Atari 2600

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Combat

The Atari 2600, originally branded as the Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS), is a home video game console released on September 11, 1977, by Atari, Inc.. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and ROM cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in.

History

The Atari 2600 was first introduced as the Atari VCS, with the name changed to "Atari 2600" in 1982, following the release of the Atari 5200. The console was designed by Jay Miner and a team of engineers at Atari. It was initially bundled with two joystick controllers, a pair of paddle controllers, and a game cartridge: Combat.

Technical Specifications

The Atari 2600 is powered by the MOS Technology 6507 CPU, a variant of the MOS Technology 6502 used in many other systems of the era. It includes 128 bytes of RAM and a custom graphics chip known as the Television Interface Adaptor (TIA), which generates both video and sound.

Graphics and Sound

The TIA is capable of generating a resolution of 160 x 192 pixels with a palette of 128 colors. The sound capabilities include two channels of one-bit sound, which can be used to create simple sound effects and music.

Game Library

The Atari 2600 has a vast library of games, with some of the most notable titles including:

• Space Invaders
• Pac-Man
• Pitfall!
• Adventure
• Asteroids

Legacy

The Atari 2600 is considered one of the most successful and influential video game consoles of all time. It helped to establish the home video game market and laid the groundwork for future consoles. Despite being discontinued in 1992, the Atari 2600 remains a popular subject of retro gaming and video game collecting.

Related Pages

• Atari, Inc.
• Atari 5200
• Atari 7800
• List of Atari 2600 games
• History of video games