Atari2008

Looks great! Very professional.

Hard to pick just one, right now I'm going to say Missile Command. Excellent port, addicting, pleasing graphics and colors...it sucks to lose but the explosion looks awesome.

Welcome to Atari Age! You can't go wrong with an Atari 2600 it was king of the consoles in the early 80s and as such there's a large library of games. As has been mentioned, there are many lame ones due to its popularity, but there are many good ones, lots of good gems. What I like best about the Atari 2600...I can't narrow down to just one reason, I love the look of the woodgrain console, it's just classic and looks cool in your entertainment center and on a shelf. I love the game selection and I like how many popular arcade games of the day were translated to the 2600, I believe that to be an art form in and of itself. Plus the controllers as you mentioned are more comfortable than those for the 5200 and 7800, and for people like myself who like D-pads, it's also compatible with the Sega Genesis controller. I actually discovered my older sister's Atari when I was maybe 10 or 11 years old. My first system was the NES which was the must have system at the time yet I really wanted to play the Atari I saw sitting in the closet collecting dust. Once Radio Shack started selling Atari games in the mid-90s, I built up my collection. Even alongside the current hardware of the day, I had loads of fun with my Atari, and I suspect you will too. Welcome aboard!

I've been looking at Best's and B&C's sites too because if I do get a Jag, I'd like to support an Atari store in the process, and not someone on eBay looking to make a quick profit. You're right this is probably the last best time to get a Jag, since Best and B&C will run out of Jags at some point. Maybe I'll save up and try to get one...I've been a bit on the fence, since I've seen what the prices are currently and since the game library isn't the greatest, although I remember liking quite a few titles when I had one. Might be fun to check out the homebrews too.

That's why I asked, I noticed the wild prices on eBay. Wow, unreal. I think when I sold mine around 2004/2005, I sold it for around $40.

I had a Studio II briefly but sold it since I just wasn't playing it much. I agree the historical value is there and it is a curiosity. Some games can be fun for a few minutes but the console doesn't have any "killer apps." There was talk of a multi-cart and a few homebrews that were made in anticipation of it (Pac-Man, Berzerk among others) and those showed that the system could have fun games.

Sorry to bring up a topic that has probably been discussed to death, but realizing that it's the Jag's 20th anniversary has got me thinking that it might be nice to own one again. I've seen what the console goes for on eBay $100-$250 it seems. But I'm curious what would the cost be of a Jaguar console with the RF cable, 2 controllers and one loose cart? I'm trying to see if a Jag would be within my budget, of course I'll have to gauge my interest relative to the price, but it might be fun to jump back in the scene. Thanks!

I agree! Lance is excellent at what he does. He offers great and personal customer service. A few years back I sent him my Atari 2600 and 7800 to repair and he did a great job, we even had a few phone calls where he explained to me in great detail what was going on with the systems. Also, I love the retro-style receipts. It's just a great experience all around. And the cost of having both systems repaired around the holidays qualified me for the holiday sale which I was unaware of at the time, so it was a most welcome surprise. Also, I'm a lefty so I love their evolved Atari 2600 controller, same look and feel of the classic but with dual fire buttons for left and right handed gamers. They also have a paddle controller with dual fire buttons that I'd like to get as well. I agree, I can't recommend Video 61 highly enough! I'm very glad you posted this, it's nice to see the store get a shout-out.

Thank you for posting this! I'm a big fan of and loyal customer of Video 61/Atari Sales. I agree they have great products and unparalleled customer service. It's my favorite Atari store and I definitely want to support them this holiday season.

Wow I can't believe it's 20 years old, I got mine as a birthday present from my dad back in 1997 for my 14th birthday. The system was dying out but I still held hope that Atari could rebound. I bought as many games as I could and even had that ill-fated article with Sam Tramiel, I think it was Next Generation? But yea I was a hardcore fan, I would even call Atari headquarters when the rumors of their demise started circulating. I should've never sold my Jag back in the early 2000s, since it gave me some fond memories. Nice to see it still has a community of fans.

Thank you for sharing this great blog post that you wrote. It was nice reading your personal connection to the Jaguar and how you've handed it down to your children. You brought back some warm memories since I received a Jaguar for my 14th birthday back in 1997. The system was dying out then but I was an Atari diehard based on my fascination with the 2600, so my dad took me to Radio Shack and he ordered me a brand new one. I had a birthday party at my house where we all played the Jag and for that brief moment I felt like the Jaguar was a cool, exclusive system. I no longer own it but this brought back fond memories. And wow it's the 20th anniversary? Makes me feel old but it's cool that it's celebrating such a milestone and there's still a vibrant community of fans!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope you find those TV Guide ads, I'd be interested in seeing them. How are you enjoying your RCA Studio II?

I won a Channel F ad from 1977 on eBay and I noticed on the backside it had this RCA Studio II ad, nothing we haven't seen before but I thought I'd share anyway. Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Looks really cool!

Coax TV cable is a great idea. I used to use one on my Colecovision which would get crappy RF signal full of distortions, once I used the coax cable, it was near perfect. Is a cable like this shielded enough for the 2600? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/6-rg6-in-wall-indoor-outdoor-coaxial-a-v-cable/6602795.p;jsessionid=B8B4366D4DC983974AF72DF4E3814F65.bbolsp-app03-154?id=1218761659212&skuId=6602795&st=coaxial%20cable&cp=1&lp=9 With the coax cable I'm assuming I'd use this right angle adapter: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103467# If I decided to go with a premium shielded digital RCA cable I'm assuming something like the following arrangement will work: Cable: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BXCNDQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&tag=atariage&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002BXCNDQ&linkCode=as2 With this right angle adapter: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102594 The coax cable will provide the best possible image but either the coax or the digital RCA cable are better than the stock RCA cable. And lastly one of these: http://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=42 To run either option through the VCR. I have a question, with the coax cable you can just screw it directly to the RF connector on the back of the TV, do you still find the VCR necessary in that scenario?

Good suggestion. I actually have been playing my Atari through the VCR although it still picks up interference I'm guessing since I'm still using the stock RCA cable. Do you have recommendations on shielded digital RCA cables that'll still fit under the Atari case?

Thanks, sorry about that!

Sorry if this is the wrong post and also for jumping in so late, but after reading this thread, I'm interested in the Atari 7800 XM module. I had a 7800 growing up and have very fond memories of it. I would totally get another console to be able to play this. Are you still taking orders? How much does it cost? Thanks!!!

Just to add my voice to the Fairchild group, I'm that guy in New York who is interested in a Fairchild cover, and I'm looking for an inexpensive console to send over to be used for dustcover measurements.

This is so cool Michael!!!! Thank you for your hard work on this.

Good topic!!! One of the things I love about the 2600 is the bright colors, never thought of the room lighting effect! Totally doing that tonight, and after a party at that. I'm sure the drinks and light effect will go well.

Yes thank you!!!! This game is tough as nails!

I love this game!! It's one of my faves. I'm impressed by the high scores on here. Clearly I shall have to practice. :-)

Thank you!! I' stoked about Super Mario 2600 too!!!! Childhood dream come true right there...

Are there a lot of copies of Halo 2600 left? Not sure if it was a limited run...trying to decide if I should jump in and get this one or if I have time to wait. It looks awesome!! Thanks.