The Atari XE Video Game System is an industrial redesign of the Atari 65XEhome computer and the final model in the Atari 8-bit family. It was released by Atari Corporation in 1987 and marketed as a home video game console alongside the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega's Master System, and Atari's own Atari 7800. The XEGS is compatible with existing Atari 8-bit family hardware and software. Without keyboard, the system operates as a stand-alone game console. With the keyboard, it boots identically to the Atari XE computers. Atari packaged the XEGS as a basic set consisting of only the console and joystick, and as a deluxe set consisting of the console, keyboard, CX40 joystick, and XG-1 light gun. The XEGS release was backed by new games, including Barnyard Blaster and Bug Hunt, plus cartridge ports of older games, such as Fight Night, Lode Runner, Necromancer, and Ballblazer. Support for the system was dropped in 1992 along with rest of Atari's 8-bit computers as well as the Atari 2600 and Atari 7800.
History
of Creative Computing stated in 1984, when Atari, Inc. had great financial difficulties as a division of Warner Communications, that it should have released a video game console in 1981 based on its Atari 8-bit computers and compatible with its software library. The company instead released the Atari 5200 with almost exactly the same technology as the 8-bit computers, but could not run the same programs. After Jack Tramiel purchased the company, Atari Corporation re-released two game consoles in 1986: the Atari 7800, which had previously been released in a brief test run in 1984; and a lower cost redesign of the Atari 2600. The XEGS followed, building on Atari's 8-bit computer line which had started with the Atari 400 and 800. In practice the XEGS is a repackaged Atari 65XE, is compatible with the existing range of Atari 8-bit computer software and peripherals, and thus can function as a home computer. Atari conceived the console in a plan to increase the company's console market share while improving sales of its 8-bit home computer family. Providing a "beginning computer" and "sophisticated game console" in one device, was thought to convince more retailers and software developers to support the platform. In May 1987, Atari's then Director of Communications, Neil Harris, updated the online Atari community by outlining this plan. It noted that the XEGS was intended to further the 8-bit line by providing mass-merchants with a device that was more appealing to their markets. The system co-existed with the Atari 7800 and remodeled Atari 2600 on store shelves and was occasionally featured alongside those systems in Atari print ads and television commercials.
Games
The XEGS shipped with the Atari 8-bit version of Missile Command built in, Flight Simulator II bundled with the keyboard component, and Bug Hunt which is compatible with the light gun. As the XEGS is compatible with the earlier 8-bit software, many games released under the XEGS banner were simply older games rebadged. This was done to the extent that some games were shipped in the old Atari 400/800 packaging, bearing only a new sticker to indicate that they were also compatible with the XEGS.
Reception
Atari sold 100,000 XE Game Systems during the Christmas season in 1987, every unit that was produced during its launch window.
Peripherals
The XEGS was released in a basic set and a deluxe set. The basic set includes only the console and a standard CX40 joystick. The deluxe set consists of the console, the CX40 joystick, a keyboard which enables home computer functionality, and the XG-1 light gun. The keyboard and light gun were also released separately outside North America. This is the first light gun produced by Atari, and it is also compatible with the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600. The system can also use Atari 8-bit peripherals, such as disk drives, modems, and printers.
