Retro|Spective 218: Hardware

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 29 - Atari 5200
We move on to another Atari system now with the 5200 becoming the focus, it continued the black angular design motiff with a strip across the middle and havign four controller ports on the front face.




A visual step up?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 30 - Atari 5200 Spectravision
This version of the console is one designed specifically for use in hotels, it's estimated that only 100-500 units were sold meaning you would have a very unique hotel experience to have ever encountered one.




What are your thoughts on the hotel models design?

[Yakumo]

Man, that is rancid 🤮

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 31 - Atari 7800
We shift into another console from Atari, this time the standard 7800 which once again continued a brand styling consistent with predecessors albeit a tad tidier.



Is this the best looking Atari console and what are your thoughts on the machine?

[Baseley09]

Doesn't look too bad imo. Never really understood it though, I'd never heard of the 7800 growing up, the only place I saw it was in the Argos catalogue. Never saw it in cvg, mean machines, any shops or anything. Just Argos.

[egparadigm]

Doesn't look too bad imo. Never really understood it though, I'd never heard of the 7800 growing up, the only place I saw it was in the Argos catalogue. Never saw it in cvg, mean machines, any shops or anything. Just Argos.

I don’t know what you mean. The finest things in life are advertised exclusively in the Argos catalogue. 🤣

[Yakumo]

There was a 7800 UK TV ad out around the same time as the Mega Drive. I clearly remember seeing it thinking "who'd wanna buy that ****e". The ad featured a number of games with Double Dragon being one of them.

[Mayhem]

There was a 7800 UK TV ad out around the same time as the Mega Drive. I clearly remember seeing it thinking "who'd wanna buy that ****e". The ad featured a number of games with Double Dragon being one of them.

Would have had to be very late in proceedings, the Mega Drive wasn't out in the UK until backend of 1990 and the 7800 was discontinued end of 1991. But considering it was 1984 hardware delayed by 2 years (due to the wrangles over the sale from Warner to Jack Tramiel) then it isn't surprising it looked old compared to Sega's 16 bit console.

Its strength has come out since in the homebrew market, there's some staggeringly good games in modern games.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 32 - Atari 7800 Pro
Sony didn't come up with the marketing angle on this one, but at the least in this instance the difference in models is pretty much onyl aesthetic



A better looking variant?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 33 - Atari XEGS
Thsi console was base don the 5200 and despite its simplified looks was designed to contain more computer capabilities





What are your thoughts on the XEGS design?

[Yakumo]

Did they get one of Fisher Price's design teams to come up with it?

I do prefer it over Atari's other console but the coloured buttons need to be smaller. I'm getting Duplo vibes rather than Lego.

[paulus]

There was a 7800 UK TV ad out around the same time as the Mega Drive. I clearly remember seeing it thinking "who'd wanna buy that ****e". The ad featured a number of games with Double Dragon being one of them.

I saw one packaged with 10 fully boxed carts for £29.99 at the local Makro Warehouse in about 93. I bought it home, played a few games, realized they were sub Commodore 64 quality and returned it for a swift refund.

[Baseley09]

Tbf I really dig the Atari XEGS looks wise. It is a bit toyish but nowt else looks like it.

And the design language ties in with the mystery around the Atari Mirai.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 34 - Atari Jaguar
Atari's '64-Bit' powerhouse. It was their last big push for console dominance but managed to sell only around 250,000 units. Immediately identifiable by its swooping front and distinct black design, if you didn't notice it then it was likely because you were distracted by its massive controller.





What are your thoughts on the design of the Atari Jaguar and is it one of the best you've seen?

[CMcK]

The Jag looked and felt cheap. The pad was surprisingly comfortable though.