Overview
When Atari split in 1984, the arcade division became Atari Games (later Midway Games West). Free from the home console market’s collapse, they continued innovating in arcades—pioneering polygon graphics, creating genre-defining titles, and maintaining Atari’s reputation for technical excellence well into the 3D era.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1984 (Atari split).
- Location: Milpitas, California.
- Later name: Midway Games West.
- Closure: 2003.
Notable arcade releases
| Title |
Year |
Innovation |
| Marble Madness |
1984 |
Trackball, FM sound |
| Gauntlet |
1985 |
Four-player co-op |
| Paperboy |
1985 |
Unique gameplay |
| Hard Drivin’ |
1989 |
Polygon racing |
| S.T.U.N. Runner |
1989 |
Tube racing |
Technical firsts
| Game |
Achievement |
| Marble Madness |
Yamaha FM synthesis |
| I, Robot |
Filled polygon graphics |
| Hard Drivin’ |
Realistic driving physics |
Gauntlet legacy
| Feature |
Influence |
| Four players |
Multiplayer standard |
| Character classes |
Role variety |
| Coin-per-health |
Continuous payment model |
| Voice synthesis |
“Elf needs food badly” |
Hard Drivin’ series
| Title |
Year |
| Hard Drivin’ |
1989 |
| Race Drivin’ |
1990 |
| Steel Talons |
1991 |
Tengen controversy
| Issue |
Details |
| NES publishing |
Unlicensed cartridges |
| Legal battles |
Nintendo lawsuit |
| Tengen brand |
Atari Games subsidiary |
See also