Category Archives: Atari 2600 Reviews

The Atari Video Computer System (VCS), later called the Atari 2600 and commonly referred to simply as the “Atari”, was released in October of 1977. The VCS popularized the concept of cartridge-based games in lieu of dedicated game hardware like Pong, and as a household name truly brought the idea of home video gaming to the masses. The system was originally bundled with two joysticks, two paddle controllers, and the 2-player only tank warfare game, Combat. Instead of endless paddle game variations, the VCS made it possible to play arcade hits such as Space Invaders, Missile Defense, Frogger, and Asteroids, and was home to original titles like Pitfall!, Yar’s Revenge, and Adventure. The VCS was also the first system for which third party developers produced games, most notably by Activision and Imagic. The system suffered heavily during the video game crash of 1983 and essentially went into hibernation, but was re-released in 1986 as a cheaper alternative to the Nintendo NES and Sega Master System. The Atari VCS was officially discontinued at the beginning of 1992, giving it a life span of over 14 years.