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Other Atari Systems You Own


MrFish

What other Atari systems do you own?  

68 members have voted

  1. 1. Atari Computer(s)?

    • ST Series
      38
    • TT030
      10
    • Falcon030
      11
    • PC Series
      6
    • Transputer
      0
    • Portfolio
      16
    • Stacy
      8
    • ST Book
      1
    • ABC Series
      2
    • None
      29
  2. 2. Atari Console(s)?

    • 2600 Video Computer System
      43
    • 5200 SuperSystem
      19
    • 7800 ProSystem
      34
    • Lynx
      25
    • Jaguar
      22
    • None
      14

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I'm mainly looking to see what other systems are owned by those who own Atari 8-bit computer

systems. But, if you're devoted to playing a lot of Atari 8-bit on emulation, or if you're a former dedicated

Atari 8-bit computer owner, go ahead and vote too.

 

Personally, I only own a 2600 at the moment, which was the system my family used when I was young

(needs the TIA replaced). I wouldn't mind having a 7800, as it covers the 2600 and then all of its own.

But I'm in no hurry to get one, as I don't find the 7800 library all that great.

 

I'm yet to find a compelling reason to get a 5200 when I own all of its games, some converted, to play on

the 8-bit computers.

 

None of the other consoles interest me, although I see the Lynx as a much more attractive system,

now that its video can be fed to a monitor (after being modded).

 

I have little interest in the other Atari computers; for their era, I'd rather own a Mac -- which I do

(Quadra 605, in need of a cap job).

Edited by MrFish
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The "Atari, Inc." systems are really the only ones I'm interested in collecting and preserving. Hell, even my first 7800 is an "AT-84" serial number with the Warner Atari, Inc. markings on the label. So I've basically got 400's, 800's, 600XL's, 800XL's, 1200XL's and one 130XE outlier, along with a few 2600's, a pair of 5200's and a pair of 7800's.

​That said, I did own a 1040ST from the summer of 1986 through about 1992. I kind of wish I could find one locally cheap. *shrug*

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Not a fan of any of the later PC stuff (really, the Amiga is the follow up to the 8-bit line anyway), though I am being given an ST setup fairly soon. Dunno if I'll use it.

 

All of the consoles up to (but not including) the Jaguar are excellent, and I have them all. Sold my Jag stuff ages ago. Just wasn't fun to play outside of tempest and AvP

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Right now I own a 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx, and 520ST. That's paired back; I used to own a Jaguar (regret selling it) and several 2600 variants. I am at the moment seriously considering a 2800 I'm seeing on Yahoo Japan Auctions...

 

Probably will sell my 520ST because it was kind of a drunken mistake buying it in the first place; I've always wanted one since my roommate had one when it was a current system, but I didn't realize how limiting an original 520ST is these days. I can't even get a floppy emulator that'll work on it. So that'll probably go up on Ebay soon...

 

I do want some kind of more advanced computer in the ST line. Would love a Falcon or TT but that ain't gonna happen on my budget.

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Hmm... The poll needs an option for the early dedicated consoles. In addition to the computers and later consoles, I also have a Super Pong and Video Pinball.

 

Somewhere there was also a handheld Touch Me floating around, but I fear that one may have been lost.

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I'm yet to find a compelling reason to get a 5200 when I own all of its games, some converted, to play on

the 8-bit computers.

 

None of the other consoles interest me, although I see the Lynx as a much more attractive system,

now that its video can be fed to a monitor (after being modded).

 

 

I agree, I feel absolutely no need for a 5200 when I have an 8-bit, even if 5200 hacks weren't available, as the 8-bit had the vast majority of the 5200 library with it's own versions anyway.

The Lynx, when modded, also gets a far superior built-in screen that makes you want to use an external one less, too. A real eat your cake and have it too scenario!

 

Yep, I also have a 2600 but plan on selling it and getting back a 7800 too, for both systems.

 

I am nearly as big a fan of the Jaguar as the 8-bit, I just wish the Jag community wasn't filled with psychopaths.

 

I'm not interested in any other Atari computer with the exception of the Falcon. I'd rather have an Amiga than any other Atari, with that one exception.

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Hmm... The poll needs an option for the early dedicated consoles. In addition to the computers and later consoles, I also have a Super Pong and Video Pinball.

 

Somewhere there was also a handheld Touch Me floating around, but I fear that one may have been lost.

 

I don't care about any of that stuff, which includes the flashbacks. I'm interested in the higher-end

equipment.

 

 

STe is sufficiently different to deserve it's own poll. I've got 1040ST/FM and a 520STe with 4 Meg.

 

You're right, they are quite different. I thought about separating them out; but they're really just

upgraded machines in the same line. For the sake of this poll, I think they fit best where they are.

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I agree, I feel absolutely no need for a 5200 when I have an 8-bit, even if 5200 hacks weren't available, as the 8-bit had the vast majority of the 5200 library with it's own versions anyway.

 

Yeah, people come on here when discussions about the two systems get started; they talk about the analogue controller

and the differences between a console and a computer. From my point of view, there are more games that are made

bad or even unplayable with that analogue contraption than those that are enhanced by it. I can live without the few

additions and monstrous, mostly-empty case.

 

 

The Lynx, when modded, also gets a far superior built-in screen that makes you want to use an external one less, too. A real eat your cake and have it too scenario!

 

Yeah, true, that's a big improvement too.

 

 

I am nearly as big a fan of the Jaguar as the 8-bit, I just wish the Jag community wasn't filled with psychopaths.

 

This is one system I just can't find any reason to like. It just seems like there are other systems, like the SNES,

that do what it does better. And the few titles that are supposed to be the reasons to have the system, aren't

great enough to justify owning another piece of hardware. What about the Jaguar are you such a fan of?

 

Haha... "phsychopaths"...

 

 

I'm not interested in any other Atari computer with the exception of the Falcon. I'd rather have an Amiga than any other Atari, with that one exception.

 

I suppose they're the apex of the 68000 series machines. So they're be the best in that class. I do like the cases

they used, which match the XE series 8-bits.

 

The best I'd like to own the lower-end ST's for is if someone ever made a new 8-bit board to fit inside the case

and utilize the keyboard. I guess a 1088XEL could work, but I'd like something that's more fitted to the ports and

so forth. Maybe it could be done by cabling the connectors off the motherboard and attaching them directly to

the ports, though. In fact, that'd probably work out pretty nicely. I also wonder if an XF551 with a 3.5" floppy

could be shoehorned in.

 

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This is one system I just can't find any reason to like. It just seems like there are other systems, like the SNES,

that do what it does better. And the few titles that are supposed to be the reasons to have the system, aren't

great enough to justify owning another piece of hardware. What about the Jaguar are you such a fan of?

 

 

I don't even know where to start here, except that it sounds like you have little or no actual experience with the Jaguar and have been completely brain-washed in this regard with hearsay. To me, your statement makes as much sense as this nearly identical one:

 

"This is one system [Atari 8-bit] I just can't find any reason to like. It just seems like there are other systems, like the ZX81,

that do what it does better. And the few titles that are supposed to be the reasons to have the system, aren't

great enough to justify owning another piece of hardware. What about the Atari 8-bit are you such a fan of?

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Got to say, I agree about the Jaguar. I collected it, and had about 95% of the library at one point. I found the game library to be mostly garbage, outside of AvP,Tempest and Battlesphere.

 

It's not that the system on paper is bad, it's actually quite powerful for the time. The game support was awful though. It could have been competitive... had it gotten support. It didn't, and I found it extremely bad to play, so I sold my collection. And yeah, I also found the community fairly toxic.

 

The Lynx on the other hand, is vastly underrated. Tons of great arcade ports and system exclusives.

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Hmmm,

 

currently I do own a Lynx, but I have plans to sell it, since I did not use/play it in the last 2, 3, 4, 5 years ?!? Okay, I powered it on two weeks ago to see if it still works and it does, so it will be offered on ebay soon. Therefore I voted "other computers: none" and "other consoles: none".

 

In the past I had an Atari 1040ST for approx. two weeks in the early or mid 90s, that I wanted to use for my university work / studying (to replace the electronic typewriter I had back then). But my parents then bought a new Pentium PC and gave me their 486 PC for free, so I gave the ST back to my friend... yes, the 486 was an ST and Amiga killer!

 

In the 90s I also had an Atari Jaguar with CD-ROM, Catbox, 2x Pro Controller and approx. 20-30 games on cart and CD. Sold everything for 250 german marks (125 euro)... the price of a half Pro-Controller today, ahem. I liked Rayman very much, but never got any further than the music-world, finished Battlemorph, Hover Strike U.L. and Blue Lightning, as well as I-War. Played also Tempest very often and World Tour Racing + Raiden, but that more or less was it (I do not like beat-em-ups or Doom-like games). Also owned a 7800 for several months and liked Tower Toppler and Alien Brigade very much, but the library of good games was rather small (or I already had them on the 8Bit) and so I sold it again.

 

Today I am only active on the 8Bit Atari and have plans to reduce my collection somewhat (keep the carts, sell the disks and tapes), while keeping all the hardware stuff...

 

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With respect to our beloved A8 platform, a few minor additions:

 

Agree that most 5200 hacks work great, if not as good or better on A8, but on account of speed alone the 5200 versions of Qix and Space Dungeon are quite a bit different than the circulating 8 bit conversions of which I am aware (made by Glenn the 5200 Man; thank you very much Glenn!). Not sure why but A8 Qix conversion is way too slow; it is much slower than the 5200 native version, and to me this takes a good deal of the fun out of Qix (w/ its arcade roots). Space Dungeon A8 conversion is slower too but to me this is a good thing: Space Dungeon 5200 native, as fast as it is, is very, very hard (as it also was in the arcade)! :thumbsup:

Stock controllers are truly awkward for most games; definitely helps to use an alternative instead -- if you're into or interested in the 5200 -- such as a Wico AT-5200 (two button joystick controller with adapter for 5200).

The CX-53 trackball is faster and more precise than the CX-22 and CX-80 trackballs (and yes it takes up almost as much space as the 5200 itself).

There was a concerted effort to use the CX-53 for 5200 games vs. Atari releasing only Missile Command with trackball mode for A8. I only have a CX-80 currently to compare it with but although its a monstrosity, the CX-53 seems like the better made trackball. FWIW, my CX-53 was obtained used but in good condition and the CX-80 was purchased new.

I enjoy watching the 5200 4 port RF modulator synch up with my Sony LCD (used as it is the only TV in the house with an analog RF tuner).

I have an atarimax 128-in-1 5200 cart made before Steve started doing the 5200 SD carts; it has most of the better games and a few cool A8 to 5200 ports (like Caverns of Mars, Chicken and Shamus).

 

1st Edit/Addition:

5200 Adventure II!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Almost forgot...

 

Also, a question: are A8 and 5200 versions of Berzerk and Robotron identical? Are there any differences?

 

2nd Edit/Addition:

7800 is a great system too; not the biggest or best Atari library and most of the good games are arcade ports but lots of really great homebrew games sold here at AtariAge for the 7800! :thumbsup: Alternate controllers are essential for the 7800 as well: if you can track one down, the CX-78 is a decent two button gamepad; consider checking out the Edlladdin stuff in AtariAge's 7800 store. :grin:

 

Lynx is amazing tech for its time! I still think it is one of the best portable systems ever created (if you don't count the lack of battery life and issues related to extended on the go gaming). As Lord Thag said Lynx had "Tons of great arcade ports and system exclusives." :thumbsup:

 

Jaguar is limited but as is known this was mostly due to lack of support. For me Tempest 2000 alone makes it worth owning but Tempest is my all time favorite arcade game and it is much cheaper and easier to own a Jaguar than tracking down a Tempest cabinet (I would add as an arcade Tempest "purist" if there is such a thing that although Tempest 2000 is amazing, versions of Tempest/Tempest Plus included with Tempest 2000 are not so good, at least as representations of the arcade original; of course there is the issue of conversion of control to Jag from arcade too).

Very hard to program and make the diverse parts of Jag hardware sing?

 

I still remember Sam Tramiel being interviewed for NextGeneration magazine and answering that "Playstation does have more memory than Jaguar, it's using more silicon as the solution" when asked if Jaguar as it was designed was inferior to Sega's Saturn and Sony's PS One (weird also that that was Sony's first entry and just about the time of Sega's exit: Dreamcast another great but under-supported system).

I thought the chance for good press for Atari in NextGen at the time was great but the interview seemed like a lot of clueless spin/bullshit.

Sorry if I'm offending any Sam Tramiel fans out there! :P

 

So in summary ;) I own a 5200 to play 3 games and because I think the trackball is kinda cool and I own a Jaguar to play 1 game (not really: I like AVP and Iron Soldier too)...there are a couple of good games to play on original hardware for these two systems but you could probably get by with existing Tempest A8 offerings too. :)

Edited by Fingolfin
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