If the 5200 is just an Atari 8 bit computer in console format is there some way to play Atari 8 bit family games on it ?

[JPF997]

Just curious, never looked to deeply into the 5200s history ( actually my only exposure to the 5200 before joining Atari age was watching avgn's video trashing the system, not exactly the best way to start   learning more about it ).

[rra]

It's more accurate to say that the XEGS is an 8bit computer in console format.  In the case of the XEGS, the 8bit games do play on it (via cartridge or optional disk drive connected to SIO port).  The 5200 doesn't have a way to connect a disk drive, so you are stuck with 5200 cartridges, which are not the same size as 8bit cartridges.  Overcoming the cartridge hurdle with a Maxflex cart with memory card that has binaries loaded on it, there is the biggest obstacle of all.   That is, the 5200 has the same chipset as the 8bits, but the 5200 memory mapping is completely different, RAM is 32K, the joysticks are completely different, and it isn't trivial to convert 8bit games to the 5200, especially if no original source code exists.

[zzip]

Yes, I believe the procedure around here to play Atari 8-bit games on the 5200 is to pop into various threads about an Atari 8-bit game and say "Can I get a 5200 port?"   The community will happily tell you where to go 

 

 

[BassGuitari]

To answer your question: no.

 

"Just an Atari 8-bit in console format" is an oversimplification that continues to persist. Despite superficial graphical similarities, the hardware is different, as rra noted. But even beyond that, the 5200 versions of games found on the 400/800 often have subtle differences and/or improvements, usually tailored to the analog joystick. Pac-Man added intermission screens, fixed some bugs, and plays a little faster; Star Raiders and River Raid have variable/analog flight control; Space Invaders was overhauled to more closely resemble the arcade game. 

 

 

[bikeguychicago]

It's more accurate to say that the 5200 is a cousin to the 8-bit line. The 5200 has many of the same features as the Atari 400 but has less memory and different memory addresses, which makes it incompatible with the 8-bit line. Many 8-bit games have been ported to the 5200 over the years (and vice-versa) and one can play those ports using an AtariMax multi-cart. However, one could not simply plug an 8-bit cart into a 5200 (even if such an adapter existed) and expect the game to work out of the box. 

Edited February 12 by bikeguychicago

[ClausB]

Here is a technical article about the differences.

https://atarihq.com/danb/files/52analog.txt