Atari History Library & Web Resource - Documents

BACK TO THE FUTURE
By Curt Vendel
Fordham Prep BBS
1996

There's an powerful craze that has taken over the whole world in one way or another, its being referred to as "Retro". Everything from bell bottom pants to the Brady Bunch movies to disco music to even computers and video games. Computers and Video games??? Who wants some tired old 8 bit antiques from the past? A lot of people!!! From collectors to video game buffs everyone is suddenly looking to the past. Old Arcade games are becoming more and more popular. Why with all these incredible 32 and 64 bit systems with graphics that come as close to cartoons are people suddenly looking to play those old blocky and bitty looking relics? The answer is, game play. It seems these days that game designers are so busy making their video games look so incredible, the game play just isn't the same as the good old day. In the past during the 70's and the 80's game play was everything. Graphics weren't all that great, so it was important that the game was extremely challenging and entertaining in its game play.

Activision and Microsoft have already jumped onto the Retro bandwagon with their 2600 game paks and Return the Arcade. Williams released its Williams Arcade which not only features classic video games, but also has interviews with the designers as well. The interesting part about these games is that they're not cheap imitations, but the actual emulated chip sets running the actual ROM software, so every single hidden clue, quirky patterns and hidden surprises are all there in tact and waiting to be rediscovered. Many other classic arcade hits are on the way soon, the web is buzzing with talk of emulators for everything from Asteroids to 5200 and 800XL emulators.

Another interesting phenomenon is taking place. Years ago when Atari first released the Atari 2600 "Video Computer System" I was hooked. Mesmerized by this incredible machine, I had to have one. I first played Combat, then Adventure and it was incredible, the game almost seemed alive, and intelligent. I caught the "Atari Bug". I had to have one, even the word Atari had some kind of magically alluring power to it. When Atari announced the Atari 400/800 computers "Innovative Leisure". I had to have one. I received every magazine at the time and collected any article that had anything to do with Atari's. My grandparents saw how drawn I was to this technology and purchase literally anything Atari for me, but there was more...

I began to look deeper and notice things, comments about "other" equipment to come, but it never materialized, where was it??? There were pictures and specifications and pre-release reviews by people who had the honor of seeing and using these new machines. Articles about new computers with built in modems and speech synthesizers and disk drives. Keyboards to turn a 2600 into a computer, articles about a video game called the 7800 with a keyboard and a port for disk drives, talk about an Atari with multiple CPU chips for Atari DOS, CP/M and even MS-DOS. A box that could have cards plugged into it like and Apple ][E and an IBM PC. Where were they, I had to have them, I must have them...

Welcome to the vaporware craze. Dozens of individuals like myself spend countless hours on the phone hunting down anyone with any kind knowledge or contacts to these once unreachable prototypes. Many different systems are out there. Everything from the Flagship 1450XLD's to the 1090 5 slot expansion chassis to the General Computer Corp 7800 keyboard attachment for the 7800 Pro System. Other extremely rare prototype exist like the pre-2600 prototypes (only 2 are know to exist with markings such as CX-2000). Atari 5100 (5200jr.), Atari 800XE's, Atari 800XL-F (a 1200XL with a top cartridge slot), the short release Atari 815 dual drive system. Many prototypes exist and if your willing to do the digging you can track these rare items down and become the proud caretaker of a piece of history. Owning even one small piece of unreleased hardware, software or even paperwork is an honor and a privilege and help to feed a never ending "Atari Fever" which has infected so many of us.

With the demise of what was Atari Corp into what is now JTS, one must wonder what is in store for us Atari Fanatics for the future. The future doesn't look too promising as far as new hardware and software. It is true a few items will find their way to us here and there, but this unfortunately wont last too long and is hurts me deeply to see this happen, to see a legacy so magically and majestic and Atari fade away. There is hope though, the products of the past will help to entertain and entice us for many, many years and who knows, perhaps someone out there with the money and spirit will purchase the rights to the name Atari and just as the Phoenix, Atari will rise once again from the ashes and take flight and bring our own hopes back up to look for new wonders to find their way to us. Who knows, perhaps it will also bring to us new never released prototypes to hunt down and own as well. Happy hunting and keep the name, keep the legend of Atari strong.