Which would you get?

[betamax001]

If you could choose one which would it be: Atari 2600, Colecovision, or TurboGrafx 16. I'm thinking about buying one of the three and I would like some input. I will be going to a game store in Chicago late next week and would like to pick up one of these systems.

[Flashback2012]

I voted Turbografx-16. There are some fun HuCard games out there for the system like Pac-Land, Galaga '90, Blazing Lazers, Chew-Man-Fu, and the Alien/Devil's Crush games. There's more than that obviously but that's just to give you an idea. I do loves me some Colecovision and grew up on the Atari 2600 but I wouldn't hesitate to get a TG-16 over those.

[stonecutter]

Well...... you may be able to pick up a Colecovision with the adaptor to play the Atari 2600 games and then satisfy 2 of your 3 desires. That would be my first attempt. Otherwise I am not sure how far you are from Chicago, but you may want to consider your local market for getting either of those types of games, unless you are happy shopping on the internet. If you are happy to shop on the internet, you are already participating at one of your best resources for games right here at DP with the buy/sell/trade action here.

[Eyedunno]

Also voted TG16, especially if you can find an adapter for PC Engine games.

[josekortez]

TG-16 is the hardest one to find in the wild as far as I can tell. Colecovision might be easier to find. If the price is right, I might get both.

[Arasoi]

If money isnt an issue, go TG16. Depends a lot on what your taste in games is too though.

[betamax001]

Well...... you may be able to pick up a Colecovision with the adaptor to play the Atari 2600 games and then satisfy 2 of your 3 desires. That would be my first attempt. .

That's not a bad idea...I just wish the Coleco had wood grain LOL But it is pretty snazzy otherwise. It depends how much the Coleco is. Its probably like 47 or something. I know at my local Play N Trade they had some Coleco carts mixed with their Atari 2600 carts, so I hope no one buys Mr Do for Coleco thinking it will play on their Atari.

[Mathius]

Turbografx all the way, brother!! Behind the Neo-Geo it is a retro gamer's dream machine! I got mine a year ago and I have never looked back. Easy choice in my book.

[otoko]

I agree on the Colecovision, just because you can shoot down two in one. The Colecovision is also a great system, but on the otherside it is quite bulky.. it is bigger than xbox!...

Hmm... for my money though if you are willing to work on the internet to find games, Go with Turbografx.

If you want games that are easier to find, Colecovision.

Do you live in a Chicago suburb? I know of two PnTs near me.

[Emperor Megas]

TG-16, all the way. Seriously, it's never even close. The Turbo Grafx is one of my favorite systems of all time -- there are some real gems in the TG-16 library, infinitely more so if you get a CD add-on.

On the other hand, I'd personally hold out for a Duo system if I know that I was in the market for a Turbo Grafx console, which might make the Colecovision look a little more appealing for now. In any event, the Atari 2600 is in dead last place with me. 2600's are a dime a dozen, and nothing you can't pick up virtually anytime.

[betamax001]

Do you live in a Chicago suburb? I know of two PnTs near me.

I'm not sure if you call Woodstock a suburb, but the one I go to is in Crystal Lake if that matters. If you are looking for the Coleco games, they were scary dirty.

[Arkhan]

I would pick the Turbo Grafx-16 in a heartbeat.

It's got the largest, most diverse library of games, that offer the most depth.

The atari may have MORE games, but they're atari games. The limitations of the system result in simple, repetitive games.... yeah they're fun, but man they get old fast sometimes.

TG gives you all the shooters, beat em ups, puzzle, RPGs, ... all with better quality than Coleco and Atari

[otoko]

I'm not sure if you call Woodstock a suburb, but the one I go to is in Crystal Lake if that matters. If you are looking for the Coleco games, they were scary dirty.

Not really, I was wondering because there are two near me and I used to go through Woodstock on my way to college regularly. Curious cause it's always cool to find local persons of the games.

[cyberfluxor]

Colecovision is the only one in that list I have still yet to ever buy. Whenever I spot them they're quite expensive and usually with either no games, or a few that aren't appealing. Whenever I find carts and games it's generally the sports, Donkey Kong, or once more unappealing titles. So, from my experience I wouldn't get super involved in it unless you were going the Net route and ordering items.

The TG-16 is great and a number of titles to check out that will keep your attention. The down-side is price and rarity as I doubt you will spot titles often. They are desirable so a demand will be there for some time down the road as well if you ever needed to trade/sell to get other games.

The VCS is boss of most other systems. It's so dirt cheap and common (despite some crazy Craigslist and flea market sellers) so it's a library you can expand real fast. Cart-only is a good route considering their labeling and how many you can snag in bulk auctions in such a condition. Sure, many games offer the attention span of a gnat compared to more modern games, but quantity will bring in a few gems that'll keep your attention.

So yea, VCS.

[Leo_A]

The Atari 2600 is the best of the three. So it's an easy choice.

[MachineGex]

The Harmony cart for the Atari 2600 makes this an easy choice for me. Lots of great two player games on the old Atari!!!
Make sure to get the new Harmony Cart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNMYVhqdT4&feature=related

[TheDomesticInstitution]

I have yet to see a Coleco in the wild, so I can't comment on it. Atari will be cheap and easy to collect for, but the TG-16 probably has the most playability for modern gamers- but harder and more expensive to collect for.

If you enjoy the primitive nature of the games on the 2600, then I wouldn't hesitate as you can build a library fast.

On the other hand if you can get a great deal on a TG-16 or Coleco, you may want to hop on it because they don't come-up in the wild that often. Coleco games are also much easier to find than HU cards, although they look a lot like 2600 carts.

[Gameguy]

I would suggest the Turbografx if you can find it along with some games, it's really a fun system.

[Jeff-20]

Aw, I misread the title of this thread as "Which would you eat?"

[Breetai]

Looks like similar results and comments as you've had elsewhere!

TG-16, or get the 2600 and get a PC Engine/Turbo Duo down the road?

[csgx1]

If money isnt an issue, go TG16. Depends a lot on what your taste in games is too though.

Well if money isn't as issue, then why not get all three?;)

As for choosing one system, I too voted for TG16. It's my all time favorite system with so many great games to choose from. Splatterhouse, Bonk, and Military Madness are my favorites.

[mobiusclimber]

Another vote for TG16. Obviously if you prefer pre-NES type games, then you want a 2600. Not sure how easy it is to find the adapter for the Coleco that lets you play 2600 games, so that might not be the route to go unless you really need to save on space (which renders the whole "you can get two consoles at once" argument moot).

Personally, those old pre-NES titles don't do anything for me, so not sure my vote really counts. I'd just rather play Splatterhouse or Neutopia than KC Munchkin or Pong.

[edit: And also if you decide you want TG CD games down the line, get a PC Engine Duo-R or RX. That way you can play PCE hu-cards as well, and it's gonna be cheaper than getting a Turbo Duo.]

[Greg2600]

2600 all the way. Endless amount of titles to choose from. Harmony cart option. Atari Flashback is an option. 2600's are cheap, reliable, and classic. Colecovision suffers from lousy control and poor reliability. Not recommended to the casual gamer. TG-16 be my guest, but there are so few games on cartridge. NES and SMS or Genesis are superior IMO. TG-16 much more expensive for games, harder to find.

[Steve W]

I voted for the Turbo. I love my Atari 2600, but for those of us who didn't grow up with it, it might be too primitive. The Colecovision has serious issues with longevity, since they were built with the absolutely cheapest components available. The TurboGraphx-16 has really interesting games. They all have a weird Japanese vibe about them that makes them feel kind of exotic. And the gameplay of its titles will be deeper than anything on the 2600 or Colecovision.