Description
Atari 2600 light Sixer Console
The Atari 2600 “Light Sixer” is the second model of the original woodgrain Atari VCS (Video Computer System), produced from 1978 to about 1982. It is characterized by having six switches on the top front of the console, a woodgrain finish, and a lighter build than the initial “Heavy Sixer” model. This version is relatively common and widely available for retro gamers and collectors.
Key characteristics
- Six switches: The Light Sixer
has all six toggle switches—Power, Game Select, Game Reset, Colour/B&W, and the two Difficulty switches—on the top front of the console. This differs from later four-switch models, which moved the Difficulty switches to the back.
- Woodgrain finish: The front of the console features a distinctive faux woodgrain panel, similar to the Heavy Sixer
. This appearance is different from the all-black “Darth Vader” models that came later.
- Lighter build: Following the initial 1977 release of the “Heavy Sixer,” production moved overseas to Taiwan and Hong Kong in 1978. This led to a cost-reduction effort that included the use of a thinner plastic casing and less thick internal metal shielding, significantly reducing the console’s overall weight.
- Sears variant: A version of the Light Sixer
was also sold by Sears under the “Tele-Games Video Arcade” brand. These consoles are functionally identical but have minor cosmetic differences.
- Internal construction: Inside, the Light Sixer
‘s motherboard and the switchboard are connected by a ribbon cable. Some collectors note minor board revisions over the production run.
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