The Atari Video Computer System, also known as the VCS and the 2600, was released in October 1977 with a retail price of $199.95. The VCS was Atari's first home video game unit that featured programmable cartridges, allowing a virtually endless supply of new games.
Previous Atari home video game systems, such as Pong, Super Pong, Ultra Pong, and Video Pinball were all stand-alone systems with no expansion capabilities. Designed by Joe Decure, Harold Lee, and Steve Meyer, the VCS made the previous machines obsolete.
This new system, also marketed by Sears (under license from Atari) as the Tele-Games Video Arcade, made Atari the undisputed king of home video games. Available until 1990, the VCS was on the market longer than any other system in history.
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