Atari 26000 to Debut at E3 Show


by Dan Skelton

The final new piece of hardware set to debut at the 1998 E3 is the Atari 26000, a beyond-next-generation hardware console with Atari 2600/ 5200/ 7800/ XE/ Lynx/ Jaguar compatibility built-in. The console should be available for Christmas 1998. It will reportedly ship with a Breakout cartridge.

System specifications are:

Processor: 400 MHz PowerPC G3

RAM: 64 megabytes game; 32 Megs video; 16 Megs audio

Graphics: Max resolution 1280x1024 pixels by 16.7 million colors

Video: NTSC RF channel 2/3; Composite Video; Chroma/ Luma (SVHS) Digital and Analog RGB

Audio: 64 CD-quality digital channels. Line level RCA out; Line level DIN out; Mini headphone jack

Storage Media: Rewritable DVD for 26000 games. Multiformat cartridge slot for compatibility modes

Controllers: infrared wireless self-centering dual analog joypad with force-feedback and electro-shock

Communications: Ethernet network; 58.8 baud fax/modem; ISDN port Internal 1.2 GB hard drive for game saves


The mock-up of the new Atari 26000 bears a striking resemblance to the Atari 2600 that inspired it. The controller design is still being finalized.


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