Atari XE Game System (XEGS)
8-Bit Home Computer/Gaming System

The Atari XE Game System (XEGS) was intended as a system that could grow with the needs of the user.  It was meant to be a top of the line game system, as well as an inexpensive home computer.

Atari XE Game System

The XEGS was really a modified Atari 8-bit Home Computer, specifically the 65XE,  in a new case.  It featured a detachable keyboard, a light gun for shooting games, and a joystick.  The BASIC programming language, along with Missile Command, were built into ROM.

The system lacked the expansion interface of the 130XE system, and also did not have a connector for a monitor.  There was no easy way to upgrade the memory without a soldering iron, and the cable for the detached keyboard was extremely short.

Since it was really an Atari 8-bit computer, it would accept all of the 8-bit devices such as floppy drives, modems, printers, etc.   It would also play all of the existing 8-bit cartridge games.  8-bit games on diskette could be played if a diskette drive was added to the system.  This meant that Atari had a massive amount of existing game, productivity, and educational titles that would immediately be available for the new system.  Atari felt that they had a winner.

   
Dig Dug, Pole Position, and Wizard of Wor
running on and XE Game System
Click on images to enlarge

These systems were sold in the same places as video games, as well as Atari computer dealers.  The XE Game Systems usually ended up on the shelf right next to the Atari 7800 systems, which confused consumers.  At the Atari Computer shop that I worked in, we sold quite a bit of these systems.

Several companies had already tried this game/computer combo in the past, and none had really succeeded.  This system had mixed reviews, and overall sales weren't quite what Atari had expected.  Atari's advertising didn't do a very good job of showing the differences between the XEGS and the 7800.