Page "Atari 7800" Paragraph 38

The 7800 features a broad ( for its time ) palette of 256 colors.

Depending on various parameters, each individual sprite can use from 1 to 12 colors, with 3 colors ( plus a 4th " transparency " color ) being the most common.

In this format, the sprite is referenced to one of 8 palettes, where each palette holds 3 assignable colors.

There is also an assignable background color, which will be visible wherever another object has not covered it up.

In total the system can utilize 25 colors on a scanline at one time.