Yart Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Hello. I figured since I'm interested in the Atari 2600, and shamefully I don't own one anymore (lost a bunch in a move), I'd ask this question which I feel will be very important as far as my play time goes. Which games use the Difficulty switch for things other than difficulty? You know, that actually affects things in game play. (For instance, I believe Secret Quest uses a switch to bring up an inventory) Do any games for that matter? The reason I'm asking is because I know someone selling a Vader model of the 2600, but I don't want to reach all the way in the back for the switch to do something that is crucial to the game that is mission critical. Would I be better off waiting for a six switch? Thank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Starmaster switches to the map with B/W and difficulty switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian R. Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 The reason I'm asking is because I know someone selling a Vader model of the 2600, but I don't want to reach all the way in the back for the switch to do something that is crucial to the game that is mission critical. It's such a great distance. I think you need a passport to go that far. Might have it's own zip code and area code from the rest of the console. So many Atarians have been sadly sidelined by sprains and even fractures suffered while reaching that great distance to get to the difficulty switch in the heat of gaming. I believe there's a foundation out there accepting donations to help cover their life-time of medical costs suffered from those injuries. I believe donations are tax deductible. What's even worse are those few deaths that have occurred from misinformed gamers who, using a 5200, also believed there was a difficulty switch on the back of that giant machine. I haven't bore witness myself, but I hear they lost their lives trying to reach for switches that sadly weren't even there. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yart Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 (edited) @Thomas: Does it use just either or do the B/W and Difficulty have two different uses/maps? @Brian: Sounds awful... I'll go with the six switch then. Thanks! Edited October 12, 2010 by Yart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 @Thomas: Does it use just either or do the B/W and Difficulty have two different uses/maps? You can use both. No difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer4x4 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 One of my favorite games "Phasor Patrol" uses left diff and B/W - Color for map and shields. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nukey Shay Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 All of 'em feature difficulty. To play the difficult way, stand upside-down with your head in a bucket of piranha. Switches are for sissies. Anyway, the number of games that actively utilize the switches are so few that it's probably a non-issue. Starmaster mentioned above does, but the B&W switch has the same effect. Space Shuttle uses everything, but toggling the switches is the least of your worries in that game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Tomcat uses all difficulty switches too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raiu Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Another: Ghostbusters uses them to exit the store (left) and for Ghost Bait (right). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxes of sawdust Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Ghostbusters and Space Shuttle will make you use the hell out of those, especially irritating if you own a Jr. 2600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tetrode kink Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 The reason I'm asking is because I know someone selling a Vader model of the 2600, but I don't want to reach all the way in the back for the switch to do something that is crucial to the game that is mission critical. It's such a great distance. I think you need a passport to go that far. Might have it's own zip code and area code from the rest of the console. So many Atarians have been sadly sidelined by sprains and even fractures suffered while reaching that great distance to get to the difficulty switch in the heat of gaming. I believe there's a foundation out there accepting donations to help cover their life-time of medical costs suffered from those injuries. I believe donations are tax deductible. What's even worse are those few deaths that have occurred from misinformed gamers who, using a 5200, also believed there was a difficulty switch on the back of that giant machine. I haven't bore witness myself, but I hear they lost their lives trying to reach for switches that sadly weren't even there. mmm, sarcasm... Brilliant, yet dry. Very dry. An example of the best kind: Topical to the last, dry, razor-sharp, yet no one gets hurt. Brian R.: Sir, if I wore a hat, it would be off to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Jentzsch Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 mmm, sarcasm... Brilliant, yet dry. Very dry. An example of the best kind: Topical to the last, dry, razor-sharp, yet no one gets hurt. I wonder why nobody has developed a switch extension yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian R. Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 The reason I'm asking is because I know someone selling a Vader model of the 2600, but I don't want to reach all the way in the back for the switch to do something that is crucial to the game that is mission critical. It's such a great distance. I think you need a passport to go that far. Might have it's own zip code and area code from the rest of the console. So many Atarians have been sadly sidelined by sprains and even fractures suffered while reaching that great distance to get to the difficulty switch in the heat of gaming. I believe there's a foundation out there accepting donations to help cover their life-time of medical costs suffered from those injuries. I believe donations are tax deductible. What's even worse are those few deaths that have occurred from misinformed gamers who, using a 5200, also believed there was a difficulty switch on the back of that giant machine. I haven't bore witness myself, but I hear they lost their lives trying to reach for switches that sadly weren't even there. mmm, sarcasm... Brilliant, yet dry. Very dry. An example of the best kind: Topical to the last, dry, razor-sharp, yet no one gets hurt. Brian R.: Sir, if I wore a hat, it would be off to you. Oh, you're too kind. Your compliments are much appreciated. ... and I do have a hat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nukey Shay Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 A bunch of work for little gain. I'm more surprised that Atari didn't redesign the stick to include more buttons early on (which could have been as simple as linking both ports to the same stick). Would have avoided gameplay simplification in a number of cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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