1986 Atari 7800 Console

The Atari 7800 Console was a third-generation video game console manufactured by Atari, released in 1986.

Background

The Atari 7800 was designed by General Computer Corporation, marking the first time Atari partnered with an outside company to design a console. It was originally announced on May 21, 1984, with plans to replace Atari’s previous console, the 5200. The 7800 intended to be backward compatible with the massive Atari 2600 game library, addressing a key shortcoming of the 5200. Atari touted the console’s advanced graphics capabilities, including the ability to display 256 colors on-screen and move up to 100 objects at once.

However, the 7800’s launch was delayed repeatedly. In 1984, Atari’s home video game division was purchased by Jack Tramiel, and the new owners had to renegotiate licensing deals. Meanwhile, the video game market crashed, leading to reduced orders from retailers, and it wasn’t until 1986 that the 7800 finally hit the market, by which time the Nintendo Entertainment System had already become the dominant console.

Features

The Atari 7800 featured a 65C02 processor running at 1.79 MHz, 4 KB of RAM, and a custom graphics chip called MARIA that could generate 160×240 or 320×240 NTSC resolutions. It was fully compatible with the Atari 2600’s game library and controllers, allowing it to leverage the existing software catalog. The console’s audio was provided by the same TIA chip used in the 2600.

The 7800 shipped with a new, ergonomic joystick design compared to the classic CX40 used with the 2600, and it also included two controller ports for two-player gaming. Atari touted the system’s advanced graphics, which could display a 256-color palette as a key selling point.

Popularity and Legacy

Despite its technical capabilities, the Atari 7800 struggled to gain traction in the market. By the end of 1986, it had only sold around 100,000 units in the US, far behind the Sega Master System’s 125,000 and the NES’s 1.1 million. The 7800 faced an uphill battle against the overwhelming popularity of Nintendo’s console, which controlled 80% of the North American market.

Though the 7800 received a number of well-received exclusive titles, such as Galaga, Joust, and Robotron: 2084, its limited library and poor distribution hampered its commercial success. Atari ultimately ceased production of the 7800 in 1992, with the more powerful Atari Jaguar taking its place as the company’s flagship console.

Despite its commercial struggles, the 7800 has maintained a dedicated following among retro gaming enthusiasts. Its technical capabilities and backward compatibility with the Atari 2600 library have made it an object of fascination for many. In 2009, Atari released the source code for 13 7800 games, allowing for further preservation and development of the console’s library.

Video Reviews and Commercials

The Atari 7800, developed by General Computer Corporation as a successor to the 2600, was announced in 1984 but delayed until 1986 due to ownership and payment disputes. It supported 2600 games, addressing earlier compatibility issues. Competing against Nintendo’s NES and Sega’s Master System, it faced challenges from Nintendo’s market dominance and restrictive third-party licensing. Though profitable and technically aligned with arcade machines, its subdued launch and limited developer support hindered its impact.

Availability and Collectability

The Atari 7800 was not widely distributed, with only around 3.5 million units produced during its lifetime. This, combined with its relatively short production run, has made original 7800 consoles and games highly collectible today. Mint-condition 7800 systems can fetch hundreds of dollars on the secondary market, while rare unreleased games can command even higher prices.

In recent years, there have been several efforts to recreate and revive the Atari 7800 experience. In 2020, a company called Flashback Retro released the Atari 7800+, a compact and updated version of the original console with features like USB-C charging. These modern takes on the 7800 have helped reignite interest in this often-overlooked piece of gaming history.