Here you will find a comparison between the NES from Nintendo and the Atari 2600. We have divided the comparison into three different areas: Basics, Specs and Games.
Atari 2600 vs NES: The Basics
| Specification | Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 1985 | 1977 |
| Production End Year | 2003 (NES ceased production in Japan) | 1992 (officially discontinued) |
| Original Price | Around $199 USD (Basic Set) | $199 USD (Heavy Sixer) |
| Backward Compatibility | No (Not directly compatible with previous systems) | No (Not directly compatible with previous systems) |
| Modular | Yes (Cartridge-based system) | Yes (Cartridge-based system) |
| Supported Players | Up to 2 players | Up to 2 players |
| Available Variants | NES Top Loader (Model 2), Famicom (Japan) | Atari 2600 Jr. |
| Market Success | Highly successful, revitalized the gaming industry | Pioneering success, helped establish the home gaming market |
Atari 2600 vs NES: The Specs
| Specification | Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 8-bit Ricoh 2A03 (MOS Technology 6502 core) | MOS Technology 6507 (8-bit) |
| CPU Speed | 1.79 MHz | 1.19 MHz |
| Graphics Processor | Picture Processing Unit (PPU) | Television Interface Adapter (TIA) |
| Video Resolution | 256×240 pixels | 160×192 pixels |
| Colors | 52 (out of 53) | 128 |
| Sound | 5 channels (2 square, 1 triangle, 1 noise, 1 DPCM) | 2 channels (TIA sound) |
| Controllers | 2 | 2 |
| Cartridge Slot | Yes | Yes |
| Backward Compatibility | No | No |
| Memory | 2 KB RAM, 16 KB ROM (expandable with cartridges) | 128 bytes RAM, ROM in cartridges |
| Controllers (Original) | NES Controller | Joystick |
| Expansion Modules | Famicom Disk System (Japan) | Atari 2600 Expansion Module |
| Storage Medium | Cartridges (Up to 512 KB) | Cartridges (2 KB – 32 KB) |
| Graphics Modes | Various sprites, background tiles | Playfield, player, missile, ball |
| Display Palette | 54 colors (64 in PAL version) | 128 colors (NTSC), 104 colors (PAL) |
| Screen Rotation | No | No |
| Hardware Scaling | No | No |
| Screen Size | 40 inches (diagonal) max | Dependent on TV size |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Sound Channels | 5 | 2 |
| Audio Output | Mono | Mono |
| Peripheral Support | Power Glove, Zapper, Power Pad, etc. | Various controllers and peripherals |
Atari 2600 vs NES: Gaming
| Specification | Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Feature | Robust library, iconic franchises | Pioneer in home gaming, diverse library |
| Key Games | Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid | Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Pitfall! |
| Number of Games | Over 700 | Around 500 |
| Availability for Collectors Today | Varied, some rare titles, collector’s market exists | Active collector’s market, certain titles sought after |
| Games Sold Worldwide | Over 60 million | Over 30 million |
| Modularity | Cartridge-based system | Cartridge-based system |
| Supported Players | Up to 2 players | Up to 2 players |
Is the NES more powerful than the Atari 2600?
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is more powerful than the Atari 2600. The NES, released in 1985, represents a later generation of gaming consoles compared to the Atari 2600, which was released in 1977. The NES boasts superior technical specifications, including a more advanced processor, enhanced graphics capabilities, and improved sound.
Here are some key technical differences:
- Processor: The NES is equipped with an 8-bit Ricoh 2A03 processor based on the MOS Technology 6502 core, while the Atari 2600 features the MOS Technology 6507, also an 8-bit processor but with lower clock speed.
- Graphics: The NES has a more sophisticated graphics processor, known as the Picture Processing Unit (PPU), capable of displaying a wider range of colors and more complex sprites compared to the Television Interface Adapter (TIA) of the Atari 2600.
- Sound: The NES supports more advanced sound capabilities with five channels (2 square, 1 triangle, 1 noise, and 1 DPCM), offering richer audio experiences compared to the simpler 2-channel sound of the Atari 2600.
- Memory: The NES has more memory available for games, with 2 KB of RAM and 16 KB of ROM (expandable with cartridges), while the Atari 2600 has 128 bytes of RAM and relies on ROM cartridges for game storage.
These technological advancements contribute to the NES’s ability to produce more complex and visually appealing games compared to the Atari 2600. While both consoles hold historical significance, the NES represents a more capable and advanced system in terms of hardware capabilities.