I love my 2600

[slowslow325]

Hey, browsing through these forums and nobody here ever really talks about the 2600. Do any of you actually play the system ever?

I recently started playing my 2600, and since then I've found myself playing it more than any other system. I like it because all of the games (with few exceptions) can just be picked up, played, and put down in a moments notice. Like, I'll have 5-10 minutes to spare, and I'll grab my 2600. Even if I don't actually end the game, when I have to go, I can just turn it off. I don't need to worry about saving, or beating the level, I can just turn it off and leave.

Plus, all the games have a lot of replay value. Most of the games are different every time you play them (unless you start memorizing patterns, like in PacMan), and they just don't get old.

Another great thing, is almost all the games are dirt cheap. The few exceptions, are the rare games that aren't even worth buying if you buy games to play. The retro game store near me actually sells all of their 2600 games at 50 cents each. It's a great way to find deals, and I always find myself grabbing a couple whenever I buy anything else.

If you don't like the original Atari joystick. You don't have to use it! You can actually use the Genesis controller (my favorite option) with the D Pad and C buttons. If you still want that arcade feel, you can also use a joystick controller for the Genesis on the 2600. The reason I do this is because the original joystick wires are really short.

One of the cooler things is the paddle controllers! How many well known consoles are out there that have a paddle controller? And of the ones that do, how many actually use it for more than 1 or 2 games? Well, the 2600 has a great selection of them! Plus, since the controllers come in pairs, you can play four player paddle games! I only wish more than one (as far as I know) game did this.

Homebrew scene on 2600 is astonishing! The 2600 is probably the easiest system to program for, and was made even easier with the introduction of Batari Basic. Now, anyone that has the time, and is willing to learn a simple language, can make an Atari game. I just wish someone would make more four player paddle games!

[fastbilly1]

I keep an 7800 in my game room for one 2600 title in particular: Warlords. Give me three friends who just want to unwind, some alcohol, and Warlords and you have one of my favorite ways to game.

[zxqdms]

I keep an 7800 in my game room for one 2600 title in particular: Warlords. Give me three friends who just want to unwind, some alcohol, and Warlords and you have one of my favorite ways to game.

I agree Warlords is awesome. Funnily enough, the first step toward discovering that game was playing Southpark Chef's Luv Shak on PS1. I loved the snow forts mini game. Many of the mini games seemed like they were based on old games, so I looked it up and found snow forts was based on Warlords.

Warlords is also available on Xbox Live Arcade. I'm pretty sure it supports online play. There is an graphically updated version, and the classic game.

[slowslow325]

I keep an 7800 in my game room for one 2600 title in particular: Warlords. Give me three friends who just want to unwind, some alcohol, and Warlords and you have one of my favorite ways to game.

Have you ever heard of Medieval Mayhem?

[fastbilly1]

Have you ever heard of Medieval Mayhem?

Ive played it. It is a nice upgrade, and if I ever build Warlords cocktail, itll run both.

[Hatta]

Yes, I too love the 2600. I don't play it as much as I should, as I've got several other RF systems that I'm constantly switching in and out. I should really do a composite mod on one of mine sometime.

And yes, the paddles are one of the best features. Not many systems have paddles these days. I'm particularly fond of Circus Atari.

If you haven't read the book Racing the Beam yet, I'd highly recommend it. Lots of cool information in that book. They describe a lot of the tricks Atari developers used to create so many different types of games on what was intended to be little more than a Pong machine. Here's one I thought was impressive. The safe zone in Yar's Revenge that looks like noise, is actually the program binary itself. There's no random number generator on the 2600, and pseudo-random numbers take too long to generate. But hey, program binarys look like random data they can use that instead. Atari really got lucky that their glorified Pong machine was able to do as much as it can.

[slowslow325]

Yes, I too love the 2600. I don't play it as much as I should, as I've got several other RF systems that I'm constantly switching in and out. I should really do a composite mod on one of mine sometime.

And yes, the paddles are one of the best features. Not many systems have paddles these days. I'm particularly fond of Circus Atari.

If you haven't read the book Racing the Beam yet, I'd highly recommend it. Lots of cool information in that book. They describe a lot of the tricks Atari developers used to create so many different types of games on what was intended to be little more than a Pong machine. Here's one I thought was impressive. The safe zone in Yar's Revenge that looks like noise, is actually the program binary itself. There's no random number generator on the 2600, and pseudo-random numbers take too long to generate. But hey, program binarys look like random data they can use that instead. Atari really got lucky that their glorified Pong machine was able to do as much as it can.

Sounds like a great book. I may buy it if I can scrounge up enough extra cash.

[flojocabron]

yeah I like the 2600!

I own about 160 games!

fifty cents is a awesome price for games. lately in my area there hasnt been that many, and I see them for about 3 to 4 bucks. Which in my opinion is too much.

the 2600 is one of the first systems I played when I was a kid.

I espeicaly like Demon Attack, Phoenix, River Raid, Crystal Castles, vanguard and galaxian

I could go on and on but you get my drift.

Ive downloaded lots of homebrew games as well and they are really interesting to try.

[Hateshinai]

Phoenix and Ms Pacman are great. Even my 3 year old son loves them.

[MidnightRider]

I'm with ya. Can't say I'm fond of this disc based storytelling that the ol' hobby has become.