Atari XE: Anyone own or played this?

[treismac]

I'm sorta curious about this thing. Are the games any fun? Is there any exclusive or version of a game that makes this Atari worth a look?

Also...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Atari_XEGS.jpg/800px-Atari_XEGS.jpg

Is it just me or is the XE kinda sexy?

[Jack7]

It is kinda sexy, but unfortunately I have not. I want to now tho

[Rickstilwell1]

Of all the Atari systems I liked my XEGS the best. I just felt the games ran smoother on it than the 7800. It had more games than the 7800 or the 5200. It had better graphics than the 2600 but was compatible with the 2600's joystick. Genesis controllers work with it making it easy for even 16-bit generation gamers to get into playing it.

When I sell it, it will be dearly missed.

[Edmond Dantes]

So... what is this thing, anyway?

[tom]

XEGS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_XEGS

[dendawg]

So... what is this thing, anyway?

It's essentially a repackaged 65XE. :vamp:

[Shingetter]

I really like the A8 version of Joust, I use a Genesis controller on my xegs.

[treismac]

It's essentially a repackaged 65XE. :vamp:

Apart from Google, I'd have no idea what that was either. ;)

I have never seen a single Atari computer in person, which I'd be willing to bet could be said by 75% of DP. Apart from the possibility of me snagging one off the internet one day, I imagine I never will see one. It seems like such an oddity to have in your collection- the sort of thing that would throw a curve to even another retro collector video game collector when you showed it to him or her. Practically speaking, I'd want to have more space in my collection room so that I could properly showcase the Atari XE if I was going to buy one, because buying one and playing it for an hour or two, and then putting it in a box and forgetting about it would seem top be such a waste of money.

[chrisbid]

for a newcomer, think of the atari 8-bit computer gaming line like this


the atari 5200 with 2600 joysticks



the xegs is a nice looking machine without a lot of computer clutter, but you can probably find cheaper models with more functionality. pretty much any 8 bit model (other than the 400) will play pretty much any game in the 8 bit line


as for the games, start with the 8 bit version of donkey kong. my favorite port of all time.

[tom]

Apart from Google, I'd have no idea what that was either. ;)

I have never seen a single Atari computer in person, which I'd be willing to bet could be said by 75% of DP. Apart from the possibility of me snagging one off the internet one day, I imagine I never will see one. It seems like such an oddity to have in your collection- the sort of thing that would throw a curve to even another retro collector video game collector when you showed it to him or her. Practically speaking, I'd want to have more space in my collection room so that I could properly showcase the Atari XE if I was going to buy one, because buying one and playing it for an hour or two, and then putting it in a box and forgetting about it would seem top be such a waste of money.

But that's for the majority of kids nowadays, a Apple ][, A8 or C64 is nothing but way distant memories, if at all.

[treismac]

But that's for the majority of kids nowadays, a Apple ][, A8 or C64 is nothing but way distant memories, if at all.

I loved my C64 dearly. Hell, I use to fire up games just to listen to Galway and Hubbard's masterpieces. There were also a good many people I knew who owned Commodore 64s, too. Along with the PET, they were the computer of choice at my grade school.

Also, to give you some perspective on my age, I was born a year before the Atari 400 and 800 were released. Who knows... maybe everyone threw their Atari computers out when they upgraded to Commodore 64s.

[madman77]

One of the ugliest "consoles" ever IMO. Better off just getting an 800XL or other Atari 8-bit computer. As another user pointed out, it is basically an atari 5200 with joysticks that aren't total crap.

[treismac]

One of the ugliest "consoles" ever IMO.

Fair enough. What would you consider to be an attractive looking console then?

[Rickstilwell1]

Fair enough. What would you consider to be an attractive looking console then?

Maybe he likes the way the ugly RCA Studio II looks. hahahaha

[madman77]

Fair enough. What would you consider to be an attractive looking console then?
The shape is cool in an 80s way, but those pastel buttons are just way out of place. Does it play video games or create embroidery? I'd even go so far as to say the Jaguar w/CD add-on is better looking than the XEGS.

[treismac]

Maybe he likes the way the ugly RCA Studio II looks. hahahaha

I just googled that, and now I have to wash my eyeballs with acid.

[Greg2600]

The XEGS is not one of the more popular systems. The previous XL systems looked nicer anyhow.

[InsaneDavid]

Apart from Google, I'd have no idea what that was either. ;)

I have never seen a single Atari computer in person, which I'd be willing to bet could be said by 75% of DP.

MAN, how times have changed. LOL

[treismac]

So... gauging from some of your comments, the Atari computers were fairly widespread or, at the very least, not uncommon. I was unaware. With that being said, it should be no wonder that I never saw an Atari XE Game System since it hit the scene around the same time as the market dominating NES. Hell, I've only seen two Sega Master Systems in person in my life. Another factor that might explain my skewed perception of the 8-bit computer market is that I'm an INFP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INFP) which means that I've always been content to have a small handful of friends, greatly reducing the chances of me running into too many video game systems.

[TurboGenesis]

a picture of my XEGS…

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa231/Sonic__R/54f41e3b.jpg

it also has a light gun, which is compatible with the Atari 7800 light gun games… (though, not the most accurate light gun ever made)

[treismac]

a picture of my XEGS…

*picture omitted*

it also has a light gun, which is compatible with the Atari 7800 light gun games… (though, not the most accurate light gun ever made)

Do you have it from when it was originally released or did you pick it up when you got into retro gaming/collecting?

Also, apart from Donkey Kong, which is supposed to be a considerable slice of awesome, what games justify the system?

[Rickstilwell1]

Do you have it from when it was originally released or did you pick it up when you got into retro gaming/collecting?

Also, apart from Donkey Kong, which is supposed to be a considerable slice of awesome, what games justify the system?

Pretty much any and every arcade port is awesome on it

[tom]

So... gauging from some of your comments, the Atari computers were fairly widespread or, at the very least, not uncommon. I was unaware. With that being said, it should be no wonder that I never saw an Atari XE Game System since it hit the scene around the same time as the market dominating NES. Hell, I've only seen two Sega Master Systems in person in my life. Another factor that might explain my skewed perception of the 8-bit computer market is that I'm an INFP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INFP) which means that I've always been content to have a small handful of friends, greatly reducing the chances of me running into too many video game systems.

Of course, during the 80s in USA the trio 8-bitters (computers) were C64, A8, Apple ][
In UK: Spectrum, C64, A8
In Germany C64, A8, CPC
Rest of the world, who cared?

[tom]

NES ruled due to 3 years of hard work from Nintendo and bullying shops not to stock any other system. Systems like the XEGS didn't stand a chance. NES introduced communism into the USA

[chrisbid]

http://videogamecritic.net/xe.htm


not a definitive list, but the video game critic is always a great starting point when trying to find out which games of an unknown system are worth buying and playing



and keep in mind, when collecting for the atari 8 bit, you can keep it simple and use the machine like a console. hook it up to your tv and play only cart based games (this is what i do)... or you can hook it to a monitor and buy a disk drive, or tape drive or homebrew hardware to use sd cards and play more complex computer style games.

[treismac]

http://videogamecritic.net/xe.htm


not a definitive list, but the video game critic is always a great starting point when trying to find out which games of an unknown system are worth buying and playing

Awesome link! Thank you.

[Atarileaf]

I have two of these and even though the composite out on the XEGS looks superior, I still prefer my 800XL for playing the games. There's a keyboard and light gun that came with the system too and the keyboard is necessary for certain games so getting any XEGS as was pictured in this thread isn't the total hardware needed. Personally I hate the pastel easter egg buttons.

[Atarileaf]

MAN, how times have changed. LOL

LOL, no kidding :D

[MachineGex]

I love the system. I got into it a few years back and have picked up some really fun games. Like everyone else said, basically any Atari Computer cart will work on it so you have a HUGE library to pick from.....