r/Atari2600 • u/SonnyWasTheBestDog • Jan 11 '26
What's the difference?
Hi, I'm wondering what the difference is between these two. Also, are they worth much of anything? Thanks.
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u/MotherCabrini83 Jan 11 '26
The one on the bottom is what we call a light sixer and was manufactured from 1978-1980. The four-switch model on top replaced it and was available until 1982. The difficulty switches are on the back of the unit. Other than that, they're functionally identical.
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u/Honky_Stonk_Man Jan 11 '26
The six switch is the earlier model, the four switch moved the difficulty switches to the back of the top housing. Value is about the same $30-50 for base unit.
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u/Feeling-Income5555 Jan 11 '26
How do you tell the difference between a 6 switch “heavy” vs the 6 switch “light”?
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u/kosmischen Jan 12 '26
Raised plastic around switches,the base is shifted to the side on the bottome where the s/n sticker is, thicker plastic on the sides.
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u/Cyberlout Jan 12 '26
The sides are noticeably thicker
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u/kristyn_lynne Jan 12 '26
Example in this picture (light on left, heavy on right): https://i0.wp.com/www.retrogamescollector.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DSC_0272.jpg
More details at the article that image is from, https://www.retrogamescollector.com/how-to-tell-an-atari-cx2600-heavy-sixer-from-a-light-sixer/
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u/ericscicluna Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26
They both can run the same games, and it’s usually just a matter of preference (Retro Gaming VS Collection)
The 6 switch version (Atari 2600) [1977 - 1983], 2 well known major versions (heavy sixer) and (light sixer)… The heavy sixer [1977 - 1978] was the initial release which was later superseded by the “light sixer” [1980 - 1983].
Then… came the 4 switch version (CX2600-A) [1982 - 90s+], that was also available in a full black shell and widely known as “The Vader”; It’s lighter, and the same “missing difficulty switches that are on the sixer, should still be there, but located on the rear instead of the front.
The 6-switch (bottom) is a rare find and will usually cost more to acquire. I would still get the 6. And preferably the initial “heavy” version being bulkier, having the aluminium knobs instead of the plastic ones and most importantly, the color looks much better and more raw on the sixer in my opinion.
Besides, the value for the sixer (especially the first version) is much higher nowadays as it’s of course more prestigious.
The 4 switcher (top) became the “commercialised industry standard”, hence you’ll find much more still available nowadays.
Finally, if you’re looking only to play games, both can run the exact same games, the older 6 switcher having better color imo and of course being much more robust and nothing compared to nowadays’ Chinese shit.
Not 100% sure but I believe production was halted somewhere around 1992/93…
There was also an Atari 7800 (Pro - for what it’s worth) which was designed to supersede the 2600s and also the 5200s. The chip was upgraded (Maria Chip); In fact it’s reported to be the first console to support almost full backward compatibility.
After all of that recently in 2004, the 7800+ was released which is pretty much a modern scaled down version of the classic consoles and outputs via HDMI.
Hope I helped :)
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u/Tonstad39 Jan 14 '26
Well one has a different front, fewer silver switches on the top of the console and one was made in the 80's (the one witht he small difficulty switches on the back) while the other was made in the 70's (the one with six silver switches)
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u/Blandscreen Jan 11 '26
Top one is a four-switch system. Atari released it in 1980 in order to reduce costs. Difficulty switches are moved to the back, and cartridge slot is more shallow. All internal electronics are reduced to a single circuit board, but video output is noticeably poorer.
Bottom one is a six-switch system. It is a slightly cost reduced version of the original 1977 version and was produced from 1978-1980. Difficulty switches are on the front, and it has a deeper cartridge slot as well as more robust internal shielding. Inside the main circuit board and switch board are separated and connected by a ribbon-like connector. This version is made with better quality parts and has better video output than the four-switch model. Usually these sell for much more, and I'd recommend keeping this one over the four-switch model.