Is there a "Best Performing" 2600 machine ?

[MaxSpeed]

Was the heavy sixer, better performance (audio/video/responsivness) or less problems than the all black 2600 or the 4 switcher woody or the Jr ? Or is the 7800 better for playing 2600 games ? (Tech question - Do all 2600s use the same CPU chip ?)

 

I saw a book on eBay for "upgrading" your 2600 ? Anyone know if it is worth it ?

 

Thanks - pardon my dumb questions but I am a Newbie !

[Albert]

Generally, all Atari 2600s will play the games identically to one another. While Atari did make changes to the board design as time went on (to reduce the number of parts, for instance, so they could be made more inexpensively), the actual hardware specs did not change over time. And 2600 games played on the 7800 will appear identical.

 

However, there *are* some compatibility problems with a few 2600 games in the 7800. For instance, some 7800s will not play Decathlon, Space Shuttle, and/or Robot Tank. And some 2600 carts do not fit very well into the 7800 cartridge slot.

 

I'm quite curious about this "Upgrading Your 2600" book you saw on eBay. Can you provide a link to it? There are really no "upgrades" you can do to a 2600 to improve the games. However, you can get clearer audio and video output by performing a composite or s-video modification to your 2600, as the standard RF output leaves a lot to be desired.

 

..Al

[Ze_ro]

If you're worried about getting the best video from the Atari, I'd suggest you try the composite video mod... I'm not sure if the video quality is any different on any of the machines, but the older ones seem to have a LOT more shielding, so that might help.

 

As for best performance, I'd say try to find a six-switch model (Easy access to the switches adds performance in my opinion), which has a looser cartridge port so that the newer cartridges don't jam in it.

 

--Zero

[Eduardo]

I never had problems with the "Darth Vader" model, is the 2600A Rev 2 4-switch but some don't like it because it lacks 2 of the original 6 switches but mine has been working great over the years. I never had any problems inserting carts, I only had to replace the original RF output wire with a new one and the picture is crystal clear now.

 

Some of the early 6-switch models have a problem with the dust-cover flap installed in the cart slot, sometimes it gets stuck and you can have a hard time inserting some games, I have a Sears Telegames 6-switch and it's a pain to insert some games.

 

The Jrs. are very reliable too but without the slide switches it just doesn't bring the old memories the way it should, but it's very compact and doesn't need as many Real State as the big early models.

 

Life is full of choices

[MaxSpeed]

http://www.dbusch.com/atari/book.htmlv

 

Anyone have this ? Is it worth it ?

 

Cheers !

[Rob Mitchell]

http://www.dbusch.com/atari/book.html

 

Anyone have this ? Is it worth it ?

 

Knock off the 'v' at the end of your URL and you get to the reference.

 

Yeah that's the stapled pages book that shows up on eBay often ..

 

You can learn how to do all those things by asking questions here on Atariage.

 

But what about "fine tuning the RF" .. What's that about?

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Happy_Dude]

My systems are all pal and all have different performance

I noticed on the serial numbers they say 2600 - P (6 switch woody)

2600 - AP (4 switch woody) and 2600 - GP (4 switch vader).

 

the 6 switch is only Black and white (I'v checked the switch)

the 4 switch woody seems to have NTSC coulors

the vader is my main machine but the pic is a bit grainy.

 

I wonder if the serial numbers mentioned have anything to do with this?

[Godzilla]

my big sexy seems to have the best picture quality.

 

:-)

[King Atari]

I've found that my 6-switch woodgrain had the clearest picture, though my Vader (with a new RF cable from another 6-switch) was excellent, too.

[cschell]

But what about "fine tuning the RF" .. What's that about?

 

Fine tuning of the RF should refer to adjusting the RF pot such that the modulation frequency exactly matches the broadcast standard for the channel (2 or 3).

 

This is what those plastic hex/screw drivers in TV adjustment kits are for, because if you use metal tools they interfere with the circuit and you can't tell exactly what is happening as you make the adjustment.

 

Chad

[jsoper]

Both the 6-switchers and jrs buffer the luma and sync signals with a 4050 buffer which is supposed to give better video. I've never noticed any improvement over a 4-switch myself though.

[christianscott]

the sweet looking sears video arcade II is my main machine since the neat LEDs remind me when i have left it on, besides my mom bought it for me (christmas 1983).

[Scott Stilphen]

Generally, all Atari 2600s will play the games identically to one another.  While Atari did make changes to the board design as time went on (to reduce the number of parts, for instance, so they could be made more inexpensively), the actual hardware specs did not change over time.

 

Not exactly true b/c there's a few titles that won't work 100% on the original 6-switch model. The ones I know of are:

 

BMX Airmaster

California Games

Carnival

Centipede

Ghost Manor

Millipede

Wall Ball

 

See the DP Easter egg section for more details.

[MegaManFan]

Not exactly true b/c there's a few titles that won't work 100% on the original 6-switch model.  The ones I know of are:

 

BMX Airmaster

California Games

Carnival

Centipede

Ghost Manor

Millipede

Wall Ball

 

See the DP Easter egg section for more details.

 

http://www.digitpress.com/eastereggs/26bmx...mxairmaster.htm

 

More details? What details? "Doesn't work." Okay... Don't get me wrong though, it's still a great site.

[Raedon]

From what I have seen the 4 switch models including the vader have the same picture as a 6 switch..

[Paul Slocum]

there's a few titles that won't work 100% on the original 6-switch model.  The ones I know of are:

 

I wasn't able to reproduce any of those problems on my heavy sixer. How many consoles have you seen these problems on?

 

-Paul

[Ze_ro]

Ghost Manor definitely has problems on my heavy sixer... you can never get past the first screen! The game resets if you do

 

However, I haven't had any problems with any of the other games on that list (Never played Wall Ball, Millipede, or BMX Airmaster on it though)

 

--Zero

[Rob Mitchell]

Re: "fine tuning the RF"

 

Fine tuning of the RF should refer to adjusting the RF pot such that the modulation frequency exactly matches the broadcast standard for the channel (2 or 3).

 

Interesting! Thanks Chad!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

[Godzilla]

weird i beat ghost manor on my heavy sixer. maybe yours is slightly injured...

[Scott Stilphen]

More details?  What details?  "Doesn't work."  Okay...    Don't get me wrong though, it's still a great site.

 

The first 2 on that list simply don't work at all, or crash after a few seconds. What other details do you need? (blank screen devoid of any colors, loud, annoying tone plays continuously, not much fun to play...)

[Mister VCS]

The best performing machines are the 6switch and the 2600jr.

 

Avoid the 2600A, because many games shows very much static on the screen, which kills the fun with some games (BMX-Airmaster, Fatal Run,

later 80 remakes of silber label Atari games without the spring).

 

I LOVE the look of the vader 2600A but I HATE the poor screenplay!

 

Mister VCS