Atari 7800

Atari 7800 · 1986

Overview

Atari’s 7800 ProSystem, released in May 1986 as successor to the 2600 and 5200, with MARIA graphics and near-complete Atari 2600 cartridge backward compatibility.

Technical specifications

Manufacturer: Atari
Platform: Atari 7800
Revision: ProSystem
Storage: ROM cartridge
Released: 1986-05-01
Discontinued: 1992-01-01
CPU: Atari SALLY @ 1.19–1.79 MHz
GPU: Atari MARIA @ 7.16 MHz
Memory: 4 KB RAM

Collector note

First major console with broad 2600 cartridge backward compatibility. Two-button ProLine controllers; Pole Position II pack-in. Designed earlier (announced mid-1980s) but shipped May 1986 under Atari Corporation after the Warner sale.

Facts

North America release: May 1986.
CPU: Atari SALLY @ 1.19–1.79 MHz; GPU: MARIA @ 7.16 MHz; 4 KB RAM.
Plays almost all Atari 2600 cartridges.
Successor to both the 2600 and 5200 lines.
Discontinued in 1992 (year-level).

Related consoles

Atari 2600 · Atari 26002600 library compatibility
Atari 2600 Jr. · Atari 2600Contemporary budget 2600 Jr.
Atari 5200 · Atari 5200Prior higher-end 5200
Atari Jaguar · Atari JaguarLater Atari home console (Jaguar)

Sources

Atari 7800 · Wikipedia

Collector Comments

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