The Atari XEGS
Computer System


 




        Atari in 1987 released the Atari XEGS (XE Game System).  Basically, the system was a repackaged Atari 65XE.  No ECI (Extended Cartridge Interface) was included so hard drives and other ECI/PBI devices could not be used.   When the Keyboard (the first and only detachable keyboard for the 8-bit line of computers) was not attached the system would come up with Missle Command which was built into ROM.   When the keyboard was attached the system would come up with Atari BASIC.    The system was packaged with Console, joystick, light gun and several software packages.   Originally sold for $199 the buyer received a game system which was a computer and came packaged with numerous software titles on Cartridges.   Nintendo sued Atari over advertising which stated that the Atari XEGS had the most games for any game system.   Nintendo sued Atari because at the time Atari did not currently sell a disk drive for the 8-bit line of computers (Atari was simply selling out stock of Atari 1050 disk drives, but they were not manufacturing any new drives at the time).   Atari quickly produced the Atari XF551 disk drive which was a 360K 5.25" floppy drive system.   Although packaged as a game console, the Atari XEGS is more computer then game system and is classified as a computer here at the Atari Historical Society.