In late spring and early summer of 1983 Atari and Nintendo began a flurry of talks about having Atari license and package the Nintendo prototype "FCS" (Family Computer System) as an Atari video game product.    This deal was nearly completed when Atari's CEO Ray Kassar was let go due to questionable Stock sale activity in December of 1982 and Atari's top management was in disarray for several months.   Nintendo, lost its patience and walked away, allowing the future NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) to become a Nintendo released product in early 1985.

Click Here to read

the actual internal memo

detailing the Atari-Nintendo deal.

    In the summer of 1984 the Atari Consumer and Home Computer divisions were now in the possession of new owners previously with Commodore who cared nothing for videogames and focused on computers primarily.   In 1993 Atari once again tried its hand at the home video game market with its Atari Jaguar 64 console, but quickly dropped the product in 1996 and the company ceased to exist as Atari then fell into the hands of small hard disk company called JTS who wanted nothing but the money from the reverse merger, the Atari home console presence was dying a painful death.   In March of 1998 the rights, licenses and technology of Atari's video game and computer divisions were bought by Hasbro Interactive.   Infogrames is now the owner of the Atari rights and licenses.   Infogrames has officially changed their company name to Atari, Inc.   So Atari's name lives on once again.   Check www.atari.com to see what future developments may come from Atari's newest owners.