Atari 2600: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox gaming console
{{Infobox gaming console
| name        = Atari 2600
| image        = Atari-2600-Wood-4Sw-Set.png
| image        = Atari-2600-Wood-4Sw-Set.png
| caption      = Four-switch VCS model (1980–1982)
| caption      = Four-switch VCS model (1980–1982)
| manufacturer = [[Atari|Atari, Inc.]]
| manufacturer = [[Atari, Inc.]]
| type        = [[:Category:Home video game consoles|Home video game console]]
| type        = [[Home video game console]]
| generation  = [[:Category:Second-generation video game consoles|Second]]
| generation  = [[Second generation of video game consoles|Second]]
| release_date = NA: September 1977<br>EU: 1978<br>FRA: 1982<br>BR: September 1983<br>JP: October 1983 ([[#Atari 2800|Atari 2800]])
| release_date = NA: c. September 1977<br>EU: 1978<br>FRA: 1982<br>BR: September 1983<br>JP: October 1983 (Atari 2800)
| discontinued = 1992
| discontinued = 1992
| predecessor  = [[Pong#Home version|Atari Home Pong]]<br>[[Video Pinball series|Atari Video Pinball]]
| predecessor  = [[Atari Home Pong]]<br>[[Atari Video Pinball]]
| successor    = [[Atari 5200]]
| successor    = [[Atari 5200]]
| emulated   = {{Ya}}
| emulated = yes
}}
}}


The '''[[gametech:Atari 2600|Atari 2600]]''' (also known as '''Video Computer System''' or simply '''VCS''') is a second-generation console released by [[wikipedia:Atari|Atari]] on September 11, 1977. It had a 6507 CPU at 1.19 MHz with 128 bytes of RAM. It had a 160x192 16-color, out of 128, display.
The [[gametech:Atari 2600|'''Atari 2600''']] (also known as '''Video Computer System''' or simply '''VCS''') is a second-generation console released by [[wikipedia:Atari|Atari]] on September 11, 1977. It had a 6507 CPU at 1.19 MHz with 128 bytes of RAM. It had a 160x192 16-color, out of 128, display.


Despite the apparent simplicity of the console and its games, emulation of the 2600 is surprisingly difficult relative to other early consoles due to its unusual primitive hardware designed as a cost-saving measure, including the complete lack of a framebuffer and resulting need to "race the beam" to display graphics. Despite this, at least two emulators have offered highly accurate 2600 emulation for years.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the console and its games, emulation of the 2600 is surprisingly difficult relative to other early consoles due to its unusual primitive hardware designed as a cost-saving measure, including the complete lack of a framebuffer and resulting need to "race the beam" to display graphics. Despite this, at least two emulators have offered highly accurate 2600 emulation for years.


==Emulators==
== Emulators ==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;line-height:1.5;width:74%;font-size:90%;"
{| {{Emulator table|width=64.97%}}
|+Before editing, review the [[Getting involved]] and [[Recommended emulators|Recommended]] pages. See [[Computer_specifications#Recommended_Specifications|system requirements]] page for performance demand of the emulators.<br>See tables for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: #CC0000; border: 1px solid #CC0000; padding: 2px;">[[#Hardware variants|hardware variants]], [[#Enhancements|enhancements]], [[#Hardware_features_and_peripherals|hardware features and peripherals]].</span><br>For more details such as [[licensing]], [[Source_code#Language_levels|programming language]], [[High_and_low-level_emulation|emulation method]], visit each emulator’s dedicated page.
|+{{Emulator comparison introduction|[[#Enhancements|enhancements]], [[#Hardware features and peripherals|hardware features & peripherals]], and [[#Hardware variants|hardware variants]]}}
!Name
!Name
!Platform(s)
!Platform(s)
!Active?
!Latest version
!Latest version
!Active
![[Licensing|License]]
![[Licensing|License]]
!Compatibility
!Compatibility
![[Emulation accuracy|Accuracy]]
![[Emulation accuracy|Accuracy]]
![[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]
![[Libretro|libretro core]]
![[Recommended emulators|Recommended? (overall)]]
|-
|-
! colspan="8" |x86-64
! colspan="9" |PC
|-
|-
|[[Stella]]<br><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]<br>stella2014_libretro
|[[Stella]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Windows7|Linux|macOSx64|macOSARM|FreeBSD}}
[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]
|[https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html {{StellaVer}}]<br>[https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?page=platforms libretro core]<ref group="lower-alpha">Even though it's updated frequently, some [[#Hardware features and peripherals|hardware features]] are exclusive to the standalone version. Therefore, using the standalone version is recommended.</ref><br>[https://www.freshports.org/emulators/stella FreeBSD port]<br>[https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/ web]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
 
| ||Cycle||{{Ya}}
stella2014_libretro
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|Windows7|Linux|LinuxARM|macOSx64|macOSARM|FreeBSD}}
|{{Ya}}  
|[https://stella-emu.github.io/downloads.html {{StellaVer}}]
[https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?page=platforms libretro core]<ref group="note">Even though it's updated frequently, some [[Atari 2600#Hardware features and peripherals|hardware features]] are exclusive to the standalone version. Therefore, using the standalone version is recommended.</ref>
 
[https://www.freshports.org/emulators/stella FreeBSD port]
 
[https://6502ts.github.io/stellerator/ web]
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|
|Cycle||{{Ya}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|[[MAME]]
|[[MAME]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
|git artifacts<ref group="lower-alpha">[https://nightly.link/mamedev/mame/workflows/ci-windows/master CI-Windows] [https://nightly.link/mamedev/mame/workflows/ci-linux/master CI-Linux] [https://nightly.link/mamedev/mame/workflows/ci-macos/master CI-Macos]</ref><br>[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]<br>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group="lower-alpha">As 0.251, 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)</ref>||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}}<br>{{License|BSD3}}  
|{{Ya}}
| ||Cycle||{{Ya}}
|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]
[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group="note">As 0.251, 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)</ref>
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}}<br>{{License|BSD3}}
|
|Cycle||{{Ya}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|[[Z64K]]
| align="left" |{{Icon|Java}}||{{Ya}}
|[https://z64k.com/ {{Z64KVer}}]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}
|
|Cycle||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|Stella - Pyra
| align="left" |{{Icon|Pyra}}||{{Na}}
|[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/8 0.1]||{{Dunno}}  
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|[[Pantheon]]
|2600.emu
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Pyra}}||{{Ya}}  
|[http://bostjan-grandovec.si/Content/News.htm {{PantheonVer}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
|[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/73 1.5.46.02 Pyra]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
| ||High||{{~}}
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|[[ares]]
|[[ares]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|WoA|Linux|macOS}}
|[https://nightly.link/ares-emulator/ares/workflows/build/master git Artifacts]<br>[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/releases {{aresVer}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|ISC}} ({{License|Permissive}}  
|{{Ya}}  
| {{Emulator compatibility|link=https://ares-emu.net/compatibility|26|56}}
|[https://nightly.link/ares-emulator/ares/workflows/build/master git Artifacts]
|?||{{~}}
[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/releases {{aresVer}}]
|{{Green}} {{License|ISC}} ({{License|Permissive}}  
|{{Emulator compatibility|26|56|link=https://ares-emu.net/compatibility}}
|?||{{Na}}||{{~}}
|-
|[[BizHawk]]
(Original, Stella)
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|{{Ya}}
|[https://gitlab.com/TASVideos/BizHawk/-/pipelines Dev builds]
[http://tasvideos.org/BizHawk/ReleaseHistory.html {{BizHawkVer}}]
|{{Green}} {{License|MIT}} ({{License|Permissive}})<br>{{License|GPL}}
|
|?
[[BizHawk#Supported systems|(Core-dependent)]]
|{{Na}}||{{~}}
|-
|[https://github.com/ppeccin/javatari.js javatari]
[https://github.com/ppeccin/javatari javatari.js (old)]
| align="left" |{{Icon|Web}}||{{Na}}
|[http://javatari.org 5.0.3]||{{Green}} {{License|AGPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{~}}
|-
|[[Pantheon]]
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows}}||{{Ya}}
|[http://bostjan-grandovec.si/Content/News.htm {{PantheonVer}}]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}
|
|High||{{Na}}||{{~}}
|-
|-
|[http://pcae.vg-network.com/ PCAE]
|[http://pcae.vg-network.com/ PCAE]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}
|[http://pcae.vg-network.com/ 2.6]<br>[http://www.bjars.com/emulators/pcaewin_2.7.zip 2.7]||{{Na}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|{{Na}}  
| ||High||{{~}}
|[http://pcae.vg-network.com/ 2.6]
[http://www.bjars.com/emulators/pcaewin_2.7.zip 2.7]
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|
|High||{{Na}}||{{~}}
|-
|-
|[https://alienbill.com/2600/ z26]
|[https://alienbill.com/2600/ z26]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD|DOS}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD|DOS}}||{{Na}}  
|[http://www.whimsey.com/z26/z26.html 4.07]||{{Na}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|[http://www.whimsey.com/z26/z26.html 4.07]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| ||High||{{~}}
|
|High||{{Na}}||{{~}}
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/ppeccin/javatari.js javatari]<br>[https://github.com/ppeccin/javatari javatari.js (old)]
|[[Clock Signal|CLK]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Web}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}||{{Ya}}  
|[http://javatari.org 5.0.3]||{{Na}} ||{{Green}} {{License|AGPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|[https://github.com/TomHarte/CLK/releases {{ClkVer}}]||{{Green}} {{License|MIT}} ({{License|Permissive}})  
| ||?||{{~}}
|
|-
|Mid||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|[[BizHawk]]<br><small>(Original)(Stella)</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://gitlab.com/TASVideos/BizHawk/-/pipelines Dev builds]<br>[http://tasvideos.org/BizHawk/ReleaseHistory.html {{BizHawkVer}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|MIT}} ({{License|Permissive}})<br>{{License|GPL}}
| ||?<br><small>[[BizHawk#Supported_systems|(Core-dependent)]]</small>||{{~}}
|-
|-
|[[Gopher2600]]
|[[Gopher2600]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}||{{Ya}}  
|[https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases {{Gopher2600Ver}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|[https://github.com/JetSetIlly/Gopher2600/releases {{Gopher2600Ver}}]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| ||High||{{Na}}
|
|-
|High||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|[[Clock Signal|CLK]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
|[https://github.com/TomHarte/CLK/releases {{ClkVer}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|MIT}} ({{License|Permissive}})
| ||Mid||{{Na}}
|-
|-
|[http://emu7800.sourceforge.net/ EMU7800]
|[http://emu7800.sourceforge.net/ EMU7800]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows}}||{{Ya}}  
|[https://github.com/emu7800/emu7800.github.io/releases {{EMU7800Ver}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|[https://github.com/emu7800/emu7800.github.io/releases {{EMU7800Ver}}]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| ||Mid||{{Na}}
|
|Mid||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|-
|-
|Stellarator
|Stellarator
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}||{{Ya}}  
|[https://github.com/dpiponi/Stellarator git]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|BSD3}} ({{License|Permissive}})  
|[https://github.com/dpiponi/Stellarator git]||{{Green}} {{License|BSD3}} ({{License|Permissive}})  
| ||?||{{Na}}
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|-
|-
! colspan="8" |ARM64
! colspan="9" |Mobile
|-
|-
|[[ares]]
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]
|align=left|{{Icon|WoA}}
stella2014_libretro
|[https://nightly.link/ares-emulator/ares/workflows/build/master git Artifacts]<br>[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/releases {{aresVer}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|ISC}} ({{License|Permissive}})
| align="left" |{{Icon|Android|iOS|GP32}}||{{Ya}}  
| {{Emulator compatibility|link=https://ares-emu.net/compatibility|26|56}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|? ||{{~}}
|
|-
|?||{{Ya}}||{{Ya}}
|[[Z64K]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Java}}
|[https://z64k.com/ {{Z64KVer}}]||{{Ya}} ||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}
| ||Cycle||{{Ya}}
|-
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]<br><small>stella2014_libretro
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|GP32}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| ||?||{{Ya}}
|-
|Stella - Pyra
|align=left|{{Icon|Pyra}}
|[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/8 0.1]||{{Na}} ||{{Dunno}}
| ||?||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|2600.emu
|2600.emu
|align=left|{{Icon|Android|Pyra}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Android}}
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.A2600Emu {{.emuVer}}]<br>[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/73 1.5.46.02 Pyra]||{{Ya}} ||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
|{{Ya}}  
| ||?||{{Ya}}
|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.A2600Emu {{.emuVer}}]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|Ataroid
|Ataroid
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Android}}||{{Na}}  
|[https://www.zophar.net/android/a2600/ataroid.html 1.0.4]||{{Na}} ||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
|[https://www.zophar.net/android/a2600/ataroid.html 1.0.4]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
| ||?||{{Na}}
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|-
|-
|g2600
|g2600
|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Android}}||{{Na}}
|[https://apkpure.com/g2600-a2600-emu/com.goodgorgon.play2600/download?from=details 7.2.0]||{{Na}} ||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
|[https://apkpure.com/g2600-a2600-emu/com.goodgorgon.play2600/download?from=details 7.2.0]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
| ||?||{{Na}}
|
|-
|?||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|[[Provenance]]
|align=left|{{Icon|iOS|iPadOS|tvOS}}
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/provenance-app/id1596862805 {{ProvenanceVer}}]<br>[https://github.com/Provenance-Emu/Provenance/releases git]||{{Ya}} ||{{Dunno}}
|
| ?||{{Dunno}}
|-
|-
|[[Manic EMU]]
|[[Manic EMU]]
|align=left|{{Icon|iOS|iPadOS}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|iOS|iPadOS}}
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/manic-emu-game-emulator/id6743335790 {{Manic EMUVer}}]<br>[https://github.com/Manic-EMU/ManicEMU/releases git]
|{{Ya}}
|{{Ya}}
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/manic-emu-game-emulator/id6743335790 {{Manic EMUVer}}]
[https://github.com/Manic-EMU/ManicEMU/releases git]
|{{Green}} {{License|AGPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{Green}} {{License|AGPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|
|
|?||{{Dunno}}
|?||{{Na}}||{{Dunno}}
|-
|[[Provenance]]
| align="left" |{{Icon|iOS|iPadOS|tvOS}}
|{{Ya}}
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/provenance-app/id1596862805 {{ProvenanceVer}}]
[https://github.com/Provenance-Emu/Provenance/releases git]
|{{Dunno}}
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Dunno}}
|-
|-
! colspan="8" |Console
! colspan="9" |Console
|-
|-
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]<br><small>stella2014_libretro
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]
|align=left|{{Icon|PS3|PSP|Vita}}<br>{{Icon|Wii|WiiU|3DS|Switch}}<br>{{Icon|XboxOne|XboxSXS}}
stella2014_libretro
|[https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?page=platforms libretro core]||{{Ya}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| align="left" |{{Icon|PS3|PSP|Vita|Wii|WiiU|3DS|Switch|XboxOne|XboxSXS}}||{{Ya}}  
| ||Mid||{{Ya}}
|[https://www.retroarch.com/index.php?page=platforms libretro core]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|
|Mid||{{Ya}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|StellaDS
|StellaDS
|align=left|{{Icon|NDS}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|NDS}}
|[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/StellaDS git] <br> [https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/StellaDS 1.2] <br> [https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/StellaDS Phoenix Edition]||{{Ya}}<br><small>(Phoenix Edition)</small> ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|{{Ya}}<br><small>(Phoenix Edition)</small>
| ||?||{{Ya}}
|[https://github.com/DS-Homebrew/StellaDS git]
[https://www.gamebrew.org/wiki/StellaDS 1.2]
 
[https://github.com/wavemotion-dave/StellaDS Phoenix Edition]
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|Wii2600
|Wii2600
|align=left|{{Icon|Wii}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|Wii}}||{{~}}  
|[https://github.com/arocchi/wii2600/releases git]||{{~}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|[https://github.com/arocchi/wii2600/releases git]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| ||Mid||{{Ya}}
|
|Mid||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|PSP2600
|PSP2600
|align=left|{{Icon|PSP}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|PSP}}
|[https://psp.brewology.com/downloads/get.php?id=9738 1.2.0]<br>[https://psp.brewology.com/downloads/get.php?id=9736 Source (1.2.0)]||{{Na}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|{{Na}}  
| ||Mid||{{Ya}}
|[https://psp.brewology.com/downloads/get.php?id=9738 1.2.0]
[https://psp.brewology.com/downloads/get.php?id=9736 Source (1.2.0)]
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|
|Mid||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|Stella GC
|Stella GC
|align=left|{{Icon|NGC}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|NGC}}||{{Na}}  
|[https://www.gc-forever.com/wiki/index.php?title=StellaGC 18-12-2007]||{{Na}} ||{{Dunno}}  
|[https://www.gc-forever.com/wiki/index.php?title=StellaGC 18-12-2007]||{{Dunno}}  
| ||Mid||{{Ya}}
|
|Mid||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|PVCS Reloaded
|PVCS Reloaded
|align=left|{{Icon|PS2}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|PS2}}||{{Na}}  
|[http://www.brunofreitas.com/node/26 0.3]||{{Na}} ||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
|[http://www.brunofreitas.com/node/26 0.3]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})  
| ||Mid||{{Ya}}
|
|Mid||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
|Stella DC
|Stella DC
|align=left|{{Icon|DC}}
| align="left" |{{Icon|DC}}||{{Na}}  
|[https://dcemulation.org/index.php?title=Stella_DC 0.2F]||{{Na}} ||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
|[https://dcemulation.org/index.php?title=Stella_DC 0.2F]||{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}  
| ||?||{{Ya}}
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Ya}}
|-
|-
! colspan="8" |Game
|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/stella/ stella_libretro]
stella2014_libretro
| align="left" |{{Icon|GP32}}||{{Ya}}
|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]||{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|
|?||{{Ya}}||{{Dunno}}
|-
! colspan="9" |Other
|-
|-
|1FPS Atari 2600 Emulator
|1FPS Atari 2600 Emulator
|Minecraft
|Minecraft||{{Ya}}
|[https://sethbling.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Downloads/Builds/15seconds.zip 0.2]||{{Ya}} ||{{Dunno}}  
|[https://sethbling.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Downloads/Builds/15seconds.zip 0.2]||{{Dunno}}  
| ||?||{{Na}}
|
|?||{{Na}}||{{Na}}
|}
|}
<references group="lower-alpha" />


===Comparisons===
=== Comparisons ===
*[[Stella]] has been the go-to emulator for this system for many years. While the user interface is dated, its feature set is extensive, including support for multiple peripherals and debugging capabilities. It is one of the oldest console emulators still in active development.  
 
* [[Stella]] has been the go-to emulator for this system for many years. While the user interface is dated, its feature set is extensive, including support for multiple peripherals and debugging capabilities. It is one of the oldest console emulators still in active development.


*[[MAME]] is a respectable alternative to Stella. It is also cycle-accurate, and accuracy is likely comparable between both emulators in most cases.
* [[MAME]] is a respectable alternative to Stella. It is also cycle-accurate, and accuracy is likely comparable between both emulators in most cases.


===Enhancements===
== Enhancements ==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"
{| {{Basic table}}
! colspan="2" style="width:50%"|Name
! colspan="2" style="width:50%" |Name
! Stella
!Stella
! MAME
!MAME
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |Misc.
| rowspan="2" |Misc.
|{{Enhancements/Misc./RetroAchievements}}||{{Ya}}<ref group="lower-alpha">Exclusive to libretro core.</ref>  
|{{Enhancements/Misc./RetroAchievements}}||{{Ya}}<br><small>Exclusive to libretro core.</small>  
|{{Na}}
|{{Na}}
|-
|-
Line 209: Line 282:
|
|
|}
|}
<references group="lower-alpha" />
 
===Hardware features and peripherals===
== Hardware features and peripherals ==
{{Stub}}
{| {{Basic table}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"
! colspan="3" style="width:50%" |Name
! colspan="3" style="width:50%" |Name
!Stella
!Stella
Line 253: Line 325:
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |Mouse
| rowspan="2" |Mouse
|Amiga mouse
|Amiga mouse||{{Ya}}
|{{Ya}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
|-
|Atari mouse
|Atari mouse||{{Ya}}
|{{Ya}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
|-
Line 279: Line 349:
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |''[https://lostmediawiki.com/Vortex_(lost_build_of_cancelled_Atari_2600_first-person_shooter_game_by_Spectravideo%3B_1983) Vortex]'' 3D glasses||{{Na}}
| colspan="2" |[https://lostmediawiki.com/Vortex_(lost_build_of_cancelled_Atari_2600_first-person_shooter_game_by_Spectravideo%3B_1983) ''Vortex''] 3D glasses||{{Na}}
|{{Na}}
|-
| rowspan="6" |Misc.
| colspan="2" |Androman robot||{{Na}}
|{{Na}}
|{{Na}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" |Misc.
| colspan="2" |Atari 7800 Development Card<ref group="note">Some 2600 prototypes expect it.</ref>
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
| colspan="2" |Atari 7800 pause button||{{Ya}}
| colspan="2" |Atari 7800 pause button||{{Ya}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
| colspan="2" |Display Processor Chip<ref group="note">Only used in ''Pitfall II: Lost Caverns''.</ref>||{{Ya}}
|{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
|-
Line 291: Line 371:
| colspan="2" |[https://www.techeblog.com/moviecart-play-movies-original-atari-2600-hardware/ MovieCart]||{{Ya}}
| colspan="2" |[https://www.techeblog.com/moviecart-play-movies-original-atari-2600-hardware/ MovieCart]||{{Ya}}
|{{Na}}
|{{Na}}
|-
| colspan="2" |Atari 7800 Development Card<br><small>Some 2600 prototypes expect it.</small>||{{Dunno}}
|{{Dunno}}
|}
|}
<references group="lower-alpha" />


==External links==
== Notes ==
{{Notelist|group=note}}
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
 
== External links ==
 
* [http://www.atarimania.com/rom_collection_archive_atari_2600_roms.html Atari 2600 VCS ROM Collection by Rom Hunter]
* [http://www.atarimania.com/rom_collection_archive_atari_2600_roms.html Atari 2600 VCS ROM Collection by Rom Hunter]


===Internet Archive===
=== Internet Archive ===
 
* [https://archive.org/details/atari_2600_library Console Library: Atari 2600]
* [https://archive.org/details/atari_2600_library Console Library: Atari 2600]
* [https://archive.org/details/atari2600manuals Console Manuals: Atari 2600]
* [https://archive.org/details/atari2600manuals Console Manuals: Atari 2600]


{{Atari}}
{{Atari}}
[[Category:65xx-based]]
[[Category:65xx-based]]
[[Category:Atari consoles]]
[[Category:Atari consoles]]

Latest revision as of 00:07, 8 September 2026

Atari 2600
Four-switch VCS model (1980–1982)
Manufacturer Atari, Inc.
Type Home video game console
Generation Second
Release date NA: c. September 1977
EU: 1978
FRA: 1982
BR: September 1983
JP: October 1983 (Atari 2800)
Discontinued 1992
Predecessor Atari Home Pong
Atari Video Pinball
Successor Atari 5200
Emulated ✓

The Atari 2600 (also known as Video Computer System or simply VCS) is a second-generation console released by Atari on September 11, 1977. It had a 6507 CPU at 1.19 MHz with 128 bytes of RAM. It had a 160x192 16-color, out of 128, display.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the console and its games, emulation of the 2600 is surprisingly difficult relative to other early consoles due to its unusual primitive hardware designed as a cost-saving measure, including the complete lack of a framebuffer and resulting need to "race the beam" to display graphics. Despite this, at least two emulators have offered highly accurate 2600 emulation for years.

Emulators

[edit | edit source]
Before editing, review the getting involved and recommended pages. See system requirements page for performance demand of the emulators.
See tables for enhancements, hardware features & peripherals, and hardware variants.
For more details such as licensing, programming language, emulation method, visit each emulator’s dedicated page.
Name Platform(s) Active? Latest version License Compatibility Accuracy libretro core Recommended? (overall)
PC
Stella

stella_libretro

stella2014_libretro

Windows Windows 7 Linux Linux ARM macOS macOS FreeBSD ✓ 7.0

libretro core[note 1]

FreeBSD port

web

GPLv2 (Copyleft) Cycle ✓ ✓
MAME Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD ✓ 0.289

libretro core[note 2]

GPLv2
BSD-3-Clause 		Cycle ✓ ✓
Z64K Java ✓ 3.0.0 Proprietary Cycle ✗ ✓
Stella - Pyra Dragonbox Pyra ✗ 0.1 ? ? ✗ ✓
2600.emu Dragonbox Pyra ✓ 1.5.46.02 Pyra Proprietary ? ✗ ✓
ares Windows Windows on ARM Linux macOS ✓ git Artifacts

v148

ISC (Permissive 46.43%
26 out of 56 reported titles 		? ✗ ~
BizHawk

(Original, Stella)

Windows Linux ✓ Dev builds

2.11.1

MIT (Permissive)
GPL 		?

(Core-dependent)

✗ ~
javatari

javatari.js (old)

Web ✗ 5.0.3 AGPLv3 (Copyleft) ? ✗ ~
Pantheon Windows ✓ 16.458 Proprietary High ✗ ~
PCAE Windows MS-DOS ✗ 2.6

2.7

GPLv2 (Copyleft) High ✗ ~
z26 Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD MS-DOS ✗ 4.07 GPLv2 (Copyleft) High ✗ ~
CLK Linux macOS FreeBSD ✓ 2026-07-23 MIT (Permissive) Mid ✗ ✗
Gopher2600 Windows Linux ✓ 0.56.1 GPLv3 (Copyleft) High ✗ ✗
EMU7800 Windows ✓ 5.7.0.0 GPLv2 (Copyleft) Mid ✗ ✗
Stellarator Windows Linux macOS FreeBSD ✓ git BSD-3-Clause (Permissive) ? ✗ ✗
Mobile
stella_libretro

stella2014_libretro

Android iOS GP32 ✓ libretro core GPLv3 (Copyleft) ? ✓ ✓
2600.emu Android ✓ 1.5.85 Proprietary ? ✗ ✓
Ataroid Android ✗ 1.0.4 Proprietary ? ✗ ✗
g2600 Android ✗ 7.2.0 Proprietary ? ✗ ✗
Manic EMU iOS iPadOS ✓ 2.0.0

git

AGPLv3 (Copyleft) ? ✗ ?
Provenance iOS iPadOS AppleTV ✓ 3.3.0

git

? ? ✗ ?
Console
stella_libretro

stella2014_libretro

PlayStation 3 PlayStation Portable PlayStation Vita Wii Wii U Nintendo 3DS Switch Xbox One Xbox Series X/S ✓ libretro core GPLv2 (Copyleft) Mid ✓ ✓
StellaDS Nintendo DS ✓
(Phoenix Edition) 		git

1.2

Phoenix Edition

GPLv2 (Copyleft) ? ✗ ✓
Wii2600 Wii ~ git GPLv2 (Copyleft) Mid ✗ ✓
PSP2600 PlayStation Portable ✗ 1.2.0

Source (1.2.0)

GPLv2 (Copyleft) Mid ✗ ✓
Stella GC Nintendo GameCube ✗ 18-12-2007 ? Mid ✗ ✓
PVCS Reloaded PlayStation 2 ✗ 0.3 GPLv2 (Copyleft) Mid ✗ ✓
Stella DC Dreamcast ✗ 0.2F Proprietary ? ✗ ✓
stella_libretro

stella2014_libretro

GP32 ✓ libretro core GPLv3 (Copyleft) ? ✓ ?
Other
1FPS Atari 2600 Emulator Minecraft ✓ 0.2 ? ? ✗ ✗

Comparisons

[edit | edit source]
  • Stella has been the go-to emulator for this system for many years. While the user interface is dated, its feature set is extensive, including support for multiple peripherals and debugging capabilities. It is one of the oldest console emulators still in active development.
  • MAME is a respectable alternative to Stella. It is also cycle-accurate, and accuracy is likely comparable between both emulators in most cases.

Enhancements

[edit | edit source]
Name Stella MAME
Misc. RetroAchievements ✓
Exclusive to libretro core. 		✗

Hardware features and peripherals

[edit | edit source]
Name Stella MAME
Hardware features Atari 2800's 4 controller ports ✗ ?
Peripherals AtariVox ✓ ?
Booster Grip ✓ ?
Cassette/tape player Kid Vid Voice Module ✓ ?
Starpath Supercharger ? ?
Driving controller ✓ ?
Joy2B+ ✓ ?
Keypad ✓ ?
MindLink ✓ ?
Mouse Amiga mouse ✓ ?
Atari mouse ✓ ?
Paddles ✓ ?
QuadTari ✓ ?
SaveKey ✓ ?
Sega Genesis Controller ✓ ?
Trak-Ball ✓ ?
XG-1 light gun ✓ ?
Vortex 3D glasses ✗ ✗
Misc. Androman robot ✗ ✗
Atari 7800 Development Card[note 3] ? ?
Atari 7800 pause button ✓ ?
Display Processor Chip[note 4] ✓ ?
Frying ✓ ?
MovieCart ✓ ✗

Notes

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ Even though it's updated frequently, some hardware features are exclusive to the standalone version. Therefore, using the standalone version is recommended.
  2. ↑ As 0.251, 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)
  3. ↑ Some 2600 prototypes expect it.
  4. ↑ Only used in Pitfall II: Lost Caverns.

References

[edit | edit source]
[edit | edit source]

Internet Archive

[edit | edit source]

Atari(edit)

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