Published on September 11, 2021
Updated on March 17, 2024

All Atari Consoles & Computers Ever Released (1972-2024)

Before the NES and the SG-1000 came into existence,  Atari was pretty much the pioneer in the home console business. An influential pioneer that paved the way for other companies to break into the video game console industry. While Atari may be half-dead, its spirit is still burning among the retro community.

Atari was founded back in 1972 by Pong and Computer Space co-creators, Ted Dabney and Nolan Bushnell. The aforementioned was massively popular but after the video game crash in 1983, Atari faced constant ups and downs that led to its drastic demise. What made the situation worse is the emergence of a plethora of video game consoles including the NES, SG-1000, and the PC Engine.

Despite the Atari becoming a name from the past these days, it managed to leave a mark that would be remembered for decades. Atari will forever remain a legendary name.

Today, we will be taking a look at every Atari console (computers too), including released and unreleased ones. Hop in and read all about it down below.

Table of Contents

Atari Consoles

Atari Pong (1972)

CPU: Unknown
Video:
Unknown
Memory:
Unknown
Media:
Not specified
Video Output:
TV
Network:
None
Audio:
None
Type: Home Console

Release Date: November 29, 1972
Code Name: Darlene
Generation: First
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$299
Units Sold: 150.000

Most of us have grown up playing Pong in the arcades, but only a few people owned the Atari Pong. The Atari’s journey began with the pong, a table tennis simulator that blew us away when it was first released. To this day, it stands as the first commercially successful video game. Its success influenced other companies to copy the formula. Hence,  an array of clones have emerged, like Coleco and the Commodore.

Actually, what made Pong a great deal is the fact that it allowed players to hook up their console to their TV and game. It may not look that impressive compared to today’s standards, but back then, that was regarded as a technical revolution.

Initially, pong was released back in 1972 for the arcade cabinet. But It wasn’t until 1975 that Atari would manufacture their own version of a home Pong console.

Atari Video Pinball series (1977)

Manufactured, marketed, and released by Atari back in 1977, the Video Pinball brand is a series of single-player dedicated home video game consoles launched around the same period as the Atari 2600 and the Atari Stunt Cycle.

Looking back, the origins of this console are a delight to explore nowadays. Before Pong came into existence, the developer and designer behind the Pong, Harold Lee became burnt out from his work designing arcade game boards. As a result, he left Atari. Shortly after his departure from the company, he would receive a call from Allan Alcorn. The latter would later ask if Harold could attach a Pong on a chip, and the answer was affirmative. Little did he know that he was back in the company, and his ideas would later influence the making of the video pinball series.

Throughout its existence, the console went through three distinct models: a woodgrain design and a cream-coloured version, as well as an OEM edition that was later renamed “Pinball Breakaway.” Additionally, Sears produced their own version of the console under the Tele-Games label, bringing the total number of versions to four. The earliest models were based on the single chip 011500-11/C011512-05, also known as Pong-on-a-chip.

At the time, Atari was busy competing with the Magnavox Odyssey, Coleco Telstar, and even the Color game home console by Nintendo, which gradually started finding an audience shortly after its release.

Atari’s Stunt Cycle’s Home Console (1977)

After a humble debut in the arcades back in 1976, Atari would follow up with two dedicated console versions a year later. The first version branded Stunt Cycle plays four games: the original game and three variants titled Enduro, DragRace, and Motocross.

Based on the AY-3-8760 chip by the now-defunct General Instrument, the games could be played using the Handlebar grips installed on the chip. Players were able to wheelie, whip, and even jump up to 32 onscreen buses, which was pretty impressive back then. In addition to this, the unit provided digital-on-screen, a feature that was first introduced by the Magnavox Odyssey 100 and Atari Pong.

The second version manufactured by the Sears Tele-Games branded Motocross Sports Center IV, included the same content as the first version and up to 16 pong games that could be played using detachable Pong controllers. The system is based on the Atari C010765 chip for the Pong games and the GI chip AY-3-8760, which provides digital on-screen scoring and color graphics.

Atari 2600 (1977)

CPU: 1.19 MHz MOS Technology 6507
Video:
Television Interface Adaptor (TIA)
Memory:
128 bytes of RAM
Media:
ROM Cartidges
Video Output:
B/W or color TV picture and sound signal through RF modulator (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM
Network:
None
Audio: 
Television Interface Adaptor
Type: Home Console

Release Date: September 11, 1977
Code Name: Stella
Generation: Second
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$199
Units Sold: 30 million (as of 2004)
Best-selling Game: Pac-Man (7,95 million in sales)

The Atari 2600, or known as the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), is a step forward in the video game console industry. The console popularized the usage of ROM cartridges that would later be adopted by companies such as Nintendo.

The Atari 2600 is an important console that is often praised for spreading the use of microprocessor-based design. In addition, while the VCS had an innovative design, it sadly lacked a frame buffer. The lack of such technical capability has proven to be a challenge for developers at the time, pushing designers to squeeze as much as possible from the system and experiment with different kinds of complex designs.

Additionally, the most popular Atari VCS titles were ports of arcade hits, including Taito’s Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong. The process of porting Arcade hits to the VCS aided developers in finding out what to carry with them to the next generations and what to leave behind.

Atari 5200 (1982)

 

CPU: 8-bit Custom Motorola 6502C at 1.79 MHz
Video:
ANTIC and GTIA
Memory:
16 KB
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
B/W or color TV picture and sound signal through RF modulator (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM
Network:
None
Audio:
4-channel PSG sound via POKEY sound chip
Type: Home Console

Release Date: November, 1981
Code Name: Pam
Generation: Second
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: $269.99
Units Sold: 1 million
Best-selling Game: Space Dungeon

The Atari 5200 is the successor to the Atari 2600 which was released in 1981. The aforementioned was Atari’s answer to the Intellivision threat back then and other competitors like Colecovision. The system, graphically, is a step above its predecessor the Atari 2600.

While the system sold well, it sadly didn’t reach the overall level of success that the Atari 2600 enjoyed.  At first, consumers were upset over the fact that the Atari 5200 couldn’t play Atari 2600 games. However, thankfully, a VCS adapter was launched shortly after. What the VCS did was allow consumers to play their favorite Atari 2600 games on the 5200. However the video game crash back in 1983 axed the stream of profitable sales.

Atari 7800 (1986)

CPU: Atari SALLY (“6502C”) at 1.79Mhz
Video:
MARIA custom chip @ 7.16 MHz
Memory:
64K RAM, 128k RAM
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
B/W or color TV picture and sound signal through RF modulator (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM
Network:
None
Audio:
TIA as used in the 2600
Type: Home Console

Release Date: May 1986
Code Name: MARIA
Generation: Third
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$140
Units Sold: 1 million
Best-selling Game: Crack’ed and a couple of other titles

One year after the release of 65XE and 130XE,  the 7800 Pro System, would be released. One of the best features about the system is how it is compatible with the Atari 2600 games library and accessories, and the best thing? no add-ons are required. This made the console the first system to feature backward compatibility.

Additionally, the 7800 Pro System tries to emulate the arcade experience by including a joystick that is quite similar to what a gamer would use to play shoot ’em-up video games. Despite the system being backward compatible with the Atari 2600, it only had 57 games. The decision behind this is how Atari focused entirely on quality before quantity.

Atari Jaguar (1993)

CPU: Motorola 68000, 2 custom RISC processors
Video:
32-bit RISC architecture, 4 KB internal RAM
Memory:
2 MB RAM
Video Output:
Monitor-port (Composite/S-Video/RGB)
Media:
Cartidge
Audio:
16-bit audio input and output up to 50 kHz – 8 stereo channels
Type: Home Console

Release Date: November 23, 1993
Code Name: Panther
Generation: Fifth
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$249.99
Units Sold:  150,000 (¹) (²)
Best Selling Game: Alien vs Predator

The Atari impressed everyone with their newly introduced console at the time, the Atari Jaguar. An innovative system that made history as the world’s first 64-bit console, showcasing fascinating features that captivated players. The Atari Jaguar boasted some impressive exclusives like Aliens vs Predator, Battlemorph, and Iron Soldier, making the ownership of the console worth the effort.

However, despite its technological prowess, Atari faced formidable competition from the Japanese gaming industry. The Sega Saturn emerged as a beast, and the subsequent release of the N64 intensified the competition tenfold. Ultimately, the final blow came with Sony’s introduction of the PS1, which proved to be the decisive factor leading Atari to exit the console market.

Atari Flashback series (2004-2019)

Video Output: HDMI Output
Media:
Built-in Games
Type: Home Console
Units Sold: 1 Million Unit (?) (¹)
Manufacturer: Several (AtGames, Legacy Engineering Group)

Release Date: November 2004 (Atari Flashback Original)
Status:
Present
Release Price: Several

 

The Flashback series boasts more than 30 editions, and while this overview won’t delve into each one, we’ll make do with a brief mention. The first Flashback series made its debut on September 7th, 2004, aligning with Atari’s strategic move to capitalize on the surging trend of retro gaming at the time. The initial design, known as Atari Flashback, bore a closer resemblance to the 7800, but subsequent editions swiftly adopted the iconic look of the Atari 2600. The original Atari Flashback hit the market with a price tag of $45, while later editions cost up to $80 retail price.

Every iteration of the Flashback series came equipped with a selection of built-in games, with the Atari Flashback 9, launched in 2018, standing out. This edition featured an impressive lineup of 110 games, encompassing unreleased prototypes like Aquaventure and homebrew titles such as Atari Climber. Despite the diverse game offerings, the Flashback series struggled to establish itself as a must-have console for many enthusiasts. It suffered from several emulation flaws, and other technical issues that made the flashback not really stand out. AtGames, the team behind the Atari Flashback 3 and onward, attempted to solve some issues that have been plaguing the FBS for a decade with the Flashback X edition, but alas, it didn’t work out quite well in the end.

Complicating matters even more, these releases occurred during a period (from 2004 to 2010) when companies like Capcom, Sega, and Namco were busy bundling their classic games into compact collections for consoles and PC, further challenging the appeal of the Atari Flashback series.

Atari VCS (2021)

CPU: 14nm AMD R1606G Zen processor with 2 cores and 4 threads @ 2.6 GHz (up to 3.5 GHz)
GPU:
Radeon Vega 3 APU architecture with up to 4GB shared graphics memory
Memory:
8 GB DDR4  (VCS 800 Model) 4 GB DDR4 (VCS 400 Model) (upgradeable to 32GB )
Storage:
eMMC storage of 32GB (M.2 SSD SATA slot to increase internal storage)
Video Output:
HDMI Output
Display:
HDMI 2.0
API: OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan
Type: Microconsole
Manufacturer: Atari, Inc

Release Date: June 15, 2021
Status:
Present
Release Price: US$299 (¹)
Units Sold: Roughly 40.000 (¹)
Codename: Ataribox
Network: 2.4/5 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet

The Atari VCS kicked off as a project funded by the crowd, and they first talked about it in 2017. People who supported it got their hands on it in 2020, and shortly after, it hit the shelves for everyone in 2021.

This mini gaming console tips its hat to the classic Atari 2600 design, adding a surprising twist to Atari’s lineup of home video game consoles. Known as the VCS, or AtariBox during its development, this gadget lets you download and play games using a Linux-based system called AtariOS. Think of it like a small, modern PC that opens the door to a variety of games – from indie releases to old-school Atari favorites, and even some simpler PC games. And the best part? You can snag the whole package for $299, and it’s good to go straight out of the box.

Atari 2600+ (2023)

CPU: Rockchip 3128 SOC microprocessor
Memory:
Memory: 256MB DDR3 RAM
Storage:
256MB eMMC fixed internal storage
Video Output:
HDMI Output
Display:
HDMI 2.0
Type: Microconsole
Manufacturer: Atari, Inc

Release Date:November 17, 2023
Status:
Present
Release Price:$129.99 (¹)
Units Sold: Unknown

 

 

One of the latest consoles from Atari this time was the Atari 2600+. This wasn’t merely a micro-console edition of their legendary Atari 2600. In fact, the Atari 2600+ provided compatible support for the 7800 games as well, making the Atari 2600+ combine two systems into one.

The console also featured HDMI and Widescreen mode support to make your games from the 80s look crisp and clean on your modern TV. As for what’s inside the package, as outlined by Atari’s website, it includes the Atari 2600+ console, an Atari CX40+ Joystick, an Atari 10-in-1 Game Cartridge, an HDMI cable, and a USB-C Power Cable. However, it’s important to note that a power adapter, unfortunately, is not included in the package.

Atari Handhelds

The handheld version of Touch Me (1978)

First introduced as an arcade game in 1974, Touch Me was eventually adapted into a handheld version in 1978. This handheld release marked one of Atari’s strongest entries into the handheld market and is considered one of the earliest attempts to be released in the gaming industry.

This orange handheld was tiny, featuring four colorful buttons: blue, yellow, red, and green. Four additional buttons were included along with a turn ON/Off slot in case you want to call it a day.

For those interested in experiencing this game, Atari has included an emulated version game in the 2022 compilation of Atari 50: the Anniversary Celebration.

Atari Lynx (1989)

CPU: Dual 16-bit CMOS, Mikey & Suzy (16MHZ)
Video:
Suzy” (16-bit custom CMOS)
Memory:
64KB RAM
Media:
ROM Cartidge
Video Output:
LCD Screen
Network:
None
Audio:
8-bit 4 channel
Type: Handheld

Release Date: September 1, 1989
Code Name: RedEye
Generation: Fourth
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$179.99
Units Sold: 2 million (¹)

Lynx was Atari’s answer to Nintendo’s Gameboy, TurboExpress, and Sega’s Game Gear handhelds. And as always, Atari never disappoints, making sure it always surprises the world with something new. Lynx was a technological step forward as it was the first handheld with an LCD color display compared to the original Game Boy.

Thanks to its advanced graphics at the time and the ambidextrous design, Lynx managed to sell very well, boasting over 3 million units sold according to the Wikipedia page.

Atari Lynx II (1991)

CPU: two 16-bit custom CMOS chips running at 16MHz
Video:
Suzy” (16-bit custom CMOS)
Memory:
64KB RAM
Media:
ROM Cartidge
Screen Size: 3.5” Diagonal (approximately 3.25” x 1.88”)
Colour: 4096-colour palette, 16 simultaneous colours from palette per scan line
Resolution: 160 x 102 (16,320 addressable pixels)
Network:
None
Audio:
4 Channel sound 8-bit DAC for each channel
Type: Handheld

Release Date: July, 1991
Code Name: Handy
Generation: Fourth
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$199.99
Units Sold: Unknown

Following the moderate success of the Atari Lynx, the company introduced the Atari Lynx II to the market in July 1991, only to discontinue it a year later. This upgraded iteration of the console boasted several enhancements, notably a redesign that made it slightly smaller and more symmetrical, optimizing comfort for handheld use. The screen was also brighter, and Atari incorporated a new feature that allowed players to turn off the screen using a blacklight button, conserving energy during breaks in gaming sessions without needing to power off the entire console.

Originally named Handy, the console was developed by Epyx, which also produced early software. During its development, the console was presented to Nintendo. However, in a twist of fate, Nintendo unveiled its latest handheld console, the Nintendo Game Boy, during the meeting.

Despite the missed opportunity with Nintendo, the Atari Lynx held the distinction of being the first handheld console featuring a color display and a backlight. It also introduced a unique feature enabling players to switch between right-handed and left-handed (upside-down) configurations. Setting it apart even further, the console’s “ComLynx” system allowed networking with up to 17 other units, though most games were limited to eight players or fewer.

Atari Flashback Portable series (2016-2019)

Video Output: LCD screen 320×240.  AV output
Media:
Built-in Games + SD Slot
Type: Handheld
Manufacturer: Atari

Release Date: November 2016
Status:
Present
Release Price: Several 
Units Sold:  Unknown

Seeing as the Flashback series wasn’t a hit, At Games decided to breach into the handheld market with their Portable series which is based on the same handheld system they had been using for their Genesis portable.

Work on a handheld release of the Flashback series began in 2007, and the hardware would be officially released in November 2016.  For the first edition, two different boxes were released simultaneously – one featuring Space Invaders on the screen and the second featuring Centipede.  So far, This series consists of 4 editions, and each edition comes with a different design and diverse video games. For instance, the first edition has 60 games. Meanwhile, the latest versions have 230 games combined. So, there’s a variety to choose from here. If one had to choose which series to pick up, it’s definitely the latest 4th edition, but hey, to each his own, right?

Atari Computers

Atari 400 (1979)

CPU: MOS Technology 6502B 1.79Mhz
Video:
384 pixels per TV line, 256 colors, 8 × sprites, raster interrupts
Memory:
up to 16kb
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
Monitor RGB output, RF TV video output, 1 cartridge slot, Atari Serial Input/Ouput (SIO) port, 4 controller jacks
Network:
None
Audio:
4 × oscillators with noise mixing
or 2 × AM digital
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: November, 1979
Code Name: Candy
Generation: Second
Status:
Discontinued ( January 1, 1992)
Release Price: US$550
Units Sold: Unknown
Best-selling Game: Star Raiders

The Atari 400 is a home computer that is part of the 8-bit family series. The look of this thing may deceive you, but at the time, it managed to sell 4 million units between 1979 and 1992 alongside the more powerful Atari 800. These systems not only were a technical marvel when they came out, but they also helped make home computers go mainstream. The Atari 400 cost 550 US Dollars back then. As of right now, the cost of a brand new one is 1960$ among retro collectors.

Atari 800 (1979)

CPU: MOS Technology 6502B 1.79Mhz
Video:
384 pixels per TV line, 256 colors, 8 × sprites, raster interrupts
Memory:
up to 48kb DRAM
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
Monitor RGB output, RF TV video output, 1 cartridge slot, Atari Serial Input/Ouput (SIO) port, 4 controller jacks
Network:
None
Audio:
4 × oscillators with noise mixing
or 2 × AM digital
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: November, 1979
Code Name: Colleen
Generation: Second
Status:
Discontinued ( January 1, 1992)
Release Price: US$1,000
Units Sold: Unknown
Best-selling Game: Star Raiders

A slightly powerful home computer in comparison with the Atari 400 and is also part of the 8-bit family series of consoles. Both the Atari 400 and 800 were released in November 1979 and came packed with plug-and-play peripherals using the Atari SIO serial bus. Unlike, the Atari 400 which could fit up to 16kb of DRAM, the Atari 800 allowed easy RAM upgrades up to 48KB. Thanks to its advanced capabilities it made gaming a whole lot more popular.

Atari 1200XL (1983)

CPU: MOS 6502C @ 1.79MHz
Memory:
64K RAM
Media:
Optional cassette or floppy drive
Video Output:
40×24 text, 320×192 graphics
16 colors with 16 intensities
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: March 1982
Code Name: Sweet-16 (?)
Generation: Second
Status:
Discontinued ( June 1983)
Release Price: US$1,000 (pre-launch), US $899 (final price)
Units Sold: 105.000 (?)

The Atari 1200XL was first presented at the Winter CES on January 6-9, 1983, and it shipped in February of the year for the consumer. This computer which is part of the 8-bit family, boasted 64kb of RAM, a re-designed keyboard (featuring four function keys and a help key), and a redesigned cable port layout. Originally announced at a retail price of 1000$, with no available units in Europe, the price was ultimately changed to 899$. The 1200XL was ultimately discontinued a few months after its launch due to how expensive it was, hence why plenty of consumers were unable to afford it.

Atari 800XL & 600XL

Years of fierce competition have left Atari at a crossroads. While the Commodore 64 dominates the PC market alongside other competitors, Atari has struggled to maintain its footing. The release of the Atari 1200XL only exacerbated their challenges. Not only was it prohibitively expensive, but Atari’s marketing efforts were also sluggish, failing to effectively communicate the value of their product to consumers.

In an effort to break free from their dilemma, Atari unveiled a promising new lineup of computers at the Summer CES in June 1983: the 600XL. This model was positioned to serve as a successor to the ill-fated 1200XL and carry on the legacy of the popular 400 and 800XL. The 600XL/800XL boasted a winning combination of accessible pricing, enhanced features, and sleeker design, making them a compelling choice for consumers. However, Atari faced significant challenges as the availability of the 600/800XL was limited compared to the abundant supply of its nemesis, the Commodore 64.

Despite the potential of the 600/800XL, Atari struggled to capitalize on its strengths and failed to effectively compete with their rivals. The company suffered a staggering loss of $563 million in the first nine months of the year, signaling a dire financial situation. To exacerbate matters, Atari implemented a price hike across its entire computer range, further alienating consumers and fueling speculation that the company might exit the hardware market altogether.

Atari 65XE & 130XE (1985)

CPU: 8-bit Custom Motorola 6502C at 1.79 MHz
Video:
ANTIC and GTIA
Memory:
64K RAM, 128k RAM
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
B/W or color TV picture and sound signal through RF modulator (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM
Network:
None
Audio:
4-channel PSG sound via POKEY sound chip
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: 1985
Code Name: Mickey
Generation: Second
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$120 (65XE), US$140
Units Sold: 4 million
Best-selling Game: Star Raiders

 

 

The year 1985 saw the release of yet another piece of hardware that is part of the 8-bit family series. Atari 65 XE and 130 XE continued the 8-bit legacy following the release of the Atari 400 and 800. 130XE is slightly more powerful than the 65XE, featuring 128 KB of RAM. Not only that but also the aforementioned was meant to appeal to a larger audience than its predecessors.

Atari ST (1985)

CPU: Motorola 680×0 @ 8+ MHz
Video:
ET4000 Chip
Memory:
512KB
Media:
Floppy Disk
Video Output:
(60 Hz NTSC, 50 Hz PAL, 71.2 Hz monochrome)
Network:
None
Audio:
Yamaha YM2149F
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: 1985
Code Name: Iceman
Generation: Third
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$799.99 (monochrome) US$999.99 (color monitor)
Units Sold: 2.2 million (sold mostly well in Europe)

With each new year, Atari tried to surpass their previous hardware. That is when the Atari ST was released, a successor to the 8-bit family line of home computers. The initial model, 520ST, is the first personal computer to feature a bitmapped color GUI. Meanwhile, The 1040ST is the first model to include 1 MB of RAM and a cost-per-kilobyte of less than US$1.

Despite the Atari ST’s advanced capabilities, it didn’t sell as much as Atari expected it would. The system, on the one hand, was booming in Europe. Particularly, in Germany. Seeing the massive demand over there, Atari had to prioritize Germany over the United States. The Atari ST was most popular for music sequencing among amateurs and popular musicians.

Atari XEGS (1987)

CPU: MOS Technology 6502C at 1.79Mhz
Video:
GTIA
Memory:
64KB RAM
Media:
ROM Cartidge
Video Output:
RF, Composite
Network:
None
Audio:
4 channels. 3.5 octaves
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: 1987
Code Name: Bombshell
Generation: Third
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: 199 USD
Units Sold: 130.000

1987 was the year when things started to get difficult for Atari. That year saw brutal competition between different brands such as the NES, Sega Master System, Turbografx-16, Neo Geo SNK, and more. The system is a clever re-design of the previous Atari 65 XE home computer and the final model in the 8-bit family series. It worked as both a home computer and a video game console, but Atari marketed it as the latter along with Nintendo’s SNES.

The best thing about the XEGS is its backward compatibility with the 8-bit family line of home computers. This, and a modest number of great games to play on the system. Including Bug Hunt Barnyard Blaster, as well as, cartridge ports of old games, such as Lode Runner, Necromancer, Fight Night, and more. 1992 marked the end of support for the XEGS along with the 8-bit family computers. Also,  Atari 2600, and 7800.

Atari TT030 (1990)

CPU: Motorola 68030 @ 32 MHz (system bus @ 16 MHz)
FPU: Motorola 68882 @ 32 MHz
Video:
TKR CrazyDots II VME card (ET-4000 with 1Mb) using NVDI 4.11
Memory:
2/16 MB
Media:
Floppy Disk
Video Output:
VGA Monitor (analog RGB and Mono)
Network:
EtherNEC External Network
Audio:
Yamaha YM2149 + Stereo 8-bit PCM via DMA
Hard Drive Capacity: 50MB
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: 1990
Code Name: Not specified
Generation: Fourth
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$2,995
Units Sold: Exact number is unknown (¹)

The TT030 is part of the Atari ST’s line of personal computers. Released back in 1990 at an insane price of almost 3,000 USD, The TT030 was initially intended to be a high-end Unix Workstation. However, things didn’t go the way they were planned.

Two years later, Atari released a low-cost consumer-oriented machine titled the Atari Falcon (or known as Falcon030) with improved visuals and sound capabilities. The downside of it is that it suffered from a bottle-necked processor. The high price of the system probably made it impossible for some to get their hands on it. Thankfully, you can still experience the TT030 through an emulator which doesn’t require a brainer to understand.

Atari Mega STE (1991)

CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 8 MHz or 16 MHz
Video:
MACH32
Memory:
4 MB ST RAM expandable up to 4 MB using 30-pin SIMMs
Video Output:
Monitor (RGB and Mono), RF modulator
Network:
EtherNEC External Network
Media:
Floppy Disk
Audio:
Yamaha YM2149
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: 1991
Code Name: Not specified
Generation: Fourth
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price: US$1,799
Units Sold: Unknown

The final personal computer in the Atari ST series by Atari Corporation. Similar to previous personal computers, the Atari Mega STE wasn’t cheaper at all. The system is a late-model Motorola 68000 based on the STE hardware. The aforementioned is a high-resolution mono monitor and an internal SCSI hard disk. While the system wasn’t compatible with its predecessors, it featured a unique touch called software-switch CPU. This feature allowed the CPU to operate at 16 MHz for faster processing or 8 MHz for better compatibility with old software.

Atari Falcon030 (1992)

CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 16 MHz or Motorola 56001 @ 32 MHz
Video:
16-bit BLiTTER @ 16MHz (also handles hard drive access)
VIDEL (video controller) sits on 32-bit bus
Memory:
1, 4 or 16MB(14MB usable) on daughterboard (RAM is 32-bit wide)
Video Output:
RGB output can feed either 15 kHz RGB monitor or TV, old Atari SM124 monitor or a VGA monitor
Network:
EtherNEC External Network
Media:
Internal 1.44MB 3.5″ HD floppy
Internal IDE 2.5″ hard drive (optional)
Audio:
16-bit audio input and output up to 50 kHz – 8 stereo channels
Type: Home Computer

Release Date: 1992
Code Name: Not specified
Generation: Fourth
Status:
Discontinued
Release Price (1993): 1MB/no HD – $799
4MB/65MB – $1399
Units Sold: 10.000  (¹)

Along with the Mega STE, the Falcon030 was also the final personal computer in the Atari ST legacy. What distinguishes the latter from its predecessor is the inclusion of a new programmable graphics system called ” VIDEL” which enhances graphics capabilities. Unfortunately, the Falcon was discontinued one year after its launch so that Atari could focus on its upcoming 64-bit system, the Atari Jaguar.

Atari created a handful of prototypes of Falcon040 before the German music company Emagic (formerly known as C-Lab) purchased the rights to the Falcon hardware design and began producing their own versions.

Canceled Atari Hardware

Atari Game Brain (Unreleased 1978)

CPU: Unknown
Video:
Unknown
Memory:
Unknown
Hard Drive:
Not specified
Media:
Cartidge
Network: None
Audio:
Not specified
Type: Home Console

Intended Release Date: June, 1978
Code Name: Unknown
Generation: First
Status:
Cancelled
Release Price: None
Units Sold: None

An unreleased home video game console that was intended to be released back in June 1978 by Atari. Unfortunately, the system is capable of running only 10 games converted from previous Atari dedicated consoles. Games such as Pong, Stunt Cycle, Super Pong, Ultra Pong, and more.

The system was canceled around 1978 since it wasn’t meant to be a big seller for Atari. Similar to the Atari 2600, Game Brain would have featured a ROM Cartridge. However, the system didn’t include a set of controllers with it. Instead, it featured built-in controls as shown in the picture. The system includes a paddle, a fire button, and 4 directional buttons, as well as, a power switch.

Atari Cosmos (Unreleased- 1978-1981)

CPU: COPS444L
Video:
Holographic backgrounds and programmable LEDs
Memory:
Unknown
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
Simple LED Display
Network:
None
Audio:
Not Specified
Type: Handheld (Tabletop Electronic Game System)

Intended Release Date: 1978-1981
Code Name: Unknown
Generation: First
Status:
Cancelled
Release Price: None
Units Sold: None

Yet another unreleased piece of hardware by Atari that was intended to be released somewhat between 1978 to 1981. Sadly, that didn’t happen. Similar to the Atari Game Brain, it would have come included with 9 games. Including Asteroids, Road Runner, Superman, Dodge ’em, Sea Battle, and more.

Work on the Atari Cosmos was initiated back in 1978 by Atari Inc. engineers Roger Hector, Allan Alcorn, and Harry Jenkins. As a tabletop handheld electronic system, it would have benefited from the holography technique to improve the display. Atari purchased all the rights to holographic tools to make the system possible. And despite being marketed as a handheld system at the time, Cosmos was intended to be powered using an AC Adapter instead of batteries.

The system was victim to countless brutal criticism from reviewers who questioned its technical capabilities. Regardless, Atari Inc. succeeded in obtaining over 8,000 pre-orders at the New York Toy Fair. All seemed great and ready to go until the company pulled the plug by the end of 1981, ultimately canceling the system. Speculators hinted at the possibility of Atari feeling that releasing the Cosmos to the public was a risky move after the brutal criticism it had experienced. The console may not have been officially released, but it has become a collector item that costs a fortune to get your hands on.

Atari 2700 (Unreleased- 1981)

CPU: MOS Technology 6507 @ 1.19 MHz.
Video:
TIA 160 x ≈192 pixel, 128 colors
Memory:
128 bytes (plus up to 256 bytes built into the game cartridges)
Media:
Cartidge
Video Output:
B/W or color TV picture and sound signal
Network:
None
Audio:
2 channel mono sound
Type: Home Console

Intended Release Date: 1981
Code Name: Stella
Generation: Second
Status:
Unreleased
Release Price: None
Units Sold: None

The Atari 2700 — or known as the Atari Remote Control VCS — is a prototype home console that was sadly not launched. The latter was intended to be one of the follow-ups to the commercially successful Atari 2600. The system would have included several new interesting features such as wireless controllers featuring an amalgamation of a joystick and paddle that would work via radio signals, touch-sensitive switches, and a wedge-shaped case.

Surprisingly, the Atari 2700 was fully compatible with the previous Atari 2600, and it was intended to use the system’s accessories and titles as well. Despite how these features looked promising back then, the system never went into full production. Dan Kramer, an employee, has stated that at least 12 consoles were made ( including one that is owned by The National Videogame Museum with extra controllers).

Atari 1400XL & 1450XL

Image source: AtariAge Forums

Atari once unveiled a pretty interesting lineup of new computers in the same tradition of the 600XL and 800XL, at the June 1983 CES in Chicago. Among these were two eagerly anticipated models, the 1400XL and 1450XLD, designed to continue the legacy of the popular 400/800XL/XE series. However, despite the initial excitement generated by their announcement, these two models never made it into the hands of consumers.

Originally slated for release in September 1983, the 1400XL and 1450XLD were intended to serve as replacements for the underwhelming 1200XL. Both models boasted significant improvements in performance and features, with the 1450XLD offering the added convenience of a built-in floppy controller and one or two built-in drives.

Unfortunately, production and distribution challenges ultimately led to the cancellation of these promising machines. Despite their potential to revitalize Atari’s lineup, the 1400XL and 1450XLD remained elusive dreams for consumers, leaving many disappointed and marking a missed opportunity for the company.

Atari 65XEP & 65XEM

Atari 65XEP

Other unreleased computers include The 65XEP and 65XEM. Unfortunately, there isn’t an abundance of information online discussing these two computers, but upon extensive diggings, I have stumbled upon several interesting articles.

According to Atarimania, the Atari 65XEP was first introduced by Atari alongside its siblings the 65XE and 130XE at the January 1985 Winter Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. Almost two years after they announced the 1200XL & 600/800XL. Reading further into the article it documents that the portable 65XEP was to provide the same features as the 65XE, but with a built-in 5 monochrome CRT display and 360 KiB 3.5″ disk drive.

While the 65XEP’s technical specs demonstrated a promising first impression, it sadly never shipped. Fortunately, I managed to archive a photo of the original mockup display prototype unit that ever existed of the 65XEP.

Atari 65XEM

There was another hardware that was announced at the CES show of the same year by Atari but never shown to the public; The 65XEM. The aforementioned was meant to act as an upgrade to the 65XE, with advanced sound/voice synthesis capabilities all thanks to the technical potency of the AMY Sound Processor chip. The 65XEM, while looking and sounding great on paper, never shipped. All that remains is a handful of prototype units awaiting discovery by those with a passion for history.

Atari Panther (Cancelled- 1991)

CPU: Motorola 68000
Video:
Unknown
Memory:
32KB memory
Video Output:
VGA Monitor (analog RGB and Mono)
Network:
Unknown
Media:
Cartridge
Audio:
Otis 32 sound channels
Type: Home Console

Intended Release Date: 1991
Code Name: Not specified
Generation: Fourth
Status:
Not released
Release Price: Cancelled
Units Sold: Not released

An unreleased 32-bit video game console was planned to be released back in 1991 to compete with the Sega Genesis and the SNES. There is hardly any information about the hardware specification other than being the successor to the 7800 and XEGS which hints that maybe the Panther was slightly more powerful than these two.

Additionally, three games were planned to launch with the system. Including:

  • Cybermorph
  • Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy
  • Raiden

Later on, these games were released on the Atari Jaguar after the Panther’s cancellation.

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FreeckyCake

I'm just your average gamer who enjoys hunting hidden gems and underrated games. My love for Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is like a truck and I recommend that you play it.

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14 responses to “All Atari Consoles & Computers Ever Released (1972-2024)”

  1. G0rilla says:

    You have a lot of incorrect information regarding use of CPU and frequency in machines and numbers sold.
    Falcon 30 etc. Unreliable article. XL series missing.

    • Avatar photo FreeckyCake says:

      I’m sorry you felt this way after reading this article. It’s been recently updated with links to reputable Atari-associated websites. I’ve included a couple of XL machines, as well as the unreleased 1400XL/1450XLD. Please, don’t hesitate at pointing out any mistakes I’ve made. Taming such an article is not an easy feat.

  2. the 600XL says:

    Yes, just as “Ferd Berfel” I started with an 600XL (at the end of 1983 in Germany). Friends of mine published the “Turbo-DOS” for the 1050 disk drive.

  3. Ferd Berfel says:

    Did I miss them or did you not include the XL series of 8 bit computers? TI started out with a 600XL the had 16K of memory and got real ambitious and upgraded it to 256K. That was a fun hack. I was finally able to buy a 1050 disc drive and hacked that to speed it up and also use both sides of the 5 1/2 inch floppy. Remember the notcher? Ahhh, such memories.

    • Avatar photo FreeckyCake says:

      Yes, I did not include them for good reasons. However, since Atari announced a new handheld, Mini Arcade and a new home console (?), I think it’s time I revisit this fine article and include what’s missing. Spoiler alert: there’ll be a section of Atari console clones too. Please, stay tuned!

  4. Rick says:

    There was a clone of the Atari 2600 sold by Sears at the time, rebranded with their own name/logo. I believe it was cross compatible.

    • Avatar photo FreeckyCake says:

      Thank you for this information. I actually wanted to delve into the Atari console clones in the future and talk about the crazy period the 80s was. Stay tuned!

    • David says:

      Yes there was it was made for sears by Atari with the sears logo on the outside all Atari games worked on it. cause we had one and it had to be sent to atari for repair, thats how i remember it being a rebranded atari.

  5. mcmanamanclan@gmail.com says:

    I have just gotten into retro games and consoles even though I’m just 13 and I gotta say this list really helped so thank you. And by the way you should make a list on the Magnavox family of consoles. They date back to 1972 with the Magnavox Odyssey which was the first official home console. The Brown Box did come before it though for it was made to 1967.

    • Avatar photo FreeckyCake says:

      Hello, and thank you for reading as well as your kind words. It’s never too late to delve into retro games. Despite owning a modern gaming PC, I always go back to that simple yet fun era of the past. I was actually thinking of doing a list of Magnavox consoles as well as delving into the ol’ gold NEO GEO!

      Once again, thank you for reading!

      • c.c3@ntlworld.com says:

        I purchased and still have an Atari 400 about 1982, around the time ZX Spectrum came out, but decided the Atari could do better.
        After a number of years of collecting games and upgrading the machine I moved onto P.C.s…. but I always remember the excitement I got from the games and the ease of programming it, People of all ages could programme the Atari, learning from the books and producing something on this 8 bit computer….not as easy on 16,32,64, bit ones………What great few years for all 8 bit machines and consoles.

  6. Someone says:

    The “Atari XEGS (1987)” was released in ’87 and saw competition from the “brand” SNES? Hm.

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