Developer: Atari Release: 1984 / 1986 Notable Games: Joust, Xevious, Ball blazer Originally developed to succeed the Atari 5200, the Atari 7800 was significantly delayed after the company changed hands. Instead, the 7800 ultimately went to market as competition with Nintendo and SEGA's offerings. If the Atari 7800 had received a proper release in 1984 as originally planned, it would likely have made a far greater impact on the industry than it ultimately did. The console set a new benchmark for budget gaming with its relatively cheap cartridges, and it offered backwards compatibility with older Atari consoles. While a lack of support from Atari limited the 7800's success, the console was still a brilliant piece of design, truly allowing for a full arcade experience at home.
