| Brown
Label |
Actually more of glossy black color,
but often fades to a light brown or tan after a few years.
This was Atari's first label style for the 8-Bit computer line in
1979. The game name is in dull yellow/gold and underneath
is a large white text line that states what kind of cart it is (Computer
Game, Programming/Computing Language, Word Processor, etc.).
At the bottom of the cart it states what kind of controls it uses
and then displays the Atari Computers logo and the serial number
in a large font. Originally the serial numbers started with
the prefix CXL, but this was changed to RX right around the time
Atari switched to the Gray Label style. The Brown and Gray
Label styles both come housed in a sturdy metal case with the words
"<< Left Cartridge" printed on the end label. |
|
|
| Gray
Label |
This is the second label style Atari used. This
label isn't really gray, but a grayish silver with thin white stripes.
The game title is bow in black and the serial number uses
the RX prefix. The serial number on these carts is very tiny
and has been moved to right under the game title, the controller
type line has been removed, and the Atari Computers logo at the
bottom has been enlarged and is also now in black. These labels
don't seem to have the fading problem that the brown labels do.
Atari used this style until the launch of the XEGS in 1987. |
|
|
| XE
Label |
With the launch of the Atari XEGS, Atari switched
to this new label style. The label is now blue (usually dark
blue, but the shade varies), with a small picture in the middle.
The game title is either displayed in the picture in the games
original arcade font, or in small white letters above the picture.
The Atari XE logo is now displayed at the top of the cart
in a weird 3D font. Atari also introduced a new cartridge
case that was made of light gray plastic that matched the XE computer
line. The case
back varies a bit, some games have an Atari logo in raised plastic,
while others have a small shelf and a vent pattern on the back.
I assume the shelf was put on the carts to make them easier
to pull out of the system. |
|
|
| XE
Case/Gray Label |
Later in the XE's life Atari decided
to re-release some older games with the Gray Label style, but in
a XE style case. A few of these re-releases were also made
with a XE style label (Easter Front, Donkey Kong). Games that
used a CXL serial number that were re-released in this style were
switched to a RX number. |
|
|
| Silver
Label |
This odd label was put out sometime
in 1985, it looks very similar to the Gray Label but is shiny silver
instead. The Fuji symbol was added next to the Atari Computers
logo, and the words "Personal Computers" was added underneath. So
far the only cartridge I've seen with this label style is the Rev.
C release of Atari Basic. |
|
|
| Demonstration
Cartridge |
The Atari 400/800 demonstration cartridge
was released with a unique brown label. Atari is written down
the right hand side of the cart in a large font and the title is
written in small letters in the upper left with a small stripe separating
it from the serial number. This cartridge was also released
in the Silver Label style. |
|
|
| Educational
System Cart |
This label was only used on the Educational
System Master Cartridge. It looks like the standard Brown
Label, but has the Educational System logo at the top of the cart.
This cartridge was used in junction with a series of educational
tapes that Atari released. |
|
|
| AtariLab
Carts |
Atari put out two cartridges in their
AtariLab educational series. These cartridges were used in
conjunction with a bunch of lab test equipment that came with the
cart. These labels look very similar to the Gray Label style,
but have a thermometer or sun symbol next to the title depending
on which lab it went with (Light Lab or Temperature Lab). Also
Dickinson College is credited on the label. |
