Unveiling the Ultimate Gaming Nostalgia: Embracing Atari 2600+ for Today's Retro Gamers

The Atari home video game system became extremely popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by its faux wood paneling and a traditional joystick featuring a prominent red button. Although other competitors eventually surpassed Atari, its iconic status and loyal fans persisted.

Since the appointment of CEO Wade Rosen in 2021, Atari has made substantial efforts to regain trust and support from its fans and the gaming industry as a whole.

Centipede - Atari 2600 VCS Videogame

Under Rosen's leadership, the company is delving into its own past to shape its future. They are releasing upgraded or reimagined editions of their beloved classics such as "Missile Command" and "Centipede," creating the highly praised "Atari 50" interactive documentary, and preparing to launch the Atari 2600+ retro console.

People operating the Giant Joystick in 2007 at LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Centre in Spain in 2007.

Courtesy Mary Flanagan

A 9-foot video game joystick now holds a Guinness World Record

According to Rosen, the potential for the 2600+ to succeed lies in the release of new content and games, as well as the introduction of additional ways to play and access these games for larger communities. However, he strongly emphasizes that these advancements will not replace modern consoles, as they serve different purposes. The retro console is set to be released in November at a price of $130, in a more compact version. Alongside the 10 games included, the console will also support new titles and be compatible with original Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges.

Atari is reimagining the classic "Haunted House" video game.

Rosen argues that retro games are a perfect match for the current era, and both the upcoming reimagined Atari game "Haunted House" (launching in October) and the already available original game "Days of Doom" embody the fast-paced, easily accessible gameplay that defined the early days of the hobby.

The remastered version of "Haunted House" is a sophisticated stealth game in which players must navigate through a maze while avoiding vibrant ghosts and monsters. Despite the modern updates, it still maintains the exploration mechanics of its predecessor, which only featured floating eyes in a dimly lit, 2D environment.

According to Rosen, there has been a significant shift in what people desire in video games. These newer experiences are specifically designed for a more complex era. Rosen explained, "In the past, I craved lengthy games with extensive quests and multiple storylines. However, now I find myself only able to devote time to a few of these games each year due to the demands of life."

Captured on August 12, 2017, an individual strikes a pose with a vintage T-shirt showcasing the iconic Atari 2600 video game console from the early 1980s. This memorable moment takes place within the lively atmosphere of the Retro.HK gaming convention held in Hong Kong.

Atari's line of Atari Recharged revitalizes classics such as "Yars Revenge" for a contemporary audience. Additionally, Atari extended its collection of remastered titles with the acquisition of Nightdive Studios, bringing new franchises like "Turok" and the highly anticipated "System Shock" to the mix.

The genre of the interactive video game documentary was established by the recent release of "Atari 50". Instead of simply mining nostalgia, the company delved into decades of its history and invited viewers of the doc to become players.

The original 1975 mock-up of the Pong home system sold for $270,910 at auction.

from RR Auction

As the perception of games as art continues to grow, people are increasingly interested in understanding the intricate components and historical context behind them. However, given that games are a unique medium, perhaps our approach to interacting with them should be different."

Although not currently included in the company's plans, the CEO of Atari expressed excitement for a potential handheld gaming system that could offer the ability to play retro games on the go, similar to the Nintendo Switch. When asked about the possibility, he expressed enthusiasm, stating, "If there is interest, then yes, I think it would be really enjoyable. My only concern would be the potential size of the cartridges."

Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony dominate the home console market with their Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 systems during this holiday season, while Atari prepares to enter the competition with the release of its Atari 2600+ retro console on November 17. Although not yet available as a handheld device, Atari aims to make its mark in the industry.