What To Know
- The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both used custom graphics chips, but the Atari 7800 had a slight edge in terms of resolution and color depth.
- The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both had built-in sound chips, but the Atari 7800 had a more powerful sound chip that could produce more complex and realistic sounds.
- The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both had a large library of games, but the Atari 7800 had a wider variety of games to choose from.
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision are two of the most iconic video game consoles of all time. Both systems were released in the early 1980s and offered a wide variety of games, from arcade classics to original titles. However, there were also several key differences between the two consoles. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the Atari 7800 and ColecoVision and compare their hardware, software, and overall gaming experience.
Graphics
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both used custom graphics chips, but the Atari 7800 had a slight edge in terms of resolution and color depth. The Atari 7800 could display graphics with a resolution of 320×200 pixels and 16 colors, while the ColecoVision could only display graphics with a resolution of 256×192 pixels and 16 colors. This difference in resolution was most noticeable in games that featured a lot of detail, such as platformers and racing games.
Sound
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both had built-in sound chips, but the Atari 7800 had a more powerful sound chip that could produce more complex and realistic sounds. The Atari 7800’s sound chip was also capable of producing stereo sound, while the ColecoVision’s sound chip was only capable of producing mono sound.
Controllers
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both had their own unique controllers. The Atari 7800’s controller was a joystick with a single button, while the ColecoVision’s controller was a paddle controller with two buttons. The Atari 7800’s controller was more precise than the ColecoVision’s controller, but the ColecoVision’s controller was more comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
Game Library
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision both had a large library of games, but the Atari 7800 had a wider variety of games to choose from. The Atari 7800 had over 100 games released for it, while the ColecoVision had only about 70 games released for it. The Atari 7800 also had a number of arcade classics available for it, such as Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Frogger.
Price
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision were both priced similarly at launch. The Atari 7800 retailed for $199.99, while the ColecoVision retailed for $199.95. However, the Atari 7800 was eventually price-dropped to $149.99, while the ColecoVision remained at its original price.
Key Points: The Atari 7800 vs. ColecoVision Debate
The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision were both great video game consoles, but the Atari 7800 was ultimately the better system. The Atari 7800 had better graphics, sound, and a wider variety of games to choose from. It was also more affordable than the ColecoVision. If you are looking for a classic video game console to add to your collection, the Atari 7800 is the best choice.
Additional Considerations
In addition to the factors discussed above, there are a few other things to consider when comparing the Atari 7800 and ColecoVision.
- Availability: The Atari 7800 is more widely available than the ColecoVision. You can find Atari 7800 consoles and games for sale online and at retro gaming stores. ColecoVision consoles and games are more difficult to find, but they are still available if you know where to look.
- Modding: The Atari 7800 and ColecoVision are both popular modding platforms. There are a number of mods available for both consoles that can improve their graphics, sound, and controller functionality.
- Homebrew games: There is a small but active community of homebrew game developers for both the Atari 7800 and ColecoVision. This means that there are new games being released for both consoles all the time.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which console is right for you is to try them both out and see which one you prefer.
Frequently Discussed Topics
1. Which console has better graphics, the Atari 7800 or the ColecoVision?
The Atari 7800 has better graphics than the ColecoVision. The Atari 7800 can display graphics with a resolution of 320×200 pixels and 16 colors, while the ColecoVision can only display graphics with a resolution of 256×192 pixels and 16 colors.
2. Which console has better sound, the Atari 7800 or the ColecoVision?
The Atari 7800 has better sound than the ColecoVision. The Atari 7800’s sound chip is more powerful and can produce more complex and realistic sounds. The Atari 7800’s sound chip is also capable of producing stereo sound, while the ColecoVision’s sound chip is only capable of producing mono sound.
3. Which console has a better controller, the Atari 7800 or the ColecoVision?
The Atari 7800’s controller is more precise than the ColecoVision’s controller, but the ColecoVision’s controller is more comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
