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DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
The Atari VCS (Video Computer System), later called the 2600, was released in 1977 and became the dominant console in the 1970s. The system boasted amazing specs for its time and amassed a huge library of games. The popularity of the 2600 grew even further when the arcade game Space Invaders was ported for the first time to a console. The success was also in part to the many arcade and movie licenses acquired by Atari. These licenses gave Atari the marketing edge over other consoles of the time. The console introduced an enormous variety of games and controllers and was the console of choice well into the early 80s even when graphically out performed by newer consoles. The success of Atari spawned many console redesigns. One example was the reduced sized Atari 2600 Jr., released in 1986 as part of a campaign to rekindle the console's success. Also the Atari 2800, which essentially was the same build, but offered 4 controller ports instead of 2. The controllers were also redesigned to be a hybrid of both a joystick and paddle. The 2800 model was sold in the US under the Sears label Tele-Games II. This model was also the first official Atari released in Japan in 1983 and retailed for 24,800 Yen.
The success of Atari 2600 also triggered its fall from glory. The console spawned numerous clones and adapters (these adapters allowed 2600 software to be played on other consoles). The Atari 2600 cart format also contained no restrictions, which allowed anyone to make their own 2600 games. These factors contributed to the fall of Atari in early years and played a role to the Videogame Crash of 1983. FACT: The Atari 2600 was the first console to play adult type games such as Bachelor Party and the infamous Custer's Revenge.

MODELS Officially licensed releases
There were many officially licensed models of the 2600, with most being manufactured by Atari. Beginning in 1977, Sears purchased the rights to distribute the Atari 2600 throughout their chain of stores. They rebranded the console as the Video Arcade. There were several models released, each reflecting the changes that Atari implemented with the original line. Sears would do the same with various 2600 games, which are all branded with the Tele-Games logo.
Atari VCS CX-2600 "Heavy Sixer" (1977)	Atari VCS CX-2600 "Light Sixer" (1978)	Atari VCS CX-2600A (1980)
Atari 2600 (1982)	Atari 2800 (1983 - Japan)	Atari 2600 Jr. (Rainbow) "Rainbow" (1986)
Atari 2600 Jr. (Black) (1987)	Sears Video Arcade (1977)	Sears Video Arcade II (1987)

Other Officially Licensed Models (not a complete list)
CCE Super Game VG2800 Brazil (1982)	CCE Super Game VG5600 Brazil (1983)	Dactar Video Game Brazil (1983)
Dactar Video Game II Brazil (1984)	Dactar 2600 Compatible w\Case Brazil (1983)	Polyvox Atari 2600 Brazil (1983)

Atari Video Computer System (CX-2600) - "Light Sixer"






Atari Video Computer System Prototypes
Atari 2000 (Prototype)	Atari 2200 (Prototype)	Atari 2500 (Prototype)
Atari 2700 (Prototype)	Atari 2700 (Prototype)	Atari 2700 (Prototype)
Courtesy of the Atari Historical Society

CLONES Non-licensed hardware releases
The Atari 2600 had a ton of clones during its glory years and beyond, including those with games built directly into the hardware. The following lists just a few of the more obscure units. Please check out Pong Picture Page for even more Atari 2600 clone images.
Coleco Gemini North America (1982)	EDU Video Computer 2600 Argentina (1985)	Funvision Home Video Game Spain (1986)
Gracia TV Game 2600 Europe (1980)	Matra 3600 Italy (1989)	TV Game 2600 Italy (1979)

CONSOLE RATINGS
by Marriott_Guy

Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. A 10 point scale is utilized, with 10 being excellent. The following is based upon my experience with the VCS CX-2600 (Light Sixer) model.

CRITERIA	RATING	NOTES & COMMENTS
Console Design	08	In my opinion, the classic wood grain chassis of the VCS is timeless. The front switches on the face of the console provide easy access to system and game functions. Placing the controller ports on the back of the system is somewhat puzzling, but other than that I really have no complaints.
Console Durability	08	These systems are well manufactured and as durable as they come. I have not had any issues with my console in the 15+ years I have owned it.
Controllers	06	I like the joystick and paddle controllers that are included with the system. Both are rather fragile (especially the joystick), so best have a couple of back-ups handy. Third party peripherals are supported, and for the most part are better constructed.
Graphics	08	Early game entries featured very blocky graphics and suffered from varying degrees of screen flicker. As the system aged, developers became more proficient in programming to fully take advantage of the 2600 hardware.
Audio	07	Ditto the above when it comes to sound effects for this system. Overall pretty average but grew in variety over the course of the system's lifespan.
Media	10	Atari 2600 cartridges are well designed featuring easy to read labels and a plastic housing that may rival the strength of titanium.
Game Library	08	With over 400 titles, the Atari 2600 offers a great variety of games that are sure to please any gamer. You have to be a bit careful since there are many crap titles that are mixed in with the true classics the system offers.
Gamer Value	09	It truly is hard to beat the 2600 when it comes to getting an excellent bang for your buck. Games, along with the system are relatively inexpensive and easy to acquire.
Collector Value	07	Any serious gamer needs an Atari 2600 amongst its stable of systems. The first run models (Heavy Sixer and Light Sixer) are the most desirable units.

FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO Interesting facts on software for this system
Software for the Atari 2600 was distributed on ROM cartridges, with various designs utilized for both cart graphics and box cover art. The boxes themselves are typically designed using a flimsy, cheap cardboard that provides very little structural integrity for the carton. Early versions advertized the number of game variations on the front cover to both educate the consumer and convey 'excellent value' in the purchase. There was very little brand control when it came to third party distributors in game quality as well as packaging. Atari was a part of this problem as well, changing their base casing design more than five times and releasing some truly horrific titles. The nice thing about Atari 2600 games is that you can usually score a good sized lot of loose games on the cheap. 95% of all garage sales usually have a bin of these carts located somewhere in the mess of everything else they are trying to peddle.
	applemctom's Games that Defined Compiliation

Launch Games for the Atari Video Computer System (2600)


SCREENSHOTS Captured in-game images
Adventure	Air-Sea Battle	Asteroids
Atlantis	Battlezone	Berzerk
BMX Airmaster	Burgertime	Centipede
Commando Raid	Defender	Dig Dug
Donkey Kong	Frogger	Galaxian
International Soccer	Laser Gates	Maze Craze
Millipede	Missile Command	Montezuma's Revenge
Pac-Man	Pete Rose Baseball	Pitfall!
Pole Position	River Raid	Space Invaders
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back	Super Breakout	Super Challenge Football
Tomcat F14 Fighter	Vanguard	Video Pinball

EMULATION
First and third party system emulators

Stella

Multi-platform Atari 2600 emulator that is our favorite.

SPECS & MANUALS
For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
MOS Technology 6507 (8-bit)	1.19 MHz	TIA (Television Interface Adaptor) running at 3.58 MHz	128 bytes \ None
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
320 x 200	128 Total Colors (16 colors x 8 variations)	N\A	Two Channel, Mono (1-bit) (handled through TIA)
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
Cartridge	up to 4 KB	418	None
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None	None	Joystick with one (1) Fire button	Paddles, Racing Wheel, Keyboard, Touch Pads, etc.
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2)	None	None	RF
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 120V, 60Hz Output: DC 9V, 500mA ( - + - )	None	None
Manuals
Atari VCS (Video Computer System) Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.88 MB Atari VCS (Video Computer System) Model 2600 Manual (PDF) - 0.66 MB Atari VCS (Video Computer System) Model 2600A Manual (PDF) - 1.44 MB Atari 2600 Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.47 MB Atari 2600 Jr Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.41 MB Sears Video Arcade Owners Manual (PDF) - 2.69 MB Sears Super Video Arcade Owners Manual (PDF) - 9.18 MB Coleco Gemini Owners Manual (PDF) - 6.00 MB