28 replies to this topic

[yell0w_lantern]

I am looking at putting together a vintage video game room in my attic.

My general vision is mostly to stay with 8 bit systems, defnitely nothing beyond 16 bit and a combination of entertaining but unique games. Ideally, software should be relatively inexpensive or there should be a flashcart-type solution.

Current systemsI own are: Atari 2600, Intellivision, Colecovision, NES, SMS/Genesis/Sega CD, SNES, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A and Apple IIe.

I definitely will be acquiring: VIC-20 and an Atari 8 bit computer. Curt's new Atari copmatible system is also on this list.

So what other systems have a good combination of unique games and "fun factor"? To give a better idea of unique games - I feel the Intellivision and TI-99/4A have a fair number of games you don't find on other systems whereas Colecovision does not.

Edited by yell0w_lantern, Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:09 PM.

[disjaukifa]

Atari 5200 and 7800 had good titles, if you want something is really unique I would say try grabbing a Vectrex as well . . .

[Rex Dart]

7800's cool, yeah. And only a handful of worthwhile titles to buy for it, so it stays cheap overall. There's also the Turbografx 16 / PC Engine.
What about some crazy japanese system like an MSX?

[yell0w_lantern]

Well, Curt's new Atari compatible system will be an upgraded 7800 so that is covered.

Vectrex looks fairly limited but aren't many of the games arcade ports? I know there are homebrews but my experience with non-2600 homebrews is that people want to sell you a cart, box and instructions which would just wind up being too expensive.

I will probbaly limit my non-North American systems pretty severely. In fact, the one exception I was thinking of making was a ZX Spectrum but I'm not sure yet.

Edited by yell0w_lantern, Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:02 PM.

[Metal Ghost]

yell0w_lantern, on Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:01 PM, said:

Well, Curt's new Atari compatible system will be an upgraded 7800 so that is covered.

Vectrex looks fairly limited but aren't many of the games arcade ports? I know there are homebrews but my experience with non-2600 homebrews is that people want to sell you a cart, box and instructions which would just wind up being too expensive.

I will probbaly limit my non-North American systems pretty severely. In fact, the one exception I was thinking of making was a ZX Spectrum but I'm not sure yet.

Just be aware that, if you're talking about Curt's standalone unit, as opposed to the 7800XM, you may be waiting awhile for it. I wouldn't expect to see that in the wild within 2 years. Sooner would be a great surprise, and I'm sure that the XM knowledge will speed the process along, but it's not going to be anytime soon.

[yell0w_lantern]

That's okay. I've gone 34 years without a 7800 I can go another 2. I have wondered though why Curt needed such a speedy response to that poll he took.

Edited by yell0w_lantern, Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:04 PM.

[A_Locomotive]

I second looking into a TurboGrafx-16. Great system with a lot of fun games. Though its a little more on the pricy side then other consoles of its generation but its worth it. There is also word that an everdrive is in the works for it so sometime next year there should be a good flash solution for it.

[yell0w_lantern]

Turbografx plain or with CD capabilities? Also, how hard is it to find the 2 player adapter for the thing?

[EDIT]
Odyssey 2 looks interesting as does Astrocade. Thoughts?

Edited by yell0w_lantern, Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:47 PM.

[Austin]

Turbo Grafx, a Vectrex, or an Astrocade.

[A_Locomotive]

yell0w_lantern, on Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:45 PM, said:

Turbografx plain or with CD capabilities? Also, how hard is it to find the 2 player adapter for the thing?

[EDIT]
Odyssey 2 looks interesting as does Astrocade. Thoughts?

I can't really answer that. Depends on if there are enough games on CD that interest you. They are a bit on the pricy side especially if you want a US cd system. Either way you'll be getting a great system. The TurboTaps aren't terribly hard to find, my local retro stores have them and I see them on ebay all the time.

[the-topdog]

The Vectrex is a must-have and the TurboGrafx is a wonderful system as well.

[Eltigro]

I'd also recommend the TurboGrafx... but then, I'm biased as it is pretty much my favorite system (said in a Napoleon Dynamite voice). Last time I looked around, the base systems weren't too expensive. Some of the games were a little pricey. And I think there has been some renewed interest in the system because of the Wii Virtual Console. There are some great games available on the CD format, but that is where the systems start getting expensive. It seems difficult to find a CD system by itself, as they are mostly sold with the base system. So if you plan on getting the CD attachment, you might want to get it right away, or else if you decide to get it later, you may have to end up purchasing a second base system just to get the CD. Or you could just go all out and get a TurboDuo, and you're set for whatever.

But, I will say that if you're looking for something different with "unique" games, the TG is a great choice.

[toptenmaterial]

N64, two controllers, Mario Kart and 007.

[yell0w_lantern]

Okay, that sounds good. I'll probbaly look into a TG16 at some point then.

I just saw the price for a Vectrex on ebay.

I'm sure the N64 is a nice system but I'm not going beyond 16bit systems (4th generation to be more accurate); pretty much 2nd generation and 3rd generation with a few 4th. Computer-wise I might get an Atari ST and/or Amiga.

Edited by yell0w_lantern, Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:05 PM.

[bomberpunk]

toptenmaterial, on Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:53 PM, said:

N64, two controllers, Mario Kart and 007.

No 64 is complete without Conker's Bad Fur Day multiplayer mode.

[fiddlepaddle]

Don't take the Vectrex list prices at face value...I occasionally see the system available for about $80 to $120, and that includes the built-in game which is great. The controller is the part that is most difficult to find in very good condition. Also, some of them have focus problems and need to be adjusted internally, or may need caps replaced, which may be a way to pay less if you are able and willing to deal with that. I understand you can get a flash cart for it (which I don't have) and there is an active home brew community, and many good games you won't find implemented as well (or even at all) on any other system. Best suggestion, find one in person and test it out first.

I've never found a Turbografx CD in the wild, so I don't have one, but I recommend the card games. I also think the N64 has a lot of really good games, and they're pretty darn cheap these days. That probably won't last too much longer. The Amiga is a pretty amazing computer with lots of games as well.

Don't forget the Game Boy Advance SP...

[BassGuitari]

yell0w_lantern, on Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:45 PM, said:

Odyssey 2 looks interesting as does Astrocade. Thoughts?

Astrocade is a cool system, but my experience is that they are inordinately failure-prone. I've had three or four, and each has died. They tend to be expensive, and there are really only a handful of really good games. But, those good games are REALLY cool. Incredible Wizard (Wizard of Wor) is incredible and sounds are larger than life. The controller is also a unique experience, and a very clever design. So there are definitely pros and cons to the Astrocade.

Odyssey 2 is like the Astrocade in that there are really only a few standout titles for it, but the machine is far more durable and far less expensive. So are the games, which are mostly arcade knockoffs with cool twists.

I love both, but all things considered, I'd go with the Odyssey. Astrocade's broken my heart too many times.

[pixelated]

You should certainly get Vectrex, Odyssey 2 and maybe Astrocade.

[ls650]

I would definitely look at the Vectrex. If you like 80s-style retro arcade games, there are some great older titles and some really good homebrews.

[TheGameCollector]

You should definitely get a Super Game Boy for your SNES. There are a lot of good 8-bit Game Boy titles that stand alone as great games whether you play them on the TV or on a handheld. Zelda: Link's Awakening, Super Mario Land 2, and Pokemon being some of the best.

Also it's not 16-bit (it's labeled as 24-bit) but it's from 1990; before SNES and has great 2D games - any version of the Neo Geo. If you get an AES with a multicart for it you'll have pretty much everything you need. Best way to go since almost all the games are there on one cart.

Only get Neo Geo CD instead of AES if you really can't afford an AES or have desire to save up for one, don't care about load times or just want to burn your games for free and let the loading times be your punishment for "pirating" lol. Instead of you actually getting in legal trouble because nobody will know/care about it as SNK doesn't make systems anymore, the game system puts you in time-out anyway! ...well it's only that bad if you try to play something really new for it which isn't really your focus. If you're looking mainly for games from the 1990-1995 time period you should be ok with Neo Geo CD instead of AES. Doesn't take much longer to load than Sega CD.

[VertigoProcess]

F it, GET EVERYTHING!!!

[pce_collector]

You should definitely splurge on the TurboCD or Duo if you like shooters or RPGs. If you don't mind portables, consider a TurboExpress or Atari Lynx.

[Reaperman]

It's hard to get a Neo Geo to fit into a normal lifestyle, but well worth it. MVS won't fit in an attic, but the games are inexpensive, as are multicarts. AES is a bit on the expensive side still.

Otherwise, I recommend a Nomad and Lynx, but the A8 which is already on your list would be my first buy. As far as thinking outside of the box--pachinko machines are pretty fun--just saying.

[yell0w_lantern]

fiddlepaddle, on Sun Dec 4, 2011 2:23 PM, said:

I've never found a Turbografx CD in the wild, so I don't have one, but I recommend the card games. I also think the N64 has a lot of really good games, and they're pretty darn cheap these days. That probably won't last too much longer. The Amiga is a pretty amazing computer with lots of games as well.

Someone in my town has one for sale on Craig's List for $225. That's a little out of my price range even for the unit plus extras. Check Craigs List Erie PA

Amiga is now on my list. The question is always which one. My reading is suggesting the 1200.

BassGuitari, on Sun Dec 4, 2011 7:54 PM, said:

Astrocade is a cool system, but my experience is that they are inordinately failure-prone. I've had three or four, and each has died. They tend to be expensive, and there are really only a handful of really good games. But, those good games are REALLY cool. Incredible Wizard (Wizard of Wor) is incredible and sounds are larger than life. The controller is also a unique experience, and a very clever design. So there are definitely pros and cons to the Astrocade.

Odyssey 2 is like the Astrocade in that there are really only a few standout titles for it, but the machine is far more durable and far less expensive. So are the games, which are mostly arcade knockoffs with cool twists.

I love both, but all things considered, I'd go with the Odyssey. Astrocade's broken my heart too many times.

Yeah, I keep hearing that the controllers break frequently. I have not heard if they are easy to repair. I'll go with the Odyssey 2 then. Asstrocade is still kind of expensive - the cheapest I found anywhere online was $100 plus shipping.

VertigoProcess, on Mon Dec 5, 2011 4:16 PM, said:

F it, GET EVERYTHING!!!

Edited by yell0w_lantern, Tue Dec 6, 2011 8:38 AM.

[Skylark68]

TG16 was a lot of fun. I sold mine about a year ago so I could concentrate on the older systems. Lots of good games. Splatterhouse, Legendary Axe, Alien and Devil's Crush (if you like video pinball) are all awesome.

As for the older systems, I recommend the Odyssey 2. It's very reliable and the games are pretty cheap. There are some gems like both of the KC games, Attack of the Timelord, and the Master Strategy games are sure to impress your friends. Most people like Quest for the Rings the best, but if you implement the board game, Conquest of the World is a lot of fun too (it's a lot like Risk, but with actual battles instead of dice rolls). I have the Great Wall Street Fortune Hunt but never played it.