Atari is introducing a brand new console to the market – its first for many years.
Formerly called Ataribox during an initial funding stage, it is now called the Atari VCS – a throwback to the original name of the Atari 2600 in the 70s.
It is confirmed to come with a Classic controller, that looks and feels like the original rubber joystick, plus a more modern gamepad. And there are many more features beside.
Here then is what we know about the box so far.
Atari VCS design and specifications
The Atari VCS has a design inspired by iconic Atari products, a bit like the Atari 2600/VCS from the 70s and early 80s that it now shares a name with. It is slimmer and more set-top-box in stature, however.
It is claimed that the console will bring a “full PC experience” to your TV – hence the adoption of the “Video Computer System” part of its name. It’ll offer apps and access to streaming, social, web browsing, music listening and more, including services such as Netflix and Spotify. A game streaming service is thought to be part of the system too, to give access to full, modern PC titles.
In terms of inside the box, a full spec list has been published on the console’s Indiegogo funding page:
- CPU: Bristol Ridge A10
- GPU: Radeon R7
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 32GB eMMC, SD card slot and support for external HDD
- Connections: HDMI 2.0, 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 4xUSB 3.0
- HDCP: HDCP 2.2 compliant
- Operating system: Linux OS based on Ubuntu (Linux Kernel 4.10)
- Microphones: 4 front-facing mic array
- Screencasting: Yes
- Power: Low TDP architecture
- Weight: 1.36kg
- Dimensions: 368.3 x 134.6 x 40.6mm
It will come with voice control, as evidenced by the microphone support in the specs. We don’t yet know whether that will be custom or through a virtual assistant, such as Amazon’s Alexa.
And Atari confirmed in April 2018 to Pocket-lint that the VCS will support 4K resolutions, HDR and 60fps gameplay.
Atari VCS games and user experience
Atari VCS will launch with Atari Vault, a 100-plus game collection of classic Atari games like Asteroids, Centipede and Missile Command. It will also support “current titles from a range of studios”. We’re not sure exactly how the latter will work yet but, because the operating system has an open nature, but Atari said players will be able to access and play games from other platforms.
It has confirmed that there will be a cloud game streaming option, but we’re not yet sure who the partner is.
One game we have been told is highly likely to make it onto the box at launch is Tempest 4000 – the remake of the classic Atari arcade game.
The user interface adopted by the Atari VCS will be customisable. But, from the box it will look distinctly 70s and 80s, inspired by the time the original console was around.
Screens of the current test version released by Atari show a tile-based structure that makes it easy to find the games you want to play instantly.
It’s not that far removed from the latest UI of the Nvidia Shield TV, for example.
Atari VCS release date, price and pre-order deals
Nearly a year after it was first unveiled, pre-orders are now available for the Atari VCS.
There are two versions of the gaming system on offer at this stage. The first is a “time-limited” Collector’s Edition featuring the faux wood-front panelling. The second is an all-black Onyx Edition – the version that will go on general sale next year.
Prices start at $199 for the Onyx version, but it doesn’t include a controller. If you want a Classic Joystick included, you can get an early bird version for $229.
The Collector’s Edition with Classic Joystick is available for $299, but only until 11 June 2018.
The funding phase will finish at the end of June, which is when pre-orders for the Atari VCS close.
The shipping date for all pre-orders is listed as July 2019 – so still a long time to wait before you can get your hands on one, sadly.
