Atari 5200 Model Differences

Although the Atari 5200 had a fairly short life, two variants of the console exist along with three different motherboard revisions.

4-Port (1982-1983)

This version of the 5200 has four controller ports as its primary identifying feature and was the initial version of the console, released in November 1982. However, its major downside is that the console uses a single cable for combined audio, video and power; and requires an unusual automatic switchbox. Thus, a large element of unreliability and risk comes along with this version because a broken switchbox means no power and no video output for a 5200 without an easy replacement. These can be modified to bypass the switchbox by adding a power jack and removing an inductor from the main board.

Most 4-port models also have a controller storage lid and front bezel with a smooth finish, which are easily scratched and attract dust. These were replaced at some point in 1983 with textured matte pieces, which while they resist minor scratches, are also prone to breaking off and are fairly brittle. The VCS Cartridge Adaptor (CX55) is also not compatible with most 4-port models without modification, as the 4-port's cartridge port is not properly wired to pass through the composite video and audio from the CX55 or pass through unregulated DC voltage to the adapter.

The 4-port was phased out in mid-1983 as 2-port 5200 production ramped up. Most 4-ports were manufactured in Sunnyvale, California (serial numbers with an "SV") or El Paso, Texas (serials with "EP") with some later 4-ports being manufactured overseas in Taiwan.

4-Port Variations

Some later 4-port 5200 consoles (mainly those manufactured in mid-1983) use a newer revision motherboard (part number CA020108), which Atari referred to as a "universal" board. These are the only 4-port consoles that are compatible with the CX55 out of the box, and can usually be identified by their serial number, which contains an asterisk. These boards also have unused support circuitry footprints for a PAL GTIA chip, as Atari planned a European release of the 5200^[1] during 1983, but this was quietly canceled.

In addition, Atari Corporation began selling 5200 consoles in 1985 and 1986, which were assembled out of the massive parts inventory the company had inherited from Atari Inc. Atari Corp. would often use whatever parts were at hand at the time, as some 4-port consoles exist which use the 2-port bottom case but have an early revision 4-port motherboard (part number CA018087) inside, along with a factory power jack modification to fill in the spare hole near the channel select switch.^[2] Because these Atari Corp. units use the original 4-port motherboard, they are not compatible with the CX55 without modification. Atari Corp. also continued to sell standard 4-port consoles with the automatic switchbox setup alongside these modified consoles.

2-Port (1983-1984)

In mid-1983, Atari released a cost-reduced 5200 console which only features two controller ports and has an added power jack, eliminating the need for the automatic switchbox used on the 4-port. Because of this change, one can use any standard RF switchbox or a 75 ohm to F-type connector to connect the 5200 directly to a TV. All 2-port models support the CX55 adapter.

Some later 2-port consoles have compatibility issues with three games (K-Razy Shoot-Out, Mountain King and Pitfall!) due to them possessing a different BIOS from the 4-port model and earlier 2-ports. This BIOS, labeled C019156A, has an extra detection routine for PAL games that was never used^[3] and the resulting change inadvertently broke compatibility with the three aforementioned games.^[4] The BIOS chip can be swapped with one from a 4-port or early 2-port, or a 2716 EPROM can be burned with the earlier BIOS.

All 2-ports have the CA021374 board, which is similar to the CA020108 board but lacks the footprints for the middle two controller ports and their supporting components. It also still has the footprints for support circuitry intended for a PAL GTIA chip.

Most 2-port 5200s were manufactured in Taiwan while some were made in El Paso. This would be the final version of the 5200 as Atari officially discontinued the 5200 in early 1984. However, Atari Corp. also assembled 2-port consoles from unused parts stock and sold these during 1985 and 1986 alongside 4-port consoles.

Links

• Wikipedia page on the Atari 5200
• Atari 5200 information and specs (Game Trog)
• Atari 5200 Serial Number database
• Atari service bulletin on modifying 4-port models for the CX55 (mirror)

References