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Atari 5200 Guy

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  1. Atari 5200 Guy
    Before I start going into details I need to be clear about what this post is about. This is not a journalistic review of the console nor am I going to repeat, or try not to repeat, the memories of this console as I have already done that. Nope. This is more about the what and how that wood-grain console has worked its way into my heart in a short amount of time. So...here we go.
     
    As mentioned in the post I made called 2600 Memories I never gave the 2600 a fair chance. My first console was the 5200 which I thought blew the 2600 out of water at the time. Then the NES came along and I was blown away. The poor 2600 never caught my attention for long when I would find one. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the games I played it was the fact that they didn't hold my interest for very long. Of course, I've already mentioned that.
     
    Since the arrival of a 4-switch Woody I have had a hard time not wanting to play the system. I've had a Junior model before I acquired the Woody model but it just didn't catch my interest as much for some reason. It wasn't the games. We all know the variations in the consoles is not going to change the games. But there is something about that 4-switch Woody that is appealing. From the insertion of the cartridge, plugging in the controller required for the game to be played, using those shinny chrome switches, to holding the joystick that only offered one fire button, there is a need to satisfy this video game crave. Sounds wild I know but that's the only way I know how to explain it.
     
    The 2600 wood-grain design is distinctively associated with the "Atari" name. As is the letters V, C, and S and the number 2600. When you see the wood grain it's hard not to think of Atari, VCS or 2600 and vice versa. What has really captured me is the amount of good games that have made it to the 2600. Most of the games I never knew of simply because it was Nintendo's section or no video games at all for a while. I never knew the 2600 was still being produced for years after the NES became a hit. And even during the NES' popularity Atari was still making 2600 games that I would never hear of until long after Atari was sold off. Only one store in my hometown sold anything Atari and that's where I discovered the Junior model. But if you think about it, the Junior model was already no longer being produced by the time I found it so it might have been a store trying to help sell off some leftover stock for Atari. Who knows.
     
    Since the arrival of the 4-switch Woody 2600 my interest in the console has grown so much that the 2600 has found a permanent home in the living room. Normally game systems get used for a bit and then put back in the bedroom on a shelf I have for storing consoles. The 2600 remains attached, plugged in, ready for use. Not a single day has went by where I didn't play a game on it even if it was at the end of the day. I am beginning to wonder if the 2600 has managed to surpass my feelings about the 5200 that has more sentimental value than the 2600 in any shape or form. I can not be certain just yet but I do know I am enjoying every game for the 2600 I have been blessed with.
     
    My journey with the 2600, full-force, had only started about a year ago. I am discovering for the first time what this console was all about when it was top-dog. And I am liking everything about the system. The controller variations, arcade-style games, and a few days with Adventure really changed the way I thought about the 2600 years ago. This is a very capable, constantly able to change, piece of gaming hardware. It's no wonder why it has be crowned the king of all consoles. For me? It has become a number one favorite surpassing the NES and my beloved 5200. Since owning the 4-switch my 4-port 5200 has not been used hardly at all. I'm constantly wanting to see what other games are out there...although a bit too late in the game. Now I wish I would have held on to all the hardware, controllers, and games my Mother and I found decades ago. Oh well, live and learn.
     
    I owe the Atari.IO members more thanks than I can ever give. Because of you guys I have been able to give the 2600 a much needed chance to show how much it could really entertain. So, thanks to StormSurge for the console and thanks to everyone here who has become my Atari family. The 2600 is truly a remarkable system. It just goes to show that graphics and sounds are not everything...it's all about the game play.
  2. Atari 5200 Guy

    Atari 5200 Guide

    By Atari 5200 Guy,

    If you are here then you either have a 5200 console and not sure what to do with it or you have had one for a while that is not wanting to work right or at all. In either case the system is most likely used, has not been played in quite sometime, and the controls are not working. Am I right?
     
    Then welcome to the Atari 5200 guide! I will do my very best to help you get your system cleaned up, hooked-up the way it was intended, so that it can be enjoyed the way it was intended. Be advised, though, that the 5200 is a delicate console. It will last for a very long time if knowledge is shared on its operation and such. It is not a console intended to sit on a shelf, closet, basement, or where ever, for months on end without using it. Not using a 5200 will do it more harm than good, even after giving it a lot of tender loving care. This will be a multiple-part series covering how to use, clean, and maintain the 5200 console and its controllers. Ready? Let's get started! I'm already excited!!
     
    What You Should Have
     
    If you have just purchased a 4-port 5200 (four controller ports on the front of the system) you should have:
    A 4-port 5200 console An Original 5200 A/C Adapter (do NOT use any other adapter or you may destroy the console!) An Original 5200 Automatic RF Switchbox At least one original 5200 controller At least one 5200 game of your choice

    If you have just purchased a 2-port 5200 (two controller ports on the front of the system) you should have:
    A 2-port 5200 console An Original 5200 A/C Adapter (do NOT use any other adapter or you may destroy the console!) A 2600-style RF Switchbox or a Cable-Ready Adapter is OK At least one original 5200 Controller At least one 5200 game of your choice

    NOTE: There has been known identity problems with an A/C Adapter included with the 5200 and those included with the 400/800 Atari computers. This adapter looks almost identical to the adapters used for the 400 and 800 computers. Whatever you do please, before connecting any adapter to the 5200, make sure it has the Atari logo and says on it "Use only with model CX-5200". This is an AC to DC adapter meaning it converts incoming AC current into DC current. The 400/800 Atari computers have circuitry built in them to do the converting of the current to DC, the 5200 does not. Using an adapter for a 400/800 Atari computer on a 5200 will fry it the second the Power switch is pressed because the 5200 can not handle the AC current. I mention this here because I have seen this and once got a 4-port off of E-Bay with a 400/800 adapter included...and I didn't notice it until it was too late.
     

    If anything is missing or damaged/worn out, replace those before trying to use your 5200 again with original equipment. Using aftermarket parts, especially on the 4-port console, may be more costly and more harmful to your equipment than the original-issued equipment.
     
    How To Properly Hook-Up A 5200 To Your TV (4-Ports Only!)
     
    You may have seen online videos or other reviews/blogs mentioning about a spark that comes from connecting the system to the RF switchbox of the 5200. This spark is caused from connecting the 5200 in the opposite order of the instructions that were included with the console. What is causing the spark is the power adapter being connected to the RF switchbox first and then connecting the 5200 to the switchbox last. You are essentially creating a surge of power being sent to the 5200.
     
    In the words of the late Gene Wilder when portraying Willy Wonka, "Strike that, reverse it." Connect the 5200 to the RF Switchbox first and then connect the switchbox to your TV. After that connect the AC adapter to the switchbox and finally plug the AC Adapter into the wall outlet. Always plug the adapter into the wall last. This will eliminate any chances of a spark or power surge from happening.
     
    Use the same steps to connect a 2-port 5200: console to switchbox first, connect switchbox to TV, connect console end of AC adapter to console, and then plug the adapter into the wall outlet.
     
    Testing The Console
     
    Cross your fingers at this point as this is the do or die moment. Hopefully you managed to pick up a game or two (or more) along with your 5200. Grab any one of those and insert it in the 5200's cartridge port, making sure the label is up-right and facing you. It will fit snugly in the port. Try not to force the cartridge in the slot as this should not be necessary. If the cartridge springs back up, however, you may need a little more force to make it fit all the way in the cartridge slot. Once it is properly seated press the Power switch.
     
    If you have an Atari released title you should see the Atari Logo with the game's name and copyright date at the bottom. Any third-party games, like those from Parker Bros., Sega, and Activision, will go directly to the game screen or a title screen.
     
    If you don't have a power light on the console then double-check all of your connections to the RF Switchbox. Make sure that all connections are fully seated in their sockets and that the AC Adapter is plugged into the wall. If you still have no power there is a way to safely check the AC Adapter by simply placing the AC Adapter to your ear. If you hear a buzz or humming noise then the AC Adapter is getting power and working (we will get to that in a moment).
     
    If you have a power light on the console but no TV signal check to make sure that you have the Automatic RF Switchbox in NORMAL mode and not in STANDBY mode. Also make sure the TV is set to the proper channel (2 or 3). For 2-ports make sure the RF Switchbox is in COMPUTER or GAME mode by moving the switch to that direction completely.
     
    If the AC Adapter is making a humming noise, and still the 5200 is not coming on, the AC Adapter may still be at fault. Inside the 5200 adapter is a fuse to help protect it against a large power surge. The AC Adapter will still hum from the transformer inside working but the console end of the adapter will be dead. Unless you know how to fix electronics, and are comfortable with taking things apart and fixing them, it is recommended to get a new 5200 adapter from an Atari dealer (which in this case would be Video 61 or Best Electronics).
     
    If the system still refuses to work at all it may be defectively unfortunately. The good news is that the above mentioned dealers can also fix the 5200. I can only offer things to check for such as a damaged or worn-out RF cable, AC Adapter, RF Switchbox, etc. I have not had any issues with a 5200 that is cause for parts repairs or replacements other than those already mentioned. Others may know more than me and, if so, I would hope they would share that information in a comment below.
     
    If your machine is working then we now need to test the controller or controllers if you have more than one.
     
    Testing The Controllers
     
    All 5200 models should have the same controllers unless you are lucky to find a Wico controller. But this is about standard equipment that would have been included with the console when bought new decades ago. For that reason this section will be discussing the original 5200 analog controllers.
     
    This is the most picky part your will find on the 5200. These are what makes and breaks a 5200 because of the nature on how they actually work. I will discuss the insides of these in another post because I want to keep how to fix these separate from this post so it is easier to find.
     
    First, turn off the console. Please do not connect a controller to the 5200 before turning it off if this is your first time using one. There is a reason for this which I will discuss in another post. Plug a controller into the Control 1 port of your 5200. Turn on your machine with a game already inserted in the cartridge port. I recommend Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Missile Command for testing controllers. Press the START button. You shouldn't have to press these buttons hard at all. If they are not responding well or at all they may just need to be cleaned. You can either find a video or other post about how to clean these controllers or wait a bit for me to write mine. I have a few secrets that some of those other do-it-yourself instructions may not have.
     
    If your controller is working then try to have fun. Play a full game. Play all the games you have for the 5200. Take notes on how the controller is working, responding. Is it sluggish? Are the buttons working instantly? Are you having to mash the buttons with too much force? Keep a mental record of your findings with the controller for each game played. If you have more than one controller then try them all out taking notes on which one works best or which ones have the better response in the joystick handle and which ones have the better button responses. This will be important later.
     
    A Bit About The 5200 Controllers
     
    One thing you can not do with the 5200, and really shouldn't do, is approach the 5200 and treat it as if it was the 2600. While it is an Atari console it is not a 2600. And in some ways it simply can not handle the rigor a 2600 can.
     
    One of the ways I have witnessed some people play a 5200 game is by holding the controller with one hand and working the joystick with their other hand by covering the top of the joystick. While there is no set way to use a joystick controller, and maybe I'm being a bit picky here, the 5200 controller is not an 8-way joystick with contact buttons inside. It is a 360 degree analog joystick meaning that it is very sensitive to movement. How I hold the controller is shown in the image below.
     

     
    It's kinda hard taking a picture while trying to hold the controller but what I am trying to show is how I use the joystick portion. Cradle the controller with one hand where the fire buttons are comfortable to use. With the other hand try using the joystick handle by its base instead of the top. By playing the joystick handle inside your fore finger and thumb you can actually get better control and movement of your character on the screen with games that are analog sensitive. I hold the 2600 and 7800 controllers this exact same way as well to help eliminate or prolong cramps or other hand pains.
     
    What All The Buttons Do On The 5200 Controller
     
    The buttons on the 5200 controller are somewhat self explanatory as far as START, PAUSE, and RESET are concerned. But...
    START BUTTON -- Starts a game PAUSE BUTTON -- Freezes the game. Press again to resume where you left off. NOTE: Some games will return to the title screen if the game is left paused for too long. Others will put the 5200 in an attract mode just like the 2600 does, changing the colors on screen to protect the TV screen from burn-ins. This is normal and not a defect. RESET BUTTON -- Returns to the Title Screen or another screen where you can change game settings if available. This feature usually only works when a game is paused. So, pause your game first before pressing RESET to return to the game's title screen.

    The 5200 controller has two fire buttons on either side of the controller known as "Top Button" and "Bottom Button". This is to accommodate left- and right-handed players because the right-side buttons do the same as the left-sided buttons depending on the game being played. In some games the Top Button is not used.
     

    The Keypad is the 12-buttons on the controller under the joystick handle. These keys perform various functions in the games and are very dependent on the game being played. In most games, however, the STAR (*) key is used to select the number of players and the POUND (#) key is used to select the skill level.
     
    There were not many games made that make use of all the keypad buttons but some do. And without instructions, if you have never played the 5200 game before, can cause frustration. Most games came with keypad overlays that detailed what each button did in those games and are hopefully included with the games you find. Atari-made 5200 game cartridges had an area on the back of them to store the keypad overlays. Look there if you buy loose carts for the overlays.
     
    How To Approach The 5200 And Its Games
     
    The 5200 is a game console...nothing more, nothing less. But, due to the nature of its controls, the controllers movements and limitations will need to be learned first. Once you turn a game on move the joystick in a full 360 degree movement a few times. Then wiggle it some more in a left to right and back to left motion. This will aide the 5200 find the controller's center a bit better since it really doesn't have any programming to detect the controller's dead center.
     
    If you have it, play a few games of Super Breakout to get use to how the joystick moves the paddle on the screen. Try a combination of slight movements to fast movements while playing the game. Practice this as much as you can because this is the true learning curve of the 5200; to harness the feel of the analog joystick.
     
    Once the feeling and movement of the joystick is harnessed with one game try another. This is usually where the 5200 rules will change on you as each game performs differently. This is another learning curve with the 5200, the ability to learn the controllers on a game-by-game basis. If it sounds like a pain it really isn't. Usually a small amount of time is needed to pick up on how the game controls work the game on the screen. The main thing is to practice how to work the controller first and then learn how to play the game. That...that is where the 5200 is best approached. I know that statement is the same for any game but it applies more so to the 5200 and its games.
     
    What To Do When Finished Playing
     
    You will save yourself a lot of headaches, and prolong the 5200's functionality, if you do the following when done playing the 5200 for the day:
    Turn the machine off Remove the game cartridge from the cartridge slot. You can remove it completely or let the cart rest in the slot. It is not recommended to leave the cartridge completely seated inside the slot. Unhook the controller(s) from the controller port(s). You don't have to wind the cords around the joystick handles and you do not have to use the provided storage space on the console. Considering the age of the controllers, winding the cords around the handle could cause the small wires inside the cable to break, thus causing a controller not to work until the cord is replaced. You can place the controllers inside the storage area of the console and feed the cables in the small holes provided on either side of the console, then close the lid. However you store the controllers try to place them somewhere where dust can't reach them. Unplug the AC Adapter from the wall outlet. It is no longer necessary, nor a requirement, for power plants to give warning of a power surge. If a power plant was to perform a power surge without warning, and your 5200 was still plugged in, the surge could cause the 5200 to fail prematurely. So, if you plan on keeping it plugged in at least put it on a surge protector. Otherwise unplug it from the wall when not in use...even if for a few hours or so.

     

    What NOT To Do With Your 5200
     
    There are a few things not recommended to do with a 5200 console. Some of these are common knowledge while others are things I've ran into and would like to share with you.
    Do not leave a game completely seated in the 5200 while it is powered off and the AC Adapter is still plugged into the wall outlet for too long. Others I've mentioned this to have said they have never experienced this issue. But, just for the record, when I was I think 7 or 8, I had played a game of Space Invaders before having to go to bed. When I woke up the next morning to get ready for school I tried to get in a quick game of Space Invaders again while Mom fixed breakfast only to discover that the game no longer worked. Some have said that the game may have been faulty. And while that may have been true we (meaning Mom and me) had never had any issues with buying a game and it not work. I had left the system on the coffee table, game plugged in the machine, and the AC Adapter still plugged into the wall. Because of the experience I had I don't recommend doing this. I can't be 100% certain if this is what caused my Space Invaders to fail or not but, just to be safe, I am mentioning it here. Do not let the 5200 sit more than a month without using it. This is mainly for the controllers as letting them sit can cause the buttons to stop working completely or make them hard to use, resulting in a cleaning job to be performed. Let it get exercise once a week to at least twice a month if you can. If you can't do that then at least once a month playing it for at least an hour. Do not attempt to clean the cartridge slot while the power adapter is sending power through the system. Even when turned off the cartridge slot is still receiving 5 volts of power. Cleaning the cartridge slot while the power is still being provided will short the system out for good. Remove the source of power and press the power switch to drain any stored power before cleaning the cartridge slot.

    Remember, while it is an Atari console, it is not a 2600 and should not be used as such. It will benefit you more to treat the 5200 as a delicate computer than a game console even if it is a game console. It is a beautiful machine that will last you years of enjoyment as long as you play by its rules. Treat it with respect and it will treat you to some of the best gaming you will ever experience.
     

    A Few Tidbits
     
    Did you know:
    The 5200 is only one of two Atari consoles that is Made in the U.S.A.? This is something not seen very much in the modern world. The 5200 was only released in the USA? You can get extra balls in Super Breakout? It's true! On your 5th ball press the one button to reset the ball counter back to 1.

  3. Atari 5200 Guy
    Ahh. Missile Command. A game that reminds me of the ABC Network movie called The Day After. If you've never seen the movie I will share it on the forums here at Atari.IO. Watch it and you will see why I feel the two are almost connected. 
    Missile Command is an arcade-style game where the player is protecting six cities from wave after wave of attacks. First a few missiles, then a few more missiles. These are soon joined with bi-planes, satellites, and more to increase the challenge as if there already wasn't enough. It's enough to make one pull their hair out.
     



    Popping the cartridge in the 2600 I am greeted with a game screen where I can change skill levels and settings. I go with default settings. First wave of missiles I fend off easily. The next round introduces a few more missiles than before. By the third round I'm fending off bi-planes as well, by the fifth round there are these little, annoying, small triangles coming down that manage to avoid my shots. But I manage to save all six cities. I lose my first city by round eight. As the game progresses the speed at which things are coming out of the sky is overwhelming and by the tenth round it's game over.  



    Being played on the 2600 Missile Command is a very well made port. But it is also a game where the player will lose, it's only a matter of how skilled a player is and how much time they are willing to spend playing it. The visuals of the game are not too different from the arcade. I didn't notice any flickering and the sounds are OK. Despite being a track-ball game the controls are very well done for the joystick controller.  
    Missile Command appears to be about an era when worries of nuclear attacks were an everyday fear. I'm not so sure if those fears still exist or even if the underground facilities for such an event are still around either. Missile Command might have more to do with history, not video game history but actual history, in the fact that it portrays what would happen in an all-out missile attack anywhere in the world. Even with the most sophisticated technology to help protect against such an attack, cities would be wiped off the map, lives would be lost, civilizations destroyed. But, it is only a game and well made one at that. And the 2600 does a very decent job of bringing home the arcade that was once a hit.
     
    Missile Command is one of those games you either like it or you don't. It is a very common 2600 title so it shouldn't be too difficult to find. No Atari 2600 would be the same without Missile Command in a game library. I'm just not too sure how often I would play it.
  4. Atari 5200 Guy
    When Moon Patrol hit the local arcade it quickly became one of my favorites. By the time my 11th birthday came I had pretty much faced the reality that games for my 5200 were no longer going to arrive. This would have been in the spring of 1985 and after 1983 showed up the 5200 games seem to have stopped. For two years I kept hoping that I would see a new game for my 5200 show up somewhere. Nope. The only thing I really seen was the sudden rate at which prices were being dropped on anything for my 5200 and some 2600 titles as well. So I was surprised when I unwrapped a brand new 5200 game called Moon Patrol. Where Mom found it I had no clue and I still have no clue but it was the only gift I got that day and that was enough for me. 
    It took everything in me to wait until after my birthday to play Moon Patrol on the 5200. And that time is when I believe I started to pick up the habit (a bad one) how to block out anything else around me to concentrate on a game. And what seemed like a few minutes was actually a couple of hours. The friends I had sitting next to me were no longer there...and, yes, I shared the game with them. I remember taking turns for a while and then it seemed like the asking to play stopped all of a sudden. Other than that my eyes were stuck on the purple moon buggy on the screen, watching for holes and rocks, while firing at enemies.
     



    Just before writing this review up I took some time to play this game again on the 5200 to refresh my memory and to get my mind set on what to write about. The memories of getting this game as a gift came back. The timed reflexes also returned to aide my quest. I managed to make it to "Y" before a second rock caught me off guard after I jumped over a rock while trying to shoot at enemies above me. After that my whole thought process seemed to not want to work any more. I guess you could say I lost my mojo. 



    Moon Patrol is a side-scrolling arcade-style game that is a bit of Space Invaders and a bit of something else. The side-scrolling action is automatic but the player can adjust the speed at which the moon buggy is traveling with the joystick. It's not just the enemies flying down out of the sky that the player has to worry about either; there's rocks (which you can shoot or jump over), holes, mines, robot tanks, and if you manage to make it to the Advanced stage, there is a hovercraft that will attack you from behind. Basically anything possible to destroy you was put in the game...and it actually works well. 
    The player travels from A to Z in five rounds; A to E, F to J, K to O, P to T, and U to Z. As the player progresses the more challenges the player faces. The nice thing about Moon Patrol is that the rounds are pattern-based, meaning that no matter how many games you play the way the rounds are setup will remain the same. Where ever a hole or rock was before it will be in that exact same spot the next time through.
     



    One of the things that I really love about Moon Patrol on the 5200 is the artwork. While it is the same used on the 2600 with the exception of the red sky the 5200 Moon Patrol has the blue sky background to match the system's dedicated color. It's one of my favorite box arts on the 5200...it makes you want to play the game instead of trying to figure out what the artwork is doing. 
    The 5200 version of Moon Patrol does not include a keypad overlay so if you get a complete, or new, copy of this game don't think they are missing. There simply wasn't any made for this game. I will say this; Moon Patrol on the 5200 may require you to use your best working controller. Immediate responses from working controls can make the difference in the overall experience of this game.
     
    Moon Patrol is one of many arcade titles that made it to the 5200 ... and it is a well make port. The graphics, sounds, and controls are good even with the analog controls. It will not disappoint. I couldn't see my 5200 collection being without Moon Patrol and you shouldn't either.
  5. Atari 5200 Guy
    Well...here it is; my 5200 game rating list. This list will grow as I obtain and review 5200 games. Just like the 2600 list I have going this list will show how I rank the 5200 games I come across.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    5200 Game Ratings
    Moon Patrol Ms. Pac-Man

     

    October 17, 2016: Ms. Pac-Man on the 5200 is a solid title but does suffer from a few aspects that differ from the arcade smash hit. One of the ghosts is not colored correctly and the sounds seem to fall a bit short for my tastes. Controls are actually good and very responsive. However, as much as I love Ms. Pac-Man I would play Moon Patrol more often so the Queen is currently defending 2nd place.
     
    September 30, 2016: Moon Patrol is a great arcade port the 5200 received. The multi-scrolling background, the enemies, and the moon buggy's animation across the bumpy terrain are very well detailed and close to the arcade. Sounds are good and close to the arcade but at times will seem flat in comparison. Since this is the first game I reviewed on the 5200 it is the only one on the list at the moment. There will be more games reviewed soon. This game will give your 5200 controller a decent workout.
  6. Atari 5200 Guy
    During the first year of the 5200's production run, the system received many ports of popular arcade hits. Every dot-munchin' gamer loved Pac-Man, a game the 5200 received shortly after initial release. To Atari ... it only made sense to bring the Queen of Video Games, Ms. Pac-Man, for SuperSystem owners to enjoy in the comfort of their homes. 




    Ms. Pac-Man on the 5200 contains everything the arcade hit has including very accurate multiple mazes, intermissions, music and sounds. Pressing the start button gives the player the first maze along with the opening music Ms. Pac-Man is known for. Going around the maze, munching dots, the ghosts don't take long to come chasing after me ... forcing me to use a power dot. It's not long before I finish up the first maze with one life down because I made a turn the wrong way when I was expecting a ghost to move another way.  

    Down with the second maze and I'm down two more lives. Pinky managed to head me off when Blinky was hot on my tail. Not once but twice. Time for a break to watch the first intermission! OK...new maze now. The speed of the game seems to have picked up by now. I barely manage to eat all of the dots on this round and am on my last life by the time I reach the pretzel round. I don't last long because I take a turn into the bottom left tunnel without noticing that Inky had already entered the same tunnel on the right side. Game Over.
     



    At first the game seems a bit sluggish, almost like it is stuck in slow-motion. The animation and game play is not as smooth as it was in Pac-Man but the controls are a bit more responsive. As the player advances a few more mazes the game play speeds picks up a bit. The graphics are really good but I think the eyes on the ghosts could have been done better. And I know that the 5200 is very well capable of producing a purple color so why do we have a brown Sue??? That is the only real complaint I have with this Ms. Pac-Man is the one ghost that is not colored like the arcade. Then again the fourth ghost in Pac-Man was not the right color either. 

     
    As for sounds...eh...they are not too bad but I feel some more effort could have been made to make them more arcade-like. Especially after playing a prototype version of Super Pac-Man on the 5200 that showed just how close the 5200 can sound to the arcades. So for Ms. Pac-Man I did expect sounds to be a bit better than they were.
     
    Controls are actually not too bad nor difficult...providing a good working standard controller is used. My copy is used so I am not sure if Ms. Pac-Man on the 5200 came with overlays or not. Pretty much standard with 5200 games, * usually changes skill levels and # changes number of players....or is it the other way around? Oh well...just mash 'em 'til ya find 'em. They are the only keys used on the keypad anyway.
     
    All kidding aside, Ms. Pac-Man on the 5200 looks and plays well but it also feels like it might have been a bit rushed as there are some things that could have used a bit more polishing. And, while the sounds are not too bad, Atari should have spent a little more time perfecting them. The only pet-peeve I have with this game is the one ghost that is not colored like the arcade. If you are going to try to port an arcade game to a home console at least get the colors right. Other than that Ms. Pac-Man on the 5200 is a solid and fun title so 5200 owners owe it to themselves to enjoy a game with the Queen of Video Games.
  7. Atari 5200 Guy
    Jungle Hunt was one of many games Atari would bring to their consoles, meaning the 2600 and 5200, that I would not have the joy of experiencing. I'm not sure why this game never made it in my library of games in the past unless we simply could not find it. But it is here now and I have been trying to enjoy the game.  
    Jungle Hunt is a side-scrolling, run-and-jump style game. You play as a guy trying to rescue a woman who has been captured by savages. Sound a bit familiar? The game offers four stages of game play and two difficulty settings. Difficulty switches are not used in this game. So, in pops the cart and on goes my 2600. I grab the controller and press the fire button.
     




    At the start of the game I'm swinging on a vine and have to jump from vine to vine to reach the next level. Timing of jumps is vital as a mistimed jump can lead to death from a nasty fall. One jump after another what seems like a few seconds and I'm on the next lever before I know it. 

    That was a breeze. My guy is swimming in what I believe is a really huge river. In this river are alligators or crocodiles, not sure which, and I don't think it would matter should one have me for lunch. On the right side of the screen just above the "water" is a diving meter. If you dive below the surface of the water the guy can only hold his breath for so long...and that meter is a timer for how long he can hold his breath. Stay underwater too long and you lose a life. I lose two lives in this round; one from an alligator and another one for not paying attention to my breath meter. Opps.
     

    The next round our guy has to avoid boulders either by jumping over or ducking under them. There are two size of boulders. The smaller boulders are not difficult and only require timed jumps. The larger boulders, however, are a bit more difficult and I soon learn it is easier to duck under them than to try to jump over them. Before I know it
     

    ...I'm suddenly standing next to a jumping savage. It takes me a few times to figure out this area and I lose all my lives and have to start over. By the time I make it back here I have managed to keep all of my lives from the start. I study the movement of the savage. Jumps to the right and then jumps back left and seems to pause for a second before jumping again. That's it! I manage to get next to him on his jump right and as he jumps left I move close to him. As soon as he lands I jump over him. Ah HA! Success!! Another savage, same move as before, and jump!
     

    And I have managed to save our jungle lady in distress ... for the first time. After my bonus points have been added up we are back at the beginning of the game, ready to do it all over again. This time things are a bit tougher than before. I only manage to make it to the swimming round because the alligators are faster than before and I can't hold my breath as long as I could before. So...game over at the swimming round.
     



    Jungle Hunt is a good game. The graphics are not that bad for being a 2600 game. It's easy to visually tell what everything is suppose to represent. There are not many sounds in this game other than when jumping, the bonus points being counted up, drowning or being eaten by alligators, and short tune between levels and at the beginning of the game. Other than that the game is pretty much quiet. The controls are tight and respond very well. It might take a while, however, to time jumps in later levels but as soon as a direction or button is pushed the game responds immediately. 
    Jungle Hunt is fun and looks good. I especially enjoy the label artwork that I would have expected to see on the side of the arcade cab. Jungle Hunt is sure to provide with a few minutes to an hour of entertainment. It should also be enjoyable sitting next to more games in a 2600 library.
  8. Atari 5200 Guy
    (Hums theme to Xevious). Xevious. A shoot 'em up game developed by Namco. I still have no clue as to what exactly the player is suppose to do other than destroy everything. As well it is unclear whether the game actually has a purpose or if the player is locked in an endurance mode lasting as long as they can. I never figured it out. But I believe I read somewhere that Xevious has 8 rounds. 
    Xevious is a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up game. The player gets no power ups and is equipped with a twin shooter and ground bombs. Difficulty switches on the front of the 7800 console can help the player select whether one fire button fires both simultaneously or if one button fires the twin shooter and another button fires the bombs. It has to be selected before starting the game though as you can't switch in the middle of a game.
     
    With my best 7800 controller connected, I put Xevious in my 7800 and power it on. On my screen is the Atari logo (which is striking similar to the one used on the 1200 XL home computer). After a few seconds the Xevious title screen appears. I use the joystick to select a beginner skill level and press the fire button to start the game.
     




    I do pretty well starting out having taken down a few flying enemies and bombing a few "tanks" and other ground enemies firing at me. Before too long I am zoned in to the action on my screen. Before long I come across these barriers that are flipping in mid air. These can not be shot down. Every shot I make that hits one is met with sudden death. 
    As the game play continues it is not long until I am up against a rather large enemy. Surrounding this enemy are large black dots that turn into shots aimed at me. I have no clue as to what I'm suppose to do. After a minute the thing flies off the top of the screen and my mission continues on.
     
    After a while I am up against more flying enemies and tanks that can run on top of water. I never knew they made such things. And before long I make a wrong move and lose a life. I finally find my trouble spot and lose life after life and before I know it I run out of extra lives. Game over.
     



    Xevious, while it is a fun game, can make the player feel like they have no purpose to keep playing. Yet, at the same time, it can be difficult to put down. If any game shows what the 7800 is capable of I would have to say that Xevious is one of them. The graphics look really good, the characters are well done, and even the sounds are spot on. Controls work well but, as an issue with the 7800 standard controllers, my hands started cramping before I made it to that huge enemy. This is from the 7800 controllers being so uncomfortable to use for prolonged periods of time and not because of the game. 
    Xevious is a good game that captures everything that makes the arcade exciting. It could also be considered a 7800 exclusive since no other Atari console every received it. Considering the 7800's rather short life span and game library I couldn't see a 7800 gamer without this game in their library of 7800 games. It's worth owning.
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