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In a nostalgic nod to the disco era, Atari is joining forces with Plaion to launc. h a new retro home console, the Atari 2600+. This modern iteration pays tribute to the original Atari 2600, a device that brought joy to countless children starting in 1977. The remake, however, is modeled after the four-switch version from 1980 and is capable of playing both Atari 2600 and 7800 games.
The Atari 2600+ comes with a collection of 10 titles, but it’s worth noting that it lacks some of the system’s iconic games like Pac-Man, Frogger, Space Invaders, and Pitfall. This implies that enthusiasts might need to hunt down physical cartridges to fully enjoy the retro experience. Despite being a faithful recreation of the original, the Atari 2600+ is 80 percent of the original size. It boasts modern “plus” features such as an HDMI output, widescreen support, and an enlarged cartridge socket to minimize cartridge sticking. Adding a touch of flair, the Atari logo illuminates when the console is powered on. The package includes a modern remake of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, the CX40+. While the system supports two-player mode, only one joystick is included, with an additional one available for $25.
Atari also announced that a remake of the CX-30 Paddle Controller is in the pipeline. The bundled “10 Games in 1” cartridge includes titles like Adventure, Combat, Dodge ‘Em, Haunted House, Maze Craze, Missile Command, RealSports Volleyball, Surround, Video Pinball, and Yars’ Revenge. Atari has provided a comprehensive list of compatible cartridges, hinting that part of the retro gaming journey might involve tracking down and potentially paying a premium for physical games. This move comes after Atari’s previous venture, the Atari VCS, which was launched two years ago, failed to sustain consumer interest. The company discontinued the retro console to restructure its hardware business and pursue a new commercial strategy, which seems to have culminated in this partnership with Plaion. The Atari 2600+ is set to launch worldwide on November 17th, retailing at $130, with an optional second joystick available for an additional $25. Pre-orders for this latest mini-retro system are now open on Atari’s website.
