Nostalgia fans, rejoice. Atari just announce the release of the Atari 2600+, a modernized version of the iconic 2600, the console that marked a before and after in the history of video games. The new system is presented as a faithful recreation, with the pleasant novelty that It is compatible with a wide list of original cartridges.
Of course, being a modern version of a console from yesteryear, the Atari 2600+ is equipped with elements that did not exist more than 40 years ago. Such is the case of the HDMI output to easily connect it to any television or monitor today, or power through a USB-C port.
Atari has worked together with the PLAION company for the development of this modernization of the historic 2600. It is worth mentioning that the replicated model is the one with 4 switches that was marketed between 1980 and 1982and not the 6-switch that was originally introduced in 1977.
The Atari 2600+ not only faithfully respects the original design of the console, but also that of the controller CX40 —in this case renamed CX40+—. While the new release includes a controller, those interested will also be able to purchase it separately. In addition, Atari will sell a replica of the remembered command paddle CX30 that used knobs instead of levers.
The Atari 2600 is back thanks to this modernized version
The most attractive point of the Atari 2600+ is that, as we said at the beginning, it is compatible with a wide variety of original cartridges. But the device is not limited to the games of the 2600, it also works with those of the 7800console that went on sale in 1986.
In fact, Atari has published an extensive list of compatible games with the 2600+. There, gamers can see that the vast majority of titles available for both systems—both Atari and third-party developers—have been tested and work. It is true that, even so, several appear as untested, but only three video games are marked as unplayable: Real Sports Boxing, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Super Cobra.
Those who do not have original cartridges do not have to worry either. The Atari 2600+ will arrive with a 10 in 1 cartridge which will include the following games:
- Yar’s Revenge
- video pinball
- surround
- Real Sports Volleyball
- Missile Command
- Maze Craze
- haunted house
- Dodge ‘Em
- combat
- Adventure
In addition, the CX30+ controller will ship with a 4-in-1 cartridge, and Atari will also be selling stand-alone 4-in-1 cartridges. Mr Run and Jump and Berzerk – Enhanced Edition.
The hardware of the 2600+
It is worth saying that the new version of the Atari 2600 it will not include super powerful components under its retro casing. The console will feature a Rockchip 3128 microprocessor with 256 MB of DDR3 RAM. While the internal storage will be 256 MB (eMMC) not expandable.
In this way, the company has tried to remain as faithful as possible to the power and performance offered by the original game console. Let’s also not forget that those looking for an emulation experience on modern hardware may want to go for the Atari VCS that was released a couple of years ago.
Price and availability
The Atari 2600+ will be available worldwide starting next November 17. The “conventional” package, which includes the console, a CX40+ controller, the 10-in-1 game cartridge, the USB-C power cable and an HDMI cable, it will be sold in exchange of $129.99/Euro 119.99/GBP 99.99.
Those who want to buy another CX40+ controller will have to shell out $24.99, €22.99 or £19.99. While the CX30+ with a 4-in-1 game cartridge will retail for $39.99, €34.99, or £29.99. Finally, the cartridges Mr Run and Jump and Berzerk – Enhanced Edition they will cost $29.99, €29.99 or £24.99 each.