Despite the fact the Atari 5200 was not a bad console at all, the two key issues that killed this console were 1. innovative, but very low QE controllers, that kept breaking down semi-randomly and were not suitable for some of the games that required digital inputs a/o self-centering & 2. incompatibility with the existing line of home computers from Atari (same HW, but with differences in addressing, as well as physical incompatibility of cartridges). A truly inconcievable step on the part of Atari mgmt.
I think the ideal control setup for 5200 is analog joysticks for analog games, digital joysticks for digital games, and trackball controller whenever possible. Yes, that is quite the financial investment, especially if you get a newer joystick to replace the stock controllers. You just have to be a serious diehard Atarian. But what else would we expect for this hulking beast of a console? If it doesn’t scream EXCESS, then it’s not good enough, I say. As for the infamous non-centering joystick, I strongly suspect this controller was built for Missile Command, Centipede and Super Breakout, much like how Nintendo 64 was built entirely around Mario.
Nice review Tyler! The Atari 5200 was a good second generation home video game console with plenty of potential hampered by numerous flaws. I'll be acquiring one myself in the not too distant future.
I know this is a 4yo video The best and easiest way to bend those tabs on the RF shield is to use one of those wire wrapping tools (the ones that look like a double sided precision screwdriver), it has a slot on one end (sometimes both ends) that's a perfect fit around those tabs which allows you straighten them with ease. Wait, you mean to tell me you took it completely apart for a "restoration" but didn't even bother to actually clean the case fully ?
hands down the worst controllers of all time...step one to having a good controller is having one that actually works..everything else is secondary..the track ball controller is pretty cool though
The Wico Stick is much better than the Atari stick imo. It's reliable and has an option for self centering with the flick of a switch. Works alot better for games like Pacman, as it has true self centering and you don't have to bend the stick far to register. Has calibration switches as well to adjust per game if need be. The non self centering is best for Super Breakout. Again works better than Atari joystick imo. The Atari stick has a rubber base that keeps it placed near the center instead of real self centering. Which leaves it somewhere in between as it does kind of self center and does kind of not self center.. the Wico is either one or the other. Non self centering requires zero force and self centering has a definite pull. So yea highly recommend Wico Command Control. Btw the 2600 Wico sucks imo.. they stepped it up on 5200 and is prolly the best thing they ever made.
Just an update a buddy of ours is coming out with a self centering kit for the Atari 5200 controller that is simple enough for most people to install themselves.
They say theres 88 games that were made for it in total by anyone thats not too bad considering the system was only out for less than 2 years anyway good job on the video i love my 5200's as you know lol
There were 69 commercial games released. Atari Age has assisted in two games to come out that were in the pipeline such as Tempest. Plus Homebrews and many 8 Bit conversions if you buy an Atarimax SD cart.
Today we have Gold Kits and the controllers will last a long time. I and my friends have had many 5200 consoles and they were made very good, we dont have experience with high failure rates.
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Despite the fact the Atari 5200 was not a bad console at all, the two key issues that killed this console were 1. innovative, but very low QE controllers, that kept breaking down semi-randomly and were not suitable for some of the games that required digital inputs a/o self-centering & 2. incompatibility with the existing line of home computers from Atari (same HW, but with differences in addressing, as well as physical incompatibility of cartridges). A truly inconcievable step on the part of Atari mgmt.
I think the ideal control setup for 5200 is analog joysticks for analog games, digital joysticks for digital games, and trackball controller whenever possible. Yes, that is quite the financial investment, especially if you get a newer joystick to replace the stock controllers. You just have to be a serious diehard Atarian. But what else would we expect for this hulking beast of a console? If it doesn’t scream EXCESS, then it’s not good enough, I say.
As for the infamous non-centering joystick, I strongly suspect this controller was built for Missile Command, Centipede and Super Breakout, much like how Nintendo 64 was built entirely around Mario.
Nice review Tyler! The Atari 5200 was a good second generation home video game console with plenty of potential hampered by numerous flaws. I'll be acquiring one myself in the not too distant future.
Will be including a recommendation, and a link to your video on my channel's video introducing Atari 5200 gaming to the channel Friday.
The storage is for conntrolers
I know this is a 4yo video
The best and easiest way to bend those tabs on the RF shield is to use one of those wire wrapping tools (the ones that look like a double sided precision screwdriver), it has a slot on one end (sometimes both ends) that's a perfect fit around those tabs which allows you straighten them with ease.
Wait, you mean to tell me you took it completely apart for a "restoration" but didn't even bother to actually clean the case fully ?
hands down the worst controllers of all time...step one to having a good controller is having one that actually works..everything else is secondary..the track ball controller is pretty cool though
The Wico Stick is much better than the Atari stick imo.
It's reliable and has an option for self centering with the flick of a switch.
Works alot better for games like Pacman, as it has true self centering and you don't have to bend the stick far to register. Has calibration switches as well to adjust per game if need be.
The non self centering is best for Super Breakout. Again works better than Atari joystick imo. The Atari stick has a rubber base that keeps it placed near the center instead of real self centering. Which leaves it somewhere in between as it does kind of self center and does kind of not self center.. the Wico is either one or the other. Non self centering requires zero force and self centering has a definite pull.
So yea highly recommend Wico Command Control.
Btw the 2600 Wico sucks imo.. they stepped it up on 5200 and is prolly the best thing they ever made.
The Atari 5200 super system.. 0.50% better than the 2600.
This is the most interesting console of all time IMO.
Star raiders is phenomenal on the 5200
..as well as on Atari 8-bit computers ;-) (indeed, it is still one of my all time favourite games)
Just an update a buddy of ours is coming out with a self centering kit for the Atari 5200 controller that is simple enough for most people to install themselves.
Denim denim denim...lol. Well one other thing 5200 is worth buying for is the 2600 adapter..if one doesn't own a 2600..
They say theres 88 games that were made for it in total by anyone thats not too bad considering the system was only out for less than 2 years anyway good job on the video i love my 5200's as you know lol
There were 69 commercial games released. Atari Age has assisted in two games to come out that were in the pipeline such as Tempest. Plus Homebrews and many 8 Bit conversions if you buy an Atarimax SD cart.
Today we have Gold Kits and the controllers will last a long time. I and my friends have had many 5200 consoles and they were made very good, we dont have experience with high failure rates.
Was Atari 5200 released Before ColecoVision? No.