Atari 2600 prototype

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  • Details
  • Description
Date Introduced
1975
Photographer
Richards, Mark
Dimensions
13 x 17 x 13 1/4 in.
Manufacturer
Atari, Inc.
Credit Line
Gift of Ronald E. Milner
Copyright Owner
© Mark Richards
Location
United States
Keywords
Business; Innovation; Home game console; Atari
Object ID
X725.86

Steve Mayer and Ron Milner built this prototype system for the Atari 2600 Video Computer out of a standard “Jolt” card that used the 6502 microprocessor. The primitive video hardware gave it a reputation as one of the most complex machines to program. Developers wrote and assembled software on a DEC PDP-11 minicomputer, and then downloaded it for testing. The first program developed, a forerunner of the classic “Combat” video game cartridge, shipped with the 1977 release.