Atari 5200 - Second Generation Console
Overview
In 1982, Atari release the Atari 5200 and was intended as a replacement for the Atari 2600. The internals for the 5200 were essentially taken from the company?s 8-bit computers, the Atari 400/800s. Despite being a replacement for the 2600, Atari still directed more funds toward the 2600.
The results were evident in a series of issues and most importantly was the incompatibility with the 2600, and because it did not have a keyboard, it could not properly run Atari 400/800 software. As a result, the Atari 5200 enjoyed moderate success before being killed off by the video game crash.
Date Range: 1982 - 1984
Release Price: US $299
Atari released the 5200 in 1982 as a replacement for the 2600. However, instead of building and improving on the Atari 2600 hardware, Atari built the 5200 from their 8-bit computer line.
While the Atari 5200's business plan was sound, Atari failed to devote enough resources to the new project, instead, spending more time on the 2600.
As a result, the 5200 had several major flaws. It could not run 2600 games and had compatibility problems with Atari 400 and Atari 800.
The 5200 enjoyed moderate success before being killed off after the video game crash of 1983/84.
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