text: The console was originally sold as the Atari VCS , for Video Computer System . Following the release of the Atari 5200 , in 1982 , the VCS was renamed `` Atari 2600 '' , after the unit 's Atari part number , CX2600 .
simplified: When the Atari 2600 was first released , it was called the Atari Video Computer System or VCS .