Undeniably the world's most poplar video game , the Atari 2600 Video Computer System has in one way or another been in just about everyone's life.  From original owners back in the late 70's and 80's, to new owners just discovering their simple yet extremely addictive game play.   The Atari 2600 was technically superior to most of the other game systems when it was released such as the Bally Astrocade, Magnavox Odyssey and Fairchild Channel F and took a far lead in first place.   Systems such as the Intellivision and Colecovision were graphically better systems, however the Atari 2600 won the hearts and minds of most video gamers and climbed to the top and stayed there for most of its existence.   In fact it was the Atari 2600's huge popularity that became its downfall with too many cartridges being produced and too many of them were lacking in game play and in graphics.   This huge flood of  games caused a cartridge "glut" and added to huge fallout in the industry which saw almost all small start ups disappear and brought company's like Mattel's Intellivision division, Coleco and any others to their knees and into dusty memories.   Atari managed to remain but with a weak heart beat.   In the summer of 1984 the Atari Consumer and Home Computer divisions were now in the possession of new owners previously with Commodore who cared nothing for videogames and focused on computers primarily.   In 1993 Atari once again tried its hand at the home video game market with its Atari Jaguar 64 console, but quickly dropped the product in 1996 and the company ceased to exist as Atari then fell into the hands of small hard disk company called JTS who wanted nothing but the money from the reverse merger, the Atari home console presence was dying a painful death.   In March of 1998 the rights, licenses and technology of Atari's video game and computer divisions were bought by Hasbro Interactive.   Infogrames is now the owner of the Atari rights and licenses.   Check www.atari.com to see what future developments may come from Atari's newest owners.
 
Atari 2600 VCS Prototype

 
Atari 2600 "Stella" Atari 2600A "Stella"
Atari 2600 jr. "Bonnie" Atari 2600 Peripherals
Atari 2600 Trakball Atari 2600 Dealer Displays
Atari 2600 Ads The SuperCharger Module
Atari CX-2000 "Val" Prototype Atari "Graduate" Computer
Compumate Keyboard Atari 2700 Wireless VCS "RC-Stella"
Atari VCS on an S-100 Card Atari 2600 Test Console
White Atari 2600jr. Atari 3600 Cartridge
Atari 2600 RC Joysticks Atari 2800 Japan System "Cindy"
Atari Mindlink System The Real "STELLA"
Atari Kids Controller The Atari 3200 "Super-Stella"
Atari Kids Library Atari 2600 Accessories
Atari CX2500 all-in-one Prototype Atari 2200 Portable Concept Sketches

Atari 2600
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Case Design Study: The Atari 2600
Interview: John Marvin (Crypts of Chaos & Planet of the Apes)

 
The Atari 2600 FAQ
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Atari 2600 Label Variations FAQ

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