Jump to content
IGNORED

Atari 5200 Kids Controller Prototype -- I have another one!


lapetino

Recommended Posts

So, in my research for Art of Atari, I was able to acquire this prototype Atari 5200 Kids Controller from a former Atari employee who had it stored away. It even has some of the overlays, as you can see. I don't think anyone else actually has the 5200 KC overlays that I'm aware of.

I know the one seen at CGE (supposedly the only one at that point) was reportedly non-functional. I'm not sure about this one, as I haven't yet opened it up, and also have my 5200 in storage for the moment, so I can't test it at the moment. But I will take a look at some point soon.

It's a super cool piece of Atari history, and I'm excited to share it now with all of you!

post-8796-0-70421800-1488814093_thumb.jpg

post-8796-0-88581800-1488814108_thumb.jpg

post-8796-0-67587100-1488814120_thumb.jpg

post-8796-0-87796700-1488814135_thumb.jpg

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very cool find! Are the overlays the same size and shape as the 2600 ones? Here are the 2600 games that used the Kid's Controller. You can click on the title of each game and then click the "Overlays' link to see the overlays for each game:

 

https://atariage.com/controller_page.php?SystemID=2600&ControllerID=6

 

Here's Alpha Beam with Ernie:

 

o_AlphaBeamWithErnie_1.jpg

 

..Al

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very cool find! Are the overlays the same size and shape as the 2600 ones? Here are the 2600 games that used the Kid's Controller. You can click on the title of each game and then click the "Overlays' link to see the overlays for each game:

 

https://atariage.com/controller_page.php?SystemID=2600&ControllerID=6

 

Here's Alpha Beam with Ernie:

 

o_AlphaBeamWithErnie_1.jpg

 

..Al

It looks like Alpha Beam is the same as the 2600 overlay, but this Cookie Monster one says Cookie Monster's Garden, which is different than the final release. I believe that was its original title.

 

 

 

post-8796-0-93590800-1488815559_thumb.jpg

Edited by lapetino
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are two know 5200 children's games out there: Astro Grover and Muppet Go Round. The rom for Muppet Go Round hasn't been released, but I believe Astro Grover is out there. However I'm not sure if either actually used the kids controller or not, their 8-bit CBS releases don't and I was able to navigate Astro Grover without it so I'm going to guess no.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are two know 5200 children's games out there: Astro Grover and Muppet Go Round. The rom for Muppet Go Round hasn't been released, but I believe Astro Grover is out there. However I'm not sure if either actually used the kids controller or not, their 8-bit CBS releases don't and I was able to navigate Astro Grover without it so I'm going to guess no.

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/201777-5200-astro-grover/?p=2592489

 

Atari-5200-ASTRO-GROVER.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

If Atari pushed the educational side, perhaps the 5200 would have had a second chance.

Nah, the 5200 was always meant to be a game playing machine. The code name PAM even stood for Personal Arcade Machine. I personally find it odd that they were even considering educational titles for the 5200.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It looks like Alpha Beam is the same as the 2600 overlay, but this Cookie Monster one says Cookie Monster's Garden, which is different than the final release. I believe that was its original title.

 

 

 

 

Interesting.

 

It's different from these prototype overlays:

http://www.atarimania.com/2600/boxes/hi_res/cookie_monster_munch_children_cart_6.jpg

http://www.atarimania.com/2600/boxes/hi_res/cookie_monster_munch_children_cart_7.jpg

 

8)

 

Edited by Rom Hunter
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...
So it has been a while since I originally posted this, but I finally got around to opening this up and taking some pics of the insides. I haven't tested it yet, as the 5200 was buried in the storage space, but I hope to try it out soon. Open to any suggestions on that.
Here is what I photographed of the interiors. I'm not an engineer or electronics guy, so I'm even really sure what I'm looking at. Help is welcomed!

2018 01 28 15.56.45

2018 01 28 15.57.23

2018 01 28 16.10.31

2018 01 28 16.10.24

2018 01 28 16.10.16

2018 01 28 16.10.00

2018 01 28 16.05.02

2018 01 28 16.04.57

2018 01 28 16.04.29

2018 01 28 16.04.21

2018 01 28 16.04.14

2018 01 28 16.03.50

2018 01 28 16.03.43

2018 01 28 16.03.27

2018 01 28 16.02.34

2018 01 28 15.58.58

2018 01 28 15.58.53


Neato!

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
On 8/13/2019 at 11:56 AM, lapetino said:

Just as an update, I’m considering selling this prototype controller. If you’re interested, please PM me with an offer. I’d love for it to go to either one of the great video game museums or a collector who will care for it. Thanks!

Never seen that before.  Pretty cool.  How much are you asking?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...