Atari Cosmos

The Atari Cosmos was a failed attempt by Atari to release a tabletop video game system that would utilize holography and LEDs to create a unique gaming experience. The Cosmos was created by Atari engineers Allan Alcorn, Harry Jenkins and Roger Hector. Work on the Cosmos began in 1978. Atari purchased most of the rights to holographic items so that they could make this system. The Cosmos was to have 9 released games, but all of the actual games were in the Cosmos itself (the cartridges only contained the holographic images and a notch to identify what game it was). This meant that after the first 9 games came out, no more could be released. In ads made for the system before the Cosmos' cancellation, Atari claimed that the holographic images were life like and 3D. While this may have been true, the images didn't influence the actual gameplay at all. There were only 2 images to a game, though they did enhance each game's appearance. The system was intended to run off of an AC adapter, not batteries. The Cosmos would have supported up to 2 players.

In 1981, the Cosmos was exhibited at the 1981 New York Toy Fair. Already, critics noted the system's flaws, but Atari stood by the system, and they managed to get 8,000 pre-orders at the show alone. They initially had a trial of 250 units to be sent out first, but it's unclear if they were all produced. Many ads were produced, and the system's boxes were manufactured. Everything seemed ready to go, but Atari pulled the plug by the end of 1981, probably due to all the flaws. Only 5 Cosmos units are known to exist today, and only 2 of the units are fully functional. 1 is owned by the Atari Historical Society, while the other is owned by a former Atari employee. Cosmos units can go for over $10,000 on eBay, when and if they are put up for auction.

Games

• Asteroids
• Basketball
• Dodge Em
• Football
• Outlaw
• Road Runner
• Sea Battle
• Space Invaders
• Superman

Specifications

• CPU - COPS411
• Graphic Modes - Holographic backgrounds and programmable LEDs

External Links

• The Atari Historical Society's page about the Cosmos
• Atari Cosmos unit up for auction on eBay; ends April 6th
• Atari's official website