All Atari 2600s have a "TV Type" switch, which switches the console's video output between color and monochrome (for maximum compatibility with black & white TV sets). As time went on after the 2600's release, less games used the TV Type switch for its intended purpose and either repurposed the switch for gameplay functions or ignored it entirely.
Note that the CX55 2600 adapter for the Atari 5200 does not have a TV Type switch, but it can be easily modified for one. The Atari 7800's Pause button is wired to the same pin on the RIOT chip as the TV Type switch on a 2600, but because the Pause button is a momentary switch, it will not function the same way as a proper TV Type switch. The Sears Video Arcade II and Atari 2800 have their TV Type switch on the underside of the console.
Gameplay
| Title | Function |
|---|---|
| Beany Bopper | Pause |
| Dark Chambers | Pause |
| Turmoil | Pause |
| Space Shuttle: A Journey Into Space | Activates primary engines (left difficulty switch can be used to activate "backup" engines, a feature meant for 2800/Sears Video Arcade II owners) |
| Double Dunk | Pause |
| Solaris | Changes the color of the sky on planet surfaces |
| Q*bert's Qubes | Pause |
| Secret Quest | Status screen |
| Flash Gordon | Pause |
| Fantastic Voyage | Pause |
| Cross Force | Pause |
| Fast Eddie | Pause |
| SpaceMaster X-7 | Pause |
| Porky's | Makes Ms. Balbricker less (color) or more (B&W) aggressive |