Atari's expandable game console - 1977

Home video-game consoles starting arriving in the mid 1970's including several PONG variants by Atari themselves. Then came the Video Computer System, model CX2600, that changed the world. It delivered decent versions of Atari's early arcade titles and offered many original titles as well.

Here's the early 6-switch version...

You get the console with 1 game cartridge, 2 joystick controllers and paired paddle controllers, plus the TV switch, cables, and AC plug.

With earlier TV game consoles, a life-expectancy of 1-2 years was expected. But with the ability to play new games by replacing only the low-priced cartridges meant this system would be around much longer!

The console was redesigned later, putting the two difficulty switches to the back. Sears continued to sell a clone called the 'Sears Tele-Games' system

Budget packages were sold with no cartridge or paddles to reduce prices. Other software companies also developed original and arcade titles; such as Sega, Activision, and Imagic in the early 80's.

1987: Under new management, Atari Corporation released the 2600jr that was actually developed in 1984 along with untouched copies of the game cartridges. For most people, it's outdated technology became too obvious then the system began being sold as a child's toy priced under $50 with 1 joystick and no carts included. It's case it tough enough to withstand child's play, for aging game players with young kids. More serious players could get the 7800 instead, which was also finally released. There was hundreds of arcade, action, puzzle, skill, strategy, and educational titles released during the 2600s nearly 15 year history

A flood of poorly designed games from unlicenced third-party deveolpers also hurt the 2600's reputation, and the Atari name itself.