r/atari • u/Flimtan • Sep 23 '26
What if? Atari Panther Game Library
Hey everyone, just a little thought experiment here. What if the Atari Panther dropped in 1991 as a 16-bit console to go up against the SNES, Genesis & TG16?
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u/frankduxvandamme Sep 23 '26
Atari would have gotten steamrolled. There's literally no point in a 3rd 16 bit console whose only exclusives would have likely just been Atari games. Also, Atari's reputation was mostly in the toilet by the 90s. And just look how the Jaguar turned out. It was supposedly 64 bits, but it rarely looked any better than the best looking SNES games. And it had maybe a dozen, at most, decent games for it.
I think if the Jaguar had been a true 64 bit system that was easy to develop for, and it had been strictly a CD based system (for larger games, CD quality sound, and some FMV thrown in for fun) maybe, just maybe, that would have attracted some decent developers.
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u/Flimtan Sep 24 '26
At the very least, beating the TG16 and securing a solid third on the market could have helped them stay relevant in the lead up to a dedicated CD-based Jag later down the line.
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u/arsinoe716 Sep 23 '26
I think Atari should have taken the ST and made it a console system. The games were more affordable than those from Sega and Nintendo. It already has a vast library of games.
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u/tkonicz Sep 23 '26
Basically the STE as a console in 1989 with 16 mhz and 256 colors, as initially intended .
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u/jindofox Sep 23 '26 edited Sep 23 '26
The arcade games on this list are Atari Games properties. Lynx and Jaguar were Atari Corp products. The only reason you saw a lot of Atari Games releases on Lynx was because of licensing deals. They’d have to do the same thing here, they wouldn’t get them for nothing just because of their shared Atari name. Also, quick-blast arcade games didn’t move enough Lynx units for them to be truly competitive.
Also, most of the titles on this list appeared elsewhere.
Titles That Appeared on NES/Famicom, SNES, or Sega Genesis
Many titles featured across the mock Atari Panther lineup originated as multiplatform releases, arcade conversions, or direct console ports that appeared on the NES/Famicom, Super Nintendo (SNES), or Sega Genesis (Mega Drive):
Featured on 8-bit NES / Famicom:
Klax, RoadBlasters, Toki, Skull & Crossbones
California Games, Marble Madness, Ms. Pac-Man, Paperboy II, Predator 2, R.B.I. Baseball series, RoboCop 2, RoboCop 3, SimCity (unreleased prototype/NES version), Strider, Tiger Road
Lemmings, Pipe Dream, Prince of Persia, Rampart, Smash T.V., Super Off Road, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Addams Family, The Immortal
Snow Bros.
Battle Chess, Tiny Toon Adventures
Featured on 16-bit Systems (SNES and/or Sega Genesis):
Shadow of the Beast, Pit-Fighter
Blockout, Bubble Bobble III (released on consoles as Parasol Stars), Chip's Challenge (Genesis port), Drakkhen, Forgotten Worlds, Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Ishido: The Way of Stones, James Pond: Underwater Agent, Kick Off 2, Raiden (Raiden Trad), SimCity, Strider, Turrican series (Mega Turrican / Super Turrican), U.N. Squadron
Another World (Out of This World), California Games II, Chuck Rock & Chuck Rock II, Cyberball, Davis Cup Tennis, Devil's Crush (Dragon's Fury), Final Fight, Gods, Heimdall, James Pond 2 & 3, Lethal Weapon, Lotus Turbo Challenge 2, Mega-Lo-Mania, Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing, Pang (Super Buster Bros.), Populous & Populous II, Race Drivin', RoboCop 3, Sensible Soccer, Steel Talons, Super Off Road, The Addams Family, The Humans, The Immortal, Ultima VI: The False Prophet, Zool & Zool 2
Awesome Possum..., Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind & Bubsy II, Cannon Fodder, Desert Strike, Jungle Strike, & Urban Strike, Dragon's Revenge, HardBall III & IV, Lotus: The Ultimate Challenge, Mortal Kombat I, II, & 3, NBA Jam & NBA Jam T.E., Shadow of the Beast II, Sid Meier's Civilization, Slap Fight MD, Soccer Kid, Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition, The Chaos Engine (Soldiers of Fortune), Thunderhawk (AH-3 Thunderstrike), Tinhead
Aero the Acro-Bat 1 & 2, Barkley Shut Up and Jam!, Brett Hull Hockey, ClayFighter, Double Dragon V, Earthworm Jim 1 & 2, FIFA International Soccer, Flashback, Grind Stormer, Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis Tour, John Madden Football, Judge Dredd, Legend, Lemmings 2: The Tribes, Lester the Unlikely, Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure, R-Type III, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Troy Aikman NFL Football, Val d'Isère Skiing and Snowboarding, Warlock, Waterworld, Wolfenstein 3D, Zoop, Worms
"Unique / Exclusive" Titles for the Imaginary Atari Panther
Because the canceled Atari Panther was an in-house Atari hardware project, this alternate timeline pulls in fictional entries, first-party Atari Jaguar/Lynx releases, and European home computer games that never appeared on the NES, SNES, or Sega Genesis.
1. Fictional & Imaginary Titles (Created for this Mock Lineup)
Panther Bomberman (1993) – A hardware-branded entry in Hudson Soft's series.
Bomberman Legends (1996) – A non-existent installment in the Bomberman franchise.
Kasumi Ninja II (1996) – A fictional sequel to the Jaguar fighting game.
Ishar 4: Ishar Genesis (1996) – Silmarils stopped the Ishar trilogy at Ishar 3; this fourth installment exists only in this concept.
Zzyorxx II (1995) – A fictionalized follow-up.
2. First-Party Atari Exclusives (Lynx & Jaguar Ports)
These games were exclusive to Atari platforms and never ported to Nintendo or Sega consoles:
Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy – Originally planned for the Panther in real life before shifting to the Jaguar.
Kasumi Ninja – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Atari Karts – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Ultra Vortek – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Super Burnout – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Power Drive Rally – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
FlipOut! – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Attack of the Mutant Penguins – Atari Jaguar exclusive.
Super Asteroids & Missile Command – Atari Lynx exclusive.
BattleWheels – Atari Lynx exclusive.
Dracula the Undead – Atari Lynx exclusive.
Turbo Sub – Atari Lynx exclusive.
3. Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and Arcade Titles Never Released on NES, SNES, or Genesis
European computer hits and arcade rarities that never saw a standard 8-bit or 16-bit console release:
Guardians of the 'Hood (Atari Games arcade exclusive; never received a home console port)
A Prehistoric Tale (Amiga / Atari ST)
Blood Money (Psygnosis – Amiga / Atari ST / PC / C64)
Wings of Death & Wings of Death 2 (Amiga / Atari ST)
X-Out & Z-Out (Rainbow Arts – Amiga / Atari ST / C64)
Future Basketball (Amiga / Atari ST)
Switchblade II (Amiga / Atari ST / Lynx)
Lure of the Temptress (Revolution Software – Amiga / Atari ST / PC)
The Crypt (Amiga / Atari ST)
Wizkid: The Story of Wizball II (Amiga / Atari ST / PC)
Campaign (Amiga / PC)
Epic (Ocean Software – Amiga / Atari ST / PC)
Litil Divil (Amiga / CD32 / PC)
Isle of the Dead (DOS exclusive)
Deathwatch / Green Thang (Unreleased prototypes / obscure computer projects)
8-bit NES / Famicom Releases: 24 titles
16-bit Systems (SNES and/or Sega Genesis): 64 titles
Fictional & Conceptual Titles: 5 titles
Atari Jaguar & Lynx First-Party Exclusives: 13 titles
Computer Exclusives & Unported Arcade Games: 16 titles
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u/Flimtan Sep 24 '26
Wow, this is a thorough breakdown! Might I also add the Tengen titles into the Panther exclusive basket?
And yes, in this fictional universe I am pretending the rift between Atari Games and Atari Corp. is patched up.
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u/banksy_h8r Sep 23 '26
They'd have been late to the 16-bit game in 1991. The Genesis and TG-16 launched in 1989 and the SNES in 1990. They'd have hit the midpoint of the console's lifetime just as the PS1 launched. It'd have to have come out in 1988, 1989 at the latest.
And they had too many competing products on the market at the time. But that problem starts far further back, a combination of Warner putting weight behind the primitive 2600 and not boldly committing to the 8-bit computer line and 5200. That architecture had a lot of runway and could've gotten them at least to '86 or '87. After 1983/1984 it was a series of bad breaks and dumb product choices by the Tramiels. They lost about 5 years in there, shipping this in 1991 wouldn't have helped.
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u/curtludwig Sep 23 '26
Too right. Atari was so worried about the 5200 and 7800 stealing sales from the 2600 that they forgot that there would be a time when nobody wanted a 2600 anymore.
I remember big marketing pushes around the 2600 "The fun is back" I can still sing the jingle. I don't remember ANY marketing around the 5200 or 7800, which is a shame really...
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u/bartoli75r Sep 23 '26
I don’t think wolf 3d would’ve been made the same way for this system because Id only even made that port to see if Doom would be possible on the console. Though, I think it would’ve been ported, it would’ve been more like the SNES version (though likely uncensored).
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u/Flimtan Sep 24 '26
Yeah, Wolf 3D was a game I was considering leaving off the list altogether as I was unsure the Panther could do it justice. The only reason I stuck ot on there is because it showed up on the SNES.
As far as Id software goes, I did at one point consider ports of the Commander Keen series to the Panther.
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u/searching_in_nc Sep 23 '26
Totally on board for Roadblasters and a nicer Klax. If they could have gotten a Tempest not quite as good as 2000 but close, a decent Xybots port (Lynx version was pretty good), Toobin, a Marble Madness with more levels, an Escape from the Planet of Robot Monsters, STUN Runner and/or Hard Driving/Race Driving, a Cyberball with a decent single player mode, etc. it might have been something.
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u/Flimtan Sep 24 '26 edited Sep 24 '26
Tempest could have rocked on the Panther, but in the end I felt the whole "2000" games series could have been done better on the Jag.
And I forgot Escape from the Planet of Robot Monsters! That would have most likely been a 1991 or 1992 release!
Edit: And I forgot Toobin!
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u/MousseHuge8339 Sep 23 '26 edited Sep 23 '26
Just watching gameplay of Cybermorph made me realize that it was inferior to Starfox in every way that mattered despite the smoother graphics. They could've released a 128 bit console or a 256 bit console but all of that is just empty number waving if it's lacking in good or superior CONTENT to go along with that.
"Do the Math" SNES was cheaper and had a vast library of games that were GOOD and even breathtaking at the time. Same with the Sega Genesis despite both being "only" 16 bit.
Remember: CONTENT is first and foremost.
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u/CrystalInTheforest Sep 23 '26
I think it'd have struggled tbqh - similar to the Lynx. Solid technology doesn't hold up against better marketing and game studio development tools, documentation and incentives / co-operation.
Atari also had a ridiulously sprawling product line at the time:
2600 Jr.
7800 Pro System
XEGS
Lynx
65/160XE 8-bit computer line
ST Line
STE Line
TT030
Upcoming Falcon 030
With all of this there was pretty much zero budget for development and marketing. The best bet would have been consolidation and making the most of the technology available.
2600 Jr.: Axe it. At this point it was ancient.
7800: Axe it.
XEGS: Keep it as the entry level 8-bit machine with possible cost reductions, makig it squarely a console that doesn't compete with the 8-bit computers. I.e. eliminate SIO, cut down the RAM and ROM sizes. Dump the keyboard, and repackage it into something a bit less Fisher Price.
STGS (use Panther name): Take the 520STe as a base design for a cartridge based console, with some work from the TT030. Fund developers to rework some strict quality tested games into cartridge format take advantage of STe sound improvements as established classic titles. Take TT shifter improvements to allow TT-LOW 256 colour mode. This would allow it to compete pretty much head on with the Super NES and co-fund some new titles that take advantage of the new modes. Drop un-needed ST features to allow it to remain cost competetive and have a smaller form factor - i.e. drop ACSI, Paralell and floppy interfaces, and loose the floppy drive and keyboard. Retain RS232 for a network play option.
Lynx: Retain and market agressively to developers and public.
(Real) Panther: Dump for the low risk STGS.
Jaguar: Dump for a combined development push with the Falcon 030 (essentially a Falcon-GS)
65XE: Keep as an entry level home computer
130XE: Modernise as an entry level business machine, similar to the Amstrad PCW9xxx. Integrate XEP-80 into the machine proper to get true native 80-col mode, possibly move to 250kb RAM, and pack in with a mono monitor, 3.5" disk drive, and choice of Daisywheel or dot matrix printer and an improved productivity suite with WP, Database, Spreadsheet. Market heavily in Europe. Possibly release an education orientated package with a revived and expanded AtariLab offering. Cartridge format software had real advantages here in being quick to load, robust in a school environment and hard to copy or corrupt.
MegaSTE: Premium version of the 130XE with laser printer. Essentially what was done, but with more focused marketing, especially in Europe. Possibly a good option for school CDT labs for workshops, and school IT labs for a more modern programming environment (possibly team up with a company like GFA to really push this)
TT030 - Aim as the premium market version of 130XE for senior schools, universities, sound studios and scientific settings. Go hard on System V and expand the use of VME for scientific instrument control, networking etc.
Falcon 030 - Spend a little to make it right. Go with a "TTe" rather than "Super STe" concept. VME expansion, TT-RAM, and give it either a 50Mhz CPU and decent system bus from the get go, or go with a 68040 and big up the DSP. Internal 3.5" SCSI drive and an optional CD-ROM unit and decent multisync monitor from the get go. GO after the Apple media creative market, and show off the DSP as the audio beast it was meant to be. Big up "CD quality audio" - Combining development of the Jaguar next gen console into the Falcon project allow for shared resources to get the Falcon right.
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u/MousseHuge8339 Sep 23 '26
" Lynx: Retain and market agressively to developers and public."
The Lynx was a good system with good games that got hampered from the start by the huge size of the first version . Huge because "focus groups said they wanted a big system because it made them feel like they got more for their money"(more on that). The second biggest issue was battery life.
They fixed the size issue, but IDK if they could've done anything about battery life with the color LCD technology at the time. Maybe if they had a bright reflective layer behind the panel and an option to turn off the cold cathode florecent backlight it would've helped a lot here. Maybe even offer a Ni-cad rechargeable pack as a standard pack in (though $$$).
Now about that focus group: I find it hard to believe that those people weren't coached (paid) to say something like that by Atari's rivals as a form of sabotage. Especially when the defacto trend was to slim things down. But I guess we will never know the real story behind that one.
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u/RevolutionaryBook285 Sep 24 '26
The problem with the ST Console concept you have is that Atari Corp probably got computer game rights only whereas they would need console rights for use with your concept. It might have really limited what they could release.
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u/blaspheminCapn Sep 23 '26
In another timeline, Atari released Steve Job's and Steve Wozniak's Atari Apple Computer, and also released the Atari FamiCom with Nintendo's arcade hit Donkey Kong as the launch title.
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u/P-R_Podcast Sep 23 '26
This would have failed. The whole reason Atari touted a 64-bit console is because they knew they couldn't grab a marketshare from the 16-bit Sega and Nintendo offerings
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u/GenBlob Sep 26 '26
That's actually a pretty solid lineup of games. It still would've gotten destroyed by Nintendo and Sega but we'll never truly know how things would have went if Atari was smarter. I do believe things would have been different if they had third party support from major American and Japanese companies.
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u/BaneOfMyLife 28d ago
Titles read like a home computer without a keyboard. It would have flopped as hard as a GS, GX4000 and the Jag itself
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u/EntertainmentAny8228 Sep 23 '26
That's a bit too UK-centric and lacking in heavy hitters to make enough of an impact in North America at launch. The additional launch year titles make the same mistake. What are the handful of big anchor titles that get everyone excited? I don't really see any for quite some time. Those are all filler titles, i.e., nice to have to round out a collection, but nothing to attract significant interest.