Pre-1990, you’re mostly looking at the NES library as the go to. The older Atari games I don’t think are worth it, outside of the historical context angle.

With all due respect, I have to disagree with you there. You seem to be lumping all Atari games into the 2600 category. The Atari computers had plenty of classics.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Star Raiders
Choplifter
Miner 2049er

The list goes on and on, and if you add in the Commodore, Apple, and TI computers it gets even bigger. Pre 90 consoles, you have Colecovision, Intellivision, etc. Of which I personally love love love Utopia for the Intellivision.