RickR

I think we all know that the Atari 5200 is based on the same hardware as the Atari 8-bit computers.  And in many cases, Atari just ported existing games from the 8-bit to the 5200 with only minor changes.
 
But I can think of three games that Atari actually re-wrote -- started from scratch -- for the 5200.  I thought it might be fun to do some comparisons of these games.  The idea came to me while I was playing 5200 Space Invaders last night, so I'll start with that game.
 
8-bit Version

The 8-bit version of Space Invaders is just ok.  It plays well, with good speed and controls, but it just doesn't feel like Space Invaders.  The aliens don't look like the arcade version at all, there are no shields, and the aliens emerge from a lame looking space-ship/rocket on the left side of the screen.  For each wave cleared, the rocket lowers a notch and new aliens emerge.  The ground under your ship isn't quite flat, although that has no impact on your movement.
 

 
 
5200 Version

The 5200 version is very good.  Good controls and speed.  The shields are here and the aliens look better, making it feel more like the arcade version.  Strangely, like in the 8-bit version, the aliens emerge from the left side of the screen, although there is no rocket.  Best feature:  the aliens change every 2nd wave!  And there are some pretty wild designs.  Spinning/rotating/shrinking aliens!  I counted 4 different sets, but there may be more than that. 
 
Judging by your ship, the ground color, the information at the bottom of the screen, and the left-emerging aliens, it is obvious the programmer heavily referenced the 8-bit version in creating this version.  
 

 
 
Why they did it.
I think the 8-bit version is pretty lackluster and gets boring pretty quickly.  Atari spent some time and came up with a version that is much more fun and will hold your interest a little longer.  I know I kept playing to see all the different types of aliens!  Very nicely done and a great choice by Atari.
 
Coming soon, the other two games that I know of....

I'm pretty content with my collection, but there are games I wouldn't mind getting via trades:

For all games: NTSC Only, No repros

Atari 2600
Assault
Asterix
Cakewalk
Condor Attack
Death Trap
Eli's Ladder
Espial
Exocet
Gamma-Attack
Gauntlet
Glacier Patrol
Great Escape
Inca Gold
Malagai
Mangia
Mines of Minos
Mr. Postman
Music Machine
Out of Control
Red Sea Crossing
Rescue Terra 1
Shuttle Orbiter
Spider Maze
Stronghold
Stuntman
Tank Brigade
Tapeworm
Tooth Protectors
Universal Chaos

Atari 5200
System with all the hook ups and working controller

Atari 7800
Any game, box and/or manual from 1984, except Pole Position II

Atari Jaguar
Jaguar CD System with plug

Atari Lynx
Ninja Gaiden III
Pac Land
A Battery Cover for the Model 1 System

Intellivision
Music Synthesizer Keyboard

NES
Godzilla 2

Plug n Play Systems
Sega Genesis Menacer
Sega Genesis Outrun 2019

Sega Master System
Alf

Sega 32X
Spider-Man: Web of Fire

Sega Saturn
Die Hard Arcade

Turbo Grafx
A Turbo Duo System with all the hookups and controller

Vectrex
A working system with controller

Would be willing to work out a trade. You can use my ebay page for possible ideas, but I have other stuff too.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/integritygames/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3692
You can also check out my shop here: http://forums.atari.io/index.php/topic/1793-nsgs-ye-olde-video-game-shoppe/?view=getnewpost

Here's what I got in trade from Rowsdower70.  It's a long story.
 
My PS2 died.  So I contacted Rowsdower, who nicely arranged this trade.  And then while the fat PS2 was on the way to me, I found the slim at a thrift store for $15!  So now I have two.  Father and son. 
 
Rowsdower is a lifesaver, and he brings good luck!  And Magic cards. 

Mario Kart Wii
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Flight of the Amazon Queen (MS DOS Emulated)

I've kept my eye open for a Master System and also a TurboGrafx 16, but they are pretty hard to find in the wild. 

I've kept my eye open for a Master System and also a TurboGrafx 16, but they are pretty hard to find in the wild. 

Mine has the built in maze game as well.

I was lucky enough to be given a Master System and about 10 games complete with cases back in 93'. I still break it out from time to time. Very under rated system. Afterburner, Double Dragon, Hang On, good stuff!

I personally never even knew it existed until after I started collecting for Genesis.  Back in the day, NES was the only console I saw in stores. 

It is a good system, and the Master System attachment for Genesis makes it really easy to enjoy the great games.

In my defense, it took a LOOOOOOOONG time to collect all this. 
 
Atari
2600 4 switch woody
2600 4 switch Vader
2600 Sunnyvale light sixer
2600 Jr (two of them)
5200
7800
400
800
800XL (two of them)
Lynx
 
Mattel
Intellivision (Sears Telegames version)
 
Coleco
Colecovision
 
Magnavox
Odyssey 2
 
Nintendo
NES
Gameboy Advance SP
DS
Virtual Boy
Wii
 
Sega
Genesis Model 2
Game Gear
Dreamcast
 
Milton Bradley
Vectrex
 
Commodore
VIC 20
C64 (C64C)
 
Sony
PS1
PS2
 
Microsoft
XBOX
 
Systems my kids have
PS3
PS4
XBox 360
WiiU
SNES
Sega CD/32X
 
Largest collection:  2600, 246 carts

<-- BINGO!
 
<-- I agree
 
<-- Bzzkptpl Zypfflpztl (translation:  Tod Frye and my namesame Ray Kassar)

Keep posting please.  I certainly appreciate your videos very much!

Keep posting please.  I certainly appreciate your videos very much!

Ep 79: Pac-Man

Keep posting please.  I certainly appreciate your videos very much!

Keep posting please.  I certainly appreciate your videos very much!

Keep posting please.  I certainly appreciate your videos very much!

I should also have a little somethin' somethin' for ya!

I'm working on a package for you Lee.

I'm working on a package for you Lee.

I'm working on a package for you Lee.

I'm working on a package for you Lee.

Here we go.  From Rowsdower.  Three handheld games (have I mentioned I'm a sucker for these?)  And the cool hat.  And a game I haven't opened yet. 
 
Armor Battle needed a clean.  Works great!  Did I mention the Mattel handhelds are my favorites?  Missing the battery cover, but RickR does not care.  A working game = smiling RickR. 
 
Pac Man 2 - needed some cleaning, and the controls didn't quite work.  Repaired that with some soapy water and electrical contact cleaner.  It's actually a lot of fun with an elaborate maze.  For the two game, player 2 controls the ghosts!  How cool is that?  I'll tell you what, playing the 2 player game with only 1 player == the easiest time clearing the maze I've ever had!  Take that "Blinky" -- if that's even your real name. 
 
Dracula - needed the power switch cleaned up, but works great now.  It was hard to take apart because it needed a special screwdriver.  Found the right one if my magical toolbox.  Once you take it apart...there were springs and even a ball bearing to carefully keep track of inside.  This game is totally cool. It has multi-color graphics and some really nice sound.  Rowsdower says it has more than one screen...but it's so dang difficult, I can't get by the first screen!  And check out the "magnified" screen.  It must have the evil power of Dracula...because my camera can't focus on it.  It's really just a piece of clear film kind of bent into a parabola shape.  But cool.  Very cool.  The battery cover is cracked.  Rowsdower temporarily repaired that with a sticker.  I think I'll leave that as-is.  Otherwise, my fingers will end up glued to something. 
 
THANK YOU!

I'm working on a package for you Lee.

I'm working on a package for you Lee.