Which 16-bit computer is better to collect for.

[ATARI800XLfan]

Hello. I have been thinking of collecting for a 16-bit computer but do not know which one is the best in games and availability of systems and games, out of the 3 I am looking at. The three are Atari ST, Amiga, and Apple IIGS. What are your thoughts on this. I live in the United States. Thanks for your time.

[Nemoide]

It's not what you're looking at, but for readily available games, I would recommend just getting a IBM-compatible 486 running DOS/Windows 3.1. Plenty of old DOS games have become freeware over the years, and including shareware/demos, dosgames.com/ has over 600 free downloads.

I'm under the impression that the Apple IIGS has the most easy to find games/software for the computers you mentioned. Plus it's compatible with earlier Apple II programs. I only used an Amiga when I was in high school for video effects, which it was pretty good at. I know there are some quality games for it, but can't say how easy to find they are.

I admit I'm not the most knowledgeable person out there on the subject, but I hope this helps!

[ATARI800XLfan]

It's not what you're looking at, but for readily available games, I would recommend just getting a IBM-compatible 486 running DOS/Windows 3.1. Plenty of old DOS games have become freeware over the years, and including shareware/demos, dosgames.com/ has over 600 free downloads.

I'm under the impression that the Apple IIGS has the most easy to find games/software for the computers you mentioned. Plus it's compatible with earlier Apple II programs. I only used an Amiga when I was in high school for video effects, which it was pretty good at. I know there are some quality games for it, but can't say how easy to find they are.

I admit I'm not the most knowledgeable person out there on the subject, but I hope this helps!

Thanks, I was also thinking the Apple IIGS when it comes to games or Atari ST. Just wondering is this placed in the right section? I will admit I do like the Atari ST for its music, something about chip tunes.

[noiseredux]

I don't know much about Apple, but I can tell you the Amiga had some pretty great games. This doesn't help much, but it's an interesting topic. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

[ATARI800XLfan]

I don't know much about Apple, but I can tell you the Amiga had some pretty great games. This doesn't help much, but it's an interesting topic. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

The Amiga had some excellent games, too bad most seem to over in Europe.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Thanks, I was also thinking the Apple IIGS when it comes to games or Atari ST. Just wondering is this placed in the right section? I will admit I do like the Atari ST for its music, something about chip tunes.

Don't know if anybody else caught it but...:

She seems to have an invisible touch yeah
She reaches in, she grabs right hold of your heart
She seems to have an invisible touch yeah
She takes control and slowly tears you apart




Anyways, I'd collect for the Apple IIGS. Though the Atari ST is right up there too.

[ATARI800XLfan]

Thanks, I was also thinking the Apple IIGS when it comes to games or Atari ST. Just wondering is this placed in the right section? I will admit I do like the Atari ST for its music, something about chip tunes.

Don't know if anybody else caught it but...:

She seems to have an invisible touch yeah
She reaches in, she grabs right hold of your heart
She seems to have an invisible touch yeah
She takes control and slowly tears you apart





Anyways, I'd collect for the Apple IIGS. Though the Atari ST is right up there too.

Thanks, which one had more of the games that were popular on computers at that time?

[BoringSupreez]

When it comes to old computers and their games, accessibility, etc., it goes: DOS>Apple II>C64>The Rest.

[Hatta]

As much as I love my IIgs, it's kind of an "also ran" for 16-bit stuff. There are good ports for a lot of the best 16 bit games, and some originals too, but it didn't get the kind of developer support the Amiga did.

Now from a collectors point of view, that might be a good thing, as it could be easier to acquire a larger proportion of the IIgs library, but you'll still have fewer games than the Amiga.

If you're in to collecting software, I don't know what to advise you though. I've never seen Amiga, IIgs, or Atari ST software in the wild, except as part of an existing collection. It's all pretty hard to come by. You'll be using eBay a lot.

If you want to play games, the IIgs is easy to come by, and easy to manufacture your own disks for, and it has the 8-bit library too. The Amiga has a better 16-bit library, but it's a lot more expensive to get into. Atari ST, I haven't really had a chance to play around with much.

I'd direct you to Atari Age or Lemon Amiga for some answers, but Amiga vs Atari is an old debate, and it can be pretty contentious.

[BurningDoom]

When it comes to old computers and their games, accessibility, etc., it goes: DOS>Apple II>C64>The Rest.

You place Apple II above C64? Why is that?

I don't know much about Apple II other than the hours spent at school on Old Oregon Trail and Reading Rabbit. But I did have a C64 and it has a freaking HUUUUGGGGEEE selection of games, and you could copy friends games onto floppies. And it had some great looking graphics for the time, probably the best looking until NES and Master System came out.