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XEGS
The Atari XE Video Game System (Atari XEGS) is an industrial redesign of the Atari 65XE home computer and the final model in the Atari 8-bit family. It was released by Atari Corporation in 1987 and marketed as a home video game console alongside the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega's Master System, and Atari's own Atari 7800. The XEGS is compatible with existing Atari 8-bit family hardware and software. Without keyboard, the system operates as a stand-alone game console. With the keyboard, it boots identically to the Atari XE computers. Atari packaged the XEGS as a basic set consisting of only the console and joystick, and as a deluxe set consisting of the console, keyboard, CX40 joystick, and XG-1 light gun. The XEGS release was backed by new games, including ''Barnyard Blaster'' and ''Bug Hunt'', plus cartridge ports of older games, such as '' Fight Night'' (Accolade, 1985), ''Lode Runner'' (Broderbund, 1983), ''Necromancer'' (Synapse Software, 1982), and ''Ballblazer'' (L ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atari XG-1 Light Gun
The Atari XG-1 light gun is a video game controller which was released in 1987. As Atari's only light gun, it is unique to the 8-bit family. It is compatible with the Atari XEGS, and with the 7800 and 2600 home video game consoles. It was bundled with the XEGS Deluxe home computer and video game console combination system, and with the light gun game ''Bug Hunt'' for the 7800 as model XES2001 for . Atari eventually released five light gun games on the 7800 ('' Alien Brigade'', ''Barnyard Blaster'', ''Crossbow'', ''Meltdown'', and ''Sentinel'') and one on the 2600 (''Sentinel''). Hardware The XG-1 is a specialized light pen. Generic light pen support was built into the Atari 8-bit home computer family since its 1979 launch. The ''Atari 400/800 Hardware Technical Reference'' recommends a calibration procedure each time a light pen is used, so that the software can compensate for this offset for maximal accuracy. ''Bug Hunt'' and ''Barnyard Blaster'' for the XEGS each have unique h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atari 8-bit Family
The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, and Atari XEGS, the last discontinued in 1992. They differ primarily in packaging, each based on the MOS Technology 6502 central processing unit, CPU at and the same custom coprocessor chips. As the first home computer architecture with coprocessors, it has graphics and sound more advanced than most contemporary machines. Video games were a major draw, and first-person space combat simulator ''Star Raiders'' is considered the platform's killer app. The plug-and-play peripherals use the Atari SIO serial bus, with one developer eventually also co-patenting USB. While using the same internal technology, the Atari 800 was sold as a high-end model, while the 400 was more affordable. The 400 has a pressure-sensitive, spillproof membrane keyboar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Third Generation Of Video Game Consoles
In the history of video games, the third generation of game consoles, commonly referred to as the 8-bit era, began on July 15, 1983 with the Japanese release of two systems: Nintendo's Family Computer (commonly abbreviated to ''Famicom'') and Sega's SG-1000. When the Famicom was not released outside of Japan it was remodelled and marketed as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This generation marked the end of the video game crash of 1983, and a shift in the dominance of home video game manufacturers from the United States to Japan. Handheld consoles were not a major part of this generation; the Game & Watch line from Nintendo (which started in 1980) and the Milton Bradley Microvision (which came out in 1979) that were sold at the time are both considered part of the previous generation due to hardware typical of the second generation. Improvements in technology gave consoles of this generation improved graphical and sound capabilities, comparable to golden age arcade gam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atari 7800
The Atari 7800 ProSystem, or simply the Atari 7800, is a home video game console officially released by Atari Corporation in 1986 as the successor to both the Atari 2600 and Atari 5200. It can run almost all Atari 2600 cartridges, making it one of the first consoles with backward compatibility. It shipped with a different model of joystick from the 2600-standard CX40 and '' Pole Position II'' as the pack-in game. Most of the announced titles at launch were ports of 1981–83 arcade video games. Designed by General Computer Corporation, the 7800 has significantly improved graphics hardware over Atari's previous consoles, but the same Television Interface Adaptor chip that launched with the 2600 in 1977 is used to generate audio. In an effort to prevent the flood of poor quality games that contributed to the video game crash of 1983, cartridges had to be digitally signed by Atari. The Atari 7800 was first announced by Atari, Inc. on May 21, 1984, but a general release was shelved ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Necromancer (video Game)
''Necromancer'' is an action game created by Bill Williams for the Atari 8-bit family and published by Synapse Software in 1982. A port to the Commodore 64 followed in 1983. The game was rereleased by Atari Corporation on cartridge in the style of the Atari XEGS in 1987. The player controls the wizard Illuminar who attempts to grow an army of trees to attack Tetragorn the Necromancer and his evil minions who are attempting to take over a graveyard. The game is divided into three sections with unique gameplay, and the player's success in each affects the one that follows it. Gameplay ''Necromancer'' consists of three sections, as in a three-act play: The Forest, The Vaults, The Graveyard. The Forest Illuminar stands fixed in the middle of the screen. Moving the joystick controls his "wisp", a magical boomerang-like device. Pressing the fire button plants a seed that will slowly grow into a tree in several stages to adulthood. Ogres appear from both sides of the screen, walking ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atari Panther
The Atari Panther was a cancelled video game console from Atari Corporation that was planned to be the successor to the Atari 7800 and the Atari XEGS. It was developed by the same ex-Sinclair team, Flare Technology, who were previously responsible for two cancelled console projects: the Flare One and the Konix Multisystem. Work started in 1988 with a planned release in 1991 to directly compete with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sega Genesis. Atari abandoned the project in favor of the Jaguar. Hardware The system features three chips, consisting of a Motorola 68000 running at 16 MHz, an object processor called the "Panther", and an Ensoniq sound processor nicknamed "Otis", featuring 32 sound channels (presumably an ES5505). The Panther was never commercially released as the design was eclipsed by that of the Jaguar. References External linksAtari Panther history & information {{Atari hardware Panther Panther may refer to: Large cats *Pantherin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Atari CX40 Joystick
The Atari CX40 joystick was the first widely used cross-platform game controller. The original CX10 was released with the Atari Video Computer System (later renamed the Atari 2600) in 1977 and became the primary input device for most games on the platform. The CX10 was replaced after a year by the simpler and less expensive CX40. The addition of the Atari joystick port to other platforms cemented its popularity. It was the standard for the Atari 8-bit family of home computers and was compatible with the VIC-20, Commodore 64 and 128, MSX, and later the Atari ST and Amiga. Third-party adapters allowed it to be used on other systems, such as the Apple II, TI-99 and the ZX Spectrum. The CX40 was so popular during its run that it became as iconic to Atari as the company's "Fuji" logo; it remains a common staple in video game iconography to this day, and is commonly referred to as ''the'' symbol of 1980s video game system design. The CX40 has been called "the pinnacle of home entertain ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ballblazer
''Ballblazer'' is a futuristic sports game created by Lucasfilm Games and published in 1985 by Epyx. Along with ''Rescue on Fractalus!'', it was one of the initial pair of releases from Lucasfilm Games, ''Ballblazer'' was developed and first published for the Atari 8-bit family. The principal creator and programmer was David Levine. The game was called ''Ballblaster'' during development; some pirated versions bear this name. It was ported to the Apple II, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, and MSX. Atari 5200 and Atari 7800 ports were published by Atari Corporation. A version for the Famicom was released by Pony Canyon. Gameplay ''Ballblazer'' is a simple one-on-one sports-style game bearing similarities to basketball and soccer. Each side is represented by a craft called a "rotofoil", which can be controlled by either a human player or a computer-controlled "droid" with ten levels of difficulty. The game allows for human vs. human, human vs. droid, and droid vs. droid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Synapse Software
Synapse Software Corporation (marketed as SynSoft in the UK) was an American video game development and publishing company founded in 1981 by Ihor Wolosenko and Ken Grant. It initially focused on the Atari 8-bit family, then later developed for the Commodore 64 and other systems. The company was purchased by Broderbund in late 1984, and the Synapse label retired in 1985. After some initial releases directly based on existing games, such as clones of Sega's '' Head On'' and a variant of Atari Inc's ''Avalanche'', 1982's '' Shamus'' established Synapse as a creator of high quality action games. It was followed by additional well-received games including '' Rainbow Walker'', '' Blue Max'', and '' The Pharaoh's Curse'', and some others based on unusual concepts, like ''Necromancer'' and '' Alley Cat''. First-person game '' Dimension X'' was promoted for its "altered perspective scrolling" technology, then released in a cut-down form over nine months later to disappointing reviews. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lode Runner
''Lode Runner'' is a 2D puzzle-platform game, developed by Doug Smith and published by Broderbund in 1983. Its gameplay mechanics are similar to ''Space Panic'' from 1980. The player controls a character who must collect all the gold pieces in a level and get to the end while being chased by a number of enemies. It is one of the first games to include a level editor. After the original game, a number of remakes, spin-offs and sequels were published in the ''Lode Runner'' series for different computers and consoles, and by different developers and publishers. Tozai Games holds the copyright and trademark rights. Development Around late 1980, high school student James Bratsanos heard from a friend about a new arcade video game, ''Space Panic'' by Universal, which involves climbing platforms and ladders while digging holes to trap monsters. Bratsanos was intrigued by his friend's description of the concept, and wanted to develop it further. He began writing a Commodore PET program ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fight Night (1985 Video Game)
''Fight Night'' is a boxing video game developed by Sydney Development Corporation and published by Accolade in the United States and by U.S. Goldhttp://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?MENU=8&VERSION_ID=6810 in the United Kingdom. It was initially released in 1985 for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, and Commodore 64. The game includes both a single player mode and multiplayer mode. It includes the ability to customize the player's boxer. In total, there are five boxers to beat. The Atari 8-bit version was republished on cartridge by Atari Corporation in 1987, after the release of the Atari XEGS.http://www.atarimania.com/detail_soft.php?MENU=8&VERSION_ID=1953 It was followed by an Atari 7800 port in 1988. Reception Rick Teverbaugh reviewed the game for '' Computer Gaming World'', and stated that "The game could have been much better. The graphics are good and it is possible to create your own characters and save them to disk for future use. My only question is why would ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Home Video Game Console
A home video game console is a video game console that is designed to be connected to a display device, such as a television, and an external power source as to play video games. Home consoles are generally less powerful and customizable than personal computers, designed to have advanced graphics abilities but limited memory and storage space to keep the units affordable. While initial consoles were dedicated units with only a few games fixed into the electronic circuits of the system, most consoles since support the use of swappable game media, either through game cartridges, optical discs, or through digital distribution to internal storage. There have been numerous home video game consoles since the first commercial unit, the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. Historically these consoles have been grouped into generations lasting each about six years based on common technical specifications. As of 2021, there have been nine console generations, with the current leading manufactures ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
