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History
Right after the release of the Atari VCS (2600), Atari started to work on a line of 8-bit computers. The first one, the Atari 400 (codename Candy), was planned as a video game console, while the second one, the Atari 800, was supposed to be a high-end computer for the time, based on the same architecture. This line of computers was designed to address the lack of bitmap graphics and character generator of the Atari VCS, so making a “consolized” version of it made sense. In the summer of 1978, Atari made a corporate decision to focus its new systems on education. The Candy console was largely completed by that time, and it remained a console project for a while. In early 1979, Atari decided to “transform” Candy into a low-end computer. It dedicated the newly named Atari 400 to children, which resulted in the computer we know today, with a keyboard that resists liquid spills.
The Atari 8-bit computer line was fairly successful, and it became more and more evident that Atari should capitalize on this success for the successor of the Atari 2600. In 1982, to compete with newcomers such as the ColecoVision and old-timers such as the Intellivision, Atari released the Atari 5200, which was largely based on its 8-bit computer architecture. This lowered the development cost, but Atari decided not to make the 5200 compatible with the 8-bit computer game library. The 5200 was somewhat popular, but it failed to survive the North American video game crash.
In 1984, Jack Tramiel purchased Atari’s consumer division from Warner Communications, and the company became Atari Corporation. In 1986, he re-released the next entry in the Atari console line, the Atari 7800, which had been released in a brief test run in 1984. At the same time, Tramiel wanted to expand sales of the 8-bit home computer family, but he hesitated between two options. He could lower the price of the 65XE home computer to about $80, or create a new console based on the 65XE hardware to drive more software sales. Atari asked retailers for their opinion, and their answer was almost unanimous: they wanted the new game console.
Release
Released in late 1987, the XEGS is the “consolized” version of the Atari 65XE home computer. It is compatible with the whole range of Atari 8-bit software and peripherals. Atari managed to sell 100,000 units during the 1987 Christmas season. The new console literally flew off the shelves, with no units available anywhere.
For years, the microcomputer and game console segments had been competing with each other. Many consoles added computer extensions, such as the APF Imagination Machine, the Coleco Adam and the Intellivision Entertainment Computer System. The XEGS was a real computer, so it bridged the gap between these two market segments. It made it easy to turn a console into a computer for little to no cost.
Demise
The XEGS did not do badly against the competition, but none of Atari’s consoles sold enough to beat the mastodon that was the Nintendo Entertainment System. By January 1, 1992, Nintendo controlled 80% of the North American market, while Atari had 12%. Atari then announced the end of production and support for the XEGS to focus on the next generation of gaming consoles.
Games
The XEGS is compatible with the Atari 8-bit computer software, which includes more than 600 titles. 32 games were released under the XEGS banner, but most of them were already available for the Atari 8-bit computers in diskette format.
- Built in or bundled: Missile Command (built in), Flight Simulator II (with the keyboard) and Bug Hunt (a light gun game).
Technical Specification
- CPU: MOS Technology 6502C at 1.79 MHz
- RAM: 64 KB
- Graphics: ANTIC (graphics) and GTIA (video)
- Sound: POKEY
- Resolution: 384 × 240 (overscan)
- Colors: 16 from a 256-color palette
- Output: RF and composite
- Media: ROM cartridge
- Accessories: Detachable keyboard, CX40 joystick, XG-1 light gun