Atari 2600

[tremoloman]

I'm REALLY dating myself here... but are there any Atari 2600 fans out there?

In the past couple of years I've started collecting everything related to the pioneer of video gaming. It's a relatively cheap hobby and brings back lots of memories. My friends still take it out regularly and play it as it has some games that are timeless. New complicated systems just don't do it for me.

Some guys who called themselves "Sudden Death" did a song about the Atari made completely of 2600 sound effects and using Run D.M.C.'s "My Adidas" as the beat. Pretty cool if you ask me!



Any thoughts?​

 

[Danzego]

The video comes up as no longer available.

Anyway, that's where I started my gaming life- on the 2600. I wouldn't rate it as one of my top systems ever (and I've owned almost every real game system released in the states since), but I had a great time with the system when I was a little dude and it brings back a lot of memories.

Now to go track down that video on YouTube.

 

[pes_laul]

never heard or seen of a atari 2600

 

[tremoloman]

The video comes up as no longer available.

Anyway, that's where I started my gaming life- on the 2600. I wouldn't rate it as one of my top systems ever (and I've owned almost every real game system released in the states since), but I had a great time with the system when I was a little dude and it brings back a lot of memories.

Now to go track down that video on YouTube.

The video just came up fine on my end using Firefox. Hmmmm...

 

[pie_man_25]

I remember toying with basic on our old atari 800, I made a couple RPGs, we also used to have an atari and a 2600 model, and you can't forget the commodor 64! god, I feel like a kid again, can you believe I'm only sixteen?

 

[pes_laul]

this stuff must be before my time I can only remember back to the N64 (well My brother had a super nintendo when he was like 4 and he's 17)

 

[jasongins]

I still have a complete atari 2600 and quite a few games - the same unit I've had since I was a kid in the early 80s.

 

[Katastrophe]

never heard or seen of a atari 2600

Man, you're missing out on gaming history. Pac Man, and tons of other game cartridges were available... Donkey Kong, Frogger, Kaboom and River Raid were my favorites.

My family had one of the systems that predated the Atari, where you could play any game you wanted, as long as it was Pong.

You'll have to do a Google search on some of these game titles.:AOK:

My family still has theirs, and we play every now and then.

 

[just strum]

My family had one of the systems that predated the Atari, where you could play any game you wanted, as long as it was Pong.

:rotflmao:

Pong, beer and pizza - now those were the days.

 

[Rabies]

:rotflmao:

Pong, beer and pizza - now those were the days.

I bet that was a good ole time back then. :dude: Actually, I bet that would STILL be fun. :AOK:

 

[pie_man_25]

I bet that was a good ole time back then. :dude: Actually, I bet that would STILL be fun. :AOK:

yeah probably, but pizza and lots of things go together.

 

[tremoloman]

If you want to see something cool check this out:

Luna City Arcade

This guy built and 80s arcade next to him home. Man I'd kill to have something like that!

People are still writing software for the 2600 todays, known as homebews. Check out AtariAge if you want to see some amazing games for the 2600. I've got over 300+ carts and 20+ homebrews. My friends and I still use it regularly. I like the simplicity of the system. Playstation, Xbox, and others with 10+ buttons just don't do it for me. Gaming went from being for everyone to a niche market. I do give Nintendo credit for making games simple again with the Wii. The gfx might not be near as good as PS/xB but the games are way more fun. Graphics mean nothing if the game sucks.

I like putting in a game and playing for hours, not spending hours learning how to play.

I do like the PS1, but the Atari 2600 will always be my favorite.

 

[Kodiak3D]

I think Streetmusic (Dad) still has mine somewhere at home. I've been meaning to get it for a while. I'd love to play some of those games again.

 

[merlin]

If you want to see something cool check this out:

Luna City Arcade

This guy built and 80s arcade next to him home. Man I'd kill to have something like that!

.

WOW, that is amazing. How much cash would it take to pull something like that off?

I saw one of those sit down arcade games. I remember a pizza place near by that had a sit down Galaga game that was awesome. Good times.

 

[Kazz]

megamania was my favorite 2600 game....and the bowling was awesome...never did score a 300 on that game...had many 290+ games tho.

 

[tremoloman]

If you want to play those old classics on your PC it is very easy!

1. Download and install Stella (Atari 2600 emulator)
   
2. Download Atarimania's ROM collection (almost 2000 ROMs in one 7MB ZIP)
3. Extract the ZIP to whichever path you wish
4. Launch Stella, browse to the ROM directory, and away you go!

If any of you have trouble just let me know and I'll be more than happy to help you get it going!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

That's awesome!

If you want to see something cool check this out:

Luna City Arcade

This guy built and 80s arcade next to him home. Man I'd kill to have something like that!

 

[Danzego]

I searched that video and found it (though it works for me now, several days later *scratches head*). Now THAT was some funny stuff!! It brought back some memories.

As for myself, I do like simple games and actually find myself gravitating towards older school-esque games now that I have little time for leisure with my extremely busy school load this quarter (as opposed to just very busy, I guess). XBox Live Arcade has a few good ones, as does PSNetwork for the PS3 (PixelJunk Monsters is SWEET! There's a demo out there online for anyone who owns a PS3; trust me on this one). In regards to older systems, I don't do much before NES and Sega Master System anymore.

Another good system for the older schoolers is the Nintendo DS...though last night I found my DS totally broken. It fell out of a bag I was carrying the other night (it was even in its case!!) and that annihilated it. *sighs*

 

[kiteman]

If you want to play those old classics on your PC it is very easy!

1. Download and install Stella
2. Go to Atarimania and download Rom Hunter's ROM collection (almost 2000 ROMs in one 7.7MB ZIP)
3. Extract the ZIP to whichever path you wish
4. Launch Stella, browse to the ROM directory, and away you go!

If any of you have trouble just let me know and I'll be more than happy to help you get it going!

Well done mate.

Now I can relive my memories.