The Ultimate Vintage Gaming System: Atari
Once upon a time, there was a game. This game was not just any game, but a very special one indeed. One that would change the face of adolescent entertainment all over the world forever. This game was called Atari, and it was the first computer gaming system ever created.
It is hard now to imagine a world without video games. The video game world has grown into a multi-million dollar industry, with fans across all age groups. Each year, as technology progresses, it is unbelievable how realistic and lifelike the graphics become. We sure have come a long way since Atari’s infamous game Pong, haven’t we?
One may think that “ancient” video games such as the ones played on Atari would have become obsolete by now – but just the opposite is true! The nostalgia that comes along with turning on that old Atari machine is priceless, and collectors all around the world are scrambling to get their hands on this prized collector’s item!
A History of Atari
(Courtesy of http://www.atarimuseum.com)
In Atari's early days, one of the video game designers and his rather odd friend worked many late nights on a new arcade game called "Breakout". While working on this new video game and playing other arcade games all through the night these two friends were busy on the side designing and building (from "borrowed" Atari parts) a personal computer system. They approached Nolan Bushnell with their new creation to see if it would be a product that Atari would sell and support.
At the time Atari was concentrating on getting its new home version of Pong out the door and all resources were tied up, with no spare capital to devout to such a costly and risky product, Nolan Bushnell referred the two budding entrepreneurs to some venture capitalists to finance their new product. Who was this former Atari employee? None other then the current iCEO of Apple, Steve Jobs. Who was his rather odd friend? Steve "The Woz" Wozniak and their creation was the Apple Computer.
In 1978 the team that had finished the Atari VCS was at work on a new high-end video game console chipset. Atari was now owned by Warner Communications since its sale in 1976 by its original owner/creator Nolan Bushnell for $28 million. Atari was now run by Raymond Kassar who wanted Atari to compete in the home computer market against Apple and its Apple ][e computer. The new high-end chipset was "frozen" for use only in the newly created Atari Home Computer Division.
Atari's new Home Computer Division was so hastily started that office trailers were brought in and set-up behind Atari's offices while work progressed on the new computer designs. Working in these rather cramped quarters Atari's new HCD engineers & designers went to work on designing the worlds first personal computers to use custom IC's to handle graphics, sound and communication. Atari's first two computers were called the Atari 400 and Atari 800 Personal Computer Systems. These computers had a large assortment of "Intelligent" peripherals which communicated through a custom bus called the "SIO" (Serial I/O) which compared to today standards is a rather simplistic version of the USB (Universal Serial Bus). In fact the USB and the Atari SIO have a lot more in common then many would think. One of Atari's original computer engineers, Joe Decuir who created the Atari SIO bus is also one of the team of engineers at Microsoft to help design and holds patents on the USB.
The Atari 400/800 line was cancelled in 1982 to be replaced by a new sleek high-tech looking computer called the Atari 1200XL. The computer had an incompatible OS, no external expansion bus and little enhancements over the original 400/800 line and due to these shortcomings, the sales of the Atari 800 computer increased while people rushed to buy them before supplies ran out. The 1200XL was quickly replaced by the Atari 600/800XL line of computers. These computers fixed many of the 1200XL's shortcomings, had a Parallel Bus Interface for external expansion options. Several other computers were planned with voice synthesizers, built-in modems and built in disk drives but were never officially sold.
In the works in 1983, Atari had several new high-end computers including one called the 1600XL which would be a dual processor system with 6502 and 80186 for IBM compatibility. Another System called "Sierra" with a high-end audio/video chipset based on the MC68000 processor. Yet another project in the works was another system called "Gaza" which also used a high-end chipset and MC68000 processor. These systems would never make it past prototyping as Atari would be sold in 1984.
On July 2, 1984 Atari's Consumer Electronics Division and its Home Computer Division were sold to Tramel Technologies Limited and the company was renamed Atari Corporation. Leonard Tramiel adds: "Our name Tramiel was constantly being mispronounced as "Tra-meal" and my dad hoped that the other spelling would get people to say "Tra-mell" (it rhymes with "done well"). It didn't work."
The Atari XL line of computers was cancelled and in 1985 a new line of computers to replace the XL line called the Atari 65XE and 130XE computers were introduced.
Atari also introduced an all new line of computers called the Atari ST line. These new computers would use the Motorola 68000 processor, come with 512K of memory, use 3.5" disk drives, RGB monitors and a graphics user environment based on CP/M 68K and Digital Research GEM. Originally the processor for this new line of computers was to be the National 32016, however its spped and its availability was in doubt, so the MC68000 was chosen.
Atari would, over the course of 8 years improve upon its ST line of computers with such lines as the Mega ST, STe, Mega STe, TT030 and Falcon030 line of computers. Atari also introduced a laptop called the STacy and had in the works an under 5 lb. laptop called the STBook as its replacement. A pen based touch tablet version of the ST called the STpad or "STylus" had been shown in prototype form but was never sold. Atari introduced an assortment of peripherals from disk drives to very low cost and feature rich laser printers for its line of ST computers.
In 1987 Atari introduced a line of IBM compatible computer systems starting with its Atari PC-1 which was an all-in-one IBM XT compatible computer with built in disk drive, built in serial, parallel, keyboard, mouse and video ports (video could be configured for CGA, Hercules, EGA and other settings). An internal bus port on the motherboard allowed for an expansion card to use the Atari Mega ST "Megafile" hard disk system. Atari also introduced other PC compatible systems as well as a 386sx laptop and also an IBM XT palmtop computer the size of a VHS video tape.
The Atari Falcon030 was Atari last computer system to be produced. All company resources were directed towards the creation and completion of Atari's 64-bit Interactive Multimedia System called the Atari Jaguar 64 which was sold in 1993.
Buying an Atari Console
*First, check out your local gaming store. Stay away from chains, as you will have the best opportunity to come across a prize such as an original Atari system at a local establishment. Call around to see if they have Atari or Atari games for sale and inquire about pricing. Check the price guide below to see if you may be able to negotiate for a lower price.
*eBay.com, Craigslist.org, and other classifieds are great resources for rare collectibles such as Atari. Check out what the internet has to offer, but always remember to ask for additional pictures and if the game or game console is functional. Asking lots of questions about the product is a must, but it doesn’t always guarantee a perfect product. Make sure that there is a return policy and try to get the seller on the phone if possible. In my experience, if the seller won’t speak to you by phone, it has the potential to be a shady deal.
Where to Buy Atari Items
*Atari2600.com: http://www.atari2600.com/ccp51/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?pg=store&sub_pg=splash
*Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=atari&x=0&y=0
*eBay.com: http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=atari
*Craigslist.org
*Google Products: http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=buy+atari+system&revid=2089010731&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=LVm2S6xBk9r0BKrk0eoD&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB0QrQQwAA
*Stone Age Gamer.com: http://stoneagegamer.com/atari_collectibles.aspx
A List of Rare and Sought-After Atari Games and Equipment
(courtesy of atari2600.com)
Because of their rarity and age, Atari systems, software, and games are in high demand in the collecting world. Who knows? You may be holding on to some valuable Atari memorabilia right now in your attic and not even know it! Here is a list of some rare and desirable Atari software and memorabilia being searched for online right now:
ATARI 2600
Atari 2600, Artillery Duel, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 2600, Assault, Bomb, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $115.00
Atari 2600, Asterix, Atari, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $88.00
Atari 2600, Atari Video Cube, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $14.00
Atari 2600, Bachelor Party, Mystique, Cartridge only, paying $21.00
Atari 2600, Beamrider, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 2600, Beat'em & Eat'em, Mystique, Cartridge only, paying $28.00
Atari 2600, BMX Airmaster, Atari, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $105.00
Atari 2600, BMX Airmaster, TNT Games, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 2600, Boing!, First Star, Cartridge only, paying $48.00
Atari 2600, Bumper Bash, SpectraVideo, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $38.00
Atari 2600, Cake Walk, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $85.00
Atari 2600, Cannon Man, Sears, Cartridge only, paying $20.00
Atari 2600, Chase the Chuckwagon, SpectraVideo, Cartridge only, paying $50.00
Atari 2600, Chuck Norris Superkicks, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Color Bar Generator, Videosoft, Cartridge only, paying $235.00
Atari 2600, Condor Attack, Ultravision, Cartridge only, paying $115.00
Atari 2600, Cosmic Commuter, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 2600, Cosmic Corridor, Zimag, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Cosmic Swarm, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Crazy Climber, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $48.00
Atari 2600, Cubicolor, Imagic, Cartridge only with signature paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, Custer`s Revenge, Mystique, Cartridge only, paying $30.00
Atari 2600, Death Trap, Avalon Hill, Cartridge only, paying $17.00
Atari 2600, Demolition Herby, Telesys, Cartridge only, paying $19.00
Atari 2600, Dice Puzzle, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
Atari 2600, Dishaster, Zimag, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Eli's Ladder, Simage, Cartridge only, paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, Espial, Tigervision, Cartridge only, paying $34.00
Atari 2600, Exocet, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Frankenstein's Monster, Data Age, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 2600, Frogger II, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Gas Hog, SpectraVideo, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $33.00
Atari 2600, Gauntlet, Answer, Cartridge only with label, paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, Ghost Manor, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $9.00
Atari 2600, Glib, Selchow/Righter, Cartridge only, paying $60.00
Atari 2600, Gravitar, Atari, silver label, Cartridge only, paying $29.00
Atari 2600, Great Escape, Bomb, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $68.00
Atari 2600, Gremlins, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Guardian, Apollo, Cartridge only, paying $34.00
Atari 2600, Halloween, Wizard Video, Cartridge only, paying $140.00
Atari 2600, Harbor Escape, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $15.00
Atari 2600, HERO, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, I Want My Mommy, Zimag, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Inca Gold, Zellers, Cartridge only, paying $20.00
Atari 2600, James Bond 007, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Jawbreaker, Tigervision, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Karate, Ultravision, Cartridge only, paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, King Kong, Tigervision, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $9.00
Atari 2600, Lochjaw, Apollo, Cartridge only, paying $340.00
Atari 2600, London Blitz, Avalon Hill, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Malagai, Answer Software, Cartridge only, paying $260.00
Atari 2600, Magicard, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, Marauder, Tigervision, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 2600, Master Builder, SpectraVideo, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $32.00
Atari 2600, Miner 2049'er, Tigervision, Cartridge only, paying $9.00
Atari 2600, Miner 2049'er Volume II, Tigervision, Cartridge only, paying $30.00
Atari 2600, Mines of Minos, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 2600, Montezuma's Revenge, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $14.00
Atari 2600, Motocross Racer, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $20.00
Atari 2600, Mr.Do!'s Castle, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $30.00
Atari 2600, Music Machine, Sparrow, Cartridge only, paying $245.00
Atari 2600, Obelix, Atari, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $52.00
Atari 2600, Out of Control, Avalon Hill, Cartridge only, paying $275.00
Atari 2600, Pengo, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Pepsi Invaders, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, Pitfall II, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $9.00
Atari 2600, Polaris, Tigervision, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $15.00
Atari 2600, Q*bert's Qubes, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $61.00
Atari 2600, Quadrun, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $145.00
Atari 2600, Quest for Quintana Roo, Sunrise, Cartridge only, paying $20.00
Atari 2600, Ram It, Telesys, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 2600, Rescue Terra 1, VentureVision, Cartridge only, paying $95.00
Atari 2600, River Patrol, Tigervision, Cartridge only, paying $420.00
Atari 2600, River Raid II, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Roadrunner, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Robin Hood/Sir Lancelot, Xonox double-ender, Cartridge only, paying $25.00
Atari 2600, Robin Hood, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $23.00
Atari 2600, Room of Doom, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Rubik's Cube, Atari, paying $20.00
Atari 2600, Scuba Diver, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $15.00
Atari 2600, Seahawk, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $19.00
Atari 2600, Sentinel, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $14.00
Atari 2600, Shuttle Orbiter, Avalon Hill, Cartridge only, paying $20.00
Atari 2600, Sir Lancelot, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $21.00
Atari 2600, Smurfs Rescue in Gargamel's Castle, Coleco, Cartridge only, paying $5.00
Atari 2600, Space Canyon, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $14.00
Atari 2600, Spider Maze, K-tel Vision, Cartridge only, paying $110.00
Atari 2600, Spikes Peak, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $30.00
Atari 2600, Springer, Tigervision, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $54.00
Atari 2600, Spy Hunter, Sega, Cartridge only, paying $16.00
Atari 2600, Star Strike, M-Network, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 2600, Star Wars Arcade, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Stargunner, Telesys, Cartridge only $14.00
Atari 2600, Stronghold, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $125.00
Atari 2600, Stuntman, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 2600, Subterranea, Imagic, Cartridge only, paying $19.00
Atari 2600, Swordquest Waterworld, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $60.00
Atari 2600, Tank Brigade, Panda, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 2600, Tanks But No Tanks, Cartridge only, paying $9.00
Atari 2600, Tapper, Sega, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 2600, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Wizard Video, Cartridge only, paying $62.00
Atari 2600, Threshold, Tigervision, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 2600, Tomarc the Barbarian, Xonox, Cartridge only, paying $22.00
Atari 2600, Tomarc the Barbarian/Motocross Racer, Xonox, Cartridge, paying $95.00
Atari 2600, Tooth Protectors, DSD/Camelot, Cartridge only, paying $87.00
Atari 2600, Track & Field, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $15.00
Atari 2600, Up n Down, Sega, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 2600, Video Jogger, Exus, Cartridge only, paying $105.00
Atari 2600, Video Reflex, Exus, Cartridge only, paying $95.00
Atari 2600, Video Life, CommaVid, Cartridge only, paying $$$inquire$$$
Atari 2600, Vulture Attack, K-tel Vision, Cartridge only, paying $130.00
Atari 2600, Wall Ball, Avalon Hill, Cartridge only, paying $15.00
Atari 2600, Wall Defender, Bomb, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $90.00
Atari 2600, Xenophobe, Atari, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
Atari 2600, X-Man, Universal Gamex, NTSC, Cartridge only $200.00
Atari 2600, Z-Tack, Bomb, NTSC, Cartridge only, paying $80.00
ATARI 5200
Atari 5200, Hand Controller, Atari, paying $8.00
Atari 5200, Astrochase, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 5200, Beamrider, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 5200, Bounty Bob Strikes Back!, Big 5 Software, Cartridge only, paying $240.00
Atari 5200, Choplifter, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $5.00
Atari 5200, Decathlon, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $6.00
Atari 5200, Frogger II, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 5200, Gorf, CBS Games, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Atari 5200, Gremlins, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $14.00
Atari 5200, Gyruss, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $7.00
Atari 5200, James Bond, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $7.00
Atari 5200, K-Razy Shootout, CBS Games, Cartridge only, paying $24.00
Atari 5200, Masterplay Interface, Electra Concepts, paying $28.00
Atari 5200, Megamania, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $5.00
Atari 5200, Meteorites, Electra Concepts, Cartridge only, paying $60.00
Atari 5200, Montezuma's Revenge, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $19.00
Atari 5200, Mr. Do!'s Castle, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $17.00
Atari 5200, Mountain King, CBS Games, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 5200, Pitfall II, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $7.00
Atari 5200, Star Wars Arcade, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $14.00
Atari 5200, Star Wars Death Star Battle, Parker Bros., Cartridge only, paying $23.00
Atari 5200, Zaxxon, Sega, Cartridge only, paying $23.00
Atari 5200, Zenji, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
ATARI 7800
Atari 7800, Ace of Aces, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $6.00
Atari 7800, Alien Brigade, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Atari 7800, Barnyard Blaster, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Atari 7800, Basketbrawl, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
Atari 7800, Commando, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 7800, Crack'ed, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Atari 7800, Crossbow, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $4.00
Atari 7800, Dark Chambers, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Atari 7800, Desert Falcon, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Atari 7800, Donkey Kong, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $2.00
Atari 7800, Donkey Kong Jr., Atari, Cartridge only, paying $2.00
Atari 7800, Double Dragon, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 7800, F-18 Hornet, Absolute, Cartridge only, paying $5.00
Atari 7800, Fatal Run, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
Atari 7800, Fight Night, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 7800, Ikari Warriors, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 7800, Impossible Mission, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $9.00
Atari 7800, Jinks, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $2.00
Atari 7800, Kung Fu Master, Absolute, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 7800, Mario Bros., Atari, Cartridge only, paying $5.00
Atari 7800, Mat Mania Challenge, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Atari 7800, Mean18 Golf, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $22.00
Atari 7800, Meltdown, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $2.00
Atari 7800, Midnight Mutants, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 7800, Motorpsycho, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $17.00
Atari 7800, Ninja Golf, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 7800, Pete Rose Baseball, Absolute, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
Atari 7800, Planet Smashers, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $17.00
Atari 7800, Rampage, Activision, Cartridge only, paying $10.00
Atari 7800, Scrapyard Dog, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 7800, Summer Games, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 7800, Super Huey UH-IX, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Atari 7800, Super Skateboardin', Absolute, Cartridge only, paying $8.00
Atari 7800, Tank Command, Froggo, Cartridge only, paying $55.00
Atari 7800, Title Match Pro Wrestling, Absolute, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Atari 7800, Tomcat: The F-14 Fighter Simulator, Absolute, Cartridge only, paying $6.00
Atari 7800, Tower Toppler, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $2.00
Atari 7800, Water Ski, Froggo, Cartridge only, paying $13.00
Atari 7800, Winter Games, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $2.00
Atari 7800, Xenophobe, Atari, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
INTELLIVISION
Intellivision, Body Slam Super Pro Wrestling, Cartridge only, paying $22.00
Intellivision, Congo Bongo, Cartridge only, paying $39.00
Intellivision, Defender, Cartridge only, paying $6.00
Intellivision, Dig Dug, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Intellivision, Diner, Cartridge only, paying $11.00
Intellivision, Donkey Kong Jr, Cartridge only, paying $4.00
Intellivision, Dracula, Cartridge only, paying $7.00
Intellivision, Fathom, Cartridge only, paying $29.00
Intellivision, Ladybug, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Intellivision, Pole Position, Cartridge only, paying $12.00
Intellivision, River Raid, Cartridge only, paying $5.00
Intellivision, Spiker Super Pro Volleyball, Cartridge only, paying $95.00
Intellivision, Stadium Mud Buggies, Cartridge only, paying $65.00
Intellivision, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back, Cartridge only, paying $4.00
Intellivision, Super Cobra, Cartridge only, paying $31.00
Intellivision, Thunder Castle, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Intellivision, Tower of Doom, Cartridge only, paying $3.00
Intellivision, Triple Challenge, Cartridge only, paying $18.00
Intellivision, Turbo, Cartridge only, paying $31.00
Intellivision, Tutankham, Cartridge only, paying $33.00
Intellivision, World Series Major League Baseball, Cartridge only, paying $17.00
ODYSSEY
Odyssey, Basketball, complete in box, paying $35.00
Odyssey, Brain Wave, complete in box $35.00
Odyssey, Interplanetary Voyage, complete in box, paying $35.00
Odyssey, Percepts, complete in box $85.00
Odyssey, white carry case, paying $72.00
Odyssey, Win, complete in box, paying $35.00
ODYSSEY2
Odyssey2, Power Lords, Cartridge only, paying $97.50
Odyssey2, The Voice, paying $25.00
VECTREX
Vectrex, 3D goggles with disks, paying 285.00
Vectrex, carry case, paying $160.00
Vectrex, Lightpen, paying $50.00
