View Full Version : Is an Atari 8-bit computer worth owning?
Abman
12-28-2006, 01:20 AM
I heard of the huge game selection for these things and I was considering buying either the 800XL or XE. But are they really worth owning? I'm a pretty big Atari 2600 fan, and I really think the 800XL would be another great edition to the collection, but I'm not a hundred percent sure. I've been doing a little research and I still can't decide, I think it would be better if I heard what someone thought of the system
So is it worth owning? If so any game suggestions?
Also I would like to add I could get one for less then $40 with all the hook-ups.
Ed Oscuro
12-28-2006, 01:55 AM
Emulate some games on it and find out. I'd say probably yes if you're a fan of the 2600 or 5200 (the 8-bit computers are more like the 5200).
Abman
12-28-2006, 02:02 AM
Emulate some games on it and find out. I'd say probably yes if you're a fan of the 2600 or 5200 (the 8-bit computers are more like the 5200).
I might give that a shot. I would need to download the emulator first. It might be a little bit of a struggle getting it to work because of my crappy dial-up internet, but I might try.
That was what I've heard, and one of my reasons for wanting it. I was thinking about buying a 5200 before I got my hands on one of those god forsaken controllers. I just don't understand, who thought a non-self centering joystick would be a good idea :P.
RockyRaccoon
12-28-2006, 02:38 AM
I might give that a shot. I would need to download the emulator first. It might be a little bit of a struggle getting it to work because of my crappy dial-up internet, but I might try.
That was what I've heard, and one of my reasons for wanting it. I was thinking about buying a 5200 before I got my hands on one of those god forsaken controllers. I just don't understand, who thought a non-self centering joystick would be a good idea :P.
Trust me, your not dealing with megs upon megs of files here. ;P
Pantechnicon
12-28-2006, 09:37 AM
I myself am a big fan of the 5200, but I can understand where the controllers would turn people off. But the games are virtually identical between the 8-bit computer and 5200 console lines. So pick up an XE (better yet, an XEGS) and you'll get the same experience without the controller headaches. The games are great.
Atari 8-bit emus:
http://www.emuxhaven.net/atari8bit.shtml
I recomment the Atari 800Win to demonstrate how similar the 5200 and 8-bit computer lines truly are. I use version 2.7 but it looks like newer ones are available too.
Yes, of course...in answer to your question. you cannot deny yourself ownership of the best ever 8-bit computer in the world (and I know, i owned and used all three since mid-80s (ok my Apple ][ is gone to hardware heaven, but my C-128 is still good for comparison).
Imstarryeyed
12-28-2006, 11:35 AM
Yes, I have many console and computers, I have an Atari 800XL and it is great. Since no one has mentioned specific games I will go ahead and mention some. The many games and the Atarisoft translations are very very good compared to many other consoles and computers for one simple reason... I found them pretty hard.
Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Battlezone, Dig Dug, Berzerk are a few that I think are very good.
I also enjoy Bruce Lee, Davids Midnight Magic, Missile Command, Pengo and Wizard of Wor as well..
Many of the games play a bit fast and I keep coming back to them since they offer a challenge I have not been able to find on other platforms.
Nature Boy
12-28-2006, 01:14 PM
I'm a fan of the 2600 as well but I'm a *much* bigger fan of the 8-bits. Part of that is due to age (we had an 8-bit much longer, and during my high school years), and part of that is due to piracy (I got to play a lot more 8-bit games than I ever got to play 2600 games at the time). But in the end I simply enjoy playing 8-bit River Raid over VCS River Raid any day of the week.
Definitely take the time to download an emulator and visit www.atarimania.com to download games. None of it is large (so it shouldn't take too long), and you should never turn down 'try before you buy' if you can.
You won't get the full effect that playing with a Wico joystick on a real TV will deliver, but you can certainly sample the types of games the 8-bit offers.
(When you look for games, check out Synapse's games. Lots of really good stuff came outta that software house)
Mr.collection
12-28-2006, 01:27 PM
I like the way the 800XL looks buts thats it, I'm not much of an Atari fan either.
I have a Boxed complete 800XL with boxed disc drive, pm me if you want it.
Abman
12-28-2006, 02:24 PM
Okay, thanks for the help. I do believe I'm going to buy one now. I'm looking at one on eBay and I'm considering purchasing it. The only problem would be the fact that it doesn't have any controllers. Will Atari 2600 controllers work with the Atari 800XL? I've heard of the light gun working for both the Atari 2600 and the 8-bit comoputers.
I also would need to buy some games, but that's no problem what so ever.
Definitely get one, though you should be able to do much better than $40. Any VCS-compatible controller should work with an 800XL.
The Atari 8-bit computer version of Pitfall II has a secret bonus level, and that should be reason enough to get one. Also, what Pantechnicon said is very true. I sold my nearly complete 5200 collection because it's so much nicer to play the same games on a computer. Not only because of the controller problems, but the 5200 is way oversized so a computer will save you lots of room. Of course, there are a few 5200 games that were not released for the computers, but there are way more the other way around (computer games that weren't released for the 5200).
BydoEmpire
12-28-2006, 04:02 PM
Funny this thread should come up. I have a bunch of carts for both the 5200 and 800/xe, but I don't have either system. I've had my eye on auctions all year, but haven't gotten a system at a price I was comfortable with yet. Sounds like you guys would go with an 800xl/xe over a 5200 first? They seem to be quite a bit cheaper, and I have a drawer full of usable controllers. =) On the other hand, the 5200 has that "quirkiness" factor that's hard to resist.
Keir wrote: "The Atari 8-bit computer version of Pitfall II has a secret bonus level"
Not so much a "bonus level" as an entire second half of the game!
swlovinist
12-30-2006, 11:09 AM
I own both and a bunch of games for both. I would give the edge to the XEGS, due in fact to a wider library of games and the ability to use 9 pin controllers without expensive adaptors. You also can get cheap S-video cables for your Atari computer that make the picture very sharp. Modding a 5200 you can do the same, but it is expensive. Between the controllers, picture, and library of games, go with the 8 bit computer.
BydoEmpire
12-30-2006, 03:42 PM
I picked up a 5200 yesterday at Flea World, since 1) I've never seen one there before, 2) it was only $35 and 3) actually had a working controller. Couldn't pass it up. I'll get an XE or 800xl at some point, but I'm really digging the 5200 so far.
TheWesker
01-02-2007, 01:32 AM
I have a question regarding these Atari consoles. Did they have a bunch of old arcade games released for them? Such as Pac Man, Galaxian, Choplifter, Some Star Trek Game... I used to have an old Atari computer and it had these games and some others (something called Alphabet Zoo where you ran around a maze and had to grab letters). My family regretably sold it at a garage sale and I've been trying to figure out what it was. I haven't seen it since I was about 10.
I know it was white, and had a keyboard. That's all I know.
fergojisan
01-02-2007, 01:48 AM
I have an 800 and an XE, but I've never been able to get the XE to work. Some of the XE carts won't work on an 800, I think my copy of Food Fight was one of them. Hmm, maybe all of the XE carts won't work on an 800?
Someone earlier mentioned piracy regarding the 800. This is definitely the way to go if you're going to get one. :) I bought a huge lot of 800 stuff about 10 years ago, and included were tons upon tons of floppies stuffed with games. A lot of games were ported over from the 5200 by Glenn the 5200 Man, and another person whose name escapes me. I love Super Pac-Man, and this is the only way I have that I can play it on a console.
I haven't played the 800 in years, but I'm trying to remedy that situation. It's pretty large and bulky, but I think you can hook up all the 800 peripherals to the XE. Am I right about that?
Scream And Fly
01-02-2007, 05:47 AM
The Dreadnaught Factor is one of the best games of all time for the Atari 8-bit computer/5200.
Fergo, yes - all Atari 8-bit peripherals are compatible :)
Nature Boy
01-02-2007, 09:29 AM
I have a question regarding these Atari consoles. Did they have a bunch of old arcade games released for them? Such as Pac Man, Galaxian, Choplifter, Some Star Trek Game... I used to have an old Atari computer and it had these games and some others (something called Alphabet Zoo where you ran around a maze and had to grab letters). My family regretably sold it at a garage sale and I've been trying to figure out what it was. I haven't seen it since I was about 10.
I know it was white, and had a keyboard. That's all I know.
Sounds like you had an XE. The originals were beige, the XLs were mostly black, and the XEs are white. And yes, they definitely had those games for it (as well as Alphabet Zoo, which I own in cartridge form :) )