Atari Jaguar CD
Encyclopedia
The Atari Jaguar CD or Jag CD is a CD-ROM
peripheral for the Atari Jaguar
video game console
.
Late in the life span of the company, Atari
released this long-promised CD-ROM unit. The unit hit shelves on September 11, 1995 and retailed for $149.95. The device sat atop the Jaguar console, snapping very firmly into the cartridge slot, and had a funnel-like shape. The drive had its own cartridge slot to allow cartridge games to be played without removing the CD drive. There was a separate "Memory Track" cartridge for storing saved game position and high scores.
The Jaguar CD unit featured a double speed (2x) drive and built-in VLM (Virtual Light Machine
) software written by Jeff Minter
. The VLM, which provided a sophisticated video light show when an audio CD
was played in the machine, was as popular among buyers as the games themselves. Packaged with the drive were two games (Blue Lightning and Vid Grid), a music CD (Tempest 2000
soundtrack), and a Myst
demo disc. Also, the startup screen was different than that of the cartridge-based Jaguar: using the VLM banks it created a random 'light show' that was different every time the console was switched on. However, the startup was silent.
Jaguar CD games could include as much as 790MB
of data, considerably more than conventional CD-ROMs. The designers chose to ignore established CD-ROM
formats and instead created their own based on the audio CD
format. While allowing for dramatically more storage on the disc and foiling casual piracy
, the format only provided limited error correction
.
The drive was manufactured for Atari by Philips
in the United States. The initial shipment was 20,000 units. Comments from Atari a few weeks after the unit was launched stated that the entire inventory had been sold, and that another batch would be ordered. With the JT Storage
reverse takeover
looming just a few months away, it is possible, however, that those 20,000 drives were the only units ever produced. Games for the Jaguar CD were released as recently as 2007.
It is now possible to (legally) download and burn several encrypted demos (Black Ice/White Noise, Native, Atomic) to play on an actual CD unit with no modification. Due to this, the homebrew sector is active with several titles in progress. A third-party cartridge (Protector SE, B&C's cart) is, however, still required for unencrypted games.
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
peripheral for the Atari Jaguar
Atari Jaguar
The Atari Jaguar is a video game console that was released by Atari Corporation in 1993. It was the last to be marketed under the Atari brand until the release of the Atari Flashback in 2004. It was designed to surpass the Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Panasonic...
video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
.
Late in the life span of the company, Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
released this long-promised CD-ROM unit. The unit hit shelves on September 11, 1995 and retailed for $149.95. The device sat atop the Jaguar console, snapping very firmly into the cartridge slot, and had a funnel-like shape. The drive had its own cartridge slot to allow cartridge games to be played without removing the CD drive. There was a separate "Memory Track" cartridge for storing saved game position and high scores.
The Jaguar CD unit featured a double speed (2x) drive and built-in VLM (Virtual Light Machine
Virtual Light Machine
The Virtual Light Machine is a light synthesizer developed by Jeff Minter in 1990. It was installed into a number of electronics, including the Atari Jaguar CD and Nuon DVD players....
) software written by Jeff Minter
Jeff Minter
Jeff 'Yak' Minter is a British computer/video game designer and programmer. He is the founder of software house Llamasoft and his recent works include Neon , a non-game music visualization program that has been built into the Xbox 360 console, and the video games Space Giraffe , and Space Invaders...
. The VLM, which provided a sophisticated video light show when an audio CD
Red Book (audio CD standard)
Red Book is the standard for audio CDs . It is named after one of the Rainbow Books, a series of books that contain the technical specifications for all CD and CD-ROM formats.The first edition of the Red Book was released in 1980 by Philips and Sony; it was adopted by the Digital Audio Disc...
was played in the machine, was as popular among buyers as the games themselves. Packaged with the drive were two games (Blue Lightning and Vid Grid), a music CD (Tempest 2000
Tempest 2000
Tempest 2000 is a 1994 remake by Jeff Minter of the Dave Theurer 1981 arcade game classic, Tempest. Originally an exclusive to the Atari Jaguar, the game received critical praise for its 3D graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay.-Gameplay:...
soundtrack), and a Myst
Myst
Myst is a graphic adventure video game designed and directed by the brothers Robyn and Rand Miller. It was developed by Cyan , a Spokane, Washington––based studio, and published and distributed by Brøderbund. The Millers began working on Myst in and released it for the Mac OS computer on September...
demo disc. Also, the startup screen was different than that of the cartridge-based Jaguar: using the VLM banks it created a random 'light show' that was different every time the console was switched on. However, the startup was silent.
Jaguar CD games could include as much as 790MB
Megabyte
The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: bytes generally for computer memory; and one million bytes generally for computer storage. The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000...
of data, considerably more than conventional CD-ROMs. The designers chose to ignore established CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
formats and instead created their own based on the audio CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
format. While allowing for dramatically more storage on the disc and foiling casual piracy
Copyright infringement of software
Copyright infringement of software=The copyright infringement of software refers to several practices which involve the unauthorized copying of computer software. Copyright infringement of this kind varies globally...
, the format only provided limited error correction
Error detection and correction
In information theory and coding theory with applications in computer science and telecommunication, error detection and correction or error control are techniques that enable reliable delivery of digital data over unreliable communication channels...
.
The drive was manufactured for Atari by Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
in the United States. The initial shipment was 20,000 units. Comments from Atari a few weeks after the unit was launched stated that the entire inventory had been sold, and that another batch would be ordered. With the JT Storage
JT Storage
JT Storage was a maker of inexpensive IDE hard drives for personal computers based in San Jose, California...
reverse takeover
Reverse takeover
A reverse takeover or reverse merger is the acquisition of a public company by a private company so that the private company can bypass the lengthy and complex process of going public...
looming just a few months away, it is possible, however, that those 20,000 drives were the only units ever produced. Games for the Jaguar CD were released as recently as 2007.
It is now possible to (legally) download and burn several encrypted demos (Black Ice/White Noise, Native, Atomic) to play on an actual CD unit with no modification. Due to this, the homebrew sector is active with several titles in progress. A third-party cartridge (Protector SE, B&C's cart) is, however, still required for unencrypted games.
Jaguar CD-ROM games
- BaldiesBaldiesBaldies was a real time strategy video game for the Atari Jaguar CD, DOS, Microsoft windows, the PlayStation, Amiga and the Sega Saturn. It was initially released for the Jaguar in 1995, followed by the PC version, which was released Nov 28, 1996...
- BattlemorphBattlemorphBattlemorph is a game released on the Atari Jaguar CD in 1995. It was developed by Attention To Detail, and published by Atari.It is the successor to Cybermorph, a pack-in game for the Atari Jaguar released in 1993...
- Blue LightningBlue LightningBlue Lightning is a pseudo-simulation computer game in which the player controls a military airplane. The game was one of the first games for the Atari Lynx, released in 1989 and was programmed by Epyx, headed by lead programmer, Brian Bowhay, .The game is considered by many to be one of the best...
(bundled) - Braindead 13Braindead 13Brain Dead 13 is an Interactive movie game produced by ReadySoft that was released for DOS in 1995 and later ported to consoles in 1996. Unlike Dragon's Lair and Space Ace, which began as laserdiscs, it was released for PCs and game consoles only....
- Dragon's LairDragon's LairDragon's Lair is a laserdisc video game published by Cinematronics in 1983. It featured animation created by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth....
- GORF ClassicGorfGorf is an arcade game released in 1981 by Midway Mfg., whose name was advertised as an acronym for "Galactic Orbiting Robot Force". It is a multiple-mission fixed shooter with five distinct modes of play, essentially making it five games in one...
- Highlander: The Last of the MacLeodsHighlander: The Last of the MacLeodsHighlander: The Last of the Macleods is a video game developed by Lore Design Limited and published by Atari for the Atari Jaguar CD-ROM home console system. It was released on October 30, 1995...
- Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands
- Iron Soldier 2Iron Soldier 2Iron Soldier 2, the sequel of Iron Soldier, was a first person shooter video game made for the Jaguar CD system. It was released by Telegames in April of 1997.- Sequel :...
- MystMystMyst is a graphic adventure video game designed and directed by the brothers Robyn and Rand Miller. It was developed by Cyan , a Spokane, Washington––based studio, and published and distributed by Brøderbund. The Millers began working on Myst in and released it for the Mac OS computer on September...
- Ocean Depths
- PainterQixQix is an arcade game, released by Taito America Corporation in 1981.-Gameplay:The objective of Qix is to fence off, or “claim”, a supermajority of the playfield...
- Primal RagePrimal RagePrimal Rage is a versus fighting game developed and published by Atari Games in 1994 as an arcade video game. Toys, comics, a novel and other merchandise tie-ins were also produced.-Storyline:...
- Robinson's RequiemRobinson's RequiemRobinson's Requiem is a 1994 survival simulation game developed by Silmarils and published by ReadySoft. Players assume the role of Officer Trepliev, a member of the fictional Alien World Exploration department, whose spacecraft is sabotaged to crash land on a prison planet called Zarathustra...
- Space AceSpace AceSpace Ace is a laserdisc video game produced by Don Bluth Studios, Cinematronics, and Advanced Microcomputer Systems...
- Vid Grid (bundled)
- World Tour Racing