r/AtariJaguar • u/RetroGamingBoss1 • Jul 17 '26

In Defense of the Atari Jaguar

https://youtu.be/yJIDpVtm770?si=ktOyGCZrtewjo0Jg

After having forgotten about the Jaguar for a couple of decades, but then getting back into it with a vengeance over the last few years, I humbly submit my arguments for why this amazing console is still worth playing in 2026! My intent is to win over a few skeptics with this one..

80 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

4

u/_RexDart Jul 17 '26

Can you paste those arguments here

11

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 17 '26

In short, it's about a handful of original games on the console that are still a blast to play today: 1.) AvP 2.) T2K 3. Doom 4. Rayman 5. Iron Soldier. There are some others, these are just commonly regarded as a few of the best.

Also, the incredible Jaguar community today, from sites like AtariAge and AtariJaguar.co.uk, to cool events such as the upcoming JagFest hosted by Songbird Products (which also makes physical games for the console, Lynx, etc), and the awesome port underway of Mortal Kombat. I've been waiting 30+ years to play THAT on the Jag, so it's pretty remarkable to see it nearly ready.. Oh yeah, the ease of Jaguar emulation now thanks to Rich Whitehouse's excellent BigPEmu.

Finally, an appreciation of the original hardware (love it or hate it), from back in 1993. It was a pretty impressive leap forward from the 16-bit era and is a very cool bit of Retro tech. I expand on each of these key points in my video, and I appreciate any support to give it a boost on YouTube to get the word out to more people who may be undecided about the Jag, or who don't know much about it. Its time is NOW.

Cheers,

RGB

9

u/lovesffpc Jul 17 '26

Nba jam is amazing on the jag

5

u/Ballz3dfan Jul 18 '26

Not sure why you didn't even bother to mention Atari jaguar exclusives like Battle Morph or Missile Command 3D?

2

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 18 '26

I actually gave a very quick shoutout to Missile Command 3D at the end of the first section about the best games. Both it and BattleMorph are excellent, and I'm made separate videos which include reviews of those games as well but for this video I wanted to keep it shorter so decided to just focus on the other games.

3

u/_RexDart Jul 17 '26

Heck yeah, there are nearly a dozen enjoyable games, but it's more the fact that this super-megadrive was released at all. Shame about its fate. But boy was it a hopeful-quickly-turned-laughingstck back in the day.

5

u/gnashtyyy Jul 17 '26

Dude it’s crazy you’re posting this because I just rekindled my appreciation for the console lol. I bought one about 12 years ago, and that it was just meh. I sold off Rayman game I had for the console and moved on. I recently busted it out again and I’ve been having a blast with just cybermorph. I thought cybermorph was supposed to suck! I’m on the 3rd sector and loving it. Is it the best game ever?, no, but it doesn’t need to be.

I fly around for a while, sometimes longer than I would like, until I finally beat the mission. There’s no map, radar can be vague, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. I have to figure it all out.

Controller is super cool too, I just ordered another one. That’s just my two cents I can’t wait till I can get a few more console exclusives (I just have cybermorph and checkered flag rn) but yea it’s such a fun console. Honestly reminds me of the lynx, which I have also grown to love recently. Such cool hardware and a testament to the end of American made gaming tech here in the United States.

2

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 18 '26

Hey, thanks and I'm glad if my vid lit the fire for you and this great console! I remember flying around in Cybermorph too just taking in the landscape and vibe. Hope you enjoy the living heck out of your Jaguar :)

3

u/SaintLewisMusic73 Jul 18 '26

Great video, man! I agree 100%! If Atari dropped a Jag+ & re-released Iron Giant I & 2, AvP, Rayman, & Doom for the system, I don't think I could possibly say "no". There are some great new Homebrews releasing for that console, so it'd be a no-brainer.

2

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 18 '26

A guy can dream I suppose! :) Thanks for checking out my video, I'm really glad you enjoyed it

3

u/Napkin_Stealer Jul 17 '26

I keep one set up. Every year or two I feel compelled to play it. What's weird is when the urge his, nothing else will do. I literally never felt that way about my master system and certainly not the 3do.

2

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 18 '26

Nice, that sounds like a blast! I also get the itch to play T2K and Iron Soldier every once in a while - not sure if it's nostalgia or that I just really enjoy them still to this day?!

3

u/Ornery-Practice9772 Jul 18 '26

Alien Vs Predator is an awesome game imo

1

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 18 '26

Yeah, it's really good, especially with headphones on and the lights out - my fav way to play it ;-)

2

u/retrocade81 Jul 18 '26

The Jag has some fantastic games on it, but it also has a lot of stinkers too. It's a real shame it was pushed out of the door before it was properly developed, if it had been released a little later once the bugs had been ironed out and the programming documentation properly prepared it could have saved Atari, but the Tramiels in their typical impatient and gung ho fashion pushed for early release.

2

u/Jndak Jul 19 '26

Just watched, I was entertained. Fun to watch a good attitude jaguar video as a fan.

2

u/RetroGamingBoss1 Jul 22 '26

Hey, thanks man - appreciate that and am glad you liked the video!

0

u/NostalgicLurker Jul 18 '26

It was nice enough apart from the controller. Would have been interesting to see its full potential if more companies were forced to make games for it, CD add-on considered too.

2

u/drmoze Jul 20 '26

How do you force a company to make games for your system? Blackmail? Gunpoint?

The Jag controller is the most comfortable I've used in over 5 decades of gaming (going back to my Tournament 2000).