Which model of the Atari VCS/2600 do people usually prefer ?

[JPF997]

I've never owned a real 2600 but judging by looks alone my favorite model has to be the Vader model, the all black look gives it this feeling of ageless coolness to it or at least it does to me.Which model do Atari fan's usually prefer and why is what I'd like to ask you all today, early thanks to anyone who responds and of course don't forget to play Atari today! 

 

 

[Supergun]

I’ve always played on an older style unit. 6 switch, 4 switch, heavy, light, wood grain, vader, no matter to me, so long as it’s that style.

 

the junior is crappy. Doesn’t feel like I’m playing Atari.

[0078265317]

I snapped one of the switches by accident on my sears tele 6 switch.  A nice AA user sent me a switch for 2 dollars and 50 cents.  It works now sort of but is on my shelf so I dont break any more switches.  Instead a JR works for me for now.

[LatchKeyKid]

One of the woodies for me personally as someone who never owned an Atari back in the day.   You don't get more 70s than simulated woodgrain on shag carpet! 

[littleman jack]

I prefer the 4 switch woodgrain model or the vader. Although using a 7800 isn't all that bad either.

[CapitanClassic]

If things haven't changed much from 8 years ago, the forum preferences would be Heavy 6er (35%), Light 6er (20%), Vader (15%), 4 Switch Woodgrain / Sears Telegames / Jr.(~10% each)

 

I owned a Telegames 6 Switch, and a Vader, both won in a raffle. Still have them today, but only after cleaning out my parents old house, i had to rebuy 2 from ShopGoodwill (first one was defective), so i now own 4 models. I think I prefer the look of the 6-switcher, and I think I remember the buttons on the heavy were better. But, mostly I play my Atari Flashback X, so I guess I prefer it.

 

 

[JetSetIlly]

I prefer the JR (the long rainbow revision in my case) because the RF output is better than my Light Sixer or Vader models.

[jhd]

Maybe I'm weird, but I prefer the Gemini -- mainly because of the very small form-factor. I understand that it has some incompatibilities, but I never encountered them.  

[+x=usr(1536)]

The Junior.  Love the compact form factor and its looks fit in with the 5200 and 7800.

[Zonie]

I have my original Heavy Sixer, but the first one I ever played on was a Sears Heavy Sixer at summer camp with Target Fun. I want one.

 

However, I think the Light Sixer looks the best.

 

The 4 switch models look cheap and like the content reduced models that they are and the Jr is just the cheapest result of cost savings.

 

Think of them like a car that is being updated. The last year before the update usually gets de-contented for rental fleets.

[Mockduck]

Lately I've been using my 7800, love it. Otherwise, I like the regular six switch and juniors. 

[T.A.P.]

I only ever played on a 7800 as a kid, although as a grown up, I got a 6 switch cause I think they look cooler. I had to settle for a Light one though.

[zzip]

No Love for the "Sears Telegames Video Arcade?"

 

[+sramirez2008]

9 minutes ago, zzip said:

No Love for the "Sears Telegames Video Arcade?"

 

Plenty of love for it.

[CapitanClassic]

49 minutes ago, zzip said:

No Love for the "Sears Telegames Video Arcade?"

 

I have one and prefer the wood grain on it to the Atari branded ones.

[0078265317]

8 hours ago, CapitanClassic said:

I have one and prefer the wood grain on it to the Atari branded ones.

I have one with a busted reset switch.

[The Mr. Video]

I have a bit of a soft spot for the 2600 jr. It was the first Atari 2600 I've owned and, despite prefering the woodgrain of the heavy-sixer, still think that the late 80s aesthetic of the junior has its charm. I've even got a spare board that I'm considering putting a UAV in.

[0078265317]

Is junior really any different.  Is the color palette any differenr?  Or some games or accessories do not work on junior?

 

Or its all the same and some people like the switches or woodgrain look?

[Velvis]

I have always felt the original 6 switch looks the best. It is what I had as a kid and I recall a few years later when a friend got a 4 switch I thought it looked weird and cheap after being so used to the original.

I don't think I have ever seen any other model in person.

 

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I think I love the original heavy Sixer overall though admittedly it is about the only version I don't own so not sure if it's just a "The grass is greener" type thing or not but my light Sixer and 4 switches are nice but there are times I just love my black "Vader" model, it's in such great shape too so that helps. I think about every other original option (Gemini, Jr etc.) just looks kind of cheap but I love them. Now I have something that would probably be considered the ugly duckling or "Crazy Uncle Larry" of the bunch, a 2600 adaptor for the 5200 which has been modded, it can work with the 5200 as designed but also as its own standalone unit with it's own PSU and composite and S-video output, it ain't pretty but a neat novelty for sure. 

[famicommander]

I play on a 7800. I have a heavy sixer and a 4 switch woody but they're not hooked up because the 7800 plays all my 2600 carts and it's composite modded so the a/v output is way more clean.

[zzip]

I suppose everyone's answer is going to be the 2600 they owned in their youth, even if it's an odd bird like the Coleco Gemini.

 

My 2600 is a 4-switch woody.   Since this is the same model the Lego 2600 and the new 2600+ are based off of, I guess that makes it the one true 2600 console! 

 

 

 

[+MrZarniwoop]

My favorite 2600 is the 2800.

If you're starting out though, the 7800 is the most flexible console and borrows the look of the 2800 if you like it.

[BassGuitari]

Q: What's your favorite version of the Atari 2600?

 

A: Yes.

 

[StephenJ01]

On 9/26/2023 at 8:49 PM, 0078265317 said:

Is junior really any different.  Is the color palette any differenr?  Or some games or accessories do not work on junior?

 

Or its all the same and some people like the switches or woodgrain look?

I have 2-Vaders, 1-Four Switch Woody and 1-Junior. The only functionality difference, I have ever encountered with these systems, has been with the homebrew "Space Cactus Canyon".
On the Junior it fires-up every time without issue. On my other three systems, I have to repeatedly insert/remove the cartridge and power on/off to eventually get the game to run. I have no idea why.