Fallout_002 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 On the offbeat notion that I might rekindle my childhood atari collection, I've dug out my old atari games and decided that since my last Atari 2600 died 25 years ago, I would purchase a new one (even though I still have my working 7800 on which to play them). However, I'm torn as to which version of the original system I should acquire. Any suggestions on whether a classic woodgrain VCS, a black "darth vader" console, or a sleek 2600 jr. console would be preferable? Or, should I just forget about the whole thing and just buy a copy of the newest Atari Flashback system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moycon Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'd go for whatever you had as a child if only for the nostalgia. My personal preference is a woodgrain model, but again because that's the one I played on growing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accousticguitar Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'd go with a woody, a vader, and a Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trinity Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'd go with a woody, a vader, and a Jr. This... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiendaatari Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I prefer the 2600 Jr, the sound and picture is the best of all, logical if we think that is the most optimized system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkiker2089 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Try to find a 2800 or a Sears Arcade II because they are less common. Beyond that I'd say the Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertJets Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Nostalgia demands that you get what you had as a kid. Which for me would be a 6-switch Sears Video Arcade (but I don't have one) -- otherwise get what you can find in the right condition for the right price. That said I do like my Jr and its compact size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister-VCS Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I prefer the 2600 Jr, the sound and picture is the best of all, logical if we think that is the most optimized system. Advantage 2600 Jr and 2600 6switch: picture quality Advantage 4 switch Vader: best looking 2600 console Advantage Flashback console: none my opinion: buy 2600 Jr, Vader and 6 switch Atari VCS! Can't find a difference in sound-quality between the three consoles... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiendaatari Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Can't find a difference in sound-quality between the three consoles... No sound is better but if the signal in the rf, has much less noise even with low quality cables, checked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxsolo2000 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 Woody light sixer. It was my first and so my most beloved console ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister-VCS Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 No sound is better but if the signal in the rf, has much less noise even with low quality cables, checked The picture quality on my (1980?) PAL 6switch VCS is nearly same as on my 1992 PAL 2600 Jr. The picture quality on my PAL Vader is between average (Space Invaders) and horrible (Fatal Run). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapetino Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I think it's hard to beat the 4-switch woody. Gotta love the faux woodgrain. And imo, the Jr. is a piece of junk. The switches are cheap and easily malfunction, and the whole thing FEELS cheaply made, unlike the 4 and 6-switchers, which seem like tanks compared to other hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkiker2089 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 To me nostalgia just means reminding me of the past. I often want to change it a little or else it's just reliving it. you can still have nostalgia and new experiences in one if you do that. I had an Atari but I remember the Epyx controllers from my C64. I've combined them both and improved the Atari experience for me. I then went to new territory and starting using a Genesis controller. It's still fulfilling to me but is better than if I stuck to the CX-40 which never felt right to me even as a child who didn't know better. In my experience the RF output on the Sears Arcade 2 is better than that of the light six model, but only slightly. That could also depend on the TV used. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr SQL Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I think it's hard to beat the 4-switch woody. Gotta love the faux woodgrain. And imo, the Jr. is a piece of junk. The switches are cheap and easily malfunction, and the whole thing FEELS cheaply made, unlike the 4 and 6-switchers, which seem like tanks compared to other hardware. Have to agree about the buttons on Jr detracting; I prefer my Vader but that being said I'm on the lookout for a 6'er because it has more switches on the console Noticed something weird about the RF between the Jr and the Vader though; I can't tell the difference with a tube Television but on my Plasma set the Jr creates a band of white fuzz in the top 1/3 of the screen that renders Defender and some other games unplayable (not a problem, the Vader is on the Plasma and the Jr is in the basement with the CRT); might have to do with the Plasma NTSC being "supported"/emulated rather than having a genuine electron beam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I prefer the 2600 Jr, the sound and picture is the best of all, logical if we think that is the most optimized system. I've always found my heavy sixers had the best picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Phruby Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I had a heavy sixer when I was a kid. I currently have a 4 switch model. However, a Vader would go great in my Star Wars game room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snstay Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 How come noone mentioned the 7800. you get the best of both worlds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkiker2089 Posted June 3, 2013 Share Posted June 3, 2013 The comp issues with the 7800 scares me. f it won't play Princess Rescue I don't want it. Seriously though a 7800 is a good choice but you may need a 2600 for a game or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiendaatari Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I've always found my heavy sixers had the best picture. Well, I'm talking about 2600 Jr PAL rev. F 1991 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbeliever Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Still prefer the woodgrain models over the others myself. My light 6'er is gorgeous, especially after I spiffy it up. That being said, my second choice would be the Darth Vader model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferghead Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 In my experience, don't bother with the Jr. I've had 3 and only one of them worked. I tried cleaning them best I could to no avail. I'm not handy with electronics so I didn't know how to fix them. I think I've had about 10 4 and 6 switches with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightestEnd Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I suggest a heavy-6er. I don't quite understand all the hate for the Jr. I have one and it works marvelously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Manhattan Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 I prefer the light sixer just for looks. I have one of each model and I probably have played my original 4 switch the most. How does the light sixer compare to the Jr in terms of picture quality? I only ask because I am hardly an expert on the subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbeliever Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 I wish I could find a heaver 6'er in the wild around here. It would compliment my light 6'er very nicely, I think. A tele-games system would also be a nice addition. Someday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I'm partial to the vader cause that is what I had as a kid (and still do for that matter) JR's have a better image but seem the least reliable, due to the weird switches (and many games require you to push them quiet a lot, even if just to start a game) If you go ebay, just remember to read the description carefully, you can get some good deals, but you can get ripped too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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