Atari 5200 Guy

Enduro
Atari 2600
Difficulty: Default
High Score: 12,750
April 20, 2016

What they most likely are, are charactor generators. Atari sold quite a few, and there were companies that used charactor generating cart sand disks. They were, and in some cases, still are used in airports, apartments, hotels, convention centers, etc. If you see a monitor or t.v. when you come in the front door, that scrools anouncments, that is what they are for.
 
I still get inquires from users, on getting them fixed, or the software fixed. but those systems are no longer supported by software companies that i know of. A prominent one was in Canada.
 
Lance
www.atarisales.com
 

I stumbled across these and found it to be intriguing! I wonder what exactly they used them for and how the phone jack connections work and with what. If I didn't have a million other things going on I would probably pick these up but hard telling how much they'll end up for. Typically I would say the XF551 drives alone would be worth it but seeing as how it was definitely constantly used, I wouldn't put much money on them being functional or at least much longer, if so.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Atari-Broadcast-system-130XE-customized-XF551-with-disks-/121951625046?hash=item1c64e21f56:g:ScsAAOSw8RJXCm3L

I got a digital controller recently, and it made a HUGE difference in the playability of many 5200 games.  Mine is the "Coin Controls Competition Pro".  It has a Y cable built in.  You plug that into the 5200, then a standard 5200 controller into the Y portion (you use the Start/Pause/Reset and keypad on the standard controller). 
 
Played River Raid and Berzerk and was amazed at the difference. 
 
The joystick itself is great, but the button placement is pretty bad. 
 
 

I'm so envious of you all for having the skills to pull of these cool mods. Thanks for sharing!

Have world of tanks on XBOX 360 and it's fun.  I get blown up a lot but still fun.

I haven't tried it.  Then again my 5200 has a decent picture so I don't mess with it.  I get more interference with the 8-bits, 2600, and 7800 consoles than my 5200.  With the NES I use the A/V outs for it.
 
One of the things I thought about doing is trying to restore my 800XL back to its white color.  It's sort of yellow now and I found a video about someone using just peroxide and OXY clean to whiten it.  They placed it in the sun for a few hours and it seemed to restore their system (a Famicom) back to its white color pretty well.  I'm just waiting on a warmer weather to hit.
 

Have world of tanks on XBOX 360 and it's fun.  I get blown up a lot but still fun.

http://worldoftanks.com/

This game is by no means new, and it does have micro-transactions.   That being said, you can enjoy a pretty balanced system for something that's free 2 play.   There ARE premium tanks, but they aren't the best tanks in the game.  They are just, well...easy to get and pretty good. 

Anyway, I love World War II games.  I like them from the grand strategy board game or PC game, down to the first person shooter or RPG.   If you've ever wanted to jump in countless different WWII vehicles (many of them prototypes) and beat up other people who love doing the same...this game is a blast.

It is PvP, but it is 15v15 pvp, so you do have a team and sometimes they even work together!  

I suck at it, but would be honored to be in a platoon (a group that does battles together) with anyone from Atari.IO anytime!

I know it's not the Lynx but I use to play the heck out of California Games on the 2600 just to see how fast and how far I could make the bike fly in the BMX portion of the game.  I laughed so hard I made my stomach hurt doing that.  

I remember my first encounter with a Lynx II pick up.  I got it new in box from Game X Change headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas.  I traded some stuff in and was not sure what to do with the store credit.  I found the Lynx in box with a few games included inside a glass case.  I went back later to use the rest of my credits for a power supply, large case, and few more titles.  I think I took in my Saturn at the time.  
 
I thought the Lynx was a wonderful system.  Small, sleek, color, and backlit.  It also had games I was familiar with like A.P.B., Gauntlet, Joust, California Games, topped the list.  Before I could go back and pick up more titles the store sold them all off at a discount to get rid of them.  I ended up parting with my Lynx and games later for one reason or another.  I hope to pick one up again sometime as it is a really good handheld.  I'll have to keep lots of rechargeable batteries on hand

I haven't tried it.  Then again my 5200 has a decent picture so I don't mess with it.  I get more interference with the 8-bits, 2600, and 7800 consoles than my 5200.  With the NES I use the A/V outs for it.
 
One of the things I thought about doing is trying to restore my 800XL back to its white color.  It's sort of yellow now and I found a video about someone using just peroxide and OXY clean to whiten it.  They placed it in the sun for a few hours and it seemed to restore their system (a Famicom) back to its white color pretty well.  I'm just waiting on a warmer weather to hit.
 

I have small hands and I never found the Jaguar controller much of an issue.  On the contrary I found them rather comfortable.  Took a bit to get use to but after about an hour I considered myself an expert
 
I also disagree with the statement made that the Jaguar was not a step forward.  The hardware itself was a step forward.  No other console at the time Jaguar hit the market was capable of doing 3D polygon graphics natively.  Remember that the Jaguar was set compete against the Genesis and Super NES.  Those systems, even at their best, couldn't do that without struggling a little.  It was an odd system I will admit when I first approached it but it grew on me quickly and I had to have it.  It was an investment I am proud to have made and a lot of great gaming memories are with that system.  Truthfully, I don't think we've seen Jag's full capabilities yet.  There's a lot that can still be done with it.

I have small hands and I never found the Jaguar controller much of an issue.  On the contrary I found them rather comfortable.  Took a bit to get use to but after about an hour I considered myself an expert
 
I also disagree with the statement made that the Jaguar was not a step forward.  The hardware itself was a step forward.  No other console at the time Jaguar hit the market was capable of doing 3D polygon graphics natively.  Remember that the Jaguar was set compete against the Genesis and Super NES.  Those systems, even at their best, couldn't do that without struggling a little.  It was an odd system I will admit when I first approached it but it grew on me quickly and I had to have it.  It was an investment I am proud to have made and a lot of great gaming memories are with that system.  Truthfully, I don't think we've seen Jag's full capabilities yet.  There's a lot that can still be done with it.

I haven't tried it.  Then again my 5200 has a decent picture so I don't mess with it.  I get more interference with the 8-bits, 2600, and 7800 consoles than my 5200.  With the NES I use the A/V outs for it.
 
One of the things I thought about doing is trying to restore my 800XL back to its white color.  It's sort of yellow now and I found a video about someone using just peroxide and OXY clean to whiten it.  They placed it in the sun for a few hours and it seemed to restore their system (a Famicom) back to its white color pretty well.  I'm just waiting on a warmer weather to hit.
 

Atari 5200 Console Overview (1982)

As my brother in law says about the Dallas Cowboys...there's going to be haters.  And it looks like the 5200 is in that same boat.  For what it is, though, I will still defend this console in every way...controller issues and all.  It's not as bad as some say it is.  I've been playing one since 1982 so that ought to account for something.  Yes, the controllers can break easily.  What game system doesn't have controller issues, though?  Granted not on the same scale as the 5200 but they still have issues.  The system has aged so there are going to be issues and if you are late to the game then be prepared to go through issues others have already faced before.
 
You also can't expect to treat the 5200 like a 2600.  It's not going to work and will cause more frustration than anything.  Each game has to be learned individually.  I'm not talking about how to play the game by its rules, but by the 5200's rules.  Those analog controls if not given the time to learn them throws an unexpected curve ball.  And, as I have said numerous times before, the 5200 has to be used regularly or it will fail again.  It was not a system meant to be sitting on a shelf month after month, year after year, without using it.  
 
Learn the system first, then learn the controllers, and then learn the games and you will find that the 5200 is actually a rather enjoyable system.  If you have non-working controllers get them rebuilt.  Trust me on that...it makes a difference.

As my brother in law says about the Dallas Cowboys...there's going to be haters.  And it looks like the 5200 is in that same boat.  For what it is, though, I will still defend this console in every way...controller issues and all.  It's not as bad as some say it is.  I've been playing one since 1982 so that ought to account for something.  Yes, the controllers can break easily.  What game system doesn't have controller issues, though?  Granted not on the same scale as the 5200 but they still have issues.  The system has aged so there are going to be issues and if you are late to the game then be prepared to go through issues others have already faced before.
 
You also can't expect to treat the 5200 like a 2600.  It's not going to work and will cause more frustration than anything.  Each game has to be learned individually.  I'm not talking about how to play the game by its rules, but by the 5200's rules.  Those analog controls if not given the time to learn them throws an unexpected curve ball.  And, as I have said numerous times before, the 5200 has to be used regularly or it will fail again.  It was not a system meant to be sitting on a shelf month after month, year after year, without using it.  
 
Learn the system first, then learn the controllers, and then learn the games and you will find that the 5200 is actually a rather enjoyable system.  If you have non-working controllers get them rebuilt.  Trust me on that...it makes a difference.

That is helpful, thanks.  On that page, he lists Deflektor as 64k.  The one I have does work on the 48k 800.  But that probably has no meaning.  I'll ask him.  Thanks again.

Your copy of Deflektor probably came from Video 61.  You might contact him to confirm it.  I know he has other prototype 8-bit programs that he has released on cartridge including Jr. Pac-Man and its label is similar in design to your Deflektor (name on white background above artwork).  
 
http://members.tcq.net/video61/compnew.html
 
Scroll down to the D's and you will see it spelled "Deflector" for $29.95.  So, I would say that your Atari outfit had a program cart that Video 61 released.  I hope that this helps.  

Craigslist find.  An Atari 800 bundle.  Ballblazer CIB!  I'm quite happy about that.  There's also a game that I'd never heard of....Deflektor.  Internet research shows it was some kind of unreleased prototype.  I wonder if it's real or some kind of reproduction?
 
Also an Aquarius bundle. 
 
 

The full list of games I acquired are as follows.
Myst, Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion, Catechumen, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire 2nd Edition, Betrayal in Antara, and Gus Goes to the Kooky Carnival.
 
Unfortunately I cannot get Myst or Betrayal in Angara to run on my PC.

Post and discuss cool retro items you find in the wild.
 
Today I found these laser disks (Pioneer) for $2 each.   I don't have a player, and I hear they are pretty finicky anyways...but I couldn't resist.  Also a couple of Playstation AV cables for $0.50 each. 
 
 

Cybermorph and Iron Soldier are solid Jaguar titles.  I thought that Hover Strike was fun, too.  I spent hours with Power Drive Rally.  I never could find the pinball games.

Solaris
Atari 2600 
Difficulty: None
High Score: 91,460
February 1, 2016