Page "Atari 5200" Paragraph 5

The initial 1982 release of the system featured four controller ports, where nearly all other systems of the day had only two ports.

The 5200 also featured a revolutionary new controller with an analog joystick, numeric keypad, two fire buttons on each side of the controller and game function keys for Start, Pause, and Reset.

The 5200 also featured the innovation of the first automatic TV switchbox, allowing it to automatically switch from regular TV viewing to the game system signal when the system was activated.

Previous RF adapters required the user to slide a switch on the adapter by hand.

This unique RF box was also where the power supply connected in a unique dual power / television signal setup similar to the RCA Studio II's.

A single cable coming out of the 5200 plugged into the switch box and was used for both electricity and the television signal.