Over the past several years, LEGO has been exploring video game-related sets in exciting new ways. LEGO's partnership with Nintendo, which has led to fun NES console and interactive Super Mario Bros. sets, has been particularly exciting, but new Sonic the Hedgehog and Horizon Forbidden West sets show LEGO's willingness to experiment. It's perhaps no surprise, then, that a new set has been leaked which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Atari. The set is of the classic Atari 2600 console.
The leak comes from German Lego website Promobricks.de which explains that LEGO is working on a unique playable model set of the Atari 2600, initially known as the Atari VCS. The set is tentatively planned for release in August 2022 and will tentatively cost a healthy $199.99 - an estimate from Promobricks.de. LEGO fans hoping to track the set's announcement and release can do so with the Atari 2600 set number 10306 or the set's full name, which is the Atari 50th Anniversary Gaming Console.
In addition to the Atari 2600 console itself, there will also be a CX40 controller to assemble as well, naturally. The Atari 2600 console featured a unique style of controller featuring a joystick at its center and a single orange button. It's possible that this controller will also have a mechanical element connecting it to the console due to its "playable" nature.
As for what "playable" means, LEGO fans might recall the Nintendo Entertainment System LEGO set that includes a LEGO television and "game" to play on it. The Atari 2600 set won't include a television, according to the leak. However, it will include a hinge element that when opened reveals a scene from the game Pitfall. Pitfall hero Harry will be swinging over a pit filled with crocodiles, according to the description. An electronic component that allows for actual Atari games to be played would be very exciting, but is outside the scope of a $200 LEGO set.
Altogether, the set combines elements from both the NES console LEGO set as well as the Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block with its secret Pitfall game world inside. LEGO is doing its best to deliver rich, detailed gaming experiences within these sets, and it sounds like the Atari 2600 set will be no different.
While the tentative release window for the Atari 2600 set is August later this year, it will be limited to official LEGO sources to start. Promobricks.de says that the set may not be openly available otherwise until early 2023. As LEGO fans know, patience is important when trying to score these rare sets.