.

The Video Game Console Library - SNK Neo Geo

Atari Logo

Atari XE Game System (XEGS)

Atari logo

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
 
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number  Game Releases  Overall Rating
Atari Corp. Atari Corp. Nov-87 US  $199 USD XEGS Approx. 30  
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links  
   
Atari XEGS

Ratings
Ratings are based on the available technology at the time of release.  Ratings based on a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).

Console Design (Appearance and overall functionality)

  

Console Durability (Sturdy and hearty or frail and fragile)

  

Controllers (Design, response, feel and ease of use)

  

Graphics (Graphical capability and game presentation)

  

Audio (Sound capabilities, including music, speech, effects)

  

Media (Game media format, design, durability)

  

Packaging (Appeal and durability of packaging)

  

Game Library (Quality and quantity of game offerings)

  

Innovations (Technological strides on the industry)

  

Gamer Value (Is this a good investment for the gamer?)

  

Collector Value (Is this a good investment for the collector?)

  

Games Rarity (General availability of most games)

  

Console Rarity (General availability of a functional system)

  
                                  Go To Top    
 

    Reviews

  
Atari XEGS

DW FACTS
 - by Dark Watcher

It was the 1980's, and the Atari 7800 release fails to attract attention in a market dominated by the Nintendo N.E.S. So the folks at Atari came to a decision to market another system. Oddly enough it was a step back in time.

Atari introduced the XE Game System in 1987. The XEGS was merely a console remake of their 8-bit Atari 65XE computer. For $199 you got the console, a standard joystick, a light gun, and a pack in game called Bug Hunt (light gun game).

The marketing strategy was to take advantage of the back stock of Atari computer cartridges (10 years worth). Some Atari 5200 games were also remade since the architecture was quite similar.

Even though it looks like a console, the XEGS is a true 8-bit Atari computer system. It offered the convenience of a detachable keyboard, compatibility with any standard Atari 8-bit computer peripherals, while offering 64K RAM. When no cartridge was inserted it would also start up with a built-in version of Missile Command.

Of course the XEGS could not compete with the likes of newer systems and Atari pulled it from production after a short time.

Atari XEGS

FACT: The XEGS was basically an Atari 5200 with computer capabilities. The internal architecture is nearly identical. However the XEGS had a lot more RAM, and oddly enough the Atari 5200 carts were not compatible.
 


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

       Go To Top   

 

     Pictures & Video
1987 Atari XE commercial
Video courtesy of pika62221. 		1988 Atari XE Commercial
Video courtesy of VHShifi. 		Atari XE Commercial
Video courtesy of lingpanda101. 		1988 Atari XE Ozzie Smith Commercial
Video courtesy of skrenos.
Atari XEGS 
1987 Atari XEGS - Front		 Atari XEGS  Atari XEGS
1987 Atari XEGS - Back
      Go To Top
 

    Specs
Processor Type Processor Speed

Other Processor Information

 RAM \ Video RAM
 8bit Motorola 6502C  1.79Mhz Pokey (sound chip), Antic (graphics), GTIA (video), Freddy (Memory
Management) 		64K \ None

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

Audio

320x192

256, 16 on-screen

  8 Sprites 4 channels. 3.5 octaves

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
 Cartridge  8 KB Approx. 30 Atari 8-bit, some Atari 5200 games

Internal Storage

External \ Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
  None  Joystick, Keyboard, Light Gun
(all included)		  See Other Ports
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
2 Joystick, None SIO peripheral port (tape, disk, printer, modem)  RF, Composite

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
 External 110V, 1A  None The game Missile Command was built into the system along with BASIC.  Bug Hunt and Flight Simulator II came packaged with the system.
      Go To Top

 

    Games & Emulation

The following lists some games screen shots and\or videos released for this system.
Space Invaders
Video courtesy of vwestlife. 		Donkey Kong

Video courtesy of vwestlife. 		Centipede

Video courtesy of vwestlife. 		Pole Position
Video courtesy of matramurena.
Dig Dug
 Atari XEGS		 Donkey Kong
Atari XEGS		 Ms. Pacman
Atari XEGS 		 Pole Position
Atari XEGS 

The following lists links to third party sponsored game emulators
Program Website Description
M.E.S.S. http://www.mess.org/

Multi-Emulator Super System is a DOS based emulator capable of running many systems. Since the XEGS is a remake of the Atari 800 computer, this emulator works nicely. It has a Windows based GUI, and should be usable by most PC systems
     Go To Top
 
    Models

The following lists additional authorized releases for this console.
No other models were released for this system.
     Go To Top
 
    Clones

The following lists non-licensed additional releases.
No clones were released for this system.
      Go To Top
 
    Links

The following sites\resources are highly recommended for this system.  References utilized in compiling this data are denoted with an (#).
Name Website
AGH - Atari XEGS page http://www.atarihq.com/atcomp/xegs.html
   
   
      Go To Top   
 

 

counter hit make
visitors since 01-Apr-2008
System page last updated 01-Nov-2008
 

Copyright 2008 The Video Game Console Library.  This website and the information contained within it is protected by copyright. Reproduction of part or all of the
 website contents in any form is prohibited unless expressed written consent of the author has been obtained in advance. Content of this website may not be copied
 to any other publication (including electronic, hard copy or others). Interior deep linking or framing of this website is prohibited without permission of the author.