Tag Archives: atari

Atari 7800+ is a retro mini console that looks forward and backward

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What is old is new again, or at least that’s the slogan for this wave of nostalgia trips washing over multiple industries today. Vinyl is selling again, Polaroid is now spelled “INSTAX,” and consoles that were famous before you were born are landing on shelves in miniature form. Interestingly enough, these retro designs prove just how powerful and lucrative nostalgia can be, especially if you can spin it in a way that makes sense in the present and for the foreseeable future. This recreation of one of Atari’s lesser-known home consoles, for example, doesn’t just pay homage to the past but actually supports the games of that era while also embracing titles that were made in the present for this decades-old platform.

Designer: Atari

Unlike its successful predecessor, the Atari 2600, the Atari 7800 from 1986 just came at the wrong time, just after the video game crash of 1983 and on the same year that the Nintendo Entertainment System, a.k.a. the Nintendo Famicom, launched. Regardless, the home console, which supported Atari 2600 cartridges to fill up its library, managed to make it into the annals of video game history, a chapter that Atari is now trying to revive in an interesting way.

The Atari 7800+, like many retro recreations, is a smaller version of the original, designed to better fit today’s standard housing situation. It sticks closely to the shape and aesthetics of the 7800, down to the color spectrum strip that was the hallmark of the European version of the machine. It supports HDMI out and displaying games in the original 4:3 aspect ratio or switching to widescreen for modern monitors. Rather than coming with pre-installed games like other retro consoles that simply use emulators, the 7800+ offers an almost exact replica of the original to the point that you can run both 2600 and 7800 cartridges, presuming you have those lying around.

That’s not exactly a large selection of titles, so the Atari 7800+ also supports third-party Atari games as well. The company takes it even further and actually supports the official adaptation of some of these games sold as 7800+ cartridges. That includes Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, a homebrew Atari game developed in 2014 as an unofficial successor to the 80s Crystal Quest. This is the only cartridge that comes with the package, and the other nine titles will be sold separately at $29.99 a pop.

The Atari 7800+ also comes with the CX78+ controller, a wireless remake of the radical two-button control that Atari introduced with the 7800. There’s also a CX40+ wireless joystick available for purchase if you prefer to play that way. Both controllers are compatible with the original 2600 and 7800 and can also be hooked up to any PC via the USB receiver. The Atari 7800+ is available for pre-order now for $129.99 but won’t ship until Winter this year.

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Atari is entering the handheld gaming space with this gorgeous console that packs 200 iconic games

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If as a kid you ever relished the thought of carrying all your change to the nearest arcade to bust out a few games, this one should be the perfect feels trip down nostalgia lane. The MyArcade Atari Gamestation Portable, unveiled at CES 2024, is a vibrant time capsule that transports you straight back to the golden era of gaming. This device promises to deliver a nostalgic yet innovative gaming experience, and here’s what makes it stand out.

Designer: MyArcade

Design and Controllers: A Nostalgic Twist

The Atari Gamestation Portable distinguishes itself with a design that’s a respectful nod to the classic Atari era. Licensed by Atari, MyArcade has done more than just slap on a retro label; they’ve integrated elements of the beloved Atari 2600 into a portable format. This isn’t just about playing old games; it’s about reliving the unique experience of them. The inclusion of an Atari Trak ball, paddle, and a keypad, alongside a d-pad and ABXY buttons, ensures that both classic and modern gamers feel at home.

Display and Games: A Feast for Retro Eyes

The Gamestation Portable boasts a 7-inch high-resolution display, significantly larger than MyArcade’s previous handhelds. This size increase enhances the visual experience of the over 200 classic Atari games preloaded onto the device. While the full games list hasn’t been published, the promise of such a vast library is exciting for fans of Atari’s extensive catalog.

Operating System and Connectivity: Tailored for Atari Classics

The device runs on a proprietary operating system, specifically designed to play Atari classic games, eschewing more common systems like SteamOS or Windows. This specialized OS ensures a seamless gaming experience, tailored to the unique requirements of retro games. Additionally, MyArcade has included two rear-mounted USB Type-C ports and a kickstand, adding modern convenience to the retro experience. The system’s LEDs illuminate to indicate which buttons are supported by the game currently being played, adding a helpful, modern touch to the gameplay experience​.

Pricing and Availability: A Trip Down Memory Lane

The Atari Gamestation Portable is expected to hit the market in September or October 2024, with a price tag of $149. This pricing positions it as an affordable entry into the world of retro gaming, making it accessible to a broad audience of gamers and nostalgia enthusiasts alike​.

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Atari 400 Mini retro console is a charming recreation of a quirky design

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Most people today probably only know of the Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, but there was a time when the market was littered with countless gaming consoles, each with their own distinct designs. Many of them look almost outlandish by today’s standards, but it’s exactly because of these that these old machines have become today’s novelties again. The retro console craze has died down a bit, but it still exists and there are plenty of designs still left untouched. One of those is the rather distinctive Atari 400, which now finally comes in a mini recreation that brings yet another bunch of classic titles from one of gaming history’s biggest giants.

Designer: Retro Games x Atari

You might already be quite tired of hearing about all these classic games being made available to a newer, younger audience, but the console that this batch comes in is definitely worth noting. The Atari 400 and 800, after all, made many firsts in the industry, bringing what is practically a personal computer into homes with a focus on gaming. That objective was what informed the machine’s design, giving it a peculiar appearance even among its peers.

In essence, the Atari 400, or the 800 rather, looked more like a giant typewriter than a computer of any sort. Atari eschewed the typical joysticks and gamepads associated with gaming machines (and its own Atari 2600) and gave its first 8-bit family a keyboard for tasks beyond just playing. The Atari 400 itself was quite peculiar because it didn’t use real keys but a membrane keyboard, basically a seemingly flat, pressure-sensitive surface that could be considered the ancestor of touch-sensitive controls today. Suffice it to say, the typing experience was anything but enjoyable.

The Atari 400 Mini brings this one-of-a-kind design down to half the size of the 1979 original, which means you get all the looks but none of the quirks or the functionality. Yes, that miniaturized membrane keyboard is just for show, which is probably for the best. Imagine typing not only on a small space but also on a surface you have to press hard to even register a key. Fortunately, you can connect a USB keyboard if you really need to type something. With five USB ports, you can connect almost any controller, though thankfully the package ships one Atari CX-40 joystick for good measure.

The small machine comes with 25 titles from the original already pre-installed, though can also run other Atari classics provided you know how and where to get them. The Atari 400 Mini isn’t available yet, but you can already put down $119.99 to pre-order this recreation of a piece of gaming history before it hits the shelves on March 28th.

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Retro-modern Atari 2600+ console plays classic game cartridges in high definition

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Atari’s first-ever game console has now been reincarnated for modern gamers’ needs without sacrificing the nostalgia of the cartridge era. No this is not a concept design, but rather an official release by the company who’s revolutionized the gaming scene. They’ve teamed up with publisher Plaion to bring the iconic gaming console back to life.

Dubbed the Atari 2600+, the console pays homage to the four-switch model from the 1980s. This trimmed-down version (80 percent scale) of the original slated for the November release can play both 2600 and 7800 cartridge games. Keeping in mind high-definition output requirements, the 10-in-1 game cartridge console comes with HDMI and USB ports.

Designer: Atari and Plaion

This is not the first time Atari has cashed in on the trend of faithful recreations of classic models, as Atari VCS released in 2021 very well proved. Yes, the combo console and TV streaming box with the price equivalent to an Xbox Series S. After the initial success, the console failed to attract prospective buyers and was eventually discontinued. The Atari 2600+ should have a chance of gaining stable popularity with the Gen-Z given the compatibility with old game cartridges and widescreen output support.

Out of the box, the retro-modern console will come with titles including Adventure, Combat, Dodge ‘Em, Haunted House, Maze Craze, Missile Command, RealSports Volleyball, Surround, Video Pinball and Yars’ Revenge. Other than these titles, if you’ve got the Pac-Man, Frogger, Space Invaders or Pitfall cartridge somewhere in the closet, you’re good to go. Atari has enlarged the cartridge socket size to eliminate the cartridge sticking issue and the logo lights up to enhance the gaming feel.

The console comes with a revamped CX40+ joystick which is again a modern take on the classic Atari CX40. Support for two-player mode is there, so you’re in for a fun time with your millennial buddies. Surprisingly you’ll get only a single stick bundled with the purchase, and for the second one, you’ll have to shell out $25. Atari also promised a revamped CX-30 Paddle Controller for a price tag of $30.

Powering the retro-mini gaming console is a Rockchip 3128 processor mated to 256MB DDR3 RAM and 256MB internal storage. Atari 2600+ will launch worldwide on November 13 with pre-orders starting right now. A price tag of $130 should give it the strategic advantage in the arcade gaming arena going neck to neck with Nintendo Switch.

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My Arcade x Atari Gamestation Plus – modern avatar of the timeless Atari VCS console

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Let’s be honest, all the previous attempts to resurrect the retro Atari console and all of its nostalgic game libraries have not hit the right notes. Even Atari themselves attempted to do it with their $300 Ataribox (later renamed Atari VCS) but landed in a soup of issues that never let it go over 10,000 sales in total.

Now MyArcade in collaboration with Atari, well known for its budget gaming machines has released its own take on the classic Atari console that sparked the gaming industry in 70s.

Designer: MyArcade and Atari

Dubbed the My Arcade x Atari Gamestation Plus, this retro gaming console comes with a suite of classic gaming titles from the Atari 2600, Atari 7800 and Atari consoles. Unlike previous attempts to create such a console, this one sticks to a very modern aesthetic design while retaining some of the nostalgic elements. There are a couple of battery-powered RBG-lit joysticks with Bluetooth and USB-C compatibility. The RGB lighting follows down to the console at the front, and comes with Aeration holes. That all-red D-pad and the Atari stripes virtually traverse you to a different era.

The attention-grabbing console was present at CES 2023 too but was behind the glass walls, keeping any chances of a hands-on at bay. It was officially announced by Atari and My Arcade on their respective Twitter accounts with information kept to the bare bones minimum. Whether the console has an integrated spinner controller on the joystick is also not certain at this point in time.

There are no pricing or availability details about the Gamestation Plus right now. The only thing that’s come through is an imminent pre-order date that’ll be announced soon. More features are expected to be revealed about the Gamestation Plus at that time. One thing’s for sure, by the looks of it, the classic console will fare better than any of the previous releases of the modernized versions of the Atari VCS that’s lived in the gaming fraternity’s consciousness in all its glory.

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The Atari VR Headset brings back the nostalgia of old-school gaming in a new immersive avatar

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Personally, VR feels more like the future of gaming than consoles do. Imagine being immersed in a game, not because of the graphics, but because the game absolutely surrounds you, involving all your senses. No console can match that… and it’s a shame that so many consoles and game companies haven’t lived long enough to see that future. In an alternate universe, however, this Atari VR Headset is the perfect piece of gear to relive absolute classics like Space Invaders, Unreal Tournament, and Rollercoaster Tycoon. Designed by SF-based Transparent House and Eduard Zhikharev, the Atari VR headset helps the once-unbeatable mammoth of games relive its glorious past. The VR headset sports a familiar design that most enthusiasts would instantly recognize, and comes equipped with sensors, cameras, and even headphones, to help immerse you in the game.

Designers: Transparent House & Eduard Zhikharev

The Atari VR headset is a spitting image of the Ataribox, with the same iconic design language featuring the wooden veneer, black slatted plastic, and the familiar Atari logo. The headset comes with a pretty comprehensive harness that rests around the periphery of your head, with adjustable earphones that give you audio feedback as you game.

For the designers, the Atari VR headset presented the perfect opportunity to build out a device that represented all their wishes and dreams. To that end, the headset doesn’t come with any controllers. It uses a series of fisheye cameras on the front to ‘see’, putting the wearer in a virtual space that corresponds with the physical world. Moving around in real life translates to moving in VR too, thanks to Atari VR’s 6dof abilities. Plus, to make things even more cutting edge, the headset doesn’t come with controllers, but instead has a Leap Motion controller built into its frame. This helps it sense the wearer’s hands, turning them into controllers for the virtual space. This way, users can interact with objects in VR and MR without needing remotes, controllers, and any extraneous paraphernalia.

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Playable LEGO PONG Set Turns up on LEGO Ideas

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LEGO maniac TheBananaman2018 has built a fully playable, motorized version of PONG that can be built out of LEGO bricks. He’s added the set to the LEGO Ideas website, and with enough support, LEGO may consider it for production. I don’t know about you, but I just created like twenty accounts and pledged my support from all of them. This might be the most important thing I do in my life.

“The game is played by two players; each of them has a paddle on the right or left side of the screen. There’s also a ball that flies around the whole screen, bouncing off the sides. The players need to move their paddles so that the ball never reaches the left or right side of the screen. If that happens, one of the players scores a point. The machine counts and displays points automatically. When a player scores 5 points, it displays the message “YOU WON!” instead of how many points the player has.” Impressive!

Amazingly, the game (which features over 90 gears) runs off a single motor, including the scorekeeping. Wow! I can’t even imagine the amount of engineering that went into its development but rest assured, it’s way over my head. Honestly, most things are. Don’t even get me started on photosynthesis OR magnets.

[LEGO Ideas]

LEGO recreates life-sized Atari 2600 gaming console to revive nostalgic memories

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The LEGO Atari 2600 set has been in the rumor mill since April this year, and now finally it has gone official. Pretty obviously, the set is based on the classic game console that triggered the era of gaming in the 80s. Marking the 50 years of the brand’s legacy, the LEGO treatment for the most popular console in their history.

All you gaming nerds might remember the four-switch version of the Atari 2600 that arrived in 1980, This particular LEGO recreation is based on that model with a total of 2,532 pieces and a moveable joystick to bring back old memories. I wonder why they didn’t make it a 2,600 pieces version though!

Designer: LEGO Studios

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This LEGO set is a follow-up to the Nintendo Entertainment System comprising 2,646 pieces – but one can’t deny the Atari 2600 set’s significantly higher perceived value. To keep things interesting for gamers who love anything classic from the 70s or 80s, there are the three cartridges of the classic games – Asteroids, Adventure and Centipede – slidable into the main body of the brick console. Each of the games also gets a matchable mini figurine to complete the look. The LEGO console opens up to reveal the diorama of a 1980s living room which I absolutely adore.

The life-sized set is designed by Chris McVeigh who said that it has been “an incredible experience to bring two icons together – Atari and Lego.” Bringing back those cherished memories of the days when a handful of pixels meant the world to all of us, is what makes this LEGO creation special. To top it off the set recreates details such as the vented top plate and the wooden accents on the front. The only thing I miss here is the LEGO adaptation of the RF adapter for this set.

LEGO Atari 2600 will be available on August 1, 2022, which coincidently is Atari’s 50th-anniversary date. The price tag of $239.99 will have many collectors all over this set I’m sure, and don’t be surprised if it goes out of stock in a jiffy.

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2021 could be a great year for ‘alternative’ consoles

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Despite the pandemic, it’s been a pretty great year for video game hardware. Microsoft launched the Xbox Series X, a powerful obelisk packing a 12-teraflop GPU, and the smaller Series S, which can run games natively at 1440p resolution. Sony, meanwhi...