Note: The Atari 7800 was originally intended to come out in the fall of 1984, and a test market launch was planned for the summer. Due to Warner selling the Atari home division to the Tramiel family and the subsequent argument over who owed GCC the money for the system and its games, the machine did not actually launch until 1986. It does not appear that any units or games were sold in 1984; most likely any extant copies with the 1984 branding were stock that went out in 1986.
1986
The Atari 7800 started hitting stores in May 1986, with Pole Position II as a pack-in title.
MAY:
Asteroids – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Centipede – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Dig Dug – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Food Fight – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Joust – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Ms. Pac-Man – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Pole Position II – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
Robotron: 2084 – Source: Computer Entertainer, July 1986
AUGUST:
Galaga – Source: Computer Entertainer, September 1986
NOVEMBER:
Xevious – Source: Computer Entertainer, December 1986
1987
AUGUST:
Choplifter – Source: Computer Entertainer, October 1987
OCTOBER:
Karateka – Source: Computer Entertainer, November 1987
One-on-One Basketball – Source: Computer Entertainer, November 1987
1988
MARCH:
Ballblazer – Source: Palm Beach Post, November 24 1988; Computer Entertainer, November 1987-April 1988
AUGUST:
Desert Falcon – Source: Palm Beach Post, November 24 1988; Computer Entertainer, September 1988
Summer Games – Source: Computer Entertainer, September 1988
Winter Games – Source: Computer Entertainer, September 1988
NOVEMBER:
Donkey Kong – Source: Computer Entertainer, December 1988
Donkey Kong Jr. – Source: Computer Entertainer, December 1988
DECEMBER:
F-18 Hornet – Source: Computer Entertainer, January 1989
Hat Trick – Source: Computer Entertainer, January 1989
Impossible Mission – Source: Computer Entertainer, January 1989
Mario Bros. – Source: Computer Entertainer, January 1989
Super Skateboardin’ – Source: Computer Entertainer, January 1989
UNKNOWN MONTH:
Tank Command – Source: Atarian, May/June 1989
Water Ski – Source: Atarian, May/June 1989
1989
JANUARY:
Tower Toppler – Source: Computer Entertainer, February 1989
MARCH:
Realsports Baseball – Source: Computer Entertainer, April 1989
Tomcat: F-14 – Source: Computer Entertainer, April 1989
Touchdown Football – Source: Computer Entertainer, April 1989
APRIL:
Crack’ed – Source: Computer Entertainer, May 1989
Crossbow – Source: Computer Entertainer, May 1989
Dark Chambers – Source: Computer Entertainer, May 1989
Fight Night – Source: Computer Entertainer, May 1989
MAY:
Ace of Aces – Source: Computer Entertainer, June 1989
Super Huey – Source: Computer Entertainer, June 1989
SEPTEMBER:
Jinks – Source: Computer Entertainer, October 1989; Atarian, September/October 1989
Xenophobe – Source: Computer Entertainer, October 1989
FALL:
Pete Rose Baseball – Source: Computer Entertainer, January-May 1989; Atarian, August 1989; Atarian, September/October 1989
Title Match Pro Wrestling – Source: Computer Entertainer, January-May 1989; Atarian, August 1989; Atarian, September/October 1989
NOVEMBER:
Commando – Source: Computer Entertainer, November 1989
Double Dragon – Source: Computer Entertainer, November 1989; Atarian, August 1989; Atarian, September/October 1989; Activision internal release info
Rampage – Source: Computer Entertainer, November 1989; Atarian, May/June 1989; Activision internal release info; Atarian, September/October 1989
1990:
UNKNOWN MONTH:
Basketbrawl – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figures;
Ikari Warriors – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figures;
Mat Mania Challenge – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figures; Atarian, September/October 1989
Mean 18 Ultimate Golf – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figures; Atarian, September/October 1989
Ninja Golf – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figures; Atarian, September/October 1989
Planet Smashers – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figures; Atarian, September/October 1989
1991
The Atari 7800 was discontinued in the US after the Christmas holiday.
UNKNOWN MONTH:
Alien Brigade – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figure (i.e. doesn’t appear in the 86-90 files)
Barnyard Blaster – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figure (i.e. doesn’t appear in the 86-90 files)
Fatal Run – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figure (i.e. doesn’t appear in the 86-90 files)
Meltdown – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figure (i.e. doesn’t appear in the 86-90 files)
Midnight Mutants – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figure (i.e. doesn’t appear in the 86-90 files)
Motorpsycho – Source: Atari 7800 internal sales figure (i.e. doesn’t appear in the 86-90 files)