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Atari XE Game System (XEGS)

Atari XEGS icon Atari XEGS logo

Overview

The Atari XE Game System packages the Atari 8-bit XE hardware inside a console-friendly shell, shipping with a joystick and a cartridge slot. REG-Linux exposes the xegs metadata group so you can keep the core library separated from the rest of the Atari lineup.

Technical specifications

  • Manufacturer: Atari
  • Release year: 1987
  • Hardware type: computer
  • EmulationStation group: atari8bit

Quick reference

  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/xegs
  • Accepted formats: .atr, .dsk, .xfd, .bin, .rom, .car, .zip, .7z
  • Emulators: libretro: mess, MAME
  • System group: xegs

BIOS

Pack the required DIVIDE/XL BIOS into /userdata/bios/xegs.zip. The archive should contain the Atari ROM files (0a, 2a, 4a, etc.) that the XEGS firmware expects when it boots.

Description File
XEGS BIOS bundle bios/xegs.zip (includes c101687.rom, etc.)

ROMs

Store cartridges or disk dumps in /userdata/roms/xegs. The XEGS uses the same formats as the 400/800 family—.car and .atr titles work flawlessly, and the RetroArch mess core can open zipped archives as long as the image sits at the archive root.

Emulators

libretro: mess

Use the RetroArch Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + south) to tweak mess.* video and input options. Enable global.mame_cpu_overclock only when a game refuses to run at full speed, and rely on global.altdpad when you want additional directions for multidirectional joysticks.

MAME driver

REG-Linux also ships a native MAME driver entry for XEGS, which reads the same BIOS archive; the front end simply launches it as another available emulator.

Controls

The default overlay shows the Atari two-button layout. Rebind buttons through the Quick Menu or by editing the RetroArch config if you prefer Mega Drive-style placement.

Troubleshooting

  • Make sure /userdata/bios/xegs.zip exists and contains c101687.rom; the emulator will not start otherwise.
  • If a disk image refuses to launch, try renaming or extracting it to force RetroArch to see the proper header.
  • Consult the generic support pages for general RetroArch or MAME suggestions.