Bored with my Atari systems...any suggestions?

[Atari2008]

Recently, I've grown bored with my Atari systems. I'll hook one up play a game for a few minutes, get bored try another one and another one...basically the pattern repeats until 30 minutes later I give up and move on to something else. I'm wondering if I'm losing my appreciation for classic games. I'll give a little background to put it in some sort of perspective.

 

I've had a 2600 since I was little (it was my sister's and I inherited it), and although I grew up on NES/SNES/Genesis, I had it hooked up and was excited when I was able to get games for it. Then I got a 7800 cuz I learned it could play both and remember being blown away by it (an appreciation I've never been able to regain for the 7800). Then when I was in high school, I lost my interest in video games altogether. Fast forward to college, and I got interested in the 2600 again, particularly the homebrews. That got me interested in getting another classic system -- the Colecovision. Which I played fairly regularly for a year and a half then sold when I stopped using it. The lead to my second break from games.

 

A few months ago I decided to dust off the 2600 and enjoyed it a bit. Then I got my 7800 fixed (for quite a pretty penny) only to find out that I really dont like it, no matter how good the games are. I even got a bunch of 7800 games for my birthday and only play them for a few minutes each before getting bored. I recently got a 5200, after having my curiosity piqued by it and played the one game I got for it fairly regularly for a few weeks. But now I'm bored too...

 

I'm wondering is it time for a break? I feel like I could keep getting games, playing for a few minutes, then moving on to the next one...I never quite get immersed in one game. Am I just approaching it the wrong way?

[BigO]

I like the Atari and other classic systems partly *because* I don't have to get immersed in one game and *can* move on to the next one.

 

Possibly it's an A.D.D.-tari in my case.

[Atari5200]

if your looking to get immersed in Atari games then you are definitely looking in the wrong place for your gaming. Most of the older games, in my opinion, are simple pick up and play games. Yeah they may have held our attention much longer when we were kids, but things change. My 2600 hasn't been hooked up in years because of this.

 

You could go with the Intellivision and get games like Treasure of Tarmin, but still the vast majority of the titles for that system will probably bore you as well.

 

For classic gaming, there's nothing from that era that I can think of that would have more complex games other than just simple games. Maybe you need to revisit the 16-bit era, get a TG-16, or even a Neo-Geo.

[aftermac]

Have you tried competing in any of the AtariAge HSC's? When I'm playing just for the sake of playing I change games every few minutes, same as you. Playing in the HSC's gives my gaming a purpose. I get into the games a lot more when I'm competing against other people.

[Reaperman]

Don't tell, but I actually got bored with my old (and newer) ataris long ago. For me fixing it has been a process. It also varies by person, I suppose.

 

I tried modern gaming, (xbox/ps2/gamecube) and liked quite a few titles, but I quickly got bored with modern games--I just couldn't afford a large enough volume of games to match my short attention span. The NEO GEO helped--same price problem, but I think it was the pure childhood fantasy of actually owning one more than anything. now I'm on an NES kick. When I was a kid, I had 13 games for that system, now I've got well over 100, and the fact that I've stopped emulating means that I can really get into the titles as they just feel more 'real' to me. I'm really enjoying Pirates at the moment, and I'm thinking of getting the NTSC version of elite custom converted to cartridge.

 

There are a lot of deeper games on NES. Not just the 'big titles' but a lot of games that normally needed an 8/16 bit computer and were ported over. Meaning there are a lot of games with simplified controls but full depth. Kind of a "pick up and play but then stay" feeling that I'm liking. (I tried to go back to actual 8-bit *computing,* but the games were too easily downloadable and it made the 'real deal' feel a bit too much like emulation)

Edited July 23, 2008 by Reaperman

[AJ_Maine_Man]

Well to be honest , since I have set up my Atari 2600 again I noticed I get bored very quickly too and I noticed that alot of the games that I didn't have as a kid but have now are terrible. You could always try Raider's of the lost ark or riddle of the sphinx those 2 games might keep you interested.

[+Sauron]

I don't understand how one could get bored with the 2600. Just how many games do you have for it anyway? I've gone through long stretches of time without playing it, but boredom was never a factor.

[Atari5200]

last time I counted, I had 350 some non dupe games. I'm probably still around 350-400 range.

 

It's fun to turn it on every once in a while and go through every game, but honestly, I probably don't play one game more than 10 minutes before I'm bored.

[Atari2008]

Yea, I'll play Atari 2600 games for maybe 10 minutes and then get bored and move on to another one. One game that held my attention for a while when I was younger was Pitfall II until I beat it. But that game seemed large for a 2600 game and had enough variety and challenge to keep me occupied. On the 7800 side, the only game that held my attention for a bit was Scrapyard Dog till I realized it was basically the same 3 levels over and over just with increased difficulty. When I had a CV, Spy Hunter and Escape from Mindmaster were two games I played for extended periods.

 

I've never considered the Intellivision at all, so I'm going to have to do some research on that one, but revisiting the 16-bit era sounds like a good idea, I wonder if maybe a Super NES (since I never really explored it at the time since I jumped on the Genesis bandwagon in that console war) would do the trick. Come to think of it an NES might be good too, since when I was younger I only had a handful of games too, so there's plenty left to explore. And from what I remember those games tended to have large worlds...

 

The high score club might be good too since it would give me more of a sense of purpose instead of just playing for 5 minutes and then picking up another game...wouldn't want to completely give up on the classic systems.

[Atari2008]

One 2600 game that held my attention for a bit, was that recently discovered Cabbage Patch Kids prototype. I liked the graphics, background music, and variety of screens.

[Rik]

Recently, I've grown bored with my Atari systems. I'll hook one up play a game for a few minutes, get bored try another one and another one...basically the pattern repeats until 30 minutes later I give up and move on to something else. I'm wondering if I'm losing my appreciation for classic games. I'll give a little background to put it in some sort of perspective.

 

I've had a 2600 since I was little (it was my sister's and I inherited it), and although I grew up on NES/SNES/Genesis, I had it hooked up and was excited when I was able to get games for it. Then I got a 7800 cuz I learned it could play both and remember being blown away by it (an appreciation I've never been able to regain for the 7800). Then when I was in high school, I lost my interest in video games altogether. Fast forward to college, and I got interested in the 2600 again, particularly the homebrews. That got me interested in getting another classic system -- the Colecovision. Which I played fairly regularly for a year and a half then sold when I stopped using it. The lead to my second break from games.

 

A few months ago I decided to dust off the 2600 and enjoyed it a bit. Then I got my 7800 fixed (for quite a pretty penny) only to find out that I really dont like it, no matter how good the games are. I even got a bunch of 7800 games for my birthday and only play them for a few minutes each before getting bored. I recently got a 5200, after having my curiosity piqued by it and played the one game I got for it fairly regularly for a few weeks. But now I'm bored too...

 

I'm wondering is it time for a break? I feel like I could keep getting games, playing for a few minutes, then moving on to the next one...I never quite get immersed in one game. Am I just approaching it the wrong way?

Quote...Recently, I've grown bored with my Atari systems. I'll hook one up play a game for a few minutes, get bored try another one and another one

 

I have the exact same problem.I think for me,its that im getting older and like collecting and reading about classic gaming more that i do playing them.I still like playing, but not with the passioni i had when i was younger.I also have alot on my mind.There is nothing like the time when i was a carefree 11-15 year old with no worrys and responsibilities,where i would play my 2600,CV,INTV,games all day long,couldnt put the joystiks down!!!!!

Edited July 23, 2008 by Rik

[nathanallan]

What I have done to keep myself from getting bored is add hardware, try different controllers, when I don't play think of small funny stories to go with the games (like Pac Man is running from ghosts until he gets his Super Pill and he can then take on the ghosts cause he's Energized!), it helps to add depth.

 

Also, when voices and any kind of talking are involved I imagine the Simpsons' voices. Even when there isn't any talking, I make it up.

 

Example: Atlantis has the cast of Stargate: Atlantis, and that's the outpost they are protecting from the evil Baal system lord, and they talk about it.

 

Joust has me talking trash in old English ("Thou must kiss my rosy buns, wanker!").

 

Maybe it's just me, and it might be childish, but I use a lot of my imagination.

 

In Tunnel Runner, I'm Indiana Jones. Works better in non-arcade types of games.

 

Nathan

[Atari5200]

Recently, I've grown bored with my Atari systems. I'll hook one up play a game for a few minutes, get bored try another one and another one...basically the pattern repeats until 30 minutes later I give up and move on to something else. I'm wondering if I'm losing my appreciation for classic games. I'll give a little background to put it in some sort of perspective.

 

I've had a 2600 since I was little (it was my sister's and I inherited it), and although I grew up on NES/SNES/Genesis, I had it hooked up and was excited when I was able to get games for it. Then I got a 7800 cuz I learned it could play both and remember being blown away by it (an appreciation I've never been able to regain for the 7800). Then when I was in high school, I lost my interest in video games altogether. Fast forward to college, and I got interested in the 2600 again, particularly the homebrews. That got me interested in getting another classic system -- the Colecovision. Which I played fairly regularly for a year and a half then sold when I stopped using it. The lead to my second break from games.

 

A few months ago I decided to dust off the 2600 and enjoyed it a bit. Then I got my 7800 fixed (for quite a pretty penny) only to find out that I really dont like it, no matter how good the games are. I even got a bunch of 7800 games for my birthday and only play them for a few minutes each before getting bored. I recently got a 5200, after having my curiosity piqued by it and played the one game I got for it fairly regularly for a few weeks. But now I'm bored too...

 

I'm wondering is it time for a break? I feel like I could keep getting games, playing for a few minutes, then moving on to the next one...I never quite get immersed in one game. Am I just approaching it the wrong way?

 

 

I have the exact same problem.I think for me,its that im getting older and like collecting and reading about classic gaming more that i do playing them.

 

I think that nails it for me too.

 

As for SNES, oh yeah, go for it, SNES is one of my all time favorite systems, you can't go wrong with a SNES, if you never really tried one, then I suggest you buy one before the end of the day tomorrow.

[Atari2008]

Recently, I've grown bored with my Atari systems. I'll hook one up play a game for a few minutes, get bored try another one and another one...basically the pattern repeats until 30 minutes later I give up and move on to something else. I'm wondering if I'm losing my appreciation for classic games. I'll give a little background to put it in some sort of perspective.

 

I've had a 2600 since I was little (it was my sister's and I inherited it), and although I grew up on NES/SNES/Genesis, I had it hooked up and was excited when I was able to get games for it. Then I got a 7800 cuz I learned it could play both and remember being blown away by it (an appreciation I've never been able to regain for the 7800). Then when I was in high school, I lost my interest in video games altogether. Fast forward to college, and I got interested in the 2600 again, particularly the homebrews. That got me interested in getting another classic system -- the Colecovision. Which I played fairly regularly for a year and a half then sold when I stopped using it. The lead to my second break from games.

 

A few months ago I decided to dust off the 2600 and enjoyed it a bit. Then I got my 7800 fixed (for quite a pretty penny) only to find out that I really dont like it, no matter how good the games are. I even got a bunch of 7800 games for my birthday and only play them for a few minutes each before getting bored. I recently got a 5200, after having my curiosity piqued by it and played the one game I got for it fairly regularly for a few weeks. But now I'm bored too...

 

I'm wondering is it time for a break? I feel like I could keep getting games, playing for a few minutes, then moving on to the next one...I never quite get immersed in one game. Am I just approaching it the wrong way?

 

 

I have the exact same problem.I think for me,its that im getting older and like collecting and reading about classic gaming more that i do playing them.

 

I think that nails it for me too.

 

As for SNES, oh yeah, go for it, SNES is one of my all time favorite systems, you can't go wrong with a SNES, if you never really tried one, then I suggest you buy one before the end of the day tomorrow.

 

I find that as well, that I enjoy going online and researching classic games more so than I do playing them. One good example is the 5200. I spent weeks researching it, watching old commercials, even reading the scanned copies of Atari Age magazine that are on this site. I was psyched, and I got the system, although still impressed by it I don't nearly spend as much time playing it than I do reading about it.

 

That's a strong endorsement there for the SNES.

[Rik]

Yeah,watching old classic game commercials form the 80's is always a blast!!!!!!!.I've got 4 cd's packed with commercials that i got from YouTube.Who ever said you had to actually play or buy games to be into classic gaming?One can enjoy the nostalgiac component of it without buying or playing also.

Edited July 24, 2008 by Rik

[Atari2008]

Yeah,watching old classic game commercials form the 80's is always a blast!!!!!!!.I've got 4 cd's packed with commercials that i got from YouTube.Who ever said you had to actually play or buy games to be into classic gaming?One can enjoy the nostalgiac component of it without buying or playing also.

 

I've always wanted to burn those YouTube commercials on a CD....I didn't know you could do that.

 

I liked the 5200 commercials bashing the Colecovision, they were funny, especially with all the surprised people..."you mean it can't?" Not to mention Atari bashing the 2600 version of Pac-Man playing on a CV expansion module. LOL

[RedBeard]

I think you need someone to play with.

 

Don't you remember sitting side by side with a friend or two playing Atari? Dueling in joust. Cooperating in Mario Brothers. Challenging each others' high scores. Exploring timing, patterns, challenges, etc. together. This was a major drawback for VCS Activision games since many didn't have 2 player options. But you could still pass the joystick back and forth.

 

><>RedBeard

 

 

/* Seems like the High Score Challenge is pretty close; certainly worth trying. Remember, though, these were GAMES, meant to be enjoyed then put away like board games. Now AtariAge, that's meant to go on and on and on and on and on... */

[Rik]

Yeah,watching old classic game commercials form the 80's is always a blast!!!!!!!.I've got 4 cd's packed with commercials that i got from YouTube.Who ever said you had to actually play or buy games to be into classic gaming?One can enjoy the nostalgiac component of it without buying or playing also.

 

I've always wanted to burn those YouTube commercials on a CD....I didn't know you could do that.

 

I liked the 5200 commercials bashing the Colecovision, they were funny, especially with all the surprised people..."you mean it can't?" Not to mention Atari bashing the 2600 version of Pac-Man playing on a CV expansion module. LOL

Yep,just download firefox mozilla browser,and its fast video download add-on,and you're all set.

[Rik]

Yeah,watching old classic game commercials form the 80's is always a blast!!!!!!!.I've got 4 cd's packed with commercials that i got from YouTube.Who ever said you had to actually play or buy games to be into classic gaming?One can enjoy the nostalgiac component of it without buying or playing also.

 

I've always wanted to burn those YouTube commercials on a CD....I didn't know you could do that.

 

I liked the 5200 commercials bashing the Colecovision, they were funny, especially with all the surprised people..."you mean it can't?" Not to mention Atari bashing the 2600 version of Pac-Man playing on a CV expansion module. LOL

Yep,just download firefox mozilla browser,and its fast video download add-on,and you're all set.You'll also need a player like Applian flv player that will play youtubes flv files,you can download that too.

[Atarifever]

Want to not be bored? My Dig Dug 7800 high score is 163,760. Bring it on pansy.

 

Please note, I only called you a pansy to make you want to beat me, so you wouldn't be bored.

Edited July 24, 2008 by Atarifever

[Atari5200]

I'm thinking Dig Dug should be the next 7800 HSC game.

[Cobra Commander]

Get a friend to beat on in some activision boxing. HSC or other two player action is always great.

[Atari2008]

Want to not be bored? My Dig Dug 7800 high score is 163,760. Bring it on pansy.

 

Please note, I only called you a pansy to make you want to beat me, so you wouldn't be bored.

 

I'll wipe the floor with you punk. I shall fire up my under-utilized 7800 this evening...good choice too, I like that game.

[Atari2008]

Yeah,watching old classic game commercials form the 80's is always a blast!!!!!!!.I've got 4 cd's packed with commercials that i got from YouTube.Who ever said you had to actually play or buy games to be into classic gaming?One can enjoy the nostalgiac component of it without buying or playing also.

 

I've always wanted to burn those YouTube commercials on a CD....I didn't know you could do that.

 

I liked the 5200 commercials bashing the Colecovision, they were funny, especially with all the surprised people..."you mean it can't?" Not to mention Atari bashing the 2600 version of Pac-Man playing on a CV expansion module. LOL

Yep,just download firefox mozilla browser,and its fast video download add-on,and you're all set.You'll also need a player like Applian flv player that will play youtubes flv files,you can download that too.

 

Thanks! I'll try that when I get home.

[RedBeard]

Regarding the High Score Challenges: are emulators allowed? (I'm sure there are arguments on both sides.) In this case, not TOO many people own a 7800 game system and then chop that number down to those who own a Dig Dug cartridge. You're really limiting the numbers then...

 

I never owned a 7800, though, I've drooled over them before; the graphics, classic games. I'm hesitant to try emulation on a system that I never owned. I don't feel like I have any right to them. For example, I don't know what happened to my old TI 99/4a, but I might emulate Return To Pirates Island and Hunt The Wumpus. I've not even tried emus for Celecovision or Intellivision (even though they're long dead) for this reason.

 

><>RedBeard

 

 

/* I maybe could be persuaded to try some other emulators, though... :-) */