Atari XEGS

Atari XE Video Game System

Manufacturer	Atari Corporation
Type	Home video game console Home computer
Generation	Third (8-bit era)
Release date	late 1987 (1987)
Introductory price	US$159 (equivalent to $430 in 2023)[1]
Discontinued	1992 (1992)[2]
Units sold	100,000[3]
Media	ROM cartridge
CPU	MOS Technology 6502C @ 1.79 MHz
Memory	64KB RAM
Display	RF and composite out, 384 × 240 (overscan), 16 colors from a 256 color palette
Graphics	ANTIC (graphics) GTIA (video)
Sound	POKEY
Backward compatibility	Atari 8-bit computers
Predecessor	Atari 7800
Successor	Panther (canceled) Jaguar

The Atari XE Video Game System (Atari XEGS) is an industrial redesign of the Atari 65XE home computer and the final model in the Atari 8-bit computer series. 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 computer 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 (Accolade, 1985), Lode Runner (Broderbund, 1983), Necromancer (Synapse Software, 1982), and Ballblazer (Lucasfilm Games, 1985). Support for the system was dropped in 1992 along with the rest of the 8-bit computer line, the Atari 2600, and the Atari 7800.