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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
Ms. Pac-Man
1983
M.U.L.E
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 |