Atari 2600

The Atari Video Computer System (shortened to "Atari VCS", product number: CX-2600, codenamed "Stella") is a second-generation home video games console produced and sold by Atari, Inc. from 11 September 1977 to 1 January 1992. It is better known as "Atari 2600" after its product number, a name which was first used by Atari in November 1982. The system supports games distributed on ROM cartridges with no lockout chips, which allowed for easy third-party development and bootlegging as well as they now allow for hobbyist development or "homebrewing".
The console, which underwent several motherboard and case redesigns over the years, some of which never saw mass production, was also sold on license by Sears for its Telegames brand as the Sears Video Arcade and the Sears Video Arcade II exclusive models, which use particular casings. Also, among the various models, of particular interest are both the cost-reduced model usually referred to as "Atari 2600 Jr." and the rare Atari 2800 NTSC-J console for the Japanese market, which uses the same case as the Video Arcade II.
==Release dates==
*September 11 1977 - North America (NTSC-M variant)
*1978 - Europe (PAL and SECAM variants)
*October 1983 - Japan (Atari 2800)
==Games==
=== Atari, Inc. launch titles ===
* Air-Sea Battle (released by Sears as "Target Fun") by Larry Kaplan
* Basic Math (a.k.a. "Fun with Numbers") by Gary Palmer
*Blackjack by Bob Whitehead
==Technical specifications==
*MOS Technology 6507CPU @ 1.19 MHz
*Television Interface Adapter (TIA) video chip (NTSC: 128 colours; PAL: 104 colours; SECAM: 8 colours).
==Section heading==
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Category:Game Consoles
Category:Atari Consoles
Category:Pages with Dates