Atari Paddle Controller TV Video Game System with Games

Discount Price: $5.99

Customer Reviews:

Gettin' Paddled [Posted on 2004-12-27]
I found the games on this particular TV Games plug-n-play console a mixed bag: about half the games were rather fun to play, and the other half were either kinda dull or downright frustrating.


The Good:

PONG- this unit has two versions of Pong, the arcade version, and the Atari console "Video Olympics" version. Both are fairly simple to play, although I'm more familiar with (and better at) the Video Olympics version, which was included in the original Atari joystick-edition TV Games unit (check it out at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000645DD/qid=1104131655/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/104-0299549-1691908?v=glance&s=toys&n=507846). I must admit, I found using a dial to move my "paddle" up and down was a bit more challenging than the using the stick control I'm so familiar with...

WARLORDS- Both the Atari console and arcade renditions are included here. While I enjoy playing both, I've got a weird dichotomy goin' with `em. Ya see, I almost always win in the console version, and I almost always lose in the arcade version. This is likely due to the fact that the computer adds fireballs to the arcade version after a few moments of play, as opposed to the single fireball that gets tossed about in the console version. Oh yes, and the arcade Warlords opponents are a fair sight more responsive than their console counterparts. In any case, this has become my fave game in the Atari Paddle TV Games system.

CIRCUS ATARI- Another carryover game from the Atari joystick TV games unit, I actually found it easier to play with the paddle controls than I did with the stick. Unfortunately, I'm still pretty lousy at Circus Atari... yet I keep comin' back for more abuse.


SUPER BREAKOUT- Thanks to the fairly wide array of game selections it offers, I found this "super" update much more fun than its predecessor, which is also included here.

DEMONS TO DIAMONDS: A weird combo of Centipede and Space Invaders. Even after all the time I've put into playing this, I'm still not very good at it...


The Bad:

BREAKOUT- After my exposure to Super Breakout, I've had little interest in playing the original version. Besides, I kinda burned out on it when I played it ad nauseam on the twice-aforementioned Atari joystick TV Games unit.

NIGHT DRIVER- Ya gotta stay within the sets of lights and not crash into the oncoming cars. I managed to skate through the easy & medium-skill levels without too much trouble. Ultimately, I found little excitement in playing this, although I do go back to it once in a blue moon, just to see if I missed somethin'...

CASINO- I've always been lousy at card games, and this mini-casino is no exception. Besides, this game doesn't hold a candle to most of the specialized casino plug-n-play units that've come out lately...

CANYON BOMBER- I've tried and I've tried, but I've yet to even come close to staying caught up with the score the computer opponent racks up.

STEEPLECHASE- Like Canyon Bombers, I've yet to come even close to winning this one.

STREET RACER- If this race game was a demolition derby, I'd be the undisputed champion. Unfortunately, the object of the game is to NOT crash into other cars, which I am not very good at...


The Other Stuff:

The controls were pretty responsive. Well, except for "dead zones" at the ends where the knob couldn't turn any further clockwise or counter-clockwise. Most of the games include a "Left/Right Difficulty" setting where you can adjust the knob's responsiveness for an extra challenge.

Overall, I found the Atari Paddle unit a decent entry in Jakks Pacific's TV Games plug-n-play games line. The only real drawbacks I encountered were a few games that I found nigh-unplayable. Fortunately, it contains a nice batch of good games that keep me comin' back...

`Late

No Kaboom! = No Deal! [Posted on 2006-06-08]
Seriously, no Kaboom! How does this even make sense? It was the preeminent paddle game for the 2600.

My friend played this game more! [Posted on 2006-07-09]
I sent this to a friend of mine (Age 46) for her 9 year old daughter.The daughter played with it alittle until her Mom got it...The Mom plays it more then the daughter!It would Not hold the attention of a "Tween" girl or boy but the games were challenging.

It is what it is! [Posted on 2006-07-17]
I was really suprised when I saw the games look just like the ones I played about 25 years ago! The paddle controller was very smooth and persise. The total controller was a little bulkey, but it does house everything including the batteries. Hookup was easy. All-in-all, I think it is a hit!

Perfect if you want to go back in time [Posted on 2007-12-30]
I actually have the 2 player version, which I'd recommend over the 1 player if you can find it. (Reason being that a number of the games - Warlords and Street Racer in particular, need 2 people competition to be real fun.)

The controller itself is sized like the real thing. The main controller has the batteries, and, as such, is a bit bigger/heavier/longer on the end, but the grip and paddle at the button end feels the same as my old one in the basement does. Unlike another reviewer, mine had smooth motion with no stops or jerkiness.

But, the best thing about this is the game selection and the addition of the Arcade Warlords. Here we go with a game by game breakdown...

* Super Breakout
Great game. They hadn't figured out all of the tricks that Arkanoid eventually added, but there are enough neat variations here to be a lot of fun. We used to play the "advancing bricks" version a lot as kids.

* Casino
Throwaway game that works on 1 button.

* Warlords
The classic party game. Still is fun on 1 player, but really needs competition for the most enjoyment.

* Steeple Chase
Although I appreciate the historical significance, Steeple Chase is just bad.

* Nightdriver
Well, it's not Pole Position (which was joystick based for the 2600). But, it was all we had. Would have been great to get Indy 500 on here, but that was a racing controller game.

* Breakout
Good, but pretty much stick with Super Breakout, which was the better game.

* Canyon Bomber
A classic 1 button game. Much more fun than Steeplechase, but unnecessary in this collection.

* Demon to Demand
That should be Demons to Diamonds. And, for the life of me, I can't figure out how the heck to play this. I believe this was supposed to be a kids title when Atari originally released it.

* Video Olympics
Again, a game for competition between 2 players. Fun with 2, but just 87 variations of Pong if it's by yourself.

* Pong (Arcade and Atari)
Fun with 2. But, 1 player? Not as fun.

* Arcade Warlords
The "wow" bonus of this game. 2600 warlords was fun, but limited AI made it odd for 1 person. Arcade warlords was simply one of the best games ever. It's really enjoyable to play 1 player.

* Circus Atari
One of my favorite games of all time. Love it. One of the most faithful arcade conversions on the Atari.

* Streetracer
Lots of people dog this game. And, for a 1 player game, it's kind of ludicrous and boring. HOWEVER, when you play against a person (like my rat bastard little brother!), it's a ton of fun.

So, that's about it. I refuse to reduce my rating of this game because of the lame games on it. Because, honestly, the good games on it are MORE than worth the price.

Finally, get the 2 player version if you can find it. The 1 player is fun, but finding a partner makes these games a blast.

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