racketboy.com

I had a pretty good 2600 gaming session last night. Dragonfire, Bezerk, Atlantis... all good stuff. Unfortunately, the only multiplayer games I have are RealSports Volleyball (a masterpiece in my book) and Maze Craze (just an okay race-to-the finish; usually just gets a few rounds of play). Taking turns on the one-player games is okay but I need more multiplayer games! What should I keep a look out for?

Combat. It is cheap to pick up and easy to pick up and play. Plug in, point your tank, shoot the other guy until he dies.

My son loves playing Surround with me.

Some 2 player co-op games (from my Harmony Cart short list):
Atlantis
Dark Chambers
Double Dragon
Entombed
G.I. Joe - Cobra Strike
Joust
Mario Bros.
Space Invaders
Video Olympics - Pong Sports
Warlords
Wizard of Wor
Worm War I

Thanks guys. I did not know Joust and Wizard of Wor had two player available. Granted, without the manual it's hard to tell what game options you have. I'll have to go on Atari age and look at the manuals for my other games.

Quick question: how durable are the paddle controllers?

The paddles are physically strong/durable, but prone to jitter from dirty potentiometer contacts. Every one I've purchased needed cleaning/repair. At least it's pretty quick and easy.
Previously, I followed guides to disassemble the pot completely and cleaned thoroughly with ISO alcohol, but now I only ever squeeze a little DeoxIT Fader on any troublesome volume knobs, rotary, switches or slide switches. Fixes them all without full disassembly - it's amazing.

I've never had an issue with the paddles, but perhaps I've had good luck.

If you're gonna delve into the 2600 library you absolutely need the paddles. So many great games require them.

I'm gonna second that Wizard of Wor recommendation. Lots of fun with two players and just a good game period.

Indy 500
Armor Ambush
Frogs & Flies
Space Rocks (homebrew)

I got a stack of Atari games and paddle controllers yesterday. Warlords is awesome and actually had some fun in the different game modes of Street Racer.

Despite seeing 12,000 copies of Combat I neglected to grab one. I don't know why but I thought I already had it.

I'm glad no one cares about the 2600 like they do the SNES or GameCube. I love paying 50¢ to a dollar per game.

Combat...... A game so pervasive you assumed you already owned it.

Try Night Driver sometime. It's the slickest paddle racer; unfortunately it's one-player only.

Beware of Indy 500........ Instead of paddles it uses the elusive driving controller.

opa wrote:I'm glad no one cares about the 2600 like they do the SNES or GameCube. I love paying 50¢ to a dollar per game.

Agreed.