File:Classic Game Room HD - ATARI 5200 Console review

Description
Classic Game Room HD reviews the ATARI 5200 video game system from 1982, the successor to the Atari 2600. This is the 4 controller model which is the size of a container ship and uses the most absurd power/tv switcher hookup ever created. There are many things to loathe about this unique game console and one thing to love, its an ATARI!!! It plays hundreds of Atari 5200 game cartridges, many of which are slightly upgraded versions of popular Atari 2600 games like Missile Command, Vanguard and Space Invaders. Others are awesome games which look like early NES action games like Buck Rogers Planet of Zoom and The Dreadnaught Factor. There are some Atari 5200 exclusives as well. Collecting for the 5200 is not terribly expensive, even though the Atari 5200 is considered a commercial failure there are still many out there and they are such an amazing pain to own that people want to get rid of them. Collectors benefit from this as 5200 games and consoles on eBay are easy to find, but working controllers are not. The Achilles heel of the Atari 5200 is the terrible, analog, non-self-centering controller which is difficult to replace because of the keypad. You can buy refurbished Atari 5200 controllers or the expensive Wico aftermarket Atari 5200 controller if you are really ambitious. The fact is the Atari 5200 has some great games, is a joy to collect for and is so large that it demands respect. It looks like a Laserdisc player combined with a dishwasher and is hard to miss when taking up your entire living room.