Atari 2600+ being released

[David L. P. Solimano]

It seems that Atari is releasing a new 2600 (well really a 7800 but it
looks like a 2600) that plays 2600 and 7800 carts, has new manufactured
joysticks and paddles but can use the originals, etc.

What a time to be alive.

Found out about this from Ballistik Coffee Boy on YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Dkorbp4Cc)
--
David Solimano
da...@solimano.org

[gbbgu]

On 25 Aug 2023, "David L. P. Solimano" wrote:

> It seems that Atari is releasing a new 2600 (well really a 7800 but it
> looks like a 2600) that plays 2600 and 7800 carts, has new manufactured
> joysticks and paddles but can use the originals, etc.
>
> What a time to be alive.
>
> Found out about this from Ballistik Coffee Boy on YouTube
> (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Dkorbp4Cc)

I haven't found out yet, but I saw a comment saying the games aren't on the
cartridge but it's emulated somehow, and the cartridge is just "for show".

I really hope this isn't the case and that's it's as close to the 2600/7800
and not faked or emulated.

I guess once it's in the hands of teardown people we'll know more.

--
gbbgu

[David L. P. Solimano]

Ah, I seem to recall one of the real old systems did the same trick -
the Fairchild F maybe? I ordered some of the new cartridges so once
they come in I can test on real hardware.

I think from reading the specs, they do have it running on an emulator
assisted by a custom FPGA, but the code is really being read and
executed off of the carts. But as you say let's wait for the experts to
do a teardown.

--
David Solimano
da...@solimano.org

[David L. P. Solimano]

Got it for Christmas, here's my initial experience.

It's definitely running some kind of modern hardware, not just a new
implementation of the old hardware. There's a loading screen and games
take about 10 seconds to load instead of the old instant load. However,
the carts are really executing - homebrew games do work which wouldn't
be possible if the games were somehow preloaded. Well, I haven't opened
it up, there may be some kind of preloaded games with faux carts, but
presented with 2600 code it's never seen, it will execute it.

Power is USB, I stole my e-book reader charger and that worked fine.
HDMI output to my TV.

The controllers feel pretty nice, no complaints there. I'm trying to
figure out if there's some lag on the input or if my hand-eye
coordination has gone to pot since my youth. Tests are ongoing :-).
But Video Pinball does seem a little, unresponsive. I'm gonna have to
get my original 2600 hooked up to do a side by side comparison.

The 10-in-one pack-in is a lot of fun, good choice of games to get
people started. I do wish it came with manuals, I can't for the life of
me remember what all the options are on Combat. Thankfully I have a
stack of original manuals and others are easily findable online, but I
would have at least liked the option to pay for brand new hardcopy.

All in all I'm satisfied with the purchase, and hopefully I can finally
become a Bezerk master after all these years.


--
David Solimano
da...@solimano.org

[Commodore Clifford]

Thanks for that recap.... Been considering that myself (was debating
whether to go with an actual modded 7800 or this).

Hope you had a great Christmas!

[gbbgu]

On 29 Dec 2023, "David L. P. Solimano" wrote:

> All in all I'm satisfied with the purchase, and hopefully I can finally
> become a Bezerk master after all these years.

Thanks for the review, it's always good to hear about first hand experiences.

--
gbbgu