Atari 7800?

[Icedawg]

I'm considering getting one in the very near future, have been thinking about the system for several weeks now (because it's a system I haven't played before, and because I'm dying for a cool retro system). i know there's only 59 games for the system, and I've heard mixed reviews but I was wondering if anyone could give me some legit feedback on the system itself & the game library? Also what should I really try to pay for a system in still pretty good condition?

Appreciated.

[SkyLlama]

It might not have a ton of games made for it but it is compatible with most (if not all) 2600 games, making it a good buy in my opinion if you want to get into old Atari stuff.

I had one for a while and didn't have many issues with it. The original controllers suck however, you can buy different controllers like the ones it shipped with in Europe which are much better.

Make sure you get an AC adapter with one as it has an odd end so you won't be able to get a replacement at radioshack or something.

[Icedawg]

It might not have a ton of games made for it but it is compatible with most (if not all) 2600 games, making it a good buy in my opinion if you want to get into old Atari stuff.

I had one for a while and didn't have many issues with it. The original controllers suck however, you can buy different controllers like the ones it shipped with in Europe which are much better.

Make sure you get an AC adapter with one as it has an odd end so you won't be able to get a replacement at radioshack or something.

the library in total is I think 59 (according to wiki) so it'd be easy to collect for. I've seen those controllers online that you are talking about, pretty cool looking but I believe I also read somewhere you can use Sega controllers with the system too?

I look on ebay, and a system with several games seems to be more than $70 so I don't know if I;m just missing the best deal or will overpay?

[ApolloBoy]

but I believe I also read somewhere you can use Sega controllers with the system too?

With some games. They'll work for 2600 games and 7800 games that only require a single button. There are a number of 7800 games that need two buttons, and for those you'll need the Pro-Line joystick that was bundled with the system or a CX78 joypad.

[Icedawg]

will definitely have to add that joypad to my wish list. Can someone give me a good list of games that I should purchase first?

[Hobie-wan]

I think Food Fight is pretty fun.

[CRTGAMER]

The 7800 has exclusive two player modes in some of the Arcade to console games.

[Golgo 14]

The 7800 has exclusive two player modes in some of the Arcade to console games.

Yes. Simultaneous 2 player for Centipede and Asteroids make those the definitive versions of those games. Better than the arcade, imo.

If you don't have a 2600, you can't go wrong with a 7800. You get the 2600's library plus you can play the handful of gems in the 7800's library. If you do have a 2600, it is a bit of a harder sell. And unless you just love collecting games, I don't recommend buying every game in the 7800's library. There may not be a lot of games, but a lot of them suck.

I actually do love the 7800, but less is more when it comes to the system's original library. You're best off sticking with solid arcade conversions like Joust, Dig Dig and Food Fight. Get Ballblazer too.

Finally, the 7800 has an exciting homebrew scene. Head over to atariage.com and check it out (though there's a lot of forum drama). There's a guy there who goes by the name PacManPlus who's come out with some great homebrews: Pac-Man Collection, Super Pac-Man, Pac-Man Jr., Meteor Shower and Space Duel among others.

[coastercrazy10]

It also has a port of Hangly-Man LOL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangly-Man

This was the game my friends and I used to test features of our Arcade Cab as we installed them, so it's a bit of an inside joke. But seriously, the 7800 is an awesome system and it has a good selection of near-arcade perfect ports. It's downfall is the lack of original games for it, but the games that are out there are great. Get the PAL controller if you can find it for a good deal though, it's WAY better than the NTSC version.

-Ben

[Hatta]

There's also an expansion module being developed by some of the guys at AtariAge.