ATARI LYNX
Years ahead of it's time the ATARI LYNX first debuted here in the U.S. as the world's first portable color video game system. The LYNX had a 3.5" backlit LCD screen with a palette of 4,096 colors to choose from. Arriving to the American market in 1989 with a price tag of $189, the LYNX offered true multi-player competition with distortion graphic effects, reversible controls, and fast arcade action!
Originally, the LYNX debuted as a 'Deluxe Package' which included the LYNX video game system, a copy of CALIFORNIA GAMES, a carrying case, a ComLynx cable, and an AC adaptor. Later on the adaptor was replaced with six AA batteries, and the system was sold as a 'Base Package' which came with no accessories.
The 2nd generation of the LYNX (also known as the LYNX II) came out in 1991 with some new improvements. The LYNX II was relaunched with a whole new marketing campaign, new packaging, slightly improved hardware, and a new sleek look. The new system featured rubber hand grips and a clearer backlit color LCD screen! Other improvements to the LYNX II was that it could run on 6 AA batteries for an average of about five hours. The auto shut off function found on the first LYNX system was removed as too many people were losing game data. Instead this function was turned into an optional shut off during pause to conserve on battery life. Also a red LED indicator was added to tell when the system was on, and flashed to indicate when the batteries were low. Another nice addition was the soft reboot switch which could be activated by pushing [option 1 + pause] simultaneously. The LYNX II also offered stereo sound!
