A cheaper alternative to the Wii?

Recently on www.atariage.com, someone in the forums asked whether there could be a cheaper alternative to today's quite expensive game systems. The poster mentioned that great graphics do not always mean it's a quality game! I can't believe I was the only one to reply with the ideas I had. I'm quite proud of my suggestion; so proud that I've reproduced it here:

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Well, to answer the original post...we need an alternate video game console that's cheap. Some things you need to keep in mind:

- It must have playable titles.
- There must be at least some already-established titles available on the system.
- The controller must be easy to use and learn.
- Under ideal circumstances, the console should be available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit the player's personal preferences.
- The games should be on a medium that will last a while.
- There should be a variety of genres of games available -- sports, arcade, adventure, sims, etc.
- You should be able to walk into a store near you today and be able to get accessories for it.
- Most importantly, game development for the system should still be going on.

Keeping all that in mind, I bring you....

...the Atari Video Computer System, aka Atari 2600!

- It's cheap! Go to eBay, craigslist, garage sales, etc., and you can probably find one for around $20.

- Play the games you know and love! Three Pac-Man games! Several Tetris-like games! Remember the groundbreaking Space Invaders, Asteroids, Frogger, Q*Bert, Galaga, and Pole Position? They're all here too!

- You'll find the most playable titles around! Most of its games don't have the win-a-few-stages, fight-the-boss-character, repeat-until-you-fight-the-CEO-character, beat-the-CEO-character-and-the-game-is-over-so-what's-the-point-of-playing-it-again formula; the games get progressively more challenging and encourage you to score higher with each play.

- Tired of learning the functions of all those buttons on your Xbox controller? Still trying to figure out which button does what on your PS2? The Atari VCS has a simple yet very functional controller consisting of no more than a joystick and a fire button! (And if you prefer paddle-based games, the VCS can accommodate you there as well!)

- The VCS is available in many shapes, sizes, and colors! Some are woodgrain with six metal switches, some are woodgrain with four. Woodgrain too late '70s/early '80s for you? Screw that, then -- get one in black! (Sorry, only available in four-switch.) Like a space-age look? Get the variety with a silver panel! (Good news, jetsetters -- available in both four- and six-switch varieties!) Don't like switches at all? There's the Flashback 2! (And that comes with a ton of games! What? You want games that aren't included? You can modify it!) But if you would love a good video game system but just don't have a lot of space for it, why not go with the Atari 2600jr.? All the functionality of the other models, but a smaller footprint -- and a removable AV cord!

- Tired of your CD- and DVD-based games getting scratched up and unplayable? The Atari VCS features games on a special medium that has proven to work for 31 years! Tired of waiting for the CD or DVD to spin up and for that long boot and intro screen? The VCS cartridge format eliminates both!

- You like role playing games? Adventure games? Puzzle games? Sports games? Racing games? Classic arcade games? Space shoot-'em-ups? Look no further than the Atari VCS!

- "But my TV is too new to be able to connect the console to!" I hear you cry. Poppycock, I say! March yourself down to Radio Shack or Fry's and get an RCA-to-coax converter! While you're there, pick up some DB9 splitters so you can leave your joysticks plugged in while you play a paddle game!

- New titles are always available! Favorites from the past few years include Strat-O-Gems Deluxe, Stella's Stocking, This Planet Sucks, and the classic Lady Bug!

Need I say more?