which atari is the best?

i plan on getting one.. but i want to know which one is the best built.. the atari is OLD and i want it to last me a long time:P.. which one is the best built?.

atari 2600, 7800, flashback with mod

well, the Atari 7800 is backwards compatible with the 2600, so you can play 2600 games on it, as well as having some good games of its own.

its also probably more likely to work.

The Atari 7800 is equivalent to an NES graphically (well, maybe just below NES), and it also plays the Atari 2600 in addition to the 7800 games. Atari claims it makes 2600 games look better, I have never seen it in action personally, so I don't know how true that statement is. The only drawback is that the 7800 is rarer and more expensive than the 2600. It's not gonna set you back $200 like Neo-Geo, though. I've seen em go on EBay and Amazon for around $70-$100 a piece. While the Atari 2600 goes for about $30-$60.Emerald_Warrior

I've read that while the initial version of the 7800 has perfect backwards compatibility, later models have issues with some games. Oh, and the controller that the 7800 shipped with in the US in an abomination.

Atari technically had one other home console, released in between the 7800 and Jaguar: Atari XEGS. This system was based on their 8-bit computer line (similar to the Atari 5200) and could even play all the same games (unlike the 5200).

jaguar dont know what other have

As an owner of the 2600, 5200, and 7800 I'll share my expirience.

2600

Cheapest to own and collect for that I have. The game library is huge and you can get most of the good games for cheap. It's also a pretty big library as most people know. Also has lots and lots of accesories

5200

While this system gets a bad rap on the interwebs I stand behind it. It is really good and I haven't really had a problem with it. The games are all pretty good but it is a small library. I definatley like the near perfect arcade ports availible for it. The controllers... they are actually good and they don't break all the time. I have rebuilt ones and their still going strong after a year. Also the trackball controller is pretty good. If you want one I would suggest you get the 4-port version as the 2-port version(and some 4-ports with an * in the serial number) while being able to use the 2600 adapter, can't play some 5200 games. Though I will say that Activision cheaped out on 5200 ports because they basically have the same sprites as the 2600 versions.

7800

The controllers are good in my mind, but some people complain about them as their like the 5200 controllers. If you don't like them then you can use any controller using a 9-pin input(IE Genesis, Colecovision, ect) The game library is kind of hit and miss, alot of the games are good but their are a few that definatley suck(like super huey) Anyway about the 2600 compatiability, some games still won't work because the cartridge slot is really, really narrow. I haven't tried it but I doubt you could firt 3rd party games like those double enders in it.

As for which one is the best, it's really just a matter of personal opinions on what games you like and what you like in a system.

the atari LYNX. It's the best by FAR! (the only portable atari too)

i plan on getting one.. but i want to know which one is the best built.. the atari is OLD and i want it to last me a long time:P.. which one is the best built?.

kingdavid562

7800

The controllers are good in my mind, but some people complain about them as their like the 5200 controllers. If you don't like them then you can use any controller using a 9-pin input(IE Genesis, Colecovision, ect) The game library is kind of hit and miss, alot of the games are good but their are a few that definatley suck(like super huey) Anyway about the 2600 compatiability, some games still won't work because the cartridge slot is really, really narrow. I haven't tried it but I doubt you could firt 3rd party games like those double enders in it.

As for which one is the best, it's really just a matter of personal opinions on what games you like and what you like in a system.

Videogamefan123

As I understand the standard [unmodified] Genesis controller will only emulate the joystick and one of the 7800's buttons. It has to be rewired for the other button.

Of course there is always the European 7800 controllers:

The original 2600 is probably what your thinking of when you say Atari. The Lynx had some great games (think gameboy but in color) and the Jaguar is one of those really unique systems. It only had about 60 games released total but there are some real gems in there along with some crap too. You can get a Jaguar for about 50 bucks with one or two of the more common games. Problem is, many of the very best games were released after Atari died, and were independent releases. One game in paticular Battlesphere Gold sells for 300-500 dollars a copy. This is the limit but several of the best games are still 60 dollars or more even when you can find them. For the games you can get cheaply though the Jag is still worth it and I would get one if I were you. Most 2600 games can be found in retro game compiliations, but just about zero Jaguar games were ported, and the only way to play them is on real hardware.

[QUOTE="Emerald_Warrior"]The Atari 7800 is equivalent to an NES graphically (well, maybe just below NES), and it also plays the Atari 2600 in addition to the 7800 games. Atari claims it makes 2600 games look better, I have never seen it in action personally, so I don't know how true that statement is. The only drawback is that the 7800 is rarer and more expensive than the 2600. It's not gonna set you back $200 like Neo-Geo, though. I've seen em go on EBay and Amazon for around $70-$100 a piece. While the Atari 2600 goes for about $30-$60.ThePlothole

I've read that while the initial version of the 7800 has perfect backwards compatibility, later models have issues with some games. Oh, and the controller that the 7800 shipped with in the US in an abomination.

Atari technically had one other home console, released in between the 7800 and Jaguar: Atari XEGS. This system was based on their 8-bit computer line (similar to the Atari 5200) and could even play all the same games (unlike the 5200).

I have an XE. Best version of Lode Runner I've ever played is on that craptastic system! Oh, and Star Raiders is nice with a full keyboard too.