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Any Ideas for Atari Plus Platforms? Post them here!


MrChickenz

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Hi there!

 

6 hours ago, D Train said:

paging @johnnywc.  weren't you contemplating this at one point?  Not sure if I am remember that or if I am making it up...

Champ Games has been considered porting Satan's Hollow to the 2600 for a few years now.  A cool port was started by @iesposta way back in 2013 when and at some point in 2019 we discussed working together to to complete the game as a Champ Games release (using the latest technology).  Unfortunately, Champ Games had 4 games in the works at the time so this was put on the back burner, and here we are 5 years later. :P  

 

Maybe it will be completed someday!

 

Thanks,

John

 

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6 hours ago, johnnywc said:

Hi there!

 

Champ Games has been considered porting Satan's Hollow to the 2600 for a few years now.  A cool port was started by @iesposta way back in 2013 when and at some point in 2019 we discussed working together to to complete the game as a Champ Games release (using the latest technology).  Unfortunately, Champ Games had 4 games in the works at the time so this was put on the back burner, and here we are 5 years later. :P  

 

Maybe it will be completed someday!

 

Thanks,

John

 

If it does get completed, I will DEFINITELY be buying a copy!  Thank you for the info!

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On 9/2/2024 at 2:36 PM, MrChickenz said:

This is a great Idea! A new version of STAR RAIDERS, It’s possible if 5200 controllers with a built in keypad were made to work in the 2600+! I like that! Or some kind of adapter for the controller.

5200 controllers? No, hope not. They look cool, but... I'd rather see a controller that has extra buttons but necessarily a full 10-key. What games use all of them? only a few IIRC, even on the INT and CV. I am starting to use the "modern controller" that came with my VCS.

On 9/2/2024 at 7:25 PM, Atari_Dan said:

Out of pure nostalgia, a 5200+ with reworked/tweaked controllers and the trackball.     

Same comment as above.

On 9/3/2024 at 5:18 AM, Fred_M said:

Looking at the videos Ben posted here:

It might be a good idea to manufacture new trackball controllers. Besides the new A+ platforms this product can be quite successful. I know a lot of Atari 8-bit computer users (the trackball is compatible with the Atari 8-bit) who are looking for a trackball for ages. Especially in Europe these trackballs are very hard to find and are very expensive. A re-issue of the trackball can be appealing to a lot of people.

Yes, tracball, but fully functioning, not the neutered one that mimics the joystick. Re-release all the -TB hacks as official. Maybe a multi-cart

 

On 9/3/2024 at 7:44 AM, suspicious_milk said:

Not really for Atari+ but ...

 

How about some PC cases, keyboards & mice that's Official Atari with classic Atari aesthetics.   A few years back someone made a quality 400 themed usb keyboard; which quicly sold out & was selling for ~200 USD on the 2nd hand market.

 

Some folks are going to emulate no matter many Atari consoles are pushed out; may as well drain those bastards of money like you're doing me 😜  

 

Edit:  I want an expensive high end ST themed case/kb/mouse.  The tagline could be "Price without the Power"  🤣🤣🤣

That would be nice. I have the Commodore inspired keyboard for the Commander X16.

On 9/3/2024 at 1:22 PM, NicodemusLegend said:

FWIW, I prefer the six-switch version, myself. I've never quite understood the appeal of hiding the difficulty switches in the back. I guess I'm just old....

Me too. The 4-switch was a single PCB cheapened version of the already cheaper light sixer. The + should have been a curvy sixer.

On 9/3/2024 at 7:51 AM, THX-1138 said:

I've been saying this for a while, I've got the VCS which I use as a media PC, but I'd like to build a more powerful system that is still 'Atari'.

Yeah, and the cooling system is kinda noisy.

On 9/3/2024 at 7:53 AM, THX-1138 said:

A port of Star Raiders to the 7800 would be incredible.

Just port the 8-bit version exactly. It was perfect.

On 9/10/2024 at 4:37 AM, johnnywc said:

Hi there!

 

Champ Games has been considered porting Satan's Hollow to the 2600 for a few years now.  A cool port was started by @iesposta way back in 2013 when and at some point in 2019 we discussed working together to to complete the game as a Champ Games release (using the latest technology).  Unfortunately, Champ Games had 4 games in the works at the time so this was put on the back burner, and here we are 5 years later. :P  

 

Maybe it will be completed someday!

 

Thanks,

John

 

Satan's hollow is one I will buy.

Edited by Zonie
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One thing I've realized recently is that I don't think there ever was a darts game released for the 2600.  It's a shame the memory is limited because if there could be one made like the game show Bullseye, that may be fun!  Trivia and darts!

 

Besides, you can't beat a bit of bully!  :D

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Power Drift.

 

I doubt this will ever happen since it was a Sega game in the arcade, but it was an awesome racing game.

 

I owned the arcade machine for a bit because I LOVED it.  I also had it on my Commodore 64, which was a fantastic port.

 

Yes, the VCS had limited graphics, but since our 2600+ machines can play 7800 games, maybe a 7800 port of Power Drift?

 

#1, to me, is Satan's Hollow, but Power Drift would be a great racer.

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Atari should make a combo 5200/8-bit Emu console on the note of being an ‘extended project’.

 

- the ‘Plus’ consoles look similar/identical to their older originals on the top and front. On the back and as to size, things are changed - if course to enable modern connections to power and screens.

 

- they should use the exteriors of the 5200, modify the ‘controller/cartridge’ store-room to rather have a 8-bit Family line cartridge port.

They should sell it with an 2600-cart adapter (which was rare bitd, but existe), but the new adapter will enable the console to read both 2600 and 7800 games, essentially switching the entire console to 2600+ Fully Updated Firmware mode.

 

- as to sticks here, Atari just cannot afford ‘retro aesthetics’ over comfortable gameplay. They just cannot. If they make something that resembles a 5200-controller, it needs to be so much re-designed, it feels as tight and as quality as a Command Control. Essentially its more meaningful to pack it with something akin to a high-quality Arcade controller with analogue joystick movement input, and numeric keyboard, making it look more like something from an Atari Arcade than a home video game stick. What they need in the end is sweet, comfy, responsive analogue stick of high quality that can used on all ‘Plus’ systems, and a numerical keypad solution. How many cables and final look can be discussed, but in my opinion quality of grip and stick cannot. Short story is 5200 failed because 1) too few games, 2) bad stick, 3) 2600 adapters rare, 4) bad business timing decisions. You cannot win by deliberately repeat failure 2). 
 

- as to games, Atari must secure a bunch of Atari 8-bit IP, and put out all that on new carts, providing a steady supply of old original game-reprints.

 

- moreover secure access to release or promote (games unknown to gamers are of no good to a company) as many quality 5200 & Atari 8-bit Family Homebrews that they can.

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  • 2 weeks later...
14 hours ago, Atari_Dan said:

Sebbene non sia direttamente correlato al gioco, mi piacerebbe avere una tastiera a tema Atari 7800 per uso in ufficio. Penso che il "+" dovrebbe essere esteso alle periferiche per PC.  

I think it would be a fantastic thing.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 9/2/2024 at 11:43 AM, MrChickenz said:

 

Another idea is to build a Blue Button Factory preferably across the street from the Red Button Factory! 🏭 😄

 

YES!!! Like the Twix. Let the war for dominance begin. who will be the ultimate victor Blue or Red button!!!

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1 hour ago, T.Bone said:

YES!!! Like the Twix. Let the war for dominance begin. who will be the ultimate victor Blue or Red button!!!

I so remember that ad campaign. Much like King of the Hill, it's a laugh from both sides, if you catch my drift. ;)

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Also +1 on the Satan's Hollow...

 

 

 

But,  ya know what I'd really like?  **You probably know since I whine about it all the time**

 

A PINBALL* game for 7800!!   Hopefully something made by a talented Homebrewer who gets paid by Atari, who then releases the cart!  Or an AtariAge release!  Either way!!

 

Dare to Dream!  I know...

 

 

*Being vague because it would be up to the programmer,  but (maybe) something like a colorful Midnight Magic,  but (ideally) with more levels, and (Hopefully) Bonus levels! (think Revenge of the Gator or even Devil's Crush/Dragon's Fury)...

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I know this is an insane pie-in-the sky thought, but at least in theory, Atari could develop a new game format that takes full advantage of the modern architecture of the Plus systems, right? (granted I know that's not much, but you could probably at the very least increase the sound capabilities). The only issue is that these games would only play on the Plus systems, which kind of defeats what seems like their mission to have full backwards compatibility with the older hardware.

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  • 4 weeks later...

As for what I'd like to see on the next iteration of the Atari Plus platform:

1) Possibility to control all console buttons using the (wireless) joystick/gamepad. That would involve designing a new controller with the necessary buttons on it.

2) Adding an SD card slot / USB port for firmware updates without the need of a PC, and playing games off it (most likely not gonna happen).

3) Instead of DIP switches on the 10-in-1 and similar cartridges, I'd prefer a menu that lets me select a game using a controller.

4) Additional accessories like a dust cover or sleeve. I sometimes bring my 2600+ to retro events and having perfect-fit travel protection would come in handy.

5) More accessories like branded cartridge trays/storage boxes in different capacities would also be neat.

 

Edited by pseudografx
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4 hours ago, pseudografx said:

As for what I'd like to see on the next iteration of the Atari Plus platform:

1) Possibility to control all console buttons using the (wireless) joystick/gamepad. That would involve designing a new controller with the necessary buttons on it.

2) Adding an SD card slot / USB port for firmware updates without the need of a PC, and playing games off it (most likely not gonna happen).

3) Instead of DIP switches on the 10-in-1 and similar cartridges, I'd prefer a menu that lets me select a game using a controller.

4) Additional accessories like a dust cover or sleeve. I sometimes bring my 2600+ to retro events and having perfect-fit travel protection would come in handy.

5) More accessories like branded cartridge trays/storage boxes in different capacities would also be neat.

 

1. Highly unlikely due to compatibility with released 2600+ and soon to be 7800+. The functionality of these consoles isn't there at a hardware level for enabling the features you mention.

 

2. It's just not going to happen.

 

3. This might happen with a cartridge release next year.

 

4. I wouldn't rule it out but the effort to bring a new product out to market first starts with expected sales against cost of manufacture. Let's say we bring out a accessory bag. I'd estimate I could sell 500 units. It costs me 5 dollars to make and sell it to retail at 12 dollars, making me 3.5 grand. Considering I'd need to design it, go through approval process, arrange manufacture, ensure regulatory compliance, present the product to internal sales teams for them to present to retail, raise purchase orders and facilitate payment of invoices, manage logistics and so much more it's just not worth it.

 

5. Same as answer above. And I say this with agreement to your point it would be neat to release products like this.

 

The strategy employed so far with all the 2600+ and 7800+ lines is in my opinion the only way to go to ensure a continuing pipeline. It's consoles, accessories and probably above all,  games. They sell just enough at the moment to keep it all going into the projects third year.

 

 

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