The Atari VCS Pre-Orders Start May 30 – Should You Get One?

Gaming enthusiasts of the retro persuasion will finally get a chance to pre-order the upcoming Atari VCS console on May 30^th. If you are undecided on whether the two versions of Atari VCS are worth the $200 and $300 price tags, then read on for a quick roundup of the most interesting features that have been revealed.

Under the Hood

Atari has finally revealed the internal specs of the VCS, which will be capable of playing more than just Atari games. They partnered with AMD to provide the chip which will support 4K resolutions, HDR and 60fps gameplay. There will be internal storage with external capabilities as well. Bluetooth 5, USB 3 and internal WiFi round out the specs.

Collector’s Edition vs Onyx Edition

Presumably, there is no difference between the two editions under the hood. The Collector’s Edition is a “time-limited” version of the console that harkens back to the old days of the Atari with a faux wood front paneling. Whether that’s worth an extra $100 is purely a personal decision – we understand what it’s like to be a collector.

The Onyx Edition is a pure black console that doesn’t have that retro flair that some Atari fans may be looking for. Others who are planning to stuff it into an entertainment cabinet may not care.

Gameplay Capabilities

This is where Atari is still keeping their cards close to their chest. Obviously, the system will come preloaded with classic Atari games like Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command and others… But the 4K/HDR/60fps capabilities of the machine don’t exactly make sense if Atari stopped there. By some reports, the Atari VCS will also be capable of supporting modern titles – but therein lies the mystery. There is no information on what these are yet.