Is it worth buying an Atari 2600?

[PrimordialHelios]

I've seen some really cool and interesting games for the 2600, but is it worth buying the console? What I mean is, are there enough decent games to justify the cost of the actual console?

[bb_hood]

I've seen some really cool and interesting games for the 2600, but is it worth buying the console? What I mean is, are there enough decent games to justify the cost of the actual console?

There are many games for the 2600, and you can get flash carts for them that will play all the games.
You can find 2600 consoles pretty cheap, for like 40-50$ you can get a system and a bunch of games off craigslist. Often times even cheaper.

Just recently I sold my 2600 because I never play it. I do have a Harmony flash cart which I am holding onto if I ever want to play 2600 games again.

[PrimordialHelios]

There are many games for the 2600, and you can get flash carts for them that will play all the games.
You can find 2600 consoles pretty cheap, for like 40-50$ you can get a system and a bunch of games off craigslist. Often times even cheaper.

Just recently I sold my 2600 because I never play it. I do have a Harmony flash cart which I am holding onto if I ever want to play 2600 games again.

Awesome, I'll definitely be getting one then.

[Tanooki]

Given the age and simplicity of the graphics and audio, it will either be a yes or a no. It's not as easy as an answer as a mid80s 8bit system or later would be to recommend. Have you tried out an emulator like Stella on PC and thrown some games at it and checked if it was worth your while?

While also likely not as cheap, if you're certain you want it, sure you can get an old system from the late 70s and odds are very in your favor everything should work, (they also don't use RCA jack, not even using coax (ie: RF) either out of the box so you'll need to research it), but there is one other alternative that's quite modern. The Atari Flashback 2.0, but there were two versions (also the 2+ not noted on the box.) That thing was the only one of those turds that actually used a real scaled down atari chipset within the system and was made hacker friendly because they inked right on the board where you run lines to a cartridge slot you can purchase online, and then effectively use that as a 2600. That thing has a modern built, power supply, and RCA cable on it -- and it uses off the rack 70s wired atari controllers (paddles too) and its own modern knockoffs in the box. Not really sure what it would cost to mod it or have someone make it for you but it's a choice.

That flashback has a decent supply of games, but if you're a fan of arcade conversions or the Activision stuff it lacks that completely so that's the positive for modding into it a cartridge port.

[celerystalker]

If you play multiplayer with friends, yes. Turn off Smash Bros or whatever, break out the paddles, and play Warlords.

[retroman]

I would go the Atari 7800 rout. Best of both worlds.

[AdamAnt316]

I highly suggest tracking down an Atari 7800, if you can find one. The 7800 can play most 2600 games, and can also play 7800 titles, which offer better graphics. The joystick controllers for the 7800 are a bit wonky, but you can use regular 2600 joysticks for most games. Just make sure it comes with the proper power supply with the 'blue tip' plug, as it's nonstandard.
-Adam

EDIT: Ninja'd by one minute...

[Steve W]

I always say try emulation first. Most games don't have a lot of depth and longevity to them since they were only 4 kilobytes in size generally, so it's mostly score attack and twitch style games. Using an emulator will let you try out a lot of titles easily without having to buy a console and later finding out that you never really play it.

If you do want the real hardware, I'll echo what others have said and tell you to go with an Atari 7800. The only game that never worked on my 7800s was Pitfall II, everything else ran fine. And you'll also have access to some weird and fun 7800 games like Ninja Golf, Midnight Mutants, and Basketbrawl.

[PrimordialHelios]

If you play multiplayer with friends, yes. Turn off Smash Bros or whatever, break out the paddles, and play Warlords.

But... Melee is the only game that matters! </sarcasm>

I'll definitely do that, thanks!

[davidbrit2]

Very yes. You can get yourself a 2600 and a Harmony cart for probably no more than $100 total, and have every retail game plus all but the one or two homebrews/hacks that are larger than 32 KB, and the whole library will probably fit on an old 16 MB SD card (you can use basically any card and have more than enough space, in other words). Make sure you get at least one pair of paddles, though they will no doubt need some cleaning for wobble-free operation.

[Gentlegamer]

All you need is Tank Pong.

[jammajup]

If you like hardware they are dirt cheap and loose carts should be mostly inexpensive for common Atari releases ,Atari 7800 is another option as it also plays 2600 games.So I say as they are so common YES

[BlastProcessing402]

I highly suggest tracking down an Atari 7800, if you can find one. The 7800 can play most 2600 games, and can also play 7800 titles, which offer better graphics. The joystick controllers for the 7800 are a bit wonky, but you can use regular 2600 joysticks for most games. Just make sure it comes with the proper power supply with the 'blue tip' plug, as it's nonstandard.
-Adam

EDIT: Ninja'd by one minute...

Only most 2600 games? I thought it played them all. Which ones are incompatible?

[Black_Tiger]

Today's flashcarts and video mods make it a no-brainer for me. And the 2600 doesn't even need a mod to use better controllers.

[AdamAnt316]

Only most 2600 games? I thought it played them all. Which ones are incompatible?

According to this FAQ, the 2600 games which tend to have issues with at least some versions of the 7800 include Decathlon, Kool-Aid Man, Robot Tank, Time Pilot and Space Shuttle, as well as the Starpath Supercharger. In addition, the Atari 7800 game Food Fight also has issues with some versions of the console. To complicate matters, different versions of said cartridges may or may not work with the various 7800 versions. Overall, though, I'd say the 7800 is 99% compatible with the vast library of 2600 games.
-Adam

[rmaerz]

Buy an Atari 7800 instead along with a Harmony cart

[Gameguy]

I guess it depends on the price of the Atari 2600 console. I found one years ago for $4.99 and decided to keep it, not that I play it much. The best games on it are multiplayer, if you just play by yourself you probably won't play it too much.

[tom]

Of course, you're not a gamer if you haven't played ATARI

[SparTonberry]

I'm surprised it took tom a month to answer that question.

[treismac]

I would go the Atari 7800 rout. Best of both worlds.

This. You also have the advantage of being able to plug your controllers into the front of the console with a 7800 over the 2600.