Atari 2600 Best Atari 2600 Hardware Variant?

[Tomas Fahy]

Hi, i'm new to Atari 2600 collecting and was wondering what the best version of the 2600 was. I can't go for something rare/expensive E.G heavy sixer since i don't have the biggest budget, i'm only 12. I just need something that works.

Edited June 15, 2017 by Tomas Fahy

[Thomas Jentzsch]

I would suggest a Darth Vader. Jrs are cheaper, but have slight compatibility issues.

Edited June 15, 2017 by Thomas Jentzsch

[toiletunes]

4 switch woody- common, inexpensive, easy to diagnose/repair, few if any incompatibility issues, good image quality. A good starter system.

 

Console of choice? A 7800.

[Osgeld]

all the 4 switchers seem to be pretty tough, I would say the vader is a little tougher, the jr's work but I dont like the buttons on them and apparently neither did a lot of people cause they are often smashed to death heh, but they mostly do everything the big boys do and are often cheap

Edited June 15, 2017 by Osgeld

[RamrodHare]

I've messed with most of them, except the Jr. Out of the last 3 2600s I ran into, the only one that was fully working was a worn 4 switch woody that was badly beaten up. the case had chips and cracks all over it, so I pulled the board out of it (revision 12) and stuck it into a Vader shell that had a bad board. So I have a nice new looking Vader, that I did the LED and AV mods on. So, in my recent experience, I'd lean toward looking for one of the 4 switch woodys. Of course any working 4 switcher would be fine. As far as the 7800 goes, mine works great, but the plastic on them is very brittle, so you have to be careful with them. I AV modded mine and I use it quite often, even for my 2600 games. The cartridge connector on the 7800 is too tight for some games, but if you ever have the system apart, to do an AV mod or something, you can remove the plastic part of the connector and file out the corners and reinstall it. Then all the carts will fit. I don't have any experience with the Jr. but I have been tempted to buy one, just because it's smaller, making it more carry friendly if I want to take it with me somewhere.

 

If you buy an Atari off eBay, just makes sure the seller has plenty of positive feedback and lists the console as "Tested and working". Good luck on getting your Atari!

[Tomas Fahy]

Thanks to everybody who replied to my post. After looking at your opinions and researching myself i have purchased a "Vader" system as it seems to be high quality plus it fit the theme of my bedroom. (Black and white)