• Home games console developed by Atari and released in Europe in 1978.
• One of the first popular home consoles, selling 30 million units worldwide.
• Top titles include Pac-Man, Pitfall!, Asteroids, Missile Command, and Combat.
• Widely credited with introducing home video games to the mass market.
• Used ROM cartridge games and featured support for third-party developers.

Atari 2600. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Atari2600_Console_lg._V326504675_.jpg ) Have you played Atari today? ---------------------------- Launched in Europe in 1978, the original Atari was one of the most popular home video game consoles of its time. Originally known simply as the Atari VCS (Video Computer System), the console became known as the 2600 after the release of its successor, the Atari 5200. Having sold around 30 million units worldwide, the 2600 brought the thrills of arcade gaming into the living room, and was one of the first – and best – machines to do so. Initially bundled with Combat, the Atari 2600 hit North American stores in September 1977, competing directly with the Fairchild Channel F (then known as the Video Entertainment System). Adopting a similar approach to the Fairchild console, the Atari VCS popularised the use of ROM cartridges with game code, where previously all games were hard-coded into their machines. This maximised development rtunities. The Atari dominated the market in the early 1980s, with key game licenses helping to push sales massively, and by 1982 had sold over 10 million units worldwide. With its vast library of games and simple yet engaging mechanics, the Atari 2600 set the stage for the future development and growth of home video gaming, and inspired a generation of future developers and fanatics. Games that defined a generation ------------------------------- The Atari 2600 was the ship home console to house some of the most defining titles in video game history. Top-selling releases include Pitfall! by third-party developer Activision, Sega's hugely well received Missile Command, and of course the truly legendary Pac-Man. Space shooters such as Asteroids and Space Invaders played a huge part in attracting the masses to the medium, and genres were even born of the console in the form of titles like Adventure, one of the first games identified as 'action-adventure'. Sports games, too, saw a grand birth on the Atari in the form of the RealSports series, and there were even some video game tie-ins with popular media franchises, including Star Wars, James Bond, and Spider-Man. Atari joystick. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Atari2600_Joystick_lg._V326504004_.jpg ) Controllers ----------- Making the arcade experience of gameplay as authentic as possible, Atari released their console with joystick controllers. Paddle controllers were also popular, and a range of third-party components were also produced for the console. Black Atari. view larger ( https://images-eu.ssl-images-.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2014/ConsoleComp/us/Atari2600_DarthVader_lg._V326504007_.jpg ) Redesigns --------- Riding on the popularity of the original console, the Atari 2600 was redesigned a number of times – variations included the 1982 black "Darth Vader" model, six-switch versions, and the Atari 2600 Jr., a slimline version of the machine. Pac-Man. Missile Command. Pitfall! Space Invaders.