1982 · Atari, Inc. · US · console
Atari 5200
Atari’s intended successor to the 2600.
A curiosity Easy to run ▶ Watch on YouTube ↗
Atari’s intended successor to the 2600. It packed the sophisticated graphics and POKEY audio hardware of the Atari 8-bit computers into a gigantic, futuristic console housing with storage for controllers and wires.
Despite outstanding arcade conversions (Super Pac-Man, Missile Command, Star Raiders), the system was crippled by its fragile non-centering joystick design. Modern emulation solves this by letting you use modern analog sticks.
Under the hood
- CPU
- MOS 6502C (SALLY) @ 1.79 MHz
- Sound chip
- POKEY (4-channel audio synthesizer + random noise)
- Graphics
- ANTIC & CTIA/GTIA custom chips, 320 × 192, 256 colors
- Media
- Large ROM Cartridges & 4 controller ports
What it cost
about a quarter of a month’s pay in 1982 · about $874 today
| US launch list price ($269 with Super Breakout) | $269 (1982) |
|---|---|
| Typical street price | — No verified mass-market street price recorded yet. |
| Units sold | ≈1,000,000 estimate Approximately 1 million units sold. |
What it's worth now
Moderate $80–150 working
The fragile flex-circuit controllers are the hard part — most players use third-party pads or a modern USB adapter for actual play.
A guide to collectibility, not a valuation — real prices depend on condition, completeness and demand.
Why it mattered
Despite outstanding arcade conversions (Super Pac-Man, Missile Command, Star Raiders), the system was crippled by its fragile non-centering joystick design. Modern emulation solves this by letting you use modern analog sticks.
Emulating it today
| Emulators | Atari800, Altirra, a5200 (libretro) |
|---|---|
| Setup effort | Easy to run (2.5 on this site's scale) |
| Controls | A standard modern controller covers the ordinary controls, though unusual accessories may need custom mapping. |
| Runs on a handheld | Yes |
Requires the `5200.rom` (2 KB) BIOS file in the RetroArch Atari800 or a5200 core. The emulator names above are starting points, not a promise that every title or accessory behaves identically. Computer platforms usually add model selection, disk handling and keyboard setup even when CPU emulation itself is mature.
system firmware or BIOS
Requires `5200.rom` (CRC32: `4248d3e3`) placed in RetroArch system folder.
How many files you need: 1. Start with the firmware for the exact model and region you are emulating; some families need additional revisions for later models.
Where it stands legally: Firmware normally remains copyrighted. The clean route is to extract it from hardware you own unless the rights holder offers a download or licensed package.
Firmware details checked 2026-08. Emulator requirements change — see Libretro documentation for the current list.
Where the software is
Preservation catalogues describe verified dumps; they do not grant permission to download commercial software. A curated, correctly matched set is easier to use than an undifferentiated archive.
Copyright: Commercial software remains copyrighted unless its owner explicitly released or relicensed it. Homebrew, public-domain programs and current reissues should be treated separately from abandoned commercial titles.
This site names preservation projects and explains what they are. It does not link to ROM downloads.
Where to start
- Star Raiders Space Combat Sim
Groundbreaking tactical galactic space combat with keypad sector navigation.
- Rescue on Fractalus! Fractal Flight Combat
Lucasfilm Games’ revolutionary fractal terrain rescue flight game.
- Missile Command Defensive Shooter
Superb 5200 conversion with trackball support.
- Space Dungeon Dual-stick Arena Shooter
The pioneering dual-stick dungeon crawl shooter.
- Centipede Arcade Shooter
Fast, vibrant conversion with POKEY sound effects.
- Countermeasure Tactical Tank Combat
Deactivate rogue missile silos before nuclear warhead launch.
- Pac-Man
- Pitfall! Platformer
- Joust 1986 Action game
- Galaxian Fixed shooter
- Moon Patrol Scrolling shooters
The verdict
Great graphics based on Atari 800 computer hardware, but suffered from infamously fragile non-centering analog controllers. Emulation fixes the controller flaw completely!
The strongest software can be rewarding, but original controls and setup assumptions may matter more than screenshots suggest.
- Worth it if
- Players curious about atari consoles and willing to learn how the original machine worked.
- Not for
- Anyone who wants a large, instantly accessible library and no model, firmware or control decisions.
Scored 2/5 for fun today and 3/5 for historical importance. Those two scores decide the label at the top — a machine can matter enormously and still be no fun.
Read more & watch
This page is 50% complete against the facts we try to record for every system. Gaps are shown as gaps.