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The game console that changed the way the world played video games has been brought back to life.
Atari announced the relaunch of its iconic 2600, which will be released on November 17 for $130 – 46 years after it first captivated the world.
The 2600+ is smaller than the original, but features the nostalgic woodgrain front panel, metal switches, joystick and cartridge slot compatible with hundreds of games.
However, the console gets a modern touch with an HDMI output, USB power and multiple screen resolutions.
Atari announced the relaunch of its iconic 2600+ system will be released on November 17 for $130 – 46 years after it first captivated the world
The Atari 2600 was released in October 1977
Customers can now pre-order the system from Atari’s website.
Atari was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, who started their two-man company under the name name Syzygy Co in 1971.
However, the name was adopted, so they ended up with ‘Atari’.
Bushnell was a fan of the ancient Chinese board game Go. In Go, “Atari” means “I’m about to win.” It is similar to saying “checkmate” in chess.
The Atari 2600 was released in October 1977 for $189.95 and is credited with popularizing plug-in cartridges containing games rather than hardware incorporating them.
It became so successful that by the early 1980s an ‘Atari’ was used as the generic description of any game console in North America.
The gadget, which is usually sold with a pair of joysticks and paddle controllers, also helped make Pac-Man a hit.
The recreation is smaller than the original, but features the nostalgic woodgrain front panel, metal switches, joystick and cartridge slot compatible with hundreds of games
The system contains one gaming cartridge with 10 video games, including Video Pinball, Maze Craze, and Haunted House
The system became so popular that it was not discontinued until 1992.
Atari is now teaming up with video game developer PLAION to revive the console.
Atari Chairman and CEO Wade Rosen said, “Preserving classic games is a priority for Atari, and the release of the Atari 2600+ will make the hundreds of Atari 2600 and 7800 games released over the past 50 years universally accessible.
“PLAION’s approach to a quality reproduction of iconic Atari hardware made them the perfect partner to bring the Atari 2600+ to market.”
The system contains one gaming cartridge with 10 video games, including Video Pinball, Maze Craze, and Haunted House.
However, 2600+ is compatible with all original 2600 and 7800 system games.
The Atari 7800 was released in 1986 and featured such notable arcade titles as Ms Pac-Man, Asteroid, and Donkey Kong Jr.
Retro Commercial Director at PLAION, Ben Jones, said, “We are excited to be working with Atari to bring back the Atari 2600 and help meet the growing consumer demand for retro hardware.
For gamers who remember the thrill of playing arcade games at home for the first time, the Atari 2600+ will bring you right back.
“For everyone else, the offering is one of timeless fun and the chance to experience a golden age of video games in a way that could only come from Atari.”