About Atari

History in Brief

Founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, Atari gained early momentum with Pong, one of the first mass-market arcade hits. The company quickly became a symbol of the new game industry, proving that interactive entertainment could be both popular and commercially viable.

The Atari 2600, launched in 1977, brought cartridge-based console gaming into millions of homes. Its interchangeable game library created a durable model for platform ecosystems and encouraged a broad software market, from major publishers to experimental independent creators.

After rapid expansion, the early-1980s market crash and a series of ownership and strategy changes reshaped Atari's path. The brand persisted through multiple eras, including the Atari 7800, the handheld Lynx, and the Jaguar generation, each reflecting different technical ambitions and business constraints.

Today, Atari's legacy extends beyond original hardware sales. Enthusiast communities continue to restore systems, publish new cartridges, and document software history, keeping classic platforms active for modern audiences.

Timeline

• 1972 Atari is founded; Pong establishes early arcade success.
• 1977 Atari Video Computer System (later called the 2600) launches for home players.
• 1983 Industry downturn contributes to major transitions in Atari's business structure.
• 1986 Atari 7800 reaches market, extending the home console line in a new phase.
• 1989 Atari Lynx introduces a color handheld with advanced portable graphics for its time.
• 1993 Atari Jaguar debuts during the competitive shift to new-generation 3D-era hardware.
• 2000s-Today Retro communities, archives, and homebrew projects sustain Atari platforms and culture.

Product Families