Atari5200

Atari 5200

the mother text

Generation: 2
Console
81 Spiele

Versionen

Initial version Erscheinungsdatum: May 24, 1984 The release of the 5200 Supersystem in 1982 represented Atari's attempt to replace their outdated 2600 model and pull ahead of rival, high-quality platforms like Intellivison. By 1982, Atari game programmers realized that they were severely limited by the capabilities of the 2600 system. The designers incorporated technology into the 5200 (called "Pam" in developmental stages) which they had just developed for their own 8-bit 400 and 800 series personal computer systems. The 5200 is basically a game console version of their home computer, substituting a controller in place of a keyboard. The Intellivision system had raised the stakes in the gaming industry with its 16-position controller. Atari's own 2600 offered only 8 positions. In hopes of obliterating the competition, Atari designer, Craig Asher helped engineer the "analog" controller. It gives players full, 360° control of the action on-screen. The 5200 controller contains two other features which made Atari's unique to any other system built by 1982: First, It offers speed variability. When a joystick is held in a single direction long enough, a player can increase his or her rate of on-screen movement. Second, it contains an easy-access PAUSE button, enabling players to easily freeze their games indefinitely. This immediately became a normal feature on most every subsequent system controller. Unfortunately there turned out to be a major drawback to this groundbreaking technology. The analog controllers never caught on with consumers because they are "non-centering," meaning they do not feature a neutral position. There is no way to come to an immediate stop. This factor will tend to inflict a high level of frustration on any 5200 player who tackles a game which requires precision stopping and starting movements like Frogger or Pac-Man. The controllers were also apparently not made with durability in mind and are quite easily broken. When Atari released the 5200 it was incompatible with 2600 cartridges. Consumers who had loaded up on games for the 2600 were understandably reluctant to invest in an entirely new platform. Its initial retail price of $330 didn't cause units to fly off of the shelves either. The 5200 also improved on the 2600 in its switch box. The 2600 system requires players to walk behind the television and change the setting on the box setting from TV to GAME. The 5200 automatically switches to GAME after the power is turned on. Also, when changing cartridges, the 5200 shifts to a black screen instead of the annoying, white noisy static players get between games with the 2600. When the platform was launched in 1982, Atari chose not to support it with any "must have" new titles. Instead they decided to re-release improved versions of former best seller for the 2600 like Space Invaders or Galaxian. Later, they did offer more sought-after titles like Joust, Space Dungeon and Ms. Pac-Man, but by that time the gaming market was on the verge of collapse. In 1983, between: Atari (with the 5200 and 2600), ColecoVision and Intellivision, the VCS (Video Computer System) market was stuck in a glut due to an oversaturation of product. Consumers were also demanding that their computers perform more functions than just play games. At that point the Commodore 64 and Atari 800XL home computers had just been released. Even after a slow start, 1983 sales for the 5200 plummeted. Warner Communications (Atari's former parent company) reported second quarter losses of $283.4 million. By the end of the year, Atari had posted losses of $536 million. They ended production of the 5200 in 1984.

Spiele

Mountain King

1983
0
0 / 5
7. Juli 2026

Deep inside a long-lost diamond mine is the secret Temple Chamber of a forgotten civilization. There, a priceless Golden Crown sits high on a pedestal, vulnerable to plundering…

Mr. Do!'s Castle

1983
0
0 / 5
6. Juni 2026

Mr. Do!, that king of arcade clowns, is in a bit of a bind - again! This time, a pack of pesky unicorns is trampling the bricked hallways of his castle. Help Mr. Do! rid his…

Pengo

1982
0
0 / 5
18. Mai 2026

The player controls Pengo, a red penguin that resides in the Antarctic. The game takes place in an overhead maze made of ice blocks, where Pengo fights the trolling, blob-like…

Aventuras em Tongo Bongo

1982
0
0 / 5
3. August 2026

Pitfall! is a video game designed by David Crane for the Atari 2600 and released by Activision in 1982. The player controls Pitfall Harry and is tasked with collecting all the…

Pole Position

1982
0
0 / 5
10. August 2026

The very first racing game with the rear perspective camera and track based on real life.

Quest for Quintana Roo

1984
0
0 / 5
7. Juli 2026

Yucatan Sam explores the temples of Quintana Roo searching for the keys to open the ceremonial vault and acquire the riches inside.

RealSports Soccer

1982
0
0 / 5
10. August 2026

RealSports Soccer is Atari's second attempt at a soccer game for the Atari 2600. You can choose from one of 12 different games, and play either solo or against a friend as you…

Red Storm Rising

1988
0
0 / 5
30. März 2026

Red Storm Rising is a simulation video game based on Tom Clancy's novel Red Storm Rising and released in 1988 by MicroProse. The player is put in charge of an American SSN…

Rescue on Fractalus!

1985
0
0 / 5
29. April 2025

The game utilizes fractal technology to create the craggy mountains of an alien planet, where the visilibility was drastically reduced by the dense atmosphere. The player controls…

River Raid

1982
0
0 / 5
6. August 2026

Mission: Code Name River Raid. Jet down the river. Break the enemy blockade and blast the bridges to halt enemy troop advances. Terrain: Code Name River of No Return. An…

Robotron: 2084

1982
0
0 / 5
26. Juli 2026

In 2084, man creates a species of super-advanced cyborgs known as Robotrons. Recognizing the imperfect nature of their creators, the Robotrons conclude that the inefficient human…

Ruptus

2020
0
0 / 5
17. September 2025

Sinistar

1983
0
0 / 5
6. August 2026

The player pilots a lone spacecraft, and must create "Sinibombs" by shooting at drifting planetoids and catching the crystals that are thereby released. Sinibombs are needed to…

Space Dungeon

1982
0
0 / 5
10. Mai 2026

Piloting a pie-shaped spacecraft, you must move from sector to sector collecting treasure while avoiding enemies and corner-mounted lasers. The more treasure you have with you the…

Space Shuttle: A Journey Into Space

1983
0
0 / 5
27. Juli 2026

Space Shuttle is a simulation game where you are the pilot of space shuttle Discovery. Your goal is to launch the Discovery, establish an orbit around the Earth, open the cargo…

Spitfire

0
0 / 5
17. Januar 2024

An unreleased prototype 3D space shooter developed in 1983 and similar to Zaxxon. The game was only partially completed.

Sports Goofy

1983
0
0 / 5
11. April 2025

An unreleased prototype for the Atari 5200. You take control of goofy as he competes in two events, the Marathon Dive and the Pogo Pop. The Marathon Dive is a game in which you…

Star Raiders

1980
0
0 / 5
4. Juni 2026

Star Raiders is a first-person space combat simulator for the Atari 8-bit family of computers. It was written by Doug Neubauer, an Atari employee, and released as a cartridge by…

Star Wars

1983
0
0 / 5
11. August 2026

Star Wars is a first-person shoot 'em up based around the original Star Wars film. You take on the role of Luke Skywalker, aiming to destroy the Death Star - which, as any fan…

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - Death Star Battle

1983
0
0 / 5
10. August 2026

Return of the Jedi: Death Star Battle is a Shoot 'em up video game published by Parker Brothers in 1983 for various Atari platforms and in 1984 for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. It…

Stormtrooper

1988
0
0 / 5
14. Dezember 2022

Super Pac-Man

1982
0
0 / 5
1. August 2026

Super Pac-Man is a game in Namco's Pac-Man family, but instead of gobbling up dots, Pac is required to eat fruit and prizes, such as apples, bunches of bananas, doughnuts,…

Superman III

0
0 / 5
15. März 2026

Superman III is a cancelled Atari 5200 game based on the movie of the same name.