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The Atari 5200 was introduced in 1982. It was intended as a follow-up to the very popular VCS/2600, but would merely be a half-way system between the 2600 and 7800. Its major competing system was the Coleco Vision, however Atari's sizable arcade licenses would tip the limited consumer base in favor of the 5200. In a deal with Spectravision, a company that supplied many hotel chains with televisions and telephones, the 5200 was released on a limited basis in certain hotel rooms. The hotel version of the 5200 would typically come with four or five games built in, and allowed the user to use the system's joystick to control the TV.

The system utilized analog control sticks, which made playing the popular maze-games of the time difficult. A keypad at the base of the unit contained foam-rubber keys that became dirty easily, thus upkeep of the system was hard.

Ultimately, the system would fizzle out and become an obscure system only collectors would be interested in.

Atari 5200 game screen shots:

• Pole Position
• Dig Dug
• Congo Bongo

Copyright (C) 1996-1997, Sam Hart, hart@geekcomix.com
All trademarks are properties of their respective companies.

Some screen shots courtesy of Michael J. Novak Jr., and Video Game Advantage.