Atari 5200 Video Review & Games

[Metal Jesus]

http://youtu.be/PRxyJdGQzLU

Is the Atari 5200 worth collecting? This week I wake up the big 8bit beast and poke it with various game carts!

[CRTGAMER]

Great review! Nice to see classic Atari playing the Classic Arcade games! Defender is one of the best games in test the 5200, it is so close in graphics and sounds of the Arcade. I love Centipede too, that beautiful Trakball!

That switch box is sensitive to power surges from plugging in the RF/Power lead, be sure the AC is the last thing plugged in. Of note the two joyport models did away with the proprietary single cable, making the four port more collectable. If your four port has a Star (*) in the model number it will work with the 2600 adapter.

I hated the 5200 sticks fail rate too, having to glue little pieces of aluminum foil inside on each button. You can take it apart after popping off the top plastic frame holding the Start Button assembly. There is a gold contact replacement kit but the WICOs work so much better. I have the red bat handle versions that have free floating lockouts on the springs.

The two games that actually work well with the no centering springs are Twinstick Robotron and exclusive to only the 5200, Twinstick Space Dungeon. Another game that shines is Ball Blazer, it actually plays better then the 7800 version. Something about the potentiometer sticks allowing a better float to move the ship around to grab the ball.

There are holders for Twinstick games and even more rare, four direction lockout plastic frames for Pacman and Ms Pacman. Forgot who made those frames, a diamond cutout that actually works very well. I have a pretty good 5200 collection including red cart gold label Miner 2049er, but still need the holy grail; Bounty Bob Strikes Back.

I notice you have Space Dungeon, try it out with two sticks, fire buttons not needed!

[Breetai]

I love your reviews, man. I know I've told you that before in another thread, but you really are on my regular watch list. I find your videos very entertaining and well put together. Keep it up.

I also must say that I quite liked your Leisure Suit Larry 7 video.

[Redifer]

Did you ever talk about the masterpiece that is Crüe Ball?

[Metal Jesus]

I own a copy of Space Dungeon but have never properly played it because I've never had two joysticks that work at the same time! Hahaha

Someday I will need to remedy that, because I hear the game is killer! Thanks for the info!

[Metal Jesus]

Did you ever talk about the masterpiece that is Crüe Ball?

I believe I mentioned that game in a special video I did about Music Games. Crue Ball, Spice World, KISS Pinball, Revolution X, etc... etc...

Crue Ball is pretty sweet actually...

[flojocabron]

that was a nice vid metal jesus.

I've been kinda collecting 5200 games for a few years now.

I used to ignore them as a kid. You do commonly find 2600/5200 games together.

It's quite hard to find the little cards on loose copies of 5200 games. Unless you buy them CIB.

I do play my beat up two port 5200 console every once in a while. But its so damn big! Which does not help to be prominently displayed.

And time does not treat well the controler tray. I've seen them (as well as mine) all broken and cracked. I had to take mine off.

Also, how can you tell the controler is broken? What are the symptoms? Mine seem to work okay. But I really cant tell.

[CRTGAMER]

I own a copy of Space Dungeon but have never properly played it because I've never had two joysticks that work at the same time! Hahaha

Someday I will need to remedy that, because I hear the game is killer! Thanks for the info!

Great game and exclusive to the 5200, a mix of Robotron and Venture.

Also, how can you tell the controller is broken? What are the symptoms? Mine seem to work okay. But I really cant tell.

Most of the time it is just the buttons that fail due to poorly designed contacts under the Rubber Buttons. The analog stick still functions, even with the buttons not working. An inexpensive fix is to take apart the controller after popping the Plastic Frame off the Start Button set. Glue small pieces of aluminum foil under each button and clean the fragile mylar PCB trace contacts with alcohol . Or go nuts and get the gold contact replacement kit.

@ Metal Jesus - The duel stick mode in Space Dungeon only uses the sticks during gameplay, no Fire Button needed. Only Player One stick needs the Start Button to begin the game. You can use the broken stick as player two right hand stick once you get one of the sticks repaired for Player One lefty.

Here is a screenshot of the Pacman plate slipped onto a standard 5200 controller. The diamond cutout under the stick allows an easier direction control at the maze corners.



Keep an eye for the WICOS, they offer true Analog control and can go centering spring on or off, just like the older CH Joysticks. The Competition Pro Joystick in your video review is a great digital stick but you miss out on functions such as duel speed control in the side movement of Galaxian and Space Invaders. Gorf is unplayable without an Analog stick and most hate it even with the correct stick. I actually like the instant jump around placement of the ship on the screen, another exclusive feature only in the 5200.

5200 Controller Alternatives - http://www.atarihq.com/5200/sticks52.html

[BurningDoom]

Another great review! Sorry about the controller, lol.

[Redifer]

I think Atari was going for the "bigger is better" style of marketing. The system was so huge people just HAD to think it was intensely more powerful than anything smaller. It's bigger than an Xbox so therefore it's more powerful than an Xbox. It should have been taller, too. Only then would people have been really impressed. It would have required home delivery like a new dishwasher.