My first games console - The Atari 2600 Jr

I got a games console quite late compared to a lot of my classmates. My first computer was a Texas Instruments TI99/4A, which was passed down to me by my Uncle. However that didn't come with any software, nor did we know where to get any from, so I was restricted to typing programs in from the accompanying BASIC manual.

In the 80s I had friends with C16s, C64s, Spectrums, Amstrad CPC6128s and one person who had a Sega Master System early on, but up until I got my first console I was limited to my TI for any kind of personal computing/gaming.

I remember the page in the Index catalogue vividly. Back then, the Argos and Index catalogue were sacred tombs that were used to plan Christmas lists or to simply pass the time looking at all the wondrous goods. Remember, times were simpler then with 4 channels on TV and no Internet. The catalogues came out twice a year. Spring Summer and Autumn Winter. The latter was always best for toys and was usually a bit thicker as well.  I can't remember exactly which year it was, or even if it was this exact catalogue, but the picture, layout and price was exactly the same. So if not this one, possibly the year after. (So 88-89)

Index Catalogue Autumn Winter 1988

Don't worry, I include the full picture of that page of the catalogue at the end of the blog. I found it on the Internet years ago and stored it away as a memento. Glad I did because I can't find it again now unless I want to pay £12.99 on eBay for a download!

I remember I had to use my own money to buy it as my parents wouldn't buy me a games console themselves. I was restricted by how much money I had, hence why I went for the cheapest option at £39.95 - The Atari 2600 Jr. The NES was £100 in comparison, too much! At the time, I didn't realise that this console was compatible with an older looking console that I'd never seen. I wouldn't find that out until a family friend said I could borrow some cartridges. I remember going into town (Lincoln) and into the Littlewoods where the Index was and purchasing the console.

As it says in the advert, it came with Centipede (that's also the Centipede title screen on the TV), and Centipede remains one of my top 10 games today. I also got two other games - RealSports Boxing and Ms Pac Man. I always thought I got Ms Pac Man from Index and RS Boxing from somewhere else, but Ms Pac Man isn't pictured. I might be misremembering that.

The family got quite into playing Ms Pac Man and Centipede. Friends who came weren't impressed with the graphics, but we had fun with the console for a couple of years and it began a lifelong love affair for me. I knew it didn't have as good graphics as other systems out there, but it was mine and I could play it whenever I wanted.

Over the years I picked up a couple of other Atari VCS models and amassed quite a collection of carts. But after a few years of moving around the country and them being in storage I decided to sell them and keep the hardware. I've still got my original Ms Pac Man cartridge and a few other carts, including a flash cart. So I can play all the games on the original hardware and controllers but without the bulk of all the games taking up space.

I'll write more about Centipede and more Atari stuff in an upcoming blog article.

Index catalogue Autumn Winter 1988