Atari 2600 Noob questions

[Fighter17]

Alright, I told myself years ago that I just can't stand anything lower than 8-bit games, well I was wrong.

I'm thinking about betting a Atari 2600, but don't know what model to get.

I want to get some of the orginal ones, but the Dark Vader one looks neat. Are they any major problems of any of the Atari systems I must be aware of?

Which model is the best in your eyes?

I'm also planning to get the 2600 modded for A/V inputs (Composite and S-Video), where do you get it modded?

The best way to get a good lot is from ebay (or maybe Atari Age)?

[cyberfluxor]

I have the 6-switch with the "wood" front panel, which that I believe is most common. It's nice but I need to fix it still because I'm lazy. It worked alright but at times seemed to want to fumble up on me. I'd actually suggest buying an Atari 7800 so you can play both 2600 and 7800 games plus it's a bit more sleek and fewer buttons on the console.

[Fighter17]

I don't know if I want a 7800, I just like the old-school 2600s better.

Any more ideas?

[stargate]

I would just get a standard 4 or 6 switch wood grain. Get something cheap, but in good condition. Try to get one with a bunch of decent games as well.

I am not sure about the mods you want though, not sure what is possible on what system.

[Fighter17]

I would just get a standard 4 or 6 switch wood grain. Get something cheap, but in good condition. Try to get one with a bunch of decent games as well.

I am not sure about the mods you want though, not sure what is possible on what system.

Well how the hell I'm going to use that old TV connection on a modern tv?

I know they are some A/V modders out there, I saw them before.

[Pantechnicon]

Quality-wise there is no variation among the different models i.e. - It's not like one is any more or less susceptible to overheating, or incompatible with certain carts etc. Any opinions about which one is "best" are going to be mostly aesthetic in nature. For instance, I like the 4-switch woody for sentimental reasons, but the Jr models are more practical in terms of shelf space and portability.

If you're confident in your own skills with a soldering iron you can do an A/V mod yourself for about $20 in parts from Radio Shack. The instructions for this mod used to be available at www.benheck.com but it looks like Ben pulled them down so people would buy his book instead. Somebody probably has copied this mod somewhere. Google is your friend. Or you can just by a ready-made video mod from these guys (http://www.8bitdomain.com/products.php?id=3).

EDIT: To answer your other question about hooking up to a modern TV, you can use an RCA-female to coaxial RF adapter. This will replace the slider switch. Costs $3 at Radio Shack. Pop it on the end of your RF cable, hook it to the coax on back of your telly and you're in business. I would do this first, to see if you really like the 2600 (and I hope you do) before you start to throw a bunch of time and money at video mods.

[Fighter17]

.If you're confident in your own skills with a soldering iron you can do an A/V mod yourself for about $20 in parts from Radio Shack. The instructions for this mod used to be available at www.benheck.com but it looks like Ben pulled them down so people would buy his book instead. Somebody probably has copied this mod somewhere. Google is your friend. Or you can just by a ready-made video mod from these guys (http://www.8bitdomain.com/products.php?id=3).

I can't do that mod, I was shopping there's someone who can mod it for me.

[cyberfluxor]

I don't know if I want a 7800, I just like the old-school 2600s better.

Any more ideas?
Well, with someone you know performing a mod then any output issues are solved and would guess they know how to add any LEDs for power lighting or other things. Really it's just a cosmetic thing that you're concerned with and that'd be all up to you. There are rarer models out there so if you're looking for a collectable unit to play on then I'd suggest looking around and Atari Age might be a good site to stop by (mainly because I'm not too familiar with all the dozens out there).

[GrandAmChandler]

I can't do that mod, I was shopping there's someone who can mod it for me.

May want to contact the user "Kamino" on this very forum. He did do Atari 2600 AV mods at one time. You may want to PM him.

-GAC-

[stargate]

Well how the hell I'm going to use that old TV connection on a modern tv?

I know they are some A/V modders out there, I saw them before.

what you talkin bout Willis??

All modern televisions have a coaxial connection. This is the connection that you would normally screw like a cable from cable tv onto. Your tv most certainly has one.

Then you just need an adapter for your Atari. They are cheap, like $2.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NICKEL-RF-ADAPTER-ATARI-2-PORT-5200-7800-2600-OTHERS_W0QQitemZ140098741480QQcategoryZ41008QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

Then you are all set. I would not bother with an AV mod right away. The adapter works pretty well and gives a good video quality. Plus it is much cheaper and no modding required.

[Mr. Smashy]

Alright, I told myself years ago that I just can't stand anything lower than 8-bit games, well I was wrong.

I'm thinking about betting a Atari 2600, but don't know what model to get?

I'm pretty sure that the Atari 2600 is technically an 8-bit system.

[s1lence]

May want to contact the user "Kamino" on this very forum. He did do Atari 2600 AV mods at one time. You may want to PM him.

-GAC-


I think he retired from doing most mods for other people.

[Fighter17]

what you talkin bout Willis??

All modern televisions have a coaxial connection. This is the connection that you would normally screw like a cable from cable tv onto. Your tv most certainly has one.

Then you just need an adapter for your Atari. They are cheap, like $2.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NICKEL-RF-ADAPTER-ATARI-2-PORT-5200-7800-2600-OTHERS_W0QQitemZ140098741480QQcategoryZ41008QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem

Then you are all set. I would not bother with an AV mod right away. The adapter works pretty well and gives a good video quality. Plus it is much cheaper and no modding required.

But I hate RF waaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Pantechnicon]

Don't be such a primadonna. You don't even know if you'll like the 2600 in the first place. Since you're unable and/or unwilling to do your own mod work, and having someone else do it for you always costs more, bite down on that RF bullet and then decide if you want to take the experience further.

Either that or just buy a Flashback 2.
OMG did I really just say that? :shameful:

I have a 5-port coaxial switchbox: 5200, 7800, Intellivision II, Colecovision and Odyssey^2 humming in all their RF glory on Channel 3. There's no school like the old school. :villagepeople:

[stargate]

But I hate RF waaaaaaaaaaaa!

With the adapter it's not as bad as you might think. I mean, just spend the $2 and then you can decide if it's worth getting an AV mod. At least you will be gaming right away.

[Fighter17]

With the adapter it's not as bad as you might think. I mean, just spend the $2 and then you can decide if it's worth getting an AV mod. At least you will be gaming right away.

Oh fine.

(Start looking for 2600 lots).

[icbrkr]

Alright, I told myself years ago that I just can't stand anything lower than 8-bit games, well I was wrong.

I'd hate to use a 4 bit system too (wasn't the Microvision or Adventurevision 4 bit?). The Atari 2600 is very much an 8 bit system.

[Lady Jaye]

BTW, in case you can't find any decent Atari 2600 joystick: the Atari 7800 joystick, as well as the Sega Master System and Sega Genesis controllers, are compatible with the Atari 2600 (unfortunately, that doesn't solve the problem of paddle games, for which you really do need the original paddle controllers).

[DefaultGen]

.....

[stargate]

BTW, in case you can't find any decent Atari 2600 joystick: the Atari 7800 joystick, as well as the Sega Master System and Sega Genesis controllers, are compatible with the Atari 2600 (unfortunately, that doesn't solve the problem of paddle games, for which you really do need the original paddle controllers).

there should be enough original 2600 controllers around. I actually never had much of a problem with them and always thought part of the fun was playing a game with the original joystick/ hand cramper

[InsaneDavid]

there should be enough original 2600 controllers around. I actually never had much of a problem with them and always thought part of the fun was playing a game with the original joystick/ hand cramper

Spectravideo QuickShot 1 advanced joystick all the way. ;) What I grew up using as well, seems even at a very young age I realized the original VCS controllers were crap. LOL Although lately I've been using a Coleco Gemini Dual Command controller, with the joystick and paddle in one. Not bad at all but I don't have the splitter cable so it's one player paddle games only with them. Speaking of which, the stick on the other one needs to have its contact points rebuilt..... hmmm....

[Gradius]

Go with a heavy sixer (if you can find one), or a 6 or 4 switch woody with the original joystick and the paddle for the paddle games. Might as well play the games on them the way they were meant to! But give the system a chance, it really is a classic!

[boatofcar]

May want to contact the user "Kamino" on this very forum. He did do Atari 2600 AV mods at one time. You may want to PM him.

-GAC-


I would not recommend Kamino.