flojocabron wrote:dsheinem wrote:This is actually the only major Atari console I haven't owned. I was under the impression that there are basically no exclusives for it and that the arcade ports that are the best in its library are all better elsewhere.
I'd love to learn otherwise.
A lot of people were impressed by the sound of the robot voices in BERZERK.
Ms. Pac-man is decent. 2600 version is unique and the 5200 one is okay too.
I like Gremlins on the 5200, I played mine a few years ago. I havent tried the 2600 port. So I cant compare them.
Your 5200 system looks clean, even still has the pink factory shrink wrap covering the aluminum face plates, Nice! Agree, the 5200 has the best sound chip of the first three Atari systems. 5200
Gyruss for example which has great music, really sounds clean.
Some of the games I like on the 5200:
Galaxian - Duel Speed sideways control, ship goes faster when stick is pushed all the way. Hit the Atari Icon Easter Egg for extra score points.
Space Invaders - Also Duel Speed. Has a unique 5200 set of Invaders scrolling across.
Space Dungeon - Exclusive to 5200 console, also twinstick control and comes with the 5200 twinstick holders.
Robotron - Also works great with the Twinstick holders. The sounds, flicker free graphics and especially the intense crazy speed are just like the Arcade.
Defender - So close to the arcade with superb sounds just as good as Robotron. A sign of how evasive you need to be, every button on the number pad is Hyperspace!
Ball Blazer - Have both the 7800 and 5200 versions. The 5200 analog sticks add a float to the hover game.
Gorf - Instant placement of ship matched to analog stick position. Imagine the quick precise movement of the game Kaboom paddles but with an analog stick sideways and up down movement of this bottom shooter. Impossibly way too fast movement of your ship, but I love it!
Choplifter - Ever play the Apple II version? The 5200 is the only console that duplicates the analog stick flight of the original. Hold the stick up slightly to maintain a hover, adds to the "collective stick" flying of the helicopter.
5200 Trakball - The only way to play the Arcade translations of
Centipede,
Missile Command and
Atari Age Tempest with an Arcade regulation (Pool ball) sized Trakball.
The 5200 console is bigger then the Xbox and the 5200 Trakball is bigger then the NES!
Star Raiders - I rave about Atari Age Tempest a lot due to its unique long history of prototype to coded finish 30 years later as well as perfect Trakball control as a Spinner. Star Raiders is another game that really shines as THE game to get on the 5200 console. The original was on the Atari computer 400 and 800 series which the 5200 console internal hardware is based from.
Most of my games and the 5200 console which is the uncommon 4 port <
*> model (works with 2600 adapter which I also have), I owned since buying brand new when they first came to market! There are so many greats on the 5200, some games that have never been played or discovered by todays gamer.
Wikipedia List: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atari_5200_games
