Which Atari should I get?

[whoisKeel]

Looking to get an Atari sometime soon, but I don't really know much about them.

Mostly 2600 games, but there's a few 7800 games that look appealing...particularly Robotron (you can use both sticks right?). Or did they make Robotron for 2600?

How backwards compatible is the backward compatibility of the 7800? :) Will I be able to use the paddles/2600 joysticks/Genny/etc. controllers with the 7800?

If I opt for just the 2600 system, is there a difference between the models (Woody, Jr., Darth), or is it just cosmetic?

Anything else you'd like to input.

[ubersaurus]

From what I've tested, any 2600 controller will work on the 7800. And yes, 7800 Robotron supports 2 stick play, if you can find something to hold them down :P

As for compatibility, I've heard that some 7800s don't work with a couple 2600 game programs, but I've never run into any problems with mine. More difficult is that 3rd party cart shapes don't always fit into the 7800 cart slot very well, so it may take some maneuvering to get activision or imagic carts to run right. Tigervision carts don't fit period.

Personally I say the 7800's game library is more than a suitable tradeoff for not being able to play tigervision.

As for 2600s, it's largely a cosmetic difference. I've heard the old 6 switch model doesn't fit the red label 2600 carts very well, but I've never owned one to try. Personally I rather like the jr. for it's size.

[Poofta!]

get the atari collection for one of the current gen consoles.

[chrisbid]

get the atari collection for one of the current gen consoles.

get an atari collection and activision anthology for the hard to find games that arent really worth their price on ebay (quadrun, etc)

but keep in mind these collections (along with the intellivision discs) do not have licensed games, nor can you get the best third party games, nor can you get authentic paddle support.

an atari without space invaders, ms pac man, dragonfire, or kaboom is nearly a sin


the jr models go the cheapest, as they have zero nostalgia value


i wouldnt really recommend a 7800 unless you got a great deal on it.

[Mayhem]

Atari 7800 for two simple reasons: play any 2600 games on it as well, and Cuttlecart 2.

[cyberfluxor]

I would go with the 7800 over the 2600. The only reason I have a 2600 is because it was 35$ after shipping on Ebay with 30 some odd games, mostly commons. I like the 5200 system and it's nice shaped games. I'm sure not many of you care too much for that system because it's "in the middle".

[Bluteg]

Atari 5200 is not backwards compatible unlike 7800 which is why many, myself included would choose 7800 over any other single Atari console.

[Raven1280]

5200 is backwards compatible to the 2600 with the converter

[InsaneDavid]

get ... activision anthology ...

Get Activision Anthology for the interface alone. Man, timewarp on a disc. :D

As for the 5200, if you can get over the controllers (and that stupid wonder of engineering that was the RF switch for the four port version) it's not a bad system.

I'm amazed at the prices people pay for 2600's and common games - I see them at flea markets all the time for a couple bucks. Only when a seller has one or two games (and they're usually uber commons like Warlords or Combat) do they want big money. Most of the time with 2600 carts it's "50 cents each.... oh, you want the whole box? ...$2.00" LOL In fact I have a spare woodgrain VCS I need to get a power adapter for then out it goes.

[Rockman Neo]

Like someone else said, only get a 7800 if you can get a really awesome deal on it.

[ProgrammingAce]

I'm very disapointed in you people... you're missing the obvious answer. When someone askes which atari console they should get, the correct answer is "All of them".

[xertcev]

Don't forget about the ColecoVision with a 2600 adapter.

Just another option...

[whoisKeel]

Don't forget about the ColecoVision with a 2600 adapter.

Just another option...

I thought about that actually also, but I know even less about the coleco.

Looks like I'm leaning towards the 7800 still. They only look about $10-20 more than the 2600, plus I get to play better versions of Robotron, Centipede, Asteroids, Ms Pacman. The whole "original ten" look appealing to me. I can't imagine it'd be that difficult to construct something to hold two joysticks together for Robotron. I already have Robotron on the Midway compilation for Gamecube, but those little sticks just don't feel right (NOTE: I've never played the original arcade machine).

Nostalgia's not a factor because I can count the number of times I've played a 2600/7800 combined on both hands.

The only problem I see is that I want the paddles (for breakout, etc.) and the 2600 joysticks, so I may end up having to buy those seperate.

I know there's compilations out there (some of which I have) but I'd prefer to play the old inferior ports instead :) That or I just like cartridges better.

Also, how do the trackballs work with Centipede/Millipede. Is the Wico trackball any good? That one looks pretty affordable.

[kedawa]

Curt Vendel of The Atari Historical Society has revealed the specifications of the next line of the Flashback dedicated consoles. The Flashback 3 will be a 800 computer in a 5200 case. Here are the known features of the unit:
There will be function keys/buttons along under the silver strip for pause, select, keypad, etc.
FB2 joystick usage
Front SD card slot acting as D1:
edge connector inside on board to solder an 800 cart connector to for legacy cartridge usage.
Built in SIO2PC connection port for transferring to/from console
footprint for SIO connector to be added
footprint for ps/2 keyboard connector
footprint for vga out
Composite out
Games included will come on an SDcard
Curt Vendel was responsible for the Flashback 2 unit, which used genuine Atari hardware rather than the Nintendo Entertainment System hardware that was in the original Flashback. Due to Atari's current financial troubles, Curt stated that he may have to release the unit independent of Atari. The 800 system has been released to the public domain, so there will be no legal troubles in him doing so.
Definitely what I'd go for.
Food for thought, in any case.

[InsaneDavid]

Curt Vendel of The Atari Historical Society has revealed the specifications of the next line of the Flashback dedicated consoles. The Flashback 3 will be a 800 computer in a 5200 case. Here are the known features of the unit:
There will be function keys/buttons along under the silver strip for pause, select, keypad, etc.
FB2 joystick usage
Front SD card slot acting as D1:
edge connector inside on board to solder an 800 cart connector to for legacy cartridge usage.
Built in SIO2PC connection port for transferring to/from console
footprint for SIO connector to be added
footprint for ps/2 keyboard connector
footprint for vga out
Composite out
Games included will come on an SDcard
Curt Vendel was responsible for the Flashback 2 unit, which used genuine Atari hardware rather than the Nintendo Entertainment System hardware that was in the original Flashback. Due to Atari's current financial troubles, Curt stated that he may have to release the unit independent of Atari. The 800 system has been released to the public domain, so there will be no legal troubles in him doing so.
Definitely what I'd go for.
Food for thought, in any case.

And here after I thought we all learned our lesson about the Atari Flashback consoles.

[staxx]

Well if you handhelds, get the Atari Lynx. There are quite a few fun games on this large handheld (California Games, Gauntlet, APB, Blue Lightning, Gates of Zendocon, Kax, Lemmings, Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden III, Raiden, Stun Runner, Road Blasters to name a few). Color (backlite I think) lcd, not as good as the PC Engine's GT LCD but still great for it's time.

[Poofta!]

all the best third party games have been ported so many times no one cares anymore (pac man, space invaders...)

if you really want it, go and buy the console and games, but do you really want it in your house if you just wanna try it out? unless you played it as a child or know youre gonna play it every day, let it go...

[kedawa]

And here after I thought we all learned our lesson about the Atari Flashback consoles.

The first one was ass, but what's wrong with the Flashback 2?

[AMG]

I'm very disapointed in you people... you're missing the obvious answer. When someone askes which atari console they should get, the correct answer is "All of them".


I fully agree with this.

[chrisbid]

all the best third party games have been ported so many times no one cares anymore (pac man, space invaders...)

if you really want it, go and buy the console and games, but do you really want it in your house if you just wanna try it out? unless you played it as a child or know youre gonna play it every day, let it go...

the arcade port experience on the 2600 is way different from any other platform. though my favorite port of ms pac man is the 7800 version, the 2600 port is incredibly charming and i play it often

and your statement about the best third party games is dead wrong. the most glaring example is imagic

and if you look around enough, you can find a 2600 jr for 10 bucks or less,

[Captain Wrong]

And here after I thought we all learned our lesson about the Atari Flashback consoles.

The first one was ass, but what's wrong with the Flashback 2?

I was thinking the same thing. OK, what gives?

[InsaneDavid]

And here after I thought we all learned our lesson about the Atari Flashback consoles.

The first one was ass, but what's wrong with the Flashback 2?

I was thinking the same thing. OK, what gives?

Once bitten twice shy. Sorry, once my money got stolen with the first Flashback that ended my dealings with the rest of the line. Besides the Flashback 3 sounds like a lot of bother.

It's an 800XL in a 5200 case!, and it takes SD cards!, and VGA out!, and a keyboard socket!, and it takes out the trash!, and pays your mortgage!, etc.!! If all this computer-esque functionality is going to be built in why not just make it in the shape OF AN 800 ATARI HOME COMPUTER? No, we're going to make it real big for no reason - wonder if it's going to have the controller storage null area and those horrible gamepads too - super thick controller cords that are a bitch to store as well?

If you ask me that sounds like a bad engineering nightmare, even moreso concerning marketing. The first one was a mess, the second one was okay but the original hardware was still better and this third one sounds like a square peg halfway shoved into a round hole with a wood rasp taped to the side for you to finish the job if you want.

[c0ldb33r]

I've got a flashback 1. It sucks - the only good thing about it was (1) I got it cheap - dirt cheap, and (2) I like the way it calls itself 7800 mini (the sticker on the back of the unit).

I've been interested in the flashback 2. I'll buy it if I ever see it cheap. I've been wanting to do the catridge mod since I first heard of it :D

[Aswald]

Looking to get an Atari sometime soon, but I don't really know much about them.

Mostly 2600 games, but there's a few 7800 games that look appealing...particularly Robotron (you can use both sticks right?). Or did they make Robotron for 2600?

How backwards compatible is the backward compatibility of the 7800? :) Will I be able to use the paddles/2600 joysticks/Genny/etc. controllers with the 7800?

If I opt for just the 2600 system, is there a difference between the models (Woody, Jr., Darth), or is it just cosmetic?
Anything else you'd like to input.

You know, if I had to choose from the first three, I'd stick with the Atari 5200. It actually had a better variety of games, especially the talking Berzerk, Qix, and Defender, not to mention a host of others.

Ms. Pac-Man was only slightly better on the 7800, even with those flaky 5200 controllers. AND, you also get Pac-man, and, thanks to Sean Kelly (who else?), that great version of Super Pac-Man.

Robotron: 2084 was better on the 7800, but...not THAT much better.


If, however, you're thinking of 2600 games, go with the 7800. A 5200-2600 adapter exists, but are not easy to find. If you can get one, though...go with the 5200. Overall, it's more fun. Beware, though: neither properly plays ALL 2600 games.

As for controllers: in my experience, if it works on a 2600, it works on a 7800.