Atari2008

I found the Vectrex Thrust video, but I'll have to wait till I get home to watch it since I'm at work. Although I haven't been able to dedicate a chunk of time to playing Vectrex on MESS I did check out a few games just to see what they look like and although they looked different from anything I've seen I wasn't completely blown away. Then I saw a clip of the Angry Video Game Nerd playing Star Trek on the Vectrex and it looked completely different. It was full of bright colors and smooth animation. Definitely cooler that what I've seen on MESS. I wanted to test some games out on emulation just to get a feel for the gameplay since the Vectrex is an expensive proposition and completely new to me.

I received some 5200 games that I ordered at work about a month ago. I showed them to a coworker and that started off a conversation about old video games, and she then proceeded to ask me if I had or played a Vectrex. I was so shocked that she knew what it was. I must admit I've never given the Vectrex any sort of thought, I didn't like the idea that it had it's own monitor and you just couldn't plug it in to any TV. Although from the sounds of this conversation, I might just have to try them on an emulator since I've never even played a game with vector graphics.

I got a 5200 recently and the controllers feel somewhat comfortable but they don't inspire a lot of confidence. The joystick itself feels weak and I feel like during an involved game of Pac-Man, I'm going to break it, not to mention that it is slow and unresponsive. So I do find that in fast games like Pac-Man the controllers are a bit of a drawback. I have Pac-Man Collection for the 7800 and find it much easier to control Pac-Man (I also like that with the 2600/7800 you get to plug in a variety of different controllers, my favorite being the Genesis pad) and on the 2600 version of Berzerk, it's the same thing, I lose the cool voices and sharper graphics but the control is tighter. Still the 5200 has a far more exciting library than the 7800. I almost wish the 5200 had been designed like the 7800 in terms of console size and the type of controllers it supports...

Very impressive.

I'm new to the Channel F also and I've noticed that its graphics are very unique, hard to describe, I don't think I've seen it in other systems. This is very impressive. It's amazing what programmers can do with this old systems that pushes them to their limits. Look forward to seeing the final product and any other games.

It's very confusing, I think I'm going to have to set aside to figure all of the Channel F controls in MESS...luckily I found game instructions on a site so hopefully that'll help. One game I didn't have problems loading was that Pac-Man port. WOW! I haven't played many other Channel F games since I'm just discovering it now, but based off of the original games I saw on YouTube, this is most impressive! The Channel F has a unique graphics display and its cool to see a game like Pac-Man pulled off on it. Can't wait to see what other games programmers have in store for it.

Thank you! I've got it working...just need to figure out the system controls for some of the games, they seem a bit confusing. So far I've been able to play Alien Invasion.

Thank you! I look forward to exploring this piece of gaming history.

Hey everyone, I want to play Channel F games in MESS, and it seems that I'm missing the BIOS roms: sl90025.rom and sl31254.rom...any idea of where I could find them? I'm curious to play this piece of video game history. Thanks!

Thank you for the link! I look forward to checking out the forum and learning more about Robot City. I'm new to the O2 scene. Robot City sounds cool.

Any more info on this game?

I've been playing K.C. Munchkin on an emulator the past few days...what an addicting game!

I just received 11 Atari 2600 games that I bought from him and they're in great condition. It was a smooth transaction all the way. Games arrived very quickly and packed with great care. He's also a very nice guy to boot.

The Odyssey 2 seems to have quite a following around here, I'm going to have to check out some of the games.

I agree, for me that's the reason I keep coming back to the 2600. Although the 7800 is graphically superior and capable of more advanced gameplay, the game library leaves a lot to be desired. Whereas the 2600 had a lot more games that are just plain fun to play. So I'll take basic graphics and sounds any day over a crappy game.

I'd have to concur with the Colecovision. It was only around for maybe 2 years or so but in that short time had made a splash. Who knows what it could've accomplished had it lived longer. I also think the 5200, with some nice alternative controllers and the release of the Jr. could've gone some interesting places as well. It was a very powerful machine.

When I first got my 7800 when I was a little kid, I didn't mind the ProLine Joysticks at all. But as an adult, after I recently got the system repaired, those things had my hands in pain in no time. I quickly ordered the JoyPads, and while they're leagues better in terms of comfort they still leave some to be desired. I have a big issue with the D-pad which to me seems a bit stiff and causes some strain on my thumbs and I don't find it as accurate as other D-Pads I've used like the NES, SNES, and Genesis. One of the most comfortable Atari controllers I've used are the 5200 sticks, I just wish they didn't break down so easily.

I have a 4-switch woodgrain (from '77 I believe) and a 7800 (from '88 I think) and I alternate between these two when I want to play 2600 games. Mostly because of space reasons, if not I'd hook them both up. And I feel like some of the magic disappears from 2600 games when I play them on the 7800. The colors don't seem as bright and vibrant, and for me that's enough to take away from the experience. It may sound weird but I get more fun out of my 2600 games and enjoy the experience overall when I play them on the 2600. Anyone else experience this or is it just me?

I would argue that this is to the NES' detriment. Too much shovelware. You'd rather a library of only 20 good games and the rest is so-so to bad over a library with a 100+ good games with the rest being crap? I know it takes more effort to sort through the crap in the NES catalog but in the end I think there's just more games worth playing than the 7800. Agreed, a larger library means more time sifting but in the end you get more options of good games. That's the problem I'm having with the 7800 right now is that there are very few games that I like and the remainder just seem dull or bad. The NES like the 2600 sure has its fair share of duds since people wanted to cash in on the console's popularity but it also has so many more good games to choose from.

Having owned both systems I agree. This is not a knock against the 7800, I think it's a decent system and had Atari been in a better position in terms of management and financially, it could've had a much better library. It wouldn't have toppled the NES but would've had a much stronger library than it does today. Also I think it speaks to when the 7800 was designed and what Atari had in mind. At the time the competition was the Colecovision and that's what the 7800 was meant to compete against. Atari should've designed a completely new system to face up to the NES, the 7800 was definitely not up to the task. Even Atari ended up switching gears and releasing the XE Game System to see if that could take on the NES, which spoke to their lack of confidence in the 7800.

You know the thought did cross my mind. I used to own a Jag when it was on its last hind legs since I was an Atari fan, and thought it was cool that Atari had a "new" system on the market. I think I may have solved my boredom for now, I've started rotating my Atari systems and that's been helping. At some point I'll probably add another console, and the variety should keep me coming back for more. Right now I'm finding Dig Dug on the 7800 pretty addicting... cool Glad to hear it! Yep, I'm just learning to be more patient with my 7800 and keep an open mind toward it. I think my view of it has been tarred by its poor performance in the marketplace, especially when facing the NES. But I've realized I have a few gems for it...gonna play Joust next.

You know the thought did cross my mind. I used to own a Jag when it was on its last hind legs since I was an Atari fan, and thought it was cool that Atari had a "new" system on the market. I think I may have solved my boredom for now, I've started rotating my Atari systems and that's been helping. At some point I'll probably add another console, and the variety should keep me coming back for more. Right now I'm finding Dig Dug on the 7800 pretty addicting...

I think I'm going to try a few things. Definitely going to look into participating in one of the high score clubs, I think the competition will keep me focused. Probably going to put away the 2600, keep the 7800 handy just because I did get games for it recently, and keep my 5200 hooked up since it's the latest Atari system I've acquired and it feels "newest" to me so I'll focus in on that one for now. I'm not really interested in consoles beyond the 16-bit era, at least not right now, so now PS1 for me. Since I just got a 5200 I don't want to get another console right now (I like to space out my console purchases) but I'll look into Intellivision, NES, SNES, and Atari 8-bits through emulation to see what they all have to offer. Thank you everyone for your input, I think I'm also learning that a certain degree of patience and perspective is required to play classic games since they're a completely different animal from new ones.

Nice article! I recently purchased a 5200 (2-port) so this is good info. Glad to know that there are extension cables for the controllers, was getting a lil tired of lugging the 5200 back and forth from my entertainment center so I dont have to play right in front of the tv.

I've always wanted to burn those YouTube commercials on a CD....I didn't know you could do that. I liked the 5200 commercials bashing the Colecovision, they were funny, especially with all the surprised people..."you mean it can't?" Not to mention Atari bashing the 2600 version of Pac-Man playing on a CV expansion module. LOL Yep,just download firefox mozilla browser,and its fast video download add-on,and you're all set.You'll also need a player like Applian flv player that will play youtubes flv files,you can download that too. Thanks! I'll try that when I get home.