`
`Atari 2600
`
`Atari 2600 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
`
`From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
`
`The Atari 2600, or Atari VCS
`before 1982, is a home video game
`console released on September 11,
`1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited
`with popularizing the use of
`microprocessorbased hardware
`and ROM cartridges containing
`game code, a format first used with
`the Fairchild Channel F game
`console. This format contrasts with
`the older model of having non
`microprocessor dedicated
`hardware, which could only play
`the games which were physically
`built into the unit.
`
`The console was originally sold as
`the Atari VCS, which stood for
`Video Computer System.
`Following the release of the Atari
`5200 in 1982, the VCS was
`renamed to the "Atari 2600", after
`the unit's Atari part number,
`CX2600. The 2600 was typically
`bundled with two joystick
`controllers, a conjoined pair of
`paddle controllers, and a game
`cartridge, initially Combat,[5] and
`later PacMan.[6]
`
`Contents
`
`Atari 2600
`
`Atari 2600 fourswitch "wood veneer" version,
`dating from 1980–82
`Manufacturer Atari, Inc.
`Type
`Home video game console
`Generation
`Second Generation era
`Retail
`NA September 11, 1977
`availability
`EU 1978
`JP October 1983 (Atari 2800)
`199 USD
`
`Introductory
`price
`Discontinued January 1, 1992[1]
`Units sold
`30 million (as of 2004)[2]
`ROM cartridge, Tape
`MOS 6507 @ 1.19 MHz
`128 bytes RAM, 4 kB ROM
`Joystick
`Paddles
`
`Media
`CPU
`Memory
`Controller
`input
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`Driving Controller
`TrakBall
`Keypad
`Joyboard
`GameLine
`
`Online
`services
`Bestselling
`game
`
`PacMan, 7 million (as of September
`1, 2006)[3][4]
`Predecessor Atari Pong
`Successor
`Atari 5200
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`
`1 History
`1.1 Launch and success
`1.2 Sears TeleGames
`2600s
`1.3 Decline and
`remodel
`1.4 Atari 2800
`1.5 Atari 2600 Jr.
`2 Design
`2.1 Hardware
`2.2 Color and graphics
`3 Games
`4 Legacy
`4.1 Atari 2000
`4.2 Atari 3200
`4.3 Clones and reissues
`4.4 In music
`4.5 Emulation
`4.6 Homebrews
`5 See also
`6 Notes
`7 References
`8 External links
`
`History
`
`In 1973, Atari Inc. had purchased an engineering think tank called Cyan Engineering
`to research nextgeneration video game systems, and had been working on a prototype
`known as "Stella" (named after one of the engineers' bicycles) for some time. Unlike
`prior generations of machines that used custom logic to play a small number of
`games, its core was a complete CPU, the famous MOS Technology 6502 in a cost
`reduced version known as the 6507. It was combined with a RAMandI/O chip, the
`MOS Technology 6532, and a display and sound chip known as the Television
`Interface Adaptor (TIA). The first two versions of the machine contain a fourth chip, a
`standard CMOS logic buffer IC, making Stella costeffective. Some later versions of
`the console eliminated the buffer chip.
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`Programs for small computers were generally stored on cassette tapes, floppy disks, or
`paper tape. By the early 1970s, HewlettPackard manufactured desktop computers
`costing thousands of dollars such as the HP 9830, which packaged Read Only
`Memory (ROM) into removable cartridges to add special programming features, and
`these were being considered for use in games. At first, the design was not going to be
`cartridgebased, but after seeing a "fake" cartridge system on another machine, they
`realized they could place the games on cartridges essentially for the price of the
`connector and packaging.
`
`In 1976, Fairchild Semiconductor released their own CPUbased system, the Video
`Entertainment System. Stella was still not ready for production, but it was clear that it
`needed to be before there were a number of "me too" products filling up the market,
`which had happened after they released Pong. Atari Inc. didn't have the cash flow to
`complete the system quickly, given that sales of their Pong systems were cooling.
`Nolan Bushnell eventually turned to Warner Communications, and sold the company
`to them in 1976 for US$28 million on the promise that Stella would be produced as
`soon as possible.
`
`Key to the eventual success of the machine was the hiring of Jay Miner, a chip
`designer who managed to squeeze an entire wire wrap of equipment making up the
`TIA into a single chip.[7] Once that was completed and debugged, the system was
`ready for shipping.
`Launch and success
`
`The unit was originally priced at US$199 ($774
`adjusted for inflation), and shipped with two joysticks
`and a Combat cartridge (eight additional games were
`available at launch and sold separately).[8] In a move
`to compete directly with the Channel F, Atari Inc.
`named the machine the Video Computer System (or
`VCS for short), as the Channel F was at that point
`known as the VES, for Video Entertainment System.
`The VCS was also rebadged as the Sears Video
`Arcade and sold through Sears, Roebuck and
`Company stores.
`
`The second 2600 model is the
`"Light Sixer" which has
`lighter plastic molding and
`shielding than the 1977
`launch model.
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`When Fairchild learned of Atari Inc.'s naming, they quickly changed the name of their
`system to become the Channel F. However, both
`systems were now in the midst of a vicious round of
`pricecutting: Pong clones that had been made
`obsolete by these newer and more powerful machines
`were sold off to discounters for everlower prices.
`Soon many of the clone companies were out of
`business, and both Fairchild and Atari Inc. were
`selling to a public that was completely burnt out on
`Pong. In 1977, Atari Inc. sold 250,000 Video
`Computer Systems.
`
`Later 2600 models only used
`four front switches.
`
`For the first year of production, the Video Computer System was manufactured in
`Sunnyvale, California. The consoles manufactured there had thick plastic molding
`around the sides and bottom. These added weight to the console, and because all six
`switches were on the front, these consoles were nicknamed "Heavy Sixers". After this
`first year, production moved to Hong Kong, and the consoles manufactured there had
`thinner plastic molding. In 1978, only 550,000 units from a production run of 800,000
`were sold, requiring further financial support from Warner to cover losses. This led
`directly to the disagreements that caused Atari Inc. founder Nolan Bushnell to leave
`the company in 1978.[9]
`
`Once the public realized it was possible to play video games other than Pong, and
`programmers learned how to push its hardware's capabilities, the VCS gained
`popularity. By this point, Fairchild had given up, thinking video games were a passing
`fad, thereby handing the entire quickly growing market to Atari Inc. By 1979, the
`VCS was the bestselling Christmas gift (and console), mainly because of its
`exclusive content, and 1 million units were sold that year.
`
`Atari Inc. then licensed the smash arcade hit Space Invaders by Taito, which greatly
`increased the unit's popularity when it was released in January 1980, doubling sales to
`over 2 million units. The VCS and its cartridges were the main factor behind Atari
`Inc. grossing more than $2 billion in 1980. Sales then doubled again for the next two
`years; by 1982, the console had sold 10 million units, while its bestselling game Pac
`Man sold 7 million copies.[10] The console also sold 450,000 units in West Germany
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`
`by 1984.[11] By 1982 the 2600 console cost Atari about $40 to make and was sold for
`an average of $125. The company spent $4.50 to $6 to manufacture each cartridge and
`$1 to $2 for advertising, and sold it for $18.95 wholesale.[12]
`
`In 1980, the VCS was given a minor revision in
`which the left and right difficulty switches were
`moved to the back of the console, leaving four
`switches on the front. Other than this, these four
`switch consoles looked nearly identical to the earlier
`sixswitch models. In 1982, another version of the
`fourswitch console was released without woodgrain.
`They were nicknamed "Darth Vader" consoles due to
`their allblack appearance. These were also the first
`consoles to be officially called "Atari 2600", as the Atari 5200 was released the same
`year. During this period, Atari Inc. expanded the 2600 family with two other
`compatible consoles. They designed the Atari 2700, a wireless version of the console
`that was never released because of a design flaw.[13] The company also built a sleeker
`version of the machine dubbed the Atari 2800 to sell directly to the Japanese market
`in early 1983, but it suffered from competition with the newly released Nintendo
`Famicom.
`
`The all black "Darth Vader"
`4switch model from 1982
`
`In a survey mentioned by Jeff Rovin it is reported that more stores reported
`breakdowns of the Atari 2600 system than any other, and that Atari repair centers
`seemed to have the most trouble with consoles manufactured in 1980. In one case it is
`stated that a system was repaired five times before static electricity from a carpet was
`discovered as having caused the problem. The controllers were also a source of
`breakage because of the way they could be gripped by a player holding it with their
`fist, allowing players to get carried away and over control, which was less likely with
`other systems released at the time, such as the Magnavox Odyssey², which has
`controllers that are nearly half its size.[14]
`Sears TeleGames 2600s
`
`Atari Inc. also continued their OEM relationship with Sears under the latter's Tele
`Games brand label, which started in 1975 with the original Pong. Sears released
`several versions of the 2600 as the Sears Video Arcade series from 1977 to 1983.
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`These include the Rev. A "Heavy Sixer" model in 1977, the Rev. B "4 switch" model
`in 1980, and the US version of the Atari 2800 branded as the Sears Video Arcade II in
`1983.[15]
`
`Sears also released their own versions of Atari Inc.'s
`games under the TeleGames brand — often with
`different titles[16] — which included the TeleGames
`branded variations of text and picture labels. Three
`games were also produced by Atari Inc. for Sears as
`exclusive releases under the TeleGames brand:
`Steeplechase, Stellar Track, and Submarine
`Commander.[16]
`
`Sears got a rebranded "Video
`Arcade" 2600 for its Tele
`Games line.
`
`Sears' TeleGames brand was unrelated to the
`company Telegames, which also produced cartridges for the Atari 2600 — mostly re
`issues of M Network games.[17]
`Decline and remodel
`
`During this period, Atari Inc. continued to grow until it had one of the largest R&D
`divisions in Silicon Valley. However, it spent much of its R&D budget on projects
`that seemed out of place at a video game (or even home computer) company; many of
`these projects never saw the light of day. Meanwhile, several attempts to bring out
`newer consoles failed for one reason or another, although Atari Inc.'s home computer
`systems, the Atari 8bit family, sold reasonably well, if not spectacularly. Warner was
`more than happy anyway, as it seemed to have no end to the sales of the 2600, and
`Atari Inc. was responsible for over half of the company's income.
`
`The programmers of many of Atari Inc.'s biggest hits grew disgruntled with the
`company for not crediting game developers and many left the company and formed
`their own independent software companies. The most prominent and longestlasting
`of these thirdparty developers was Activision, founded in 1980, whose titles quickly
`became more popular than those of Atari Inc. itself. Atari Inc. attempted to block
`thirdparty development for the 2600 in court but failed,[18][19][20] and soon other
`publishers, such as Imagic and Coleco, entered the market. Atari Inc. suffered from an
`image problem when a company named Mystique produced a number of pornographic
`games for the 2600. The most notorious of these, Custer's Revenge, was protested by
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`
`women's and Native American groups[21] because it depicted General George
`Armstrong Custer raping a bound Native American woman.[22] Atari Inc. sued
`Mystique in court over the release of the game.[23]
`
`Atari Inc. continued to acquire licenses for the 2600, the most prominent of which
`included PacMan and E.T. Public disappointment with these two titles and the
`market saturation of poor thirdparty titles are cited as major contributors to the video
`game crash of 1983. Suddenly, Atari Inc.'s growth meant it was losing massive
`amounts of money during the crash, at one point about $10,000 a day. Warner quickly
`grew tired of supporting Atari Inc., and started looking for buyers in 1984.
`
`By mid1984 most software development for the 2600 had stopped except by Atari
`and Activision, with thirdparty developers emphasizing ColecoVision games.[24]
`Although not formally discontinued, the 2600 was deemphasized for two years after
`Warner's 1984 sale of Atari Inc.'s Consumer Division to Commodore Business
`Machines founder Jack Tramiel, who wanted to concentrate on home computers. He
`ended all development of console games, including a 2600 Garfield game and an
`Atari 5200 port of Super PacMan. Due to a large library and a low price point, the
`2600 and its smaller cousin, the 2600jr, continued to sell well in the late 1980s and
`was not discontinued until 1992, outdoing all other hardware that Atari released trying
`to replicate its success.
`Atari 2800
`
`The Atari 2800 is the Japanese version of the Atari
`2600, released in October 1983. It was the first
`release of a 2600 designed specifically for the
`Japanese market, despite companies like Epoch
`distributing the 2600 in Japan previously.
`
`The 2800 never captured a large market in Japan. It
`was released a short time after Nintendo's Family
`Computer, which became the dominant console in
`the Japanese video game market of the time.
`
`The design of the Japanese
`Atari 2800 was later used in
`America by Sears for the
`second Video Arcade model.
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`Codenamed "Cindy", and designed by Atari engineer Joe Tilly, the Atari 2800 had
`four controller ports instead of the standard two on the Atari 2600's. The controllers
`are an allin one design using a combination of an 8direction digital joystick and a
`270degree paddle, designed by John Amber.[25]
`
`The 2800's case design departed from the standard 2600 format, using a wedge shape
`with nonprotruding switches.
`
`Around 30 specially branded games were released for the 2800. Their boxes are in
`Japanese and have a silver/red color scheme similar to the packaging of Atari's 2600
`branded games of the time. The ROM cartridges themselves had identical labels as
`their 2600 branded counterparts.
`
`Sears liked the design of the Atari 2800 so much, they opted to sell a version under
`their TeleGames label. It was released in the US in 1983 as the Sears Video Arcade
`II, and was packaged with 2 controllers and Space Invaders.[25]
`
`The Atari 2800's case style was used as the basis for the Atari 7800's case style by
`Barney Huang.[25]
`Atari 2600 Jr.
`
`In 1986, a new version of the 2600 was released. The
`new redesigned version of the 2600, unofficially
`referred to as the 2600 Jr., featured a smaller cost
`reduced form factor with a modernized Atari 7800
`like appearance. The redesigned 2600 was advertised
`as a budget gaming system (under US$50) that had
`the ability to run a large collection of classic games.
`
`The Atari 2600 in its 1986
`costreduced version, also
`known as the "2600 Jr."
`
`The Atari 2600 continued to sell in North America
`and Europe until 1991, and in Asia until the early
`1990s. Its final Atarilicensed release was KLAX in 1990. In 2007 the Atari 2600 was
`inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame, selling 40 million units in its lifetime, and the
`youngest toy to be inducted.[26] In Brazil, the console became extremely popular in
`the mid1980s. The Atari 2600 was officially retired by Atari Corp. on January 1,
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`1992, making it, at the time, the longestlived home video game console (14 years, 4
`months) in video game history. It was later surpassed by the Sega Master System, a
`console which never formally ended production in Brazil.
`
`The system was promoted on a United Kingdom TV ad in 1989 in the runup to
`Christmas, in which it claimed "The fun is back!". The advertising campaign used its
`price of under £50 as a selling point. The advert was a redubbed version of the early
`original campaign in the United States. Also, the 2600 Jr. was originally to be
`packaged with a ProLine joystick (the same one used on the Atari 7800), but when
`released, it instead included the original CX40 Joystick. Later European versions of
`the 2600 Jr. included a joypad, which was also featured with the European 7800.
`Design
`
`Hardware
`
`Main article: Atari 2600 hardware
`
`The CPU was the MOS Technology 6507, a strippeddown
`version of the 6502,[27] running at 1.19 MHz in the 2600.
`The 6507 included fewer memoryaddress pins—13
`instead of 16—and no external interrupts to fit into a
`smaller 28pin package. Smaller packaging was, and still
`is, an important factor in overall system cost, and since
`memory was very expensive at the time, the 6507's small
`8 kB of maximum external memory space was not going to
`be used up anyway. In fact, memory was so expensive they
`could not imagine using up even 4 kB, and when Atari got
`a deal on 24pin connectors for the cartridge socket, they took it, despite this limiting
`the games to 4 kB.[28] Later games get around this limitation with bank switching.
`The maximum supported cartridge size is 32 kilobytes.[29]
`
`Standard joystick
`
`The console has only 128 bytes of RAM for runtime data that includes the call stack
`and the state of the game world. There is no frame buffer, as the necessary RAM
`would have been too expensive. Instead the video device has two bitmapped sprites,
`two 1pixel "missile" sprites, a 1pixel "ball," and a 40pixel "playfield" that is drawn
`by writing a bit pattern for each line into a register just before the television scans that
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`line. As each line is scanned, a game must identify the nonsprite objects that overlaps
`the next line, assemble the appropriate bit patterns to draw for those objects, and write
`the pattern into the register. In a telling reveal of its Pong heritage, by default, the
`right side of the screen is a mirrored duplicate of the left; to control it separately, the
`software may modify the patterns as the scan line is drawn. After the controller scans
`the last active line, a more leisurely vertical blanking interval begins, during which the
`game can process inputs and update the positions & states of objects in the game
`world. Any mistake in timing produces visual artifacts, a problem that programmers
`call "racing the beam"[30] and which users tend to call "flickering".[31]
`
`The video hardware gives the 2600 a reputation as one of the most complex game
`consoles in the world to program, but those programmers who sufficiently understand
`it realize that such direct control over the video picture is also a source of flexibility.
`One advantage the 2600 has over more powerful contemporary competitors such as
`the ColecoVision is that the 2600 has no protection against altering settings in mid
`line. For example, although each sprite nominally has only one color, it is possible to
`color the rows differently by changing the sprite's color as it is drawn. If the two
`hardware sprites are not enough for a game, a developer may share one sprite among
`several objects (as with the ghosts in PacMan) or draw software sprites, which is
`only a little more difficult than drawing a fixed playfield. The Pitfall! screenshot
`below (section: "Games") demonstrates some of these tricks: the player is a multicolor
`sprite, one sprite is multiplexed for the logs and the scorpion, and the swinging vine is
`drawn by shifting the position of the "ball" on each scan line. Despite the hardware
`limitations, many Atari 2600 games have a lot of action on the screen, creating an
`engaging experience.
`
`Additionally, the 2600 supports several types of input devices (joysticks, paddles,
`keyboards, etc.) as well as thirdparty peripherals. Many of these peripherals are
`interchangeable with the MSX and other Japanese systems; and, in some cases, it is
`possible to use the Atari joysticks with the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, Amiga,
`Sega Master System, and Mega Drive/Genesis, though functionality may be
`somewhat limited. Also, although Master System and Mega Drive/Genesis controllers
`work on the Atari 2600, only the "B" button can be used in most games. Another
`adapter is the Starpath Supercharger, an addon created by Starpath to expand the
`game capabilities of the Atari 2600. The Supercharger's interface adds an extra 6 kB
`to the Atari 2600's 128 bytes of RAM, allowing for larger games with higher
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`resolution graphics. A cord coming out of the side of the cartridge plugs into the
`earphone jack of any standard cassette player. Games for the Supercharger are stored
`on standard audio cassettes.
`Color and graphics
`
`Main article: Television Interface Adapter
`
`The Atari 2600 uses different color palettes depending on the television signal format
`used.[32] With the NTSC format, a 128color palette is available,[33] while in PAL,
`only 104 colors are available. Additionally, the SECAM palette consists of only 8
`colors.
`Games
`
`Main articles: List of Atari 2600 games and List
`of Atari 2600 prototype games
`
`In 1977, nine games were released on cartridge to
`accompany the launch of the machine, including
`Outlaw, Space War and Breakout.[34] During the
`console's lifetime, Atari Inc and Atari Corp. published
`many titles: these games included Adventure (often
`credited as starting the actionadventure game
`genre[35]—its creator, Warren Robinett, also
`introduced the first widely known Easter egg to the
`gaming world[36]—Breakout,[37] and Yars'
`Revenge.[38] The console's popularity attracted many thirdparty developers, which
`led to popular titles such as Activision's Pitfall![39] and Imagic's Atlantis. However,
`two Atari published titles, E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial[39] and PacMan,[40] are
`frequently blamed for contributing to the video game crash of 1983.
`Legacy
`
`Pitfall!, one of the most
`popular third party games for
`the Atari 2600.
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`The Atari 2600 was wildly successful, and during much of the 1980s, "Atari" was a
`synonym for this model in mainstream media and, by extension, for video games in
`general.[41]
`
`The Atari 2600 was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong in
`Rochester, New York in 2007. In 2009, the Atari 2600 was named the second greatest
`video game console of all time by IGN, who cited its remarkable role as the console
`behind both the first video game boom and the video game crash of 1983, and called it
`"the console that our entire industry is built upon."[42]
`Atari 2000
`
`The Atari 2000 (model number CX2000) is a prototype version of the Atari 2600
`intended to be released as a cheaper alternative for children in 1982. Although
`identical in specification to the original 2600, the 2000 includes builtin controllers
`and a different case design. The 2000 was originally intended to be black, but it was
`later recolored blue to appeal more to children. While Atari never officially stated the
`reason for not releasing the 2000, experts have cited the poor quality and durability of
`its builtin joysticks and the greater inhouse popularity of the competing 2600 Jr.
`design as the most likely reasons.[43]
`Atari 3200
`
`Atari started work on a replacement to the 2600, called the Atari 3200, with
`codenames including Super Stella, Sylvia, and PAM (a note attached reads "Super
`Stella: Multipurpose"). The system was to have compatibility with Atari 2600
`cartridges, and was rumored to be based on a 10bit processor, although design
`documents shows it was to actually be based around the 6502 8bit CPU. It was still
`unfinished when preliminary game programmers discovered that it was difficult to
`program. The project was cancelled, and Atari went with the second "System X", also
`titled PAM, that would later become the Atari 5200. Atari also cloned the Atari 3200
`into the Sears Super Arcade II, but this was never released.[44]
`Clones and reissues
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`The console and its old and new games are very popular with collectors because of its
`significant impact on video game and consumer electronics history and also due to its
`nostalgic value for many people, along with a number of games that are still
`considered highly playable. In addition, modern Atari 2600 clones remain on the
`market. One example is the Atari Classics 10in1 TV Game, manufactured by Jakks
`Pacific, which emulates the 2600 console, and includes converted versions of 10
`games into a single Ataribrandlookalike joystick with compositevideo outputs for
`connecting directly to modern televisions or VCRs. Another is the TV Boy, which
`includes 127 games in an enlarged joypad.
`
`The Atari Flashback 2 console, released in 2005, contains 40 games (with four
`additional programs unlockable by a cheat code). The console implements the original
`2600 architecture and can be modified to play original 2600 cartridges by adding a
`cartridge port, and is also compatible with original 2600 controllers.
`In music
`
`Many games for the Atari 2600 have detailed and easily identifiable music, and its
`distinctive sound makes it ideal for use in modern lofi and industrial music. In 2002,
`Dallas musician and visual artist Paul Slocum developed a cartridge called Synthcart
`for the Atari 2600, which allows the user to turn an Atari 2600 into a twovoice
`synthesizer and drum machine. Adapters have also been developed by amateurs
`enabling the Atari 2600's use with MIDI devices. A number of bands, such as 8 Bit
`Weapon, Black Moth Super Rainbow and The Squigs, as well as Slocum's own band
`Tree Wave, use Synthcart to make modern music on the Atari 2600. Some effects
`units like the MXR Blue Box are often cited for their ability to produce an Atarilike
`sound. Phonte from the hiphop group Little Brother, along with fellow lyricist
`Eccentric, formed a mock group named Unheralded Symmetrics, and recorded a
`tribute to the system, entitled "Atari 2600".
`Emulation
`
`Atari 2600 emulation is available for most major operating systems and is now very
`accurate. Despite the relative simplicity of the 2600 system, it is not an easy system to
`emulate. While it does not require a lot of computational power to emulate the 2600, it
`is hard to accurately do so. For example, because of the lack of a frame buffer, 2600
`emulators must not only emulate the console, but the television as well. Due to the
`longevity of the system, many 2600 games use undocumented features, and even
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`exploit bugs in the hardware to squeeze the most functionality and performance out of
`the system, doing things even the original designers would deem impossible. A
`notable example is the starfield of the game Cosmic Ark. It took some time for the
`emulator programmers to mature their software to properly emulate the
`undocumented features, bugs and quirks of the system.
`
`The MESS emulator supports recording and playback of Atari 2600 emulation
`sessions. The Home Action Replay Page[45] (a.k.a. HARP) allows Atari 2600 users to
`archive their favorite play sessions of the Atari 2600 system and its games. The
`Javatari emulator has a multiplayer mode that allows two users to play as Player 1 and
`Player 2 respectively as if they were playing on the same console.
`
`Wellknown Atari 2600 emulators today include the following:
`
`Stella – An opensource, multiplatform emulator (Windows, OS X, Linux,
`Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, Wii, GP2X).
`z26 – Another opensource, multiplatform customizable emulator (Windows,
`MSDOS, Linux)
`Javatari – Opensource, multiplatform Java based emulator with networkbased
`multiplayer features and a real consolepanel user interface.
`PC Atari Emulator – Easytouse, very fast emulator (Windows, MSDOS).
`Handles the Cosmic Ark starfield effect correctly.
`MESS – Multisystem emulator that supports all old Atari console systems.
`The Pocket VCS – PPC – Easytouse, very fast emulator (Windows Mobile).
`GP2X2600 – An emulator for the GP2X handheld console.
`Homebrews
`
`Main article: Atari 2600 homebrew
`
`After 30 years since the launch of the Atari 2600, new homebrew games for the
`system are still made and sold by hobbyists with several new titles available each
`year. Most of the development on the platform is still done in 6502 assembly
`language, but a BASIClike language compiler named "batari Basic" (bB) and a visual
`environment called "Visual batari Basic" are also available.
`
`Games created for the Atari can be executed using either an emulator or copied
`directly to a blank cartridge making use of either a PROM or EPROM chip. This
`allows the construction of homebrew cartridges that can run on an original Atari 2600.
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`See also
`
`List of Atari 2600 games
`Coleco Gemini
`TV Games
`Atari Flashback
`TV Boy
`Notes
`
`Thomas Jentzsch's Thrust, a
`homebrew game for the Atari
`2600
`
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`2. "Atari VCS (Atari 2600)". A Brief History of Game Console Warfare. BusinessWeek.
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