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Atari 2600

Atari 2600 icon Atari 2600 logo

Overview

The Atari 2600 (originally the Atari VCS) debuted in September 1977 and helped define the cartridge-based home console era. Its MOS Technology 6507 CPU, TIA video/audio chip and simple yet flexible controllers made it easy to bring arcade-style games into the living room, even if ports often compromised visuals and sound. Despite the console crash of 1983, the 2600 ecosystem spurred third-party development and remains a milestone in video game history.

REG-Linux treats the system as the atari2600 group so compatible themes can show dedicated artwork.

Technical specifications

  • CPU: MOS Technology 6507 at 1.19 MHz (cost-reduced 6502 variant)
  • Memory: 128 bytes of RAM; cartridges could provide banked ROM/extra RAM
  • Video: TIA chip with 160×192 resolution and artifacting-based color palette
  • Sound: TIA audio with two pulse/noise channels synchronized to video timing

Supported ROM extensions

a26, bin, zip, 7z

Quick reference

  • Emulator/frontend: RetroArch
  • Cores: libretro: Stella, libretro: Stella2014
  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/atari2600
  • System group: atari2600

BIOS

No BIOS files are required for Atari 2600 emulation in REG-Linux.

ROMs

Place every Atari 2600 ROM (or archive containing .a26/.bin) into /userdata/roms/atari2600. RetroArch will scan the folder and present titles from either raw dumps or .zip/.7z archives.

Emulators

RetroArch

RetroArch hosts the Stella cores for Atari 2600 emulation, providing consistent hotkeys, shaders, overlays and netplay options. Access the Quick Menu with [HOTKEY] + the south button to open advanced options and input mapping. Many of the popular settings are also surfaced via EmulationStation menus.

RetroArch configuration

Standardized features for the system include atari2600.videomode, atari2600.ratio, atari2600.smooth, atari2600.shaders, atari2600.pixel_perfect, atari2600.decoration and atari2600.game_translation.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key Description => ES option key_value
Settings that apply to all cores of this emulator
GRAPHICS BACKEND atari2600.gfxbackend Choose the rendering backend (OpenGL or Vulkan). => OpenGL opengl, Vulkan vulkan.
AUDIO LATENCY atari2600.audio_latency Lower values reduce input lag but may cause crackling; raise if audio glitches occur. => 256 256, 192 192, 128 128, 64 64, 32 32, 16 16, 8 8.
THREADED VIDEO atari2600.video_threaded Offload video rendering to another thread; useful if you struggle to hit full speed. => On true, Off false.

libretro: Stella

Stella is the official open-source Atari 2600 emulator. REG-Linux keeps the libretro port (libretro: Stella) up to date for this system.

libretro: Stella2014

Stella2014 is an older libretro core that prioritizes performance over accuracy. Use this core on weaker single-board computers if the main Stella core runs too slowly.

Controls

The default Atari 2600 layout appears on a REG-Linux Retropad:

atari2600-1

Left and right difficulty switches map to A (Advanced) and B (Beginner). For example, use A to get a larger player ship in Space Invaders (and less forgiving collision). RetroArch’s controller settings can fine-tune the mapping if needed.

Troubleshooting

I have X problem with Y game

Many quirks are part of the original game’s design; some frames/time-critical tricks rely on the console’s unsynchronized timing. If you suspect an emulator bug or incorrect ROM behaviour, consult the libretro Stella documentation or Stella’s FAQ.

I don't remember my games being this choppy!

Modern LCDs often expose the Atari 2600’s variable frame timing. Using a display with variable refresh rate or enabling frame limiting may reduce judder. Running on a CRT remains the most authentic experience.