Console Debate #23 Atari 5200

[fox | 1,665]

[Tulpa | 3,491]

The troubled controllers and tiny library really killed this one. Otherwise, it was a pretty good "bring the arcade home" type of console for that era.

[TDIRunner | 2,731]

If you can find a working system and, much more importantly working controllers, this is a fun console.  People like to shit on the joy stick, but it actually feels fine with most games (again assuming that is functions).  I have the model shown at the top of the picture with 4 controller ports and the huge empty space for controller storage.  It makes my original Xbox look tiny in comparison.  I also have the track ball controller which is nearly as big as the console itself.  Many games are a lot of fun and look great for the time period.  It's a shame that Atari handled it so poorly.  I recommend trying it out if you can, but at this point, I'm not sure if it's worth paying the money for it.  

 

 

Edited April 9, 2021 by TDIRunner

[Tulpa | 3,491]

Yeah, the controllers had things in 1982 that we take for granted today, like analog control and a pause function.

[Reed Rothchild | 9,516]

Never gonna happen

[DefaultGen | 5,401]

I had one and played it for like 5 minutes over 10 years ago. All I remember was being blown away that the phone handset joysticks don't center themselves.

[Dr. Morbis | 2,088]

Never released in Canada   But all the games are derivative ports from other libraries, rendering the console moot

[nrslam | 474]

One of my least favorite consoles, and a bit of everything that could be done wrong, was.

It's a rehashed Atari 400 computer (released 3 years earlier) but incompatible with its software and peripherals. Super Breakout was a terrible pack-in (years old and a bad match for the controllers). Controllers have crap reliability and very few 3rd party options, the console takes up too much desk space, even the cartridges are bigger than they need to be. Tiny library with few, if any, exclusives. And to top it all off, it was released just as The Crash was getting started. 2/10.

[Strange | 1,700]

If someone could make a readily available replacement controller this would be a decent console to play, honestly. There are a few options for replacement controllers but they’re either expensive or scarce or both.

I like that they’ve got conversions of Atari’s 8-bit computer games for the 5200 for sale on AtariAge. Would be fun to mess around with but again, those controllers are a hassle.

[asmikace | 68]

I had one and could never enjoy it due to the faulty controllers. It has good games but with the controllers and games ported on other systems I never enjoyed it

[AstralSoul | 502]

As with most if not all pre-NES consoles it's worth about 5 minutes of gameplay and then I'm good. 

[mbd39 | 2,020]

Isn't this just the 8-bit Atari computer but without a keyboard and with horrible controllers? And most games are ports of games that are on other systems. There is little reason except nostalgia to play this today.

 

 

[Tulpa | 3,491]

Just now, mbd39 said:

Isn't this just the 8-bit Atari computer but without a keyboard and with horrible controllers?

Sort of, though it is not directly compatible with the Atari 400 software. The later XEGS was a fully compatible Atari 65XE computer that could play both cartridges and 8-bit software. 

The 5200 library was ports, but they were quite good ports for its time. But yeah, most of the games were rereleased on other systems since.

[JamesRobot | 5,792]

I've never even seen one of these irl.  Not really interested but I'd play it if it was in the room.

[Estil | 1,264]

So that's what that back door thingie is!  I thought it was supposed to be a closet!   And why the numeric keypad, this is a video game controller not a phone!!  

[Tulpa | 3,491]

18 minutes ago, Estil said:

So that's what that back door thingie is!  I thought it was supposed to be a closet!   And why the numeric keypad, this is a video game controller not a phone!!  

I, too, have seen that AVGN episode.

[Estil | 1,264]

1 hour ago, Tulpa said:

I, too, have seen that AVGN episode.

I know I'd rather have a video game system that gives you a good proper controller rather than having to order some third party replacement and getting hit in the head with it when it arrives!  

[ThePhleo | 2,184]

2.

Thing is huge, library is small;m, games are trash, and it’s considered the same generation as its predecessor.

Its the original Wii U.

[Foochie776 | 1,051]

4 minutes ago, ThePhleo said:

2.

Thing is huge, library is small;m, games are trash, and it’s considered the same generation as its predecessor.

Its the original Wii U.

The Wii U is good, I love mine 

[ThePhleo | 2,184]

5 minutes ago, Foochie776 said:

The Wii U is good, I love mine 

Titles are good, but I’d be damned if I wasn’t disappointed in it.

Plus everything good to be had on it has been ported over to the switch.

[Tanooki | 4,932]

Mostly a waste of space and a waste out of the box thanks to Atari decades ago.  Bad/broken controllers by design, piddly rehash library, not that great of a step up against competition.  Dumped pretty hard for their blockier crappier older brother from the 70s and left in limbo due to the late(too late) jump to the 7800 which still wasn't hot against the then aging NES either.  A footnote in the book of console gaming, that most won't even bother referencing the other page to read up on it.  It could be worse though, it could be the WiiU Isee brought up.

[Foochie776 | 1,051]

13 minutes ago, ThePhleo said:

Titles are good, but I’d be damned if I wasn’t disappointed in it.

Plus everything good to be had on it has been ported over to the switch.

It definitely felt like a poor mans switch. I still like the Wii U a lot but I was definitely a much bigger fan prior to me owning a switch. 
 

Now with Mario 3D World being ported you’re pretty on the mark with everything good being ported over. I did thoroughly enjoy the HD remake of Twilight Princess but I’m sure it will be ported eventually.

[Bearcat-Doug | 5,104]

I've never played one, but I'd give it a try.

[Estil | 1,264]

6 hours ago, ThePhleo said:

2.

Thing is huge, library is small;m, games are trash

That would be just perfect for Oscar the Grouch then!   I mean after all some of that so called "trash" is still perfectly good/usable!  I mean why do you think we have dumpster divers?

 

[JeremiahJT | 75]

I love it. Easy 8 for me. Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, Robotron: 2084, and Space Dungeon make it worth owning by themselves.

For those that think the 5200 is in the same generation as the 2600 you do not know what you are talking about. I do not care what Wikipedia or the vast majority of gamers say.