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  • Atari VCS, First New Atari in Decades, Raises $2 Million in one Day

    Atari VCS, First New Atari in Decades, Raises $2 Million in one Day

    Atari’s love letter to retro gaming, the Atari VCS, was up on Indiegogo for a day before it nearly crashed the site. The retro-inspired console pulled in over $2 million in pledged funding. The Atari VCS is a system unlike most we’ve seen in the past, in that it’s a hybrid of the micro-consoles Nintendo has been releasing, and a more traditional console like the PS4. It is slated to come pre-loaded with over 100 Atari games, making it sort of like the SNES Classic. It is also going to offer more modern gaming experiences, more comparable to a full console. 

    Crowdfunding? 

    The console was sure to release with or without the crowdfunding campaign, but the Indiegogo success indicates something else. Developers can rest easy knowing that there is ample excitement for Atari’s first console since the 90’s. Additionally, this helps Atari gauge interest and produce enough units to meet demand. This allows them to avoid a Nintendo-like situation where their console proves more popular than anticipated and supply runs out too quickly. 

    Worlds Collide 

    The VCS is going to have a price tag of $299. That puts it in the same league as the Switch, the PS4 and the Xbox One. This is a very bold move for a video game maker who hasn’t been in the mix for 25 years. The last time Atari made a console was the Jaguar, released in November of 1993. The VCS, however, is looking to be a modern device with streaming and online play in mind. Atari is marketing the console’s open Linux OS, making it highly customizable and open to user software. As mentioned earlier, the console will also come with a wide library of older Atari games.  

    The main draw, however, will certainly be the newer games living in harmony with their older cousins. Atari promises favorites from PC and indie games will be on the console. The VCS sports a modern looking controller, in addition to a classic-looking input. 

    When Can I Get My Own Atari VCS? 

    If the promise of a modern console with classic sensibilities sounds your speed, then you’ll be pleased to know the Atari VCS hits store in June of 2019. You’ve still got time to head over to their Indiegogo page and pledge and check out Atari’s videos and descriptions of the console. What do you think, could this be the return of Atari? Or is this idea too weird, and doomed to fail? 

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

    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 30th. 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.