Ransom Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I had a 5200 way back when they came out, and loved it! Then I got an Atari 8-bit computer, and got rid of the 5200 with no regrets. I also had one in the 90s -- complete with two NIB track-balls bought at a warehouse sale for $5 each -- and enjoyed reliving some fond memories. Then I sold that on the useNET game auction newsgroup. Now, since I have a 2600 and an Atari 8-bit computer, both with tons of games, I'm trying to figure out if there would be any reason for me to get a 5200 again. They're huge & clunky, and there don't seem to be that many (any?) games on it that aren't available (one way or another) on either the 2600 or the Atari8. So what are the 5200's killer apps? Or is it just all about the nostalgia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Helmet Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Adventure 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I had a 5200 way back when they came out, and loved it! Then I got an Atari 8-bit computer, and got rid of the 5200 with no regrets. I also had one in the 90s -- complete with two NIB track-balls bought at a warehouse sale for $5 each -- and enjoyed reliving some fond memories. Then I sold that on the useNET game auction newsgroup. Now, since I have a 2600 and an Atari 8-bit computer, both with tons of games, I'm trying to figure out if there would be any reason for me to get a 5200 again. They're huge & clunky, and there don't seem to be that many (any?) games on it that aren't available (one way or another) on either the 2600 or the Atari8. So what are the 5200's killer apps? Or is it just all about the nostalgia? the pitfall 2's deeper level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
segasaturn Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I think that the 5200 has better Arcade ports, than the 2600 or 800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetset Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Defender Centipede Robotron Zone Ranger Space Dungeon Realsports Baseball Zaxxon More recently... Castle Crisis Adventure II Blaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atm94404 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 (edited) Rescue on Fractalus (because of the analog control) Space Dungeon (did this ever make it to another platform?) Centipede (because the 5200 trackball is perfect) Edited January 22, 2009 by atm94404 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Rescue on Fractalus (because of the analog control)Space Dungeon (did this ever make it to another platform?) Centipede (because the 5200 trackball is perfect) i'm a major c64 guy and i have a couple disks i call my 5200 collection its the games that the 5200 has the 5200 has good color better than the c64 in my opinion funny they never made a robotron 2084 on the c64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarian63 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I had a 5200 way back when they came out, and loved it! Then I got an Atari 8-bit computer, and got rid of the 5200 with no regrets. I also had one in the 90s -- complete with two NIB track-balls bought at a warehouse sale for $5 each -- and enjoyed reliving some fond memories. Then I sold that on the useNET game auction newsgroup. Now, since I have a 2600 and an Atari 8-bit computer, both with tons of games, I'm trying to figure out if there would be any reason for me to get a 5200 again. They're huge & clunky, and there don't seem to be that many (any?) games on it that aren't available (one way or another) on either the 2600 or the Atari8. So what are the 5200's killer apps? Or is it just all about the nostalgia? Gremlins! Excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophero Sly Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Qix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phonedork Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 DefenderCentipede Robotron Zone Ranger Space Dungeon Realsports Baseball Zaxxon More recently... Castle Crisis Adventure II Blaster All those games except Adventure 2 can be found on the Atari 8bit. Plus the Atari 8bit has MORE games. Haunted House 2 and Combat 2 are also only on the Atari 5200 if you want to pay high for one. But those games are not great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc78_2005 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Qix. [/quote i second qix! execellant game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Back in the day, I spread the good news of Qix to anyone who would listen. Defender was totally awesome too. Defender was the game which I would show to Colecovision worshipers to watch them forsake their false idol and return to the true faith of the Atari. Nowadays, things are a little different. Many of the 5200's games are arcade ports, which makes them less attractive in this age where one can just play an arcade perfect emulation elsewhere. Still, I'd say Centipede and a Track-Ball is a unique experience outside a true arcade machine. Countermeasure is pretty distinct as well. In terms of games which weren't released back in the day, Super Pac-Man, Pac-Man Jr, and Blaster top the list. Then there's Adventure 2, which is like a crowning jewel for the system. Seriously, get this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuppicide Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I'll second that. I don't own it, but I've tested it on emulator before and it's freakin great. Adventure 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+FujiSkunk Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 funny they never made a robotron 2084 on the c64 Yes, they did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Sprite Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) DefenderCentipede Robotron Zone Ranger Space Dungeon Realsports Baseball Zaxxon More recently... Castle Crisis Adventure II Blaster All those games except Adventure 2 can be found on the Atari 8bit. Plus the Atari 8bit has MORE games. Haunted House 2 and Combat 2 are also only on the Atari 5200 if you want to pay high for one. But those games are not great. Centipede 5200 is a unique port. Not only were the graphics polished, but the difficulty is increased thanks to a more aggressive spider, and a smaller playfield. It's the game that sold me on the 5200. There's less wasted space in the play, every move you make has consequences. The Videogame Critic gives it an A- vs. the 8 bits' C. Edited February 6, 2009 by A Sprite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleman jack Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Countermeasure Centipede Adventure II Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 funny they never made a robotron 2084 on the c64 Yes, they did. oops brain fart there i meant "berzerk" i always get those 2 mixed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) All those games except Adventure 2 can be found on the Atari 8bit. THe 5200 Qix cannot be found on the 8-bit. THe 5200 one is different from the 8-bit one.. in a much much better way. Better sound, graphics and control. Edited February 7, 2009 by Inky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=4208 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...;VERSION_ID=982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almost Rice Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...VERSION_ID=4208http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?...;VERSION_ID=982 Shhh, 5200 guys don't like to count conversions that were not made officially by Atari back in the 80s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ransom Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Thank you for all the replies! I decided to take the plunge and get a 5200. I found one complete (no box) that's reasonably cheap. I'm hoping it'll be in working condition as advertised! (Tho I don't expect the stick to work...I figure I'll get one from Best anyway, so it won't matter.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I decided to take the plunge and get a 5200. I found one complete (no box) that's reasonably cheap. I'm hoping it'll be in working condition as advertised! (Tho I don't expect the stick to work...I figure I'll get one from Best anyway, so it won't matter.) Get yourself a multicart. Unless you're getting the system solely for collecting, you'll be glad you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ransom Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I decided to take the plunge and get a 5200. I found one complete (no box) that's reasonably cheap. I'm hoping it'll be in working condition as advertised! (Tho I don't expect the stick to work...I figure I'll get one from Best anyway, so it won't matter.) Get yourself a multicart. Unless you're getting the system solely for collecting, you'll be glad you did. Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit would I get from having a multicart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bohoki Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I decided to take the plunge and get a 5200. I found one complete (no box) that's reasonably cheap. I'm hoping it'll be in working condition as advertised! (Tho I don't expect the stick to work...I figure I'll get one from Best anyway, so it won't matter.) Get yourself a multicart. Unless you're getting the system solely for collecting, you'll be glad you did. Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit would I get from having a multicart? i too would be interested in any benefit beyond the obvious of having every game (along with donkey kong and spyhunter) and not ever having to remove and insert a cart ever again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ransom Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) I decided to take the plunge and get a 5200. I found one complete (no box) that's reasonably cheap. I'm hoping it'll be in working condition as advertised! (Tho I don't expect the stick to work...I figure I'll get one from Best anyway, so it won't matter.) Get yourself a multicart. Unless you're getting the system solely for collecting, you'll be glad you did. Pardon my ignorance, but what benefit would I get from having a multicart? i too would be interested in any benefit beyond the obvious of having every game (along with donkey kong and spyhunter) and not ever having to remove and insert a cart ever again I like the act of going to the shelf, letting my eye roam over those beautiful boxes as I think about what I want this time. When I've made my choice, I like to open up the box and pull out that big cart, feel it in my hand and smell its distinctive scent. It feels so good when I slip it into the slot then push the button that turns it on. (I always slip my overlay on first, of course.) Anything less, and you might as well be playing with an emulator. Edited February 10, 2009 by Ransom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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