Atari 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.
| Manufacturer | Atari Corporation |
|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console Home computer |
| Generation | Third (8-bit era) |
| Release date | late 1987 |
| Introductory price | US$159 (equivalent to $410 in 2022) |
| Discontinued | 1992 |
| Units sold | 100,000 |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| CPU | MOS Technology 6502C @ 1.79 MHz |
| Memory | 64KB RAM |
| Display | RF and composite out, 384 × 240 (overscan), 16 colors from a 256 color palette |
| Graphics | ANTIC (graphics) & GTIA (video) |
| Sound | POKEY |
| Backward compatibility | Atari 8-bit family |
| Predecessor | Atari 7800 |
| Successor | Atari Panther (canceled) Atari Jaguar |
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 Ballbuster (Lucasfilm Games, 1985). Support for the system was dropped in 1992 along with the rest of the 8-bit computer line, the Atari 2600, and the Atari 7800.