I absolutely loved the 5200 controller! It broke often, but dang it was cool. and the stick was perfect to play Breakout, Pac-Man, Centipede, and the Tennis game. I was a big fan of the 5200. Joust is an absolute essential! :-)
Check out Space Dungeon, a great arcade game that is also an Atari 5200 exclusive. And Wizard of Wor, another awesome arcade game that looks almost the same on the 5200.
@@samschan I now have the arcade version of Space Dungeon on my NES Classic Edition. It works great with the Wii Classic Controller, because the four face buttons act as the right joystick of the arcade cabinet. So the controls are basically as in Smash TV on the SNES.
Can you imagine the 5200 selling in the late 1970's with a better controller?! Atari would have cleaned house. That reminds me of the Jaguar's expected release in 1992. Has Atari dumped the Panther from the start while working out the kinks in the Jaguar for a mid '92 release...oh my God. Maybe a Doom port in 1993 to coincide with the PC could have happened it would (I believe) change history as we knew it.
There was. It was called Atari 400/800. Same hardware and the games are identical, but it used the 2600 joystick. Problem was that tech was $600 in 1979!
Great list! Star Raiders was by far my favorite. I mastered it as a kid. I achieved Star Commander first class at least twice on it, on commander level difficulty. This game is why I love space flying games and was one of the best for years on any platform .Star Raiders introduced a true space combat simulator back when most could barely do simple sprite play. The player had to Navigate,manage energy,strategize, manage damage control etc. I learned how to fight with systems damaged or even destroyed. I even discovered an interesting trick that I could destroy Zylons to almost 1000 metrons or to the edge of the long range scanner. Lol I recently bought an new analog controller for my 5200. Its more of an analog pad. It has rebirthed my love for my 5200 that I still have from Christmas of 1982! I may suggest a few others to look into if you get a chance. Space Dungeon, Blaster, the newer Scramble,Encounter. these are just a few. I could name more. The Atari 5200 isnt totally dead. Plenty of recent homebrews and ports from the 8 bit Atari family computers. Thank you for sharing and happy gaming!
The Atari 5200 I have one of these as a matter of fact I have 2 I have all 10 of these games plus a bunch more a modded 5200 controller that takes care of the centering problem my problem is like most 5200 consoles this stupid thing doesn't work anymore so the best way to actually play these games is on the Atari 8-bit line of computers get yourself a reliable regular Atari joystick get yourself a Wico trackball they also make a very good controller and play the Atari 5200 Library on your Atari 8-bit computer much more reliable and everything worth playing on the 5200 was also on the Atari 8-bit I have an Atari 800 XL and 65 XE that's how I play 5200 games fantastic video get that MacBook up and running man we need the Stream
I love Centipede....I used to have the arcade cabinet in my house growing up, as my stepfather liked it a lot and he knew I liked it too, so in our pool table room we had the Centipede machine and playing one today brings back a lot of awesome memories
This is such a great console, there are far too many great games to recommend. Honestly, it would be easier to list the bad/mediocre ones, and then send you off to play the rest. That said, here are ten 5200 games I'd grab and play right this minute (no order): Pac-Man Defender Centipede Star Raiders Mario Bros Robotron 2084 Blaster Ballblazer Montezuma's Revenge Gyruss
Excellent high quality video. This is such a strange system to me. I never wanted one until now. I think it’s because I never got to experience the better looking versions of the 2600 games I played as a kid. So much discovery here. Great job again.
Nice video Tyler! I'm going to be acquiring an Atari 5200 in the near future, and although I intend to collect the entire original library this helps me have a somewhat better idea which to prioritize.
I am able to play the first few levels of Atari 5200 Space Invaders, but I all too soon get killed in the higher levels when the invaders mutate. Of course in the original coin-op arcade video game version from 1978 there were only five rows of invaders going across. The bottom two rows were worth ten points for each of the eleven individual invaders per row (22 x 10 = 220). The middle two rows were worth twenty points for each of the eleven individual invaders per row (22 x 20 = 440). The single top row was worth thirty points for each of the eleven individual invaders per row (11 x 30 = 330). The flying saucer near the top of the screen varies in value. However there never were any mutating invaders in the original version.
The 5200 did not have a big library, but I feel that there were a higher percentage of really good games in its library than for most other consoles of that era.
Centipede is pretty decent , the sounds are just a little off.. I grew up with a centipede arcade machine in our den,so I’m really particular about playing the real deal.. I never understood why every port of Pac-Man looks soo off ,but anything is better than 2600 Pac-Man ..
Great coverage of the 5200. I grew up with the 2600, and we never saw the 5200 where I live. Certainly a great looking system, and the games look amazing for the time. Oh, Qix is VERY close the the arcade version. Oh, wasn't there a Cloak and Dagger for the 5200? I can't remember... Thanks for the video!
Pitfall and H.E.R.O. are only playable with the retrogameboyz arcade stick, or controllers similar to it. You need precise control that’s not possible on the stock 5200 controller
Nice job. This console gets a lot of hate, especially from those that never had one as a child, but trust me. If you had a 5200 in your neighborhood and everyone else had a 2600 you were king.
No Star Wars Arcade? That's a classic. Anyways great essential 10 games list. This was also a nice change of pace. I wasn't expecting an Atari 5200 episode.
A robust list that shows the 5200 in a decent light. The controllers needed a little better build quality so they won't become unresponsive after a few months, and more games that needed precise analog control instead of hard-turns where a digital stick is good enough... but that said the 5200 is decent. The 5200 also has trendsetting games such as Ballblazer and Rescue on Fractalus. They may have been later releases and not seen by many. Pitfall looks and sounds better on the 2600. Less can be more and the 2600's visuals oddly do more for me, but maybe it's nostalgia. Qix on the 5200 beats the 8-bit version in speed ans graphics. The game and computer divisions not always getting along... The 7800 has Robotron and never skips a beat. Looks slightly better too. The 5200 did lag if too much wa son screen. Same for Space Dungeon, which never got fsr beyond the 5200 for home game ports? That's a great one too, and the only other one that makes use of the adaptor that came with Robotron...
Thanks @ShamrockParticle, yeah the 5200 is a neat system. I agree with you on the controllers. Never having owned one back in the day, I do feel a bit deprived. It is definitely a unique system.
Definitely need to add Berzerk as well!
I absolutely loved the 5200 controller! It broke often, but dang it was cool. and the stick was perfect to play Breakout, Pac-Man, Centipede, and the Tennis game. I was a big fan of the 5200. Joust is an absolute essential! :-)
I’m with you on the controller. Loved it. Yes it failed, though that helped me learn troubleshooting skills.
Me too the 5200 was waaaay cool city
Check out Space Dungeon, a great arcade game that is also an Atari 5200 exclusive. And Wizard of Wor, another awesome arcade game that looks almost the same on the 5200.
Yes, Space Dungeon was my favorite 5200 game back in the 80s!
@@samschan I now have the arcade version of Space Dungeon on my NES Classic Edition. It works great with the Wii Classic Controller, because the four face buttons act as the right joystick of the arcade cabinet. So the controls are basically as in Smash TV on the SNES.
@@thewingedavenger1007 wow that’s so cool!
I was surprised Space Dungeon wasn't on the list. That game is fantastic!
Can you imagine the 5200 selling in the late 1970's with a better controller?! Atari would have cleaned house. That reminds me of the Jaguar's expected release in 1992. Has Atari dumped the Panther from the start while working out the kinks in the Jaguar for a mid '92 release...oh my God. Maybe a Doom port in 1993 to coincide with the PC could have happened it would (I believe) change history as we knew it.
There was. It was called Atari 400/800. Same hardware and the games are identical, but it used the 2600 joystick. Problem was that tech was $600 in 1979!
Loved this console. Still underrated.
Missed
Mario Bros
Jungle Hunt
Galaxian
Real Baseball
I agree with alot of your choices.. however GYRUSS is my favorite
You know me, Mr. Atari fan! I haven’t got me a 5200 yet, but this will help me decide what games to get when I inevitably pick one up!
Great list! Star Raiders was by far my favorite. I mastered it as a kid. I achieved Star Commander first class at least twice on it, on commander level difficulty. This game is why I love space flying games and was one of the best for years on any platform .Star Raiders introduced a true space combat simulator back when most could barely do simple sprite play. The player had to Navigate,manage energy,strategize, manage damage control etc. I learned how to fight with systems damaged or even destroyed. I even discovered an interesting trick that I could destroy Zylons to almost 1000 metrons or to the edge of the long range scanner. Lol I recently bought an new analog controller for my 5200. Its more of an analog pad. It has rebirthed my love for my 5200 that I still have from Christmas of 1982! I may suggest a few others to look into if you get a chance. Space Dungeon, Blaster, the newer Scramble,Encounter. these are just a few. I could name more. The Atari 5200 isnt totally dead. Plenty of recent homebrews and ports from the 8 bit Atari family computers. Thank you for sharing and happy gaming!
Hi there can you tell me where you got your new analog stick for the Atari 5200 I greatly would appreciate it. Thanks.
@@joshuaharper4439 matrix-maker was assembling controllers. Wired up retro made a video a few years ago.
The Atari 5200 I have one of these as a matter of fact I have 2 I have all 10 of these games plus a bunch more a modded 5200 controller that takes care of the centering problem my problem is like most 5200 consoles this stupid thing doesn't work anymore so the best way to actually play these games is on the Atari 8-bit line of computers get yourself a reliable regular Atari joystick get yourself a Wico trackball they also make a very good controller and play the Atari 5200 Library on your Atari 8-bit computer much more reliable and everything worth playing on the 5200 was also on the Atari 8-bit I have an Atari 800 XL and 65 XE that's how I play 5200 games fantastic video get that MacBook up and running man we need the Stream
How could Space Dungeon not be on here? That is essential 5200.
I love Centipede....I used to have the arcade cabinet in my house growing up, as my stepfather liked it a lot and he knew I liked it too, so in our pool table room we had the Centipede machine and playing one today brings back a lot of awesome memories
You missed Pengo and Defender,,dont forget Moonpatrol
Kangaroo was a good arcade conversion on the 5200 as well
Excellent review. I love the 5200 even though I never owned one.
This is such a great console, there are far too many great games to recommend. Honestly, it would be easier to list the bad/mediocre ones, and then send you off to play the rest. That said, here are ten 5200 games I'd grab and play right this minute (no order):
Pac-Man
Defender
Centipede
Star Raiders
Mario Bros
Robotron 2084
Blaster
Ballblazer
Montezuma's Revenge
Gyruss
Frogger, Qbert, and Ms Pacman are great games too!! Beef Drop (BurgerTime clone) is probably my favorite game on the 5200.
thats one system i do not have in my collection but i know where to find one
Excellent high quality video. This is such a strange system to me. I never wanted one until now. I think it’s because I never got to experience the better looking versions of the 2600 games I played as a kid. So much discovery here. Great job again.
Nice video Tyler! I'm going to be acquiring an Atari 5200 in the near future, and although I intend to collect the entire original library this helps me have a somewhat better idea which to prioritize.
Atari 5200 Pitfall 2 also had an exclusive second whole cavern with its own ending
I am able to play the first few levels of Atari 5200 Space Invaders, but I all too soon get killed in the higher levels when the invaders mutate. Of course in the original coin-op arcade video game version from 1978 there were only five rows of invaders going across. The bottom two rows were worth ten points for each of the eleven individual invaders per row (22 x 10 = 220). The middle two rows were worth twenty points for each of the eleven individual invaders per row (22 x 20 = 440). The single top row was worth thirty points for each of the eleven individual invaders per row (11 x 30 = 330). The flying saucer near the top of the screen varies in value. However there never were any mutating invaders in the original version.
Good grief, how could anyone leave out Space Dungeon, a 5200 exclusive? Dreadnaught Factor is another gem.
Just discovered your content and channel...couple dozen videos in and really enjoy the material, production, and presentation...keep up the good work.
Thanks, glad your enjoying the content!!
The 5200 did not have a big library, but I feel that there were a higher percentage of really good games in its library than for most other consoles of that era.
Centipede is pretty decent , the sounds are just a little off.. I grew up with a centipede arcade machine in our den,so I’m really particular about playing the real deal.. I never understood why every port of Pac-Man looks soo off ,but anything is better than 2600 Pac-Man ..
Space Dungeon was highly underrated. Loved that game.
Space Dungeon, another two stick shooter, is addictive and fun.
Great coverage of the 5200. I grew up with the 2600, and we never saw the 5200 where I live. Certainly a great looking system, and the games look amazing for the time. Oh, Qix is VERY close the the arcade version. Oh, wasn't there a Cloak and Dagger for the 5200? I can't remember... Thanks for the video!
I like Pengo, Gyruss and Frogger on the 5200.
I loved star raiders on the 2600 once I figured it out. It was a lot more in depth than most games on the system
dang!. just got my first 5200 too :)
Kangaroo on the 5200 was also a great arcade conversion. Underrated console because of the faulty controllers 😕
Pitfall and H.E.R.O. are only playable with the retrogameboyz arcade stick, or controllers similar to it. You need precise control that’s not possible on the stock 5200 controller
Nice job. This console gets a lot of hate, especially from those that never had one as a child, but trust me. If you had a 5200 in your neighborhood and everyone else had a 2600 you were king.
No Star Wars Arcade? That's a classic. Anyways great essential 10 games list. This was also a nice change of pace. I wasn't expecting an Atari 5200 episode.
You forgot one of the most famous game on the system DREADNAUGHT FACTOR!!!!!!
A robust list that shows the 5200 in a decent light.
The controllers needed a little better build quality so they won't become unresponsive after a few months, and more games that needed precise analog control instead of hard-turns where a digital stick is good enough... but that said the 5200 is decent.
The 5200 also has trendsetting games such as Ballblazer and Rescue on Fractalus. They may have been later releases and not seen by many.
Pitfall looks and sounds better on the 2600. Less can be more and the 2600's visuals oddly do more for me, but maybe it's nostalgia.
Qix on the 5200 beats the 8-bit version in speed ans graphics. The game and computer divisions not always getting along...
The 7800 has Robotron and never skips a beat. Looks slightly better too. The 5200 did lag if too much wa son screen. Same for Space Dungeon, which never got fsr beyond the 5200 for home game ports? That's a great one too, and the only other one that makes use of the adaptor that came with Robotron...
Thanks @ShamrockParticle, yeah the 5200 is a neat system. I agree with you on the controllers. Never having owned one back in the day, I do feel a bit deprived. It is definitely a unique system.
Wow.... I never knew the 5200 had its own version of Star Raiders.... impressive!
0:38 anybody know where this version of the Pengo music comes from? And yes it's Popcorn.
Beautiful system
Well you might think that mario bros and popeye should,ve been killer apps for that system,right?