Atari 8-Bit Computers – theLogBook.com

Atari Home Computers

Atari introduces the Atari 400 and Atari 800 home computers, one of the company’s first major product lines to show the imprint of Warner Communications. With only 8K of RAM (expandable to 16K), the Atari 400 (shown here) is intended to be more of a game machine, while the 48K Atari 800, with an actual keyboard, is intended to make inroads into the increasingly crowded home computer market. The same basic architecture, with significant modifications, will form the core of Atari’s next-generation video game console, the Atari 5200, which will be released in 1982.

Star Raiders (Atari Home Computers)

Atari releases the computer game Star Raiders for the Atari 400 and 800 home computer systems, programmed by Doug Neubauer. This is a very early example of a game in the first-person “cockpit” space shooter genre gaining wide popularity.

Mouskattack (Atari Home Computers)

Sierra On-Line releases the computer game Mouskattack. Designed by John Harris, this is one of several titles Sierra will publish to get a Pac-Man-style game on the home computer market before Atari can release an official port. It is available for the Atari home computers.

Lode Runner (Atari Home Computers)

Broderbund Software introduces the earliest versions of Doug Smith’s computer game Lode Runner, including the Atari Home Computer version. Inspired by the obscure arcade game Space Panic, Lode Runner gives players a weapon that digs rather than directly disabling enemies. A game franchise spanning multiple platforms and decades is spawned.

Gateway To Apshai (Atari Home Computers)

The third and final game in Epyx’s “Apshai trilogy” is released for various home computer platforms. Gateway To Apshai continues the trend of pushing traditionally turn-based computer RPGs toward real-time action games, a trend that will culminate in the smash success of the unrelated NES game The Legend Of Zelda years later.