Atari VCS 4 Years Later: Now on Life Support?

Atari VCS has been out 4 years and I share my thoughts about it.
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Atari VCS Intro and Sale 00:00
Unusual hardware 2:00
Missing games 3:08
What has been released in the last 6 months? 3:41
Advantages of the PC Console hybrid 6:45
Atari's Offerings 8:05
Question I have about the VCS 11:47
Final Thoughts 12:18

Roasty Buds coffee and game(digital code) were sent to me from the company. The views expressed in this video are of my own.

[DanielGoulson]

Tech like this is designed intentionally with a dedicated and passionate community in mind. Even long after Atari stops supporting it there will continue to be a committed moding, homebrewing and indi developing community keeping it alive for years to come.

[abdias]

Got Atari VCS last year and still enjoy it. Playing Atari 50 (Solaris) and Yars Rising. Hope Atari don't leave it behind.

[AtariTomX]

I really hope the VCS sticks around for at least a few more years. I just ordered mine after years of wanting one. :(

I've been lowkey envious of everyone who bought the console at launch, but $300 was just too much for me. I really want to make the most of the VCS now that I'll have one.

[davefried]

Just got mine a few weeks ago and am having a blast experimenting with this hardware

[RandyWaage]

For the current price I think it's a steal! I doubt you'll find anything this cool looking for the specs at this price. I ended up buying 2 more... one is going as a gift to a friend. I personally LOVE the retro modern look of it!

I primarily use it as a Batocera machine with a 500gb Kinhank drive I picked up from Aliexpress that works perfect with it. So ya...you're probably right on the money with a good tinkering computer. Been meaning to get back to using the Atari OS. I personally really like Asteroids and Breakout recharged.

As someone else mentioned it would be cool if they made a more old school Atari accurate wireless controller for it. I agree with you that the stick is way too loose/doesn't have the old school feel of the CX40 and the paddle control is really not that great either.

[joshx]

I just played mine yesterday and have had it for a year. I still love it and have tons of games for it. I do not regret getting it and i paid full price for it. I have some of your games too. 👍

[RavenShinyThings]

I liked the memory upgrades people were doing to it seemed to help

[johnw]

Appreciate the honest reviews you have posted on this! I'm an Atari collector who grew up with it and play mostly on original hardware with some emulation thrown in. Modern gaming is not my thing, but for $80 on Walmart I picked one up to add to the collection. I'll probably buy a few online titles as some of what you show does look fun.

[GenXX]

Let’s hope it’s not on life support, because I just orders it.

[ballistik_coffee_boy]

love my VCS, it's got some great homebrews and they're still coming! (Including your games!) The problem is Atari has not been marketing it correctly, probably due to the fact that Wade started right after it was released. I feel he should release a VCS 2.0 with his blessing and promote the crap out of it, I feel it could be much better marketed, with a USB pc mode stick in the box this time, it's been an honor to cover it for the past 3 years, here's to a jag mini by next christmas! btw, my VCS score is currently a B-

[DarkBidoof]

Dude I just watched 3 of your videos on this thing yesterday 🤣

[steviegrafx]

I picked it up on the black Friday sale. I hope that it works out of the and that Atari supports it for a couple more years.

[gator-freighterlpd-]

I just picked up the VCS "All In Bundle" for Black Friday, it was finally in a price range I could deal with. I already had gotten the 2600+ and then the 400 Mini when it went on sale awhile back. I've always been an Atari fan since the VCS/2600 in the late 70's then computers in the 80's. Still have all my original equipment which I have been restoring and updating.

[stephenelliott]

For me Atari is really moving in the right direction. From the various systems (the 7800+ being the latest) with collectable new releases of carts, to the excellent Atari 50 software on modern systems. But for me they should take the Atari brand forward with a more powerful system! Maybe not like this PC spec VCS, it doesn't need to be as powerful as a modern PC, just something in-between the old and new perhaps?

[intellivisiongamer]

I wish they would use it for a retro console. Release all kinds of games or packs of games and have controllers for that console usable.

[neilp-martin]

As an original crowdfunder backer, I couldn't contain my excitement when the Onyx VCS arrived at my doorstep on Christmas Eve 2020, right here in the UK. This sleek and stylish Atari Box has become the ultimate conversation starter for all our visitors who spot it proudly displayed under our main living room TV.

Sure, the general support from the latest Atari owners might not be top-notch, but that doesn't dampen my enthusiasm! I'm absolutely thrilled with the fantastic indie releases and the incredible Atari's own Recharged series and Atari50. While I don’t expect a flood of new games each year, the steady stream of releases perfectly matches the time I get to enjoy it. Owning this gem feels like being part of an exclusive club, and every moment with it is pure joy! 🎮✨

[the_realJAMES]

I bought 4 all in bundles for $80😊

For $80 you get an official Atari console with a classic and a modern wireless controller with rumble!

And that classic controller, I feel gets underrepresented as a standout feature that sets it apart from all the other consoles. I think the VCS provides the best place to play those paddle games! (Including Atari 50).

On top of that, it has the option to dual boot into windows or another OS for a low end mini gaming pc. It’s got the ability to expand storage, add ram, and technically a GPU for an even better PC gaming machine albeit a little bit less visually appealing.

Out of the box it’s an incredible deal as a console. It also provides the opportunity for a fantastic educational experience with tinkering and modding for newcomers.

All for $80….I mean come on.

I plan on keeping 2 of the 4 in their stock configuration and set them up in the two places our family games. (Maybe I’ll add storage to these)

I plan on tinkering with one and for the other one, I’ll either keep it untouched in box or give it to a friend as a gift for the holidays.

Oh FYI, the wireless controllers are significantly marked down too!

[Marlevlyn]

I actually just start looking into this about 40 minutes ago

[atarileaf]

Theres one irish guy who just loves this thing

[TheSanctus]

At 100 dollars this is a great buy. It normally costs that much or more for two controllers. I just picked up a spare at 100. I had no idea these were going so cheap. Lots of fun stuff you can do with this system. Thanks!