The gaming console that changed how the world played video games has been brought back to life.
Atari announced the re-launch of its iconic 2600 that will be released on November 17 for $130 – 46 years after it first captivated the world.
The 2600+ is smaller than the original but features the nostalgic woodgrain front panel, metal switches, a joystick and a cartridge slot compatible with hundreds of games.
However, the console will have a modern twist with an HDMI output, USB power and multiple screen resolutions.
Atari announced the re-launch of its iconic 2600+ system will be released on November 17 for $130 – 46 years after it first captivated the world
The Atari 2600 was released in October 1977
Customers can now pre-order the system on Atari’s website.
Atari was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, who started their two-person company under the name Syzygy Co in 1971.
The name, however, was taken, so they landed on ‘Atari’ instead.
Bushnell was a fan of the ancient Chinese board game Go. In Go, ‘Atari’ means ‘I’m about to win.’ It’s similar to saying ‘checkmate’ in chess.
The Atari 2600 was released in October 1977 for $189.95 and is credited with popularizing plug-in cartridges containing games instead of hardware having them built in.
It became so successful that by the early 1980s, an ‘Atari’ was used as a generic description of any games console in North America.
The gadget, usually sold with a pair of joysticks conjoined with paddle controllers, also helped make the game Pac-Man a hit.
The recreation is smaller than the original but features the nostalgic woodgrain front panel, metal switches, a joystick and a cartridge slot compatible with hundreds of games
The system includes one gaming cartridge with 10 video games, including Video Pinball, Maze Craze and Haunted House
The system became so popular that it was not discontinued until 1992.
Atari has now partnered with video game developer PLAION to resurrect the console.
Atari Chairman and CEO Wade Rosen said: ‘Preserving classic games is a priority for Atari, and the release of the Atari 2600+ will make the hundreds of Atari 2600 and 7800 games that have been released over the last 50 years universally accessible.
‘PLAION’s approach to a quality recreation of iconic Atari hardware made them the perfect partner to bring the Atari 2600+ to market.’
The system includes one gaming cartridge with 10 video games, including Video Pinball, Maze Craze and Haunted House.
However, 2600+ is compatible with all the original 2600 and 7800 system games.
The Atari 7800 was released in 1986 and included notable arcade titles like Ms Pac-Man, Asteroid and Donkey Kong Jr.
Commercial Director of Retro at PLAION, Ben Jones, said: ‘We’re excited to be working with Atari to bring back the Atari 2600 and help meet the growing consumer demand for retro hardware.
‘For gamers who remember the thrill of playing arcade games at home for the very first time, the Atari 2600+ will take you right back.
‘For everyone else, the offer is one of timeless fun and the chance to experience a golden age of video games in a way that could only come from Atari.’
