I started out with a second hand Atari 400 back in 1984. Basic on that machine was fantastic. Graphically it was on par with the C64 considering it preceded it as a machine by 3 years being introduced in late 1979...sonically it was no match.
Sadly here in the UK it did not have much of a foothold on the marketplace and with a lack of software I eventually persuaded my parents to get me a C64 in 1985, progressing onwards to an Amiga 500+, A1200 HD and when Commodore went bust sold that and moved onto 80486 PC.
Still have a fondness for the Atari 8 bit line of computers, severely underrated, and a huge liking (despite their many failings) of Commodore machines of which I now own several but prefer due to lack of space these days to emulate.
Classic gaming memories of IK+, Bubble Bobble, The Sentinel, Impossible Mission, Archon, Beach Head, Thing On A Spring, Uridium, Wizball, Leaderboard, Boulder Dash, H.E.R.O, Thrust, Epyx Sports games etc etc on the C64, the legendary Star Raiders on the Atari 8 Bit, alongside a wonderful coin-op conversion of Defender, The late great Paul Woakes of Novagen 'Encounter' and Dropzone.
As for the Amiga, many a Lucasarts point & click, Speedball 2, Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder, Fire & Ice, Turrican, Gods, Wings, Stunt Car Racer, James Pond 3, Syndicate, Chaos Engine etc
