Atari 5200 2 Port / 4 Port Comparison

I got a PM from a fellow KZbinr iwanabrawl about the comparison between the 2 & 4 port Atari 5200's so I decided to show em to you.
He has some cool videos that you got to check out:
/ iwanabrawl
If I did get something wrong please feel free to add on or correct me here = )

[@ThePbrook1967]

Knock on wood but I have NEVER had any fire issues with either of my 4 ports.... I LOVE mine!!

[@tomarnold8417]

I had the four port when I was a kid. It did spark but it never caught fire. The switch box was actually amazing back in the day. Instead of having to go back behind the television and switch the switch box from tv to game you just hit the button on the front and the tv popped back on. It was a great way to sneak in games and not having your parents catch you playing.

[@LGR]

Ha, felt like I was watching a house getting robbed or a crime scene or something with the darkness and flashlights, handling electronics... great information though, still wanting to get a 5200 myself sometime.

[@ThePbrook1967]

I LOVE my 4 port! Also knock on wood no fires and such.

[@johneygd]

Huh,what, is the atari 5200 2 port model still just as huge as the 1# model, that's insane, 'm mean they could,ve make it 3 times smaller, remove the door of it, to make it sleeker looking.

[@sglider]

The switchbox was only a minor reason for the 5200 failure. 1st was pricing (a colecovision was $70 cheaper!) and incompatibility with 2600 games. 2nd was a lukewarm launch lineup of games that featured several titles people already owned on the 2600. 3rd was joysticks that not many people liked. Maybe the switchbox would be next, I guess. But not least of all was the Crash of late '83. Any chance that the 5200 had to save face with the redesign and VCS adapter was doomed by the Crash.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@TheAtariJunkie - Yuppers, it was very off the fly when I did it an hour ago.

[@smokingunclefrank6037]

Great video you helped me a lot in deciding what to look for been thinking about adding a 5200 to my collection now I know what to look for 2 port all the way

[@MaximumRD]

The 4 port can be modded to use standard power supply and RF cable (thought it is beyond my skill) over all though the Fire hazard aspect of the 4 port setup has been blown way out of proportion, not saying it's never happened but it has not been as much as issue as people claim. Also the 2 port has incompatibility with a couple games but this can be fixed, if you swap the BIOS chips, the 4port BIOS in a 2 port console is said to be the best overall setup.

[@HermaphroGynandro]

I ordered the 4 port version. I like having more controller ports. I'm actually kind of fascinated by the switchbox.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@romeoteknik - I was at the CGE and they showed the prototype for it at the Atari Age booth as well.

[@electricadventures]

It is indeed a monster, they should have just done what they did later with the Atari XE System, which accepted the normal 8-bit computer cartridges. But this was at the pre-Trammel stage where they basically had lost the plot. One of the only Atari platforms that I don't have, as they were not launched down here at all. Did not even know there was more than one model though.

[@james42519]

only problem with those rf adapters is you can't have cable hooked up and that at the same time. have to keep switching cables. i have seen the switch one at radio shack that looks like the one that came with atari 2600 though which can keep both hooked up.

[@Mysteriozone]

Great comparison! Damn now I want one of these suckers bad.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@phreakindee - Thanks Clint, that's what I get for having crap light in the house hence why I try to do these videos in the daytime instead unless I do unboxings.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@xTHExSTIGx - Hence why they released a 2 port version of the console with the AC hole in the back of the console, that horrid switchbox has burnt down houses and it won't be mine! I always unplug ANY electronics in my house that I rarley use and that includes my coffee maker, toaster. It isn't about me being "green", I hate wasting money on stuff I rarley use.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@Simpliband - Thanks for adding to it. = )

[@RetroDiesel]

Thank you very much for making this informative video. I had been thinking about purchasing a 5200 lately, not knowing which model to get. Definitely going with the 2 port lol.

[@Simpliband]

also the plastic is ''grainy'' instead of flat.

[@james42519]

@OldSchoolNYCGamer ok.well the one i am talking about had coax cable connections not the 2 wire ones. liek the nes ones.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@james42519 - That usually doesn't bother me cause when I'm done I just hook back my cable, those old switchboxes for the Atari 2600 were for old TV's with antenna's which I remember fondly.

[@HermaphroGynandro]

Hey, dude! My 4-port version of the Atari 5200 arrived in the mail today! And there's a unique fact about mine that I'm wondering if you're aware of: There are actually TWO different 4-port 5200s (both use the switchbox.) So I guess one could argue there's three models. The redefined 4-port (as well as the 2-port) can use an adapter to play 2600 games. You'd have to modify an original 4-port to access the 2600 adapter. I think this new 4-port model may be the first correctional fix for the 5200.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@misterintellivision - Always thanks back at ya Mr. I = )

[@celioazevedoofficial]

What are the differences between the power supplies?

[@MaximumRD]

@OldSchoolNYCGamer The incompatible games are Pitfall! and Mountain King. I wonder why just those two would not be compatible? Weird. However the 2 port is compatible with the VCS adaptor, the 4 port is not unless, again it is modded to be.

[@xjuggaloryda1991x]

I just got mine yeah its a four port but it was only $10

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@RetroDiesel - The 2 port model is really the way to go. = )

[@jayk6967]

OldSchoolNYCGamer How do you hook up the atari 5200 the one with two port? I cant figure it out

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@dumbfk12 - I doubt they have the same pinholes and not recommended.

[@Simpliband]

I swear my model is a 4 port without the crappy switch box.don't know how come though I never seen any other like mine.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@MaximumRD - Hmmmm, very interesting Rob = ) Most won't do the mod, I prefer the 2 port and all the games I have so far play great on them.

[@zappafurious]

yeah whats the diffrent

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@2600theatari - Yuppers = )

[@johneymute]

Does the 2 controller port model also has a better quality rf out then the 4 port model????

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@amurphy245 - it's the WHAT THE HELL moment along with that abortion called JAGUAR!... bleh!!!

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@Cr8zyKuban0 - Keep trying eBay and check craig's list too if possible. If I see something I'll let you know.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@Simpliband - hmmmm

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@daafies2 - Coolbeans = )

[@alexhollis506]

What is that adapter thing called for the 2 port atari.

[@Nestalgba92023]

Atari VCS (Game) Adapter.

[@darkknight1938]

Is it true that the 5200 version of Pitfall will not work on the 2 port version of the console?

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

darkknight1938 - I am actually not sure about that since I only have my 4 port model and sold off my 2 port model a couple of years ago.

[@BiffsGamingVideos]

there are 3 games that do not work on the 2 port version. If you get the multicart, then you can download the atches for them. People have fixed them. the 4 port does not allow you to use the 2600 adapter unless it's serial number has an asterick on it. the 4 port needs the power adapter nonsense.

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

@iwanabrawl - No prob kiddo = )

[@jayk6967]

OldSchoolNYCGamer Can you do a video on.how to hook up the atari 5200 with two port and how do you hook it up.and start playing do you have a video like that