Atari 2600
This article is about the console released in 1977 as the Atari Video Computer System. For the 2020 console, see Atari VCS.
| |
| Atari 2600 | |
| Designer | Atari |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Atari |
| CPU | 1.19 MHz MOS 6507 |
| Graphics | 160 x 192 resolution |
| Memory | 128 bytes |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| Released | Atari VCS / Video Arcade NA: September 11, 1977 CX2600 EU/NA: 1978 CX2600-A NA: 1980 Atari 2600 NA: 1982 Brazil: September 1983 Atari 2800 / Video Arcade II JP: October 1983 NA: 1983 Atari 2600 Jr. NA: 1986 |
| Added to Museum | January 1, 2020 |
The Atari 2600 was originally known as the Atari Video Computer System and was sold in North America by Sears as Tele-Games Video Arcade.
A remodeled version was sold as the Atari 2800 in Japan. The Japanese model was sold in North America by Sears as the Tele-Games Video Arcade II. This model had a similar form factor to the Atari 7800.
Another remodeled version was released in North America in 1986 as the Atari 2600 Jr.
It was the first cartridge-based home video game console by Atari. It was preceded by Stunt Cycle, which included four variations of the arcade game of the same name. It was succeeded by the Atari 5200.
Legacy
The legacy of the Atari 2600 remains, even after its heyday. Independent, unlicensed games continue to be produced for the system to this day.
The current license holder of the system, Atari, S.A., has capitalized on the system's continuing popularity with the Atari Flashback series.
These are dedicated consoles that contain modern hardware with an emulator to run the included games. They have been released from 2004 to the present.
Atari, S.A. also released several compilations that contained Atari 2600 games, such as Atari Vault and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration.
Atari 2600 hardware owned by WEC Museum
| Title | Manufacturer | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atari 2600 VCS | Atari | 1977 | WEC Museum owns the system and box. |
| Atari CX40 joystick | Atari | 1977 | WEC Museum owns three CX40 joysticks. |
| Atari paddle controllers | Atari | 1981 | WEC Museum owns two Atari paddle controllers. |
Physical Atari 2600 games owned by WEC Museum
| Title | Developer | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstorming | Activision | 1982 | The WEC Museum owns the cartridge and box. |
| Spider-Man | Parker Brothers | 1982 | The WEC Museum owns the cartridge, manual, and box. |
| Star Voyager | Imagic | 1982 | The WEC Museum only owns the cartridge. |
| Warlords | Atari | 1980 | The WEC Museum owns a cartridge from Atari landfill in New Mexico, manual, Atari catalog, press clippings, area brochure, and certificate of authenticity. |
