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Atari: The 80 Classic Games

Atari: The 80 Classic Games

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $16.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: I like retro games, but
Review: this would insult the intelligence of a pre-schooler. A total waste of money. I had trouble giving it away. Remember pong? This stuff seems much more primitive.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Timeless classics!
Review: When I found out this PC CD was out, I just *had* to have it! I remember those great days in the '80s as a child playing Atari 2600 all summer long! It was so cool to put this CD in the computer and play those games of old! Video games have certainly come a LONG way, but nothing will replace these classics! Warlords, Breakout, Super Breakout, Haunted House, and Dodge 'Em are the great ones here! Don't miss out on all of these classic games for such a LOW price!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Timeless classics!
Review: When I found out this PC CD was out, I just *had* to have it! I remember those great days in the '80s as a child playing Atari 2600 all summer long! It was so cool to put this CD in the computer and play those games of old! Video games have certainly come a LONG way, but nothing will replace these classics! Warlords, Breakout, Super Breakout, Haunted House, and Dodge 'Em are the great ones here! Don't miss out on all of these classic games for such a LOW price!!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Great if you've forgotten your childhood entirely
Review: When you think of an arcade game you don't think of a cheap Commodore 64-style, blocky cheap game with no graphic-detail. In the early 80's Missile command, Millipede, etc. looked pretty good. I can't believe Atari failed to emmulate their own games and instead made it look like someone pirated the concept but not the accuracy. The warranty for this product says you can't return it if it's been opened. Unfortunately I opened it. And then I played some of the games. Things went downhill from there.

My wife doesn't like me to play violent games like GTA, Max Payne, Halo, etc. but this Atari collection insures I'll be playing them for some time to come.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Recycle, Repackage, Rerelease
Review: While there's a lot that's new here, it's important to note that a lot of these games have been included in other Atari collections (Atari Arcade Hits Vol. #1 & #2 and the Anniversary Pack, which compiled both AAH volumes; many of the VCS/2600 games have been released in other collections). Still we have six new arcade games and likely dozens of old cartridge games now available for 100% legal play on a PC.

There is quite a bit of chaff thrown in with the wheat, and finding what you want can be a chore. All the games may qualify a "classic" in someone's definition, but that someone is not necessarily you. Navigation for the VCS/2600 games requires you to first choose the category of the game and then the game itself - clicking on the help icon will reveal what games are in each category. Shortcuts may be created for each of the arcade games (it may be possible to create batch files for individual VCS/2600 games too, but I haven't explored that yet).

Each game has customizable controls and you may need to fiddle with video and resolution settings to reduce flicker and get games running just right on your computer. Even then, some controllers work better than others for some games - a joystick is the only way to play the arcade game Red Baron with any degree of control. While this can be a hassle, it's important to realize that these games were originally designed to run on standardized equipment; the PC, with its myriad processor, video card, OS, etc., possibilities is the antithesis of old-school consoles. It's worth the time you put into it to get the games running optimally. Don't fight it; do it and start playing.

If you already have one or two of the old collections, go ahead and get this one as well. Pass your old CDs on to a friend; your act of arcade evangelism may make a convert - and provide you with someone to trounce in two-player mode.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Recycle, Repackage, Rerelease
Review: While there's a lot that's new here, it's important to note that a lot of these games have been included in other Atari collections (Atari Arcade Hits Vol. #1 & #2 and the Anniversary Pack, which compiled both AAH volumes; many of the VCS/2600 games have been released in other collections). Still we have six new arcade games and likely dozens of old cartridge games now available for 100% legal play on a PC.

There is quite a bit of chaff thrown in with the wheat, and finding what you want can be a chore. All the games may qualify a "classic" in someone's definition, but that someone is not necessarily you. Navigation for the VCS/2600 games requires you to first choose the category of the game and then the game itself - clicking on the help icon will reveal what games are in each category. Shortcuts may be created for each of the arcade games (it may be possible to create batch files for individual VCS/2600 games too, but I haven't explored that yet).

Each game has customizable controls and you may need to fiddle with video and resolution settings to reduce flicker and get games running just right on your computer. Even then, some controllers work better than others for some games - a joystick is the only way to play the arcade game Red Baron with any degree of control. While this can be a hassle, it's important to realize that these games were originally designed to run on standardized equipment; the PC, with its myriad processor, video card, OS, etc., possibilities is the antithesis of old-school consoles. It's worth the time you put into it to get the games running optimally. Don't fight it; do it and start playing.

If you already have one or two of the old collections, go ahead and get this one as well. Pass your old CDs on to a friend; your act of arcade evangelism may make a convert - and provide you with someone to trounce in two-player mode.


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