Atari computers as game machines

[Hank]

I've been playing with my 800XL - got a few more carts now. The thing still won't count past 100, but it plays games fine. I'm really impressed with the game quality on this machine. These computers where out in my game/Atari loving heyday, but honestly I don't remember them. Maybe it's because I never developed an interest in computers until around 85 but I'm wondering why these werent marketed more towards the gaming community? It seems superior to the 5200, even the 7800 (especially sounds) in my limited experience. Why didnt more people buy them just for the games? Were they that much more expensive than a 5200? Were they better game machines or am I insane??

[atarian1]

I think when the videogame market crashed, people did start flocking to home computers. But they were expensive. From memory, they averaged $200-$300 for computers such as the C64 or Atari 8-bits. The street prices for the 2600 was around $80 and the 5200 was about $120.

By this time, lots of games were coming out on disk, so another add another $200-$400 for a disk drive. That's quite a price difference.

 

I remembering wanting a 5200, but after finding out that the 5200 and 800 was pretty much the same, I opted for the 800 since I could try to program stuff by typing in listings from magazines (I didn't get very far though ). Not only that, we wrote our school reports, letters and other word processing and kept a database of customers of our family business on it. This convinced my parents to spend $500 on an Atari 800 on sale at Macys. Then we spent $350 for an Axiom AT100 printer at Pacific Stereo (anyone remember them? ) and finally $500 on a Trak disk drive from a dry cleaners, which also had a computer section. (This was before the videogame crash BTW)

 

So after you spend $$ on a computer and a disk drive, that's a couple hundred dollars for an expensive game machine! I don't think many people would spend that much on a game machine back then, especially when dedicated game consoles were dirt cheap.

[Hank]

Ouch, I didn't realize the disk drives were that expensive. That would definitely keep people at a distance.

 

So is the 7800 superior to the 800xl for graphics capability? I know the 800 has better sound capability (pretty obvious from Donkey Kong).

[AtariDude]

Yep. The 8 Bits were expensive when they first came out. I remember paying $400 for my diskette drive but it certainly was an improvement over saving programs to casette.

 

Eventually the Atari 8-Bit line was converted to a game system and sold as the Atari XEGS game system. If you like to see a picture of the system, go to the Atari History site at:

 

http://www.atari-history.com

 

Go to the home computer section and then select the Atari 65XE/130XE sections and look for Atari XEGS.

[RJ]

I think Atari wanted to get AWAY from being thought of as games oriented- wanting to prove they had worthy computers as well as game consoles- & in my mind they suceeded! I still have my 800XL hooked up & functioning (primarily as a game machine) but I've used it for word processing, databases, programming, etc. I still recall people's amazement 15+ years ago when I'd tell them Atari made computers too- & I HAD one! A friend of mine scoffed at my Lynx which I brought on vacation last month (might I add he knows NOTHING about Atari or its still-thriving communities!)...still misunderstood after all these years...

[Big Player]

I got an 800XL back in 1984 as the next machine after my 2600. I think the video game crash back then was just a lot of people moving on to computers.

 

I basically did just use it for games and word processing.

 

I did try my hand at programming games in Atari Basic, using a book called Dr. C. Wacko's Miracle Guide to Designing and Programming Your Own Atari Computer Games. The book did go over some valuable techniques, such as redefined character sets, joystick control, enemy AI (very simplified) and Player-Missile Graphics.

 

I never did much with the techniques, other than hack some of the games I typed in from Antic magazine. Of course, I didn't know then that hacking can be a step to programming your own games.

[AtariDude]

I used the Atari 800XL for games as well as word processing. I remember even using it one time to do a term paper for a class.

[Goochman]

Got my 800 and 810 disk drive for an even $1000 (500 for each) - Got 1 game that required basic and went home - Couldnt get the game to work so from teh DOS menu I tried to 'Initialize' it - DOH!

 

Its been love ever since -

 

Used my 130XE for WP in College before getting an 1040ST - Got a XEP80 and hooked my girlfriend up with Word Processing for her (yes someon bought a XEP80 and used it )

 

This was back in the 86-92 time period when typewriters were still selling strong since any computer with printer hookup cost over $500.

 

The XE/XEP80 combo worked pretty well since graphics and fonts werent big back then - Ah, the good ole days

[AtariDude]

I would think you could still use an Atari 8-bit computer today for word processing if you can get a mod to extend it to 80 characters and get a printer to hook up with it.

 

I remember going to a computer show once several years ago when someone had such a setup but he wanted too much money for it so I passed on it.

[Gunstar]

Why would you even need an 80 collumn mod? It will still print out in 80+ columns....the only reason for 80 columns would be for page layout with wysisyg output... I use my 130XE all the way through high school and college up until '95 for not only wordprocessing, but for database and home desktop publishing with programs like Typsetter XL/XE from Xlent software, the final paper resolution is quite high, something like 720x720 dots per inch! IIRC.

I'm actually starting to use it for wordprocessing AGAIN with my SIO2PC/APE software since I can printout on my cannon inkjet hooked up to my PC; this is for merely fun of course, but the end result of my papers looks just as good as if I had used WORD 98 on the PC! I do use textpro wordprocessor with ATOS on a software-based 80 column screen now, but it isn't necessary.

[Curt Vendel]

Ouch, I didn't realize the disk drives were that expensive.   That would definitely keep people at a distance.

 

So is the 7800 superior to the 800xl for graphics capability?    I know the 800 has better sound capability (pretty obvious from Donkey Kong).

 

When the 800 and 810 disk drive first came out you were paying $899 for the computer (16k at the time) and $599 for the disk drive, so they were heafty items to own, even later when the 800XL came out for $299 and the disk drives were around $359 you were still paying a lot for a computer & drive. Disk drives were difficult to build cheap as they needed to each have an onboard disk controller and a CPU to communicate on the SIO bus making them very complex and expensive items.

 

 

Curt

[Atar1G1rl]

Well, we were a family that definitely used our Atari 800 heavily as a game system. My brother and dad did a lot of programming, we all did some bbs'ing, but my brothers and I used it for games constantly.

 

We never even had an Atari 2600 nor a 5200. Getting the 5200 seemed redundant.

[PFonck]

I've got a very old copy of the magazine "Electronic Games" (january 1984) where they've built the "Ultimate Computer gaming Station".

Guess what?... It's based around an Atari 400! :-)

[jlnsctt]

I only use my 800xl for cartridge gaming. I find it to be a way better gaming system than my 2600. Much more "true to arcade" performance. As well carts are seemingly cheaper for it...Ebay or otherwise, although there are obviously some rare ones collectors pay big $$$ for.

It's a great machine for accessories, as most 2600 joysticks etc; work for it.

The game selection is very good, even though it does not get the recognition of the Atari stand alone consoles(2600,5200,7800 etc).I have basically quit collecting games for my other Atari systems, and am concentrating soley on my 800xl system now.

I am sure it is a good vintage computer as well, but I have no interest in programming for it....Not even enough interest to aquire a disk drive for it. I'm sure all the programmers are crying "sacrilege" right now!LOL

The machine I have(800xl) seems very well built, and I have less concerns with it's durability than by other Atari systems.

To sum up, make sure you don't tell the 2600 collectors how good this machine is, or the cart prices will be destined for the same inflation rate!LOL! And there is actually way less 8bit carts out there for us than 2600 carts!'

Best Regards, Julian Scott

[The Night Phantom]

I have an XEVGS and second what Jlnsctt said, except that I remain primarily a VCS fan and continue to acquire for it and other systems too.

[Bill Lange]

I remember going from at 2600 to the Atari 400 and then onto the Atari 800XL. I don't really remember spending alot for the 400 and 800XL, what sucked up my paperr route money was the Atari 810, the Hayes 300 modem and the ATR8000!

 

I used the Atari for programming (mostly BASIC), gaming (Ultima & Infocom), AtariWriter, Printshop and BBSing.

 

WRL

[Jetboot Jack]

From the day my Dad bought me an 800 until the day I bought a PCEngine - the 8bit was the BEST US gaming system created!!!!

 

For an early 80's design it was incredible, I have lost count of the many times it surprised me - from the Great Perfect Arcade Carts like Donkey Kong and Galaxian to the Awesome Lucasarts Games - the 8bit was the system to own - even in the C64's heyday!!!

 

sTeVE

[Hank]

I SEEMS like such a well rounded little machine. When I started this post I was actually pissed off that I missed out on this when I was in JR. High and High School. I could have done soooo darn much with it. I just loved Basic programming and games. I spent all I could afford on 2600 and Colecovision stuff. It would have been much better spent on an 800.

 

My first computer ended up being an Epson Equity (late 86) that cost nearly 2 grand and really wasn't capable of much of anything! It didn't have any graphics capability - what a waste. I just didn't know any better. I really don't even remember these machines..... so sad

[krisjohn]

I would think you could still use an Atari 8-bit

I picked up everything I needed for some 800XL Word Processing a little over a month ago.

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11722

 

It's just a shame the printer is so damn noisy.

 

I'll get back to screwing around with my 800XL and SIO2PC cable when my interest in Neverwinter Nights drops. So, 2006 some time then.