Atari++ is an emulator of the Atari 8-bit computers and the Atari 5200 game
console, originally developed for Unix systems. The 8 bit Atari computers were
developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The machines are very capable,
utilizing the concept of separate co-processors for graphics and sound. Same
concept was later used for the Amiga. In fact some of the original Atari
designers later made the Amiga. Different game ideas originate on the Atari
which was the most capable 8 bit computer at the time, only surpassed by the
Commodore 64 after 1982 in terms of capabilities and software titles available.
The Atari 5200 game console, released later, was a complete flop, mainly because
of the non standard Joysticks, but still managed to receive some games on
cartridges. The Atari++ emulator is very advanced and have stunning list of
features. If you are feeling nostalgic and want to see more photographs of the
consoles or even create your own online photo books of Atari conventions that
you've attended. Plus check this page out as inspiration:
http://www.atariage.com/features/philly_2002/index.html


The emulator does precise cycle emulation, precise sound emulation, and
emulation of wide range of disk interfaces and joysticks. In addition thanks to
the save states, the games or programs can be continued from the last saved
position, which may come handy in some hard to beat or very long games or typing
long BASIC type-in program. Playing the games with Joystick makes the retro
feeling much better than pressing the keys. Recommended games for 8 bit Atari
are Archon, Beach Head, Draconus, Evolution, Karateka and Pole Position. For the
Atari 5200 game console recommended are Ball Blazer, Centipede, Moon Patrol,
Space Dungeon and Zaxxon. The main emulator executable file contains freeware
ROM implementation of the Atari 800 firmware, so there is no need to search for
ROM files for the 8 bits Atari emulation. It works straight away after clicking
on the emulator's icon. The GUI is very comprehensive and allows configuration
of almost everything from ROMs and disk files to sample rate and windowed or
full screen emulation.


The Atari 8 bit computers have active demo and gaming scenes with productions
released at various parties and on the Internet. Some of the productions are
really impressive and worth to check. Now thanks to Atari++, they can be seen
and played on the AmigaOS 4 as well. Along with the Atari800, Atari++ offers the
possibility to play the games from all the range of 8 bit Atari computers on
Amiga.