Atari was a pioneering video game and arcade manufacturer founded by Nolan Bushnell in the 1970s, known for creating iconic games like Pong and Asteroids. The company expanded into pinball manufacturing between 1976-1979, producing seven widebody games and pioneering inductive sensor technology, with designer Steve Ritchie as a key early employee who learned fundamental design principles there. Atari was later acquired by Midway/Williams and has continued as a licensor of classic arcade games and intellectual property in modern times, including partnerships with companies like Alan-1 for arcade game remasters and mechanical pinball table manufacturing.
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Atari approached Alan-1 about 18 months ago to manufacture a new mechanical Pong table
Atari made pinball machines, most of which were so bad they didn't even make my worst list
Atari released exactly seven full production pinball games between 1976 and 1979
Atari approved the Hercules concept approximately two years after Bally's rejection and produced 500 units
Video game company that re-upped the trademark for Total Nuclear Annihilation in February 2016, creating legal concern for Scott Denise's TNA game
Video game company that entered pinball manufacturing in mid-1970s. Produced Atarians, Game Time 2000, and other experimental widebody machines. Known for chaotic workplace culture and design decisions that operators disliked.
Video game and pinball manufacturer. Ritchie worked there mid-1970s. Known for dysfunctional culture, poor pinball design (Atarians, Time 2000), rotary solenoid failures, and ultimately unsuccessful pinball venture.
Video game and pinball manufacturer that produced pinball machines including Superman (1979), Airborne Avenger, Middle Earth, Space Riders, Roadrunner, and Neutron Star. Used unconventional engineering and non-standard parts sourcing. Exited pinball after Superman.
Video game manufacturer; produced Atari Football and Battlezone titles used in Charles's operations
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Atari is partnering with Arcade1Up to bring Recharge games back to arcade market
Atari produced the first wide-body pinball machines before Bally
Atari's Recharged series games are fantastic to play
Atari announced Berzerk: Recharged as a twin-stick shooter for modern consoles and PC
Atari 2600+ will support both Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges
First 2600+ deliveries expected November 2024
2600+ launch price is $129.99 with included joystick and 10-game cartridge
Atari partnered with Reteo Arcade to launch reproduction PCBs in April 2024
Warlords and Lunar Lander repro PCBs are priced at $245
The new product line represents Atari getting back on the right track after years of questionable moves
Atari has partnered with Artovision to launch desktop art and shadowbox products featuring classic games
These are the first new PCBs for Major Havoc since 1983, Gravitar since 1982, and Black Widow since 1983
Atari has launched reproduction arcade PCBs for Major Havoc, Gravitar, and Black Widow in partnership with Retro Arcade
Reproduction boards are priced at $245 each and available for near-immediate shipment
Atari plans to re-release acquired Stern Electronics games in original form and as 'Recharged' remakes
Atari has acquired rights to twelve Stern Electronics arcade games
Pong was released on November 29, 1972
The first Pong prototype at Andy Capp's Tavern became jammed with quarters, which signaled immediate commercial success
Atari's mechanical Pong remake machines performed well commercially
Atari only produced two successful pinball machines, both designed by Steve Ritchie
Atari had a policy restricting pinball design work to employees with engineering or industrial design degrees, excluding self-taught designers
Atari's score displays were placed on the apron where only the player could see them, making them invisible to spectators
Atari's business model of prioritizing licensing over game quality was a key factor in the video game market crash
Atari produced approximately 5,000 Superman machines
Atari quickly adopted four-color printing after Bally's Lost World innovation
Atari Pong physical table originally sold on Kickstarter for $600 but now retails for $3,000
Early pinball machine manufacturer for whom Mark Ritchie worked in 1976; produced the Ataris machine
Ritchie's first employer; where he transitioned from electromechanical technician to game designer
Formerly located in Lombard, Illinois; where Chuck Ernst worked on Lynx handheld system and early 3D animation after leaving Banana Development
Video game and pinball manufacturer where Steve Ritchie worked starting 1974; made wide-body pinballs with unusual flipper layouts; known for excellent artwork; had divisions in Sunnyvale, California
Competitor console (2600); referenced for comparison and timeline context
Video arcade manufacturer; produced Pole Position, Tempest, and Major Havoc; referenced regarding arcade conversion kits and custom chip preservation.
Upcoming Stern pinball machine; IP licensing theme, part of anticipated release slate
Early employer of Steve Ritchie; used different terminology ('thumper bumpers' instead of 'jets' or 'pop bumpers')
Made pinball machines in 1970s; Airborne Avenger, Hercules, and Dally Knockout criticized as poorly designed
Historical reference point in Butch Peel's passion philosophy discussion
Video game company that popularized cartridge-based console model that Jerry Lawson first implemented
Video game manufacturer criticized for prioritizing licensing over game quality, contributing to market crash
Early employer where Ritchie worked as electromechanical technician and game designer; attempted pinball manufacturing with engineering problems including rotary solenoid flippers
Followed Bally's four-color printing innovation closely; adopted similar process shortly after Lost World
Developer of Badlands and creator of arcade kit conversion strategy
Parent company of Tengen; also produced arcade version of Tetris; received cease and desist order halting Tengen NES production
Original manufacturer of the arcade flight yoke cabinet that RetroRalph is replicating in his mod.
Classic gaming company returning to arcade with Recharge games in partnership with Arcade1Up
Classic arcade game company licensing and providing original code for Recharged cabinet partnership with Arcade1Up
Vintage arcade manufacturer; producer of the System 1 platform and games discussed (Roadrunner, Marble Madness, etc.)
Game developer/publisher of War Final Assault; also associated with Vegas board set designation
Classic video game company; IP featured in the 8-in-1 pub table
Manufacturer of Roadrunner (1985) and other System One games
Classic game IP holder; strengthened partnership with Arcade1Up on September 26, 2019; owns Asteroids, Centipede, and other first-generation arcade games
Arcade hardware manufacturer; produced System One architecture for Road Blasters
Arcade game manufacturer that produced Road Blasters and System 1 hardware
Arcade/console manufacturer; published Food Fight; historical context of litigation with GCC; associated with Atari 5200, 7800, 2600, and arcade platforms.
Classic arcade manufacturer, made Pit Fighter and Guardians of the Hood
Publisher/licensor of classic arcade games included in the Ultimate Arcade 2 Plus (Asteroids, Tempest, Missile Command, etc.)
Publisher/developer of War Final Assault; Jon mentions it briefly during gameplay section
Renewed trademark on 'Total Annihilation' video game, forcing Scott's homebrew to rebrand as 'Total Nuclear Annihilation'
Video game company where Steve Ritchie worked before being recruited to Williams in 1978; Ritchie was designing Airborne Avenger when recruited.
Historical technology company; attempted pinball manufacturing with Steve Ritchie and Howie Rubin in 1970s; machines were non-functional
Renewed trademark for Total Annihilation in February 2017; Scott Danesi's assessment that legal resolution favors the wealthier party
Early pinball manufacturer that used LED displays instead of gas plasma or Futaba tubes
Renewed trademark on Total Annihilation video game, prompting Spooky Pinball to rename their pinball title to Total Nuclear Annihilation
Ritchie's first employer as electromechanical technician; designed Airborne Avenger and Superman; later relocated Atari operations in Los Gatos before returning to pinball
Video game and pinball division company where Ritchie worked as electromechanical technician and game designer.
Manufacturer; Hercules, Superman, Video Pinball in collection
Where Steve Ritchie began his pinball career in California; he designed Airborne Avenger and Superman there before moving to Williams due to frustrations with management constraints.
Owns trademark to Total Annihilation computer game; renewed trademark February before TNA's planned release, forcing name change
Gaming company releasing Berzerk: Recharged as part of Recharged series
Video game company announcing 2600+ console reissue; noted for recent retro gaming initiatives (Recharged series, Anniversary Collection)
Historical reference: produced 1979 Super-Man pinball machine (widebody format)
Publisher/licensor launching reproduction PCB product line for classic arcade games
Video game/arcade company launching new merchandise line
Electronics and gaming company launching reproduction arcade PCB line
Video game/arcade company that acquired rights to 12 Stern Electronics arcade games; actively pursuing classic IP consolidation and 'Recharged' remake strategy
Original manufacturer of Warlords; in discussions with Retro Arcade Remake about remake rights
Video game pioneer founded by Nolan Bushnell; created Pong and numerous arcade/home console games; still operating 50 years later
Original game publisher; licensed Warlords IP to Retro Arcade Remake; produced mechanical Pong remakes
Licensor of classic arcade games to Alan-1; provided original code and collaboration for arcade-exclusive recharged versions.
Video game company where Steve Ritchie worked before Williams; Ritchie developed dynamic background sound technology there and worked on Airborne Avengers and Superman.
Arcade/gaming company that greenlit and produced the Hercules novelty pinball machine after Bally's rejection
Pinball manufacturer active 1976–1979; produced seven full production widebody games; pioneered inductive sensor technology
Arcade/electronics company that made pinball machines including Airborne Avenger; Tim Sexton notes most were bad
California arcade/video game company where Steve Ritchie worked; John Norris unsuccessfully attempted to secure job interview there in early 1980s
Video game company founded by Nolan Bushnell; created Pong and pioneered home video with Genie consoles
Pinball manufacturer that attempted radical differentiation strategy with Y-Bodies and alternative score displays; limited success (two good machines, both by Steve Ritchie)
Video game and pinball manufacturer where Jarvis worked starting fall 1976; pioneered solid-state pinball innovations but faced engineering failures
Arcade and video game company; coin-op materials from Atari in museum's archival collection.
Video game manufacturer contacted by Walter Day in 1982 inquiry about score record tracking; confirmed no system in place.
Company purchased by Williams; Steve Ritchie moved there in 1995 for video game design opportunities
Early adopter of wide-body pinball cabinet format; believed to be first manufacturer of wide bodies
Asteroids manufacturer; sent Duncan a t-shirt after his world record was published in their newsletter
Video game company making pinball games; Norris considered applying but ended up at Undrived Laboratories instead
Mark Richie's first employer in the gaming industry; had facilities in Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, California
Video game and pinball manufacturer where Jarvis worked 1977-1979; produced early solid state pinball games using 6800 microprocessors
Ritchie's first employer; initially video game company that opened pinball division where he learned design fundamentals
Pinball/arcade manufacturer that Sharpe came close to working with but never formally employed; Nolan Bushnell created Pong and other early video games for Atari.
Licensed Atari Recharged games to Alan-1; approached Alan-1 to manufacture new Pong mechanical table
Original publisher of Food Fight arcade game; art packages licensed for Food Fight Frenzy remake
Partner company providing game licenses and code access for arcade-exclusive remastered versions; partnership brokered through Atari VCS and Dave Paige
Original developer/publisher of Lunar Lander arcade game.
Company Richie worked for briefly after Williams; later acquired by Midway