Atari 400 Mini (Which CRPG's are compatible?) Do you have an Atari 400 mini?

[dragonbait]

Hello Fellow RPG Codexers!

Long time no speak. I'm reaching back out to the forum to inquire about your thoughts and experiences in regards to the recently released Atari 400 Mini, which I have decided to splurge on. It's basically a physical mini version of the old Atari 400 but is basically an emulation box which is described as....

Features​

The 400 Mini is a half-sized version of the distinctively styled Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range from the 400 to the 130XE, and the Atari 5200 home console. Also included is the CXStick, a recreation of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, with an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons and USB-A connectivity.
Play one of the 25 built-in games, including: Lee, Berzerk, Millipede, Miner 2049er, M.U.L.E, and Star Raiders II. Save your progress at any point in one of four save slots per game, or even pause and rewind gameplay to help you through the most difficult parts — a feature new to the 400 Mini. Play your own compatible games via a USB flash drive.

https://atari.com/products/atari-400-mini-1

I have on file which I will transfer to USB the following CRPG games for Atari 400/800 (Phantasie I, Phantasie II, Wizard's Crown, Eternal Dagger) so that I can import them into the 400 mini and play them through the system with a joystick.
Also the 400 mini can emulate Atari 5200 games so I am looking forward to playing Pitfall II: Lost Caverns 5200 version which contains the extra 2nd level of the game which the Atari 2600 version did not contain.

The Feature list indicates the emulator box can emulate anything from the 400 to the 130XE. I'm assuming that it could emulate the Atari ST games? Does anyone actually own an Atari 400Mini?
IF Atari ST games are able to emulate on the box then besides, the Phantasie games, then there could be -...and I'm copying from the atariage forums...
Dungeon Master
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back
Ultima: 3-4-5-6
The Bards Tale
Phantasie 1-2-3
AmberStar
Hero's of the Lance
Hillsfar
Pool of Radiance
Lure of the Temptress (is that really an RPG?)
Legends Of Valor

Do any of you know any good CRPG's or even Nethack or Roguelike games available for any of the Atari 400 to the 130XE series of computers?

 

[mondblut]

The Feature list indicates the emulator box can emulate anything from the 400 to the 130XE. I'm assuming that it could emulate the Atari ST games?

Atari ST was a 16-bit computer, so I'd wager it's beyond the scope of this thingy.

Why play eye cancer versions of Phantasie when superior looking ST versions exist?

 

[Old Hans]

why would anyone willingly go back to the farty old atari

 

[dragonbait]

Oh yes, I found some of the Atari 400 mini box packaging art and the available systems for emulations are Atari 400, 800, XL, XE, and the 5200. (But not the ST 16 bit systems unfortunately).
I grew up with the Atari 5200 and loved that console and its arcade games but the controllers for the system were an abomination. After the controllers died and at the time you could no longer buy new 5200 controllers and Ebay wasn't yet around to be able to pick up replacements we had gotten rid of the system along with the games. Years later I picked up a used 7800 and a bunch of 7800 and 2600 cartridges since the system could play both. Now Atari has been making a comeback in recent years with their release of their Atari 2600+ and 7800+ emulator consoles which you are able to plug in original old 2600 and 7800 cartridges but also with HDMI high def video connections along with wireless controllers (for 7800+) which is really nice. But Atari doesn't seem to be interested in releasing a 5200+ which I would love if they did. Not likely though as the 5200 is basically a stripped down version of the Atari 400 which they have released although it does not take the old cartridges. Still I think my best bet to relive all these old 5200 games is via the 400 mini so I'm hoping to play some of these classic 5200 releases...
Berzerk
Countermeasure
The Dreadnaught Factor
Galaxian
Millipede
Moon Patrol
Pitfall II Lost Caverns (With the bonus 2nd level!)
+ for CPRG's on the 8-Bit Atari systems, Phantasie I & II, and the Wizard's Crown and Eternal Dagger are games I would love to replay on the Atari 400 mini with it's HDMI cable connection, hooked up to a large flatscreen TV and it's got USB connections so I can input a keyboard too!

The Atari 400 mini should arrive sometime later next week so I'll report back here after I'm able to give it a go and see what I can or can't do with it. )

 

[newtmonkey]

My thoughts are that this thing is a waste of money and space. The buttons on the unit itself are not functional, so you need to attach an external keyboard to play anything more complicated than the built-in games. At that point, how is this any different from just playing these games emulated on your PC?

 

[dragonbait]

My thoughts are that this thing is a waste of money and space. The buttons on the unit itself are not functional, so you need to attach an external keyboard to play anything more complicated than the built-in games. At that point, how is this any different from just playing these games emulated on your PC?

I don't mind throwing a little cash towards Atari these days as they are releasing some decent devices along with new releases and new cartridges for old systems and I hope they continue doing so. I'm mainly getting the Atari 400 mini to connect it to the large flatscreen tv in the living room to play 2 player or multiplayer games. I already have an Atari 7800+ which I use to plug my old 2600 and 7800 game cartridges into. Unfortunately the 400 mini does not allow cartridges but I can load up a whole bunch of roms on a flash drive and connect via USB along with USB keyboard so I'll get some use out of it. Pitstop II, Dark Chambers, Asteroids, Archon, M.U.L.E., Atartris II!, but would be good to also load up on some CRPG's on the unit, since why not?

 

[Daemongar]

As someone who actually bought an Atari 400 and tried to program on it (think I got it at a K-mart for $40 brand new, probably a return), that system was a horror show in design, but the games were great. Wouldn't buy it for rpgs tho. Would get it for Bruce Lee, Miner 2049'er (!), Jumpman (Jr.), Pitfall 2, and that ilk.

Anywhere they have the complete list of games included in that?

 

[AndyS]

The 130XE was a high-end variant of the 8-bit computer line, so definitely not compatible with Atari ST. I've seen some argue that the ST is a sort of alien system as it came out of ex-Commodore guy Tramiel's leadership, in contrast to the Amiga, which Jay Miner designed as he had the original Atari computers.

I think the main ones you're missing from your list are the Alternate Reality games, for which the Atari was the primary platform. Other than that, you're looking at stuff like the Temple of Apshai/Dunjonquest series. It wasn't much of an RPG system. There was a pretty good strategy/tactics game that came out not too long ago as a homebrew called His Dark Materials, which is worth checking out. It's a Polish game. Poles are really into the Atari as a homebrew system and frequently crank out interesting games.

 

[dragonbait]

As someone who actually bought an Atari 400 and tried to program on it (think I got it at a K-mart for $40 brand new, probably a return), that system was a horror show in design, but the games were great. Wouldn't buy it for rpgs tho. Would get it for Bruce Lee, Miner 2049'er (!), Jumpman (Jr.), Pitfall 2, and that ilk.

Anywhere they have the complete list of games included in that?

Hi Daemongar!,

The list of included default games for Atari 400 Mini is listed at the link below.
https://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2024/01/24/the400-mini-complete-game-list/
I've also watched a youtube video of a reviewer (can't remember which one) but when he attached an Atari Gamestation Pro controller, that a few additional games are made accessible. I think they were paddle controller games as the pro controllers have paddle like control functions.
+ the 400 mini allows for ROM's to be added via USB, along with USB keyboard attachment so we can pull any rom file from anywhere to download to USB and connect.
The Bruce Lee game got renamed to just "Lee" due to legal issues, but yes if the green brute character can be controlled by player 2, then it should be a great 2 player game.
I haven't played Pitfall II since playing it on the 5200 back in the 80s/early 90s so can't wait to play it again and reach the teleporter to reach level 2. Lots of good arcade style games with Atari 8 Bit.

 

[dragonbait]

The 130XE was a high-end variant of the 8-bit computer line, so definitely not compatible with Atari ST. I've seen some argue that the ST is a sort of alien system as it came out of ex-Commodore guy Tramiel's leadership, in contrast to the Amiga, which Jay Miner designed as he had the original Atari computers.

I think the main ones you're missing from your list are the Alternate Reality games, for which the Atari was the primary platform. Other than that, you're looking at stuff like the Temple of Apshai/Dunjonquest series. It wasn't much of an RPG system. There was a pretty good strategy/tactics game that came out not too long ago as a homebrew called His Dark Materials, which is worth checking out. It's a Polish game. Poles are really into the Atari as a homebrew system and frequently crank out interesting games.

Hi AndyS,

Thanks for the reply. Oh yes I forgot about the Alternate Reality and Temple of Apshai/dunjonquest. Will have to search for those too.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Are we talking atari400 only or all the way up to 800, XL, XE, and the 5200?

Hmmm, that is a decent list tbh if I wasn't an emulator hound:

Here’s the list of 25 games with links to screenshots:

1. Airball
2. Asteroids
3. Basketball
4. Battlezone
5. Berzerk
6. Boulder Dash
7. Bristles
8. Capture the Flag
9. Centipede
10. Crystal Castles
11. Elektraglide
12. Encounter!
13. Flip and Flop
14. Henry’s House
15. Hover Bovver
16. Lee (aka, Bruce Lee)
17. M.U.L.E.
18. Millipede
19. Miner 2049er
20. Missile Command
21. O’Riley’s Mine
22. Star Raiders II
23. The Seven Cities of Gold
24. Wavy Navy
25. Yoomp!

I tell ya, MULE and Star Raiders II... damn good by themselves. You really want to play MULE with pals though.

Wiki and retrododo don't do the franchise enough justice:

Atari consoles wiki
Atari 8-bit computers wiki
Retrododo

Now this site is pretty good:
AltarofGaming

I wish Atarinania had a more complete division of the games but maybe there us overlap between the computers. They have a 400/800 section to look for RPGS.
https://www.atarimania.com/index.html

 

[dragonbait]

Are we talking atari400 only or all the way up to 800, XL, XE, and the 5200?

Hmmm, that is a decent list tbh if I wasn't an emulator hound:

Here’s the list of 25 games with links to screenshots:

1. Airball
2. Asteroids
3. Basketball
4. Battlezone
5. Berzerk
6. Boulder Dash
7. Bristles
8. Capture the Flag
9. Centipede
10. Crystal Castles
11. Elektraglide
12. Encounter!
13. Flip and Flop
14. Henry’s House
15. Hover Bovver
16. Lee (aka, Bruce Lee)
17. M.U.L.E.
18. Millipede
19. Miner 2049er
20. Missile Command
21. O’Riley’s Mine
22. Star Raiders II
23. The Seven Cities of Gold
24. Wavy Navy
25. Yoomp!

I tell ya, MULE and Star Raiders II... damn good by themselves. You really want to play MULE with pals though.

Wiki and retrododo don't do the franchise enough justice:

Atari consoles wiki
Atari 8-bit computers wiki
Retrododo

Now this site is pretty good:
AltarofGaming

I wish Atarinania had a more complete division of the games but maybe there us overlap between the computers. They have a 400/800 section to look for RPGS.
https://www.atarimania.com/index.html

Hi KeighnMcDeath!,

I think the original question was what the included game list for 400 mini was,
but yes if we are talking about the total capability of the 400 mini is, then yes it would need to include all of the...
Atari 400, +800, +XL, +XE, and +5200 in totality. Which I'm not sure there is a total game collection total for all of the sum of systems.?

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

You think today's games are spendy? Ha! One company of many with similar prices or worse. Oh I recall the catalogs from old.

RPGs:
A-Rogue
Adventures of Farnsworth (The) (Anyone have a copy?)
Someone check Abraxas Adventure #1 - Assault on the Astral Rift. Honestly, it might be but it might not be.
Adventure Creation Kit (very primitive ACS)
Adventure Creator (lordy)
Adventure Island
Age of Adventure (Re-release of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and The Return of Heracles in a single package)
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Alternate Reality - The City
Alternate Reality - The Dungeon
Archon (great game but not rpg)
Archon II: Adept (ditto)
Atari Dungeon
Autoduel

Caverns of Callisto (arcade action by Chuckles)
Ogre (strategy wargame)
Ultima III
Ultima IV
Ultima V


Ah fuck it me looking up each. Here is the shortlist: https://www.atarimania.com/list_games_atari-400-800-xl-xe-adventure-rpg-2-d_genre_4_8_G.html

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

He goes over some custom games on the system you can try via emulation. I have no clue how this product handles it but I assume he is using it.


Atarimania and maybe a few other sites get close. 2600 even had a few RPGs.

 

[AndyS]

I tell ya, MULE and Star Raiders II... damn good by themselves. You really want to play MULE with pals though.

Speaking of Star Raiders II, the Aric Wilmunder version is a must-play. More like the original except it has planets with surfaces you can fly down to so you can blow up bases. It's technically a prototype but essentially complete, only missing some fine tuning it would have gotten before an official release.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

The amazing thing about nearly all old consoles and computers is someone likes to tinker and create. I'm all for pushing the original hardware to create RPGS. It is a fascinating pursuit IMHO.

 

[Daemongar]

Hi Daemongar!,

The list of included default games for Atari 400 Mini is listed at the link below.
https://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2024/01/24/the400-mini-complete-game-list/

Hi Dragonbait! Thanks - that's pretty helpful. Tempting to check this out, as no man ever wasted time playing Boulderdash, I suppose.

 

[KeighnMcDeath]

Atari400/800/XL/XE List
AtariST/Falcon RPG List
Atari2600 2D RPG List
https://penultrpg.com/ 2600
Atari2600 Adventure List

Crypts of Chaos

5200 Quest for Quintana Roo
5200 Gremlins

7800? Who knows the catalog isn't up. There are a few forums https://forums.atariage.com/topic/374574-any-rpgs/

I dunno. Scant to no? Maybe someone can find something.