Surprised at all the hate honestly, I guess it has something to do with low footprint in the UK? The 5200 is my favorite classic system. The Jaguar is first overall, but for 8-bits, I love the 5200 more than the rest. To me, it was like having the arcade games in your home. Remember that even though it is technically an 8-bit computer consolized, 1983 didn't see widespread adoption of home computers in the states, at least they weren't marketed to gamers. So in that sense, I think the 5200 was it's own beast, as it was marketed to a completely different segment of the population. Computer nerds and gamer nerds weren't necessarily in the same category. To me, just about every single game is superior to it's 2600 counterpart, and the audio was out of this world. There's no denying that the controllers were a problem, and they were a problem from the start. There were options of course, with the Wico Command Controller, which was readily available and analog. But, the proper replacement controller to get if you can, is the microswitch, digitial Competition Pro joystick pictured here:This fixes most of the control issues of the games, making for a much more sound arcade experience on the Supersystem. Let's not forget the arcade-quality Trak-Ball that was produced, for use with Missile Command and Centipede, creating a true arcade experience that was unmatched in it's era. The original 5200 controllers do come in handy for use with a few games however, by using the joystick coupler that was included with Space Dungeon and Robotron, and it's not bad with the excellent Star Raiders.I was always fascinated by the 5200, it was a taste of extravagance in home gaming to me, a poor boy. Originally I could only play it at my cousin's house, who was more well off than my family. Eventually I was able to get my own later in life, and I now have a pretty decent 5200 collection, but it could be much better. Not nearly as good as my Jag and Lynx collections. Anyway, great console, the Supersystem!
Regarding the RF/AC cable combo device: That device was only issued with the first run of 4-port systems to my knowledge. Atari revised the console to a 2-port design, I think only a year later, as there were no games that utilized 4 joystick ports anyway. With the 2-port, which is what I have, there are separate power and RF cables, a standard setup. There is a BIOS revision somewhere in there also that caused some compatibility issues with 3 games. My 2-port however, plays all the games, and has separate power and RF cables, so it is my opinion that the 2-port system is the way to go on the 5200.
Surprised at all the hate honestly, I guess it has something to do with low footprint in the UK?
Your wasting you time preaching of the superior audio my friend, as a C64 owner myself, only to witness the claims made by Spectrum owners about their sound chip (woo the 128 had a buzzer as well) sniff....:-)
Some of the controller issues can be overcome by replacing some of the contacts. I had my controllers replaced (I exchanged them) with the gold contact versions from Best Electronics. It definitely makes a difference in the performance of the controllers (though you still have to deal with the non-centering issue). Sloan, have you tried the homebrew version of 5200 Pac-Man? It really takes up several notches from the Atari version. If you like the Atari version, you'll really like the homebrew version, Pac-Man Arcade.
IMO, Atari 5200 is where Atari really got the 80's arcade gaming scene right. I don't care how many internet parrots are out there calling the controllers, 'crummy' and such. There are alternatives, and rebuilding the originals takes little work (and is well worth it). I agree with the poster who said that 5200 is their favorite console. There are simply arcade games done on good old 5200 that, at least to me, are non pareil. Yes, most of the 5200 games available on other systems, but there is a certain early 80's nuance that comes with 5200 that you can get nowhere else. To me, 5200 Pac Man is the best version I have ever played.
Quote from: "TrekMD"I'm not familiar with that joystick. I'll need to see if I can get my hands on one of them! Looks sturdier than the Wico stick. I have to wonder if the decision by Atari to not sell the 5200 outside the US was because they saw the system as a short-term solution until they had something better ready, because there was a technical reason, or simply because someone just made a poor decision. It would have helped sales had it been released out of the US.Maybe Atari 'knew' the entire UK population alone was waiting for Nintendo to roll in and either save us from the 8/16 Bit micro's we were very much enjoying or give those who'd yet to play on said micro's or wide range of 8 Bit consoles or LCD games or arcade games, their very 1st taste of gaming, with the Nes....Or have i been reading too many UK publications of late?.
I'm not familiar with that joystick. I'll need to see if I can get my hands on one of them! Looks sturdier than the Wico stick. I have to wonder if the decision by Atari to not sell the 5200 outside the US was because they saw the system as a short-term solution until they had something better ready, because there was a technical reason, or simply because someone just made a poor decision. It would have helped sales had it been released out of the US.