25 replies to this topic

[bradhig]

I am looking at getting a 5200 to play adventure ii. Should I get a 4 controller port or a 2 controller port model?

[Nuclear Pacman]

For purposes of playing that one game, it doesn't matter.

A broader answer would be 'it matters very little', if you plan on exploring the 5200 library more than just that one game. I prefer the 2-port as it has a traditional power supply setup. Some people prefer the 4-port due to some minor compatibility issues with some Activision titles. Those are really the main differences. And I will say that my 2-port plays the Activision games that are said to be incompatible with it, so not all 2-ports have this dis-functionality, in fact I would venture to guess that most 2-ports are 100% compatible with every game.

[ahuffman]

I got a 4 port not too long ago and I love it personally. The only downfall for me is that it probably isn't compatible with the vcs adaptor without a mod. The switchbox is not a problem imo. Just a little bit different to setup, that's all.

[bradhig]

Then I could play that version of Pitfall 2 with the extra level.

[AtariBrian]

i may be selling my atari 5200 4 port real soon. i have some pics on the marketplace. put them up quite a while back though... maybe 2 months

[bradhig]

I don't need a vcs adapter because I have a 7800 and a 2600 around somewhere.

[Sonic R]

what Activision games (besides Pitfall) have issues on a two port?

I am only aware of two CBS games (Mountain King and K-Razy Shoot Out) and Pitfall not running on a two port…

[bradhig]

aren't the weird switchboxes on the 4 port systems dangerous?

[Rex Dart]

Not dangerous, but annoying.

[Mitch]

Sonic R, on Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:40 PM, said:

what Activision games (besides Pitfall) have issues on a two port?

I am only aware of two CBS games (Mountain King and K-Razy Shoot Out) and Pitfall not running on a two port…

Just those three games, a BIOS swap will fix them though.

Mitch

[bradhig]

On Ebay the 4 ports tend to be more expensive then the 2 ports.

[metzger130]

I prefer the 2 port myself. I just like the more conventional system instead of that switch box/powersupply thing. Plus, if you have a switch box for any other system you can use it with the 2 port 5200 or what I do which is just connect it directly to the TV and not have to use the switch box.

[zylon]

I prefer the 2 ports, but would rather fix the 4 port versions when they do break.

[sdamon]

Mitch, on Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:47 PM, said:

Just those three games, a BIOS swap will fix them though.

Mitch

Anyone know where to get a 4-port BIOS to make this swap? My backup 5200 is a 2-port, and I'd love to make it fully compatible with all games.

To address the larger question, I personally prefer the 4-port because:
1. It's shiny! (2-ports used duller plastic)
2. The oddball switchbox seems to actually provide a better picture than a 2-port with a regular switchbox.
3. While it may never happen, you retain the possibility of having 4 people play Super Breakout or Castle Crisis all at once.
4. You can play the entire 5200 library on it without the need for a BIOS swap.

For me, the only real disadvantage of the 4-port is the lack of compatibility with the 2600 adapter, but I hope to made the necessary modification at some point in the future.

[Metal Ghost]

As lons as nothing goes wrong with it (which mine has never had a problem), I much prefer the 4-Port switchbox over the typical slide switch for other Atari units. There's less cords involved so there's less clutter, and I don't have to reach behind the TV to slide from 'TV' to 'Game'. Much nicer solution overall in my opinion. I understand the fact that if it breaks then it's more expensive to replace, etc., but I don't plan my other game purchases based on the criteria of 'what if it breaks?', so I don't know why I'd start with the 5200.

[Mitch]

sdamon, on Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:34 PM, said:

Anyone know where to get a 4-port BIOS to make this swap? My backup 5200 is a 2-port, and I'd love to make it fully compatible with all games.

Just download the BIOS ROM you would use for an emulator and burn it to an 2532 EPROM.

Mitch

[sdamon]

Mitch, on Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:13 PM, said:

sdamon, on Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:34 PM, said:

Anyone know where to get a 4-port BIOS to make this swap? My backup 5200 is a 2-port, and I'd love to make it fully compatible with all games.

Just download the BIOS ROM you would use for an emulator and burn it to an 2532 EPROM.

Mitch

Any other options for those without EPROM burners? :-)

[FujiSkunk]

sdamon, on Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:55 PM, said:

Any other options for those without EPROM burners? :-)

There are hacked versions of the games floating around that were "fixed" to work with 2-port systems. You'll need a flashable Atari 5200 cartridge to play them, like the AtariMax.

[Official Ninja]

sdamon, on Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:34 PM, said:

Mitch, on Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:47 PM, said:

Just those three games, a BIOS swap will fix them though.

Mitch

Anyone know where to get a 4-port BIOS to make this swap? My backup 5200 is a 2-port, and I'd love to make it fully compatible with all games.

I'm sure Best Electronics sells them. Although you might need to order a few to meet the minimum order requirement. You could message a guy on these forums " Sloopy" I'm sure if you game him the right file he could burn that eprom for you. His prices are always fair. (good)

Edited by Official Ninja, Sat Nov 19, 2011 12:43 PM.

[bradhig]

I got a two port. Why would Atari make the two port have issues with three games? Pitfall, Mountain King, and K Razy Shoot Out

[chuckwalla]

metzger130, on Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:28 PM, said:

I prefer the 2 port myself. I just like the more conventional system instead of that switch box/powersupply thing. Plus, if you have a switch box for any other system you can use it with the 2 port 5200 or what I do which is just connect it directly to the TV and not have to use the switch box.

That's how I am too. The only systems that I use regularly that require basic rf connection (like most of us, I use that F-type male to RCA female adapter) are my Atari 5200's (2-port) and 7800. You have the 'supposed' issue with the safety hazard of the 4-port rf adapter but as long as you don't leave the system powered on and unattended I don't see any concern.

[TheGameCollector]

Since my 4 port system's RF switch had a connector pin in scary kind of bent condition, what I did was jammed it into a brand new golden plug to use as a permanent extention. Now I don't have to worry about the pin on that switch ever breaking because I managed to get it all the way inside the golden plug.

If I was buying a 5200 again I would just make my decision by going with whatever model I found cheapest first. Getting rebuilt controllers is a very good idea though. My 2 port system came with 2 of those.

[Mitch]

bradhig, on Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:39 PM, said:

I got a two port. Why would Atari make the two port have issues with three games? Pitfall, Mountain King, and K Razy Shoot Out

It's the revised BIOS that is in most 2 ports that causes the problem. Those three games don't use the normal start-up calls and the BIOS changes broke them. I doubt it was intentional on Ataris part.

Mitch

[FujiSkunk]

Mitch, on Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:05 PM, said:

bradhig, on Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:39 PM, said:

I got a two port. Why would Atari make the two port have issues with three games? Pitfall, Mountain King, and K Razy Shoot Out

It's the revised BIOS that is in most 2 ports that causes the problem. Those three games don't use the normal start-up calls and the BIOS changes broke them. I doubt it was intentional on Ataris part.

Remember, console manufacturers didn't rely on third-party support as much then as they do now, and often actually considered third parties to be pirates trying to rob sales of first-party games. Witness Mattel and the Intellivision 2, which intentionally broke Coleco's Intellivision games. I agree, Atari's actions probably weren't quite that drastic, but they still probably didn't lose much sleep over it. They had changes they wanted to make, and they knew it wouldn't affect the games they published themselves. Everyone else was on their own.

[simbalion]

I started out with a two port version of the 5200 (should see if it is still alive someday), but then picked up a complete four port in the box. Yes the switchbox is odd and I somehow lost my spare, but I now like the four port better. The colors just seemed to really jump out on my four port version compared to my two port version and my four port is compatible with the 2600 adaptor. I think the ones with an asterisk after the serial number are compatible. So far my switchbox has held up great. It even survived a nasty drop to the floor without so much as a scratch. I've killed a couple regular switchboxes doing that over the years. Now if I can just find my spare. Found the box, but no switchbox...