The Video Game Console Library - Atari Mirai (Proto)

Atari Mirai
PROTOTYPE	DW FACTS by Dark Watcher	PROTOTYPE
Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy

Developer	Manufacturer	Release Date	Country(s)	Initial Price	Model Number	Game Releases	Overall Rating
Atari	Atari	Proposed for 1990?	N\A	Undetermined	N\A	0	N\A
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality)	N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability)	N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	N\A

Reviews

Atari Mirai at CGE

Picture courtesy of AtariAge

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

We came across a prototype mockup of the Atari Mirai at the Classic Gaming Expo. The Mirai is apparently an enigma to many since there is really no information about it. There are many who feel that this system may have been meant as a console conversion of Atari's ST line of computers. This may be since it so closely resembles the Atari XEGS, which is a console conversion of the Atari 65XE line of computers. Such a guess is understandable since both units share the same pastel like color scheme. However, Atari never produced cartridge software for their ST computers. The Atari Mirai clearly displays a cartridge port (an enormous port as you may be able to tell).

Another guess was that the Mirai was another mock-up for the Atari Panther, but many disagree since the design does not appear to match (particularly for a console in the 1990s). It is believed this mock-up appeared in the late 1980s.

Possibly the most interesting guess is that Atari Mirai may have been meant as home port of SNK's MVS arcade system. There are a few facts that seem to point in that direction. For example, look at the cartridge port. This port can easily handle the MVS / Neo Geo sized cartridges. In the late 1980s, Atari and SNK were corporate neighbors both residing across the street from one another in Sunnyvale, California. Both companies were no strangers to each other. Both collaborated to port SNKs arcade hit Ikari Warriors and other undocumented collaborations were also reported.

Also look at the name Atari Mirai. "Mirai" is the Japanese word for "Future". Why would Atari use a Japanese name? Atari's other consoles either used numerical names, used wife names for developing units, or felines (i.e. Panther and Jaguar). The Neo Geo was released in 1990. It may have very well been that SNK may have thought to partner up with Atari in order to insure a successful home market launch. Such a concept may seem far fetched, but hey…Nintendo almost had Atari release the Famicom…

All in all the Mirai remains a mystery. An interesting console enigma.

HANDS ON REVIEW

Unfortunately a HANDS ON REVIEW will never be available since this console was never released.

Pictures & Media

Various picture\media for this console. Click Pictures to enlarge.

Atari Mirai proto CGE info card (picture credits unknown)

Specs & Manuals

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

This system was never released. There is nothing actually underneath the chassis.

Atari Mirai (picture credits unknown)
Atari Mirai at CGE (picture credits unknown)

Games & Emulation

Games screen shots and\videos released for this system.

System was never released.

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
System was never released.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

System was never released. The picture below is of a prototype.

Atari Mirai (picture credits unknown)

Unknown gaming show pictures of the Mirai. Picture credits unknown.

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

System was never released.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
ASSEMbler Forums	http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/.../#post58265	Excellent thread containing Mirai information, speculation and debate as to the true purpose of this proto.

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 11-Dec-2011

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