Atari 5200 Guy

Thanks for the comments, guys.  It was hard for me to decide between a few of them for equal play time.  I have Ken Siders' Q*Bert 7800 port and it's a fantastic game!  But I tried to stick with official releases on this list.  I may do a homebrew one later once I get a few in my collection if I decide to get more.  And Ballblazer would have made the list easily taking the number 2 spot for it's fun and original play style but I don't own a copy of that one yet. 
I have Donkey Kong Junior and One on One, neither of which I'm a huge fan of.  While I enjoy the game I just don't get into Donkey Kong arcade games much...but I enjoy Donkey Kong Country on the SNES.  I'll have to give One on One another go sometime.  At present time it is my very least played game along with Hat Trick. 
I have Joust, Dig Dug, PP II and a few others as well but I played PP II so much in the past that it sort of became the 7800's "Combat" in my opinion.  Still a great game though.  Joust?  I prefer the 5200 version over the 7800 version.  Graphics are better on the 7800 but the sounds impress me more on the 5200.  Dig Dug?  The 7800 is spot on but...it's Dig Dug.  Sounds again I prefer on the 5200 version more.  Those games I play more on the 5200 than the 7800.
I'm curious to see who else reads this and chimes in with their favorites that I made have missed.

After my dad passed my mother tried to find another father-figure so to speak.  The first guy wasn't too bad.  He was always helping and the main reason I got into Atari and computers in the first place.  The guy she found after that, however, was a complete opposite.  He almost acted like he wanted nothing to do with me and rarely said anything to me or did anything with me.  If he did it was mostly to "correct" me.  He never laid a hand on me but he distanced himself from me and, at times, I felt like he was trying to separate Mom and me.  The only relief I got was the weekends I would visit either of my grandparents.  
 
I ran into him once at a firework stand not long before Mom passed away in '98.  It was strange when I ran into him because I didn't know how to react.  All the fears I had of him simply because he never gave me the time of day started to creep back.  He acted like I was his best friend in the world and we visited for a almost an hour.  It was strange and I still have never figured it out.  So I can somewhat relate to how you are feeling.
 
I would honestly take the time to visit the guy while you can.  Even if you say you hated him in your early years he was there so that might account to why you feel how you feel now.  There is nothing to be sorry for...allow your family the time to get the closure you are going miss if you don't visit him.  Give him a chance, as well, to go in peace if that is his wish.
 
Sharing something like this on Facebook can generate a lot of mixed feelings and responses.  At least here you know you have friends who will be there as much as they can for you.  You have my sympathy and prayers are being sent to your family in your time of need. 

I have nothing against emulators. It was emulators that reminded me of the games I enjoyed and introduced me to games I missed. Because of those my starts of wanting to collect those games and systems was ignited. My only issue with Jaguar emulators...not a one is 100% accurate. There are one or two decent ones but at the time of this writing this is one where emulation comes close but misses. However, given the number of Jag units left, and knowing these systems can fetch a hefty price, emulation would be easier to obtain.

Only one issue: you mention the Jag's controller being ten-key.  It's actually 12 keys.  4 columns, 3 rows.  Might want to note that

I bought mine new in 1995 and I want to say that it did but my memory is failing me and I could be getting it mixed up with overlays on other Jaguar games.  I want to say it was a black with red used on most games but I could be mistaken.  One sure way to know is to read the instruction manual to the game.  If an overlay was officially included the instruction manual should have a page with a b/w photocopy of the game's overlay that can be cut out and used should the original get lost.  It was common practice on Jaguar games.

@kamakazi - Thanks for the counter viewpoint! As a third party title, did this ever come with an official overlay? I know some people have made their own.

Despite your verdict of the game, Syndicate was my second most played game on the Jaguar only out played by Tempest 2000.  It remains one of my favorites on the Jaguar.  I did it backwards, though...I played the Jaguar version before I could even locate a PC version of this game.  
 
Granted it doesn't push the Jaguar to its limits and the frame rate is not the best it is still a solid game for a cartridge.  Controls do take some getting use to and some of the levels can push your skills to the max but I'd recommend this game to any one that has a Jaguar console.  Just make certain the copy you find has the overlay or you will get frustrated.  
 
For some laughs, set everyone on fire using the flamethrower.

The Jaguar was caught in the middle of a video game era when everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, was hype on doing CD development containing digital videos on game consoles and within games.  Most of those games were not even worth the plastic they were printed on.  The only game I found worthy of the FMV sequences was Sonic CD on the Sega CD.  The animation was not much but opened and closed the story of the game successfully.  It left the true heart of the game for the game play aspects that Sonic was well known for.  That is the reason it was more successful than others.
 
If you were to take a look at other early CD games from the same time frame as the Jaguar you will discover piles of crap games.  Night Trap (while cool actors and actresses were involved the game play blew), Sewer Shark, Road Avenger (OK...this one was sort of cool), and even the Sherlock Holmes series, really went overkill on the CD video stuff and left very little for interactive game play.  Hell...I think the RCA CED players could have done a better game to be honest.  The only other games that even came close to Sonic CD, for me, were the Wing Commander 3 and Wing Commander 4 games on the PlayStation and computers.  I looked forward to the video sequences to move an interesting story line and plot along.  Final Fantasy 7 stepped this up a notch as did FF 8 and 9.  Only when the in-game graphics could be on par with the videos did the videos actually become important to the game play.  But that took years to overcome.  
 
So, sadly, while the Jaguar was a cool console in every aspect, it did not completely avoid the plague of FMV drenched CD based games, and this game was one of them.  I guess the developers had to learn the hard way.

The Jaguar was caught in the middle of a video game era when everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, was hype on doing CD development containing digital videos on game consoles and within games.  Most of those games were not even worth the plastic they were printed on.  The only game I found worthy of the FMV sequences was Sonic CD on the Sega CD.  The animation was not much but opened and closed the story of the game successfully.  It left the true heart of the game for the game play aspects that Sonic was well known for.  That is the reason it was more successful than others.
 
If you were to take a look at other early CD games from the same time frame as the Jaguar you will discover piles of crap games.  Night Trap (while cool actors and actresses were involved the game play blew), Sewer Shark, Road Avenger (OK...this one was sort of cool), and even the Sherlock Holmes series, really went overkill on the CD video stuff and left very little for interactive game play.  Hell...I think the RCA CED players could have done a better game to be honest.  The only other games that even came close to Sonic CD, for me, were the Wing Commander 3 and Wing Commander 4 games on the PlayStation and computers.  I looked forward to the video sequences to move an interesting story line and plot along.  Final Fantasy 7 stepped this up a notch as did FF 8 and 9.  Only when the in-game graphics could be on par with the videos did the videos actually become important to the game play.  But that took years to overcome.  
 
So, sadly, while the Jaguar was a cool console in every aspect, it did not completely avoid the plague of FMV drenched CD based games, and this game was one of them.  I guess the developers had to learn the hard way.

Cybermorph came with my Jaguar along with Iron Soldier.  Cybermorph fought Iron Soldier for game time in my house.  While I loved Iron Soldier's arcade-style action I would put in Cybermorph for a more relaxed interaction.  I think the game was done well although some of the levels could have been better planned as far as finding Pods are concerned.  I eventually beat the game and would gladly do it again.  I like the fact that I don't have a timer going against me...I can explore the game at my own pace.  That is what made me like Cybermorph and I hope to run across its sequel someday.  This is one of my top Jaguar picks.  

I just checked out the video for Pinball World and I think you hit the nail on the head @kamakazi. It seems like the style that 21st century was going for.

I never could find this game for the Jaguar so I have never played it.  However I do have 21st's Pinball World, new in box, never been opened, pinball game for the PC-CD.  And if the tables on the Jaguar version look just as boring as those shown on the back of the Pinball World box then it seems there might have been a theme going on here by 21st.  
 
Let's see...Jaguar...1992-93, right?  I would have been on a 386 playing Epic Megagames' Silverball and Epic Pinball games.  So I would have most likely compared Pinball Fantasies with those games if I had actually had it.

For me it would be Tempest 2000 first followed by Iron Soldier.  After that throw in some Doom and Wolfenstein 3-D and some Baldies.  After that I would probably play some Raiden and I*War...and then I might play some Bubsy.  But I don't think it as bad as some other reviews lay claim to.  I've seen worse and I mean in all video games...not just Jaguar titles.

@kamakazi20012 - I agree with you that there is fun to be had here. Bubsy is definitely better than the very worst Jaguar games like Checkered Flag. For me, its hard to say that its better than the other Jaguar platformers - Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, Zool 2, Soccer Kid and Rayman. I think it falls somewhere in the middle of the Jaguar library in terms of quality and fun factor.

I got the chance to try this game in early 2016.  And while I agree that the game is very relentless it was still a fun game.  It's not my favorite on game on Jaguar but I would play this more than I would Club Drive or Checkered Flag.  I'm sure it just requires a LOT more time and patients to master it.  It is possible that this could have been another one of Atari's "rushed" titles which might account for the flaws in the game.  My final thoughts on it are I would not mind having it in my collection to play but there are others I would rather have beforehand.

I'm honestly excited that you've decided to create a blog. I know it'll be great and I'm excited to see where this goes.
 
Grunge.com posted this awful post on Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales, they don't seem to think too highly of the Jaguar: http://www.grunge.com/14463/failed-attempts-to-make-video-game-mascots-as-iconic-as-mario/s/bubsy/

Looking forward to what you write.  Been a Jaguar fan since it was released.  It is an awesome console with some of the most interesting games ever created.  Not all are the best but each game on the Jaguar were in that transition era in gaming.  Jaguar games were the first to attempt hardware-able 3-D graphics.  I have to admit that while I loved the Jaguar, and this includes other consoles as well, games being made at that time seemed mediocre sometimes.  There were good games but there were also the bad ones.
 
Bubsy on the Jaguar I found very entertaining and difficult.  A must-have for the Jaguar in my opinion so I look forward to read what you have to say about it.

Looking forward to what you write.  Been a Jaguar fan since it was released.  It is an awesome console with some of the most interesting games ever created.  Not all are the best but each game on the Jaguar were in that transition era in gaming.  Jaguar games were the first to attempt hardware-able 3-D graphics.  I have to admit that while I loved the Jaguar, and this includes other consoles as well, games being made at that time seemed mediocre sometimes.  There were good games but there were also the bad ones.
 
Bubsy on the Jaguar I found very entertaining and difficult.  A must-have for the Jaguar in my opinion so I look forward to read what you have to say about it.

Looking forward to what you write.  Been a Jaguar fan since it was released.  It is an awesome console with some of the most interesting games ever created.  Not all are the best but each game on the Jaguar were in that transition era in gaming.  Jaguar games were the first to attempt hardware-able 3-D graphics.  I have to admit that while I loved the Jaguar, and this includes other consoles as well, games being made at that time seemed mediocre sometimes.  There were good games but there were also the bad ones.
 
Bubsy on the Jaguar I found very entertaining and difficult.  A must-have for the Jaguar in my opinion so I look forward to read what you have to say about it.

Looking forward to what you write.  Been a Jaguar fan since it was released.  It is an awesome console with some of the most interesting games ever created.  Not all are the best but each game on the Jaguar were in that transition era in gaming.  Jaguar games were the first to attempt hardware-able 3-D graphics.  I have to admit that while I loved the Jaguar, and this includes other consoles as well, games being made at that time seemed mediocre sometimes.  There were good games but there were also the bad ones.
 
Bubsy on the Jaguar I found very entertaining and difficult.  A must-have for the Jaguar in my opinion so I look forward to read what you have to say about it.

After my dad passed my mother tried to find another father-figure so to speak.  The first guy wasn't too bad.  He was always helping and the main reason I got into Atari and computers in the first place.  The guy she found after that, however, was a complete opposite.  He almost acted like he wanted nothing to do with me and rarely said anything to me or did anything with me.  If he did it was mostly to "correct" me.  He never laid a hand on me but he distanced himself from me and, at times, I felt like he was trying to separate Mom and me.  The only relief I got was the weekends I would visit either of my grandparents.  
 
I ran into him once at a firework stand not long before Mom passed away in '98.  It was strange when I ran into him because I didn't know how to react.  All the fears I had of him simply because he never gave me the time of day started to creep back.  He acted like I was his best friend in the world and we visited for a almost an hour.  It was strange and I still have never figured it out.  So I can somewhat relate to how you are feeling.
 
I would honestly take the time to visit the guy while you can.  Even if you say you hated him in your early years he was there so that might account to why you feel how you feel now.  There is nothing to be sorry for...allow your family the time to get the closure you are going miss if you don't visit him.  Give him a chance, as well, to go in peace if that is his wish.
 
Sharing something like this on Facebook can generate a lot of mixed feelings and responses.  At least here you know you have friends who will be there as much as they can for you.  You have my sympathy and prayers are being sent to your family in your time of need. 

This is another great write-up. Mouse Trap, along with Donkey Kong, came as a pack-in title with my Coleco Gemini. As such, it was one of my first video games and I absolutely cherished it. Coleco did a reasonable job bringing the most important elements of the arcade version to the 2600. That said, it just doesn't present the challenge it did today as when I was six.

After my dad passed my mother tried to find another father-figure so to speak.  The first guy wasn't too bad.  He was always helping and the main reason I got into Atari and computers in the first place.  The guy she found after that, however, was a complete opposite.  He almost acted like he wanted nothing to do with me and rarely said anything to me or did anything with me.  If he did it was mostly to "correct" me.  He never laid a hand on me but he distanced himself from me and, at times, I felt like he was trying to separate Mom and me.  The only relief I got was the weekends I would visit either of my grandparents.  
 
I ran into him once at a firework stand not long before Mom passed away in '98.  It was strange when I ran into him because I didn't know how to react.  All the fears I had of him simply because he never gave me the time of day started to creep back.  He acted like I was his best friend in the world and we visited for a almost an hour.  It was strange and I still have never figured it out.  So I can somewhat relate to how you are feeling.
 
I would honestly take the time to visit the guy while you can.  Even if you say you hated him in your early years he was there so that might account to why you feel how you feel now.  There is nothing to be sorry for...allow your family the time to get the closure you are going miss if you don't visit him.  Give him a chance, as well, to go in peace if that is his wish.
 
Sharing something like this on Facebook can generate a lot of mixed feelings and responses.  At least here you know you have friends who will be there as much as they can for you.  You have my sympathy and prayers are being sent to your family in your time of need. 

Do not apologize, man.  Life and feelings are complicated things.  Sounds like you had a difficult childhood.  But your kindness and decency is fully intact. 

It's said that sometimes, it's good to have these type of people in our lives to learn how NOT to be. 

Demon Attack I don't have yet but I have played it before.  It was one of those games that Atari went after because it was too similar to a game they were working on called Phoenix.