Atari VCS: release date, games, price and everything you need to know

Atari VCS: release date, games, price and everything you need to know
The Atari VCS is a fascinating concept. It's a PC/console hybrid, capable of playing over 100 classic Atari home and arcade games, as well as brand new titles. Still, you can also stream your favorite shows in 4K HDR, boot into PC mode, and install any operating system. If you weren't impressed with the PS5 or Xbox Series X, the Atari VCS could prove to be a popular product, especially among the older generation of gamers. After all, the name Atari always carries a lot of kudos for video game fans, given the company's vital role in creating the home console market. But his last piece of new hardware, the 1993 Jaguar, was a monumental flop. Since then, the Atari brand has changed hands several times, emerged from bankruptcy, and has been used to market social games and online gambling. It's been a rough 20 years for Atari, that's for sure. But all that could change with the company's new console: the Atari VCS console (the console formerly known as the Ataribox), which is expected to ship in "fall 2020" (between September and November). The Atari VCS represents Atari's hopeful return to the world of consoles, promising both access to original Atari games and new experiences, blending the classic with the modern.

Atari VCS: key facts

What is the Atari VCS?

Atari VCS Atari first teased the Atari VCS in June 2017 with a fairly lightweight website and a short YouTube clip, then finally turned the tide at E3 2017. Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari, which bought the company after which went bankrupt in 2013, told VentureBeat: "We're back in the hardware business." The article also claimed that the device would be "based on PC technology". The system is, as Atari says, "built for today." Armed with a powerful AMD Ryzen processor powered by Radeon graphics, the Atari VCS is a stylish device. It's designed to offer unprecedented levels of flexibility while capturing the classic feel of the original Atari 2600. It wasn't until July 2017 that we got a better idea of ​​what to expect from the Atari VCS, when an email to fans who signed up for the Atari newsletter detailed some of the now-confirmed specs. from the console. The Atari VCS will be available in three models: one with a classic woodgrain walnut front, another predominantly black, and a third model sporting a carbon gold finish. It's a striking reimagining of a gaming classic, with a clean, slim aesthetic. All three versions share the same elegant design, with ribbed lines and a raised back. The Atari VCS has several modern ports on the rear, including an HDMI output, four USB 3.1 ports, and an Ethernet cable port for wired Internet access. The system is highly customizable in the PC mode of the Atari VCS. Users can upgrade hardware to personalize their gaming experience and make the console their own. Inside the box you'll find a custom AMD processor powered by Radeon Graphics powerful enough to run games like Minecraft and light indie titles, as well as other consoles. It will also be able to run traditional Atari games, although it won't take a lot of power to get them running. According to a press release sent out in late September, all of this hardware will help the console bring a full PC experience to the TV, including the ability to stream shows and movies, access apps (the console runs on a version of Linux ), connect to social media, surf the web, and stream music. Then there's the controller, well two controllers to be exact. One of the aforementioned controllers is a replica of the Atari paddle you grew up with. It has a single button and a directional joystick. The Atari VCS controller also comes with a more contemporary controller, similar to what you'd find paired with an Xbox One. It has four face buttons, a d-pad, and two joysticks.

Atari VCS release date and price

Atari VCS Atari aims to ship the console in 2020, putting it in direct competition with the PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. It's available to pre-order now at select retailers in the United States, but it's already sold out in some places. like Walmart. . Additional retailers and international availability will be announced in the future.

Atari VCS Specifications

Atari VCS After many months of speculation, we now know the full specifications of the Atari VCS 800. Some specifications are also upgradeable, such as system RAM, giving users the flexibility and ability to improve performance over time. down the line.

Atari also offers a slightly less powerful model, the Atari VCS 400, which comes with 4GB of RAM instead of 8GB, and is only capable of streaming 1080p video.

Atari VCS Games

Bóveda de Atari

(Image credit: Atari) What good is a console if it doesn't have good games to play? Fortunately, the Atari VCS will ship with the Atari Vault, which includes more than 100 vintage and classic home games. Additional games will also be available, but details will be shared closer to launch. Atari says the Atari VCS will also be able to play indie favorites and triple-A games. Atari owns the rights to more than 200 different video game properties, including Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids, and Centipede. To get a better idea of ​​what to expect from the company, just take a look at Atari's Greatest Hits app for iOS and Android: it's got 100 classic Atari 2600 games that you can buy in small bundles, or you can unlock any one. the library for $10. Today's best deals for the Nintendo SNES Classic Edition, Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis Mini Sega Genesis Mini Nintendo Entertainment System - Genesis

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