Atari 7800 thoughts and opinions for a new owner

[DragonmasterDan]

I just picked up (but have not yet recieved) an Atari 7800 on ebay. I own a questionably functional VCS with a handful of games I bought years ago as a wee lad. I own a Lynx and some games and I bought a Jaguar roughly around the time of its release in 1993 (well technically in early 1994 when Tempest 2000 was released) and eventually the CD add on .

 

The 7800 seems to fill my need for a better functioning VCS as well as plug a hole in my console collection (I have most US consoles released since 1985 with the Laseractive, Amiga CD 32, Nuon and Playstation 3 and N-gage) being the only exceptions I can think of offhand.

 

I'm getting a pretty decent collection of 7800 (and more 2600) games with it.

 

So I have a few questions for Atari fans out there. First off, I hear the 7800 controllers are bad. I've heard people mentioning that Best Electronics has the control pads, is it worth investing 15.00 each in new controllers for it, or will the pack in sticks work decently?

 

The second question is are there any must have relatively speaking titles for the 7800?

 

The third question is are there dip switches ala the 2600 on the system somwhere? from the pictures I've seen they don't appear to be visible. If not, how is difficulty and other settings adjusted?

 

Thanks.

[Rik]

Its not that the 7800 pro-lines are bad,as in how they perform,its more of the fact that they can become quite uncomfortable and make your hand cramp up,imo.Atari seemed quite adept at screwing up otherwise great products.The 7800 has many great games,make sure you at least get FOOD FIGHT,MIDNIGHT MUTANTS,DIG-DUG,CROSSBOW,TOWER TOPPLER,CHOPLIFTER,BALLBLAZER.

Edited August 14, 2007 by Rik

[shadow460]

The pro line joysticks are a love or hate relationship. My advice is to invest in a good set of first party 2600 controllers, as they work on many 7800 games as well. You might also spend your cash on a Flashback 2 and use the sticks from that. That's what I used until I got my wireless joysticks.

 

Difficulty switches are located on the front of the console, between the joystick ports. Slide them left for "B", right for"A". This does have an effect on some 7800 games as well as 2600 titles. The TV type switch has been renamed "Pause" and it's only momentary. Making it actually work like the TV Type switch requires a simple modification. Although everything else looks a tad different, it's easy to figure out (channel switch, RF jack, etc.)

 

As for must have titles, go into the AtariAge store, click "Homebrew" under the 7800 section and order one of everything. Galaga may still be for sale there, too--grab it. Grab Missing In Action if you like, too (I think you have to go through Mitch for that one, though).

 

Any arcade titles are usually good, Food Fight is excellent, Asteroids is impressive (but won't work with third party 2600 controllers), the three Nintendo titles are all decent, and there are some good light gun games, too.

It really depends on what you like. If you're into arcade conversions, you have the correct system. If you're into gun games, you'll be happy. The 7800 doesn't have much in RPGs, though.

 

If nothing else, I'd put in an order for Beef Drop right away. Pac-Man Collection! is usually available, and it, too is a must have title.

[Brian R.]

I just picked up (but have not yet recieved) an Atari 7800 on ebay. I own a questionably functional VCS with a handful of games I bought years ago as a wee lad. I own a Lynx and some games and I bought a Jaguar roughly around the time of its release in 1993 (well technically in early 1994 when Tempest 2000 was released) and eventually the CD add on .

 

The 7800 seems to fill my need for a better functioning VCS as well as plug a hole in my console collection (I have most US consoles released since 1985 with the Laseractive, Amiga CD 32, Nuon and Playstation 3 and N-gage) being the only exceptions I can think of offhand.

 

I'm getting a pretty decent collection of 7800 (and more 2600) games with it.

 

So I have a few questions for Atari fans out there. First off, I hear the 7800 controllers are bad. I've heard people mentioning that Best Electronics has the control pads, is it worth investing 15.00 each in new controllers for it, or will the pack in sticks work decently?

 

The second question is are there any must have relatively speaking titles for the 7800?

 

The third question is are there dip switches ala the 2600 on the system somwhere? from the pictures I've seen they don't appear to be visible. If not, how is difficulty and other settings adjusted?

 

Thanks.

 

For many games, you can use your 2600 controller, as no fire button or only one fire button is needed. For others, where two buttons are needed, I do highly recommend getting the pads. They are worth it. I tried the prolines and didn't like them at all. The pads aren't perfect, but they're better.

 

The difficulty switches for 2600 games are located at the front of the unit, near the joystick ports.

 

I'd recommend any of the arcade games - Food Fight, Dig Dug, Ms. PacMan, Galaga, Donkey Kong. Xenophobe is good. And if you're going to invest in anything, you simply must buy the PacMan Collection from the AA store. It is superb with so many variations of Pac/Ms PacMan. No doubt it's worth the money, and will make you glad to have a 7800.

[BSA Starfire]

Don't forget Centipede folks, a great version

[mimo]

and some of the Homebrews/Hacks.

Pac man collection and Beef drop from the AA store

Be quick if you want Beef Drop though

M.I.A - search in this forum, an almost complete Prototype that was never released.

Keep your eyes open for up and coming (hopefully) hacks from Pacmanplus ( Asteroids Deluxe)

 

Regarding controllers, I think the pads are nice for some games, but prefer the 2600 type controllers for most games (I have a spare pair of control pads but I am in the UK)

Asteroids will work with the standard 2600 sticks and others, have just played using CX40, FB2, Tac 2, Quickshot 2 and a RSI stick to be sure just pull back for Hyper Space (hyper death )

Edited August 14, 2007 by mimo

[stirrell]

I also really like Commando (great version, IMHO), Ikari Warriors and Scrapyard Dog among the others already mentioned. I am one of those that hated the Prolines. I used a converted Genesis controller and that worked great for most games. Unfortunately, there are some games that work much better with a stick than a gamepad.

[+Psionic]

I'm a new owner myself and I've found the stock controllers to be troublesome but usable...albeit for short periods of time, as they do cause your hands to cramp up. I've ordered a pair of joypads myself, but they havent arrived yet.

 

The only issue I'd mention with the 7800 if you're planning to use it as a replacement for your 2600 is the fact that some games are incompatible, which I'm sure you're aware of. I haven't experienced any actual hardware incompatibilities with any of my games, but some games are very difficult to work because they are very tight in the cart slot and don't fit properly. You may experience problems with your Activision and Parker Brothers titles unless you modify the cartridge port.

[DracIsBack]

. So I have a few questions for Atari fans out there. First off, I hear the 7800 controllers are bad. I've heard people mentioning that Best Electronics has the control pads, is it worth investing 15.00 each in new controllers for it, or will the pack in sticks work decently?

 

My experience has been as follows.

 

The sticks are uncomfortable (or they were in the beginning) but I got used to them over time. The pads are nicer though not ideal either. I have found that for some games that depend on sensitivity, I need the prolines. For example, I've never been able to make some of the jumps in Scrapyard Dog with a joypad.

 

The third question is are there dip switches ala the 2600 on the system somwhere? from the pictures I've seen they don't appear to be visible. If not, how is difficulty and other settings adjusted?

 

The difficulty switches are on the front. Note, almost no 7800 games use the difficulty switches for in game functions. I think the Flight Simulators are the only ones I remember. A few games will use them to fire up easter eggs or turn off sound but gameplay difficulty is typically controlled by menus as per Atari's game standards at the time.

[Atarifever]

I guess I'm the only person who loves the prolines. I think they're just fine.

 

The joypads I am not so into. They are good for Double Dragon and Midnight Mutants (perfect for Midnight Mutants actually), but like draciback, I find them terrible for precision. In particular they are absolutely terrible for Impossible Mission.

 

I have a standard 2600 controller for playing 2600 games on the system, but I don't actually like using it for 7800 games, as I don't find they are "better" in any way. I think people who find it better are just people who gave the 2600 controller a lot of time (because hey, it's the 2600 controller as well as the controller on some computers) but didn't give the prolines the same kind of time. I have no doubt that if the prolines were the first Atari controller and the CX40 controllers were later packaged with the 7800, people would complain about the CX40 controller being terrible. It's the same reason people complain that the Gamecube, Jaguar, or Saturn controllers are terrible, while claiming the horrible PSX and PS2 controller is anything other than an intentional torture device. It's what you get used to.

[stirrell]

I guess I'm the only person who loves the prolines. I think they're just fine.

 

I have a standard 2600 controller for playing 2600 games on the system, but I don't actually like using it for 7800 games, as I don't find they are "better" in any way. I think people who find it better are just people who gave the 2600 controller a lot of time (because hey, it's the 2600 controller as well as the controller on some computers) but didn't give the prolines the same kind of time. I have no doubt that if the prolines were the first Atari controller and the CX40 controllers were later packaged with the 7800, people would complain about the CX40 controller being terrible. It's the same reason people complain that the Gamecube, Jaguar, or Saturn controllers are terrible, while claiming the horrible PSX and PS2 controller is anything other than an intentional torture device. It's what you get used to.

 

I'm sorry, AtariFever, but I have to disagree. I tried to use the Prolines and give them a chance. They were just very uncomfortable for me. For comfort, I'd often turn them sideways which didn't seem natural to me. I just can't imagine that it is a matter of what people are used to. The 7800 controllers are just awful, IMO. That said, if you like 'em, that's all that matters. I have heard people say the Jag controller is awful but I loved them. I think those were the most comfortable controllers I'd ever used.

[+davidcalgary29]

The second question is are there any must have relatively speaking titles for the 7800?

 

I'll second the recommendation for Beefdrop. It's certainly one of the 7800's top 5 titles.

[SalemFrost7800]

I just picked up (but have not yet recieved) an Atari 7800 on ebay. I.

 

Well DragonmasterDan as you can tell most people don't like the joysticks but like the system. I am currently working on a "double secret probation 7800 project" that should take care of the joystick problem once and for all (well atleast for me). I can't wait till it's done so I can post pics of it on here but until it's done I must keep it under wraps.

[Atarifever]

I'm sorry, AtariFever, but I have to disagree. I tried to use the Prolines and give them a chance. They were just very uncomfortable for me. For comfort, I'd often turn them sideways which didn't seem natural to me. I just can't imagine that it is a matter of what people are used to. The 7800 controllers are just awful, IMO. That said, if you like 'em, that's all that matters. I have heard people say the Jag controller is awful but I loved them. I think those were the most comfortable controllers I'd ever used.

First off, no need to apologize. You are forgiven my son. Now go be merry.

 

I don't know what it is people find uncomfortable. Maybe my thumbs are, like, monkey thumbs or something. I don't think the one I use on the button has as much feeling as it should, because me and my brother played a game of chicken when we were kids and we both won (he really did drop the big rock on my thumb and I really didn't move it. Now I have distinctive finger prints at least). Maybe that's the difference maker for me? I don't know though, because I can't see that affecting cramping.

 

I agree on the Jaguar controller. It's like a Genesis controller had sex with a dreamcast controller. Besides being totally hot, that is awesome.

[shadow460]

As far as I know, F-14 and f-18 use the difficulty switches, also MIA does, and Karateka actually uses them to set part of the game's difficulty according to the manual.

I don't remember if the Activision titles use them. Froggo's titles do not, but I would expect that most of Absolute's do. Don't all the third party titles require use of a Pro-Line or compatible joystick?

 

Missing In Action is the only game that caused my hands to hurt while using the Pro-Line joystick.

Edited August 15, 2007 by shadow460