The Atari 2600, also known as the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), is a home video game console that was released in 1977 by Atari, Inc. It was one of the first successful home consoles and played a major role in popularizing video games in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The Atari 2600 featured a cartridge-based system that allowed players to easily swap out games. It also included two joystick controllers and a cartridge that contained the game Combat. Initially, the console was not a huge success, but after the release of games such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man, the Atari 2600 became one of the best-selling consoles of its time.
The Atari 2600 was discontinued in 1992, but it remains an iconic console in video game history. It had a library of over 500 games, including classics such as Adventure, Pitfall!, and Missile Command. The console’s impact on the gaming industry is still felt today, as many modern games owe their roots to the simple but addictive gameplay of the Atari 2600.