Atari 2600+ Console Starter Information

Now that the Atari 2600+ is out on the planet, plenty of the questions all of us had about it have been answered. How does it play video games? How does it evaluate to unique {hardware}? What’s within the field? It’s designed to be a reasonably simple system, however there are a stunning quantity of things the again of the field gained’t inform you. So this useful information will break down what it does, what it doesn’t do, and what else it is advisable be sure you get essentially the most out of your machine. 

Now, I do need to specify that I’m not the final word skilled on this factor. I’ve been taking part in the Atari 2600 all my life and I’ve a reasonably stable deal with on what does and doesn’t work with this new iteration. I’m not, nonetheless, capable of inform you why some issues work on a technical stage. However I’ve had my machine for a short while now, and I believe I’ve settled into a pleasant understanding of the Atari 2600+’s quirks. So let’s get began! 

What’s within the field?

The field accommodates the system itself, a USB-C cable, one CX40+ joystick, an HDMI cable, and that’s about it. The system is roughly the identical measurement as an Atari 2600 jr., if you happen to’ve ever seen a kind of. It’s obtained a comparatively small footprint, however not so small that it feels low cost. This isn’t constructed just like the previous Flashback techniques, and even the more moderen Basic Version mini consoles. The Atari 2600+ has somewhat little bit of weight to it. Not very a lot, thoughts you, however sufficient in order that the energy of the cables that plug into it aren’t sufficient to make the system transfer round and never sit the place you need it. 

The bundle additionally accommodates a multicart with 10 video games on it. These are chosen utilizing a sequence of dip switches on the cartridge itself. The video games are:

• Journey
• Fight
• Dodge ‘Em
• Haunted Home
• Maze Craze
• Missile Command
• RealSports Volleyball
• Encompass
• Video Pinball
• Yars’ Revenge

This cart additionally works simply tremendous on unique {hardware}. 

The USB-C cable is the Atari 2600+’s energy provide, but it surely doesn’t embody an influence brick. That’s one thing you’ll want to provide your self. We additionally carry them on our web site, if you happen to don’t occur to have one laying round. 

The HDMI cable isn’t something all that particular. It’s a good high quality cable that has the Atari emblem on it. Neat! 

That simply leaves the controller. 

How does the controller work? 

The controller included within the field is the CX40+. In case you aren’t an Atari nut, the basic Atari joystick is named the CX40. The brand new CX40+, to my eyes, options only a few variations from its basic counterpart. It isn’t as straightforward to disassemble because the previous ones for the reason that screw holes aren’t accessible on the underside anymore, and the stick itself appears to be a bit extra stiff, however that might be simply because my previous CX40s are so properly worn. 

It additionally must be identified that whereas the Atari 2600+ is suitable with Atari 7800 cartridges, the CX40+ joystick doesn’t work with 2-button 7800 video games. Some Atari 7800 titles required using two completely different buttons, much like the NES or Sega Grasp System. Authentic Atari 7800 controllers will plug in and work simply tremendous, however the included controller won’t do the trick. 

Again to the CX40 comparability although, the most important distinction I might discover is that the cable is longer. This looks as if a fantastic factor, but it surely’s solely longer by a few foot. Meaning the cable for the controller is barely about 5ft lengthy, which in all probability isn’t going to help you sit comfortably whereas taking part in, until you’re going for the basic “sitting on the ground in entrance of your TV” expertise. It’s doable to get your self longer energy and HDMI cables so you may maintain the system subsequent to you when you play, which is truthfully a unbelievable answer, because you’re in all probability going to wish to change cartridges typically, and utilizing the Atari 2600+’s Reset and Choose switches is one thing you’ll end up doing much more steadily than it’s possible you’ll keep in mind. Nonetheless, if you wish to sit again whereas your console sits comfortably on a shelf, there are some nice choices on the market. 

What different controllers work?

Hyperkin makes a few stable Atari 2600 controllers that work fairly properly. First, there’s the Trooper. These have the same type issue to the CX40, and have two face buttons for left or right-handed play. NOTE: These two buttons don’t perform with 2-button Atari 7800 video games. 

The opposite possibility is the Ranger. This can be a neat little pad that has a thumbstick as an alternative of an enormous ol’ joystick, which is neat. However its greatest promoting level is its built-in paddle. It isn’t the identical as Atari’s previous paddle controller (or their new Paddles so far as I do know, I haven’t gotten to attempt these but). It’s obtained much more resistance when twisting it, and for my cash it isn’t fairly as comfy to carry because the basic paddles. That stated, it’s a very nice controller, and I’ve gotten a good quantity of mileage out of mine. Each of those controllers have significantly longer wires than their official Atari counterparts. 

In fact, the best answer when it comes to making the included CX40+ work at a cushty distance is to get your self some controller extension cables. Sega Genesis ones are the most typical to seek out, they usually work simply tremendous with Atari 2600 controllers. I really obtained myself 2 of them to daisy chain collectively as a result of even with one extension, the cable wasn’t fairly lengthy sufficient to sit down comfortably on my sofa. 

Do Sega Genesis controllers work? 

The brief reply is not any, a minimum of not out of the field. However with somewhat assist, that may be fastened. The unique Atari 2600 might be performed with Sega Genesis controllers, which makes the Atari 2600+’s lack of ability to make use of them sort of a ache, particularly since discovering working Genesis controllers is way simpler to do than discovering working 7800 joysticks, and having the ability to use a Genesis controller for these 2-button 7800 video games would have been a fantastic answer. Happily, there’s a workaround! 

The Mega7800 from RetroHQ is a controller adapter that means that you can use Sega Genesis controllers on an Atari 7800 with particular performance for the 7800 GameDrive Flash Cart in thoughts. It additionally has the superior aspect impact of permitting you to make use of Sega Genesis controllers on the Atari 2600+! Commonplace 3-button controllers, 6-buttons, and even the formally licensed wi-fi controllers from Retro-Bit plug proper into the Mega7800 and work like a attraction. It really works on 2600 and 7800 video games, together with 2-button assist for the 7800 video games that require it. So far as I’m involved, this factor is an absolute must-have for Atari 2600+ house owners. 

As a aspect word, Sega Grasp System controllers work simply tremendous on their very own, however not as 2-button controllers. I do not know why, and I believe it is bizarre. 

How do the video games work?

I’m not going to faux I’ve a grasp on the technical particulars of how the system reads the video games, however the primary idea is, you place a cartridge in, and it hundreds it up so that you can play. It’s, nonetheless, a a lot slower course of than on unique {hardware}. 

Video games really need to load up on the Atari 2600+. The unique techniques booted up close to instantaneously, however this new system has to take a couple of seconds to load the sport, which generally is a little bit of an annoyance. Nonetheless, and I cannot stress this sufficient, THE ATARI 2600+ SUPPORTS HOT SWAPPING. I want I knew this after I first turned the unit on as a result of it might have saved me a TON of time. 

When taking part in the unique consoles, the overall follow was to show the system off between video games as a result of, properly, that is the one means they labored. If you happen to yanked the sport you have been taking part in out of your Atari 2600 with out turning the system off, it might make very indignant noises at you and the display screen would go all bug nuts. Due to this, it by no means occurred to me that I ought to simply depart the Atari 2600+ on whereas altering video games, however that’s precisely what it’s best to do. As soon as  you take away no matter cartridge you’re taking part in, the display screen will go black and return to the sport loading display screen, which is a lot quicker than making the system carry out its complete boot-up sequence each time you swap carts. There’s nonetheless some loading time, but it surely’s solely about 2-3 seconds on common. 

All that stated, the Atari 2600+ does appear to have a a lot tougher time with soiled cartridges than my unique {hardware}. I might take the identical cartridge and put it in my Atari 2600+ and watch it fail to load time after time, however then put it in my Atari 7800 and watch because it boots up instantly with no points in any respect. Cleansing my cartridges shortly turned a vital activity, and thankfully we simply began carrying an entire line of cleansing merchandise from 1up Card. 

A very powerful factor to get would little doubt be the cartridge cleaner. Now, this stuff are available two completely different sizes. The usual measurement ones will do the trick on the vast majority of 2600 and 7800 video games, however the mini playing cards are in all probability those you wish to go together with if you happen to’re particularly going to be cleansing Atari 2600 video games. A number of the older carts had these plastic shields on them. You should utilize one thing to prop them open (1upcard really makes a “cartridge key” that we must be getting quickly that helps with that) however doing so doesn’t depart you with a ton of room to suit the full-size 1upcard within the cartridge. The mini ones are the appropriate instruments for the job. It’s additionally value mentioning that there’s some debate as as to if swiping backward and forward or up and down is the “proper” approach to clear cartridges, and the official phrase from 1upcard is that there is no such thing as a flawed means. Each appear to have their benefits, and each will get your cartridges clear. So go forward and swipe whichever means you suppose will get you the perfect outcomes. 

The opposite factor to think about can be the Console Cleansing cartridge. This can clear your console’s cartridge slot, and if you happen to’re placing a bunch of filthy previous carts into your Atari 2600+, this may in all probability be a superb factor to have readily available. 

With that, your entire suitable cartridges ought to work simply tremendous. 

Which video games work?

The Atari 2600+ is designed to work with unique Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges. It isn’t 100% suitable with all cartridges, however the overwhelming majority of official Atari carts do perform with the system. An inventory of suitable video games might be discovered on Atari’s web site right here. 

Do Flash Carts work? 

Sadly, no. No less than not as of this writing. It’s doable that would change with future firmware updates. 

Do homebrew video games work? 

This one’s a bit tough. I imagine the present reply is “some.” Nonetheless, there are deliberate firmware updates that I imagine will embody extra homebrew assist. As an example, it’s been confirmed {that a} future replace will enable Circus Convoy from Audacity Video games to play on the Atari 2600+. Neat! 

Can the system be up to date?

Sure. The precise system directions don’t say something about it, however the system will be capable to be up to date by way of its USB-C port. It’s not as handy as an SD card slot, but it surely’s higher than nothing. 

How does it evaluate to the Hyperkin Retron 77? 

Truthfully, they each work very equally. The Retron 77 has been on the market longer and there are a number of modifications that may be made to it to permit it to do plenty of issues that it could actually’t do out of the field. Nonetheless, it doesn’t play Atari 7800 cartridges, which the Atari 2600+ does. For a greater visible aspect by aspect comparability, right here’s our Atari 2600+ overview video.

Is there anything I must know?

On the finish of the day, the Atari 2600+ is a neat machine that serves a really particular goal. It’s not the identical as taking part in on unique {hardware} on a CRT TV, however it’s a great means of simply taking part in unique cartridges on a contemporary HDTV. It seems to be good on a shelf, and I’ve truthfully been having a ball with it. It’s an extremely area of interest machine although. If you happen to nonetheless have a functioning Atari 2600 or 7800, this isn’t going to do a lot for you aside from help you play your carts on an HDTV, which could not even be that a lot of a draw to you relying in your setup. But when that’s a novelty that holds luster to you, it’s a pleasant machine with some bizarre quirks.