17 replies to this topic

[Pixel]

I'm new to Atari, and classic gaming in general really. I used to have a Commodore 64 and I still have my old Vic 20!

I already have a Lynx, now I'm looking for an Atari non-handheld console...

I want something that's better than an 8bit machine, but still quite rare with games that are fairly hard to get hold of (I like a challenge!) I don't know much about any of the Atari systems so if anyone could clue me in on what to get, that would be great.

[Adrian M]

My advice, get yourself a 2600.

I think you'll truly love it. The games are relatively inexpensive and plentiful, the hardware is cheap and very durable, and you'll gain an appreciation for gaming.

[Pixel]

Excellent, thanks for the advice!

I'm gonna have a good read about these 2600 thingies!

[ElephantStyle]

I recommend saving your money.
You never know when locusts may strike, and its good to have a little money in reserve.

[Pixel]

Yes, those damn locusts, they can be a right pain in the ass. Lucky for me I have a secret storage facility underneath my house, I think I'll be ok!

[Adrian M]

Pixel said:

Excellent, thanks for the advice!  

I'm gonna have a good read about these 2600 thingies!

You're very welcome!
For less than the cost of a game for the XBOX or PS2, you can get
yourself a great Atari system and a bundle
of wonderful classic games. The best part,
the games all focus on gameplay and innovative
concepts...a trait that is missing in today's games.

I assure you, you will not be disappointed! In fact,
your appreciation for gaming and the craftsmanship that
goes into developing a game may grow when you consider
how lazy programmers have become in regards to
software created for the latest next-gen
systems!

[Ze_ro]

Pixel said:

I already have a Lynx, now I'm looking for an Atari non-handheld console...

I want something that's better than an 8bit machine, but still quite rare with games that are fairly hard to get hold of

Well, you should know that the 2600 was the original Atari, and is definitely an 8-bit machine... so if you don't like blocky graphics and all, then you might not like it much... however, it has basically ALL of the classics.

If you're looking for a challenge, and something with some power, try collecting for the Jaguar... you'll be pretty much stuck using eBay most of the time (I've only ever seen Jaguar stuff in one flea market, and it was all stuff I already had), but the games themselves aren't terribly expensive, since they're not in very high demand (aside from a few that are very rare). The system is somewhere between the SNES and PSX as far as power, and the games are a mix of 2D and early 3D. The game quality is a little shaky at times, but some of the more remarkable games are Tempest 2000, Alien Vs. Predator, Battlesphere, Iron Soldier, Doom, and Rayman. If you want more info on the Jaguar, you might want to check out the Jaguar Forum on this site.

--Zero

[RangerG]

Are you set on Atari? When you say better than 8-bit, then that pretty much leaves the Jaguar. When I read your thread, I thought of the Turbographx-16 or the Sega Master System. Look up some sites on both of these and see what you think. Good luck!

[Adrian M]

RangerG said:

Are you set on Atari? When you say better than 8-bit, then that pretty much leaves the Jaguar. When I read your thread, I thought of the Turbographx-16 or the Sega Master System. Look up some sites on both of these and see what you think. Good luck!

Not to nitpick, but theoretically he could get himself a 16-bit AtariST computer.

[RangerG]

Yes Adrian - you are correct . Along those same lines, he could also collect the prototype Panther - how is that for a challenge! Is there even any hardware out there for the Panther?

[Pixel]

As i said, I'm new to Atari! I don't know that much except the Lynx is great and I want more!

Maybe an Atari ST is the answer? I presume you can do some pretty interesting things with it?

[Ze_ro]

Pixel said:

Maybe an Atari ST is the answer? I presume you can do some pretty interesting things with it?

Well, yeah, you can... but the Atari ST is a computer. You're not going to find games on cartridge or anything.

Unless your heart was set on Atari, you might want to look into other systems like the Genesis.

--Zero

[Ze_ro]

Pixel said:

As i said, I'm new to Atari! I don't know that much except the Lynx is great and I want more!

Actually, the Jaguar is a lot like the Lynx in some ways... they both have fairly small libraries of games (there's around a hundred or so Jaguar games out there), a lot of fairly unique stuff for them (Attack of the Mutant Penguins certainly counts as unique!), .. they're both named after cats...

Besides, how can you turn down a system that looks this sexy:

--Zero

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[Cassidy Nolen]

I have a boxed C64 and disk drive if you are interested? I know its not Atari, but good for the memories...

I second/third/whatever that the 2600 is a good choice. Lots of cheap games, and you know they will work. I have only had a handful of dead ones in all these years. Good luck, and enjoy!


Cassidy

[Pixel]

Ze_ro - I gotta admit, the Jaguar looks just classy! I'm seriously considering it now!

Cassidy Nolen - Thanks for the offer, but I had a C64 for years and I just want something that's totally unique to me. I still have tons of C64 games in a box somewhere (about 100 I think!) and I have a few classics like Altered Beast, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Rainbow Islands! I may go back to the C64 one day..

[Avid Fan]

Dude, fire up that C64, you wont regret it. I've wanted to get one for a while, but my room is a bit cluttered. Its a shame, a few years ago, a friend of mine was gonna give me his C64 and all of his games (well over 800 of them, his dad had the c64 laptop, and traveled 10 months out of the year, and pirated software the entire way)

[RangerG]

I also say the Jaguar would be a good choice for you as Zero mentioned if you want to stick with Atari. The nice thing about collecting Atari is the active community here. Also, the Jag has nice graphics (better than 8-bit) like you first stated and it has that obscure feel, but I personally have found around 20 games in the wild (that's over two years though). Also, if you really get into it, you can upgrade with the CD, new homebrews, etc (however - big $$).

[tantone56]

god I love my atari 2600. Ill sit there and play for hours... I really want a 5200 but nobody around me is selling it and also shipping is a bitch on ebay cause it's so BIG!