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| Launched By | Atari |
| Type | 8-bit Microcomputer |
| Launch | November 1979 |
| Discontinued | January 1992 |
'Atari 8-bit' is a collective name for a range of 8-bit computers that Atari launched and supported between 1979 and 1992. Beginning with the Atari 400 and 800, and ending with the XE range.
Latest Atari 8-Bit posts
Popular Atari 8-Bit games
Star Raiders
1979
Pac-Man
1982
Miner 2049er
1982
Dandy
1983
Rainbow Walker
1983
Pole Position
1983
Alley Cat
1983
Mr. Robot and his Robot Factory
1983
Montezuma's Revenge
1984
Dropzone
1984
Boulder Dash
1984
Rescue on Fractalus!
1985
Emulation
| System | Emulator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows / Mac OS / Linux | MAME/MESS | Setname: a400 (Atari 400), a800 (Atari 800), a800xl (Atari 800XL), a130xe (Atari 130XE) |
| Various | Atari800 | - |
| Windows | Altirra | - |
| Mac OS | Atari800MacX | - |
| Mac OS | Rainbow | - |
| Linux | Atari++ | - |
| Windows | Pantheon | Multi platform emulator |
| Retroarch | via lr-atari800 | - |
| RetroPie | via Atari800 and lr-atari800 | default is lr-atari800 |
Emulator information last updated 18th April 2020
Tech Specs and further details
| Name | Atari 400 / 800 |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1979 |
| Codename | Candy (Atari 400) / Colleen (Atari 800) |
| Origin | United States |
| Processor | MOS Technology 6502B |
| Developed by | Jay Miner |
| Memory | 8KB originally (the Atari 800 could be expanded by the user to 48K). Later models came with 16KB |
| Display Output | Built-in RF modulator |
| Display Size (characters) | 40 x 25 |
| Colours | Palette of 256 colours |
| Storage | ROM Cartridge, Floppy Disk, Cassette |
| Input | Standard built-in Keyboard (Atari 800), Membrane keyboard (Atari 400), support for 4 joysticks |
| Cost | $550 (Atari 400, US launch), $1,000 (Atari 800 US launch) |
| Name | Atari 600XL / 800XL |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1982 |
| Origin | United States |
| Processor | MOS Technology 6502C |
| Memory | 16KB, max 64KB (Atari 600XL), 64KB, max 128KB (Atari 800XL) |
| Colours | Palette of 256 colours |
| Storage | ROM Cartridge, Floppy Disk, Cassette |
| Input | Built-in Keyboard, support for 2 joysticks |
| Name | Atari 65XE / Atari 130XE |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1985 |
| Origin | United States |
| Processor | MOS Technology 6502C |
| Memory | 64KB RAM (Atari 65XE), 128KB RAM (Atari 130XE), 24KB ROM |
| Colours | Palette of 240 colours |
| Storage | ROM Cartridge, Floppy Disk, Cassette |
| Input | Built-in Keyboard, 2 x joystick ports |