Following the success of Nintendo’s NES Classic Edition and Sony Playstation Classic retro mini-consoles, Atari is finally hopping on the trend with one of its own: the Atari 2600+. The re-release of the original ’70s home gaming console is 80 percent scale, comes with a 1:1 replica of its iconic CX40+ joystick, and still has that signature groovy wooden panel design. It releases today, November 17.
Unlike those throwback consoles from Nintendo and Sony, though, Atari’s is backward compatible. That means if you’ve still got your original Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges in a box somewhere in your basement, you can dust them off and pop them in the Atari 2600+ today.
If you tossed those old carts decades ago, don’t fret: Like other recent retro mini-console releases, the Atari 2600+ has its own bundle of games. Rather than pre-loading an emulator with a batch of ROMs, the console comes with a 10-in-1 game cartridge that includes Maze Craze, Missile Command, Adventure, Yars’ Revenge, and Video Pinball. It has an HDMI output for HD and widescreen support, plus it runs on a USB-C for simplified power.
Gamers who want more from the Atari 2600+ can grab additional games and peripherals can also grab a 4-in-1 Game Cartridge with Breakout and Video Olympics and two paddle controllers for $39.99, a CX40+ joystick for $24.99, and Mr. Run and Jump and Berzerk Enhanced Edition for $29.99 each.
I’ve been playing with the Atari 2600+ in our office this week and loving its old-school flavor. The console is super lightweight (it’s 80 percent smaller than the original model) and easy to set up—I just plugged the HDMI cord into a television, plugged in the power cord with a brick, and hit the Atari’s power switch—and its games are simple to play, especially by today’s standards. Because of the HDMI output, I could play Missile Command on a 77-inch television screen without worrying about skewed video quality.
Grab the console now for $129.99 at Amazon for that retro gamer in your life this holiday season.
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
