Atari, founded in Sunnyvale, California, in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, was a pioneer in arcade games, home video game consoles, and home computers. In 1971, Bushnell and Dabney founded a small engineering company called Syzygy Engineering that designed Computer Space, the world’s first commercially available arcade video game.
On June 27, 1972, the 2 incorporated Atari, Inc. and soon hired Al Alcorn as their first design engineer. Bushnell asked Alcorn to produce an arcade version of the Magnavox Odyssey’s Tennis game, which would be named Pong. The rest if history as they say.
Since retro gaming is a huge part of video game conventions experience now, let’s look at history of Atari gaming consoles. Also check out Atari logo history, you can view and download logos for free. It’s sure to bring back some great memories.
TeleGames Atari Pong (1975)
Atari-Telegames Home Pong console was first released in 1975 after it was a huge arcade game success. Fans adored the simple-yet-addicting, tennis-style game.
Atari 2600 (1977)
Atari 2600 console was first called Atari Video Computer System (VCS). It was later renamed to 2600 after 5200 was released. This classic home games system came with two joystick controllers. It became an instant hit and started the home video game revolution. With its interchangeable game cartridges, the relatively small hardware unit connects to your home television easily, making it super easy to start gaming at home.Atari 2600 games list >
Atari 5200 (1982)
The Atari 5200 was a follow-up to the Atari 2600 that improved processing power and featured a new joystick with 360-degree responsiveness. This 8-bit system featured an upgraded controller peripheral that featured many more buttons than the original console and had four controller ports.
Atari 7800 (1986)
The Atari 7800 ProSystem improved graphics from 5200, came with a digital joystick featuring two buttons and games that rivaled the quality of arcade games. The 7800 is also almost entirely backwards compatible with the Atari 2600 game cartridges.Atari 7800 Best Games & All Games List >
Atari XEGS (1987)
The Atari XE Video Game System (Atari XEGS) is an industrial redesign of the Atari 65XE home computer and the final model in the Atari 8-bit family. It could support a wider range of peripherals including the XEGS keyboard, CX40 joystick, and XG-1 light gun.
Atari Lynx I Handheld (1989)
The Atari Lynx is Atari’s first entry into the portable game market. This system set itself apart by offering a color LCD screen, something its main competitor, The Nintendo Game Boy, didn’t. The console has two CPU units inside: a 16-bit custom CMOS chip and a 8-bit custom CMOS chip. It’s credited as the first game console with the ability to zoom and distort sprite graphic.
Atari Lynx II Handheld (1991)
Following the moderate success of the Lynx I, Atari launched the Lynx II in July of 1991. It was smaller and lighter, had improved performance, better battery life, a better screen with backlighting that could be turned off to save on battery life, stereo sound, and a smaller price tag.
Atari Jaguar (1993)
The Atari Jaguar was a 64-bit console in a time when competitors were transitioning from 16-bit to 32-bit systems. Hardware bugs and poor 3rd party support lead to poor sales and only 50 game titles was ever released.
Atari VCS 800 (2020)
In 2020, Atari released a home gaming console called VCS 800. The VCS name was taken from the original name of the Atari 2600. This console allows you to download and play games on a Linux-based operating system called AtariOS.The VCS 800 also doubles as a PC system, allowing you to play lower end PC games as well as preloaded classic Atari titles. Blending the best of gaming consoles and PCs, you have games, apps, streaming entertainment and built-in Chrome capabilities.
Atari 2600+ (2023)
In 2023, Atari released 2600+, a modern take on the classic 2600 gaming system. You can enjoy your favorite Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridge games again. Not only does the Atari 2600+ pull double cartridge duty, it also features HDMI and widescreen mode for easy connectivity to modern TVs.The system comes with a CX40+ Joystick and a 10-in-1 game cartridge that features some of Atari’s most famous games like Adventure®, Missile Command®, and Yars’ Revenge®. You can also purchase a CX30+ Paddle Controller bundle separately which also comes with 4 paddle games.
