The Atari 5200 was a video game console introduced in 1982 by Atari as a replacement for the famous Atari 2600. It was created to compete with the Mattel Intellivision, but it also competed with the Colecovision shortly after the 5200's release. In some ways, it was both technologically superior and more cost efficient than any console available at that time. However, a number of design flaws had a serious impact on usability, and the system is generally considered a failure.

Hardware

The Atari 5200 was in essence an Atari 400 computer without a keyboard. This made for a powerful, proven design which Atari could quickly bring to market. The system featured many innovations like the first automatic TV switchbox, allowing it to automatically switch from regular TV viewing to the game system signal when the system was activated (previous RF adapters required the user to slide a switch on the adapter by hand).

The initial release of the system featured four controller ports, where all other systems of the day had only two ports. The system also featured a revolutionary new controller with an analog joystick, numeric keypad, two fire buttons on both sides of the controller and game function keys for Start, Pause, and Reset.

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Question for my TWITTER Familia: What was your best Xmas gift ever? Mine: Getting ATARI 5200 in '83; Did I play it all day long :-) ?
Pantherzfan4lif (Shawn Smith) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:26:40 -0000
Question for my TWITTER Familia: What was your best Xmas gift ever? Mine: Getting ATARI 5200 in '83; Did I play it all day long :-) ?
just dug out the old Atari 5200. Space Invaders, Pole Posisiton, Dig Dug, Pac-Man and Jungle Hunt. 1982!
tshelburn (Tim Shelburn) Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:41:15 -0000
just dug out the old Atari 5200. Space Invaders, Pole Posisiton, Dig Dug, Pac-Man and Jungle Hunt. 1982!
New video: Console wars of the past 1.31 - atari 5200 http://bit.ly/7ggwg0
awesometuber (awesometube) Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:45:49 -0000
New video: Console wars of the past 1.31 - atari 5200 http://bit.ly/7ggwg0
I favorited a YouTube video -- ATARI 5200 - Angry Video Game Nerd - Cinemassacre.com http://bit.ly/OhQAc
BazookaBlitz (Andreas) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:51:36 -0000
I favorited a YouTube video -- ATARI 5200 - Angry Video Game Nerd - Cinemassacre.com http://bit.ly/OhQAc
ATARI 5200 (РУС) (http://bit.ly/52HrPs)
getincss (Lelya) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:58:04 -0000
ATARI 5200 (РУС) (http://bit.ly/52HrPs)
DC Area- atari 5200 system (chespeake beach, md): atari 5200 system, two controllers and four games. Comes with all... http://bit.ly/5ZKMrO
materialitems (Jacob Peacock) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:28:41 -0000
DC Area- atari 5200 system (chespeake beach, md): atari 5200 system, two controllers and four games. Comes with all... http://bit.ly/5ZKMrO

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