The Boxes
Posted: March 27th, 2017, 2:52 pm
I was looking at some Pong system boxes I had, and thought that boxes tell a story, or at least they are the attempt to put the consumer in a story, aren't they? Buying a big box of promises.
Let's start with the Atari 2600. I'm sure there are lots of variations of boxes out there over the lifespan of the 2600, the Jr, regional differences, etc, but I grabbed a shot of the one I remember best - possibly the earliest.
Check out the tagline "The Super System ... with 10 to 50 dynamite game variations per Game Program (TM)"
In the 1970s, 'dynamite' was pronounced 'Dyn-O-Mite!'. It was a meme before we had memes.
I never noticed they at least tried to trademark 'Game Program', and the phrase 'Video game' is not there. According to an AtariAge user, Atari did trademark "Game Program" but its lapsed (as has "Video Computer System" and "2600", but some like "Realsports" are still active)
The set of pictures are just wonderful. Kids and older people, game screen shots, the paintings, plus some photos. Even a little diversity in the kids they picture. There is a lot of Combat going on there. Then it says "Atari brings a powerful computer to your home." Notice - computer, not 'video game system'? Neat.
This version has Combat as the pack-in "Game Program", so the back is a bunch of Combat screen shots.
I think this one is pretty darn good. Its honest - you see what you get, but its still evocative. Makes me want to buy one. If I had to give it a letter grade, how about a B+? What do you think?
Let's start with the Atari 2600. I'm sure there are lots of variations of boxes out there over the lifespan of the 2600, the Jr, regional differences, etc, but I grabbed a shot of the one I remember best - possibly the earliest.
Check out the tagline "The Super System ... with 10 to 50 dynamite game variations per Game Program (TM)"
In the 1970s, 'dynamite' was pronounced 'Dyn-O-Mite!'. It was a meme before we had memes.
I never noticed they at least tried to trademark 'Game Program', and the phrase 'Video game' is not there. According to an AtariAge user, Atari did trademark "Game Program" but its lapsed (as has "Video Computer System" and "2600", but some like "Realsports" are still active)
The set of pictures are just wonderful. Kids and older people, game screen shots, the paintings, plus some photos. Even a little diversity in the kids they picture. There is a lot of Combat going on there. Then it says "Atari brings a powerful computer to your home." Notice - computer, not 'video game system'? Neat.
This version has Combat as the pack-in "Game Program", so the back is a bunch of Combat screen shots.
I think this one is pretty darn good. Its honest - you see what you get, but its still evocative. Makes me want to buy one. If I had to give it a letter grade, how about a B+? What do you think?