Atari 2600 (VCS)

General Atari 2600 information
The Atari 2600 was released in 1977, 1978, and 1983. It was the best classic consoles in the 1970s. In Japan, the 2600 was called the 2800. Also, before the Atari 2600 was called the Atari 2600, it was called the Atari VCS or just the VCS. The Atari 2600 had many models.

Models
These are some Atari 2600 models.

Sunnyvale Heavy Sixer (first 2600 model, 1977)
The Sunnyvale Heavy Sixer was the first Atari 2600 model. It came out in 1977. If you have this model, the model should have a Sunnyvale California sticker on the bottom. It should also have 6 chrome switches and weigh more than later models. An easy way to tell if you have this model is to look at the edges. It has more thick and round edges.

Sears Tele-Games 2600 series (1977-1983)
The Sears Tele-Games 2600s were pretty much just Atari 2600s rebranded by Sears.

Atari 2600 6-switch (1978)
This was very similar to the Sunnyvale Heavy Sixer. The only difference is that the edges are different. It also possibly as some other differences.

Atari 2600 4-switch (1980)
The Atari 2600 was the same as the 6-switch version. The only difference was that there was only 4 switches on the front and there were now 2 on the back.

Atari 2600 Jr. (1986)
The Atari 2600 Jr. was basically a lower-cost version of the Atari 2600.

Atari 2600 hardware specs

 * Processor (CPU): 6507
 * CPU speed: 1.19MHz
 * RAM: 128 bytes
 * ROM: 4K cartridge ROM space (no bankswitching)
 * Sound: TIA custom Atari graphics/sound chip
 * Graphics: TIA custom Atari graphics/sound chip
 * Graphics RAM: None
 * I/O: Joystick and console switch IO handled byte 6532 RIOT and TIA
 * Ports: 2 joystick ports, 1 cartridge slot, power plug, RF output