This isn't arcade or pinball-related, but it does involve classic video games so I'll allow it. This morning Atari announced that it is bringing back the legendary 2600 video game console. The new 2600+ console has HDMI output and plays Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges. Priced at $129.99, pre-orders are open now with the first deliveries expected to begin in November.
The price includes the console itself, one OG Atari joystick and a 10 game cartridge. Additional original joysticks cost $24.99 each. A set of OG paddle controllers and a cartridge with four games is available for $39.99. The paddle games are Breakout, Canyon Bomber, Night Driver and Video Olympics.
I had a Pong game when I was super little, but the Atari was my first real video game console. I remember the day that my Dad brought one home from Sears. I played the heck out of that machine in my youth. I still have my actual original Atari console and a bunch of the cartridges today. I used to LOVE games like Seaquest, River Raid, Combat, Air Sea Battle, so many good memories...
I give Atari a lot of credit for the moves that they've been making lately. The Atari "Recharged" series of games based on classics like Asteroids, Centipede, etc... are fantastic. I play the heck out of them on my Steam Deck. The Atari 50: the Anniversary Celebration collection of games is outstanding as well. Things like the VCS and the speaker hat (HAHA) were real duds, but Atari seems to be on the right track now. Good for them. I like to see them keeping this iconic brand alive. I wish that Atari would acquire some of the old Activision titles that were available on its systems back in the day, like Pitfall, Seaquest, River Raid, etc...
"Enjoy your favorite Atari 2600 and 7800 games on one system. Not only does the Atari 2600+ pull double cartridge duty, it also features HDMI and widescreen mode for easy connectivity to modern TVs.
Jump right in with the included CX40+ Joystick and a 10-in-1 game cartridge that features some of Atari’s most famous games like Adventure®, Missile Command®, and Yars' Revenge®.
Features
The Atari 2600+ is an updated version of the iconic Atari 2600 and has been enhanced in the following ways:
- Plays both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges- HDMI output makes it easy to connect- Widescreen mode- Enlarged cartridge socket reduces sticking- Atari logo lights up when being played
The system comes with a CX40+ Joystick which has been lovingly recreated to the same specifications as the original, and a 10-in-1 game cartridge featuring some of Atari’s most famous games: Adventure®, Combat®, Dodge 'Em™, Haunted House®, Maze Craze™, Missile Command®, RealSports® Volleyball, Surround™, Video Pinball™, Yars' Revenge®."
