One important key to success of the 2600 was that Sears sold their own version and it was always featured prominently in the the Sears Christmas Catalog. The s

One important key to success of the 2600 was that Sears sold their own version and it was always featured prominently in the the Sears Christmas Catalog. The selling power of that one catalog was huge. As to the technicality, the C64 (August 1982) was later than the 400/800 (November 1979). By the time of the C64, Atari was building getting ready with the next XL line and the 800 was selling for a lot less than its 1979 price. Atari did not keep up with Commodore on price. The C64 was inferior because it didn't have the Jay Miner lead chipset. The fortunes of both companies changed as Commodore got the Amiga and Atari got the 520ST. I should point out that Atari and Commodore outsold Apple. The Pet and VIC 20 were a sales monster and the C64 took over from their. When people say the PC took Apple's market share they are ignoring the fact it really took Commodore's and Atari & Commodore had already took Apple's. The Apple II being very profitable offset this.