Atari Lynx

The Lynx was a handheld console released by Atari Corporation in 1989 in North America and 1990 in Europe and Japan.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) It could be the world's very first full-color portable video game system.
 * 2) The Atari Lynx II was smaller, lighter and slightly better than the original model, having a slightly longer battery life.
 * 3) *That being said, it is still a bulky system.
 * 4) For the first time ever, bring the 16-bit power on the go.
 * 5) Switchable right-handed/left-handed configurations.
 * 6) The ComLynx cable makes for console-to-console networking, allowing for up to 18 players to connect and play multiplayer games on certain titles.
 * 7) *However, most games that support the cable would network eight or fewer players. In addition, the maximum stable connection allowed was eight players.
 * 8) Graphics were very good for a handheld gaming system, surpassing even those of the Game Gear.
 * 9) Like the Sega Game Gear, the size of this handheld is ideal for gamers who have large hands.
 * 10) Since the Lynx drained the batteries so quickly, the rechargeable battery pack (sold separately) is ideal for those who did not want to constantly change out AA batteries.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The original model was extremely HUGE, making it hard to carry around and fit into the user's pocket.
 * 2) The color screen caused the system to require six AA-sizes batteries and to have a short battery life, much like the Game Gear.
 * 3) Only small number of games were released for it.
 * 4) Atari's declining reputation reduced interest.
 * 5) It suddenly lacked third-party support.
 * 6) It had a higher retail price than the Game Boy.
 * 7) There were plans that the Lynx could be used on the Jaguar as a high-end interactive controller, to act as a motion tracker in Aliens VS. Predator or a tricorder in a Star Trek game. This never came to be.