Japanese Atari 2800 System

[The Professor]

Take a look at the Atari 2800, this was the Atari 2600 for the Japanese market. It looks like a 7800 though it only plays 2600 games, it's design went on to inspire the 7800 case design with only a few modifications. The Atari 2800 controllers were interesting! They were substantial than the 7800 Pro-Line Controllers, and featured joystick stalks that you could turn to use as Paddle Controllers, and the console itself had four controller ports rather than two.

 

The 2800 was released in Japan in 1983 with a line of Atari's most successful games. Being released so late into the Japanese market as it did not allow Atari enough time to reach market dominance and by the time it was released in 1983 it competed poorly against the Nintendo Famicom (NES) which was two generations ahead. Still, the Atari 2800 is a unique bit of Atari history and one of the more rare Atari items to collect for. The Atari 2800 was marketed in the United States as the Sears Video Arcade II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japanese Atari Commercial

 

http://youtu.be/7iP06MmoBH4

 

 

 

MaximumRD Unboxing Video

 

 

 

 

Oddball Controller Teardown

 

[RickR]

There was a Sears model here in the US that was the same as this, wasn't there?  Sears Video Arcade II. 

[greenween]

I'd never heard of this. I imagine those controllers would work on a 7800, wouldn't mind trying them.

[nosweargamer]

There was a Sears model here in the US that was the same as this, wasn't there?  Sears Video Arcade II. 

I believe you're right and the design was also used for the 7800

 

 

I'd never heard of this. I imagine those controllers would work on a 7800, wouldn't mind trying them.

I'm pretty sure they act just like 2600 controllers. They would work for one button games but not two on the 7800.

[greenween]

I usually use my 2600 joystick, but my hands are getting old, these might not hurt me as bad.

[The Professor]

More photos below:

 

 

 

[The Professor]

And the Atari 2700 dual Joystick / Paddle Combo Controller that I think somewhat inspired the design of the Atari 2800 Joystick

 

 

 

[Jayson_B24]

I just saw a dude on IG pick up the Sears version about a week back.

[correagonzalez]

Wasn't that wireless controller on the prototype Atari 2700, that must cost a fortune, definitely would like to own one of those

[Arenafoot]

Very nice pictures Arenafoot!

unfortunately, all of those 2800 pics are not my collection.....just the few I've seen online

 

i wonder if the 2800 carts would play on an NTSC VCS/2600? 

[Justin]

You could, the carts themselves were just regular Atari 2600 cartridges right down to the labels. I really like the angular design on the 2800's boxes, I would've loved to see Atari use a similar design for the 7800.