Atari 7800 101

[Graham Mitchell]

So, my fiancee's mom tells me she can produce an Atari 7800 for me in the box. I'm excited, but the thing is that I don't really know too much about this machine, and I have a few questions I was hoping all you experts could answer for me, like:

--I've heard this machine is backwards-compatible with the 2600 and 5200. Is that true?

--I know this system was applauded for really good ports of arcade games that had appeared on other Atari systems in numerous other permutations (Dig Dug, Ms. Pac Man, etc.) Are there any "essential" games that are lesser-known that I should be looking for?

--Was Impossible Mission released for this machine (I seem to remember that being true...)?

Any other advice anybody could give me about this machine would be greatly appreciated. When this thing was released I was probably reading Nintendo Power or something, so I know nothing about it.

Thanks!! :D

[lym]

Yes it plays 2600 games not sure about 5200 games though. Yes Impossible Mission was released, I have that game myself.

[Raccoon Lad]

Yeah, and Impossible Mission also has that famous bug that truly makes the game impossible to complete.

[rbudrick]

It is in no way compatible with the 5200. It is compatible with the 2600, however.

Good system that should really have had a chance to compete against the NES, but nobody cared. Had big potential.

-Rob

[ubersaurus]

So, my fiancee's mom tells me she can produce an Atari 7800 for me in the box. I'm excited, but the thing is that I don't really know too much about this machine, and I have a few questions I was hoping all you experts could answer for me, like:

--I've heard this machine is backwards-compatible with the 2600 and 5200. Is that true?

--I know this system was applauded for really good ports of arcade games that had appeared on other Atari systems in numerous other permutations (Dig Dug, Ms. Pac Man, etc.) Are there any "essential" games that are lesser-known that I should be looking for?

--Was Impossible Mission released for this machine (I seem to remember that being true...)?

Any other advice anybody could give me about this machine would be greatly appreciated. When this thing was released I was probably reading Nintendo Power or something, so I know nothing about it.

Thanks!! :D

Food Fight, Alien Brigade, Scrapyard Dog, Planet Smashers, Ballblazer, Midnight Mutants, and Commando are all really good games that you may overlook. In general the 7800's arcade ports are really good. Robotron is a great example-you can use the two stick method from the arcade.

It's a fun console with a number of really good games, and is pretty easy to collect for. It's probably one of my favorite consoles of all time.

[SoulBlazer]

Only the NTSC version of Impossible Mission is bugged. Atari never released the fixed version of the game on this side of the ocean. The PAL version of the game does NOT have that bug.

So if you want to play the game, grab either the computer or 7800 PAL version. :)

[digitalpress]

So if you want to play the game, grab either the computer or 7800 PAL version. :)

Careful.

You CANNOT play the PAL version on an NTSC system or on an NTSC television. Don't worry, there are lots of great (and inexpensive) 7800 games to be had. I haven't missed playing Impossible Mission, there's too much fun to be had with Midnight Mutants, Crossbow, Alien Brigade, Super Skateboardin', Fatal Run, Food Fight, or they myriad Atari coin-op titles.

Enjoy your new console!

[SoulBlazer]

I ment, of course, with a PAL 7800. Sorry. :embarrassed:

I think the PAL controllers they used for the system (the ones that look like NES ones) are better anyway. :)

[digitalpress]

I ment, of course, with a PAL 7800. Sorry. :embarrassed:

I think the PAL controllers they used for the system (the ones that look like NES ones) are better anyway. :)

Now THOSE, you can use on an NTSC 7800.

[neuropolitique]

And an NTSC 2600, which is how I play.

[bensenvill]

the 7800 was my first system. Holds a very special place in my heart. I dont think you can make the claim that it had HUGE potential or could have competed with NES. If you dig old atari games, you'll love the 7800. I'm still trying to get ahold of alot of the games [hint hint, pm me if you can help].

Astroids, digdug, ms pacman, xevious (which I think is better than the nes), food fight (LOVE it), choplifter, desert falcon (great sleeper hit).

[tyranthraxus]

The 7800 is sort of like a failed PS2. Its 99.9% backwards compatibile with
2600 games and can use the same joysticks. However several of the 7800
games (but not all) need two buttons and you'll be stuck with the very
uncomfortable 7800 Proline joysticks. There are eurpean market joypads
(which look a lot like the NES pads) which are easier on the wrists but are
not very precise controllers. I think most 7800 players are like me and use
2600 or Genesis controllers for most of the games.

The only real reason to own a 7800 though is if you are an early 80s
arcade fan. Asteroids & Centipede are good home versions with some
cool multiplayer additions. Ms Pac and Joust I think are fantastic home
versions. Food Fight, Galaga, Robotron, Xevious, Dig Dug and Pole
Position II are also worthy additions and are all common and cheap!

The rest of the library is very hit and miss. Usually the sound is brutal or
there are some control problems. Check this website for reviews on
almost all the games.

http://www.bigfishusa.com/7800/

[bensenvill]

GREAT SITE [boookmarrrk, lol]. I've been able to recollect all the 7800 games my mom threw out (minus winter games), but there are still so many solid titles I've never played (and I'm not one to ruin the experience with emulation).

And after my first post, I've sorted my thoughts, time and time again, I come back to play my 7800 games and I cant say that about any other system I collect. I collect alot of different systems, I play my 7800.

I really need to find all these games I've yet to play.

~Tj

[Graham Mitchell]

Thanks a lot for all your help, everybody! Know I'm pretty excited about this, although I am a bit disappointed about Impossible Mission. (I'm a huge Zillion fan, and I once played IM on the commodore and was blown away by its depth...too bad). Since this machine is coming from Arkansas, I doubt it will be a PAL machine, but it's good to know that it's compatible with Sega/Genesis controllers.

Hey, if anyone could tell me; does this thing have RCA/AV conncections or is it just an RF connection like the 2600?

Thanks!

[le geek]

I like the 5200 better, but the price sure is nice. Food Fight is near a must have...

[omnedon]

RF only, but moddable.

[rbudrick]

A mod for S-video recently came out.

-Rob