Name: Atari Lynx II
Type: Console
Manufacturer: Atari Corporation
Platform: Atari Lynx
Release year: 1991
The Atari Lynx II is the second revision of Atari’s handheld console, the Atari Lynx, originally launched in 1989. Introduced in 1991, it featured lower power consumption, improved ergonomics, sharper audio, and a more robust design. It was one of the first handheld consoles with a color LCD screen (3.5-inch) and included backlighting, making it technologically advanced for its time.
Under the hood, the Lynx II was powered by a 16-bit 65C02 CPU (based on the MOS 6502) and specialized graphics chips developed by Epyx, called “Mikey” and “Suzy,” handling audio, graphics, and game physics. The console could display up to 4,096 colors and featured advanced capabilities such as sprite scaling and rotation, surpassing competitors like the Game Boy and Game Gear.
The Lynx II used ROM cartridges for games and required 6 AA batteries, providing roughly 4–5 hours of gameplay. It also supported multiplayer via ComLynx cables, allowing up to 17 units to be connected. Despite its technical strengths, the Atari Lynx II had limited commercial success due to its high price, short battery life, and lack of third-party support. It has since gained cult status among collectors for its pioneering hardware and unique game library.
