The original Atari left the console market in 1996, and few expected to ever hear from the brand again. Those people might be surprised to learn the new Atari VCS console releases later this month.
Named after the original moniker of the Atari 2600, the Atari VCS will be available for online orders from Best Buy, GameStop, Micro Center, and the official Atari VCS website. It hits virtual shelves on June 15.
The throwback console features an optional wood-patterned façade reminiscent of its namesake. The simultaneously retro and modern design suits the machine well, given the legacy of the Atari name. A hybrid PC console, Atari Connect COO Michael Arzt compared the Atari VCS to a less ambitious version of Valve's Steam Machine line.
Each VCS comes with a copy of Atari VCS Vault, which includes 100 classic Atari arcade and 2600 titles. As for newer games, the VCS supports an online marketplace with over a dozen titles from independent developers. It also comes with access to the Antstream Arcade streaming platform and its library of thousands of retro games. The VCS additionally features a PC mode allowing it to run Windows, Linux, and Chrome operating systems.
The reborn Atari VCS runs for $299.99 and supports standard PC gaming peripherals. Fans interested in an authentic retro experience can buy a classic Atari-inspired joystick for an additional $59.99. Atari also offers an Xbox-inspired controller for the same price, and all three items are available as a $399.99 bundle. Best Buy and GameStop also offer bundles including an Atari Speakerhat. Meanwhile, Micro Center and the official website offer the VCS bundled with a free copy of Missile Command: Recharged.
The current iteration of Atari has yet to make any huge waves since its merger with Infogrames in 2008. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013. It was later sued in 2017 by the developers of Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 over unpaid royalties. Atari had to rely on crowdfunding to get the VCS off the ground. The company has even been struggling to pay key employees. The VCS’s system architect quit in 2019 over missed payments.
Seen in that light, the VCS may be Atari’s chance to turn things around. However, there are some signs that it might not be the gamechanger Atari needs. One review describes the console as “all style, no substance.” The reviewer with Video Games Chronicle criticized its lack of focus and failure to be either a quality console or a practical lower-middle tier gaming PC. He also questioned who Atari intends the VCS to appeal to, a question various people raised since its announcement in 2017.
The Atari VCS so far does not have an answer. Fortunately, gamers will not have to wait much longer to find out if this blast from the past is more than a flash in the pan.
The Atari VCS releases June 15.
Source: IGN, Video Games Chronicle