Atari CX2600 PAL version "Light Sixer" 

• 1980 
• 1. Consoles (Hardware) 

  + 1

  Atari 2600
• Atari 
• Atari 

5091858

Video games

Atari CX2600 PAL version "Light Sixer"

1. Consoles (Hardware), Atari 2600

1980

1

This video console was originally named VCS (Video Computer System). The name Atari 2600 was first used later on. It is however customary to call all of the models Atari 2600. The first model, the “Heavy Sixer” or “Sunnyvale” had 6 switches on top. It was produced in Sunnyvale for 1 year only (1977) and was a NTSC version. It was succeeded by the ‘Light Sixer”. This model had a thinner black plastic casing. This was also the VCS model, however now in a PAL version, that was introduced in Europe in Western-Germany in 1981. The Heavy Sixer as produced in Sunnyvale was not officially introduced in Europe, however there may exist some systems modified from NTSC to PAL. A very limited series "light sixer" PAL models made in Sunnyvale circulated in Europe early 1980. This was several months before Atari Germany got founded. These were from the A-series (the motherboard was marked with red A's). All later models were produced outside the US in e.g. Hong Kong or Taiwan. Later on the “4 Switch Models” introduced. On these units, the two difficulty switches were moved to the rear of the console. Almost all these models have a (fake) wood panel and are therefore also known as “wood grain” or “woody”. The totally black versions are known as "Darth Vader" In the late eighties these were replaced by the “Junior” (jr) models.