Atari 5200 Guy

I've been unexpectedly busy but I am planning to attempt this on emulation.

I'm still having fun with it...and all of its siblings.

It was the first console I bought with my first paycheck along with some games. I don't regret doing it. I still consider it one of the best things I ever bought for myself with my own money. I had fun with it.

Interesting 🤔 Ok ... more to think about. The Famicom released in Japan in 1983 and only 3 games were available: Donkey Kong, DK JR., and Popeye. Now, coming from that angle a few things we know happened. The 7800 was suppose to be released by 1984 if my research is correct. Nintendo had originally approached Atari to bring the Famicom and games to the U.S.A.. Atari essentially passed. Nintendo test released the NES in New York on their own by 1985. Atari later released the 7800. Now, during the negotiations between Nintendo and Atari is it possible Atari might have attempted to reverse engineer DK, DK junior, and quite possibly Mario Bros (which should have been on the Famicom when negotiations were being done)? Because @TrekMDhit a nail on the head; while not as good as the NES in terms of sounds the rest of DK and Junior are spot on identical. What is even more strange is when you consider ports of those games were done by two separate third parties. Rick also mentions something interesting I didn't think about. If Atari bought up Coleco's works did Atari actually pay anything to release those games? just more food for thought. It's just an interesting thought.

Makes sense to me. So Atari had to pay 2 licenses: One to Nintendo and another one to Coleco? Dang. Nintendo double dipped. From Atari and Coleco.

Was Coleco still around when Atari released DK on the 7800?

I don't have the instructions to the red Atari boxes version of Donkey Kong but I'm going to assume since that game shared the same artwork that it also shared a bit of the instructions, too. Which is why I'm posting what I find when I have something I think is interesting. My copy of Donkey Kong for the 7800 has the expected copyright notices on the back of the box. Atari Corp owns this and this and NOA owns this and that. But upon reading the instructions I found this on the back: I know it's blurry and sorry. My cellphone camera sucks. But here is what it says: "Program and audiovisual (c) 1982, Coleco Industries, Inc." OK. So is 7800 Donkey Kong using some programming from the 2600 version? Also the instructions say that the 7800 version is by ITDC. Who is that or did I miss something?

Oh ... So the UFO is really a flying mushroom? Man, I had it wrong this whole time. Wait until you guys see the one I found tonight.

Very happy to get this. I've been concentrating on my 7800 collection lately and never had Donkey Kong for it. This was an extremely nice pickup for me.

7800 got Xenophobe? Holy cow! And, yes, Food Fight of course. I forgot to put that one on my list. I especially love the replays when they happen. I've been playing Donkey Kong a lot since I recently scored a 7800 copy. I'm not a huge DK fan but something about the 7800 version is just pleasing to play. Who knows. I don't understand it either. Choplifter I played on the SMS first. I never knew of the game on any Atari until maybe 10 years ago. So when I popped the 7800 version in for the first time I was shocked how much stuff was "missing" before I learned Sega added all those extras. I like the 7800 version better but it's tough.

Ah. I was wondering. With DC looking like Gauntlet that's where I thought the game originated from. I'll have to research Dandy.

My first 7800 was received in the early 1990s...long after the company stopped making them. What games I got with it was pretty much all I ended up with. I admit I had mixed feelings about the system because I wanted to like it, I wanted to enjoy the games, but the controllers were keeping me from doing so. Often times I forced myself to play it, enduring hand cramps for a couple of hours, just to play it. The only game I found I liked using the joystick on was Ms. Pac-Man. That's it. So I played that one the most only because it didn't hurt my hands as bad. And no matter what anyone says...Atari systems before the Lynx and Jaguar, had a sound that is unique to an Atari. I know that doesn't make sense to most but that sound is, in its own way, attractive. More attention getting than some others. Today I have a Frankenstein 7800 in need of a shell with a self-made A/V mod. I try very hard to maintain an original spec integrity with all my systems but this 7800 just wasn't having it. My library of games is sitting at a lovely 20 games whereas my first library didn't even reach 10 games. But those system and games came from 3 family members I miss dearly. What I have now has replaced those initial games plus games I never seen before on the 7800. I am missing Ballblazer, however, which I once thought was a 7800 exclusive title. Boy was I wrong. For fun I thought I would tell what 7800 games have become my favorites over the years. The 7800 has come very close to replacing my 5200 as number 1 console but not yet...even if it is getting more attention than my 5200. Anyway...here is my list. No particular order. Asteroids - Asteroids just simply looks stunning on the 7800 and I feel is easily one of the best games on the console. The visuals are stunning and greatly enhanced by the random atmospheric sounds combined with the fire shots and rock explosions going off in the forefront. Add a second player for some interesting competition or work together to last as long as possible. It really is interesting how a simple.game has a lot to offer. This one is my top favorite. Dark Chambers - I am guessing this was suppose to be the 7800's answer for a Gauntlet clone? Maybe trying to compete with Zelda (yeah, right)? Either way I enjoy the game as it is a nice break from the single screen arcade games once in a while. It's fun to explore the levels, too. Ms. Pac-Man - I have to admit for having only 2 sound channels this game sounds really good. It plays better than the 5200/A8 ports as well. Everything loved about the Queen of Video Games is here right down to the intermissions. Another personal top favorite. This one gets played as much as Asteroids...and, yes, I still use the standard 7800 joystick on this one. Xevious - a weird vertical scrolling shooter that I never understood. However it was one of the initial titles I ended up with and did try to enjoy. I own this same game on the Famicom and must say that I like the 7800 version better. It just looks more eye pleasing. Also, the 7800 version is a bit more forgiving. I really like the fact I have one button for both guns and bombs. Both versions are fun but I would give the win to the 7800 on this one. Nicely done, Atari. Commando - I don't care for the NES version but play the heck out of the 7800 version. It is amazing how different these 2 really are. The 7800 feels closer to the arcade to me. I thought the title screen, however, was a bit much but that's a minor thing. At least even that is more detailed than the other one. Donkey Kong - I'm ashamed to admit I am not a huge fan of DK but I am a lesser fan of DK JR. However something about playing DK on the 7800 is just pure enjoyment. I know Atari licensed it from Nintendo, and I know the 7800 trying to compete with the NES just wasn't happening, but to me this was Atari slapping Nintendo in the face. I only seen 3 of the four mazes present in the 7800 port but those are faithfully present here. Some arcade animations are missing but, hey, it's still Donkey Kong. Who doesn't like that great big ape? I didn't at one time but I do now. Ballblazer - Across all three Atari platforms this title was on are identical. Granted the XE and 5200 versions have a little extra but the heart of the game remains unchanged. I found this one addictive. Galaga - I'm more of a Galaxian fan but when it comes to the 7800 Galaga fills the bill. I have to admit that the 7800 version is nicely done and I prefer these sounds over the arcade sounds. This is a 7800 exclusive as no other Atari consoles ever got this game. Not officially anyway. Pole Position II - This pack-in game was a wise choice. Its four tracks helped keep this game from getting boring too quickly. So pick your track and get ready for a race...the Atari way.

So a prehistoric version of Atari I/O. Gotcha.

That Pac-Man looks brand new. Star Master looks unopened as well. Man...I believe you are opening a lot of returned childhood memories. Those are nice to see, Lance. Can't wait to see what all you uncover as you open more of those.

I've got the 2 red Atari catalogs. What's that log book one?

My top 10 in no order: Jr Pac-Man Enduro Planet Patrol Solaris Warlords Space Invaders Indy 500 E.T Adventure Asteroids That's my pick but I have to agree that picking just 10 is not something easy to do on the 2600 because it has so many good games that are hard to put down.

I'm appreciating the month-long timeframe. It gives me more time to enjoy the challenges.

Dumb thought...but I wonder. Could it be possible some brand new 5200 controllers could be in those boxes?

I see video Olympics and 7800 Joust, two I'm after. That is cool to see. Almost like opening a vault and seeing items that had been frozen in time. It makes one wonder what some of those games went through before you got them. Hehe ... I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of those games gets reunited with someone here who returned it. Now THAT would be awesome to see happen.

Nice score, @RickR! I have researched it. The game is the same on both. I'll join in using emulation.

Is the Famicom version allowed? I don't know if there is a difference other than regions. The only reason why I ask is I found the Famicom version on the cheap and close to home. The NES version is more in price.

It's even pricey for the Famicom version.

We all did an awesome job. Joust is hard no matter what and the 2600 version has got some big ones to deal with. The eggs flying around are one thing, the enemy jousters in the 2600 version are tougher than those on the 5200 and 7800 versions. 2600 Joust is a solid game for sure. I'm glad I have it.

Awesome score, @RickR! Way to go. Welcome to the 100k club, man.

Hmm...so would it be safe to theorize that Centipede came before Asteroids and the boxes we done Centipede first and then Asteroids?