Introduction¶
kat5200 is a cross-platform emulator for the Atari 5200 SuperSystem and the Atari 8-bit computer line (400/800 and the XL/XE family).
This guide covers version 1.0.0.
Highlights¶
- Two machine families in one emulator — switch between the 5200 console and the 400/800/XL/XE computers.
- Built-in GUI (rendered with SDL3 + Nuklear) for configuration, ROM launching, state save/load, and a Setup window for first-time use.
- ROM Launcher with a searchable list, favorites, per-ROM settings, and directory scanning so your library is ready to play.
- Accurate video including an optional NTSC artifacting filter (RF, Composite, S-Video, and RGB presets), palette import/export, and GPU shader bundles.
- Flexible input — keyboard, joysticks/gamepads, mice, and trackball emulation, with per-player input plus analog/digital stick options tuned for tricky 5200 titles.
- Media support for cartridges, floppy disks, cassettes, and executables, plus tools to create blank disk and cassette images.
- State save/load with quick-save slots and named state files.
- Per-ROM overrides — save tailored machine, video, sound, and input settings for an individual game without changing your global defaults.
How this guide is organized¶
| Section | What you'll find |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Hardware and library prerequisites. |
| Installation | Building and installing kat5200. |
| Quick Start | Get a game running in a few minutes. |
| Options | Every configuration window, organized by GUI menu. |
| Launcher | Managing and launching your ROM library. |
| Command Line | Startup options and configuration overrides. |
| Troubleshooting | Common problems and fixes. |
First-pass document
This guide is an early pass and will be expanded over time. If something looks out of date relative to the running program, the program is authoritative — please report mismatches.