Revamped Atari 7800+ Sports a Familiar Design, Now Packed with Games Worth Your Time
Firing Up the Past Once More: Atari's New 7800+ Console
Got a soft spot for those old-school vibes of the Atari 7800? Atari seems to think there are a handful of us out there with a lingering fondness for the retro gem. The gaming giant's latest offering at Gamescom 2024 isn't just another generic recreation console; it's none other than the Atari 7800, first introduced back in 1986!
Surprised? You might be, but this new 7800 isn't your old dusty console from the attic. It comes with a slew of modern perks like wireless controllers and backward compatibility with 2600 games. Just like its predecessor, it plays your old cartridges like a charm, but with a twist. It's not a GameStation Plus resurrection; it looks just like the original while playing the actual cartridges.
But why the throwback to the 7800? Let's face it; the market for 7800 games is pretty limited. There were merely 59 official titles available on the platform, most being remakes of arcade classics. However, the 7800 played nicely with 2600 games, and this new model follows suit. So here's the twist: Atari has delved into its historical archives to dig up some forgotten games for a fresh spin.
Included with the console is the cult-classic Bentley Bear's Crystal Quest, a homebrew title from 2014, now making its official debut on the 7800+. The mastermind behind this, Robert DeCrescenzo, also lends his skills to revive other popular games like Asteroids Deluxe, Space Duel, Frenzy, Berzerk, and Bounty Bob Strikes Back! - a sequel to the original 1983 game Miner 2049er.
So, why buy a retro console most folks probably don't remember, let alone owned games for? Well, it turns out that Atari has tapped into its deep library and community to bring us some unique, old-school titles. Atari even ships ten cartridges separately alongside the 7800+, though these don't include all the 2600+ games available for $30 a pop.
The console works with modern TVs, supporting both widescreen and 4:3 aspect ratios to give you the classic gaming feel. It comes with a CX78+ wireless gamepad, but if you want to play with a buddy, you'll need to shell out extra cash for a wireless gamepad or the new CX40+ wireless joystick. Power it up using a USB-C cable, but don't forget your power brick!
Though the 7800 doesn't boast the same legendary status as the Atari 2600, it was a notable product of its time. Launched in 1986, it arrived three years after the infamous games crash of 1983. Atari attempted to curb the influx of poor-quality titles by requiring a digital signature for its games, an issue that's resurfaced with homebrew titles compatible with the 7800 hardware.
The 7800, unfortunately, faced fierce competition, debuting the same year as the Nintendo Entertainment System, which quickly overshadowed it. Add to that the lack of popular platformers like Super Mario Bros., and it's no wonder that the console didn't gain much popularity. Atari eventually stopped supporting the console in 1992.
But fast forward to 2024, and it's a whole new ball game. The resurgence of interest in retro gaming has sparked a whole new generation of excitement around the 7800. Who knows? Maybe this new offering from Atari will reignite that spark and bring the 7800 into the modern gaming realm. After all, there's something irresistible about returning to the roots of gaming, isn't there?
- Despite being first introduced in 1986, Atari's new 7800+ console leverages modern technology, featuring wireless controllers and backward compatibility with 2600 games.
- The Atari 7800+ console, a revamp of the 1986 original, will include the infamously cult-classic game, Bentley Bear's Crystal Quest, initially released as a homebrew title in 2014.
- The revived Atari 7800+ console seeks to benefit retro gaming enthusiasts by offering a unique selection of old-school titles, such as Asteroids Deluxe, Space Duel, Frenzy, Berzerk, and Bounty Bob Strikes Back!, a sequel to the original 1983 game Miner 2049er.
- By revisiting the Atari 7800, initially a notable, but less popular product of its time, Atari aims to bring this classic console into the modern gaming realm, capitalizing on the resurgence of interest in retro gaming.
