Picked up my first 5200

[matthew954]

I just snagged a 2 port model Atari 5200. I found it on an auction at Shopgoodwill.com. I haven't taken delivery as of yet, but have been trying to look up as much info as I can. Though most info I find is usually centered over the 4 port model. Surprisingly I haven't found much for my version. Are there any major issues I should be aware of? The auction I won didn't include any controllers or cords. I figured it was a decent buy for $12 plus shipping.

 

I know about the shoddy controllers, and have been looking at Best Electronics gold upgrades to the controller. Not to mention the possible 5200/Jag adapter. I've heard that the 2 port used a traditional power cord as opposed to the combo switcher that came with the 4 port.

 

 

[Lynxpro]

I just snagged a 2 port model Atari 5200. I found it on an auction at Shopgoodwill.com. I haven't taken delivery as of yet, but have been trying to look up as much info as I can. Though most info I find is usually centered over the 4 port model. Surprisingly I haven't found much for my version. Are there any major issues I should be aware of? The auction I won didn't include any controllers or cords. I figured it was a decent buy for $12 plus shipping.

 

I know about the shoddy controllers, and have been looking at Best Electronics gold upgrades to the controller. Not to mention the possible 5200/Jag adapter. I've heard that the 2 port used a traditional power cord as opposed to the combo switcher that came with the 4 port.

 

 

 

 

Congrats on $12!

[Ransom]

I was sure the thread was going to be "Picked up my first 5200....and threw my back out!"

 

As for the 2-port, the p/s plugs into the unit instead of into the switch box, and the switch box is just a standard one. The p/s is different voltage, too. See the FAQ for more.

 

Get a nice controller and enjoy!

[mikey.shake]

Congrats, you'll have fun!

 

I had a hell of a time with the 4-port switchbox (though many people don't), so be glad you got the 2-port. I got one for the holidays and it really alleviated some other weird issues I'd been having. Once you have a console that works like it should, you're in business.

 

I hear the Best controllers are the... well... best. I haven't been able to afford them yet, but just tonight I got a couple of Rev 9 flex circuits from eBay and was able to use those to bring some thrashed, dead-button controllers back to almost-new play condition. It was a lot cheaper than ordering from Best (which, again, I hear is worth it), but it presented me with an option on the cheap, so if you get dud controllers, there might still be life in them.

 

Other than that, have fun. Last year, despite trying to cut back on spending, I got a whole bunch of new consoles in a glut. 7800, 5200, TurboGrafx, Master System, and I think a few others -- and the 5200 has been my favorite (well, maybe just barely edging out the TG16). It's definitely gotten the most minute-for-minute play time. Great for "pick up and play" gaming.

 

Just about every game I've picked up has been solid. Even the ones I didn't expect to be. But the ones I'd most been looking forward to playing (Mario Bros, Star Wars The Arcade Game, Zaxxon, Berzerk, Qix...) were just as good as I'd hoped. Even the $3 common carts I expected to maybe be less-than-awesome (Popeye, Pole Position, Defender, Jungle Hunt) were still surprisingly fun, and most of them are really cheap if you want to collect a little shelf of actual carts. It's been a good way to game on the cheap -- I go out and spend 7 dollars and come home with two new games to play.

 

I hear the home-brew scene's amazing, along with all the 8-bit computer conversions (worth researching). So you'll want/need to get the AtariMax flash cart and load it full of stuff. It's next on my list. (Again, broke.)

 

Get something that allows you to have a digital stick. You can get a Masterplay interface device (clone), but I was able to find a Competition Pro joystick. I really like it, and it really unlocks games that need that kind of control. Not just the Pac-Man example most people reference, but also stuff like Pengo and Joust, which I don't enjoy as much without the digital control.

 

I feel like the system has got all the magic and charm of that early, pre-NES chapter of home console gaming, but at the higher end of that generation's graphics and sound, so it's sort of "optimized pre-crash gaming".

 

And don't believe the hype, once you get a controller with buttons that only take a light touch like they should, they're not the horrorshow some people make them out to be. I actually think they're pretty comfy and surprisingly versatile (like in Defender). And my wife even once asked me if we could plug them into the 2600.

 

As mentioned, there's a difference between the power supplies for the 4-port and 2-port models. Keep your eyes sharp.

 

Everybody in this corner of the site has been real helpful, too, so you've got a good crowd here for info. Have fun, keep us posted.

[Yokopup]

Mikey, save your money and get The Best controller. I have one and it is well worth the money. Get that first and then the Atari Max. Not only do you get the gold plated contacts for the buttons, but you also get the extra tactile feed back from the new fire buttons. They are so easy to press and hold to activate, you wont get hand cramps when playing for a period of time. It's worth the money, literally silky smoooth!

 

But as far as the different power supplies between the 2 and 4 port models, I have to say that I own both a 2 and 4 port model and only 1 power supply and my single power supply works with both. Have never had any problems in my experience. YMMV, just enjoy the games and the nostalgia! Also, get a trackball if you can THEY ARE AWESOME!!

[matthew954]

From what I read at Bests website, I can order the individual parts and do the refit myself. I kind of like doing that, and being able to boast that I fixed it myself. Plus I do have the plan on buying a composite video upgrade for both my 5200 and 7800. I have the kit from Retrofixes.com installed in my 2600Jr (The 7800 can use the same kit) and the difference in the video and audio is outstanding.

https://store.retrofixes.com/collections/upgrade-diy-kits/products/atari-2600-simple-diy-composite-kit?variant=11832920071

 

I found this kit on Ebay for the 5200

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-5200-DIY-Install-S-Video-AV-Assembled-Mod-Board-Complete-Kit-/292006963526?hash=item43fcf8a946:g:NcYAAMXQ01tRV55L

 

I'm looking forward to refitting my 5200. Mikey, I'm jealous about your TG16, a couple guys that are at the Nintendo forum I post at just got them too. I so want to snag one myself. I just can't seem to find the right deal. But for the time being my quest for one has to hit the back burner as I have a preorder for the new Nintendo Switch, as well as planning on placing an order for the new RetroUSB AVS Nintendo clone. I love seeing NES games in HD. But I want to snag one before they become hard to come by. I just happened to luck into the 5200, not to mention also finding an Intellivision for $5 plus shipping. I was REALLY tempted on that one lol. I keep waiting to see if the ITV gets reposted to Shopgoodwill again lol.

[masschamber]

a bargain on shopgoodwill. now I've seen everything

[matthew954]

Occasionally you do get some good deals at ShopGoodwill. I got my 2600Jr for $10, and my 7800 lot for $20. And the lot included 4 2600 sticks, 4 paddles, as well as Video Checkers, and Xonox Chuck Norris. I've been watching for a ColecoVision especially as of late. I just stumbled onto the 5200. For $12 bucks I didn't think I'd get it lol.

[matthew954]

Well, Project Behemoth (as I like to call it lol) arrived tonight! I looked it over pretty good, and I'm rather impressed by its condition. Now I need to gather the missing parts and begin the upgrade process.

 

[reklen]

I don't know, I've never had a 5200 controller last more than two years. I bought two Best controllers two years ago. A couple of days ago, the #1 button on the keypad quit working. I have the Wico controller which is great, but you need a working 5200 controller to use it. So now I have one working controller, and about six non-working controllers, and one Wico and Competition pro, that kind of work.

I haven't contacted Best yet about my controller not working, but the controllers kill the 5200. I have a multicart which is great, so I'm not constantly switching cartridges. But the controllers just die, whether you use them everyday, or once every two months.

Has anyone here ever sent the controllers back to Best, because they quit working? I only bought them in the first place, because eveyone here, and on youtube, recomende them. And where do you get a masterplay clone from?

 

[+sramirez2008]

Has anyone here ever sent the controllers back to Best, because they quit working? I only bought them in the first place, because eveyone here, and on youtube, recomende them. And where do you get a masterplay clone from?

 

 

I would give Best a call and ask them how you should go about returning a controller under warranty.

 

 

As for the masterplay clone, PM atariguy1021. Great person to work with and his clone is a quality product.