10 Essential Atari 7800 Pro System Games for your Atari 2600+

Let's talk about the 7800 mode of the new Atari 2600+

[@jeromesppd1383]

I have been loving the Plus! Playing mostly 7800 games, as they are all New to me!

[@300BaudStudios]

The 7800 had some great early 80's arcade ports!

[@MotownBatman]

New Sub! Dryden, Mich. Dad Passed before Christmas, the wifey being a Nurse he moved in with us, and Made him a killer little apartment in our Den... My Nerd Cave as the kiddos call it. So around Thanksgiving I already found GameStation Pros 50% "ReNewed" on Amazon & Got that so Dad could play with the Wireless Controllers... 100% Do Recommend. This really was a hard decision between the 2, but My first Atari was the 7800, Still have it, I was mad they didn't release this in a 7800 version. I immediately started crossing my fingers in hopes someone would "HomeBrew" a Shell Replacement, but nothing yet lol.

[@300BaudStudios]

I doubt we will see a 7800 version from atari but a 3D printed shell is not a bad idea.

[@KrunchyTheClown78]

I own 2 mint condition, fully functional Atari 7800 consoles, and I love them. I also like the 7800 controllers, and feel they get too much hate. I can play pretty much any type of game with it, including side scrollers, and shmups. I really want Atari to invest in new games for there old consoles.

[@300BaudStudios]

I agree, Atari needs to show the 7800 some love!

[@tornadotj2059]

I have several, most with the plastic covering still on the brushed steel faceplate. If only I could get one converted to HDMI and have it still support the Pokey through the TV speaker/receiver, I'd be set.

[@KrunchyTheClown78]

@@tornadotj2059 yup, one of mine still has the plastic cover on the plate lol

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

I bought an Atari 7800 over a NES back when. Atari failed to keep up with the NES juggernaut sadly. Desert Falcon was one of my first 7800 games & I loved it! Like Zaxxon with minor RPG like weapon upgrades system in an Egyptian theme. The 7800 might have done better if history played out differently. But one thing it definitely had going for it was it's sprite pushing ability!

[@300BaudStudios]

IMHO, the NES hardware is not as good as the 7800 but there were much better games available for the NES; its all about the software! Electronic Games Magazine warned Atari about this way back in thier September 1984 review of the system. I think this would have turned out differently if the 7800 had not been shelved for 2 years.

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

@@300BaudStudios mostly agree but the 7800 onboard sound chip was certainly inferior to the NES's. But yes games can make or break a system & Atari was pushing last Gen games in a time of innovation for sure! Sadly....

[@user-rt9zq8rs9k]

I loved the ATARI Jaguar controller . I've read the port of the Jaguar controller is compatible with the older 8 bit ports .

[@300BaudStudios]

The Jaguar controller uses a 15-pin male D-sub connector where as the VCS and 8-bit computers are 9 pin: arcarc.xmission.com/Web%20Archives/Deathskull%20(May-2006)/games/tech/jagcont.html

[@user-rt9zq8rs9k]

@@300BaudStudios Best Electronics has an adapter for using the Jaguar controller with older Atari systems

[@300BaudStudios]

@@user-rt9zq8rs9k Very cool!

[@TFLobo1]

F-14 Tomcat was a 2 button game. Also needed use of the difficulty switches on the console itself.

[@300BaudStudios]

Good to know. I really need to spend some time with the owners manual.

[@Lauren_Tyler]

Nice choices.

[@300BaudStudios]

Thanks, I was not shure how people would respond as we all have our own personal preferances ;-)

[@charlessentenat1250]

I'm about to test Fail Safe a popular homebrew. I ended up purchasing a custom two button joystick similar to the retron for more reliability. I like the retrogameboy gamepad also been looking into that. I don't like the idea of the Sega gamepad and they usually require an additional addon peripheral that doubles the cost.

[@300BaudStudios]

I don't own any homebrews; kinda wish that I had gotten the pac-man collection for the 7800.

[@jeromesppd1383]

Doesn't surprise me that the price might go up on the 2600 plus and I bought all the games I could before it came out!

[@300BaudStudios]

I have not looked at pricing receintly; too scared to do so!

[@provisionalhypothesis]

everyone over at Plaion is salivating over raising prices, trust me

[@afriend9428]

*you can use a Master System controller for the 2 player games sir on this unit!* 💡

[@300BaudStudios]

This would be a nice controller to have as it would make for a decient match and should play nice.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

If your Choplifter perhaps a PAL copy? If you're sure it's NTSC, I would seriously try cleaning the pins with isopropyl and trying again. I have the NTSC version, and it definetely works on my 2600+. Note that it's a game that requires a two button controller to shoot and change your direction.

[@300BaudStudios]

Yup, it just needed a more vigious cleaning.

[@legendodinson7082]

For some reason the 2600+ seems to have jumped in price to around $225 on amazon. 😢 7800 is the only reason I really want one.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

Scalpers because the initial shipment has sold out. Don't fret! After the holiday rush is over, I'm certain that Amazon will get more stock and the system will be back to its retail price. In the meantime, I might suggest you consider buying a Mega 7800 adapter for when you get your 2600+. The Mega 7800 adapter allows you to use any Sega Master System or Sega Genesis/Megadrive controller on the real 7800, or 2600+. You could even make your own controller using the Master System pinout, as it is VERY simple unlike the somewhat confusing 7800 pinout.

[@300BaudStudios]

Yickes! I like the 2600+ but its not worth that much. Try ordering dirrect from Atari.

[@edwardmclaughlin719]

lol, 7800 only look better, not better

[@provisionalhypothesis]

@@edwardmclaughlin719 there's still some good games for it. Rikki and Vikki is insane, lol

[@joshuaharper4439]

Where did you get the two button joysticks for the 7800 games thanks

[@300BaudStudios]

I got mine with the PAL system I purchased way back. Lets hope Atari comes up with a solution for us gamers as these things are getting quite rare.

[@TecHouseInternet]

you are good.

[@300BaudStudios]

Thanks brother! I see that you have yourself a nice retro channel as well ;-)

[@Earths1stgamer]

Hi 3 broken 7800's ? now i know there old but 3 are you putting a bad load to them test the power supply no picture? or no power? i fix these lot if its an IC in a 1988 or later system the IC's will unfortunately be soldered directly to the PCB.

[@300BaudStudios]

I'm not sure what the issue is but I plan on digging into them when time allows.

[@TheSupervillain316]

Choplifter will load on this system, but needs a 2 button controller. Confirmed myself

[@300BaudStudios]

Possibly my copy is bad. Thanks for letting us know!

[@luelaify]

Just out of curiosity, does the 2600+ work with the Sega Genesis controllers?

[@300BaudStudios]

No, not without an adaptor. Possibly Maser System controllers will work but unfortunately I don't have a system to test it out.

[@Mr.Chickenz]

I am using the Seagull 78 adapter. The Genesis controllers work great on my 2600+ in both 2600 mode and 7800 mode. I do have Beta firmware 1.1 installed.

[@genreonlinenet]

Good video.

[@300BaudStudios]

Glad you enjoyed it - Shawn

[@brendonla]

I can’t get Pole Position II for 7800 to work on my 2600+: can steer left or right but no acceleration.

[@300BaudStudios]

The 7800 emulation swapped the a/b buttons. If you are using a 1 button controller, this is probably the cause. This should be addressed in the firmware update :-)

[@brendonla]

@@300BaudStudios so it appears the beta firmware update Atari released for the 2600+ addresses this with proper button mapping (swapping 'A' to be the action button on the CX-40 controller). I'm also told by someone on the AtariAge forum that the 7800 controller plugged into the 2600+ will work but haven't tried it myself (I don't have one).

[@300BaudStudios]

@@brendonla Thanks for letting us know. The button swap alone will make for a much more enjoyable gaming experience!

[@brendonla]

@@300BaudStudios I did the beta firmware update yesterday -- and it definitely fixes the action button mapping issue for Pole Position II - can fully accelerate now!

[@heinzpilot]

Choplifter shows as P- playable on the ATARI 2600 game compatibility sheet. Strange it didn't work.

[@300BaudStudios]

I may just have a bad copy.

[@tornadotj2059]

Ballblazer works on my 2600+

[@300BaudStudios]

Interesting, Why doesn't it work for me?

[@tornadotj2059]

@@300BaudStudios Not sure, but it was one of the first games I tested. And it's not that the just the game works, I'm getting all the Pokey sounds too.

[@billiesan69]

Ballblazer works you probably just need to clean yours.

[@300BaudStudios]

That good to know, I guess I will spend some time on it. The music alone makes the game.

[@jupitermenace9920]

My Choplifter works, but Xevious doesn't 😢

[@300BaudStudios]

After vigorous cleaning I was able to get Choplifter to work. Maybe your Xevious contacts need a good scub with a cotton swab and IPA

[@jupitermenace9920]

I've scrubbed it twice so far with swabs and alcohol. I'll be doing it again. Same with my 2600 Gyruss. Glad your Choplifter works.

[@charlessentenat1250]

It will work. Mine works just fine. Just keep cleaning and fiddle with the insertion of the cartdridge. Once you get them working they will become more reliable.

[@Cueya]

Yea but no lightgun for crossbow

[@300BaudStudios]

That's why I didn't include it on my top 10 7800 picks for your 2600+ :-(

[@Cueya]

@@300BaudStudios can always play crossbow 2600 😆

[@trueaudiofiles8453]

Desert Falcon, Asteroids, Pole Position II and One on One Basketball all require the second fire button that the 7800 controller has. I wish Atari gave you a two button controller with the systems at the very least offered one for sale.

[@VEGANVANIA]

I know it's an unfair comparison, but seriously: the 7800 "software library" is just _SO WEAK_ compared to the Sega Master System... or even the Game Gear... both of which (in retrospect) are considered commercial flops. 😕

[@300BaudStudios]

The 7800 had tremendous potential but I agree that the game library is weak, especially when compared to their Japanese counterparts. But, I really enjoyed the early games developed by General Computer Corporation. They had awesome programmers who did great arcade conversions. The later stuff just didn't interest me; sorry Ninja Golf.

[@patsfan4life]

Atari people just aren’t that interested in Sega