Atari 7800+ Review: Is it Better Than the 2600+?

[@sherekhangamedev]

Atari with the current management is doing things very well and interesting again. Good review John, thanks.

[@johnhancockretro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brent.bouchard]

My parents werent one to get me whatever i wanted. I was playing my 7800 while my friends were playing metroid on the NES. But when i got a new game I made sure i played the hell out if it, because it was the only game i had for the next forseeable spell of time. I remember getting Double Dragon, and (as a HUGE fan of the arcade version) wanting to master it. I played it and played it till I mastered the stategies to beat it. I tried again recently as an adult and can still get pretty far!

[@intellivisiongamer]

Great video John and I’m looking forward to when mine arrives.

[@joeyisabsb1]

Idk what it is but watching your videos at night before sleep is very cozy. I didnt even grow up with most of the consoles/games talked about on this channel but I weirdly find comfort watching them.

[@johnhancockretro]

Thank you!

[@scootscootriot]

Dude same here. My algorithm only recommends these right before bed now haha

[@donaldsmith5667]

Great review. I’m going to pick one up. I’ve also seen that the VCS is now on sale for half price. Very affordable, might grab one.

[@SciFiDude79]

It's nice to see these press kits coming to KZbinrs. That means the preorders should be shipping before too long. I'm looking forward to getting mine. Once I get it, my 2600+ is going into a closet. I have no nostalgic love for the 2600, we never had one as a kid, but we had a 7800. In fact, that's what I first played 2600 games on. Anyway, great review, as always. It's always nice to see some Atari love.

[@dbfalcao]

Excellent Review John. I'm looking forward to getting mine! Thanks a lot!

[@ClassicBoxingMatches]

I had the 2600+ but also had a 2600 original console theyre not that rare around my ways (not USA). But i have never seen a 7800 in person ever, never knew anybody with one nor seen a game for it but i have seen them online occasuonally... so i sold the 2600+ to get rhe 7800+ as it will sort of be a brand new experience. Im hoping to see a 5200+ cause ive never even seen one of those online for sale locally

[@Callum-tm6xo]

A 5200+ would be perfect

[@Z64bit]

In the USA both are common enough to have

[@alcampbell469]

Superb. It is great to know about all the extra stuff that you included working. A very comprehensive review, thanks.

[@EgGu-l9y]

Atari really needs to sell the Media Review box/Press Kit to the public. Makes the package much more appealing.

[@palerider4ever]

Thanks!

[@johnhancockretro]

Welcome!

[@Mikelp73]

After canceling my preorder I decided to buy one. And I can’t wait. I want to play some combat, first game I ever played (not in an arcade), and some bowling, and discover the 7800 library which o never played. Anyway

[@johnhancockretro]

Thanks for posting and enjoy.

[@MylesSmith-q4y]

Definitely a gift for the 🎄🎁 Christmas Tree

[@danestegman155]

Good video and review of the Atari 7800+. Been thinking of picking one up! That's nice, that Atari is updating the Atari 2600+ and 7800+ systems!

[@pierregareau5812]

Thanks for the video John !

[@palerider4ever]

Thanks John for very in depth review. I think you covered all the important points the 7800+ is bring to the table and what it is not. Great work. Thanks again for taking the time and effort to do these videos. Greatly appreciated.

[@darkridearts]

Can’t wait for mine to arrive!!!

[@mistergone5156]

Good review, John! I just ordered a 2600 plus, but the guts should be comparable to this.

[@Erwinhooi]

Awesome review, thanks!!!

[@johnhancockretro]

Thanks for watching!

[@coppermutant]

That Yamaha sound feature is very cool!

[@TheDuke013]

I love the display case, hoping to get one, now I have to clean up my OG cartridges.

[@HBP2]

I played all this when it came out I am so happy things progressed to what we have today I see no need to go back too the limited games of the past but thats just my opinion :)

[@SuperHamsterGaming]

The VCS is on sale for $79 - $99 so I picked one up. That price seemed fair.

[@KevinniveK2112]

Go Birds! Saquon for MVP! Also, great and thorough review!

[@905JimRaynor]

Working towards my 40,000 score Spider Fighter Patch!

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

I love that the Driving Controller works now. Did you get a chance to test any of the keyboard controllers?

[@johnhancockretro]

They are confirmed working, but no I did not.

[@halhali-w5w]

My childhood games we really missed it 😢

[@jamesgohlke560]

I'm sure it was Donkey Kong Jr. But just loved all we had after getting in the early 90's. Thought it was cool too that Secret Quest instructions included the 7800 buttons.

[@genreonlinenet]

John, do you know if Atari Star Wars for the 7800 works and with the firmware update, does it work on the 2600 plus as well as the original Atari cart for 2600. Thank you.

[@kchalu]

I love that Atari is being so active today. They were barely a memory during the 2010s.

[@moonchild6231]

I find it annoying that only influencers can get this package and that the rest of us can’t buy it.

[@inranglhood60]

Many of us have been supporting Atari Age for years. I guess we don't mean anything to Atari...

[@BriansManCave]

Really nice looking packaging there!

[@johnhancockretro]

It really is!

[@dpgreene]

Glad there’s an official firmware update as I’m sticking with the 2600+ (and original hardware too) for now. Happy Indy 500/driving controllers will work that’s. Still bummed about 7800 Double Dragon not working (maybe it will for me after update). Thanks for the review!

[@yakadoodledongywongy8718]

This idea of selling old consoles again with old games suits atari.better than anyone else.

[@RizzlyBear-298]

Favorite 7800 game is Alien Brigade.

[@mamoruisamu1]

Thanks! I’ve been trying to decide on the 2600+, 7800+ or the VCS with all the good sales on.

[@MVLGAMING]

I think this is pretty cool. I've got a ton of Atari cartridges from America that don't play properly on my PAL systems. (Different colours mostly) So I might look into something like this to play the carts instead!

[@ChaleX_TiquiciaGamer]

I got mine 2600+ and I am plenty happy, personally, don't need of 7800+ (so 2600+ also runs 7800) though, if you grew up with 7800, then go for a 7800+! These modern re-issue of Atari consoles are just GREAT! 👌💖🎮

[@johnhancockretro]

Glad you like the 2600+!

[@ChaleX_TiquiciaGamer]

@@johnhancockretro You bet! Atari 2600 was my first console ever back ago 1987, a gift from my father 💖👌

[@Atariatari-ky9te]

Does anybody know if it shows that line on the top on the 7800 version of dig dug using an Atari 7800 plus? I know the 7800 plus comes with the updated 2.0.

[@atomicred7766]

I really loved my original 7800. I'm glad it's getting some love. It's a dated choice, but I played so much Dr. J vs Larry Bird one-on-one. I remember that you could shatter the backboard. I also played tons of Choplifter

[@tomflanagan3889]

I have one of these preordered. Disappointed about Double Dragon and Rampage. Part of the reason I ordered it was to play Rampage on the flat screen with my daughter. I do have a dragonfly so I guess it's not the end of the world.

[@johnhancockretro]

And there will be firmware updates to fix this

[@esibs]

Great review, John. Rikki & Vikki is the “killer app” for me. When/if they’re able to get it working, I’ll take the plunge. Till then, I’ll be playing on original hardware.

[@kevinlawson1746]

The new modern Fatal Run coming out soon looks amazing.

[@flyhouseoftruth470]

I want Donkey Kong on the ColecoVision. It's as good as the arcade but much easyer to play. The 7800 Donkey Kong is actually better than the arcade still easyer to play not not as easy as on the ColecoVision. Other than that I want Carnival on the ColecoVision too. I have a ColecoVision, but missing that weird monstrocity of a power adapter. The way It's designed, I can't even make something work. Match the voltage when there's 4 different currents going to each pin.

[@flyhouseoftruth470]

Oh, I found the power adapter and now I'm afraid to plug it in.

[@kjhoskins]

A great little system. I'm happy to see this; the 7800 had some great games.

[@johnhancockretro]

I agree!

[@shageevideo]

I just got the 7800+. I could ever afford even the 2600 when I was a kid so I’m excited. I had never heard of those XM carts before. Are they available anywhere these days? They sound amazing.

[@coppermutant]

Only cartridge I tried on the 2600+ I had that hasn't worked (works on my Gemini, which sadly has a bad joystick port) is Zookeeper by Champ Games. Any ideas on that one on the 7800+?

[@johnhancockretro]

Champ games and ones using arm processors on individual pcbs mostly are not working yet

[@yuk2113]

Love my 2600+. Would have a hard time justifying picking this up since there is an update and I can get the wireless controllers and the work on the original hardware as well. Side note wonder if it would work with the Sega Master System. If updating my 2600+ fixes some of the compatibility issues then I might sit this one out. Favorite 7800 games are Galaga, Ms. PAC Man, Dig Dug. Loved all the old arcade ports on the 7800.

[@ShaneRimmerWorld]

Wasn't there a version of Asteroids for the 7800 that had textures on the asteroids versus just outlines?

[@johnhancockretro]

Yes there was.

[@mattx449]

Yes and it was 2player co-op which was awesome. We also played the heck out of centipede (also co-op)

[@Sean-uo5ef]

Hey John - where did you see that 2.1 firmware update?

[@daviddonnell2153]

I got my press kit. It dont always go to KZbinrs unless you know someone from Atari. But the 7800 plus seems a lot better than the 2600 and it seems more solid.

[@ilj1259]

Does it come with Commando?

[@russellbaxley9934]

The pause button is the only extra the 7800+ has that you can't add to the 2600+. When 2600+ is powered with the USB on your tv it can be turned on when the TV is turned on, one step. Not possible on the 7800+ due to the push button on the power on. Also no light up Atari logo when on.

[@thechurch5000]

That is badass that's the coolest Atari console I have ever seen. Who sells the Donkey Kong with four screens?

[@alcampbell469]

I have read on Amazon uk that the new carts like asteroids deluxe are not working on the Euro Atari 2600 plus. Interesting

[@ilikepiproductions5916]

Great video

[@johnhancockretro]

Thank you for watching!

[@brandoncarson8621]

When I was kid all the cool kids had Nintendo's I had a 5200 Atari

[@gsoraw9558]

I prefer the joystick. Any suggestions?

[@shaunbernard7083]

Is this going in your museum?

[@DTM-Books]

A quite note about the paddle controllers: the jittery movements are because of grime on the controller's contact points. You'll have to open it up and clean those metal contacts with isopropyl alcohol and q-tips. I am loving this video and really like the idea of the 7800 Plus. It's a great way to play those classic Atari games as well as homebrews. My one question: Will it play Champ Games 2600 titles? I recall those weren't compatible with the 2600 Plus due to its added chips on the cartridges. I would hope that issue has been resolved with the new console. Between this new unit and the 400 Mini, Atari has had a fantastic year. It's good to see real Atarians back in charge of the company, instead of a rotating collection of grifters and vulture capitalists who only want to leech off the Atari name. Next year: Jaguar and Lynx Mini consoles! Please, pretty please!

[@johnhancockretro]

The jittery paddles shown were brand new out of the box ones sold by Atari so no grime.

[@DTM-Books]

@@johnhancockretro Oh, no, that's a bad surprise. I was assuming those were an old pair. I do hope that's just a fluke and not a major production issue.

[@davemoffett3657]

do activision games work on the 7800 plus? and how does the controller work?

[@Carl-G]

Any chance of doing a video of the new? simple way to update the Atari 2600+ please :) I have looked on the Atari site for the simple way but it still has the complicated way(unless that is the easy way) :D I still haven't updated my Atari 2600+ firmware because it seems a pain to do(but maybe that is just me being lazy tho) :D Excellent video anyway 👍 😎

[@russellbaxley9934]

After the 2.0 updates on the 2600+, it will play everything the 7800+ will play. At least as far as i can tell

[@d.vaughn8990]

You mentioned that Atari is going to make updating my 2600+ super simple…is this official update available somewhere? If not, any idea when it will be available? Thx.

[@mrpickles3479]

I’d like to see a Vectrex remake 🙌

[@hockoutdoors224]

Is the VIP version available to everyone?

[@krathoon2338]

Does the Concerto cart work with the 7800+? No one seems to have tried it. I see Dragonfly works in the video.

[@johnhancockretro]

I have a prototype version and it did not for me.

[@aldoushuxleysghost]

I wonder if this will work with my Retro HQ Game Drive

[@iballa2]

Looks like the community firmware update on the 2600+ is still the best

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

Too bad the Atari 7800 didnt have more independent type games like Dark Chambers, Ninja Golf, or Mission Impossible. The console has great ports of Dig Dug, DK, ect....but it needed more newer titles and series' like the NES and SMS.

[@kosmetykizdolinyroz]

Hello I have a problem with the pad to make higher and longer jump in Crystal Quest. Could you help me?

[@russellbaxley9934]

Now if they would send out my fully paid pauper 7800 plus. Waiting patiently

[@CosmicCosmo1]

An original nes re-release would be awesome as it actually has playable great games and the original hardware has that 72 pin connector problem with the pin bending. This Atari one is cool but yeesh atari games are rough. That Ninja golf one looked pretty damn cool though.

[@johnhancockretro]

I recommend you Checking out the aftermarket 7800 scene. Lots of games may surprise you!

[@thuggie1]

I been trying to get pitfall 2 to work. All I am is getting a white rectangular window with a blue top part. I am getting sound when I use the controller. I am getting a sound when pressing the button. I am so p off

[@johnhancockretro]

Hmm might want to clean your cart. Mine worked

[@chrisd8458]

7800+ is worth it to me because of the wireless controller and Crystal Quest.

[@johnhancockretro]

Very true!

[@LdeinerProductions]

Listening to Food Fight, I noticed that it was playing a bit slow. Do you have it set to 50htz? Guess it could also be that emulators play it fast, and since I don’t have a real 7800, that’s my frame of reference.

[@johnhancockretro]

It was reported that the 50 hz pal version was bundled with the vip package.

[@kjrehberg]

It looks like bank-switching games can't work with Atari 2600+ or 7800+ unless the emulator is actually dumping the ROM from the cartridge and taking extra steps to emulate the bank-switching. On the other hand, it's pretty amazing Pitfall II works with its coprocessor--there must be some kind of magic in the emulator to do that.

[@amonster8mymother]

7800 cartridge games!!! 8 might have some.

[@MikeNapolitan-yu4iy]

How do we buy the VIP Box set can everyone get that

[@JamieLokkenHymetheHitman]

Does it play any of the Champ game Homebrews or do you know if they plan to offer firmware to allow it to do so?

[@johnhancockretro]

Not compatible yet and unknown about making them work. Fingers crossed

[@ytthrowaway4584]

Do you know when Atari will offer the updated firmware software? Their website still has the convoluted instructions.

[@johnhancockretro]

Hopefully soon. No idea exactly when.

[@ytthrowaway4584]

Ok thanks John

[@scootscootriot]

Can someone tell me which is the new Atari system that has like a multimedia history of Atari that you can access?

[@martinoily]

***Can you play Single (one) player with tethered ships like the space duel arcade?

[@clinshane8894]

Tunnel runner?

[@jessragan6714]

Wait wait wait. Yamaha? I knew about the POKEY chip, but I never knew anyone was using Yamaha chips for music on the 7800. When did that happen?

[@johnhancockretro]

This first was from abandoned homebrew hardware project called the Atari XM, but later 7800 Game drive and dragonfly multicarts support it. MAME 7800 emulator supports it too. Much better sound imo

[@Erwinhooi]

Ow and I forgot to ask the big question: With the Atari 2600 Warlords game cartridge, do players 3 and 4 work on this Atari 7800+? because they (still) don't work on the Atari 2600+ !

[@mp1323]

Question, is it possible to play the Starpath supercharger on the 7800+?

[@johnhancockretro]

I did not test that one.

[@mp1323]

@johnhancockretro that would be awesome if it did work on the Atari 7800+ 😃 🙂

[@rushkiss2012]

Hey John , will the atari harmony cartridge work with this console?

[@johnhancockretro]

I did not test that one but tested the Concerto(prototype version) and it did not work either for me.

[@wickeddep6630]

When tf are they gonna release a Jaguar Mini

[@JustMe99999]

I'd buy it...

[@kevinlawson1746]

Yes please.

[@grawman67]

Lol I wonder how many people would buy it?

[@luc7976]

I wonder will there be firmware updates for 2600+ to support the driving controllers and the display adjustments menu? Haven't seen much updates anymore on 2600+ FW.

[@johnhancockretro]

I mention in the video that firmware 2.01 is coming to the 2600

[@luc7976]

@@johnhancockretro That would be great, not seeing much FW activity in the forums main page for 2600+ anymore (1.1 rk6), but if that was confirmed then that's great:-). Update: going through forums seems that 2.0.0 is older than r6 and that 1.1x-r7 seems to have that menu functionality (but not posted yet).

[@luc7976]

Installed it few weeks ago, works as in the video. I wish they had also scanline support but this is nevertheless nice addition.

[@80skid61]

I just got my 7800+ and 6 carts I have from Champ games don't work. Elevator Agent, Galagon, Gorf Arcade, Robot War, Wizard of Wor, and Zookeeper. Also my version of the console is 2.0 not 2.01 so I wonder why Atari would not give us the same version as the reviewers?

[@johnhancockretro]

There has been delay with the update that will be pushed out on their website so that 2.01 will be offered to everyone eventually. Champ games are known not to work with these due to emulation limits at the time being.

[@slimsx34]

Is the gamedrive compatible?

[@vsteelers99]

Did Space Rocks work?

[@johnhancockretro]

Yes it did

[@MrMartellSincere]

Fascinating to see an Atari 7800+ games

[@truckertoddllc]

Do you they’ll make a 5200+?

[@johnhancockretro]

No idea

[@alexandresilvadasilva6355]

I love atari

[@Carlb328]

They need to make an Intellivision +

[@Mikelp73]

I don’t mind that it’s emulating. At some point software must meet software.

[@Belmont1669]

Can it pause 2600 games?

[@johnhancockretro]

Yes

[@billybutch-es7ch]

Go Birds!!!