AtariK2

As long as we're on the subject of Combat: Does anyone know when Atari started bundling this game with the 2600? Does it go all the way back to the beginning with the Sunnyvale Six Switcher?

OK - stupid question here: Even though this book is centered on the Atari "Computer's" the programming principles described in this book apply to the console (2600) as well, correct? (since they both utilize 6502 processors)

Buttons for left/right movement, eh? How is the gameplay with this controller? Seems a little odd, no?

Do you think it is that high because cosmetically the unit appears to be in such good shape?

Well - I'm seeing six switch 2600's that (from the pictures at least) have zero blemishes and are selling for $100 + : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...egory=3537&rd=1 Is the price bloated or is this about the right price range? Seems high considering there is no original box, small amount of games, etc. -Thanks

Cool. AtariAge should post a pic of this in their 2600 Controller Section.

Wow - I must have no life... I just read every message in this thread (8 pages) expecting to come to the end with a bunch of 'I got mine!' and 'This game ROCKS!', etc. yet NOT ONE person has stated (in this thread at least) that they have laid their hands upon this gem. I'm guessing mention has been made in other threads but it just seemed poetic that it occur in this thread that has been going on for so long... EDIT: OK - I found the 'other' impressions thread but I'm not going to read it's 7 pages just yet!

So what's the deal with this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3071144838 Did the original Sunnyvale unit also have joyticks that weren't produced afterward? I'm desperately trying to remember whether or not my family truly owned a Sunnyvale or not -- perhaps this would be a deciding factor because I certainly don't remember this joystick.

Thanks for the advice and the welcome - it's great to be a part of the Atari community again! Boy - this is really a tough decision. I've been scouting a number of auctions on ebay and considering things from the variety of angles that you guys have mentioned so far. I do think that I fall more into the 'gamer' camp than 'collector' but I am very picky about the quality and taking care of my equipment (I'd be bummed to win an auction for a scratched or blemished 5200 for instance). There's something really appealing about having a Sunnyvale 2600 again and from what I've seen I think the comment about it being a bit pricey is spot on - it's looking like at least something in the 100-150 range. I have to secretly admit that a dream of mine would be to someday develop a homebrew game so having an original 2600 with a supercharger is something that would be very exciting. Unfortunately I'm also getting torn in the 5200 direction with a VCS adaptor. Is there anyway to tell on the 5200 four port if it is one that might have difficulty running the adaptor? I read on AA that the 2 ports don't have that problem but am still curious about the 4 ports. The 7800 is still a bit of an enigma to me never having personally 'tried' one. Do most consider the game quality (the dedicated 7800 games) to be superior to the 5200 or inferior? I started to go the emulator route to compare the games but (so far at least) am finding that the 7800 emu's are not that developed (unless I'm missing something). Maybe I should just take a phased approach and buy them all in order as time and budget allows! The one thing I haven't brought up is a good 'ol ColecoVision with the VCS adaptor but I think I'll keep it in the Atari family for this purchase go around. Thanks again for your help - I really do appreciate it.

OK - I need help. I have a SERIOUS itch to pick up some Atari hardware and am having trouble deciding on which system to get: 1. 2600: This one has big time nostalgia tied to it - I would have to go with a Sunnyvale 6 switch as this was the one we actually owned back when I was a kid. 2. 5200: I also owned one of these but am concerned about being to pick a decent one up now with controllers that actually work. 3. 7800: I don't know much about this model other than some FAQ reading that I've done here on AA. Does anyone have any opinions / suggestions for which direction I should take? Does it make more sense to get a 5200 or 7800 and that has the ability to play 2600 games or should I go straight for the classic 2600? My current approach will be to decide on one and find as best of a system that I can get on ebay (good cosmetically, functionally and original packaging)... I'm pretty picky when it comes to the condition of my gaming equipment - of course with ebay I'll be at the mercy of some crappy pictures and someone's word who I don't know but oh well... Thanks - your feedback is very much appreciated! (Apologies if this is the wrong forum to post this in)

OK - so here's a stupid question (or maybe just an observation). For those who are bent on absolutely needing to get the Ultra rares it's simply not enough to be able to play the game, right? You have to actually have the original box, cartridge, etc. In other words - taking the Malagai rom, burning it to a new cartridge and inserting it into your 2600 for some nostalgia fun isn't enough, right? I'm just curious about the mind of a collector...

I was just reading something about this recently (a device similar to this that was made for the 2600 I believe - could be wrong on that though) - unfortunately I don't have the link handy. Although the concept was cool User's complained that it gave them too much of a real life headache! I also remember seeing a similar device for PC's on retail shelfs sometime during the early 90's but never tried it out...

I'm definitely enjoying Malagai Legends - pretty cool that they released it as on the 20th Anniversary of Malagai. I had not played the original although after having spent some time with Legends I fired up the Z26 emulator and checked it out - it's quite fun! Further curious I checked ebay and was shocked to see that there is a auction for Malagai and the current bid is $345.00! (Yes, you read that right!) Back to Legends...I agree that getting stuck on the walls can definitely be frustrating at times but it does add to the challenge. I've also noticed that the game runs faster (or slower) depending on your PC speed. And I also like the music - it fits quite well, IMO.

Edited

I've sent Al a note with the new Website. In the meantime people can access it here: http://www.cloudcatchers.com/symmetryiscomfort

I sent you an email (to 'Pangolin11@aol.com') with just such an offer! Please reply back and we can start getting things configured for you.

It's definitely cynical but I think you have very valid observations. I would sure hate to pay that kind of money only to receive it and find that therein lied a dusty, beat up vader system instead of a 6 switcher Woody! Kind of like that German who opened up the Arc in Indiana Jones...

Hmmmm....this is part of the Activision Anthology for PS2, also. I might have to fire it up.

Did you see the reason why he temporarily went private, though? "Someone with a new Ebay account used Buy-It-Now on all of my auctions, and then immediately left negative vulgar feedback on all of them. As a result I have made my feedback private, while Ebay investigates this issue. I've discovered that it is indeed retaliation feedback, from someone I previously left negative feedback for. Unfortunately Ebay is not perfect." He then posted his Feedback in the contents of the Auction. Of course you never know with eBay but it sounds legit.

I just sent him an email volunteering to host for free, also. Let's see what happens.

'lucky' is right! Can you imagine how AWESOME it would be to open this baby up for the first time and set it up - !

This is SO cool - I love it when people post pic's of their high scores. There's a high score database on the 'net (forget the site) but anyone can submit whatever score they want - they should have to submit a pic. Stan - I love how we can see you taking the pic - a proud gamer lining up the shot!

WOW A sealed Vectrex! Alway's wanted one of those also. My Wife would kill me if I dropped $500+ on this sealed 2600 - it is so tempting though!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...egory=3537&rd=1 I've been known to spend too much in the past to get as close to perfect as possible a system (i.e. my Intellivison) but even this one is out of my ballpark. But oh to open an unsealed 6 switch 2600 again! The price of trying to reclaim childhood memories.