Atari help

[KaiserWAVE]

So, the other day I picked up Pac-Man for the 2600. It was dirt cheap so I couldn't resist even if I don't own the system. Not the first time that I buy a game before the actual system. I've played the 2600 as a kid with friends but never owned one myself. I started with the NES.  Anyway, now I'm deciding whether to get an Atari 2600 or Atari 7800. I like the 2600's design better, the black or "wooden" one, not the 2600 Jr. that looks more like the 7800. The 7800 is backwards compatible though, which is a huge plus. Also it has a fairly small games library, and the games are easy to get and for the most part fairly cheap on eBay. So it would be possible to hunt for a full set.

That's where you guys come into the equation. I read somewhere that the 7800 is "almost fully backwards compatible". Do you know of any must have 2600 games that don't work on a 7800, which would in the end be a deal breaker and push me more to the 2600 ?

Are there any other important pros for the 2600 and cons for the 7800? Or is it a safe bet to get a 7800?

Also important, when I go hunting for an Atari 2600/7800 I want to get one with the original box because I'm also a collector. And the 2600 boxes I've seen were usually pretty beat up (understandable for a 30 year old piece of cardboard) while the 7800 boxes were in surprisingly good shape considering their age.

Ok there you have it, GO

[sheep2001]

Easy answer - get both.  As a collector - i had to have a 2600 in my collection (although i still need to get a heavy sixer, just got the 4 switch model) The 7800 has some good games, which, for the price seemed a no brainer for me, even though i didn't have the nostalgia for it like i did other systems.  I think my 7800 must be one of the later models, as iMagic carts fit just fine - i heard that on early models some 3rd party carts - particularly iMagic, either dont fit, or are extremely tight.

I honestly haven't tried all my carts in the 7800, but of those i have, every single one has worked without issue.

[Vt102]

Easy answer - get both.  As a collector - i had to have a 2600 in my collection (although i still need to get a heavy sixer, just got the 4 switch model) The 7800 has some good games, which, for the price seemed a no brainer for me, even though i didn't have the nostalgia for it like i did other systems.  I think my 7800 must be one of the later models, as iMagic carts fit just fine - i heard that on early models some 3rd party carts - particularly iMagic, either dont fit, or are extremely tight.

I honestly haven't tried all my carts in the 7800, but of those i have, every single one has worked without issue.

What he said!

[KaiserWAVE]

Easy answer - get both.  As a collector - i had to have a 2600 in my collection (although i still need to get a heavy sixer, just got the 4 switch model) The 7800 has some good games, which, for the price seemed a no brainer for me, even though i didn't have the nostalgia for it like i did other systems.  I think my 7800 must be one of the later models, as iMagic carts fit just fine - i heard that on early models some 3rd party carts - particularly iMagic, either dont fit, or are extremely tight.

I honestly haven't tried all my carts in the 7800, but of those i have, every single one has worked without issue.

What he said!

I was afraid you'd say that

[scarmullet]

I also have no problems with 3rd party carts on my 7800, but don't use a supercharger on a 7800, it could damage both devices.

The only thing that is truly expensive about the 7800 is finding a proper gamepad from Europe (instead of the stick us Yanks got), and you need a 7800 controller for playing 7800 games, Genesis controllers won't cut it.

[JDavis]

The biggest things that have kept me from getting into 2600 collecting...

1) Most of the games simply can't hold my attention, which is probably a generational thing. I grew up on the SNES, and while I've been able to go back and enjoy plenty of NES games... Atari, Colecovision, Intellivision, etc. games tend to be a little too simplistic for me.

2) If I did get into the 2600, I would want to do it right and get a heavy sixer... and those aren't the cheapest system to buy unless you find someone who doesn't know what they've got.

[Vt102]

Sorry to cut into the topic but I need Atari help.. =)

Anyone knows what this is? Im not sure if it's an 2600 clone or a dual controller..

(sorry for the low rez).

[shenske]

I would say start with the 7800 and get a 2600 after. The 7800 will be a harder find than the 2600