5200 or Colecovision

[edweird13]

I know this is a Atari forum but I have always wanted a Colecovision . However with the recent release of Adventure II it has made it even harder to choose. So I am leaving it up to the community.

[Lord Helmet]

Short answer...you need both.

[edweird13]

Jedi mind tricks only work on the weak minded. lol I can only get one

[Lord Helmet]

If you forced me to pick just one...it would have to be the 5200...but only by the slimmest of margins.

 

The great thing about owning them both is that there are very few cross-platform games. Back then, most titles were exclusive to a system. You won'd find Venture on the 5200, and Berzerk isn't on the CV etc.

[jbanes]

Colecovision has a lot more games, but quite a few of them get dull after about 5 minutes. Those that don't, however, are amazing arcade translations. (Donkey Kong, Zaxxon, BurgerTime, Cosmic Avenger, Mr. Do!, Gorf, and Lady Bug.)

 

The 5200 has a few really good games (e.g. Pacman, Moon Patrol, Missile Command, Vanguard, and Jungle Hunt), but the rest are all the standard Atari fare that can be found in more colorful versions on the 7800. You can also expect to do a lot of maintenance on the controllers. The system is HUGE, so it's a bit difficult to keep out unless you have a place reserved for it in your entertainment center. Without regular play, the controllers oxygenate and become unresponsive. So you'll need to open them up and rub off the gunk with a pencil eraser fairly often.

 

Personally, I think the Colecovision is a bit better value. The 5200 is an incredible piece of history that has always been underrated, but its game library and maintenance schedule just don't stack up. The Colecovision may require you to physically scrape the cart pins of recently acquired games and jiggle the cart a bit to get it working, but its great library of arcade hits more than makes up for it.

Edited May 25, 2007 by jbanes

[BassGuitari]

I'm partial to the Atari 5200, myself.

[Pixelboy]

Everyone here knows I'm a Coleco fan, so what I'm about to say may sound fanboyish, but it really isn't: I was never really impressed with the Atari 5200. I never liked the controllers, and the games are just 'meh'. But I respect all those that do like the console.

 

Still, I have to recommend going with the ColecoVision. Lots of fun games - most of which can be bought cheap today, especially on eBay - and the bad ones are usually easy to spot and avoid.

[Gabriel]

Regarding games, both systems have a bunch of games which have been recycled a bit. Both systems have their games which you don't see anywhere else. The Atari 5200 is a bit more of a picture of what was mainstream level popular in the early 80s, while the Colecovision is a lot more oriented towards the cult classics. We all know about the classic Pac-Man versus Donkey Kong debate. But a more important question would probably be, do you want Space Dungeon or Venture? Do you want War Room or Star Raiders?

 

Both systems have controllers with issues. The stock Atari 5200 controllers break down a lot. The Colecovision controllers are the worst pieces of shit ever made. No matter what, you're going to be looking for alternate control methods. The advantage goes to the Colecovision on this point for the mere reason that it's marginally less expensive than the 5200 control option. However, a trackball, Best Electronics gold refitted controller, a redemption adaptor, and a Genesis pad far surpass just about anything you can do for the Colecovision.

 

I hate to admit it, but for many games the Colecovision has an advantage in graphics. This isn't really because of detail. This is because a lot of really ugly colors seem to get used on a lot of 5200 games. Colecovision games tend to be brighter and more colorful.

 

Whichever console you get, you will definitely want to spend $150 on an AtariMax USB flashcart. I have one for both my Colecovision and my Atari 5200 and they are absolutely fantastic.

[RJ]

Diehard Atari fan since 1984, but this time I gotta say...go Coleco. Picked mine up a few months back, havent regretted it. W/ the exception of certain exclusive titles, most 5200 games' graphics are the same as the Atari computer counterparts.

[+davidcalgary29]

Get the 5200 if:

 

a) you're interested in collecting recent releases;

 

b) you can find a Wico controller;

 

c) someone will burn you copies of Xari Arena and the weird and wonderful Spitfire demo/proto.

 

I'd otherwise recommend the CV, if only for its kick-ass versions of Pepper II, Burgertime, and Smurf Rescue. The recent CV releases look pretty good, as well.

[Bill Brasky]

You should really be deciding between a CV and an Atari 8 bit computer/XE game system. The Atari 8 bit/XE line is a way better choice than the 5200. You've got access to all the 5200 games plus hundreds more, S-video output, can use just about any common 9 pin joystick, smaller, cheaper, easier to get games for.

[edweird13]

I already have Wico Command Controllers for the Colecovision controllers. Not gonna go the 8-bit Atari computer route I have a C-64.

[jetset]

5200 in a heartbeat.

Still, the CV is a great system too. You really should try to get both, but I know for many people plunking down bucks for one system much less two is easier said than done.

I won't make this a fanboy thing as to why to NOT get the CV, but here's why you SHOULD get s 5200.

 

Recent homebrews - Adventure II, Castle Crisis (which, you can probablly still get a hold of ), Beef Drop, plus the tons of Atari computer line conversions you can get on cart (Donkey Kong, etc...)

 

Arcade ports - this was the reason to own a 5200 back in '83. Space Invaders, Pole Position, Pac-Man, and the like are classics even 25 yrs later. Plus, Robotron and Centipede are about the best home versions you'll come across, particularly with the trackball and the 2 controller coupler for Robotron.

 

Controllers - Dont listen to EVERYTHING you hear about the controllers. True, they break easily. However if you know how to fix/clean them you'll never have a problem. And, the "non-centering" issue people complain about is actually a benefit to most games. Only a handful of games are horrible with the 5200 sticks. For the most part, if you're even a halfway decent gamer you'll adjust to the controllers quickly. I've always contended that those who gripe about the non-centering issue aren't very good at plaing games, and use that as a reason why.

 

Plus, the 5200 plain old LOOKS awesome in your collection.

 

Best of all the 5200 is still a "growing" system. Homebrews, The redemption adapters (granted theyre not available right now but likely will be again) The Multicarts and flash carts...

 

Seriously. Just get a 5200. Well worth it.

[darthkur]

I really don't understand why you can't just get both of them and enjoy the best of both worlds. And why the aversion to getting an Atari 800 just because you already have a C64? Is the Commodore going to get jealous and move out?

Edited May 25, 2007 by darthkur

[edweird13]

Its the money issue I have had my C-64 for a long time. The reason I am struggling is because I have a 7800.

[JB]

Arcade ports - this was the reason to own a 5200 back in '83. Space Invaders, Pole Position, Pac-Man, and the like are classics even 25 yrs later. Plus, Robotron and Centipede are about the best home versions you'll come across, particularly with the trackball and the 2 controller coupler for Robotron.

Qix and Space Dungeon also have their best ports on the 5200.

Hell, Space Dungeon has it's ONLY port on the 5200.

 

Qix is also a terminal flaw in anyone's scheme to get an Atari computer and play 5200 hacks.

There's only one fire button. No matter how creative you get in your control hack, Qix was always meant for 2 fire buttons, and will always suck with 1.

 

 

 

 

5200 Missile Command, on the other hand, is kind of embarassing. The analog stick is GREAT for targeting, BUT... since it was a port of the computer version, there's only one missile turret, even though you have 2 fire buttons(and a 12-key phonepad on top of that...).

 

And that's really where the 5200 hurts. A lot of it's games are quick ports from the Atari computers, and many made no attempt to even acknowledge the difference in controller.

When they DO attempt to utilize the controller properly, it's really really nice. But when they just use it as a funny-looking 2600 stick, it has serious issues.

 

 

 

 

I'd say get the 5200, though.

And Space Dungeon.

And Qix.

[misspent_youth]

I have to reply in regards to the homebrew comment. IMO the ColecoVision homebrew scene is equal to, if not better than the 5200 scene. Granted there are only one or two authors, but IMO Opcode Games is the BEST homebrew outfit out there. Consistently top-notch, arcade PERFECT translations. Plus you can play Burgertime on the CV, and it's one of the better ports of the game. No disrespect to Adventure 2, but I think that Pac-Man Collection will be the homebrew of the year.

 

There are more controller peripherals for the CV, even if they are underused (trackball, steering wheel, super action controllers). There is the Champ keypad adapter (which is difficult to find) that allows you to use any 2600/C64 controller, but for one-player games, you can just plug a 2600/C64?Genesis controller into port one and use the keypad of the controller plugged into port two.

 

There is no doubt that the 5200 has the CV beat when it comes to mainstream arcade ports, but the CV has a strong lineup of 'second tier' arcade ports that are excellent. The CV also has a USB multicart.

 

Of course, I'm in Canada where they never sold the 5200 when I was young, so I just never got in to it. I do have a 5200 with a Multi-Cart, and enjoy it, but the CV is my fave, so I recommend it.

[Inky]

Ive owned both. RIght now I have a non-working Coelco ADAM and a non-working 5200...

 

IMHO if at all possible get both, but that having been said, Id give the slight slight edge to the CV. Why? Because it has kick ass versions of BUrgertime, Cogno Bongo, Tapper, WarGames kicks ass, and the best versions of Frogger, Popeye and Qbert.

[Gabriel]

and the best versions of Frogger, Popeye and Qbert.

 

I don't really care for Frogger, and I'll agree with you that CV Q*Bert is better than the 5200 version. But I feel Popeye for the 5200 plays much better than the CV version.

[Gabriel]

Hell, Space Dungeon has it's ONLY port on the 5200.

 

Well, you can play it on Taito Legends Power-Up for the PSP, but the 5200 version is much more fun.

[darthkur]

Its the money issue I have had my C-64 for a long time. The reason I am struggling is because I have a 7800.

 

I can certainly sympathize there. I'm far from rich. Well, if you already have a 7800 and wish for "something completely different" as John Cleese would put it then go for the CV. Then again if you really love the 7800 and wish to get something with a similar list of ports then go with the 5200. I love them both so it really is a tough choice.

[doubledown]

ColecoVision: Here's 3 good reasons why:

 

 

 

[Rik]

Get both,i love my CV,and ive played some 5200 games on a friends console,pretty good system also,as i still have to get one.Get both ,cant lose.The 5200 has non-centering stiks,you can always get aftermarket stiks for it.But if i had to absolutely pick one for whatever reason,id pick the CV,for its amazing arcade ports,and more games.

Edited May 27, 2007 by Rik

[JB]

Hell, Space Dungeon has it's ONLY port on the 5200.

 

Well, you can play it on Taito Legends Power-Up for the PSP, but the 5200 version is much more fun.

Well, I assumed we were excluding emulations, given some of the other "best ports" listed have since had emulations released.

 

But yeah... of all the possible systems to do Space Dungeon on, they pick the one WITHOUT something resembling twin sticks?

[cimerians]

CV without question. Better library by far. (Some games done better on the 5200 though like Montezuma's Revenge)

 

Also the homebrew scene for the CV is great. Add the Atari 2600 adapter and Im in heaven.

 

I also have a component CV. Awesome system!