The Atari 2600 Page
When I think of video games, I always see the Atari logo shining
brightly in the heavens like the legendary Holy Grail. In my
opinion, Atari made the home system what it is today. When I think of the hours I spent playing Superman, Haunted House, Asteroids, and every other cart I could get my mitts on... whew! I can remember the time when every one I knew had an Atari 2600 in their home. This page documents my Atari 2600 collection. It has grown to the point that it now needs a separate page to hold it all! I have also begun to add cart scans, grouped by publisher. See the bottom of the page for links...
KEY: (b)=Boxed (i)=Instructions (o)=Overlays (w)=Shrinkwrapped
2600 Hardware
The Atari 2600 (CX2600)
In 1977, Atari was at the top of the video entertainment world. They had several incarnations of their famous Pong system, and was ready to take the next logical step. They released the Video Computer System, more popularly known as the Atari 2600. The first variety of many to come was a thick-cased 6 switch unit. This unit was short-lived, and was replaced by the lighter 6 switch unit pictured.
As an aside, the various 2600 units are know by the variations of the casing. The 6 switch is so named because there are 6 switches on the upper front face. The unit has two joystick ports, and an adjustable channel selector in the rear of the unit. This also seems to be the first system that did not use batteries as the primary power source. Up until this time, Pong units did not normally come with power supplies packed in.
The 'Stella', what the 2600 was code-named by Atari during its development, took the world by storm, and would define a culture for several years to come. Even non-gamers know what an 'Atari' is, and connect the name with 'old games'.
The Atari Paddle Controllers (CX30-04)
These controllers are one of the most recognized controllers in existance. Usually, when I show a pair to a friend or colleague, a big smile flashes across their face, and you can almost see the memories flooding in. The paddles were a carryover from the Pong era, when paddles were the main (and only) type of the controller. Early Atari paddles were boxy and harder to hold than these controllers. Obviously, Atari was learning about the ergonomics of controller design. In my opinion, they created the most comfortable, and long-lasting controllers ever. Anyway, the paddles were used in all the Pong type games, as well as many other types. A special type of paddle was created for driving games (see Atari Driving Controller).
As an interesting side note, the price tag on the paddle box is 14.95 from Kmart, but I don't know the date. I do have memories of the paddles in the Toys R Us glass case for 19.95 in 1982.
Atari Paddles are long-lasting an extremely easy to maintain. If they begin to 'skip' or 'shudder', then simply open them up and put a small amount of cleaner or lubricant into the pot. Work it in by turning the knob several times, and you should have paddles that are as crisp as the day they were made. I've done this to my paddles for many years, and have seen no ill effects, and still have the same controllers today.
The Atari Joystick Controllers (CX)
Here it is. The most famous controller ever made, and the ultimate symbol of the whole video game culture. It could be possible that almost every American, at one time or another, has held this in their hands. An interesting tidbit for thought.
Okay, everyone who owns an Atari has had the problem of sticks that wear out or break. Many times, the life of the controller is inversely proportionate to the ferocity with which they are handled. If handled too roughly, the plastic frame inside will develop stress fractures, or even crack outright. It helps to know that yanking harder to one side will not make the spaceship, pointer or whatever, move faster. I suspect emotions break more controllers than anything else =).
When the internal frame breaks, there is really nothing that can be done. The best thing to do is to get another. If your outer casing is in great condition, you can probably find a less aestetically pleasing joystick and switch out the frames. If your frame is intact, but movement is still jerky, then you can clean the contacts. If this doesn't work, then you should check the wiring for loose connections. If all else fails, spend a dollar and get a new one! =P
The Atari Trak-Ball Controller (CX)
With the explosion of video arcade games came an explosion of new types of controllers to play them. Of course, when classics like Missile Command and Centipede were ported to home systems, the roller ball controller would have to be ported as well. How else could one get the 'arcade experience' at home? =)
This trak ball has two fire buttons along the top edge of the casing, one on either side of the ball. I like the design of this unit over the boxy Wico design, or the 5200's trak-ball unit. I suspect the Wico version may be a longer lasting unit, as it feels sturdier like all Wico products I own. I have both units and have experience little difference in actual game play.
The Atari Video Touch Pad (CX21)
The Touch Pad is a controller that came with the Star Raiders cartridge. It included an overlay to define the functions of the keys for the game. The controller itself looks much like a calculator, with a keypad similar to a touch tone phone. It plugs into joystick port two and works in conjunction with a joystick. This controller was needed to port the game to the 2600 from the 8-bit machines, as the 2600 didn't have a keyboard to handle the special functions. I was luck enough to find this controller new in its box, and twice so because I loved the Star Raiders game.
I know that more games were released that used the touch pad. I'm not sure which ones they were, but I will certainly find out and list them here.
The Starpath Supercharger
A superb find! I got three games and the unit complete in the box with docs for only $1.95 each. The unit itself plugs into the cart slot of the 2600, and the other plug goes to the headphone jack of any standard tape recorder. You rewind and then play the tape. As the program loads, bars fill in the screen from the sides and a tone plays, rising in pitch as the screen fills. The program loads very fast... which was a relief, as I remember loading programs from a recorder many years ago. So far, the best game is Rabbit Transit, which has a 'Frogger' part and a 'Qbert' part.
My 2600 Games (297)
21 Video Olympics............ Atari...............[ CX2621]
3-D Tic*Tac*Toe.............. Atari...............[ CX2618]
3-D Tic*Tac*Toe.............. Sears...............[4975123]
Adventure (ill. label)....... Atari...............[ CX2613]
Adventure (text label)....... Atari...............[ CX2613]
Adventure.................... Sears...............[4975154]
Adventures of Tron........... INTV................[ ]
Air Raiders.................. M Network...........[ ]
Air Sea Battle (ill. label).. Atari...............[ CX2602] i
Air Sea Battle (text label).. Atari...............[ CX2602]
Alien........................ 20th Century Fox....[ ] i
Amidar....................... Parker Bros.........[ PB5310]
Arcade Pinball............... Sears...............[4975161]
Armor Ambush................. M Network...........[ MT5661] i
Asteroids.................... Atari...............[ CX2649] bi
Asteroids.................... Sears...............[4975163]
Astroblast................... M Network...........[ MT5666]
Atlantis (slv label)......... Imagic..............[ 720103]
Atlantis (pic label)......... Imagic..............[ 720103]
Backgammon................... Atari...............[ CX2617] i
Barnstorming................. Activision..........[ AX-013] i
Baseball..................... INTV................[ ]
Baseball..................... Sears...............[ 699819]
Basic Programming............ Atari...............[ CX2620]
Basketball................... Atari...............[ CX2624]
Basketball................... Sears...............[ 699826]
Battlezone................... Atari...............[ 2681]
Bermuda Triangle............. Data Age............[ ]
Berzerk...................... Atari...............[ CX2650] i
Big Bird's Egg Catch......... Atari...............[ 26104] io
Blackjack (51)............... Atari...............[ CX2651] i
Blackjack.................... Sears...............[ 99805]
Bobby Geht Nach Hause........ Quelle..............[ ]
Bowling(Blk. label).......... Atari...............[ CX2628]
Bowling(Ill. label).......... Atari...............[ CX2628] i
Bowling...................... Sears...............[4975117]
Boxing....................... Activision..........[ AG-002] i
Breakaway IV................. Sears...............[4975107]
Breakout(Blk. label)......... Atari...............[ CX2622]
Breakout(Ill. label)......... Atari...............[ CX2622]
Bugs......................... Data Age............[ DA1005]
Bump 'n' Jump................ M Network...........[ ]
Burgertime................... M Network...........[ MT4324]
Canyon Bomber................ Atari...............[ CX2607]
Carnival..................... Coleco..............[ 2468]
Casino(Blk. label)........... Atari...............[ CX2652] i
Centipede.................... Atari...............[ 2676] i
Championship Soccer.......... Atari...............[ CX2616] i
Chase........................ Sears...............[4975105]
Chopper Command.............. Activision..........[ AX-015] i
Chopper Command Lab Loaner... Activision / Atari..[ ]
Circus Atari................. Atari...............[ CX2630]
Coconuts..................... Telesys.............[ ]
Codebreaker.................. Atari...............[ CX2643]
Combat(ill. label)........... Atari...............[ CX2601] bi
Combat(Blk. label)........... Atari...............[ CX2601]
Commando..................... Activision..........[AK04304]
Communist Mutants from Space. Starpath SC.........[ 2] bi
Congo Bongo.................. Sega................[ 006-01]
Cookie Monster Munch......... Atari...............[ 26109] io
Cosmic Ark................... Imagic..............[ IA3204] i
Crackpots.................... Activision..........[ AX-029]
Cruise Missile............... Froggo..............[ ]
Crypts of Chaos.............. 20th Century Fox....[ ]
Crystal Castles.............. Atari...............[CX26110] i
Dark Cavern.................. M Network...........[ MT5667]
Deadly Duck.................. 20th Century Fox....[ ]
Decathlon (with glove)....... Activision..........[ AZ-030] ig
Defender..................... Atari...............[ CX2609] w
Defender..................... Sears...............[4975186] i
Demon Attack (slv label)..... Imagic..............[ IA3200]
Demon Attack (pic label)..... Imagic..............[ IA3200] i
Demon Attack Lab Loaner...... Imagic / Atari......[ ]
Demons to Diamonds........... Atari...............[ CX2615]
Die Ratte und die Karotten... Quelle..............[ ]
Dig Dug...................... Atari...............[ 2677] b
Dodge'em .................... Atari...............[ CX2637]
Dodger Cars.................. Sears...............[4975158]
Dolphin...................... Activision..........[ AX-024]
Donkey Kong.................. Coleco..............[ 2451] i
Donkey Kong Jr. (red label).. Atari...............[CX26144]
Dragonfire................... Imagic..............[ IA3611]
Eggomania.................... US Games............[ VC2003]
Empire Strikes Back.......... Parker Brothers.....[ PB5050]
Encounter at L-5............. Data Age............[ DA1001] i
Enduro....................... Activision..........[ AX-026] i
Entombed..................... US Games............[ VC2007]
ET: The Extra-Terrestrial.... Atari...............[ 2674] bi
Fantastic Voyage (nd repair). 20th Century Fox....[ 11008] i
Fast Eddie................... 20th Century Fox....[ 11003]
Fast Food.................... Telesys.............[ 1003]
Fathom....................... Imagic..............[ ]
Fire Fighter................. Imagic..............[ IA3400]
Fire Fly..................... Mythicon............[ MA1002]
Fishing Derby................ Activision..........[ AG-004] i
Flag Capture................. Atari...............[ CX2644]
Flash Gordon................. 20th Century Fox....[ 11015]
Football..................... Atari...............[ CX2625] i
Football..................... Sears...............[4975114]
Football..................... INTV................[ ]
Frankenstein's Monster....... Data Age............[112-008]
Freeway...................... Activision..........[ AG-009] i
Freeway (blue label)......... Activision..........[AG00904] i
Frogger...................... Parker Brothers.....[ PB5300] i
Frogs and Flies.............. M Network...........[ MT5664]
Frontline.................... Zellers.............[ ]
Frostbite.................... Activision..........[ AX-031]
Fun With Numbers............. Atari...............[ CX2661]
Galaxian..................... Atari...............[ 2684] i
Gangster Alley............... Spectravision.......[ ]
Ghostbusters................. Activision..........[AZ10804]
Ghost Manor/Spikes Peak...... Xonox...............[ 6210]
G.I.Joe Cobra Strike......... Parker Bros.........[ PB5920]
Golf......................... Atari...............[ CX2634] i
Gopher....................... US Games............[ VC2001]
Gorf......................... CBS Video Games.....[ M8776]
Grand Prix................... Activision..........[ AX-014] i
Hangman...................... Atari...............[ CX2662]
Haunted House................ Atari...............[ CX2654] i
H.E.R.O...................... Activision..........[ ]
Homerun...................... Atari...............[ CX2623] i
Human Cannonball............. Atari...............[ CX2627] i
Hunt & Score................. Atari...............[ CX2642]
Ice Hockey................... Activision..........[ AX-012]
Indy 500 (ill. label)........ Atari...............[ CX2611] i
Indy 500 (text label)........ Atari...............[ CX2611]
Infiltrate................... Apollo..............[ AP2006]
Infiltrate (blue label)...... Apollo..............[ AP2006]
International Soccer......... M Network...........[ MT5687]
Journey: Escape.............. Data Age............[112-006]
Joust........................ Atari...............[ 2691]
Jr. Pac-Man (red label)...... Atari...............[CX26123]
Jungle Hunt.................. Atari...............[ 2688]
Kaboom!...................... Activision..........[ AG-010]
Kangaroo..................... Atari...............[ 2689] i
Karate....................... Froggo..............[ FG1001]
Keystone Kapers.............. Activision..........[ AX-025] bi
King Kong.................... Tigervision.........[ 7-001]
Kool-Aid Man................. M Network...........[ MT4648]
Krull........................ Atari...............[ 2682]
Laser Blast.................. Activision..........[ AG-008]
Laser Gates.................. Imagic..............[ 03208]
Lock-N-Chase................. M Network...........[ MT5663]
Lost Luggage................. Apollo..............[ ]
Math Gran Prix............... Atari...............[ CX2658]
Mario Bros................... Atari...............[ 2697] i
M*A*S*H...................... 20th Century Fox....[ 11011] i
Maze......................... Sears...............[4975112]
Maze Craze (blk label)....... Atari...............[ CX2635]
Maze Craze (ill label)....... Atari...............[ CX2635] i
Maze Mania................... Sears...............[4975157]
Mega Force................... 20th Century Fox....[ 11005]
Megamania.................... Activision..........[ AX-017] bi
Midnight Magic............... Atari...............[ 26129]
Millipede.................... Atari...............[ 26118] i
Miner 2049er................. Tigervision.........[ ]
Missile Command.............. Atari...............[ CX2638] bi
Missile Command.............. Sears...............[4975166]
Moon Patrol.................. Atari...............[ 2692] i
Moonsweeper.................. Imagic..............[ 03208]
Mountain King................ CBS.................[4L-2738]
Mousetrap.................... Atari...............[CX26146] w
Mousetrap.................... Coleco..............[ ] i
Ms Pac-Man................... Atari...............[ 2675] w
Name This Game............... US Games............[ ]
Night Driver................. Atari...............[ CX2633] i
Oink!........................ Activision..........[ AX-023] i
Omega Race................... CBS Electronics.....[ ]
Oscar's Trash Race........... Atari...............[CX26101] io
Othello (blk label).......... Atari...............[ CX2639]
Othello (ill label).......... Atari...............[ CX2639] bi
Outer Space.................. Sears...............[ 99803]
Outlaw (blk label)........... Atari...............[ CX2605] i
Outlaw (ill label)........... Atari...............[ CX2605]
Pac-Man...................... Atari...............[ CX2646] bi
Pac-Man...................... Sears...............[4975185]
Pele's Soccer................ Atari...............[ CX2616]
Pitfall!..................... Activision..........[ AX-018] b
Pitfall II: Lost Caverns..... Activision..........[AB03504] i
Phaser Patrol................ Starpath SC.........[ 1] bi
Phoenix...................... Atari...............[ 2673] i
Planet Patrol................ Spectravision.......[ SA-202]
Plaque Attack................ Activision..........[ AX-027]
Pole Position................ Atari...............[ ]
Pong Sports.................. Sears...............[ 99806]
Pooyan....................... Konami..............[ 001]
Popeye....................... Parker Bros.........[ PB5370]
Porky's...................... 20th Century Fox....[ 11013]
Pressure Cooker.............. Activision..........[ AZ-032]
Q*bert....................... Atari...............[CX26150]
Q*bert....................... Parker Bros.........[ PB5360] i
Quest for Quintana Roo....... Telegames...........[ A227]
Rabbit Transit .............. Starpath SC.........[ 8] bi
Racquetball.................. Apollo..............[ AP2003]
Race......................... Sears...............[ 99821]
Raiders of the Lost Ark...... Atari...............[ 2659] i
Rampage...................... Activision..........[AK04904]
Reactor...................... Parker Bros.........[ PB5330]
RealSports Baseball.......... Atari...............[ 2640]
RealSports Boxing............ Atari...............[CX26135]
RealSports Football.......... Atari...............[ 2668]
RealSports Soccer............ Atari...............[ 2667]
RealSports Volleyball........ Atari...............[ 2666]
ROTJ: Death Star Battle...... Parker Bros.........[ PB5060]
Revenge /Beefsteak Tomatoes.. 20th Century Fox....[ 11016]
Riddle of the Sphinx......... Imagic..............[ IA3600]
River Raid................... Activision..........[ AX-020] i
Robot Tank................... Activision..........[ AZ-028] i
Seaquest..................... Activision..........[ AX-022]
Shark Attack................. Apollo..............[ AP2005]
Skateboardin'................ Absolute............[AG04202]
Skeet Shoot.................. Apollo..............[ AP1001]
Skiing....................... Activision..........[ AG-005] bi
Sky Diver.................... Atari...............[ CX2629]
Sky Jinks.................... Activision..........[ AG-019]
Sky Skipper.................. Parker Bros.........[ ]
Slot Machine................. Atari...............[ CX2653]
Slot Racers.................. Atari...............[ CX2606] i
Smurf Rescue/Garmagels Castle Coleco..............[ 2465]
Sneak'n Peek................. Vidtec..............[ VC1002]
Solar Fox.................... CBS.................[4L-2487]
Solaris...................... Atari...............[CX26136] bi
Sorcerer..................... Mythicon............[ MA1001]
Space Attack................. Mattel..............[ MT5659]
Spacechase................... Apollo..............[ AP2001]
Space Cavern................. Apollo..............[ ]
Space Combat (17)............ Sears...............[4975106]
Space Invaders(Blk. label)... Atari...............[ CX2632]
Space Invaders(Ill. label)... Atari...............[ CX2632] bi
Space Invaders (112)......... Sears...............[4975153]
Space Jockey................. Vidtec..............[ VC1001]
Space Shuttle................ Activision..........[ AZ-033] io
Space War(Blk. label)........ Atari...............[ CX2604]
Space War(Ill. label)........ Atari...............[ CX2604] i
Spider Fighter............... Activision..........[ AX-021]
Spiderman.................... Parker Bros.........[ PB5900]
Stampede..................... Activision..........[ AG-011] i
Stargate..................... Atari...............[ 26120]
Star Gunner.................. Apollo..............[ ??]
Starmaster................... Activision..........[ AX-016] i
Star Raiders................. Atari...............[ CX2660] i
Star Raiders................. Sears...............[4975187]
Star Voyager(pic label)...... Imagic..............[ 720000] i
Star Voyager(slv label)...... Imagic..............[ 720000]
Star Wars: Jedi Arena........ Parker Bros.........[ PB5000] i
Stellar Track................ Sears...............[4975159]
Strawberry Shortcake MMU..... Parker Bros.........[ PB5910]
Street Racer(Ill. label)..... Atari...............[ CX2612] i
Street Racer(Text label)..... Atari...............[ CX2612]
Summer Games................. Atari...............[ ]
Super Baseball............... Atari...............[CX26152]
Super Breakout............... Atari...............[ CX2608] i
Super Challenge Baseball..... M Network...........[ MT5665] i
Super Challenge Football..... M Network...........[ MT5658] i
Super Cobra.................. Parker Bros.........[ PB5320]
Superman (Ill. label)........ Atari...............[ CX2631] i
Superman (Text label)........ Atari...............[ CX2631]
Surround..................... Atari...............[ CX2541] i
Swordquest: Earthworld....... Atari...............[ 2656] ic
Swordquest: Fireworld........ Atari...............[ 2657] c
Tac-Scan..................... Sega................[ 001-01]
Tank-Plus.................... Sears...............[ 699801]
Target Fun................... Sears...............[4975102] i
Task Force................... Froggo..............[ FG1003]
Taz.......................... Atari...............[ 2699]
Tennis....................... Activision..........[ AG-007] i
Tooth Protectors............. Johnson & Johnson...[ ]
Towering Inferno............. US Games............[ VC1009] i
Trick Shot (pic label)....... Imagic..............[ IA3000] i
Trick Shot (slv label)....... Imagic..............[ IA3000]
Tron Deadly Discs............ M Network...........[ MT5662]
Turmoil...................... 20th Century Fox....[ 11007]
Tutankham.................... Parker Bros.........[ PB5340]
Vanguard..................... Atari...............[ 2669] i
Venture...................... Atari...............[CX26145] w
Venture...................... Coleco..............[ 2457]
Video Checkers............... Atari...............[ CX2636] i
Video Chess.................. Atari...............[ CX2645] i
Video Olympics (blk label)... Atari...............[ CX2621]
Video Olympics (ill label)... Atari...............[ CX2621] b
Video Pinball................ Atari...............[ CX2648] i
Wabbit....................... Apollo..............[ AP2010]
Warlords..................... Atari...............[ CX2610] i
Warlords..................... Sears...............[4975127]
Warplock..................... Data Age............[ DA1002]
Wizard of Wor................ CBS Video Games.....[ M8794]
Word Zapper.................. Vidtec..............[ VC1003]
Worm War I................... 20th Century Fox....[ 11001]
Yars' Revenge................ Atari...............[ CX2655] ic
Yars' Revenge................ Sears...............[4975167] ic
Zaxxon....................... Coleco..............[ 2454]
Cart Scans
Absolute (1)(06/17/98)
Activision (2)(10/09/98)
Amiga (1)(10/09/98)
Apollo (9)(07/25/98)
Atari (A1) (1)(10/09/98)
Atari (B1) (1)(10/09/98)
Atari (C1) (1)(10/09/98)
Data Age (7)(10/07/98)
Epyx (1)(06/17/98)
Froggo (3)(06/17/98)
Lab Loaners (2)(07/25/98)
Mythicon (2)(06/17/98)
Sega (3)(10/07/98)
Spectravideo (1)(06/17/98)
Telegames (1)(06/17/98)
Telesys (2)(10/09/98)
Tigervision (2)(06/17/98)
US Games (3)(10/09/98)
Zellers (1)(06/17/98)
Links to Other Great Atari Sites
Atari Games Corporation (The Original Gamers!! Now Hiring!)(07/31/97)
Atari 2600 Nexus (Alexander Bilsteins great page)(10/09/98)
VGR's Giant 2600/7800 List (The best cart list I know...)(12/31/97)
The Black Stump Atari Page (Lots of info here...)(07/31/97)
Atari Jaguar FAQ (Everything you never wanted to know, and more.)(07/31/97)
Croatian Atari Home Page (As if these people didn't have enough problems...)(07/31/97)
The Atari Video Club (Supporting Atari game systems(2600,5200,7800,Lynx and Jaguar)(07/15/97)
The Atari Times Newsletter (A cool, Atari-only newsletter)(07/28/97)
Atari Support Network (Info and projects for the Jaguar.)(08/17/97)
Jaguar Interactive (A Jaguar message board.)(08/17/97)
The Atari Prototypes & Vaporware Page (A Sneek Peek into Atari's R&D Labs...)(08/17/97)
Atari Preservation Society (Fighting to keep Atari alive!)(08/17/97)
Atari and Commodore Museum (Lots of cool pics and history)(08/17/97)
Kevan's Computer Bits (Atari machines in his collection)(08/17/97)
Atari Internet Resource Guide (Anything and everything)(08/17/97)
Atar1 2600.com (Page dedicated to the 2600 VCS)(08/17/97)
Telegames Atari Products Menu (Want it? Find it here!)(08/17/97)
(Return to Top of Page)
Return to the Main Garden
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page