Thinking of buying an Atari 2600

[satoshi_matrix]

Hey guys, I'm thinking of getting into the Atari 2600. I have some questions I hope those in the know can answer.

First of all, what are the things everyone should know when thinking of getting a 2600?

Are all models of the 2600 RF only? Are simple PCB pin hacks possible for AV mods like with the original model Famicom?

Where are the best places to buy an Atari 2600 online? I've checked local kijiji and creigslist but I don't see anything that seem to be priced that reasonably. Speaking of which, how much should one expect to pay for a 2600?

What are the killer apps for the 2600 I should seek immediately? I know there have been homebrew games that have been made in the recent years. What are the best of those?

I know that the Atari 2600 used DB-9 controller ports. Will Commodore 64 joysticks work with the 2600? What about Sega Master System and Genesis? Famicom and Famiclone?

What are "Wicos"?

What are the "best" controllers for the 2600? I assume the stock iconic sticks, but I ask in case I'm wrong.

If I buy a 2600 without a power supply, what are the ratings I need? Does polarity matter to the 2600? Can I use a psu from other consoles such as the NES?


Thanks for any help.

[linkzpikachu]

all units are RF, i have seen mods, no you cannot use a PSU from a Nintendo, any controllers with a DV-9 pin will work (atari, sega, commodore, ect) *side note: get atari paddle controllers, a wico was a brand of aftermarket joysticks (aviod if necissary), and the best controllers are the stock sticks HOWEVER i use an aftermarket stick called the point master by discwasher witch is pretty good, hope that solves everything 

[petik1]

The ac adapter for the atari is actually in the shape of a headephone jack. I paid about 80 bucks for mine with about 20 games, 2 joysticks and a pair of paddle controllers.

[linkzpikachu]

yeah atari 2600 are pretty reasonable on price and its not uncommon to find one with whole buncha games for a good price, i got a 2600 "vader" model (has no wood grain) in the box with the PSU, RF unit, and paddle controllers for $20.00

[MS-DOS4]

"Killer Apps" include great titles such as Pitfall, Enduro, Adventure, and for homebrew you can try aztec challenge.

also try these:

http://retro.ign.com/articles/903/903024p1.html

[petik1]

If you could, try to get an Atari 7800. Even though you'd get those gawd awful controllers, theres a way to use NES controllers with it, or you can get the official 7800 game pads, but you'd have to import and they're not too cheap. Also, a homebrew expansion module is coming out for it this fall.

[nintendodork]

Don't forget Video Olympics of you like Pong (50 different variations including the original), and Surround (which is basically the 2600 version of Lightcycles from Tron)

[xyzzy32]

Beware of the later "Rainbow" models, which are sometimes referred to as the "Junior" series models. In my experience, they work like the original models until they receive the slightest jolt, at which point they transform into a rainbow-coloured brick.

My second Atari (CX2600A version) cost $30 and included the box, the power supply, one joystick controller, and one set of paddle controllers.

Ms Pac-man, Centipede, and Asteroids are all worth the $1.00 you can get them for online or in retro gaming stores. Warlords is an excellent multiplayer game, if you're into that kind of thing.

[linkzpikachu]

typically with atari the older the better (less fail rate) and dont forget the "killer app" called donkey kong 

[petik1]

And if you get a pair of paddle controllers, get circus atari. Its addicting and my personal favorite

[cubelmariomadness]

I have a little "plug and play" and it's pretty addicting. When I bought a real Atari for some reason, the picture was the most horrid quality I have ever seen. Furry everywhere. It was almost unplayable.

[satoshi_matrix]

thank you everyone. While I wait for the 2600 to arrive, I want to clarify what I need to hook it up to a modern tv. I have a fairly old CRT tv I intend to use, but not so old it has the clips to screw in for the RF box. I've heard that you can use a simple through adapter.

I went to The Source today to see what I could find. The guy there wasn't very helpful as he insisted what I wanted to do couldn't be done. I asked about the return policy and he assured me that if it didn't work I could always return anything I bought, so I looked around anyway.

I didn't see anything that said RCA to RF, but I did see something I think will work:

Gold plated Phono Plug to male "F" adapter.

It's got the source number 2780276.

It says on it only one thing which is "connects phono plug to coaxial jack".

Before I open it, is this what I need or was the salesman correct that this will not work?

Thanks.

[ericj]

That should work, but only for either the video or audio (but not both at the same time) I would guess since they require separate RCA outputs. However, you may be able to connect a RCA female to male Y connector to it to split the signal. Or you could just plug the RF adapter into a VCR and connect the VCR to the TV with the RCAs.

EDIT: Looks like I had the part you bought backwards. I didn't know a RCA plug came out of the back of the 2600. What you have should be fine.

[petik1]

I have a little "plug and play" and it's pretty addicting. When I bought a real Atari for some reason, the picture was the most horrid quality I have ever seen. Furry everywhere. It was almost unplayable.

Are you using the original switchbox? Mine gives a real poor picture quality. It's best to get one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103471

So should you, satoshi. And if that won't connect to your TV, run it through a VCR to get in on Composite.

[cubelmariomadness]

I have a little "plug and play" and it's pretty addicting. When I bought a real Atari for some reason, the picture was the most horrid quality I have ever seen. Furry everywhere. It was almost unplayable.

Are you using the original switchbox? Mine gives a real poor picture quality. It's best to get one of these: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103471

So should you, satoshi. And if that won't connect to your TV, run it through a VCR to get in on Composite.

Actually, no, I wasn't. But I did try several. I tried a nintendo one, a sega one, and a yobo one.