Second Generation Appreciation Thread

[BoneSnapDeez]

I feel like the 8-bit computer is Atari's best kept secret. It's like playing the 5200 without awful controls.

Oh and I just realized that I somehow missed most of page 2 of this thread.

I already own twelve different versions of Namco Museum. Thanks. It's not the same thing. At some point I came to the realization that all these Atari Anthologies and Namco Museums are just emulated shells of their former glory.

I go to my local arcade. I ask the sketchy dude with the facial tattoos for change from the cash register. Then I walk to the machine with cigarette burns, wipe the pizza grease off the joystick, drop a quarter in the coin mech, and I play a mother effing arcade game.

Oh, I try to hit up semi-local arcade cabs when possible. If you ever visit Portland or Old Orchard Beach, Maine look for DKS in the high scores of Pac-Man, Galaga, etc... That's me.

And my wife just gave me the okay to buy one cab. We'll see what turns up...

I dearly love those retro compilations though. I've sunk countless hours into 'em.

[Gunstar Green]

I feel like the 8-bit computer is Atari's best kept secret. It's like playing the 5200 without awful controls.

Yeah, I think the 8-bit computer family is probably worth checking out if you like 5200 games but hate the 5200 controller (so... everyone).

There's even the XEGS out there if you want the games in sort-of console-ized form with any flippin' controller you want. I've never seen one but I think they're really interesting.

[ExedExes]

The 5200 was really just a consolized 400/800. The games for it are great but those controllers.

Would the 7800 be OK to talk about here even though it's classified as 3rd gen? Because I've got teh memoreez. NES? what's that?

[Gunstar Green]

The 7800 is a weird one. It was released to compete with the NES making it third generation but it was designed earlier and shelved largely because of Atari's crash.

I do think stylistically (with some exceptions because it was capable of doing a lot more except in the sound category) the software has more in common with the late second generation than it does with stuff like the NES and SMS and it's something that 2nd gen fans are going to appreciate more than people who started with the NES.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Yeah a large part of the 7800 library feels like 2nd gen rehashes. Asteroids, Centipede, Choplifter!, Dig Dug, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Galaga, Joust, Mario Bros, Ms. Pac-Man, Robotron: 2084, etc...

Then you have cringe-worthy stuff like Scrapyard Dog...

The console completely lacks the "epic" games that defined the NES and SMS. Do any 7800 titles even have a save feature?

I really do like the 7800 though. Neat system. Though games are tough to find and the joystick isn't great (yes, I know about the European controllers - I don't own one).

I will admit that I mostly use the system for its 2600 backwards compatibility.

[prfsnl_gmr]

To my knowledge, no game on the 7800 has a save feature, and I very much consider it the last - and best - second generation console. Accordingly, I think it would be great to discuss it in this thread.

[ExedExes]

Keep in mind it was going to be released in '84, even most of the games that came out later when it was pushed back were copyrighted 1984.

I just thought it was pretty cool to get Xenophobe (copyright 1989) months before I got an NES.

[BoneSnapDeez]

last second generation console

A CONTENDER EMERGES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Max

[ExedExes]

Let me quickly add one of the more quirky 7800 games




It's NEW!
Well, not really. I believe this is yet another Euro-computer game released to the 7800. A weird mix of Breakout and other elements.

Also interesting is the use of sound effects and voices from Gauntlet II (NES) in the intro (!)

[Gunstar Green]

last second generation console

A CONTENDER EMERGES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Max

Are you kidding? Action Max is so advanced it's from the future.

Reminds me of Tiger Electronics' "BattleVision" which was an action figure play set that interacted with a VHS tape. I mainly wanted it as a bad-ass base for my GI Joes and it served the purpose excellently despite being cheaply made (I recall the two knock-off Joes it came with falling apart almost immediately).



Though I did actually play the VHS game several times. The video was pretty awful, though at times unintentionally funny. The game itself was a glorified version of Simon Says where you fired whatever weapon it told you to. If you missed too many times the dome would bust open and it would be game over.