Atari2008

Enjoy! I periodically keep tabs on the Colecovision homebrews - they always look amazing! Don't know why I didn't partake when I had a CV.

All of your responses have given me ideas, I like the idea of streamlining the physical collection while using emulation to experience games I own and also those that I don't but I'm curious about. For me emulation has always been the gateway - I'll emulate something I don't have, like it, then I end up buying it on eBay. That's how I got my first Colecovision and Intellivision, both of which I ended up selling. But once I had the real hardware I didn't feel the need to emulate, but I'm willing to give it a go now. It can't hurt. Luckily my collection is small enough (I've done purges in the past) that I can make it manageable more easily. I'll keep only one Channel F out (probably the one with the red fire button as those are rare so it's fun to show off and play with as well) and the other regular Channel F I'll store in the closet. I'll also store the Odyssey 2 in the closet as that system just doesn't cut it for me. It was another one I emulated, thought this is cool, bought it and the novelty wore off quickly. So I'll just keep one Channel F and the Atari 2600 out. That should help, and I'll try to get an emulator collection going for those systems I don't have to scratch that itch.

I do! I think the Channel F is an awesome machine. I got my first one back in 2008 when the Pac-Man homebrew came out, I sold it a few years later when I went through a phase and insisted I was done with gaming. The past 2 years I've repurchased a console and Pac-Man so I'm insistent on keeping the Channel F. I like the idea of a main system and a spare, that makes sense and will clear up some space which I think will help with the overwhelmed feeling. I think I'll also take some time to just evaluate how I'd like to approach my gaming. I think people are right, I need to just take a smaller slice of the pie. Maybe building a homebrew collection for one of my systems (since I like homebrews) instead of trying to do it for all (including systems I don't even own). And i need to look at whether I want to grow the current systems I have or sell one in order to get a different one. But ultimately I want to bring the hobby back to its ultimate purpose for me and that's to enjoy and have fun with it.

I am similar. Through the years I've had an Intellivision (twice but I just can't seem to get into that system, although it has its fans), Colecovision, and Atari 5200 all with similarly sized collections. I get bored and sell either here or on eBay. The ones I won't part with are the Channel F and the 2600. I also forgot that I did have a Jaguar but sold that as well. I haven't been inspired at all to grow my O2 collection, cool looking console and game boxes but the game play is kinda shallow to me. Guess I haven't played a console in a while that has really grabbed my attention. The 2600 I think is awesome but I've always had it so it's not a new thrill.

I think I need to give up the hunt and just enjoy the systems I have although admittedly of my current collection the Channel F and Odyssey 2 are limited in the fun department, so I should focus more on the 2600. I can leave the more obscure systems to emulation.

Wow I think this is what I was looking for. You hit on so many things that I've been experiencing - the anxiety and depression over retro-collecting. Plus I've already been emulating the weird systems that I don't own - RCA Studio II and Adventure Vision - and have even started doing some of what you suggested by saving manual scans so I can easily find instructions to games I want to play on an emulator. I do need to be more disciplined about backing it up and saving files - definitely going home to save the .exe files. Plus I can try all these obscure systems without breaking the bank. I really like the idea of limiting the physical systems to just 1 or 2, it does make things more manageable and can help focus limited time and money. I can see myself down the line being able more or less to focus on the Atari 2600 homebrew scene and maybe that of another console, and everything else just emulating. I like the idea of packing up things neatly and keeping them stored so they don't clutter and fill up my place. I should probably print your post and keep it as a reference point. This is good. I have been mostly a fan of the real experience - I do most of my gaming on actual original hardware, like loon said, I mostly emulate to try before I buy. I don't want to spend $100 on a 5200 or Colecovision, and find I don't like the games. Emulation lets me determine if I'm going to take the plunge. But emulating can also help me experience consoles I may either never afford (Vectrex, Astrocade for example) or won't be able to get any time soon. I had been one to emulate but only before buying but I think I might take emulation more seriously as its own legitimate retro gaming experience. To your first point, I know I'll definitely keep the 2600, I've had it since I was a kid and am fond of it even if my attention has been drifting elsewhere. The #2 console will probably be the Channel F as I greatly admire it historically and have believe it or not enjoyed some fun times on it. The Odyssey 2 might be one that can go at some point however, while I streamline my collection.

Thank you for the tips! I think I'll try this when I get home. Might be interesting to play some of the consoles I've been wanting to get - 5200, Colecovision, Vectrex - in emulation. At least it won't cost me anything, perhaps just the cost of the adapter and controller. theloon - your 2600 games look fun.

Nice! Thank you. Looks pretty cool.

That's my think too, I'm a fan of many of the retro systems and would like to have a collection of and support homebrew development for a bunch of them - Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Colecovision, Vectrex - of course I can't possibly own all of them at the moment due to cost and space limitations. I agree that SD cards and emulation would be a good way to go. Definitely more affordable and less space consuming. I like your strategy of selling in order to get it so you don't feel bad about it. I could consider that although I don't have anything worth much at the moment (and I don't want to part with one of the Channel F's). MESS doesn't seem to work well for me, I get audio and a black screen usually, could be my old laptop though. I do have more luck with specific emulators like Emma O2 (for the RCA Studio 2) and AdVi (for the Adventure Vision). How do I tie the ROMS to the emulator? I'll look into one of those USB adapters, I don't have much of a joypad preference since I stopped keeping up with current gaming a while ago.

I have no qualms with emulation. I do always end up playing on my keyboard though, do you ever use one of those USB controllers? Which emulator do you use? I've done MESS when I can't find a console-only emulator.

I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by my retro-gaming lately. While I have a small collection, it’s been giving me a great deal of stress. I don’t have much money to put toward the hobby so I can’t afford to spend a great deal on it but I’m always coveting consoles I don’t have – Colecovision, Atari 5200, Vectrex, etc. – as well as homebrews since I like new games for old systems and supporting those efforts. All expensive things. Not to mention I haven’t been able to focus on my current collection: 1 Atari 2600 4 switch woody with maybe 50 loose carts and 4 CIB ones 2 Channel F’s with about 20 loose carts and 15 CIB ones 1 Odyssey 2 with 6 CIB ones I’m always chasing after something I don’t have (homebrews, other systems) that I neglect my current collection as you can see each individual one is quite paltry. Instead of beefing those up, I want to get others. Also, I haven’t been able to enjoy what I have much. I don’t have the time and I can’t seem to focus on my current systems. Also, I don’t have a lot of space so I can’t fill myself up with consoles and games. Being that I haven’t been able to consistently play and collect on a regular basis nor enjoy it, I think I need a little break to clear my head and get it together. I’m just curious does anyone else experience this? Also, how do you go about collecting if you have more than one system? Or do you just focus on one? I see homebrews come and go for various consoles I don’t have and prices shoot up on eBay and I feel like I’m missing out.

I heard that a broken one sold on eBay for $450 a few years ago.

Thank you for the link! I didn't know you can get repro 3D imager and light pens. That's awesome! I know the originals are rare items, so it's nice to be able to get a repro. I've read about both items and they sound like cool accessories.

I'm looking into the Vectrex, it looks like an intriguing system. Price is a bit up there but nothing compared to the Adventure Vision so not too bad.

Sounds like the Vectrex is more up my alley. It's obscure so people will be interested when they see it on a shelf, and I'll enjoy learning the history behind it. I also think it looks awesome and I've been interested in it for a few years, just never bothered to seriously look into it. Also I love homebrews so I'm glad to hear that it has an active scene. Plus it's also a table top like the Adventure Vision (of course all comparisons end there). The Astrocade seems intriguing but I don't want to deal with hardware issues, I want something sturdy so I can just get down to gaming.

That's true, they sure are collectible but in looking for a hidden gem - an obscure console that's actually fun to play in addition to collect for. Although I'm starting to think that doesn't exist.

It probably wouldn't be a good investment for me. I've been mining many of the obscure consoles lately - RCA Studio II, APF MP1000, Adventure Vision - looking for hidden gems since I enjoy obscure consoles. But all of those libraries seem to fall flat. Maybe those systems would just look cool in a shelf but nothing more. Maybe a Vectrex or a Bally Astrocade would be better, those seem to have better libraries and bigger followings.

I feel similarly. I'd be willing to spend more than I normally would but not nearly as high as they go for. Here's a nice emulator: https://code.google.com/p/adviemulator/ Good luck in your hunt as well!

I'm the same way! Watch videos online, get obsessed, and hope that if I go to a thrift store I'll find it. The last part hasn't happened yet, but I'm glad you've gotten lucky. I actually haven't looked at thrift stores and garage sales so maybe if I do I'll find something. I agree, I wouldn't want to pay $1,000 for it. Good luck on your search!

My favorite is the Channel F - it's historically significant, has an awesome 70s look, unique controllers and actually a fun library for such an old console. There are quite a few enjoyable games on there.

The prices are in the stratosphere, I probably never will own one. The FPGA Arcade sounds interesting, a good way to own these rare systems without breaking the bank.

So I recently discovered the Adventure Vision thanks to Brett Weiss' book on consoles from the 70s and 80s. I have an affinity for obscure systems so it quickly caught my attention. I've done a few searches and found quite a few sites chock full of information and very passionate fans of the system. It has a tiny library but they're all arcade ports. I've played the system in emulation and I think it's awesome! The unique system used to display the graphics really impresses me. So I guess I just want to talk about the Adventure Vision. Who has one? What do you like about it? Do you still play yours?

Atari Age is by far my favorite site, I go on it as much as most people go on Facebook, and I prefer it to Facebook for all of the above reasons. I love that this is a friendly and passionate community of gamers. I love that I can get new games for the retro consoles that I love, and that the site covers a broad range of systems. I have learned so much here and I've made many friends and added to my collection. On a personal note, as a 30 year old fan of 70s and 80s video games, I usually feel like the outsider in most of my social circles, but here in Atari Age I feel like I belong and it's really great. You guys make me proud to be a retro gamer even if people in the broader world don't share that appreciation.