Portable Atari 2600

[ydcl]

This is my first time seeing this, a portable Atari 2600! It is quite a feat.

http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/21/atari-2600-portable-updated/

 

[0078265317]

Very nice...

[gilsaluki]

Yeah, that Ben dude is a master. I wish someone would manufacture a portable 2600/7800 that will accept real carts. Man, I think the market is still there.

[WildBillTX]

I'd love to have one. What's keeping the Chinese or Taiwanese companies who make the NES/SNES and Genesis clone systems from making one?

Edited November 26, 2014 by WildBillTX

[bennybingo]

I'd love to have one. What's keeping the Chinese or Taiwanese companies who make the NES/SNES and Genesis clone systems from making one?

The short answer…questionable market size. I could see them making a flashback style handheld and having them sell like hotcakes, but the truth is, most folks who are nostalgic about the Atari 2600 won't go to the lengths we (collectors) would to obtain and manage a collection of carts. Nowadays, it is just easier for the casual gamer who is feeling nostalgic to just resort to emulation…sad but true.

 

I've even noticed many collectors recently have been selling off their game carts in favor of things like the Harmony cart. It takes up less space and fills the need for those who just want to play games.

[ydcl]

The short answer…questionable market size. I could see them making a flashback style handheld and having them sell like hotcakes, but the truth is, most folks who are nostalgic about the Atari 2600 won't go to the lengths we (collectors) would to obtain and manage a collection of carts. Nowadays, it is just easier for the casual gamer who is feeling nostalgic to just resort to emulation…sad but true.

 

I've even noticed many collectors recently have been selling off their game carts in favor of things like the Harmony cart. It takes up less space and fills the need for those who just want to play games.

 

Selling my collection? I don't think so! I love to here and there go to my game room and enjoy the past in its original form.

[7800]

I like the idea of a portable Atari 2600/7800 --- but not one with a cartridge slot. An SD card slot could allow for the unit to be much more compact. Unfortunatey, there really isn't any mass market appeal for such a thing.

[mckafka99]

I'd love a stand alone portable 2600, but until then, these will have to do...

[WildBillTX]

I've thought about buying a Linux based handheld like the GP2X, Dingoo, GCW Zero (or is there something better now?) just for emulating old games.

 

But I still think a 2600/7800 dedicated handheld using a SD card, built in memory or cart port would be awesome. If that company promoted it heavily online, gets a lot of buzz via gaming sites and sells it on Amazon, Thinkgeek etc like the Retro Duo or SNES Supaboy I think it would sell well. Those NES/SNES collectors haven't dumped their carts for emulators either.

Edited November 27, 2014 by WildBillTX

[sandmountainslim]

The short answer…questionable market size. I could see them making a flashback style handheld and having them sell like hotcakes, but the truth is, most folks who are nostalgic about the Atari 2600 won't go to the lengths we (collectors) would to obtain and manage a collection of carts. Nowadays, it is just easier for the casual gamer who is feeling nostalgic to just resort to emulation…sad but true.

 

I've even noticed many collectors recently have been selling off their game carts in favor of things like the Harmony cart. It takes up less space and fills the need for those who just want to play games.

You are right. I don't consider myself a "casual gamer" but an Atari Stalwart who has been playing 2600 for 34 years and my on the go Atari gaming is via 2600.emu on my phone or my daughter's tablet.

[MegaManFan]

Good to see Ben is still dabbling.

 

http://www.benheck.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Heck

 

At one time he was offering to make a portable VCS for people for something like $300 if you'd send him a VCS and agree to be on a waiting list. I so wanted to, but couldn't bring myself to bite the bullet.