5200 U.S. only, why?

[tyranthraxus]

On the CV vs 52 thread a German poster mentioned that the 5200 was

only released in the U.S. so my question is why? I can understand why

the launch year of 1982 would be a U.S. exclusive but it is strange that

Atari would not start shipping them to other countries by early 1983.

Especially since the CV had worldwide exposure.

 

John

[+Mitch]

There were plans for a PAL version 5200 but the crash killed all of that.

 

Mitch

http://atari7800.atari.org

[King Atari]

Yeah, that's what I'd say. The 5200 was only around for what, 2 years? 1982-4? Not very much to do anything overseas. The good thing is that you don't have to worry about getting ripped-off with a PAL cart on ebay, but sad that nobody overseas got to experience the system.

[Jobf]

but sad that nobody overseas got to experience the system.

 

Yep, but oesii recommended the Atari800DC emulator on the Dreamcast on this thread:

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15370

 

I downloaded it and am now enjoying some 5200 gaming goodness, albeit not in a pure form, but hey, its not bad

 

 

Jobf.

[somePUNK]

yes but why not release it in canada i want one

[King Atari]

They never released it in Canada? Wow, that's really weird, you'd think they'd release it there. Who knows what Atari was doing at the time.

[tyranthraxus]

Yes it was not in Canada which is strange and I have not heard that it was

sold in Mexico either. Was it available in Japan?

 

John

[Mister VCS]

tyranthraxus:

Atari 600 XL advertisings in videogame and computer-magazines said:

"why to pay over 500 DM (250 US$ at that time) for a toy (they noted

Atari CX 5200 at the bottom of the page!), when I can get a real computer

for the same money and can play Donkey Kong?"

 

You see Atari Elektronik in Hamburg was far away for it´s time, because

it was Warner-Atari and the arguments where from Jack Tramiel

 

Mister VCS

[King Atari]

All I can say about Tramiel is that he should be shot into the sun.

[tyranthraxus]

Here is an interesting twist. Today I found in a thift store two 5200

cartridges!! Realsports Football and Star Raiders. No console or joystick in sight

 

John

[King Atari]

That happened to me a few months ago, found some 5200 carts, but no system or anything. Sadly, I passed them up, only to find a 5200 months later (with no games, ironic I guess).

[Gargamel_of_oz]

Well I got myself one from the States. Boxed etc & love it! It's certainly my favourite console & I have quite a few. The console has still got the pink plastic coat over the silver plate too.

 

It's one of the 4 port units with the lovely external video box & 4 controllers.

 

Yes, you need an NTSC capable television but all TV's down here (in Australia) that are reasonably new are multi-mode so that's not a problem.

 

As for the power supply. Well it could have simply been the unit's itself but it killed my first step down transformer (yes it was a beefy one) in 5 seconds flat and my second one in about 20 minutes.... HMMM!!!!

 

But, no fear, I just plugged in a standard plug pack with the right connection and the correct settings and she runs fine.

 

I've started my proto collection too with Ms-Pacman, Qix & Pengo prototypes taking pride of place beside the black beast

 

True, a real shame these things didnt come our way in their hey-day!