Recent
Images
News
Videos
Community
Guides
In 1982 the 1200XL was released which had 64kB RAM, an aluminium case and more custom keys. Some older software was incompatible with the new OS though. A year later the 600XL and 800XL was released which replaced the other models, including the 1200XL. The 600XL had 16kB of RAM and the 800XL had 64kB like the 1200XL did. A new hardware feature on both these models was the expansion port called the Parallel Bus Interface.
After Atari was aquired by Jack Tremiel in 1985, the 8-bit Atari computers got a new hardware revision known as the XE series along with the 16-bit Atari ST computer. They had a case similar to the Atari ST line of computers but where otherwise identical to the old models, except for the newer Enhanced Cartridge Interface instead of the Paralell Bus Interface and the fact that the 130XE had 128kB of RAM.
A line of 8-bit computers produced by Atari, Inc. from 1979 to 1992.
Overview
Atari's 8-bit home computer line began with the Atari 400 which was released in November 1979. The line was later expanded to include the more-powerful Atari XL models and then the XE models. Atari's second cartridge-based console, the Atari 5200, was also based on the same hardware, resulting in many games appearing to be identical across all platforms.Hardware
All models used the MOS Technology 6502 CPU which is the same CPU used in the Commodore 64 and the NES. The computers also had a couple of custom chips like the ANTIC display instruction processor, the CTIA/GTIA GPU and the POKEY audio chip. The Atari 400 computer was supposed to have 4kB of memory and the Atari 800 8kB. But both models were released with 8kB of RAM since the price of memory had fallen when they were released. The 400 had a membrane keyboard while the 800 had a regular one. The 400 also had only one ROM cartridge slot instead of the two the 800 had. Despite this, the 400 outsold the 800 somewhat.In 1982 the 1200XL was released which had 64kB RAM, an aluminium case and more custom keys. Some older software was incompatible with the new OS though. A year later the 600XL and 800XL was released which replaced the other models, including the 1200XL. The 600XL had 16kB of RAM and the 800XL had 64kB like the 1200XL did. A new hardware feature on both these models was the expansion port called the Parallel Bus Interface.
After Atari was aquired by Jack Tremiel in 1985, the 8-bit Atari computers got a new hardware revision known as the XE series along with the 16-bit Atari ST computer. They had a case similar to the Atari ST line of computers but where otherwise identical to the old models, except for the newer Enhanced Cartridge Interface instead of the Paralell Bus Interface and the fact that the 130XE had 128kB of RAM.
Models
- 400 and 800 (1979) – original machines in beige cases, 400 had membrane keyboard, 800 had full-travel keys, two cartridge ports, monitor output, expandable memory slots (up to 48 KB). Later PAL versions had the 6502C processor.
- 1200XL (1982) – new aluminum and smoked plastic cases, 64 KB of RAM, only two joystick ports. Help key, four function keys. Older software, if it was written improperly, caused compatibility problems with the new OS.
- 600XL and 800XL (1983) – replacements for the 400, 800 and 1200XL sans function keys. 600XL had 16 KB of memory, PAL versions had a monitor port, 800XL had 64 KB and monitor output. Both had built-in BASIC and an expansion port known as the Parallel Bus Interface (PBI).
- 800XLF – 800XL with Atari FREDDIE chip and BASIC rev. C. Released in Europe only.
- 65XE and 130XE (1985) – A repackaged 800XLF with new cases and keyboards. The 130XE came with 128 KB of RAM and a Enhanced Cartridge Interface (ECI) instead of a PBI. The U.S./Canadian version of the 65XE had no ECI or PBI.
- XE Game System (1987) – a game machine in a light beige case, with a detachable full-travel but slightly "mushy" keyboard (Atari ST'ish)
- 800XE – the final machine in the series. Styling the same as 65XE and 130XE. A 130XE with 64 KB RAM. Mainly seen in Eastern Europe.
- Prototypes/Vaporware (Never Officially Released)
- 1400XL – Similar to the 1200XL but with a PBI, FREDDIE chip, built-in modem and speech synthesis chip. Cancelled by Atari.
- 1450XLD – basically a 1400XL with built in 5¼″ disk drive and expansion bay for a second 5¼″ disk drive. Code named Dynasty. Made it to pre-production, but got abandoned by Tramiel.
- 1600XL – codenamed Shakti, this was dual-processor system with 6502 and 80186 processors and two built-in 5¼″ floppy disk drives.
- 900XLF – redesigned 800XLF. Became the 65XE.
- 65XEM – 65XE with AMY sound synthesis chip. Cancelled.
- 65XEP – "portable" 65XE with 3.5" disk drive, 5" green CRT and battery pack. Never released
- 1090XL expansion system, 5 slots in a large case (never released, small numbers leaked out)
- 1055 3½" floppy drive
- XF351 3½" floppy drive
- XF354 3½" floppy drive
Peripherals
There were a huge amount of peripherals released for the 8-bit Atari computers including cassette tape drives, 5.25" floppy disk drives, printers and even modems. The most common add-on was probably the different cassette tape drives since many games were released on cassette tapes. The peripherals used the SIO port and were able to be chained together to have more than one peripheral plugged in at once.Atari 8-bit games
Edit
| Platform Name: | Atari 8-bit |
| Release Date: | Nov. 1, 1979 |
| Online Support: | True |
| Install Base: | 0 |
| Original Price: | $1000 |
| Producing Company: | Atari, Inc. |
| Total Games: | games |
|
Lord British first in Akalabeth: World of Doom |
5
|
|
Iolo first in Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness |
4
|
|
Mario first in Donkey Kong |
3
|
|
Pitfall Harry first in Pitfall! |
2
|
|
Blinky first in Pac-Man |
2
|
|
James Bond first in James Bond 007 |
2
|
|
Inky first in Pac-Man |
2
|
|
Pac-Man first in Pac-Man |
2
|
|
Pinky first in Pac-Man |
2
|
|
|
Joe Blade first in Joe Blade |
2
|
|
Space first in Spacewar! |
17
|
|
Britannia (ultima) first in |
5
|
|
Underground first in |
4
|
|
The United States of America first in The Oregon Trail |
4
|
|
Jungle first in |
4
|
|
Europe first in |
3
|
|
Germany first in |
3
|
|
Great Underground Empire first in |
3
|
|
Japan first in |
2
|
|
Castle first in |
2
|
|
2D first in Tennis for Two Simulator |
40
|
|
Interactive Fiction first in |
31
|
|
Z-Machine first in Zork I: The Great Underground Empire |
23
|
|
Text Based first in Colossal Cave |
21
|
|
Unbeatable Games first in Tennis for Two Simulator |
20
|
|
High Score first in Seawolf |
19
|
|
Single-Screen level first in Tennis for Two Simulator |
18
|
|
Game Over first in |
17
|
|
Gravity first in |
15
|
|
Death first in |
15
|
|
Airplane first in |
10
|
|
Spaceship first in Spacewar! |
8
|
|
Platform first in Donkey Kong |
8
|
|
Gun first in |
6
|
|
Ladder first in |
6
|
|
Helicopter first in |
6
|
|
Sword first in |
6
|
|
Water first in |
5
|
|
Gold first in The Seven Cities of Gold |
5
|
|
Chess Pieces first in |
5
|
