Atari Falcon: The Last Computer That Almost Became a PlayStation 2
The Atari Falcon030, Atari Corp.'s final computer, packed a Motorola 68030 CPU and a 56000 DSP when it launched in late 1992. Cancelled in late 1993 to focus on the Jaguar console, its planned Falcon040 microbox design later surfaced in Sony's PlayStation 2 patent applications. C-Lab bought the rights in 1995 and produced studio-ready Mk I and Mk II versions. Today, the Falcon is a favourite for hardware modding, with accelerators pushing it to a 68060.
The microbox case resembled the later Sony PlayStation 2, right down to the ability to run it vertically or horizontally. It is even referenced in the PS2 patent applications.
- radley
Interesting timing. They just announced the Atari 800XL Hybrid Gaming Console, coming out in April:
https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/atari-800xl-hybrid-ga...
- MiroslavPokorny
Only ever saw an Atari once at a Harvey Norman window. Never knew anyone with any Atari computer, everyone had a Commodore.
- orionblastar
The Atari Falcon was an awesome GEM-based computer. It paired with the Amiga 3000.