dougy76 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 I have a complete 5200 system that I've had for some time that I've always thought was a little peculiar. The system is a 4-port, but it came in the smaller 2-port box. My understanding was that the smaller box was enabled later in the system's life and was limited to 2-ports only. The picture of the system on the box is actually a 2-port system. I don't think the system and the box were swapped because the serial number on the box and on the system match. Also, when I got the system years ago it was clear it had never been used as the original masking tape was still intact along the panels and the controllers were still untouched and perfectly wound and tied in the controller compartment. So I think the original owner bought it, dumped it in his closet, and never touched it. Anyway, has anyone else observed this or have any inside information into this? The original price tag on the box is only $59.99, so I've always assumed it was bought during or after the crash and it was something weird Atari did during this tumultuous time to dump their inventory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiddlepaddle Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 There are many examples of mismatches between photos and contents of 2600 units, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if Atari just used whatever 5200 box/units they had available at the time, even before the crash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylon Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 There were some 4 port systems sold late in the 5200's life that were assembled from leftover parts. Sometimes they have the 2-port bottom shell with a 4-port top even. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 The 2-port box was actually the same size as the original 4-port box. When Atari Corp. rereleased the 5200 in 1985/86, they switched to the smaller box in order to cut costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougy76 Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 The 2-port box was actually the same size as the original 4-port box. When Atari Corp. rereleased the 5200 in 1985/86, they switched to the smaller box in order to cut costs. In the case of this one, it's all Atari Inc.! So Atari Inc. must have already started shipping with the smaller box before the Atari Corp transition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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