Post by Theorium on Sept 6, 2006 20:03:32 GMT -5
Atari 2600 - 1977-1984
(Returned in the late '80s; officially discontinued 1991)
Also known as the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), Sears Video Arcade
(Returned in the late '80s; officially discontinued 1991)
Also known as the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), Sears Video Arcade
As Pong's popularity started to decline (coupled with the introduction of the Fairchild Channel F, the first system to have programmable "ROM" cartridges), Atari realized that the market for home videogame consoles that could only play one game was fading fast. So, in 1976, Atari frantically started working on project "Stella," a new cartridge-based home videogame system.
As the project drew nearer to completion, Atari realized that they didn't have the money to finish the project and get it into production. Nolan Bushnell (founder of Atari) needed capital, so he sold the company to Warner Communications for $28 million in October 1976. Warner wanted Atari to rule the videogame world, so they enthusiastically sunk over $100 million into their new acquisition. Warner expected Stella (now dubbed the Video Computer System, or simply VCS) to be a huge success, since they knew Atari could make lots of money selling software for the new system.
The VCS, unlike most other home videogames of the time, had a CPU and enabled users to play different games simply by sticking in another cartridge. The actual game was stored on the cartridge's ROM, not in the system itself. This meant the VCS was able to play an unlimited number of different games, unlike the limited Pong-style consoles.
Games, accessories, emulation and original article found here.