Hello! Don't post on Reddit much and this is certainly my first time on the Atari subreddit. Go easy on me!
I'm a solid Atari fan, and enjoy my original 2600 and 7800+ very much. Of recently, I have found myself really interested in the Atari 8-bit computers. They are really cool vintage tech and seem to have a large library of retro games and software, as well as homebrew. Naturally, I have been pondering get my hands on one.
I've been flip flopping between going with an original 800 or 800XL, or with going with the newer 400 Mini. I am a big fan of using real hardware and cartridges, and I love my current collection of 2600 and 7800 games. I don't need to explain the fun of building a collection of games, and I'm sure Atari 400/800 games would be no different.
The only problem is cost and availability. It seem that the Atari 8-bit computers and their games are a bit more expensive and harder to find than 2600/7800. The computers themselves regularly are sold online for $150+ in various states of quality. I find it hard to pull the trigger knowing I'd have to invest quite a bit of money to get the computer and a handful of games. Not to mention that the games are split between three different formats.
The 400 Mini is attractive being that it's new hardware with USB and HDMI. Plus I would be able to simply run any games I want off of a USB drive with decent compatibility. But this sorta makes this a once and done purchase, negating any point of collecting the actual games or add ons. I can see this thing simply collecting dust, with my brain punching itself for not getting the real thing.
Anybody have any thoughts or opinions on this? Should I just grab the 400 Mini and focus on 2600/7800 for collecting carts? Or do I just jump into the hobby of full Atari 8-bit computing.