… you used to get ads like this.
Amazing eh?
I honestly don’t know if it’s genius or utterly horrific?
Whether it contributed to selling more Atari 2600 game machines or led to – like their infamous ET game disaster – their glorious destruction is open to debate.
That said, I still have a soft spot for Atari.
Not only did they ignite my gaming and tech obsession … not only did they allow me to play PacMan at home rather than at the dodgy arcade in town … not only did they give Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs one of their early breaks … but they acted more like Rock Stars than Oasis, Motley Crue and Black Sabbath put together.
Mind you, they weren’t just about indulgence and play, they were also smart … above ad and ET game aside.
For example they copyrighted the ‘scrolling game’ platform which meant years later – when they were almost on their knees – they could sue companies like Nintendo, Sega for tens upon tens of millions of dollars.
What a shame they blew all this windfall making their terrible Jaguar Game system which sold about one product around the World.
And you can guess who bought it can’t you.
Bloody Atari.