Atari Jaguar Opinions

[andymol21]

So I have the opportunity of buying a boxed Atari Jaguar with 3 games (Doom, Tempest 2000 and Cybermorph) for £35 ono. I'm not really in the market for a new console experience but I thought the deal looked pretty good. Is it worth it? From my research those are some of the best games on the console, and from the pictures they look like they come with the number pad overlays which is a bonus.

So, Yay or Nay?

[crux]

That really depends on your interest in the games. There's a strange niche of folks that are devoted to the Jaguar (there's quite a few custom controllers and there's a sizeable homebrew community for such an obscure console). Personally, I think it's mostly crap - easily the worst console I own (and I own enough). It just so happens, however, that it contains the best version of one of my favorite games - Tempest 2000. I adore that game - even more so with a rotary controller.

But even then, Tempest X3 for PlayStation is pretty good itself. X3 screws up a few things from Tempest 2000, but it also adds a lot making X3 a different game in a lot of respects. Just don't go in expecting Tempest 2000 exactly. For that, Jaguar reigns supreme (and is the ONLY version that supports rotary).

Outside of Tempest 2000, there's the vague and distant hope of a rotary enabled Breakout 2000 hack in the near or even distant future, and some of the other 2000 games (Missile Command 2000, though not so much Defender 2000) are worth visiting for upgrades of classics. Protector SE is hailed by many (though I say it's not worth the bucks for what it is), and Aliens vs. Predators is a classic of a FPS for that generation (a keyword; it's sorely outdated, but very innovative for its time). Cannon Fodder is good fun. Some people like the Iron Soldier games (I have Steel Battalion, which puts most other mech games to shame). That's all I got.

Also:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3375

[Chrono]

It probably is worth it, it's not a fantastic deal money-wise but it's sound.

In terms of how much you play it or what value you get from it is probably about what you put into it, what I mean is that if you buy the rare/homebrew games you'll probably get a lot from it, but if not then the other games it has you can get on other systems. I got a Jaguar and hated it until I found the Rayman port, the music sounds horrible on it. but it's got big kitsch value to me

[superlarz]

Thats not a bad price for a jag, but not a great one either (unless their value is greatly increased on that side of the pond.) I have a jaguar and I am happy that I have one, but it never gets turned on. If you are unsure I would try to play through emulation first. The good games are few and far between ( and I dont think I own any worth playing unfortunately.. hopefully that will change someday and may change my opinion on the console.) I own a lot of systems, and I can say, as others here have, it is easily the worst console I have.

[Dakinggamer87]

Thats not a bad price for a jag, but not a great one either (unless their value is greatly increased on that side of the pond.) I have a jaguar and I am happy that I have one, but it never gets turned on. If you are unsure I would try to play through emulation first. The good games are few and far between ( and I dont think I own any worth playing unfortunately.. hopefully that will change someday and may change my opinion on the console.) I own a lot of systems, and I can say, as others here have, it is easily the worst console I have.

I pretty much have same feelings on Jaguar too.. I mainly bought just to own the console and just cause it looked unique/interesting..

[otaku]

I just bought one for about the same price with shipping and the same games minus doom. Its a terrible console but that doesn't mean its not worth owning/playing at least once I've already picked up 7 games for when it gets here and plan on setting some high scores head over to the atariage forum I believe they have a highscore section in need of people posting!

[MrPopo]

The Jaguar controller makes my hands a sad panda. I picked one up off a guy at work since he was selling it, Tempest 2k, Cybermorph, and Theme Park for $20, which I felt was well worth it. But the thing still isn't hooked up, since I ran out of inputs and it isn't worth breaking down and getting the third switch box for a two tiered system. That and I'd need to run power strips on my power strips.

[RCBH928]

I say if it brand new, buy it and keep it, its an investment I bet.
Even if the deal totally sucks, 35 pounds is not much money to lose really...unless you are NOT in console collecting then dont do it.

[josekortez]

I bought a Jaguar via Craigslist a few months back and got the guy down to $35 American. The lot included a Jag with all the hookups, two controllers, Cybermorph (loose) and Raiden, NBA Jam, Flashback and Alien vs. Predator (all boxed).

Later, I acquired several other Jag games including Tempest 2000, Ruiner Pinball, Val D'i'sere Skiiing and Zool.

I have to say that the system is decent if you don't go in expecting too much from the experience. Personally, I love Cybermorph, NBA Jam, Tempest 2000 and Raiden.

[andymol21]

Hmm, it looks like the eBay price is much higher than it's actually worth. The ad has been up on the net for about 3 months and he still hasn't sold it so I'll offer him £20 for the lot. See where that gets me. I haven't got my heart set on it but it would be a fun addition to my collection, just to have people come in to my room and say "What the hell is that thing!!!"