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The
5200 was the follow up to the Atari VCS and was meant to compete with the likes
of the ColecoVision and Intellivision. Originally called the "Video System X" it
was renamed about the time Atari began calling the VCS by it's model number:
2600. The thinking was that this system was twice as powerful as the 2600
thus the name change to 5200.
The 5200 sports some very unique features,
even though it's hardware is based on the
Atari 8-bit
computer line. The early model 5200's included a unique TV/Game box that
automatically switched when the system was turned on. Also, this was first
system Atari used the "silver and black" styling. The 2600 Jr. and Atari
7800 would also use this style. One aspect of this system is it's size. Why
is it so big, you may ask? Because bigger means better of course! The bigger
size also allowed for a hidden compartment for storing the controllers.
The Atari 5200 controllers are some of the most unique ever created. They
are also the most hated Atari controllers. Primarily because they do not
auto-center when released making games like Pac-Man much harder to
play. On the plus side, they do have a Pause button (the first for any
system), two separate fire buttons, and a 12-button keypad for more complex
gameplay.
According to Jerry Jessop, the 5200 controllers were designed in response
to the claims that Intellivision controllers had 16-degrees of motion as
opposed to 8-degrees for a 2600 controller. Marketing at Atari decided that
they needed to trump that and thus the 360 degree motion of the 5200
controller was born.
While the 5200 does share many games from the 8-bit computer, it does
have several notable ones including Countermeasure,
Rescue on Fractalus,
Star Raiders,
Berzerk (with voice!),
Qix,
Gremlins, and the much improved version of
Pac-Man.
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The Atari 5200 SuperSystem
Atari 5200 Specs:
Processor: 6502C (8-bit @ 1.79 MHz)
Sound: 4 channel
Resolution: 320 x 192
Colors: 16 colors onscreen of 256
Memory: 16K
Original 1982 price: $299
Special Features: Hidden compartment for storing
joysticks, first system to include a pause feature, 12-button
keypad, first system with an analog 360 degree joystick |
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