Are we here already? Episode 20 of The Angry Video Game Nerd. In this episode, the AVGN covers the successor to the legendary Atari 2600 (or VCS as it was known at the time) game console, the Atari 5200.
The Atari 5200 is infamous for the fact that the controllers virtually always failed in one way or another – from contacts which oxidized while still sealed in the box, rendering them unresponsive, to flex cables that failed almost as a rule, rather than as a possibility, the console was basically unplayable.
The way he stares at it with so much hatred tells you everything you need to know. Fun fact, I actually love the console.
The sad thing is, the console was actually pretty damn good beyond that – if you get an alternative controller or purchase a refurbished controller (something I actually specialize in doing) that actually works, the games on the console are quite nice. The Atari 5200 was built around the higher end Atari computer hardware of the time, and very closely mimicked Arcade quality game play and graphics.
Of course, the 5200 was planned early on, to follow the VCS (2600) but the catalyst for the actual design and production of the console was the release of the rather advanced (for the time) Intellivision. That’s another article (and Nerd video) for another time though. At the end of the day, the Atari 5200 was a great system with a critical flaw – the controller.
This AVGN video focuses on that flaw, but in a roundabout way – the video actually focuses mostly on the setup of the massive console, its strange power + RF box design, and the effort of connecting it to the Nerd TV, which wouldn’t even happen by the end of the video – at least not the TV he originally chooses.
You may not be able to play it, but at least it can hold a beer!
By the time the Nerd does get the console connected and tries to play, well, the controller issues take hold, and become the true focus of complaints for the system.
This is one of those “don’t take it so seriously” episodes, which would become common as the show goes on. James focuses on the bad of the console, without the good – of course, how can he, he can’t play the damned thing! He does compliment the graphics but beyond that, well, there isn’t much nice to say about a massive video game console that you can’t actually play a damned game on!
Oh, by the way, this is the first AVGN episode to feature the “modern” theme, so, there’s that.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
This episode is one I love. I do wish it had a follow up where the Nerd actually does get to play the console, and maybe cover a few games on it, but still, as the episode is, it does a damned good job at providing a comedic focus on the flaws with the system. The bases are well covered, just take it with a grain of salt.
Oh, and by the way: Yes, if you connect the console with the power plugged in, it will spark like that. No joke.
Enjoy!