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Topic: Old console question..

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Woffless

Like the title suggests I have a few questions about the Atari 2600 and 7800 so I gave up on trying to get Saturn cuz 200 for a nice condition one isn't attractive and the games are really expensive, so I decided to get a A2600 or A7800 but I have a few questions about them..
Is the A2600 or/and the A7800 region free or not (I heard people say they're region free), does the A2600/7800 work on a mid 90's sony Trinitron TV (I don't know if I have to get a crappy 80's TV so I need to know) , does the A2600/7800 work with Megadrive controllers (I'm certain it's the same plug but like the A5600 the Neo Geo controller doesn't work on it (yes they have the same plug)), does the A2600 only support RF or does it have better formats and does the A7800 have better formats too?, what games are a must buy (I asked my dad and he said a few of the more known titles but I like to have full answers ) and what games are best avoided (like ET and Atari p.o.r.n.), does the A7800 have a A5600 adapter.

Woffless

ThanosReXXX

I can only share with you from my own experience and that has been with the A2600, but other than some more advanced games and more options, I don't believe there's really all that much difference in the games. The A7800 was fully backwards compatible with the A2600, but most of the games that are worthwhile were on the A2600 and you need some adapters, so I would go with the A2600. The A7800 also wasn't very successful (compared to the A2600): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_7800
Here's a video review of the A7800: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYpjNobJLyA and here's one for the A2600: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rjpoanlZ2A

As far as I know, the consoles aren't region free, but on more modern TV's you can still play some games, except the colors will be all wrong or it will be in black and white. A retro game shop owner should be able to tell you this, so I hope there's one in your area or online that you can contact.
As for what games to buy: that is of course mostly up to what you like. I always enjoyed most of the Activision games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBc3QPRREDU
Other than that there are actually quite a few good games available. Here's a two part video review of those games:
part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVpMBx8BF6c
part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRqCbifUaD0
As for cables/connections, with a 90's TV that shouldn't be any problem whatsoever, and there are always options to get some sort of adapter to make it fit. Your average retro game shop owner should also be able to help you with that.
As far as I know the Megadrive (or any other) joypads will not work; you need to use the original single button Atari joysticks or paddles for the A2600 and the A7800 also has it's own joysticks.
Here are some options for buying original controllers:
http://www.amazon.com/Atari-2600-Joystick-Controller/dp/B000G...
http://www.amazon.com/Atari-2600-Paddle-Controllers/dp/B005NO...
https://www.dragonbox.de/en/305-9-pin-joystick-atari2600-styl...

I don't know what the availability is of the games and the consoles in your country, but depending on if you REALLY want the original thing or just the games, then here is a good alternative that'll also work with more modern TV's: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Flashback
Here are some video reviews for both models:
Flashback 5/A2600 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbP5ELFUhgE
Flashback A7800 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcQoh_TosLI
And here is the official website and shop:
http://www.atgames.us/Retro-Console_c4.htm
Of course you can also try eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/atari-flashback

I mostly used videos of MetalJesusRocks and a review of Gamester81 because they are well known and respected in the retro scene, so you can depend on them to give you a good review and they are very willing to answer any questions you might have if you contact them.

Well, I hope all this helps you out so you can make your decision. Happy retro gaming!

P.S.

Because of looking up all that info for you, I also started watching all those videos, which made me have to do a lot of editing to this text. The Megadrive joypads also seem to be compatible for the most part, but you will only be able to use one button, so if you can get a complete set with controllers included, that's not going to be an issue. And what would the use of a six button joypad be if you can only use one button anyway?
And since there's more controllers that use the same connector, I would advise a competition Pro joystick, specifically the one with both a left and right handed button, so anyone can use it:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?...
http://amigastore.eu/en/307-competition-pro-joystick-retro.html

[Edited by ThanosReXXX]

'The console wars are like boobs: Sony and Microsoft fight over which ones look the nicest and Nintendo's are the most fun to play with.'

the_shpydar

@TheRealThanos has pretty much covered your questions (while taking time away from his hunt for the Infinity Gems ), but since i am a big Atari guy, i'll chime in with a few things:

The 2600 is not exactly "region-free" — but that's not really an accurate way to describe it. The region lock-out concept didn't really start until the subsequent generation of consoles. However, the 2600 has a "region lock" in the sense that an NTSC 2600 won't play PAL games — or more accurately, it will not play them properly. If the TV it is connected to has adjustable vertical hold controls, you will still be able to play PAL carts, though there may be issues with sound/colors. And while i can't confirm this 100%, i believe most PAL-released 2600s can/will play NTSC carts with little issue.

Mega Drive/Genesis/Master System controls will work with the 2600; almost any controller from 1990 or earlier with that pin-out plug will work with the 2600. Personally, i always prefer the original (or other legacy-era) 2600 joystick, since the games were designed with them in mind. But i understand a lot of people prefer using Mega Drive/Genesis controllers, especially younger gamers who are more accustomed to using a d-pad style control vs a joystick. But you'll want paddle controllers for the paddle-based games (Breakout, Kaboom, Warlords, etc etc).

The 2600 only uses RF, and you'll want to make sure you have an adapter (they are easily available and are at most two Dollars ... or Euros, seeing as you're on that side of the pond). You can seek out a modder for a modded system that uses RCA style connectors, but it's not necessary and will cost you more.

I'll agree that as far as best games, pretty much any Activision game is worth getting. It will depend on your own game-style preferences, of course. And yes, avoid ET — not because it's a horrible game (because honestly, it's not, no matter how often that concept gets perpetuated online by people who have never played it or never played it properly), but because every copy belongs to me in my quest for world domination (see my signature)

Aside from the Activision games, the standards/classics are always recommended — Asteroids, Space Invaders, Defender, Berzerk, Missile Command, Adventure ... the list goes on and on.

If you've got any other 2600 questions, i'll be happy to help (as i'm sure will @TheRealThanos and any other of our older brethren here)

The Shpydarloggery
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ogo79

i came to support the infinity war
Untitled

the_shpydar wrote:
As @ogo79 said, the SNS-RZ-USA is a prime giveaway that it's not a legit retail cart.
And yes, he is (usually) always right, and he is (almost) the sexiest gamer out there (not counting me) ;)

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