Anyone here have a 2600+ yet?

Motoman202

Well-known member

Donor 2021
Joined
Jun 14, 2021
Messages
2,529
Reaction score
2,553
I've been reading a bunch of mixed reviews on the 2600+. Some love it and some can't even get it to work. I don't trust the opinion of the mouth breathers on Facebook so I'd prefer to hear from some of you on here about your experience with it.

I have several 2600s but don't play them as often as I would like because I don't have a CRT setup ready to just turn on, I have to pull one out and set it all up just to play a couple quick games and you know how that goes. But if I had a unit setup on a TV all the time I'd be more likely to play. Coax to RF on a modern TV looks like crap. I have done video mods in the past but also not been very happy with the outcome.
 
I've held off. I mean, I have enough real 2600 and 7800 units so aside from having native HDMI support, I see no real reason yet.

Browsing through the AtariAge forums, it seems that system has a lot of trouble reading carts, and the solution is to clean them (what is this, the NES LOL?) thoroughly. There are also some reported issues with the cart slot pins bending, as well as several compatibility and emulation issues.
 
I've held off. I mean, I have enough real 2600 and 7800 units so aside from having native HDMI support, I see no real reason yet.

Browsing through the AtariAge forums, it seems that system has a lot of trouble reading carts, and the solution is to clean them (what is this, the NES LOL?) thoroughly. There are also some reported issues with the cart slot pins bending, as well as several compatibility and emulation issues.
Pretty much what I've read also. But I have read some posts where people have had zero issues and they have played all their games so who knows. Maybe a QC issue maybe software update in the future.
 
Of course, everyone's experience will vary. I just feel like the cart slot mechanism is overly sensitive, going by all the threads about having to clean cart connectors. I don't recall having issues like this on original hardware.

That said, I did purchase one of the standalone CX-40+ joysticks. I'll admit they did a very good job with that.
 
Well I went ahead and ordered one. Got it today and it's pretty sweet. Perfect image and I've played probably 20 games in it already and they all have worked great. I only have to clean one game so far. But after wiping it with a q tip and alcohol it worked great. Picture quality alone is worth the price imo.

20240217_185657.jpg
 
Curious about if you notice any lag on some games?
So far no lag issues yet. I have ran across a couple carts I couldn't get to work that aren't on the known list of problem games. But that could also just be my carts. For me, the convenience of quick easy plug and play out weighs the draw backs. I love the 2600 but hardly ever play any of my consoles because they look like shit on a modern TV and while I own several CRT's I don't have any of them setup for quick turn on and play access.

Hopefully with future firmware updates they work the rest of the bugs out of the system.

I have spend $120 on way worse things that's for sure.
 
For sure. It's kind of one of those items that I want to buy. I put it in my Amazon cart, and then talk myself out of it.

I may eventually get it, but I think I'm more interested in the Atari 400+ that's coming out next month since the Atari computer game library is largely new to me.
 
1709225127754.jpeg
Yes, no CRT though--but, a dedicated set-up all the time. Barnstorming, Dragster, Freeway, Space Invaders, Miner 2049er, Skiing, Chopper Command, and Empire Strikes Back are among my favs to rock-out on from time to time.
 
Last edited:
I picked one up when they were first released last fall. The emulation is via Stella and it loads ROMs directly from the game cartridge.

I've got a 55 inch flatscreen TV in game mode and don't notice or feel any lag in the controls.

The new joysticks and paddles need to be broken in. They feel like they are packed with solidified grease and that takes some time to work itself out to get the controllers responding as they should.

I've had one or two game cartridges not work, but I'm putting that on 40 years of degrerdation and not on the 2600+. One or two failed to load then after blowing the dust out of the catridge, they loaded.

My only real complaint is that the controller cables are short. If your 2600+ is near your TV, you're sitting very close to it when playing. That worked for a CRT back in the day, but not well for a large flatscreen on a wall. They now sell cable extenders which could help.

I personally would have liked it if they made it the same size as the original 2600. It's about 20% smaller.

I've ran around 25 or so games through it. Titles from Atari, Activision and Imagic. I'm very satisfied with it. It's nice playing Warlords again. I need another set of paddles and some company to go four player and really have some fun. My ten-year-old son is hooked on Video Pinball and Haunted House. I think it's great the games are still interesting and fun to play for him.

20231225_210504.jpg
 
I picked one up when they were first released last fall. The emulation is via Stella and it loads ROMs directly from the game cartridge.

I've got a 55 inch flatscreen TV in game mode and don't notice or feel any lag in the controls.

The new joysticks and paddles need to be broken in. They feel like they are packed with solidified grease and that takes some time to work itself out to get the controllers responding as they should.

I've had one or two game cartridges not work, but I'm putting that on 40 years of degrerdation and not on the 2600+. One or two failed to load then after blowing the dust out of the catridge, they loaded.

My only real complaint is that the controller cables are short. If your 2600+ is near your TV, you're sitting very close to it when playing. That worked for a CRT back in the day, but not well for a large flatscreen on a wall. They now sell cable extenders which could help.

I personally would have liked it if they made it the same size as the original 2600. It's about 20% smaller.

I've ran around 25 or so games through it. Titles from Atari, Activision and Imagic. I'm very satisfied with it. It's nice playing Warlords again. I need another set of paddles and some company to go four player and really have some fun. My ten-year-old son is hooked on Video Pinball and Haunted House. I think it's great the games are still interesting and fun to play for him.

View attachment 725663
I use a hyperkin trooper joystick and it has a 10' chord. I love the feel of those joysticks.
 
My wife bought me one for Christmas....I have yet to plug it in and play it.....I have a 2600/5200 collection so I don't have an urgent rush to.....one thing though, the packaging...the plastic top cover inside is a damn cool decksaver for it. I like it's size and it looks nice, I'm happy to have it and I'll get around to it.
For sure. It's kind of one of those items that I want to buy. I put it in my Amazon cart, and then talk myself out of it.

I may eventually get it, but I think I'm more interested in the Atari 400+ that's coming out next month since the Atari computer game library is largely new to me.
It looks cool....most of the 8 bit library has been converted over to the 5200....originals will look better on a real TV(crt) than these new boxes...but they're still very cool.

 
Last edited:
I finally ordered one and it should be on the porch when I get home. The 2600 I had when I was a kid is long gone, but I still have a shoebox full of cartridges in the basement somewhere.
 
Back
Top Bottom