Atari2008

Thank you everyone for your responses, you've gotten me quite excited about playing some 5200 games. I'm downloading a 5200 emulator tonight and trying some of the games mentioned on this thread so I can get a feel for the system. Of course I know I won't have the full experience on emulation alone since I won't get to test out the controllers or see the gigantic console but I think it'll be a good intro and help me determin if the 5200 is right for me. I did some research on Wico controllers and see that there are some listed on eBay...so does the Wico need an adaptor (like the redemption) to plug into the system or do they plug into the system directly? Also do many of the games use the keypad? Since it keeps being mentioned just out of curiosity does anyone have the exact dimensions of the console? Does it have a brick-sized power supply like the Colecovision too? I have to concur that the Intellivision and Colecovision controllers suck, I've owned both systems. The Intellivision's made me miss the joystick and the side fire buttons were a bit too tough to press. The CV was a bit better except for the weird knob at the end of the joystick and the fact that it just felt cheap. I was afraid I was going to break it or the console with much use. That's another question I had, how durable is the 5200? I found the CV to be one of the least durable systems I've owned, while the 2600 and 7800 proved to be tough. Thanks again! Looking forward to testing out some games.

Hey everyone, This is my first post so I'm excited. I've been a fan of the 2600 for quite some time although it was before my time and I had a 7800 a few years back, although my fondness for that machine hasn't lasted. I've been doing research into the 5200 lately since it's the one Atari machine that I never thought to look into since it was hardly mentioned compared to the other two. I've read varying things on the 5200...the infamous controllers, the size of the system...and most seem to end with the conclusion of getting an Atari 800 computer instead. So, I'm curious...what ways have people gotten around the controller issue? The malfunctioning and non-centering seems most scary to me. I know there are options like the Wico stick and adaptors...which ones do people prefer? Are they readily available? Also, are the games between the 5200 and Atari 800 so similar that it's just best to go for the computer? Or does the 5200 have any unique gems or interpretation of games? Also, whats the 5200 homebrew scene like? Thanks!