Voch Posted April 16, 2003 Share Posted April 16, 2003 After lurking for what seems like forever in the 5200 forums I've finally scored a free Atari 5200 system from a coworker. It's a 4-port beauty with TONS of games (Miner 2049er, Pitfall II, many Atari titles, the original controllers, at least one Wico stick). I'll have specific brags and probably more questions after I leave work today (six more hours...tick tick tick...). I forgot to hunt through the box to see if the proprietary switch box is included (I may be screwed on that). I'm kinda disappointed that it's not a 2-port for longevity reasons (thinking about that switch box is starting to bug me) but them's the breaks (it was free after all). Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian R. Posted April 16, 2003 Share Posted April 16, 2003 I wouldn't be too worried about the switchbox. I found a four port 5200 with its switch box years ago at a crummy flea market and both are still working just fine. I have no problems owning a four port instead of a two port. I've noticed 4Jay's has been selling power adaptors and switch boxes on eBay recently. If you need one or both, you could try looking for an auction, or go directly to their online store. I got my Wico controller from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted April 16, 2003 Share Posted April 16, 2003 Be happy that you were hooked up with one of the best home gaming systems ever made. Don't worry about the switchbox. Even if it doesn't work, finding a new one that does work isn't that hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted April 16, 2003 Author Share Posted April 16, 2003 Cool. I thought the 4-port switchboxes were a commodity or something. I think I have one in this huge box somewhere...I'll check it soon (it's in my car and I'm at my computer at work right now...) My other problem is finding room for the console on my barrister bookshelves (next to the Inty and the 2600). It's nifty and I want to show it off as well as have it handy for playing. Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bargora Posted April 16, 2003 Share Posted April 16, 2003 Cool. I thought the 4-port switchboxes were a commodity or something. I think I have one in this huge box somewhere...I'll check it soon (it's in my car and I'm at my computer at work right now...) My other problem is finding room for the console on my barrister bookshelves (next to the Inty and the 2600). It's nifty and I want to show it off as well as have it handy for playing. Voch Yeah, the switchboxes go up on ebay all the time. I shelled out about $20 for one. Good luck finding room! I think it's the only console bigger than an Xbox... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted April 16, 2003 Author Share Posted April 16, 2003 Well...the power supply is definately missing. I'm going to give 4jays a call when they open (they have 'em listed on their page for $10 used/$16 new but make no mention of stock). Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted April 17, 2003 Author Share Posted April 17, 2003 Finally made an inventory of the haul. I've scrubbed and all the games (they were pretty dirty) and it's ready to play when I get the TV box (just got one off of eBay). Console: Atari 5200 4-port Controllers: 4 Atari 5200 controllers (two in great shape, one missing stick top, one badly damaged stick), one Atari 2600 Wico controller (not the 5200 one I had hoped) Atari 5200 Games (manuals for almost all, but no overlays...I'll make some): Astro Chase, Berzerk, Countermeasure, Defender, Dig Dug, Football, Joust, Mario Bros, Miner 2049er, Missile Command, Moon Patrol, Mountain King, Ms. Pac-Man, Pac-Man, Pengo, Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, Pole Position, Qix, RealSports Baseball, RealSports Tennis, Robotron: 2084, Soccer, Super Cobra, Space Dungeon, Star Raiders, Vanguard, Centipede (manual only), Q*Bert (manual only), River Raid (manual only) Thanks for listening to me over this. Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 Looks like you have a nice starter set of 5200 games. Now if you could get your hands on a trakball, you'll be all set. If you can't get the joysticks to work, drop Mr. Retrogamer a line. He does a good job repairing 5200 joysticks. Welcome to the addiction Muahahahahahaaaaa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted April 17, 2003 Author Share Posted April 17, 2003 Now if you could get your hands on a trakball, you'll be all set. I saw one at a flea market I frequent a month or so ago (passed on it...I was on an Atari 2600 game hunt) and am hoping it's still there. If not, I'll blow the money and get one from one of the online order places. Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceCold Posted April 17, 2003 Share Posted April 17, 2003 Voch - would you want to sell or trade any of the stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted April 17, 2003 Author Share Posted April 17, 2003 Voch - would you want to sell or trade any of the stuff? Nope. Sorry. I have a few items for trade listed on my page (nothing to uncommon, though). I still don't know if the system or any of the games even work yet. voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 8, 2003 Author Share Posted May 8, 2003 Sorry to follow up on my own thread, but I finally got a power supply AND a TV adapter for the 4-port Atari 5200 and everything works great. I *love* Missile Command with these controllers and Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man are not too difficult to control. The fire buttons are a pain (I really have to mash 'em down) and either need a little cleaning or some tinfoil. The only problem is that I wired the paddle controller I made backwards (Pole Position was a little frustrating ). I'll fix it this weekend... Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad2600 Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 And you'll be getting Centipede from me soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 And you'll be getting Centipede from me soon! Can't wait to play that one with an analog stick, too... (Your 7800 goodies are boxed up and goin' out tomorrow morning...) Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 And you'll be getting Centipede from me soon! Can't wait to play that one with an analog stick, too... (Your 7800 goodies are boxed up and goin' out tomorrow morning...) Voch Invest in a trakball controller for use with this game. You definitely won't regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantaipan Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Great start, once you get it up and running you will be hooked. I've only been collecting 5200 for about 6 months and I now own 52 titles One good thing about the 4-port is you will be able to play Mountain King and Pitfall! without a problem. I have a 2-port and a 4-port but no working switch for my 4 so those two games are off limits right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegaManFan Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Free is always good. Free with THAT kind of setup is even better. WHAT A HAUL! Oh, and if you don't want that Miner 2049er.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 Oh, and if you don't want that Miner 2049er.. I think I'm keeping it despite that I've always sucked at all the versions of that game (I had it for my C64 years ago). Hmmm...trackball...hmmmm... Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRetroGamer Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Hmmm...trackball...hmmmm... Voch Centipede, Millipede and Missile Command play really well with the TrakBall - I like the way the button feels with my mod, you can "tap-tap-tap" instead of "press-press-press" and your index finger won't get as sore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 9, 2003 Author Share Posted May 9, 2003 Centipede, Millipede and Missile Command play really well with the TrakBall - I like the way the button feels with my mod, you can "tap-tap-tap" instead of "press-press-press" and your index finger won't get as sore! Happ Controls? I've bought an item or two from them. Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted May 9, 2003 Share Posted May 9, 2003 Happ Controls? I've bought an item or two from them. Voch You did a nice job on your Mame cabinet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 13, 2003 Author Share Posted May 13, 2003 Update: after scrubbing the controllers with erasers and such (the fire buttons work very well now) I finally figured out why pretty much only the "8" key (used to select Practice mode in Missile Command) on both of my 5200 controllers' keypads work. Pin #8 is missing in Port 1 of my 4-port system and two others (Pins 6 and 7) were shoved in. Looks like I get to perform some surgery this weekend. I really wanna play Star Raiders. At least I've finally got the hang of Vanguard and Miner 2049'er (and don't need the keypad for those). Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sku_u Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 You'll need the keypad when you get to the later stages in Miner 2049er to go up and down the elevators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 13, 2003 Author Share Posted May 13, 2003 You'll need the keypad when you get to the later stages in Miner 2049er to go up and down the elevators. Oh...THAT'S what those numbered thingies were (and why I couldn't clear the level in time). I have a friend who's good at soldering/desoldering. We may take a look replacing the port this weekend... Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voch Posted May 17, 2003 Author Share Posted May 17, 2003 I have a friend who's good at soldering/desoldering. We may take a look replacing the port this weekend... Voch If I may quote myself , my friend successfully replaced the port #1 pin #8 for me and all is well (except that some of the pins have to be pulled out with pliers once in a while). RealSports Baseball here I come! Voch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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