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Gaming Consoles

Master System vs Atari 2600

See the meaningful differences, category strengths and community preference using the product data currently available.

Sega

Master System

Released Mark III JP : October 20, 1985 [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Samsung Gam*Boy KO : November 1988 [ 3 ] Master System NA : September 1986 [ 4 ] EU : August 1987 [ 5 ] JP : October 18, 1987 [ 6 ] [ 2 ] KO : April 1989 [ 7 ] BR : September 1989 [ 8 ] | JP : October 20, 1985 [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Samsung Gam*Boy KO : November 1988 [ 3 ] | KO : November 1988 | NA : September 1986 [ 4 ] | EU : August 1987 [ 5 ] | JP : October 18, 1987 [ 6 ] [ 2 ] | KO : April 1989 [ 7 ] | BR : September 1989 [ 8 ] 0 community votes 0 scored wins
Buy - $41.95 View product
Atari, Inc.

Atari 2600

Released NA : c. September 1977 [ a ] | EU : 1978 | FRA : 1982 | BR : September 1983 | JP : October 1983 ( Atari 2800 ) 0 community votes 0 scored wins
Buy - $12.95 View product

Quick verdict

There is not enough scored evidence for an overall winner yet.

This matchup is too close to call from the available scored specs.

50% confidence 0 scored specs 0 point margin
Best Performance Too close to call The available data is evenly matched.
Best Output Too close to call The available data is evenly matched.
Best Game Library Too close to call The available data is evenly matched.
Best Connectivity Too close to call The available data is evenly matched.
Best Value Too close to call The available data is evenly matched.

Buy Master System if

  • Its games and hardware tradeoffs fit how you play.
  • It better matches your home-gaming priorities.

Buy Atari 2600 if

  • Its games and hardware tradeoffs fit how you play.
  • It better matches your home-gaming priorities.

Evidence

Detailed comparison

Detailed specification comparison for Master System and Atari 2600
Spec Master System Atari 2600
Identity
Primary Source URL The product's listed primary source url specification or capability. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Master_System https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_VCS
Product Details
Release Date Verified release date for this exact product variant. Mark III JP : October 20, 1985 [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Samsung Gam*Boy KO : November 1988 [ 3 ] Master System NA : September 1986 [ 4 ] EU : August 1987 [ 5 ] JP : October 18, 1987 [ 6 ] [ 2 ] KO : April 1989 [ 7 ] BR : September 1989 [ 8 ] | JP : October 20, 1985 [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Samsung Gam*Boy KO : November 1988 [ 3 ] | KO : November 1988 | NA : September 1986 [ 4 ] | EU : August 1987 [ 5 ] | JP : October 18, 1987 [ 6 ] [ 2 ] | KO : April 1989 [ 7 ] | BR : September 1989 [ 8 ] NA : c. September 1977 [ a ] | EU : 1978 | FRA : 1982 | BR : September 1983 | JP : October 1983 ( Atari 2800 )
Performance
Gpu The product's listed gpu specification or capability. — Television Interface Adaptor
Console GPU The product's listed console gpu specification or capability. — Television Interface Adaptor

Community decision

Who wins this showdown?

0 matchup votes. Choose one winner.

Master System 50% · 0 votes
Atari 2600 50% · 0 votes

Upgrade logic

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User opinions

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Prices and availability

Retailer offers and searches

Master System

eBay US $41.95 Open

Atari 2600

eBay US $12.95 Open