famicommander Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I love my Atari 2600, and for quite some time it was the only place I could play games like Asteroids, GORF, Space Invaders, or Dig Dug. But I have recently gotten into the 5200, 7800, Colecovision, and Intellivision scenes and am finding that many of my favorite 2600 games are better on those systems. Since I've owned my 7800 and Intellivision I've been playing my 2600 less and less. So, I wanted to see what your favorite 2600-exclusive or best-on-2600 games are. I like Adventure, Yar's Revenge, Air-Sea Battle, Combat, Jr. Pac Man, Millipede, Missile Command, Super Breakout, and Warlords. Most of the rest of the 2600's best games that I've played are better somewhere else. Does anyone have some suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_boy Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) Dunno if Demon Attack is best on 2600, but it's a damn good try. Nice color and optimal use of hardware architecture. Shame about the lack of giant boss though. Imagic's artists and programmers sure knew how to handle them hardware constraints. Also, I just remembered a thing about this small outlet called Activsion, who first developed on VCS and then ported to other platforms with the explicit aim of keeping the look close to the original. Thus, most of their releases are best enjoyed on the on the old Stella woodgrainer, for authentic flavour. Edited January 20, 2009 by johnny_boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rybags Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Space Invaders. You could also probably say a number of titles that were almost direct ports to the 800. IMO, they poorly utilize the target machine's hardware and hardly deserve to be called better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famicommander Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 Space Invaders. Better on 5200, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I really like bump and jump on the VCS better than other versions. The graphics aren't as good but to me the game play in the 2600 version is the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchysuperman Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) As far as 5200, Intellivision & Colecovision versions go, better graphics & extra levels mean nothing to me when I have to use those damn controllers! Gimme the clunky 'ol 2600 version of any game with a real joystick, thank you. Edited January 20, 2009 by crunchysuperman 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atarifever Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Space Invaders. Better on 5200, in my opinion. And 7800 (that is of course, if it were on the 7800. Which it is most certainly not. *wink*). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Super Cobra is about the same on all the platforms, but I think it works better on the 2600. I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I like the 2600 version of Tutankham better than the more arcade perfect versions found on other systems. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Cafeman Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Compared to 5200 versions, Breakout and Kaboom are best on 2600 due to paddles. Nobody needs tell me it is possible to make 5200 paddles, I know already, just sayin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgle Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I've always liked Joust on the VCS even though the other versions, including 8-bit have much better graphics. The flying eggs and extra airspace really add to the gameplay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 There are a lot of arcade games where the limitations of the vcs hardware and the fact that the game was no longer trying to kill you all the time to get another quarter created a distillation of what was fun about the arcade game in the first place, without the annoying deaths. Joust and Reactor and so many others fit this bill, for me. As a matter of fact, generally, if there is a 2600 version, I prefer it to the arcade. (Omega Race being one exception,) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famicommander Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 I've always liked Joust on the VCS even though the other versions, including 8-bit have much better graphics. The flying eggs and extra airspace really add to the gameplay. For me, the Atari 7800 version of Joust is the definitive version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famicommander Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 Compared to 5200 versions, Breakout and Kaboom are best on 2600 due to paddles. Nobody needs tell me it is possible to make 5200 paddles, I know already, just sayin'. I'm inclined to agree. Super Breakout on 5200 doesn't even look much better than the 2600 version anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
segasaturn Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) The 2600 does have alot more games than other systems. Thats a plus+ But the quality isn't that good(on some games). Edited January 21, 2009 by segasaturn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari_envy Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I love the blocky graphics, vintage sounds and playability of the 2600, even if games often look better on other systems. One that surprised me is Kung Fu Master. I can't believe how great it looks on the 2600. I got the 7800 version thinking it would be even better, but the graphics are nearly the same and the gameplay on the 2600 is MUCH better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tisaperfectdayelise Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Mario Bros. Joust Mario Bros. has inferior graphics to the 7800s, but the gameplay, for me, is more fun on the 2600. I can't comment about the 5200 version, as I haven't tried it; but I imagine it being akin to the 7800 version. Joust is just more fun with lame graphics....go figure.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underball Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Mario Bros.Joust Mario Bros. has inferior graphics to the 7800s, but the gameplay, for me, is more fun on the 2600. I can't comment about the 5200 version, as I haven't tried it; but I imagine it being akin to the 7800 version. Joust is just more fun with lame graphics....go figure.... I call bullshit here. Joust on the 7800 is an absolutely arcade perfect translation, and the best home version of the game in existence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I call bullshit here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you can't handle that I suggest you post elsewhere. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Space Invaders. Better on 5200, in my opinion. Even better on the 7800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimo Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Space Invaders. Better on 5200, in my opinion. Even better on the 7800. 7800 is the best version for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atarifever Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Space Invaders. Better on 5200, in my opinion. Even better on the 7800. 7800 is the best version for sure Even though it doesn't exist. exneigh on the opyrightcay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underball Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) I call bullshit here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you can't handle that I suggest you post elsewhere. Tempest It's a commonly used phrase in American English vernacular. It's a joke. You know, like calling "shotgun" for the front seat of the car. I'm not REALLY going to wield a shotgun from your car. People are allowed to disagree with said opinions, aren't they? Edited January 23, 2009 by Underball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPUWIZ Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I'm not REALLY going to wield a shotgun from your car. I don't know, you seem kind of unstable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I call bullshit here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you can't handle that I suggest you post elsewhere. Tempest It's a commonly used phrase in American English vernacular. It's a joke. You know, like calling "shotgun" for the front seat of the car. I'm not REALLY going to wield a shotgun from your car. I think you're confusing two different things while missing the point at the same time. It's a trifecta! Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I call bullshit here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you can't handle that I suggest you post elsewhere. Tempest ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.