Atari VCS Game Console Finally Launches June 15

hothardware ^

[algore]

It may be hard to believe, but it's been a nearly 4-year-long saga for the Atari VCS.

Atari announced the console way back in 2017, but the company now claims that it w

ill soon be available to purchase at the retail level. And if everything goes according to plan, the Atari VCS will launch on June 15th.

However, pricing for the Atari VCS might leave many scratching their heads, especially considering that it is retro-centric and uses seriously underpowered hardware compared to modern gaming consoles from Sony and Microsoft. The base Onyx system is priced at $299, while an Onyx or Black Walnut All-in Bundle includes a wireless Classic Joystick and a wireless Modern Controller. Unfortunately, that bundle will set you back an eye-popping $399.

To put those prices in perspective, the Xbox Series S is priced at $299, while the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition will set you back $399 (if you can find one). And both of those modern consoles come with at least a 512GB of PCIe SSD and a custom SoC based on AMD Zen 2 and RDNA 2 CPU/GPU architectures

[algore]

I am waiting for colecovision

[Red Badger]

Will it have PONG?............................

[linedrive]

LOL!

[Dr. Sivana]

I am waiting for colecovision

The Coleco "Super Action Controller" was one of the coolest controllers ever made. Great for sports games (Baseball, Boxing).

[JonPreston]

Please put this in the toy section. Thanks.

[Ciaphas Cain]

I’m more of a Mattel Intellivision man myself

[Tell It Right]

I still have a soft spot in my heart for the Commodore 64. It started me on a programming career before I was old enough to drive.

[rdl6989]

I had an atari 2600 once.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’m more of a Mattel Intellivision man myself

The 16 direction disc controller was a no go. I used Wico substitutes instead. I did like both "Dracula" and "B-17 Bomber". One time I was pulled aside in O'Hare airport because I had an Intellivision II (small, white console with integrated Intellivoice) in my carry on, and the insert in the keypad was a game called "Bomb Squad". They examined the box and asked some questions, and I was let through. If that happened in recent years I would still be locked up.

[Enlightened1]

Yeah I had an Atari 2600. Loved it.

The last time I played it was 1984?

Then I upgraded to a Commodore 64 and loved that.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping!

[Trump.Deplorable]

$299 for that?

Why?

$100 maybe for retro gamers and old dudes trying to relive their child hoods

But $300 for those specs is just dumb, plus it is ugly, like the original

[The MAGA-Deplorian]

However, Atari says that the VCS can also function as a full-fledged PC. You can even install Windows 10 or Linux on it, turning it into a versatile multimedia computer. The hardware is reportedly capable of running 4K videos and includes a built-in "Vault" containing 100 retro Atari 2600 and arcade games. That's all well and good for those with a penchant for retro gaming, but remember that we're talking about games that debuted roughly 40 years ago. That nostalgia could run a bit thin when you're talking about a device that costs $299 and up.

Oh boy! $300 to play 8 bit games in 4k. The Mooninites would be pleased!

[Rurudyne]

Folks are still writing new games for the 64 too.

[Tell It Right]

I see that. Plus they’re writing C64 popular games for newer platforms (i.e. Space Taxi).

[qam1]

$100 maybe for retro gamers and old dudes trying to relive their child hoods

There have been Emulators since at least the late 90's, plus a million websites where you could play flash or html5 versions.

Plus there's still a gazillion actual working Atari 2600's and cartridges* out there for cheap if you are really that into it

* Speaking of which, why do Atari & Nintendo cartridges still work after 30-50 years, yet my son's Wii games on CD from 3-5 years don't? How CDs were ever became a thing I will never know, they suck

[algore]

https://www.free80sarcade.com/all2600games.php

[Red6]

Ah a 64!

I had the 800XL and my friend and I would always argue Commodore vs. Atari.

Atari has NEVER gotten their supply chain right. If I remember right, they were #1 but it was their supply chain issues over one Christmas season where they couldn’t keep up with demand and fell behind Commodore. They moved production to guess where? China.

[Deplorable American1776]

We have a Colecovision. A few years ago Family Dollar sold them for $30. Good gaming system..

Have a real Colecovision, too...

[sharpee]

My brother in law just got his Commodore 64 out and got it up and running.