Atari XE Video Game SystemComputerspielemuseum-49 (17134338672).jpg
Manufacturer Atari Corporation
Type Home video game console
Personal computer
Generation Third generation (8-bit era)
Release date late 1987
Introductory price US$159 (equivalent to $350.65 in 2018)
Discontinued 1992
Media ROM cartridge
CPU MOS Technology 6502C
Memory 64KB RAM
Display 384 x 240 (overscan) 256 color palette
Backward
compatibility Atari 8-bit family
Predecessor Atari 7800
Successor Atari Panther (cancelled)
Atari Jaguar
The Atari XE Video Game System (Atari XEGS) is a home video game console released by Atari Corporation in 1987. Based on Atari's 8-bit 65XE computer, the XEGS is compatible with the existing Atari 8-bit computer software library. Additionally, it is able to operate as either a stand-alone console or as a full computer with the addition of its specially designed keyboard. In computer mode, it may utilize the majority of peripherals released for Atari's 8-bit computer line. 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, joystick and light gun.
The XEGS was supported by new games, such as Barnyard Blaster and Bug Hunt, plus cartridge ports of older games, such as Fight Night (Accolade, 1985), Lode Runner (Brøderbund, 1983), Necromancer (Synapse Software, 1982), and Ballblazer (Lucasfilm Games, 1985).
History
John J. Anderson of Creative Computing stated in 1984, when Atari, Inc. had great financial difficulties as a division of Warner Communications, that it could and should have released a new video game console in 1981 based on its 8-bit computers and compatible with its software library. The company instead released the incompatible Atari 5200. After Jack Tramiel purchased the company, Atari Corp. re-released two game consoles in 1986: the Atari 7800, which had previously been released in a brief test run in 1984; and the Atari 2600 Jr., an updated version of the Atari VCS/2600. The XEGS followed, building on Atari's 8-bit computer line which had started with the Atari 400 and 800. In practice the XEGS is a repackaged Atari 65XE, is compatible with the existing range of Atari 8-bit computer software and peripherals, and thus can function as a home computer.
Atari conceived the console in a plan to increase the company's console market share while improving sales of its 8-bit home computer family. Providing a "beginning computer" and "sophisticated game console" in one device, was thought to convince more retailers and software developers to support the platform. In May 1987, Atari's then Director of Communications, Neil Harris, updated the online Atari community by outlining this plan. It noted that the XEGS was intended to further the 8-bit line by providing mass-merchants with a device that was more appealing to their markets.
The system co-existed with the Atari 7800 and remodeled Atari 2600 on store shelves and was occasionally featured alongside those systems in Atari print ads and television commercials.
Games
Main article: List of Atari XEGS games
The XEGS shipped with the Atari 8-bit version of Missile Command built in, Flight Simulator II bundled with the keyboard component, and Bug Hunt which is compatible with the light gun. As the XEGS is compatible with the earlier 8-bit software, many games released under the XEGS banner were simply older games rebadged. This was done to the extent that some games were shipped in the old Atari 400/800 packaging, bearing only a new sticker to indicate that they were also compatible with the XEGS.
Reception
Atari sold 100,000 XE Game Systems during the Christmas season in 1987, every unit that was produced during its launch window.
Peripherals
The XEGS was released in a basic set and a deluxe set. The basic set includes only the console and a standard CX40 joystick (albeit with a grey base to match the XEGS, rather than the original black). The deluxe set consists of the console, the CX40 joystick, a keyboard which enables home computer functionality, and the XG-1 light gun. The keyboard and light gun peripherals were also released separately outside North America. This is the first light gun produced by Atari, and it is also compatible with the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600.
In addition, the XEGS can use the standard Atari 8-bit peripherals, allowing the use of devices such as disk drives, modems and printers.
COMPLETE GAME LIST:
3-D Tic-Tac-Toe (Atari)
Abracadabra (TG Software)
Ace of Aces
Adventure Creator
Airball (Atari)
Alf in the Color Caves
Alien Ambush (Dana)
Alien Garden (Epyx)
Alpha Shield (Sirius)
Alphabet Zoo
Ant Eater
Archon (Atari)
Astrochase
Asteroids (Atari)
Astro Grover (Sesame Street)
Atlantis
Attack at EP-CYG-4
Attack of the Mutant Camels (HES)
B.C. Quest For Tires
Ballblazer (Atari)
Baseball (InHome Software)
Basketball (Atari)
Battlezone (Atari)
Barnyard Blaster (Atari)
Beamrider (Activision)
Bear Jam (Chalkboard Inc.)
Big Bird’s Funhouse (Sesame Street) (CBS Software)
Big bird’s Special Delivery (Sesame Street) (CBS Software)
Blue Max (Atari)
Boulderdash (First Star)
Boulders and Bombs (CBS Software)
Bounty Bob Strikes Back (Big 5)
Bristles (First Star)
Bruce Lee (Atari)
Buck Roger: Planet of Zoom
Bug Hunt (Atari)
Bumper Bash
Captain Beeble
Carnival Massacre
Castle Hastle
Caverns of Mars
Centipede
Chess
Chicken
Choplifter!
Claim Jumper
Cloudburst
CocoNotes
Computer War
Computer Chess
Congo Bongo
Conquest of the Crown
Cosmic LifeCrime Buster
Crossbow
CrossfireCrystal Castles
Da’Fuzz
Dance Fantasy
Dark Chambers
Data Perfect
David’s Midnight Magic
Decathlon
Defender
Delta Drawing Learning Program
Deluxe Invaders
Demo Cartridge
Demon Attack
Desert Falcon
Designer’s Pencil
Dig Dug
Diamond GOS
Diamond Mine
Dimension X
Direct Access Home Banking
Doc Goodlode’s Cavern
Donkey Kong (Atari)
Donkey Kong Jr (Atari)
Dreadnaught Factor
Drelbs
Droids
Ducks Ahoy
Eastern Front – 1941
Easy Scan II
Educational System Master Cartridge
Embargo
Ernie’s Magic Shapes (Sesame Street)
Espial
Expando-Vision
Express
E.T. Phone Home
Facemaker
Fantastic Voyage
Fast Eddie
Fight Night
File Manager
Final Legacy
Final Orbit
Firebird
Flapper
Flight Simulator II
Microsoft
Flip & Flop
First Star
Foot Fight
Football
Fort Apocalypse
Fortune Hunter
Fraction Fever
Frantic Freddie
Frogger
Frogger II: Threeedeep
Fun with Art
Galaxian
Gateway to Apshai
GATO
GhostCART II
Gorf
Gridrunner
Gyruss
Hardball
Halftime Battlin’ Bands
Kantronics
H.E.R.O.
Hypnotic Land
Into The Eagle’s Nest
Joust
Journey To The Planets
Jukebox
Jumbo Jet Pilot
Jumpman Junior
Jungle Hunt
James Bond 007
Jawbreaker
Jawbreaker II
Jumbo Jet Pilot
Kaboom!
Karateka
Keystone Kapers
K-Star Patrol
Kickback
Kids on Keys
Kindercomp
Kiss
Koala Painter
Koala
K-razy Antiks
K-razy Kritters
K-razy Shoot Out
Learning Phone
Learning with Leeper
Leo’s ‘Lectric Paintbrush
Letter-Go-Round (Sesame Street)
Lifespan
Linking Logic
Lode Runner
Logic Levels
Logic Master
Mac / 65
Magic Dump
Magic Dump II
Major League Hockey
Mario Brothers
MasterType
Math Encounter
Math Maze
Math Mileage
Math Mileage
Math Works: Addition
Math Works: Basic Subtraction
MatterHorn
Megamania
Memory Manor
MicroMaster
MicroMaestro
Microprinter System
Millipede
Miner 2049er
Ms. Pac-Man
Missile Command
Monkey Wrench
Monkey Wrench II
Monster Maze
Moon Patrol
Mountain King
Movie Maker
Movie Musical Madness
Mr. Cool
Mr. TNT
Music Box
Music Composer
My First Alphabet
Necromancer
Night Strike
Oil’s Well
One-on-One Basketball
Orc Attack
Ozzy’s Orchard
Pac-Man
Paint ‘n Sketch: Level I
Paint ‘n Sketch: Level II
Pastfinder
Peanut Butter Panic
Pengo
Pharoah’s Curse
Pilot Computing Language
Pitfall
Pitfall II: Lost Caverns
Pitstop
Plattermania
Pole Position
Pool 400
Popeye
Princess and the Frog
Proburner
Protector II
Powerstar
Princess and Frog
Q*bert
Qix
Rally Speedway
RealSports Football
Rescue On Fractalus
River Raid
River Rescue
Robotron: 2084
Rock and Rhythm
Rosen’s Brigade
Sammy Lightfoot
Sea Chase
Sea Fox
Serpentine
Shadow World
Shamus
Silicon Warrior
Skywriter
Slime
Soccer
Space Invaders
Space Journey
Space Shuttle
Spark Bugs
Speedway Blast
Spider City
Springer
Spy Hunter
Squish ‘Em Sam
Star Maze, Scott Foresman’s
Star Raiders
Star Raiders II
Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulation
Star Wars: Arcade Game
Star Wars: Death Star Battle
Starion
Story Machine
Submarine Commander
Success With Math
Summer Games
Super Breakout
Super Cobra
Super Sketch Graphics Master
Super Zaxxon
Survival of the Fittest
Survivor
Synassembler
Tapper
Telelink I
Telelink II
Tennis
The Pill
The Super Pill
Thunderfox
Time Bound
Topper
Trust
Turmoil
Typo
Typo Attack
Up n’ Down
Up for Grabs
Video Easel
VisiCalc
Webster Word Game
Whiz Kid
Wizard of Wor
Worm War I
Zaxxon
Zenji
Zeppelin
Zone Ranger