[Technology] Atari 2600 console - Help....

Smirko

Well-known member

Aug 19, 2011

1,579

Brighton

• Jan 23, 2025

• #1

Went all nostalgic and purchased an old Atari 2600 games console, the one with the cartridge for game etc. Swept up in a wave of childhood nostalgia i didn't think about how it would connect to my modern age Smart TV....

Tried looking online and some of the suggestions beggar belief.

Anyone have any ideas short of sourcing an old school analogue TV from Ebay or something...

 

schmunk

Well-used member

Jan 19, 2018

10,756

Mid mid mid Sussex

• Jan 23, 2025

• #2

Looks like you just need a coax to RCA adaptor. Plug it into the coax (cable) input - possibly even the antenna input if the TV allows.

How to Hook Up an Atari 2600

How to Hook Up an Atari 2600: If you are new to the Atari 2600 or VCS, and don't know how to connect it to your modern TV, I will be showing you how to do just that. Also included in this Instructable will be how to do other things on your Atari 2600 or VCS. NOTE: I am NOT respo…

www.instructables.com

 

Dick Swiveller

Well-known member

Sep 9, 2011

9,763

• Jan 23, 2025

• #3

Your best bet would have been to get an Atari 2600 plus or an Atari Flashback which are modern recreations - the former taking actual cartridges

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atari-2600-Plus-Exclusive-Amazon-co-uk/dp/B0CG9SVRJY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29EFNKARQYT1Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Z58MpcLSIsf0gaEnASKxVdV1KRIeqsptC0TBHgFuO4frPlWzPqtQt4_PiQn68chM5_i3Yn6n-mxWfmp2ARseIrS9Ba_70WlYTXCvy9Sd6_V28tOL5l6gxiki8fkSEucnZU9WVbLbiPgqQHaGpN89vFv_VzZ5_zPDtls7lc8GUh0iGSWkdBTk6FLR3mAKsRP4NKNqyj-KcKeFFVYb3UQE-Xsoty9Eq8HymqGy8HRWy4Q.Hst3YROtfNo5s2LhHshlpTZ3r_7nNiu05SHAe6_9-KQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=atari+2600+plus&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1737639367&sprefix=atari%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1

Which you could pair with a Harmony Cartridge that takes SD cards and lets you play every game.

But as you have the actual console now, you will really need a composite mod but that requires a bit of soldering. They don't cost much and Rod Hull (Yes, I think that really is his name) at TFW8B is a top guy who will sort you out.

Composite Video Mod v2.1 – Atari 2600/7800 x2 – TFW8b.com

www.tfw8b.com

But even then, it may not be the best picture depending on the quality of your soldering and the console itself.

 

JetsetJimbo

Well-known member

Jun 13, 2011

1,242

• Jan 23, 2025

• #4

Yeah I think your best bet is to pick up the new-ish 2600 Plus and keep the old one as a display piece or something.

As you're a 2600 fan, it's worth knowing that the owners of the Atari brand are putting this handheld out soon, which recreates the 2600's paddle and trackball controllers.

Atari's striking new Gamestation Go handheld features some really unusual hardware features

Atari has shared a sneak peek at its upcoming "iconic" handheld console, Gamestation Go.

www.eurogamer.net

 

A

Ace Grace

Member

Oct 16, 2003

41

Worthing

• Jan 23, 2025

• #5

or if you fancy the 7800 more, Atari have released the same thing but with the 7800 look. Same machine inside. Both will run 2600 and 7800 cartridges

 

Wozza

Custom title

NSC Patron

Jul 6, 2003

24,759

Minteh Wonderland

• Jan 27, 2025

• #6

Ace Grace said:

or if you fancy the 7800 more, Atari have released the same thing but with the 7800 look. Same machine inside. Both will run 2600 and 7800 cartridges

Click to expand...

The 2600 Plus is reduced at Amazon. (Also plays 7800 games)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CG9SVRJY

That said, surely a very short nostalgia trip? I don't see the appeal AT ALL.

 

Beanstalk

Well-known member

Apr 5, 2017

3,225

London

• Jan 27, 2025

• #7

Your cheapest option may be to buy an old tele off of Facebook marketplace. Potentially looking at free-£10 if you're not fussy.

 

Wozza

Custom title

NSC Patron

Jul 6, 2003

24,759

Minteh Wonderland

• Jan 27, 2025

• #8

I have a boxed Atari Flashback 3 which someone can have for FREE.

Well, £10 to cover P+P. (I don't live in Sussex)

Atari Flashback 3 Review

This year while browsing the ads for Black Friday sales, I noticed something called the Atari Flashback 3. I’d been following the Flashback line of consoles and I have the first two, but news…

anerdoccurrence.wordpress.com

Note: requires composite TV input (or SCART via v cheap adaptor), not HDMI or coax (aerial).

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2025

Curious Orange

Punxsatawney Phil

Jul 5, 2003

10,357

On NSC for over two decades...

• Jan 28, 2025

• #9

You might well find your modern TV still has an analogue tuner, so try plugging the 2600 into the aerial port and tuning it.

 

Dick Swiveller

Well-known member

Sep 9, 2011

9,763

• Jan 28, 2025

• #10

Curious Orange said:

You might well find your modern TV still has an analogue tuner, so try plugging the 2600 into the aerial port and tuning it.

Click to expand...

That would have to be quite an old modern TV

 

Curious Orange

Punxsatawney Phil

Jul 5, 2003

10,357

On NSC for over two decades...

• Jan 28, 2025

• #11

Dick Swiveller said:

That would have to be quite an old modern TV

Click to expand...

Not really, have a look through the tuning settings.

 

Dick Swiveller

Well-known member

Sep 9, 2011

9,763

• Jan 28, 2025

• #12

Curious Orange said:

Not really, have a look through the tuning settings.

Click to expand...

I've collected old computers for years and have bought early LCD screens so I can have an analogue tuner to connect these old systems. Analogue TV was turned off in 2012 so you will struggle to find a TV from after that date that doesn't have a digital tuner only.

 

Curious Orange

Punxsatawney Phil

Jul 5, 2003

10,357

On NSC for over two decades...

• Jan 28, 2025

• #13

Dick Swiveller said:

I've collected old computers for years and have bought early LCD screens so I can have an analogue tuner to connect these old systems. Analogue TV was turned off in 2012 so you will struggle to find a TV from after that date that doesn't have a digital tuner only.

Click to expand...

I really don't know why you are arguing with me, yes the analogue transmission was turned off in the UK years ago, but that in no way means that modern TVs aren't capable of tuning analogue signals as it is still used in other regions.

This is the technical spec of literally the first UK spec Samsung Smart TV I found on Amazon. Scroll to the bottom and expand Tuner/Broadcasting:

DU7100 55 Inch 2024 Crystal UHD 4K TV | Price & Reviews | Samsung UK

Buy the 2024 55 Inch Crystal UHD 4K TV UE55DU7100KXXU. Browse all TVs, Enjoy 0% Finance Options & Get Exclusive Deals at Samsung UK.

www.samsung.com

 

Dick Swiveller

Well-known member

Sep 9, 2011

9,763

• Jan 28, 2025

• #14

Curious Orange said:

I really don't know why you are arguing with me, yes the analogue transmission was turned off in the UK years ago, but that in no way means that modern TVs aren't capable of tuning analogue signals as it is still used in other regions.

This is the technical spec of literally the first UK spec Samsung Smart TV I found on Amazon. Scroll to the bottom and expand Tuner/Broadcasting:

DU7100 55 Inch 2024 Crystal UHD 4K TV | Price & Reviews | Samsung UK

Buy the 2024 55 Inch Crystal UHD 4K TV UE55DU7100KXXU. Browse all TVs, Enjoy 0% Finance Options & Get Exclusive Deals at Samsung UK.

www.samsung.com

Click to expand...

Then I may well stand corrected although a Google search provides contrary accounts from none of them do to one that says 99% of TVs have it and yet I have not seen in person that does which is why I have hoarded old TVs.

 

Curious Orange

Punxsatawney Phil

Jul 5, 2003

10,357

On NSC for over two decades...

• Jan 28, 2025

• #15

Dick Swiveller said:

Then I may well stand corrected although a Google search provides contrary accounts from none of them do to one that says 99% of TVs have it and yet I have not seen in person that does which is why I have hoarded old TVs.

Click to expand...

We aren't really looking for it these days, what with auto-setup being the norm. I suspect some TVs might have it configured out as an option in the firmware, but only if the manufacturer can be bothered.

Definitely worth a look in the settings though, as the 2600 comes with a very simple switch box that sits between the console, TV, and aerial. So connecting is a cinch.