atari 2600 worth buying?

[mas]

I wanted to get my hands on an atari 2600 because I wanted to get one cheap from savers yesterday but they wanted 80.00 for it and they don't even know if the thing works. So now I am mad that I didn't get it and now I want one. I never had an atari before.
My first console was an nintendo. I have a nes, snes tg-16, and a genesis. My xbox is modded and I do have all the rom's for every console I mentioned and It also has the 2600 and colecovision, 5200, intellivision and arcade.
I did play the 2600 roms and I do like the games but I'm afraid of going on ebay buying a lot of games/console for 60.00 or so and finding out that I don't want it anymore. Is it worth trying to find a 2600 and getting the games or am I just in a fad of getting this thing.
I have more than enough games for my classic systems but This is what I was told by 2 people. My first friend I went to suggest just to keep what you have because atari sucks and you have a nes. My other friend said "Kid your a retro gamer right? And you don't have the father of gamming the 2600? Wtf is wrong with you?
So I thought I can ask you guys for any suggestions. I really want your advice. You guys have never failed me so I ask is the atari worth getting or am I just wasting my money and just play the 8 bit/16 bit consoles I own. Thank you very much for reading this

[Curlypaul]

I'm kind of going thru the same the thing, I keep looking at them and thinking that I really should own one. I play the roms I have from time to time, and I agree with your mate - I think I should own one just because of its historical significance.

A working console will cost me more than any of the other retro consoles that I have and I can't but think that it might just be a waste of money.

Sorry to not be any help, but I emphasize.

[soundslave]

I think it's nice to have. I have some non-gaming friends that go nuts over it for some reason. I guess because in their minds its the first. game. console. EVER. So when they come over and I try to make them play older games.. the only thing they'll go for is atari.

[Soldier Blue]

It's definitely worth buying if you are a collector! 80 is way too much though unless it was in the box or something. I paid $13 for mine and a bunch of games and inserts. They are so common that you will definitely see one again.

Another thing you need to consider is modding the console's video output if and when you do get one. I would say it makes them more playable.

[CRTGAMER]

I own the 2600 Jr, 5200, 7800 and Flashback 2. Playing games on the original console is great, especially with the original controls. As other mentioned a good feeling to have such older consoles still running and in the collection. You can use emulation to help decide if the games suit you and which ones to look for. The Atari is RF so the video quality will not be as good as the emulated versions on say a Dreamcast.

[mas]

I'm just thinking that maybe I should get a 7800 instead of a 2600. I can play the 7800 and 2600 games and I can use the joysticks for the 2600.

[ExedExes]

I'm just thinking that maybe I should get a 7800 instead of a 2600. I can play the 7800 and 2600 games and I can use the joysticks for the 2600.

7800 is a fine choice. You get the 7800 & 2600 libraries plus the ability to use the 2600 joysticks. Only issue is the 7800 controllers are a little rough; spring for a 3rd party stick or find the 7800 control pads that were released in Europe.

Lots of great classic arcade ports and even a few exclusives!

[mas]

So I want to pick up the 7800 since it does play the 2600 games but as of right now I'm going to have to hold of. Ebay sells the system with games from 60.00 and up. I guess I have to wait for the flea markets to open up and yard sales. Goodwill and salvation army and even savers never gets this stuff so With time I should get something. Hell it's been out since 86 and the 2600 since 77. I think I can wait a little longer. I will get one or the other and if not then both. I would love to show off my 2600 woodgrain to my friends and tell them I also own a 7800 for classic arcade gems.

[bryan_65]

I have had the same thoughts as you, but none pop up in this neck of the woods. So my main questions is how much bigger is the 7800's foot print compared to the 2600 and the 2600 jr. It is hard to tell in the pictures. Is it huge like the 5200's?

[Hatta]

The 7200 is just a touch bigger than the usual 2600. They learned their lesson after the 5200. It's a nice machine, and there's a homebrew extension module coming out for it in the next year or so. That should make it more interesting on the homebrew front.

But the 7200 library is mostly a bonus, IMO. The meat of the library is the 2600, so don't pass up a good deal on a 2600. To me, it sounds like you really just need a few classic titles to be happy that you have that niche filled in your collection. And the nice thing is that most of the true classics, e.g. River Raid, Breakout, or Yars Revenge, are really common and really cheap. So I'd recommend getting a small cheap lot with a few good games, and see if it appeals to you.