A New Atari Console, Who Is It For & Why Does It Exist?

There is no denying that Atari was, at one time, the king of home video game systems. The Atari 2600 created the video game boom in the US in the late 1970s and early '80s until the eventual bust. While the Atari 2600 is incredibly iconic with the wood grain paneling and the flip switches, the later releases from Atari didn't fare as well. The Atari 5200 and Atari 7800 were more advanced machines but failed in the marketplace. In 2023, Atari released the 2600+, an emulation-based 2600 system that also played 7800 games via an integrated HDMI port. Now they've followed that system up in August 2024 with the 7800+, which doesn't make sense to me. Let's look at this new Atari Console, who it is for and why does it even exist?

From Atari:
GET YOUR PIXEL FIX LIKE IT'S 1986.
The new Atari 7800+ joins the ranks of such timeless design icons as shoulder pads, crop tops, and aviator sunglasses! Inspired by the original ‘80s design, this scaled-down version fits today’s living rooms and connects easily to modern TVs via HDMI. It supports both 2600 and 7800 game cartridges and comes with the new Wireless CX78+ Gamepad, an untethered recreation of the radical controller Atari released with the 7800 in Europe in the ‘80s. Use its two-button gaming power to journey through Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, the brand-new cartridge sequel to Crystal Castles.

Features
- Plays both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges
- Near-perfect compatibility with original and third-party Atari games
- Includes the new Wireless CX78+ Gamepad for all of your two-button, gaming needs
- Easily connects to any screen via HDMI
- Widescreen or 4:3 viewing options for all displays
- Included cartridge Bentley Bear’s newest 7800 adventure; Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest
- USB-C charging cable (wall charging plug not included)

My thoughts:
Minus the wireless controller, you can get all these features in the Atari 2600+ system available right now, today, for the same price! Unless you absolutely need to go wireless, I don't understand the appeal. I doubt I will order one of these, but let me know your thoughts in the comments.

#Atari #Atari7800 #retrogaming #BentleyBearsCrystalQuest #Atari2600

[RktSks-utyo]

It exists for people like me that both grew up with the 7800 and like the form factor better. Just because you won't be into something, doesn't mean that others won't be.

[ryansaggy]

I’d pick it up over the 2600 only for the fact I like the look of the 7800 better personally.

[GeckoHogheadIncOfficial]

Maybe they’re doing that for the sake of a higher compatability install base for their users, and the fact that the 7800 I think deserves a second chance.

[rubenmejia]

I've never owned an atari and when i heard about it this morning it kind of appealed to me that for 1 its cool looking 2 I can potentially score 2 consoles in one as well as trying to relive and understand atari fans. 3 its got the modern upgrades that are essential now for hooking up hdmi, making things easier and cleaner looking than rf or composite. I wouldn't have to worry about purchasing any upscalers to get a clean image, plus it's got wireless contollers now and a new game never seen before. In my honest opinion, I think that's pretty darn neat and definitely got me excited. I have been considering preordering one. While i won't collect a whole assembly of cartridges, it is nice to know that it gives people who weren't around the opportunity to check out older hardware during the modern era with accessibilites that weren't possible before. It's kind of like being able to jump back into time and explore the 80's for a small portion of it. Lol idk if im making any sense right now but anyone else feel that way? I was born in the late 80's so I always wondering what it was like being able to experience the previous generation of entertainment.

[Seventizz]

From what I've gathered, it fixed some behind the scenes bugs that the 2600+ shipped with and it's an excuse to introduce the joypad to NA that originally was an EU exclusive. Also, I think it's a slight upgrade bump aesthetically for those that didn't like the 2600+'s look. 3 consoles in 4 years is a bit of a market flood though.

[braddahl]

Better compatibility out of the box I would assume. Hopefully the full Champ Games library! It’s really cool seeing their work and Bob D’s being released by actual Atari (especially the pack in honor). The buyout of AA I would imagine has lead to that arrangement. Well deserved for those “home brewers” and hopefully more to come. I’d imagine the 2600+ will have software parity with updates.

[donaldsmith]

I always loved the 7800, and the chance to grab a new one is awesome. I’m here for it.

[whatspeedlimits]

Atari has confirmed that there are minor hardware changes- it's not 100% the same as the 2600+

[TwistedIdentity]

Seemed like the exact same thing to me too just with a different coat of paint.

[dariogagliano]

so if i buy atari 2600 i can play with atari 7800 games runned into atari 2600?

[ryanbullock]

I was thinking exactly the same thing! It's the same console, but with a wireless controller.
I already have a 7800 that I bought for $10 several years back and it has 100% compatibility!

[klax]

i wonder if they will release a 5200+ complete with broken controllers

[Maikeru]

I pre-ordered one because I had a 7800 when I was a kid and I didn't buy the 2600+.

[Ken-hr]

Its basically a 2600 inside a 7800 shell. Id rather have a 2600 JR varient.

[castleranch]

Does the 2600+ also have a wireless controller?

[CaptainFrugalReviews]

At least they provide the better controller, but I don't see this being successful.

[rubenmejia]

Aww no smh I wrote a long reply and it disappeared smh 😪 😔 in short I feel its pretty neat for many different reasons coming from a non atari owner.

[BigFunnyGiant]

It’s basically the second iteration of the hardware in a different case.