The 2600's Design from Star Wars?

[shank]

Just looking at my 2600, and i noticed that it looks like something from Star Wars, like, the style of Darth Vader. Did they design it on purpose like that because Star Wars was a big hit in the late 70's? or is it just coincidence?

[ZylonBane]

Here's a crazy idea-- they both look like artifacts of the 70s.

[joeybastard]

Woody VCS' are the classic 70's electronics look and I think the "Vader" model just went all black because that's the way stereo components and TVs were going back then. The comparison to Vader I think is just a happy coincidence, I don't think that was the design plan.

 

I could see a modern VCS(not a retro thing like the FB 2.0) would go with the silver/grey look of many DVD players and stereo equipment.

Edited May 5, 2005 by joeybastard

[danwinslow]

Well, a hot pink Darth Vader woulda been teh suq.

[Vic George 2K3]

The system went black, but it didn't ditch the silver switches.

[Luigi301]

Yes. High-end electronics in the 70s were woodgrain, and in the 80s they were black. Now they are silver.

[128bytes]

Too bad the GameCube got rid of its digital component out port just in time for it to be produced in high tech silver.

 

If you know of a platinum GameCube with the digital component out port, let me know because I'm looking for one.

[Lord Thag]

They call it the 'vader' because it uses force persuasion on you to make you play it twenty years later instead of playing xbox . Stupid dark-side consoles .

Edited May 5, 2005 by Lord Thag

[MegaManFan]

Personally I think the Vader is the "sexiest" of all the 2600 models, and the fact that it's called the "Vader" by us collectors means you get double the nostalgia for the price of one. For real fun, throw in Empire Strikes Back or ST: The Arcade Game for the full experience.

[ATARIPITBULL]

My first 2600 system as a kid was a woody, but I will admit that I do like the looks of the Vader, it does not look as dated as the woody.

 

[sandmountainslim]

They call it the 'vader' because it uses force persuasion on you to make you play it twenty years later instead of playing xbox  . Stupid dark-side consoles  .

850135[/snapback]

Damn sure worked on me, it made me put my PS2 in the closet! I might play the NES a couple times weekly but I play that damned old Vader EVERY day, damn nefarious contraption

[mos6507]

I think they switched to all-black because it was cheaper than making the fake woodgrain. Same deal with going from the six switch to the four switch design. It was a cost-reduced design.

[moycon]

Good Eye shank

As everyone knows Lucas's original concept of what the characters looked and acted like changed drastically as the movie moved closer to actual production.

 

Almost all the characters appearance changed but none more so than Darth Vader who was orginally penned as the comic relief wacky side-kick to Han Solo.

[shank]

Which was released first, Star Wars or the 2600 in 1977?

[frogstar_robot]

Well, a hot pink Darth Vader woulda been teh suq.

849937[/snapback]

 

If you say so........

 

 

[Elthesh]

Too bad the GameCube got rid of its digital component out port just in time for it to be produced in high tech silver. 

 

If you know of a platinum GameCube with the digital component out port, let me know because I'm looking for one.

850098[/snapback]

 

Well, as far as I know, Platinum Gamecubes were around for quite some time before they removed the port. Mine is Platinum and from like 2002 or 2003. I'd have to check cause I can't remember when I bought it. It's got component cables plugged in now too. I can't tell you where to find one now, but they were all over the place when I got mine. The ones with the port that is.

[Vic George 2K3]

The Emperor's not going to like Vader wearing anything but basic black!

[Big Player]

Which was released first, Star Wars or the 2600 in 1977?

850773[/snapback]

 

The exact release date doesn't matter because Atari finished the 2600 in 1976 but waited until 1977 to release it. So it's safe to say that the 2600 design was not influenced by Star Wars.

 

The Vader design wasn't released until 1982 at least, maybe later. Though I don't know this for certain. I'm basing it on that when I got my 2600 for Christmas in 1981, it was a wood grain six-switcher.