#### Back to index | # Info for a2600

#### Atari 2600 Video Computer System

History and Trivia:
The Atari Video Computer System (VCS) was released in 1977 at a suggested retail price of
alone. Joe Decuir, Steve Mayer and Ron Milner designed the VCS. The Atari VCS was
developed under the project codename "Stella". The VCS later became known, both commonly
and officially as the Atari 2600 (from the model number CX2600). It is rumored that the number
2600 was chosen because 2600 cycles was a prominent long distance access tone, and that
one of the developers had created devices that would trick pay phones into granting long
distance access as a hobby.

Features:
Resolution: 160 x 260 (horz.) at 60.00 Hz
CPU: 6507
Cpu Clock: 1.19 MHz
Graphics Clock: 1.19 MHz
Bits: 8
ROM: 4k max
RAM: 128 bytes, in VLSI
Video Display Processor: Stella
Sprites: 32
Colors: 256 (static)
Sound Processor: Two Channel Square or Noise (TIA)
Cartridge ROM: 2k up to 64k

Links:
Atari Age - www.atariage.com
Atari Historical Society - www.atari-history.com/a2600.html

MESS Emulation State:
1) Restricted to 2KB and 4KB carts
2) supports NTSC games only
3) Limited compatibility
4) no support for keypad controls
5) Dip switch used to select joystick or paddles

Generated on Wed Jul 16 01:11:08 2003