Some of the best Atari consoles
Here is a list of some of the consoles that were key players in the history of Atari, and in the history of retrogaming in general.
The Atari 2600
Released in 1977, the Atari 2600 is produced until 1991, a longevity record for a home video game console. Bundled with two joysticks controllers and the game Combat, its success is tremendous. This console participated to the spreading of home video game consoles and video games. More than 30 million units were sold. The first version of the console being relatively heavy, Atari released in 1980 a lighter ‘jr’ version.
Atari’s policy regarding this console was highly controversial: developers were not remunerated proportionally to the commercial success of the games. Space Invaders’ developer only received 11 000$ for his game, while it yielded more than 100 million dollars to Atari. This policy encouraged developers to leave Atari and to become independent.
Major games :
- Pac-Man (le plus vendu)
- Space Invaders
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
The Atari 5200
Released in 1982 exclusively in the United States, the 5200 was a failure. The joystick innovation on the control pad was a good idea, but without an automatic centring system, it disappointed many players. The lack of innovative games and the 1983’s crisis were the last straw to the downfall of this console.
Major games :
- Frogger
- Berzerk
- Star Wars : The Arcade Game
The Atari 7800
Released in 1986 as the competitor to the famous NES and Master System, it never managed to reach their level. In order to challenge home computers that were increasingly considered to be a better investment, with more games, a better quality and more possibilities, the Atari 7800 was designed to be more powerful. Pro-consoles and Pro-pc rivalry is older than what you may have imagined!
Biggest hits :
- Donkey Kong
- Asteroïds
- Rampage
The Lynx
Released in 1989, at the same time as Nintendo’s Gameboy, the Lynx is Atari’s only portable console, and the first console with a coloured LCD screen ! Despite being more powerful than its rival from Nintendo, the Lynx suffers from a poor marketing campaign from Atari and a shallow game library.
Biggest hits :
- Toki
- Batman Returns
- California Games
The Jaguar
Released in 1993, it is the last console of Atari. Despite being the only 64bits console on the market, it does not manage to compete with the Super Nes, the Playstation and the Saturn. The lack of exclusive games marks the end of the console and the downfall of Atari.
Major games:
- Tempest 2000
- Rayman
- Alien Vs. Predator
