well.

[Roganjohn]

Vectrex! Nothing else is like it.

Fuck Yeah!

like a lot have already said, i only collect what i play. if i don't play it anymore, i sell it.

i don't usually play anything newer than an N64, and i don't even own one of them any more. in fact, i only kept my NES, SNES and Amiga 500 before i sold my collection and went travelling 2.5 years ago. and am still going....

but i owned a vectrex in montreal and that was totally sweet....

[Aussie2B]

The point is the same as collecting almost anything. It reminds you of the past or a different or happier time or you just like to show it off to other people.

I don't really get that either. I think somebody's priorities are a little off if they collect something just for the bragging rights. And nostalgia is great, but if someone loves said games from their childhood so much, why wouldn't they play them? Also, while with traditional collectibles like stamps or coins all you can do is look at them, games can be enjoyed in much greater ways than simply storing them on a shelf, so why would someone not want to get full enjoyment out of them? I'd imagine most people that collect music CDs or movies or what have you listen to/watch them all sooner or later. I'm not saying I don't think people should be allowed to collect games just to shelf them, but nothing will ever make me understand it.


It's not necessarily that those of us who play classic games less don't appreciate them, it's that there is so much other stuff to play and frankly do nowadays, that taking ten minutes to set up a system you are only going to play for ten minutes seems like a waste of time. You even admit that you don't spend very long playing classic games when you do play them, so I don't think you should be pointing the finger at those of us who admit to not playing them very much.

No need to take offense, man. I'm not trying to "point the finger" at anyone, and that's not what I'm getting at. Everybody is busy, and gaming time in general can be hard to find. It's doesn't matter if someone spends 10 minutes or 10 hours on a game, I just find it sad when people find new games more "worthwhile" to play than older games. Myself, I see no difference at all. I don't think a brand new game is more worth my attention than an older one. I mean, that brand new game is going to get old sooner or later too, but does that mean it's not worth attention anymore then? How did the game change any? It's exactly the same as it was at launch, so to me it's worth playing just as little or just as much as it was from the get-go, no matter how old it gets.

[kaedesdisciple]

...
I just find it sad when people find new games more "worthwhile" to play than older games. Myself, I see no difference at all. I don't think a brand new game is more worth my attention than an older one. I mean, that brand new game is going to get old sooner or later too, but does that mean it's not worth attention anymore then? How did the game change any? It's exactly the same as it was at launch, so to me it's worth playing just as little or just as much as it was from the get-go, no matter how old it gets.

I think online gaming has changed the dynamic quite a bit. Getting online with a new hot game when a lot of other people are playing it can improve one aspect of the game for many people. While the game software may be exactly the same as it was a few years after launch, the support of the online community, which could be a dealbreaker for some, would not be the same so long after release.

[retro junkie]

I only go back as far as NES and Turbo Grafx 16. I have gone totally retro in my gaming habits, no present generation stuff except for DS. I just purchased Rabio Lepus for my TG 16 with convertor, and Little Nemo for NES, added both to my gaming collection.

[Aussie2B]

I think online gaming has changed the dynamic quite a bit. Getting online with a new hot game when a lot of other people are playing it can improve one aspect of the game for many people. While the game software may be exactly the same as it was a few years after launch, the support of the online community, which could be a dealbreaker for some, would not be the same so long after release.

That's a good point. I generally ignore that factor since I don't really play games online at all. I kind of see that as a negative myself. Giving a game a shelf life like that which causes them to be far less enjoyable later on stinks, but I guess it's better than not having online play in the first place. Although, what's even worse is when you need to connect with someone to unlock something, like these DS games that expect you to use the wi-fi service to get bonus stuff in the main game that you can't access through any other means.

[Daria]

*regularly jumps from NES titles to 360 games and back again*

But then I'm awesome.

[smork]

Oldest systems I have played this month are my Vectrex (have one set up on my dining table right now!) and Super Cassette Vision (1984-ish).

[guitargary75]

I still play my 2600 and intel. It's all about the game play and not the graphics for me.

[Steve W]

Super Cassette Vision (1984-ish).
There's games worth playing on the Super Cassette Vision? From everything I've seen about the Cassette Vision games, they all look positively RCA Studio II quality fun-wise.

[darkslime]

My oldest system is the NES, but I honestly don't play any games older than last gen.

[Phyeir]

I have systems back to Commodore 64 and Atari 7800 (2600/7800 games) but really I tend to stick with between NES through this gen, with play time emhasis on 8-16 bit and the 128 bit gens. Those are my favorites (NES, SNS, and Dreamcast get the most time)

[muchomojo]

My oldest system is my 2600, and my newest is my PS2. I don't think I'll ever get into newer games. I prefer NES, SNES, Turbo Grafx, and PS1 though. I'm enjoying the Genesis and N64 more and more though.

[Flippy8490]

I have most of the consoles back to the Atari 2600, and i do play it quite a bit. I personally prefer my Genesis, however.

[RASK1904]

The oldest system I have hooked up and ready to0 go would be....... Atari 2600. I have all my systems hooked up through one of those boxes with buttons and my VCR running to my stereo with speakers in every corner. Ever listened to 2600 Pac-Man in stereo REAL loud. It's obnoxious!!!

[MachineGex]

Some of my favorite 2-players games are on the 2600. That system has so many great two players games. Indy 500, Slot Racers, Maze Craze, Warlords, etc.

The only problem is finding someone to play atari with me. My 5 yr old son is now good enough to enjoy some short rounds of Atari.

[abbub]

For me the ones I play the least tend to be the early transition to 3-D. That's a lot of the games on PS1, N64, and some Saturn and 3DO stuff. Actually, I'd say the 3DO probably gets the least love from me. It's interesting as a curiousity, but it's a pretty crap system, software-wise. A lot of those early 3-D games look more dated to my eyes than stuff from the 16-bit era. The early 8-bit stuff doesn't appeal to me as much as the 16-bit era, but there are still some fun games in there.

[mobiusclimber]

I don't play or collect anything older than the NES. I've tried playing Atari 2600 and Odyssey games in the past and just can't get into them. They're fine for a few minutes, but don't hold my interest longer than that.

[AB Positive]

I'm very spotty in my playing... but the oldest and the most played pre-NES system I have by far is the O2 - Pick Axe Pete for the win.

Next would be the 5200 - the only Atari system I ever took a real interest in. I know - terrible controllers, weird RF box... but I like it. Even though it's a monolith.

[Mason P.]

I talked to a guy today that said he was trying to a complete an Atari 2600 collection, but said he only can play the new stuff. He says he doesn't like the "look" of the old games, but remembers playing it when he was a kid. Just thought of my post. :)

[obesolete]

I play NES games on a regular basis.
My boyfriend and I have nights where we pick games and beat them with or without GG depending on how lazy we feel.

We pulled out the Atari and got all excited to play, but it turned out to be dead meat, and we haven't found a replacement yet.

[Chemdawg]

NES 8 bit is the oldest i play, but of all the older stuff 16bit games are my favorite. probably just cause thats what a played the most. i got my first NES when i was 5 but i didnt start gaming really till sega and SNES came out.

[Mason P.]

friendly bump to get more responses. :)

[Ed Oscuro]

I'll never understand the point of collecting older games and yet playing almost nothing but new stuff
TURN AND BURN BAYBEE

$$$ investments

I don't see it for many games, but hay. People were beating the rate on CDs with Kizuna Encounter, but that's much newer than the games we were talking about in this thread.

[Sonicwolf]

MULE for the Atari 8bit computer line. Very engaging game and it keeps you playing unlike many pre-nes games.


I play NES games on a regular basis.
My boyfriend and I have nights where we pick games and beat them with or without GG depending on how lazy we feel.

We pulled out the Atari and got all excited to play, but it turned out to be dead meat, and we haven't found a replacement yet.

YOUR DISPLAY PICTURE SCARES ME. Damned Skeleton scarlet o'hara from 'Uninvited' from the early days of the ST/Amiga computer era. Such a descriptive and creepy part of that game.

[VG_Maniac]

The NES is the oldest system I play on a regular basis. I have an Atari 2600 and an Intellivision...but I haven't fired either of them up in over 2 years.

[adam_devry]

I play my game boy color more then my ds. i do play my turbografix alot cause my 2 year old daughter loves play blazing lazers and keth courage of all things. I do but in streets of rage 3 some times and i have played FF9 but my 360 gets the most play right now

[jdc]

Even though I have earlier games and systems, our N64 still gets as much usage as it did when it was current. I like to play early pre-dualshock PSX games using the Sony digital controller. It's so light and minimalist.

[Nitrosport]

I own an odyssey and channel F but the oldest I actually play is the vcs and vectrex.

[Nebagram]

Oldest I play with any regularity are my Mega Drive (and to a lesser extent, the TG and the SNES). Master System and NES see occasional runouts, but extremely rare for older than that to see use.

[kupomogli]

Oldest I'll usually end up playing is NES. I'll sometimes play arcade Pac-Man when I go into town, but that's it. I'd like to play Donkey Kong but no arcades around here have it and I don't really like to emulate games on my PC.

[Mason P.]

few more

[Atarileaf]

I don't play or collect anything older than the NES. I've tried playing Atari 2600 and Odyssey games in the past and just can't get into them. They're fine for a few minutes, but don't hold my interest longer than that.

For me, thats one of its strongest points. I don't have to invest a lot of time to play Atari games. If I've got 5 minutes while waiting for something I can pop in Circus Atari or Seaquest.

[The 1 2 P]

I could never play anything older than the Nes and it is the oldest system I collect. I grew up on the Atari 2600 and later the 7800 but the games for those are so damn fugly and the controllers are so damn uncomfortable. I might one day get some rare games from those systems but never to play, just as a future investment.

[Leo_A]

I love this place for discussion on more modern consoles, but I'm glad places like AtariAge exist, I actually play consoles older than the NES (Not that there's anything wrong with not enjoying 2600 games and such, but I actually do enjoy them), so its nice to have places to chat about that stuff.

So my answer is I'll play anything as long as its a good game. Don't care if it was made in 1977 or 2009.

[Ed Oscuro]

Recently, it feels like the oldest games I play are parodies of old games ;)

(Retro Game Center, and while I haven't played it, Wii's Pole Adventure, go Sega! Making fun of the system it's going to...)

[ButtonMasher123]

The NES is as far back as I'll go. The many improvents made going from the Atari to the NES are just too hard to go without. There are a few exceptions though like Warlords because that game is just too damn cool.