Atari Lynx Specifications | Atari Lynx Vault

This page details the specifications for Atari Lynx for both the Model I and Model II. If you're after details of various console box releases, you can find them here.

The Atari Lynx was the world’s first full-color portable video game system released in 1989 (US) and 1990 (UK). You can read its history over at the brief history page.

Developer	Epyx Atari Corporation
Type	Handheld game console Fourth generation Two models available
Price	$179.99 at launch (Lynx I, 1989) $120 at relaunch (Lynx II Deluxe Set, 1991) $99 at relaunch (Lynx II Base Set, 1991)
Retail Availability	1989 - 1995 Around 3 million were sold
Display	3.5-inch LCD back-lit display (with backlight on/off on Lynx II) 160 × 102 resolution 4096 colours Note: The original screen can be easily replaced with a modern LCD mod kit, which makes an enormous difference to the quality of picture produced.
Audio	Speaker: 8Ω 0.2W (Lynx I), 16Ω 0.2W (Lynx 2) 4 Channel Sound 32-bit DAC (8-bit × 4 channels) 100Hz to above 20kHz Lynx I - Mono Lynx II - Stereo
Processors	Dual custom CMOS chips “Mikey” 16-bit running @ 16 Mhz 8-bit 65SC02 processor (based on the MOS 6502) running at up to 4 MHz (~3.6 MHz average) Sound engine - 4 channel, 8-bit DAC (per channel), stereo with panning (Lynx II only) Video DMA driver for liquid-crystal display, 160 × 102 resolution, 4096 colours (12-bit palette), 16 simultaneous colors (4 bits) from palette per scanline “Suzy” 16-bit running @ 16 Mhz Unlimited number of blitter "sprites" with collision detection (practically just 128) Hardware sprite scaling, distortion, and tilting effects Hardware decoding of compressed sprite data Hardware clipping and multi-directional scrolling Variable frame rate (up to 75 frames/second) Math co-processor
Memory and Storage	512b of bootstrap and cartridge-loading ROM 64 KB 120ns DRAM Cartridges of 128, 256 and 512 KB (up to 2MB with bank switching) Note: There are SD/Flash card cartridges for the Lynx that let you play many ROMs including official and homebrew ROMs.
Network	Comlynx serial UART with up to 18 player connectivity
Ports	3.5mm Stereo Headphone (mono in Lynx I) Comlynx network port 9V Power
Power	9V DC power supply 6x AA batteries inside the unit with 4-5 hours (Lynx I) and 5-6 hours (Lynx II) play time
Dimensions	Display - 82.55 × 47.75 mm (3.25 × 1.88 inches) Lynx I - 273 × 108 × 38 mm (10.75 × 4.25 × 1.5 inches) Lynx II - 235 × 108 × 51 mm (9.25 × 4.25 × 2 inches)
Weight (console only)	Lynx I - 519g Lynx II - 441g

Written On

26th August 2018

Changed

3rd October 2023