Atari 7800?

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weaponepsilon
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by weaponepsilon »

That was my very first system I owned. Best decision you'll make in buying old Atari hardware is the 7800. If you cant find an original joypad, the SEGA Master system pads and the Genesis pads work the same.

I'd like to know more about that system expansion and how it plans to be implemented...*click*
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Icedawg
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by Icedawg »

so you can use a master system or genesis pad? I'd rather do that then pay $40+ on one of those joypads (they are around $37 on Amazon I believe).

what really is the going rate for a system? I'm looking probably to just get the system only first, then start adding some games over time, hard to do that on ebay where a lot of games (mostly 2600) are bundled in
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by CRTGAMER »

Icedawg wrote:so you can use a master system or genesis pad? I'd rather do that then pay $40+ on one of those joypads (they are around $37 on Amazon I believe).

what really is the going rate for a system? I'm looking probably to just get the system only first, then start adding some games over time, hard to do that on ebay where a lot of games (mostly 2600) are bundled in
Some 7800 games require two fire buttons, and will not work with the Genesis Controller. The PCB matrix is different. A good portion of 7800 games will work though.
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weaponepsilon
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by weaponepsilon »

It's dubious. I used to pick them up for literally pennies. I see one with a bids on ebay for 15 and another BIN 35. Depends who you ask and where you shop.
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Icedawg
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by Icedawg »

CRTGAMER wrote:
Icedawg wrote:so you can use a master system or genesis pad? I'd rather do that then pay $40+ on one of those joypads (they are around $37 on Amazon I believe).

what really is the going rate for a system? I'm looking probably to just get the system only first, then start adding some games over time, hard to do that on ebay where a lot of games (mostly 2600) are bundled in
Some 7800 games require two fire buttons, and will not work with the Genesis Controller. The PCB matrix is different. A good portion of 7800 games will work though.
so am I just better off using the Master system?

Thanks a lot for all of the feedback, wasn't expecting it. I've checked out Atari Age, looks like a really active site.. I'm checking on ebay from time to time
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ApolloBoy
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by ApolloBoy »

Icedawg wrote:so am I just better off using the Master system?
The SMS controller won't work with 7800 games that need two buttons, you need to have a CX78 joypad or Pro-Line stick for them to play properly. Best Electronics sells CX78s for $17 a pop: http://best-electronics-ca.com/quickguide.htm
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by CRTGAMER »

Icedawg wrote:so am I just better off using the Master system?
Depends what you are looking for. All consoles have their exclusive greats.

I like the 7800 for the Arcades to Console games that offer unique only on the 7800 two player mode. Ball Blazer is pretty good too, though I like the fluid feel on the 5200 version better.
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Icedawg
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by Icedawg »

CRTGAMER wrote:
Icedawg wrote:so am I just better off using the Master system?
Depends what you are looking for. All consoles have their exclusive greats.

I like the 7800 for the Arcades to Console games that offer unique only on the 7800 two player mode. Ball Blazer is pretty good too, though I like the fluid feel on the 5200 version better.
I meant the controller lol.. i picked up a 7800 today with 6 games (pole position 2, centipede, one on one, baseball, winter games, and ball blazer) so far so good. I am going to play the crap out of centipede, I've actually never played it before until today.
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CRTGAMER
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by CRTGAMER »

Icedawg wrote:
CRTGAMER wrote:
Icedawg wrote:so am I just better off using the Master system?
Depends what you are looking for. All consoles have their exclusive greats.

I like the 7800 for the Arcades to Console games that offer unique only on the 7800 two player mode. Ball Blazer is pretty good too, though I like the fluid feel on the 5200 version better.
I meant the controller lol.. i picked up a 7800 today with 6 games (pole position 2, centipede, one on one, baseball, winter games, and ball blazer) so far so good. I am going to play the crap out of centipede, I've actually never played it before until today.
:shock: :shock: :shock: Glad you discovered a great classic!

Wait till you try the game with a Trakball, not sure if the 2600 Wico or 2600 Atari Model would work on 7800 Missile Command or Centipede. Even if they did, it won't be quite the same variable control as the Arcade since they emulate the joystick. To see what you are missing try a Mame Centipede version on the PC or Mac and kick the mouse sensitivity all the way up. Watch how the shooter zips across the screen and instant stops with the mouse. If you can, get a Trakball for your PC or Mac, the Macally USB Trakball is very good. For the ultimate, there is the Atari 5200 with the HUGE Trakball with true variable control, another great system to hunt down.

Definitely look for Genesis controllers, they work fine on a lot of 7800 games and most 2600 games.

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Icedawg
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Re: Atari 7800?

Post by Icedawg »

so Master system controllers won't work with all 7800 games but the genesis pads will? was thinking of just sticking with a master system one, since they are pretty cheap & look very close to the joypad. I'll be checking ebay for all sorts of controllers tho
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