Editing Atari 7800

{{short description|Home video game console}}
{{Infobox CVG system
| title = Atari 7800 ProSystem
| logo = Atari 7800 logo-09.svg
| image = [[File:Atari-7800-Console-Set.jpg|frameless|upright=1|Atari 7800 System (American system with joystick controller)]]<br />[[File:Atari-7800-wControl-Pad-L.jpg|frameless|upright=1|Atari 7800 System (PAL system with Joypad controller)]]
| caption = '''Top:''' North American 7800<br />'''Bottom:''' European 7800
| manufacturer = [[Atari, Inc.]]<br />[[Atari Corporation]]
| developer = [[General Computer Corporation]]
| type = [[Home video game console]]
| generation = [[Third generation of video game consoles|Third]]
| release date = US: 
May 1986<ref name="CE2"/><br />PAL: 1987
| discontinued = January 1, 1992<ref name=patterson>{{cite news |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/consoles-of-the-80s/a-200806189420522063/p-4 |title=Consoles of the '80s |first=Shane |last=Patterson |author2=Brett Elston |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=1 April 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031161620/https://www.gamesradar.com/consoles-of-the-80s/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| CPU = [[SALLY (microprocessor)|Atari SALLY]] @ 1.19-1.79 [[MHz]]
| memory = 4 KB [[RAM]]<br />4 KB [[BIOS]] [[Read-only memory|ROM]]<br />48 KB cartridge ROM space
| display = 160×240, 320×240 (288 vertical for [[PAL]]), 25 colors out of 256
| media = [[ROM cartridge]]
| onlineservice = 
| units sold = 
| topgame = 
| compatibility = [[Atari 2600]]
| predecessor = [[Atari 5200]]
| successor = [[Atari Panther]] (canceled)<br />[[Atari XEGS]]
| price = {{US$|140|1986|round=0}}
| graphics = MARIA custom chip @ 7.16 MHz
| top game = ''[[Pole Position II]]'' (pack-in)<ref>{{cite web|title=Pole Position II for Arcade (1983) - MobyGames|periodical=MobyGames|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/pole-position-ii|access-date=March 29, 2016|language=de|archive-date=May 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522000952/https://www.mobygames.com/game/pole-position-ii|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

The '''Atari 7800 ProSystem''', or simply the '''Atari 7800''', is a [[home video game console]] officially released by [[Atari Corporation]] in 1986 as the successor to both the [[Atari 2600]] and [[Atari 5200]].<ref>[http://www.ign.com/top-25-consoles/17.html Top 25 Videogame Consoles of All Time: Atari 7800 is Number 17], IGN.</ref> It can run almost all Atari 2600 cartridges, making it the first console with [[backward compatibility]]. It shipped with a two button controller instead of the 2600-standard [[Atari CX40 joystick|CX40]] and ''[[Pole Position II]]'' as the pack-in game. The European model has a gamepad instead of a joystick. Most of the early releases for the system are ports of 1981–1983 [[arcade video game]]s. The final wave of 7800 cartridges is closer in style to what was available on other late 1980s consoles, such as ''[[Scrapyard Dog]]'' and ''[[Midnight Mutants]]''.

Designed by [[General Computer Corporation]], the 7800 has graphics hardware similar to early 1980s arcade video games and is a significant improvement over Atari's previous consoles. It uses same [[Television Interface Adaptor]] chip that launched with the Atari VCS in 1977 to generate two-channel audio. In an effort to prevent the flood of poor quality games that contributed to the [[video game crash of 1983]], cartridges had to be [[digitally signed]] by Atari.

The Atari 7800 was first announced by [[Atari, Inc.]] on May 21, 1984,<ref name="press release"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=technology&res=9F06E5D7163BF931A15756C0A962948260  |title=Atari Video Game Unit Introduced |date=22 May 1984 |newspaper=New York Times |url-access=limited}}</ref> but a general release was shelved until May 1986 due to the sale of the company.<ref>[http://atariage.com/7800/history.html AtariAge: Atari 7800 History], AtariAge.</ref> Atari Corporation dropped support for the 7800, along with the 2600 and [[Atari 8-bit computers]], on January 1, 1992.<ref name=patterson/>

== History ==
The Atari 7800 ProSystem was the first console from [[Atari, Inc.]] designed by an outside company: [[General Computer Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ack4jr09qw0 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/ack4jr09qw0| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|title=The History of the Atari 7800 ProSystem with Steve Golson|website=[[YouTube]]| date=7 November 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It was developed in 1983–84 with an intended mass market rollout in June 1984, but was canceled after the sale of the company to [[Jack Tramiel|Tramel Technology Ltd]] on July 2, 1984. The project was originally called the Atari 3600.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800menu/ |title=The Atari 7800 ProSystem |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117172550/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800menu/ |archive-date=2013-01-17 }}</ref>

With a background in creating arcade games such as ''[[Food Fight (video game)|Food Fight]]'', GCC designed the new system with a graphics architecture similar to arcade machines of the time. The CPU is a slightly customized [[MOS Technology 6502|6502]] processor, the Atari SALLY,<ref name="EGM62">{{cite magazine|title=When Pac Ruled the Earth|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=62|publisher=EGM Media, LLC|date=September 1994|page=18}}</ref> running at 1.79&nbsp;MHz. By some measures the 7800 is more powerful, and by others less, than the 1983 [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="vs7800">{{cite web|title=7800 compared to the NES|url=https://sites.google.com/site/atari7800wiki/7800-compared-to-the-nes|website=Atari 7800 Programming}}</ref> It uses the 2600's [[Television Interface Adaptor]] chip, with the same restrictions, for generating two-channels of audio.

=== Launch ===
The 7800 was announced on May 21, 1984.<ref name="press release">{{cite press release |title=Atari unveils advanced video game that is expandable to introductory computer |publisher=Atari, Inc. |url=http://www.atari7800.org/museum/PressDoc1s.htm |access-date=2010-04-30 |date=1984-05-21}}</ref> Thirteen games were announced for the system's launch: ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Pole Position II]]'', ''[[Centipede (video game)|Centipede]]'', ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]'', ''[[Dig Dug]]'', ''Nile Flyer''<ref name=davidson/> (eventually released as ''[[Desert Falcon]]''), ''[[Robotron: 2084]]'', ''[[Galaga]]'', ''[[Food Fight (video game)|Food Fight]]'', ''[[Ballblazer]]'', ''[[Rescue on Fractalus!]]'' (later canceled),<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title = Rescue on Fractalus |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/7800/software/rof/rof.htm |access-date = 2023-10-12}}</ref> ''[[Track & Field (video game)|Track & Field]]'', and ''[[Xevious]]''. It was a significant technological leap over the [[Atari 2600]] and [[Atari 5200]].

On July 2, 1984, [[Warner Media|Warner Communications]] sold Atari's Consumer Division to [[Jack Tramiel]].<ref>[Retrogamer Magazine, Issue #78, pp 53.]</ref> All projects were halted during an initial evaluation period. GCC had not been paid for their development of the 7800, and Warner and Tramiel fought over who was accountable. In May 1985, Tramiel relented and paid GCC. This led to additional negotiations regarding the launch titles GCC had developed, then an effort to find someone to lead their new video game division, which was completed in November 1985.<ref>[Retrogamer Magazine, Issue #78, pp 57]</ref> The original production run of the Atari 7800 languished in warehouses until it was introduced in January 1986.

The console was released nationwide in May 1986 for $79.95<ref name="CE2"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Atari's "Jr Pac-Man" scores for looks, sound|last=Semrad|first=Edward|date=1986-06-26|work=The Milwaukee Journal}}</ref> with games intended for the 7800's debut in 1984.<ref>{{Citation|title=Atari 7800 - History of Video Game Consoles Wiki Guide - IGN|date=27 March 2014 |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/history-of-video-game-consoles/Atari_7800|language=en|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> It was aided by a marketing campaign with a budget in the "low millions" according to Atari Corporation officials. This was substantially less than the $9 million spent by [[Sega]] and the $16 million spent by [[Nintendo]].<ref>[blob:https://imgur.com/5e89e610-0413-45b3-90cc-a9c05e8e21b5]{{dead link|date=September 2021}}, Detroit Press, August 15th, 1986</ref> The keyboard and high score cartridge planned by Warner were cancelled. The 7800 addressed many of the most common complaints with the preceding 5200, including a smaller size, built-in backward compatibility, and an improved controller design.

In February 1987, ''[[Computer Entertainer]]'' reported that 100,000 Atari 7800 consoles had been sold in the United States, including those which had been warehoused since 1984.<ref name="CE2">''Computer Entertainer'', February 1987, [http://i.imgur.com/eUXac6M.jpg page 13]</ref><ref name="CE1">''Computer Entertainer'', December 1986, [http://i.imgur.com/fyarkYE.jpg page 8]</ref> This was less than the [[Master System]]'s 125,000 and the NES's 1.1 million.<ref name="CE2"/> Games were slowly released: ''[[Galaga]]'' in August, followed by ''[[Xevious]]'' in November.<ref name="CE1"/> By the end of 1986, the 7800 had 10 games, compared to Sega's 20 and Nintendo's 36.<ref name="CE2"/> Atari would sell over 1 million 7800 consoles by June 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://atariage.com/forums/uploads/monthly_01_2008/post-9346-1201143700.jpg | title=Axlon to develop new video games for Atari; Bushnell returns}}</ref>

=== Discontinuation ===
On January 1, 1992, Atari Corporation announced the end of production and support for the  7800, 2600, and the 8-bit computer family including the [[Atari XEGS]]. At least one game, an unreleased port of ''[[Toki (video game)|Toki]]'', was worked on past this date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://betaphasegames.com/7800_Toki_Screens.html |title=TOKI FOR 7800: DISCOVERY ANNOUNCEMENT |website=Beta Phase Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418231623/http://betaphasegames.com/7800_Toki_Screens.html |archive-date=2018-04-18 }}</ref> By the time of the discontinuation, the Nintendo Entertainment System controlled 80% of the North American market while Atari had 12%.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DD143EF935A25756C0A964958260 | work=[[The New York Times]] | title=COMPANY NEWS; Nintendo Suit by Atari Is Dismissed | date=May 16, 1992 | access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-access=limited}}</ref> In Europe, last stocks of the 7800 were sold until summer/fall of 1995.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://atarimuseum.nl/history-of-atari-benelux/ | title=Atari Benelux Timeline – Atarimuseum.nl }}</ref>

''Retro Gamer'' magazine issue 132 reported that according to Atari UK Marketing Manager Darryl Still, "it was very well stocked by European retail; although it never got the consumer traction that the 2600 did, I remember we used to sell a lot of units through mail order catalogues and in the less affluent areas".<ref name="retgam132">{{cite web |title=Atari 7800 Prosystem 30th Anniversary |date=10 September 2016 |url=https://issuu.com/michelfranca/docs/retro_gamer____132 |publisher=Retro Gamer |access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

==Technical specifications==
[[File:Atari-7800-Motherboard-01.jpg|thumb|Motherboard of an American 7800 with the RF shielding removed]]
[[File:Atari-7800-Motherboard-Euro-wRGB-FL.jpg|thumb|European motherboard modified by Atari to output RGB through a SCART connector]]
* CPU: [[SALLY (microprocessor)|Atari SALLY]] (custom variant of the [[MOS Technology 6502|6502]])
** 1.79&nbsp;MHz, which drops to 1.19&nbsp;MHz when the [[Television Interface Adaptor]] or ([[MOS Technology 6532|6532 RAM-I/O-Timer]]) chips are accessed
** Unlike a standard 6502, ''SALLY'' can be halted in a known state with a single pin to let other devices control the bus.
** Sometimes referred to by Atari as "6502C", but not the same as the official [[MOS Technology]] 6502C.<ref name='am_sally'>{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimania.com/faq-atari-400-800-xl-xe-what-are-sally-antic-ctia-gtia-fgtia-pokey-and-freddie_14.html|title=FAQ 400 800 XL XE : What are SALLY, ANTIC, CTIA/GTIA/FGTIA, POKEY, and FREDDIE?|quote=named SALLY by Atari engineers, but [support documents call it] "6502 (Modified)", "6502 Modified", "Custom 6502", or "6502C". [..] SALLY 6502 chips are never marked "6502C" but, other than the UMC UM6502I, always [marked] C014806. [..] [Other] chips marked "6502C" [..] are NOT the Atari "6502C" but [standard 6502] certified for 4MHz|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719024918/http://www.atarimania.com/faq-atari-400-800-xl-xe-what-are-sally-antic-ctia-gtia-fgtia-pokey-and-freddie_14.html|archivedate=19 July 2020}}</ref>
* [[Random-access memory|RAM]]: 4 KB<ref name="EGM62"/> (2 6116 2Kx8 RAM [[integrated circuit|ICs]])
* [[Read-only memory|ROM]]: built in 4 KB [[BIOS]] ROM, 48 KB Cartridge ROM space without [[bank switching]]
* Graphics: MARIA custom chip
** Resolution: 160×240 (160×288 [[PAL region|PAL]]) or 320×240 (320×288 PAL)
** Color palette: 256<ref name="EGM62"/> (16 [[hue]]s * 16 [[Luma (video)|luma]]), different graphics modes restricted the number of usable colors and the number of colors per sprite
** [[Direct memory access|Direct Memory Access]] (DMA)
** Graphics clock: 7.15&nbsp;MHz<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/15473/Atari-7800/|title=Atari 7800 - Game Console - Computing History|website=www.computinghistory.org.uk|access-date=2020-02-19}}</ref><ref name=maria>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207034523/http://www.atarimuseum.com/ahs_archives/archives/pdf/videogames/7800/gcc1702b_maria_specs.pdf |archive-date=7 December 2010 |url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/ahs_archives/archives/pdf/videogames/7800/gcc1702b_maria_specs.pdf |title=GCC1702B "Maria" Chip}}</ref>
** [[Framebuffer|Line buffer]]: 200 bytes ([[Multiple buffering#Double buffering in computer graphics|double buffering]]), 160 [[Texel (graphics)|sprite pixels]] per [[Scan line|scanline]],<ref name=maria/> up to 30 [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] per scanline (without background),<ref name="vs7800" /> up to 100 sprites on screen<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX%3D632 |title=Atari 7800 vs. Nintendo NES |access-date=2014-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628043258/http://ataritimes.com/index.php?ArticleIDX=632 |archive-date=2014-06-28 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030624192139/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800.html|archive-date = 2003-06-24|title = The Atari 7800 ProSystem}}</ref>
** [[Sprite (computer graphics)|Sprite]]/zone sizes: 4<ref name=programming>{{cite web |url=http://sites.google.com/site/atari7800wiki/graphics-programming |title=Graphics Programming |website=Atari 7800 Progamming}}</ref> to 160<ref name=maria/> width, height of 4,<ref name=programming/> 8 or 16<ref name=guide/> pixels
** Colors per sprite: 1 to 12 (1 to 8 visible colors, 1 to 4 transparency bits)<ref name=guide>{{cite web| url=http://atarihq.com/danb/files/7800%20Software%20Guide.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://atarihq.com/danb/files/7800%20Software%20Guide.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=7800 Software Guide}}</ref>
* I/O: Joystick and console switch IO handled by [[MOS Technology 6532|6532 RIOT]] and TIA
* Ports
**2 joystick ports
**cartridge port
**expansion connector
**power in
**[[RF modulator|RF]] output
* Sound: [[Television Interface Adaptor|TIA]] as used in the 2600 for video and sound. In 7800 mode it is only used for sound.
** At least two games include a [[POKEY]] [[sound chip]] for improved audio.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bGEbLt1C168C&pg=PA201|title=Hardware Hacking: Have Fun while Voiding your Warranty|last1=Grand|first1=Joe|last2=Mitnick|first2=Kevin D.|last3=Russell|first3=Ryan|date=2004-01-29|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-0-08-047825-8|pages=201|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://visual6502.org/images/pages/Atari_C012294_POKEY_die_shots.html|title=Atari C012294 POKEY|website=visual6502.org|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>

=== Graphics ===
Graphics are generated by the custom MARIA chip, which uses an approach common in contemporary arcade [[Arcade system board|system boards]]<ref name=guide/> and is  different from other [[Second generation of video game consoles|second]] and [[Third generation of video game consoles|third generation]] consoles. Instead of a limited number of hardware sprites, MARIA treats everything as a sprite described in a series of [[display list]]s. Each display list contains pointers to graphics data and color and positioning information.

MARIA supports a palette of 256 colors and graphics modes which are either 160 pixels wide or 320 pixels wide. While the 320 pixel modes theoretically enable the 7800 to create games at higher resolution than the 256 pixel wide graphics found in the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Master System]], the processing demands of MARIA result in most games using the 160 pixel mode.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

Each sprite can have from 1 to 12 colors, with 3 colors plus transparency being the most common. In this format, the sprite references one of 8 palettes, where each palette holds 3 colors. The background (visible when not covered by other objects) can also be assigned a color. In total, 25 colors can appear on a [[scan line]].<ref name=3600sg/>

The graphics resolution, color palettes, and background color can be adjusted between scan lines.<ref name=3600sg>{{cite web |title=Atari 3600 Software Guide |url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/ahs_archives/archives/pdf/videogames/7800/3600_software_guide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207033819/http://www.atarimuseum.com/ahs_archives/archives/pdf/videogames/7800/3600_software_guide.pdf |archive-date=2010-12-07 }}</ref>

=== Sound ===
The 7800 uses the TIA chip for two channel audio, the same chip used in the 1977 Atari VCS, and the sound is of the same quality as that system. To compensate, GCC's engineers allowed games to include a [[POKEY|POKEY audio chip]] in the cartridge. Only ''[[Ballblazer]]'' and ''[[Commando (video game)|Commando]]'' do this.

GCC planned to make a low-cost, high performance sound chip, GUMBY, which could also be placed in 7800 cartridges to enhance its sound capabilities further.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 7800 Minnie sound chip - 8BitDev.org - Atari 7800 Development Wiki |url=https://7800.8bitdev.org/index.php/The_7800_Minnie_sound_chip |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=7800.8bitdev.org}}</ref> This project was cancelled when Atari was sold to Jack Tramiel.

=== Digitally signed cartridges ===
Following the large number of low quality, third party games for the Atari 2600, Atari required that cartridges for the 7800 be digitally signed. When a cartridge is inserted into the system, the BIOS generates a signature of the cartridge ROM and compares it to the one stored on the cartridge. If they match, the console operates in 7800 mode, granting the game access to MARIA and other features, otherwise the console operates as a 2600. This digital signature code is not present in PAL 7800s, which use various [[heuristic]]s to detect 2600 cartridges, due to export restrictions.

=== Backward compatibility ===
The 7800's compatibility with the Atari 2600 is made possible by including many of the same chips used in the 2600. When playing an Atari 2600 game, the 7800 uses a Television Interface Adaptor chip to generate graphics and sound. The processor is slowed to 1.19&nbsp;MHz, to mirror the performance of the 2600's [[MOS 6507|6507]] chip. RAM is limited to 128 bytes and cartridge data is accessed in 4K blocks.

When in 7800 mode (signified by the appearance of the full-screen Atari logo), the graphics are generated entirely by the MARIA [[graphics processing unit]]. All system RAM is available and cartridge data is accessed in larger 48K blocks. The system's SALLY 6502 runs at its normal 1.79&nbsp;MHz. The 2600 chips are used to generate sound and to provide the interfaces to the controllers and console switches.

===System revisions===
{{more sources|section|date=January 2024}}
*Initial version: two joystick ports on lower front panel. Side expansion port for upgrades and add-ons. Bundled with two CX24 Pro-Line joysticks, AC adapter, switchbox, [[RCA connector|RCA connecting cable]], and ''[[Pole Position II]]'' cartridge.
*Second revision: Slightly revised [[motherboard]]. Expansion port connector removed<ref name="archive.org">{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/atari_7800_library?tab=about | title=Console Living Room: Atari 7800 : Free Software : Free Download, Borrow and Streaming : Internet Archive }}</ref> from motherboard but is still etched. Shell has indentation of where expansion port was to be.
*Third revision: Same as above but with only a small blemish on the shell where the expansion port was.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atari 7800 Pro System |url=https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/easter_eggs/7800/78prosystem.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.ataricompendium.com}}</ref>

== Peripherals ==
[[File:Atari-CX78-7800-Controller-FL-wThumbStick.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[gamepad]] of later European Atari 7800s with the thumbstick screwed in]]

The Atari 7800 came bundled with the Atari Pro-Line Joystick, a two-button controller with a [[joystick]] for movement. The Pro-Line was developed for the 2600 and advertised in 1983,<ref>{{cite web |title=Catalog - Atari (CO21776-Rev. A) |url=https://atariage.com/catalog_thumbs.php?CatalogID=38 |website=AtariAge }}</ref> but delayed until Atari proceeded with the 7800. The right fire button only works as a separate fire button for certain 7800 games; otherwise, it duplicates the left fire button, allowing either button to be used for 2600 games. While physically compatible, the 7800's controllers do not work with the [[Master System|Sega Master System]], and Sega's controllers are unable to use the 7800's two-button mode.

In response to criticism over ergonomic issues with the Pro-Line controllers, Atari later released a joypad controller with the European 7800.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Game Machines|pages=138}}</ref> Similar in style to controllers found on Nintendo and Sega systems, it was not available in the United States.

The [[Atari XG-1 light gun]], bundled with the [[Atari XEGS]] and also sold separately, is compatible with the 7800. Atari released five 7800 light gun games: ''[[Alien Brigade]]'', ''[[Barnyard Blaster]]'', ''[[Crossbow (video game)|Crossbow]]'', ''[[Meltdown (Atari 7800)|Meltdown]]'', and ''[[Sentinel (1990 video game)|Sentinel]]''.

=== Cancelled peripherals ===
After the acquisition of the Atari Consumer Division by [[Jack Tramiel]] in 1984, several expansion options for the system were cancelled:

* The High Score Cartridge was designed to save high scores for up to 65 separate games.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-8YlaRclj2gC&dq=The+High+Score+Cartridge+was+designed+to+save+high+scores+for+up+to+65+separate+games&pg=PA139 |title=The Games Machine |page=139 |date=December 2019}}</ref> The cartridge was intended as a pass-through device, similar to the later [[Game Genie]]. Nine games were programmed to support the cartridge.
* The expansion port, to allow for the addition of a planned computer keyboard and connection to [[laserdisc player]]s and other peripherals, was removed in the second and third revisions of the 7800.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ataricompendium.com/game_library/easter_eggs/7800/78prosystem.html|title=Atari Compendium|website=www.ataricompendium.com|accessdate=16 February 2024}}</ref>
* A dual joystick holder was designed for ''[[Robotron: 2084]]'' and future games like ''[[Battlezone (1980 video game)|Battlezone]]'', but not produced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724013905/https://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/ |archive-date=24 July 2021 |title=Cartridge Consoles |website=Atari Museum}}</ref>

== Games ==
{{Main|List of Atari 7800 games|List of Atari 2600 games}}
[[File:Atari 7800 with Cartridge.jpg|thumb|Atari 7800 with ''Donkey Kong Junior'' cartridge]]

While the system can play the over 400 games for the Atari 2600, there were only 59 official releases  for the 7800. The lineup emphasized high-quality versions of games from the [[golden age of arcade video games]].<ref name="cgw198808">{{cite magazine | title=Video Gaming World | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=50 | date=August 1988 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_50.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_50.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live | access-date=17 April 2016 | last1=Katz | first1=Arnie | last2=Kunkel | first2=Bill | last3=Worley | first3=Joyce | pages=47}}</ref> ''[[Pole Position II]]'', ''[[Dig Dug]]'', and ''[[Galaga]]'', by the time of the 1986 launch, were three, four, and five years old, respectively. A raster graphics version of 1979's ''[[Asteroids (video game)|Asteroids]]'' was released in 1987. In 1988, Atari published a conversion of Nintendo's ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', seven years after the original arcade game and five years after the [[Atari 8-bit computer]] cartridge.  Atari also marketed a line of games called "Super Games" which were arcade and computer games previously not playable on a home console such as ''[[One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird|One-On-One Basketball]]'' and ''[[Impossible Mission]]''.<ref>[http://www.tankgirl.info/8bit/images/atari/7800/boxBottom.jpg Image] tankgirl.info</ref>

Eleven games were developed and sold by three third-party companies under their own labels ([[Absolute Entertainment]], [[Activision]], and [[Froggo]]) with the rest published by Atari Corporation. Most of the games from Atari were developed by outside companies under contract.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jung|first1=Robert A.|title=The Atari Timeline|url=https://www.landley.net/history/mirror/atari/museum/Atari-Timeline.html|website=Landley|access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

Some NES games were developed by companies who had licensed their title from a different arcade manufacturer. While the creator of the NES version would be restricted from making a competitive version of an NES game, the original arcade copyright holder was not precluded from licensing out rights for a home version of an arcade game to multiple systems. Through this loophole, Atari 7800 conversions of ''[[Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Double Dragon]]'', ''[[Commando (video game)|Commando]]'', ''[[Rampage (1986 video game)|Rampage]]'', ''[[Xenophobe (video game)|Xenophobe]]'', ''[[Ikari Warriors]]'', and ''[[Kung-Fu Master (video game)|Kung-Fu Master]]'' were licensed and developed.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

A final batch of games was released by Atari in 1990: ''[[Alien Brigade]]'', ''[[Basketbrawl]]'', ''[[Fatal Run]]'', ''[[Meltdown (Atari 7800)|Meltdown]]'', ''[[Midnight Mutants]]'', ''MotorPsycho'', ''[[Ninja Golf]]'', ''Planet Smashers'', and ''[[Scrapyard Dog]]''. ''Scrapyard Dog'' was later released for the [[Atari Lynx]].

==Legacy==
===Atari Flashback===
In 2004, the [[Infogrames Entertainment, SA|Infogrames]]-owned version of Atari released the [[Atari Flashback]] console. It resembles a miniature Atari 7800 and has five 7800 and fifteen 2600 games built-in. Built using the [[Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone|NES-On-A-Chip]] hardware instead of recreating the Atari 7800 hardware, it was criticized for failing to properly replicate the actual gaming experience. A subsequent 7800 project was cancelled after prototypes were made.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacyengineer.com/portfolio-7800.html |title=Remake of the Atari 7800 console |access-date=2010-12-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311035331/http://www.legacyengineer.com/portfolio-7800.html |archive-date=2011-03-11 }} Legacy 7800 remade</ref>

===Game development===
The digital signature long prevented aftermarket games from being developed. The signing software was eventually found and released at Classic Gaming Expo in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|last=Boris|first=Dan|title=The Encryption Issue|url=http://atarihq.com/danb/a7800.shtml#encryption|work=Atari 7800 Tech Page|access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>
Several new Atari 7800 games such as ''Beef Drop'', ''B*nQ'', ''Combat 1990'', ''CrazyBrix'', ''Failsafe'', and ''Santa Simon'' have been released.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}.

===Source code===
In July 2009, the [[source code]] to 13 games, the operating system, and [[Atari ST]]-hosted development tools, were released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/whatsnew/2009-JUN-11.html |title=AtariMuseum - Site News: June 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161300/http://www.atarimuseum.com/whatsnew/2009-JUN-11.html |archive-date=9 July 2019 |access-date=3 July 2009 |website=The Atari History Museum}}</ref> Commented [[assembly language]] source code was made available for ''[[Centipede (video game)|Centipede]]'', ''[[Commando (video game)|Commando]]'', ''[[Crossbow (video game)|Crossbow]]'', ''[[Desert Falcon]]'', ''[[Dig Dug]]'', ''[[Food Fight (video game)|Food Fight]]'', ''[[Galaga]]'', ''[[Hat Trick (video game)|Hat Trick]]'', ''[[Joust (video game)|Joust]]'', ''[[Ms. Pac-Man]]'', ''Super [[Stunt Cycle]]'', ''[[Robotron: 2084]]'', and ''[[Xevious]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/games/ |title=7800 Games & Development |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601062500/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/games/ |archive-date=1 June 2021 |website=The Atari History Museum |access-date=3 July 2009}}</ref>

===Atari 7800+===
In late 2024, Atari Inc. and [[Plaion]] released the ''Atari 7800+'', a [[microconsole]] designed as a smaller-scale replica of the 7800, specifically the European model.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-25 |title=Forget the PS5 Pro. The Atari 7800+ is this holiday’s hottest console |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/atari-7800-plus-hands-on-impressions/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}}</ref> It includes support for physical cartridges of both the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 though emulation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/20/24224292/atari-7800-plus-compatible-with-2600-cartridges-price-release-date | title=Atari's new 7800 console remake can also play your old Atari 2600 cartridges | date=20 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barr |first=Kyle |date=2024-11-25 |title=Atari 7800+ Review |url=https://gizmodo.com/atari-7800-review-2000528650 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-US}}</ref> It is effectively a variant of the [[Atari 2600+]], which was introduced in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Matt |title=Atari 7800+ Remakes Classic Console With 2600 Game Compatibility |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2024/08/20/atari-7800-remakes-classic-console-with-2600-game-compatibility/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> 
==See also==
* [[History of Atari]]
* [[List of Atari 7800 games]]
* [[List of Atari 2600 games]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=davidson>{{cite journal |last1=Davidson |first1=Steve |title=Introducing the Atari 7800 |journal=Electronic Games |date=September 1984 |volume=2 |issue=14 |pages=28–29 |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_02_Number_14_1984-09_Reese_Communications_US/page/n27/mode/2up}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Atari 7800}}
* [http://www.atariage.com/software_search.html?SystemID=7800 AtariAge &ndash; Comprehensive Atari 7800 database and information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428093544/http://www.atariage.com/software_search.html?SystemID=7800 |date=2019-04-28 }}
* [http://www.atari7800.org Atari 7800 Information & Resources]
* [http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800menu/ Atari Museum &ndash; History of the Atari 7800 ProSystem] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130117172550/http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/7800/7800menu/ |date=2013-01-17 }}
* [http://7800.8bitdev.org/ Atari 7800 Development Wiki]
* [https://gstanton.github.io/ProSystem1_3/ ProSystem emulator] for Microsoft Windows
{{Atari hardware}}
{{Third generation game consoles}}
{{Home video game consoles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atari 7800}}
[[Category:Atari consoles|7800]]
[[Category:Home video game consoles]]
[[Category:Backward-compatible video game consoles]]
[[Category:Third-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:1986 in video gaming]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1986]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1986]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 1992]]
[[Category:1980s toys]]
[[Category:65xx-based video game consoles]]
[[Category:Discontinued video game consoles]]