Atari 5200

Release: 1982

As time went on, the power of the 2600 started to fade, and Atari wanted to stay in the game. They started work on "Pam", the game console adaptation of their 400 and 800 computer systems.

The system, renamed the Atari 5200, had a few upgrades. The controllers were the most noticable. They were analog, offering 360° control, and the ability to speed up movement by holding the joystick in a single position. The controllers also had a pause button, now a regular feature on controllers.

The Atari 5200 never made big. First, customers were dissapointed that this system could not play their 2600 games. Secondly, the analog control came with a problem. Since the stick was not designed to have a 'center' or 'neutral' position, it was virtually impossible to make a sudden stop, a major drawback in most games. With the massive crash of the video game market in 1984, the Atari ceased production of this system. The 5200 would never become as popular as the 2600.

Top Games

• Berzerk
  
• Centepide

Learn more about Atari in Scott Cohen's book: Zap.