I finally got an Atari 2600!

[Arjak]

I have, for as long as I can remember, been a classic gamer. But there has always been one hole in my library of classic systems.

 

Every time I mention that I collect classic games, the one question that was inevitably asked, was "Do you have an Atari?" And embarrassed, I'd be stuck having to say, "No."

 

Finally, after many years, I decided that an Atari was the one thing left to explore, I looked on ebay, found one modified for composite video, and ordered it without thinking.

 

When it arrived, it didn't work. I opened it up, and looking inside was...an experience. The wires were twisted together instead of soldered, everything was taped down with electrical tape, and the composite plugs would push in and pull out. It was shocking to say the least. My dad managed to fix it, sort of. It functioned, but the picture was more colorful than a drug trip and the picture rolled.

 

At least I got a bunch of games, some sealed.

 

Not one to give up, I quickly ordered another one, this time unmodified. I also bought a TV connection adapter from the AtariAge store along with a copy of Seawolf. Today, the system arrived. Excited, I took everything downstairs and to my surprise, it came with an adapter!

 

Another three bucks wasted. At least I have a spare...

 

I hooked it up, plugged in Combat, hit the switch, and finally, FINALLY...

 

Nothing happened. WTF!?

 

After fiddling with the plug and the power switch a couple more times, I noticed that the TV would static for a second when I turned on the system. After wiggling the wire leading to the plug and getting the same effect, I came to the conclusion that the AC adapter had a short. *facepalm*

 

But in what could have been my darkest hour, instead of despair, I got an idea. I ran to my room and got the power supply to my crappy modified Atari, and gave it a try.

 

I flipped the switch, almost begging for something good to happen.

 

Suddenly, on the TV screen appeared two tanks in a screen-sized enclosure, all flashing colors.

 

YES!!!

 

Suddenly, I felt a huge release of stress and anger. I felt...at peace, staring at those tanks. I quickly got out the controllers for my Atari Flashback 2 and plugged them in. Testing the controls, and being satisfied, I rested from my long ordeal. When my little sister got home, she begged to watch me play.

 

And so I did. I tried out several games that I got with both systems. I read the mint paperwork inside the boxes in awe. I even read the Atari Force comic that came with a copy of Space Invaders (Issue #1, of course.)

 

In the next few days, my spare adapter will come, along with my first Atari homebrew. I'm excited writing this. For the longest time, I simply accepted the fact that I had no Atari and I didn't think I ever would. Now that the denial of my gaming heritage is gone, I see a new era ahead of me, in my collecting of the classics.

 

I feel ready for anything.

[+Psionic]

In the next few days, my spare adapter will come, along with my first Atari homebrew. I'm excited writing this. For the longest time, I simply accepted the fact that I had no Atari and I didn't think I ever would. Now that the denial of my gaming heritage is gone, I see a new era ahead of me, in my collecting of the classics.

 

I feel ready for anything.

[tremoloman2006]

Welcome to the club... cult... addiction... or all 3?

 

I remember the same excitement back in 2006 when I became a member here and purchased my first set of homebrews. I haven't looked back since and I'm into Atari more than I ever have been in my life!

[Ian Primus]

Welcome aboard! Glad to hear you are well on your path to gaming goodness

 

Don't fret over the failed power adapter. Those things aren't the greatest - and yes, the wiring goes open/shorted eventually if it's abused. The good thing is that the Atari uses a VERY common adapter. You can use pretty much any nine volt adapter of 500ma or more, just change the plug (tip positive, ring negative).

 

Again, welcome to the addiction! And if you don't have Yar's Revenge or Kaboom!, you need them.

 

-Ian

[Dauber]

Seriously, dude, Atari collecting can be pretty exciting. One of my biggest thrills, believe it or not, after having an Atari since 1983 (but only had about 20 or so games), buying a huge Atari cart lot from eBay and spending the evening testing all the games. Lots of fun! Especially if the lot has a bunch of Activision games.

[+Ransom]

Welcome to the club!

 

There are a lot of great games in you future.

[Gregory DG]

Wow, a classic game collector who ends with the 2600 instead of starts with it!

 

Congrats on finally getting one.

[xZanU]

Thats a great story, sorry to hear that you got a messed up Modded system though : (

[Arjak]

And if you don't have Yar's Revenge or Kaboom!, you need them.

 

-Ian

 

Good call, those games kick ass! I thankfully got a set of paddle controllers with my systems.

 

Lots of fun! Especially if the lot has a bunch of Activision games.

 

Activision kicks ass. One of the games I got with my two systems was Starmaster, and it was fun, knowing how to actually play it! (I was shocked that it had not one but TWO instruction booklets!) Pitfall 1 and 2 both kick ass. I think that Pitfall 2 was the first game (at least for the home) to have a full musical score. Imagine starting up the game for the first time in the early eighties only to hear that catchy tune greet your ears! I actually hum that tune sometimes!

 

Next, I'm going on ebay to buy some more games!

[Dauber]

Pretty sure that Moon Patrol had a musical soundtrack before Pitfall II came out, n'est-ce pas??? Could be wrong, though...

[pinball22]

I actually hum that tune sometimes!

 

I've found myself humming it on a regular basis since 1983.