Brian R.

Mine stands at 260 titles. So that's unique titles, not counting duplicates - thankfully of which I have few, really tried to avoid getting 2, 5, 8, etc. copies of one game. Of that, 15 are homebrews, and I expect to have 3 more arriving soon.

I just got my first heavy sixer. Came with three joysticks - two are CX10s - two sets of paddles, power supply (black), intact box, storage center (pictured) and 15 games. Serial is 63688M. Does the M mean anything?

I see he currently has an auction for 2600 Space Raid, which he claims in the description is "out of production." Except, it's not. https://atariage.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1060 And there's one bid on it now, with the price now over what it can be bought directly from the store for. The "buy it now" was $15 over the store price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATARI-2600-VCS-SPACE-RAID-NIB-/301935116492?hash=item464cbc40cc:g:hO4AAOSwE7RXF0D0

Without a Wico, for me, the 5200 would be unplayable. I love the look and feel of the console and the cartridges. The cartridges really rock, IMO. But without a controller alternative, to play its games, you're better off with any of the A8 systems and a 2600 controller.

I have enough real 5200 games on cartridges I feel no need to get a multicart. Those carts are just so damn sexy, like the system itself. I missed the Redemption adapter. I'd buy one immediately if they were produced again. In my experience emulation removes too much of the experience, and even what you really only get - the game - is often messed up, too.

I bought a rebuilt controller, and it quickly failed, too. Finding a Wico saved my 5200. But the start button barely worked on my stock controller, which I needed at minimum to start games. Much later I got the Wico keypad, and I doubt I'll ever touch the stock controller again.

I will vouch for the Edladdin adapter. I got one recently. It works, it's well made, and you can't get any better than the Genesis controller (in my case, the six button controller) for the 7800 games that need two fire buttons. What the adapter gets you is use of two, separate fire buttons on the Genesis controller, as you would with the regular 7800 controllers. Without it, only a single fire button works, like on a 2600 controller. While the Euro pads might be interesting, and have the perk of being an Atari branded controller that is rather unique, it simply is not as good as the Genesis controller, especially when it comes to the D pad. IMO, best use of money is the adapter. The Atari pads will cost more and are not worth it, from a functional, game playing perspective. Also, IMO, the 7800 sticks absolutely suck. And if a game needs only one fire button, or no fire button, I prefer using the standard 2600 controller.

I prefer four switchers, woodies in particular. One, it's what I had back in the day. Cousins had a light six, and it was the "odd ball" to me. But for more practical reasons, now that I have a light six, it has a deeper/more recessed cartridge slot, which can make inserting and removing some cartridges difficult. It's can be a tight fit, and the cart housing can be scraped. The four toggle doesn't have that issue. So although my light six puts out a pristine picture, I go to a four toggle instead for ease of use and as to not damage the carts in any way. The junior is nice. And if it works, it works and it's great. But I don't believe it's as reliable or durable.

I think a problem with putting in another cable is many are too big to be inside the case. The stock cable you'll notice is shorter/not as tall inside the case as it is on the other end. It's shallower so it fits inside. Other cables are too big.

Hard to fathom how people can't know of these games. Take a look through the store. You may be surprised what you find. Lots of good stuff.

I bought this one a long time ago - my review in the store is from 2007. Great example of a very simple, very fun, pick-up-and-play Atari game. "08/18/2007 12:18am They joy of the 2600 is in its simplicity, and one of the games to capture that idea perfectly is Fall Down. This is video gaming at its purest, simplest and most fun form. No complex controls. No detailed environments. No lengthy back story. Two players - one red, one blue - running frantically across scrolling platforms, with whoever falls through a hole first claiming it. Yes, there are power-ups, but getting them is more a secondary objective to the first - capturing the level, scoring the point and avoiding death at the top of the screen. It's easy to play and lots of fun, which may be a surprise given just how simple an idea it is. Success will often depend on getting the right momentum, or just dumb luck, in choosing which way to run for the opening. You can be ahead, or be behind, and then have the tide turn. The game has several variations for one and two players, and for single players the VCS is a worthy and fair opponent. A fun game enhanced by its label and manual that is worth a purchase."

I'll go to 2600 controllers for single button games and games like PacMan. For two button games, I'll use a Genesis controller with my Edladdin adapter. I'm covered. I'll probably never use the 7800 stick or even the joypad again.

No. The adapter box doesn't matter, and it's not needed. Atari systems are usually very reliable (in my and many other experiences) and most often work. That you're having such trouble with multiple systems seems odd. But like most tech things, it's difficult to really know what's going on without being there and hands on. When you say games are harder to insert, that makes me thing you went from a four-toggle 2600 to a light sixer - the light six (and the heavy,I believe) have recessed/deeper cartridge ports, and some carts are tighter fits than others. The power switch sounds like it could be corroded, rusty, etc. As for the joysticks, they are internally very simple.

I would try using your Sega Genesis controller on the 2600. That could help you figure out if the problem is the controller itself or something internal in the system. You don't need RF boxes for the systems. You can use a simple RF to coax adapter and remove the box entirely. For the Vader, one thing you can do is open the console and make sure the internal end of the RF cable is firmly attached to the board. It just plugs in inside. The cable could also be frayed, on the outside end of it, from your description. You might need to replace the cable.

This will be an immediate buy once available. And Al, if you'd like any help with copy editing/proofing the manual, let me know. I'd be happy to help.

As I understand it, you're basically shoving an entire 2600 into the 5200, and it passes through the 5200. So it will need/work with 2600 peripherals like any other 2600.

I've never seen an adapter, would not go out of my way or spend a lot to get one, but would bring one home if I stumbled on it for the "right" price. I really have no reason to have one. I have 2600s and 7800s; and when it comes to playing 2600 games, I prefer using a real 2600 even over the 7800, so I doubt I'd go to the 5200 adapter. The adapter offers a functionality that's really not relevant anymore. Just a collection curiosity, IMO.

Do you know if it's a 4-port or a 2-port? There is a significant difference, with the 4-port requiring its own automatic switchbox, which the power also runs through. If you've never opened a 5200 controller before, and if you aren't familiar with doing such things, be warned, you may have difficulty getting it back together again.