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Atari Lynx - Third Generation Handheld Console

Overview

In 1989, Atari released the Atari Lynx, the first hand-held colour game device. The unit was actually developed by Epyx, which had trouble funding the project. The machine could display an incredible 4096 colours on a 160 x 120 pixel screen.

However, Atari once again stole defeat from the jaws of victory. There was high demand for the device, but Atari could not meet demand, leaving people to purchase the colourless Game Boy instead. When Sega released the GameGear in 1991, it ended Atari's dominance in the colour hand-held market. Moreover, Sega had more titles and began to outsell the Lynx. Atari pulled the Lynx from the market in 1993.

Date Range: 1989 - 1993

Release Price: US $179

The third generation comes on the heal of the video game crash of 1983/84. There are several reason given for the crash:

  1. Over production of video games
  2. Commodore's 8-bit computer war

The Atari Lynx was the first hand-held colour game device. With a 160 x 120 screen capable of 4096 colours, Atari had a winner. Unfortunately, Atari could not meet demand.


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