Is the Atari 5200 an ESSENTIAL part of a classic collectio..

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

Is the Atari 5200 an essential part of a classic collection in the same
way that a Colecovision or Intellivision would be?

The reason I ask this is because for one thing, there are plenty of
gripes with the 5200 controller, and most people seem to agree that a
centering controller would have been much more welcome for the 5200.

For another thing, from my understanding, the 5200 is just about
identical to the Atari 400 internally. Furthermore, very often the 5200
and 400 games were identical ROMS.

And, in the cases in which a game program WAS different between the two
platforms (Space Invaders, Centipede), OR in the case of games that
were released on the 5200 exclusively, the Atari 400 is capable of
playing these ROMS... indeed, there are resources on the net where you
can buy a cartridge containing damn near ALL 5200 games that were
either diferent, or not released on the Atari 400/800... and play these
games with the tried and true ATARI controller we all know and love.

SO.. taking into consideration all of this, is the Atari 5200 a system
that classic collectors can basically 'pass' on?

Why or why not?

One thing that comes to mind is that the 5200 supported the trak ball,
so that's one point for the 5200. Anything else?

Thanks!

(PS: For me, "emulation" doesn't even enter into the picture when it
comes to eliminating the usefulness of a system. A hard drive full of
Colecovision ROMS for me is no comparison to the real thing. I do
believe though, that the Atari 5200 - Atari 400/800 is a different
situation altogether though.)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

Impmon wrote:

> There are some great games
> that you just can't quite match on 2600, CV, or Inty.
>

Yes, but my whole point was that the 5200 games are available as
playable ROMS on the Atari 400 computer, in fact, the "5200 Blast"!
cartridge apparantly has ALL of the 5200 games that didn't appear on
the Atari 400/800, and also that games that DID, yet were different
versions (Space Invaders, Centipede). I KNOW the 5200 versions are
different from the CV and INTV, but they are NOT from the Atari
400/800.

 

[JOJO]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

Yes. The 5200 rocks. It's the only way to play The Dreadnaught Factor.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

"The Space Boss" <drsmith666@aol.com> wrote in
news:1118986603.461196.215340@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> Is the Atari 5200 an essential part of a classic collection in the same
> way that a Colecovision or Intellivision would be?


I don't think there is a such thing as an essential part of any collection.
I don't have any of the above systems, nor do I really intend to get them.
A collection should be about someone's own personal goals and interests,
and that might be owning the system of their childhood, owning all the
variants of a favorite game, or just buying the stuff you enjoy sharing
with your buddies.



--

Aaron J. Bossig

http/www.GodsLabRat.com
http/www.dvdverdict.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

That's a must have game..5200 rules !!! I think i like the controllers
too. They are easy to fix.

Jojo wrote:

>Yes. The 5200 rocks. It's the only way to play The Dreadnaught Factor.
>
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

"...and some 5200 games won't work on the newer 2
port systems. "

Hmmm, I've never heard or experienced this, although I am missing a
handful of 5200 titles. Can you provide names for the problematic ones?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

On 18 Jun 2005 07:43:40 -0700, "Wizard of Wor"
<pringprangprong@yahoo.com> wrote:

>"...and some 5200 games won't work on the newer 2
>port systems. "
>
>Hmmm, I've never heard or experienced this, although I am missing a
>handful of 5200 titles. Can you provide names for the problematic ones?

Mountain King and Pitfall are the 2 I know of. If you have 2 port
system, you can still play those games by doing a BIOS swap from a 4
port console or getting compatible EPROM with 4 port BIOS.
--
When you hear the toilet flush, and hear the words "uh oh", it's already
too late. - by anonymous Mother in Austin, TX
To reply, replace digi.mon with phreaker.net

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

I've got a 2-port 5200 and I have both those games, which play just
fine, so I guess mine must be an older 2-port. Is there some way I can
identify the BIOS inside (what chips do I look for)?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

> For another thing, from my understanding, the 5200 is just about
> identical to the Atari 400 internally. Furthermore, very often the 5200
> and 400 games were identical ROMS.

Doesn't that instantly make it essential? From my vantage point, when you
say 5200, you pretty much say 5200, A400, and A800. I mean.. it's just all
Atari 8-bit really. And that in and of itself, is one of the most essential
classic game collections anyone can think of. It's just up to you what
package you want it in (if not all of them)

Some people do prefer the 5200 controllers believe it or not. The control
difficulties are overblown at best.. it's their lack of RELIABILITY that's
their major drawback. Aside from their tendency to break, if you do
find (or make) one that's actually working, it's not too bad. And anyway,
most 5200 freaks would have a Wico stick & keypad if not a Masterplay
interface.

What the 5200 has that the regular computer brothers dont.. are mainly
collectibles such as the dual joystick holder for Robotron and Space
Dungeon. Speaking of Space Dungeon, that's one of the BEST and only port of
that arcade game, and it's only available on the 5200. Ditto for some cool
games like Countermeasure.

Just as an aside... In this day and age of roms and emulation it's pretty
interesting seeing the various iterations of some games. Take Atari 8Bit
Pacman. The 5200 version has the intermissions. The 8bit versions dont.
HOWEVER.. there are 8bit versions out there w/ more accurate sound effects..
In particular the sound Pacman makes when eating dots. And there are also
some 8bit versions with what seems to be an attract screen that introduces
the ghosts, etc. Good times

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

>
>>Hmmm, I've never heard or experienced this, although I am missing a
>>handful of 5200 titles. Can you provide names for the problematic ones?
>
>
>Mountain King and Pitfall are the 2 I know of
>

I have been told that Pitfall won't work, but I haven't verified this
for myself. HOWEVER, I have played Mountain King on a 2-port 5200. I've
never heard of any game other than Pitfall not running on the 2-port
model.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

IMO, all Atari badged consoles are essential to any classic collection!


>for one thing, there are plenty of
>gripes with the 5200 controller

Any collector that cannot repair and maintain a 5200 controller isn't
worthy of the title "classic gamer". Besides, on some games (like
Dreadnought Factor) that stick really shines. And if you really can't
stand using the CX-52, you could always obtain one of the other
controllers, or better yet custom build your own! (For years now I have
been impressed with Maverick's conversion of a Jag controller to the
5200.)


Besides, if wonky controllers were reason enough to rule out collecting
for the 5200, then wouldn't that rule out the ColecoVision and
Intellivision as well?

>
>in the case of games that
>were released on the 5200 exclusively, the Atari 400
>is capable of playing these ROMS
>

Playing 5200 games on an Atari 400?!? Why not just download an emulator
and play them on your PC? Honestly, if you aren't going to play your
games on their original platform, then why bother collecting ANY
classic console at all? Yes, they are VERY CLOSE, but a port is still a
port.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

Dan Mazurowski wrote:


>
> Any collector that cannot repair and maintain a 5200 controller isn't
> worthy of the title "classic gamer".

I tried once, and found it extremely complicated. I've fixed 2600
controllers though.


> Dreadnought Factor) that stick really shines. And if you really can't
> stand using the CX-52, you could always obtain one of the other
> controllers, or better yet custom build your own! (For years now I have
> been impressed with Maverick's conversion of a Jag controller to the
> 5200.)
>

I would like more information on this sir, where can I find it? Also
are they available to the public? How many controllers were available
for the 5200? Is there any type of "adapter" you can use, like the
adapter that can allow you to use a playstation controller on the
Vectrex?

>
> Besides, if wonky controllers were reason enough to rule out collecting
> for the 5200, then wouldn't that rule out the ColecoVision and
> Intellivision as well?
>

Colecovision: no. Intellivision? Yes, simply because they are so SHODDY
and not replaceable.

> >
> >in the case of games that
> >were released on the 5200 exclusively, the Atari 400
> >is capable of playing these ROMS
> >
>
> Playing 5200 games on an Atari 400?!? Why not just download an emulator
> and play them on your PC? Honestly, if you aren't going to play your
> games on their original platform, then why bother collecting ANY
> classic console at all? Yes, they are VERY CLOSE, but a port is still a
> port.

You have a point there..

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

>
>>(For years now I have
>> been impressed with Maverick's conversion of a Jag controller to the
>> 5200.)
>
>
>I would like more information on this sir, where can I find it?
>

Unfortunately, he's never offered it for sale, and I believe he only
built one. (Apparently it takes a bit of work to do this.)

But converting any standard 2600 style controller to the 5200 isn't too
hard. Check out the 5200 FAQ for a basic schematic. You can easily
alter this circuit for use with a Genesis controller, allowing for the
use of two fire buttons and a pause button - just like on the standard
CX-52. There is also an even simpler schematic to use a PC controller,
if analog function is important to you (for games like Missile
Command).

Here's a link for the FAQ:
http/www.atarihq.com/5200/5200faq/5200faq.txt

And if you're lazy like me, Atari Age sells a variety of 5200 joystick
adapters.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

This has to be somewhat of a complicated issue - probably related to
specific production runs of the 5200 - because I have a 2-port and it
plays every single 5200 cart I have, including Mountain King and
Pitfall.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.video.classic (More info?)

The Space Boss wrote:
>
> Dan Mazurowski wrote:

>>Besides, if wonky controllers were reason enough to rule out collecting
>>for the 5200, then wouldn't that rule out the ColecoVision and
>>Intellivision as well?
>>
>
>
> Colecovision: no. Intellivision? Yes, simply because they are so SHODDY
> and not replaceable.



I've owned all three and I concur with my man Dan here, all three could
have used some improvements, but they are what they are. I've always
favored the stock 5200 sticks over CV & Intv.

But just using joysticks as an excuse not to own or like, I think is a
pretty weak argument. There are several options in that department. That
shouldn't even come up anymore. And you can use 2600 sticks on the 5200,
for about the same price as what it would cost to buy the multicart of
5200 roms for the 400. So that's a wash. I thought this thread was gonna
be on the 5200 amongst other classics, not just the 400.

5200 vs 400,,,

I'd say for starters the 400 is a computer, and looks like ass. The 5200
is a home console and looks damn nice, one of the nicest ever IMHO.


The 5200 not being able to play 2600 games, or the adapter on some
models shouldn't be a big deal either, you got no 2600 games playing on
the 400 either..

And it's a 5200, I don't know many people who would own a 5200 & no
2600, seems if you are a collector you probably got several solutions
there to play with the 2600. Maybe a 7800 even? But the adpater was an
afterthought, and poorly executed. It doesn't even sit up well on the
5200, I don't pull mine out of the box. :| But I have a 2600 hooked up
ready to go so why bother with an adpater thru the 5200?



RF switchbox on the 4ports was suppose to be an improvement, and I
actually like that. If you keep it hooked up, it's easy to play Atari
with no reaching around to move a switch. I think these break easily
though, that's a downer once you realize you can't find these in any
Radio shack.


One thing I dislike about the 400, or 800, or XL/XE is the compatibility
problems. With so many variations of the 8-bit line, changes caused some
titles not to work with all machines. So some titles are 400/800 only,
and some are XL/XE only, and some are dependant on the amount of ram,
there are drawbacks here. And needing a keyboard handy while holding
your CX40 on Star Raiders doesn't exactly seem like a major plus. I know
this was a great 8-bit title. There were several games that required 2
buttons, and on the 400, they are mapped to keyboard. On a 5200 they can
take advantage of the 2nd fire button.


I agree with the poster who said it's a matter of personal preference,
and that no one should say one is & another isn't. It's an Atari. I like
it, I own it. It's that simple. It could have had a few more games, I
wished it did. But of what was released, there are many greats, that
still hold up & are still fun to play even today. It's a must own in my
book. Always will be.