Atari THE400 Mini 8-bit Home Computer COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW!
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- Atari brings the computer age home. Again! Welcome back to the Atari 8-bit world of computing! The powerful Atari 400 set a new standard of capability with its release in 1979, and along with its subsequent models, has been loved by gamers and computer enthusiasts for decades. Now Retro Games and Atari have collaborated to create THE400 Mini. A half-sized version of the distinctively styled Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range from the 400 to the 800XL, and the Atari 5200 home console. Also included is a recreation of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, with an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons. Play one of the 25 built-in games, including: Lee, Berzerk, Millipede, Miner 2049er, M.U.L.E, Star Raiders II, and save your progress at any point in one of four save slots per game, or even pause and rewind gameplay to help you through the most difficult parts - a feature new to THE400 Mini. The multi-region THE400 Mini features HD visuals output via HDMI and with five USB ports, you can connect additional controllers or a standard PC keyboard. And as with all Retro Games' releases you are free to play content you own via a USB flash drive, and learn to program in BASIC. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of retro computing, THE400 Mini has something to offer! In this full video review, Jon puts THE400 Mini through its paces and explores everything it can do!
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🟢 C H A P T E R S
00:00 THE400 Mini
01:41 Box & Contents
03:50 Hardware Tour
07:14 Power On & Navigation
10:41 Save Slots
11:28 Game Rewind
13:00 Direct NTSC & PAL Capture
14:20 Some Pre-Loaded Games
19:30 USB Expansion
21:09 Star Raiders (XL)
23:50 Conan (Multi-Disk)
24:56 Mario Bros. (XEGS)
25:58 Missile Command (5200)
29:54 Environment
30:41 BASIC
33:23 Summary & Rating - Розваги
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🚨 R E V I E W U P D A T E S 🚨
• I was mistaken - Atari 5200 ROM images should have the .bin extension - NOT .a52
Was wondering if I did something wrong with the 5200 files, next time I boot it up I'll tend to this.
Otherwise everything else I migrated over to the USB drive worked like a charm - and thanks to you mentioning that file reading limit per page I split the folders up with roughly 200 ish max for each of the folders created, there is pretty much zero lag when you browse the folders it surprised me.
Unrelated but I did take the opportunity to update the firmware on the C64 and A500 mini's I had too as they were both old versions, all patched now ^_^
Just got a message mine is ready for pickup at the post office 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Atari Party at Patrick's house tonight! 🥳
@@GenXGrownUp got home, unpacked and installed it, then I cooked dinner :)
The Atari 8-bits are still my favorite home computer. I have a 400 and 800XL as well 3 5200's in my collection of retro home computers and video games. They just seemed so awesome when they came out. Hopefully, my mini pre-order will show up this weekend.
No wonder I can't buy one , you've got them all😂😂
Similar story to you. After selling my 400, and then 800XL Ended up with an XE from eBay. Saturday morning, if Amazon delivers it'll be like Xmas '82 all over again!
Would love a "For Dummies" guide to getting other games on a stick-drive if possible, for those who aren't as techy. Great video!
Heh. I'm sure you're no dummy, but if there's enough demand I could certainly do that.
I was one of those who was not going to get this due to Star Raiders not being included. I have my old Star Raiders cartridge but alas my Atari 800 is no more. I would love some hints as to where I could find the Rom file for that game or if you could make a video for Dummies on how to find the file on the internet or what you need to get it from the ROM cartridge to a USB stick.
@@roccopassarette5060 Sounds like a second reqeust for an expansion video. BTW, there's a link in the video description to a full set of disk images on the Internet Archive in case you want to start exploring.
Search for star raided atari rom
Copy it (8kb) to a memory stick
Plug into 400 mini
Select and load it
Pull out memory stick
Add external keyboard
Enjoy
I just did ... sure I can play this on Pi, Windows etc. But I just wanted a simple console that I could load in seconds.
I would totally go for a "For Dummies" video!
Jon, the quality and content of your videos is really outstanding. Thank you!
I appreciate that! Thank you for watching! 😁
Great review of The400 Mini. Thank you for going in-depth into the functionality as well as loading multi-disk games. I'm looking forward to getting mine & to start messing around with it. 👍👍
Thanks so much John for taking time out to give us such an extensive and excellent review.
My 400 mini is coming later this week. Of course Ill know more how I feel about it when I get it, but based on what I saw here, Ill probably continue using original 5200, XEGS and 130 XE as my go to 8 bit and keep the mini just to add to collection or as an 8 bit backup..
That 400 Mini absolutely kicks ass... In my early teens, I used to have a fully upgraded Atari 400 and I spent hours and hours on that thing... I have got to get one of these... :)
Thanks for the great, in depth review Jon. I too am waiting patiently for an 800XL Max!
Wow that 400 mini looks awesome! Great job on the massive review, Jon.
Thanks for watching!
This is the review I've wanted! Thank you!
Awesome video! Thank you for taking all the time and effort. I am super impressed with all the features that they put in this. Your video helps this a lot!
Brilliant review...the best I've watched...can't wait for the arrival of my 400 Mini...my 800XL was my favourite childhood home computer!
I'm another longtime Atari 8-bit fan, got a 48K Atari 800 in 1982 when I was in high school (was a joint Chrstmas or birthday gift with my 1-year younger brother), and this mini 400 is really cool. I was thinking through the video, "Does it have Atari Basic?", and sure enough, it does! Made me real happy, as learning BASIC was my principal activity with my 800. Well, that and once I got a disk drive (a 1050), the typical "nerd" games of Infocom text adventures, SSI wargames, the classic early EA releases, and Flight Simulator II. I had little interest in the typical 8-bit arcade games, aside from Star Raiders (the only other game cart I had from those pre-Tramiel days was Eastern Front). I think I actually resented Atari for trotting out yet more releases of the same tired arcade games that I left behind with the VCS/2600.
Excellent review. I'm already looking forward to the future videos showing the system's modding with new firmware and games. :)
Thanks so much! Your Atari videos have been very comprehensive and incredibly helpful. I am loving the 400 mini, it’s clear they’ve really put a lot of thought into it.👍
Glad to help! 😁
Looks like a solid device overall, congrats on a huge review week! 🎉
Great video, Jon. Thank you so much for the detailed walkthrough which looks easy but would have set you back some serious time to prepare and shoot. I never had anything from the Atari line in the 80s (too costly) but I got a whopper of a present - Apple II in 1984. I mention this because many of my beloved games are also on the 400 Mini. That’s why I’ve purchased a mini and eagerly awaiting its arrival in the next few days.
Love your enthusiasm, expertise, joy of all things Atari, honesty and your wonderful & entertaining videos. Best Wishes !!!
Jon, *THANK YOU* so much for this outstanding rundown of the Atari 400 Mini. You have saved me invaluable time setting mine up when it arrives here in Sweden (hopefully today - Thursday). I’ve been a subscriber for a couple of years now, but after this detailed vid I had to become a channel member as well.
How very kind of you, Grasshopper! I'm always happy to hear that one of my videos has helped someone out. I appreciate you watching! You'll have to let me know how your experience with THE400 Mini goes! 😁
Catchy tune, indeed! I love all of the "mini" tunes. The C64 Mini tune was my favorite, but this earworm is taking over. Looking forward to my 400 Mini arriving soon!
Thanks again jon for bringing more enjoyable content coverage on mini gaming platforms!
Fantastic review! I didn’t grow up with 400/800, but the 2600 and got the XEGS as a teenager, so this wasn’t on my radar. But your review is so thorough and your enthusiasm have me wanting one!
Oh man. Programming in BASIC is such a cool addition. 🤩
Good evening Jon ! I’m watching this video over and over again , I grew up with the C64, I now discover what a great system the 400 is. Thanks for the content and wish you the best !!
Hi there, and thanks for watching. I'm very much enjoying my Mini! 😁
Fantastic review as always!
Great review - thank you. I've gone back and forth on whether this is for me or not, and really appreciate you sharing your experience with it.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video Jon. The authoritative word on everything Atari as always. I'm looking forward to taking delivery of my 400 Mini this weekend hopefully :-) Keep up the awesome work!
So many memories.. can't wait. Great review!
Thanks for watching!
Wow....the controller is awesome. Amazingly thoughtful update while looking old.
Thanks Jon for this informative video, I'm waiting for mini to try this little beast out !
You're welcome. Thank you for watching! 😁
Thanks for the great review!!
Ok, you sold me, I ordered mine.
My first computer was an Atari 800 and I was holding out for news of a mini 800 but the section on programming hit the "sitting in the glow of a TV pecking at 2 am pecking at the keyboard with an open copy of the latest Antic" nostalgia button. Good times.
Great review and thanks for all you do.
...and then getting the corrections in the next issue of Antic, explaining why I could never get the damn thing to run! 😁 I hope you enjoy it - thanks for the kind words.
That looks terrific. I'm glad I pre-ordered, and I'm looking forward to getting mine...
Best review by far and I believe I've practically seen them all. Definitely the most comprehensive. The USB stick chapter really helped show me how the system works with rom files. Definitely sold me on buying one. That Joystick is pretty awesome. Hopefully works on a PC/MAC.
I think your videos consistently get better and better. This was a helpful review of the 400 Mini. I got my 400 in either 1979 or 1980 before they shipped with 8KB RAM, I paid for that upgrade because mine shipped with 4KB. To be honest, access to Atari Basic might be big selling point. I wasted hours programming basic on my old 400 although there was an addictive soccer game on the original that would be amazing to play again. Your video got me reconsidering my decision, I was going to pass on the 400 Mini; not anymore.
This system looks amazing! I would love to see a C64 mini vid from you! ❤
Thank you so much, Jon, for such an indept review of the 400 mini, I'm expecting mine any day now and can't wait to get stuck in and re-explore all those classics I played as a kid, I can almost smell the nostalgia from back in the day, I'm sure they will update certain aspects of the machine, for me I'd love to have be able to include custom bezels for making it more in tune Atari experience and allow custom cover art for your own games you bring via the USB stick that would be the ultimate.
So looking forward to what you do next and thanks for a great video
I’m so excited for this…should be arriving Friday!
The feature to add your own games is awesome. And thank God someone put a mapping controller option. Nice review my friend!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Been looking forward to the review even though I bought it already and know I'm gonna love it!
Look forward to getting mine from Amazon this week!
This is exciting! I'll be there!
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
About 6 months ago I didn't have a single Atari system. In a few days this will be my 4th one. \o/ Great review, sir. Really looking forward to getting this.
It's a beautiful sickness! 😉
Really excited to revisit the Atari 8-bit range, I had an Atari 800 for years and it is my all time favourite home computer. My Atari 400mini is likely to be delivered tomorrow. I live in Australia so the distribution has been well organised!
Thank you for another great and conclusive video. I am so looking forward to playing (Bruce) Lee once again plus Jumpman Jr., Donkey Kong, and Zombies. As I am used to the PAL versions the toggle is a really nice option.
Hello Jon. I like what you do with this channel. It's a great escape from all of the craziness in the world. I'm not a hard core ethusiast but I do think it's all very interesting as I do most things from the 80's. This 400 mini stuff is all exploratory for me as I couldn't afford most of this stuff when I was a kid. It's great that it exist now. I'm still getting use the Atari Game Sation Pro and what it has to offer thanks to this channel. This 400 Mini looks like loads of fun as well. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks for the kind words and for watching. I'm very thankful and humbled that you enjoy my work! 😁
Great system, and great review John. As an Atari 8-bit fan I love it.
You and me both!
Many thanks for your awesome showcasing! 🙂
My pleasure! Thank you for watching! 😁
thank you for a super detailed review :-)
I’m going to get me a job and get me this computa look at these games. I’ve never known about this old Atari computer in general. Think I might get into it. And I want to make a game too. Awesome review.
Love, GenZYungman
Hope you enjoy it!
As many here the 400 was my first computer and I've wished for a modern solution for as long as I can remember, got mine in today looking forward to it but glad John is getting it all figured out beforehand!
I cannot wait for mine to arrive (pre-ordered from Amazon UK)! I had an Atari 800 back in the early 80s; it was by far the best home computer at the time for me over the ZX Spectrum and C64; I loved that beast of a machine with games like Star Raiders, Rescue On Fractalus, and so many others, it was fantastic! I was working at a local family owned shop at the time, and very stupidly (in retrospect) traded it in for the new 800XL when it came out!! 😞 The XL was a great machine, and it came with the matching tape and disc drive, but it didn't have that 'feel' of the original - the original's brute force size and weight was so impressive! And now it's worth a bloody fortune on Ebay!! 😳
Oh well, my 400 mini arrives on Saturday I believe, so it's late (I don't know why), but I am so really looking forward to getting back to that system that I loved 40 years ago... 😊 👍
Love your videos! Great to see a guy who also like Atari. I am a younger viewer, )14 yo) and I love your content, but can you do like kinda a let’s play like you did with adventure, and donkey Kong? Or do pc-man for the 2600 because I loved that port because of the fast mode on there!
Also classic game room is back broadcasting from 2085.
Ms. Pac-Man sounds like a great pick. I'll put it on my idea list. Thanks!
@@GenXGrownUpNo problem.
@@GenXGrownUp John, I think it might be a good Idea to redo basic fun’s number 14 pac-man. Check on the ghosts movement, they all seem to act random, also the power pellets by stage 5, they don’t flicker white, they turn white for a frame before turning into the bad colors.the game actually runs at half the speed, and pac-man doesn’t round corners. But the ghosts do?!? I know you haven’t done one of those in a while. I love how you take your time to give to your audience! Great things come slow, and soon you’ll be at 50 thousand subs here soon! Have you played Atari today?
thanks for the vid! i purchased the cx40 joystick. im curious to see how it works with stella on a PC. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!!!
Awesome video
Very cool. I am gonna get one!
This emulator offers much more than I thought it would. Good video Jon:)
It does! They really spent the time to make it polished.
lol I thought I was the only one to remember 'Bristles' too. A friend had an Atari 800 back in the day (thanks to Ebay I have one now) but I did have a 130XE later so could play those games I remembered fondly. But the music and the revealing words after each level take me right back to those happy times!
Amazing review, as I knew it would be from GenX Jon. I am looking forward to this mini. I grew up in a C64 house, with the exception of the Atari 2600, so I did not experience the Atari 8-bit line personally. I had a friend or two that had an 800, but well I don't have to tell you about the rivalry that existed between 8-bit brands back then, LOL. Now to find the game collections for download that seem to be disappearing these days with all the crackdowns on emulation sites. Should be fun.
John, this review makes an Atari 8 bit fan, like myself, proud. The next Atari to be released console? I would like the 1450XLD that was never released or simply an Atari 800 maxie, as you have brought up.
Me too. They did this right.
This is answered A LOT of questions. Of course I'm going to try to run Diamond v 3 and 3rd party basic and newer homebrews that look gorgeous like time pilot.
I just ran the modern Scramble homebrew on the live stream and it was flawless!
Thanks again Jon. I'm having a play right now with separate folders on the USB flash drive (due to file limit of 256). Also attempting to look at options for files that seemingly crash (perhaps me not knowing which games are for which system yet).
Im glad to see the beige cables were not just for the fancy press kits
Agreed!
This unit looks pretty awesome. I really wanna play Wavy Navy. That looks totally fun. It seems very clever. The altered Galaga theme is so cool.
it would be soooo cool if they have made it a little bigger and with a real cartridge reader (as for the atari 2600+), THAT would have been really amazing ! Great Video by the way !
Great job on your review. Top notch. Conan - Nice choice!
Great video! My unit arrived as I was watching yesterday. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this below - I found that I could import and export files from the "BASIC" .atr file using the Disk Expolrer tool in the Altirra emulator. Was able to add a .BAS program, see it listed in the DOS directory and run it. Thanks again for a great video.
Oooooh, I've never tried using that part of Altirra. Thanks for the tip!
Thank you for testing the sound in PAL-mode. Much appreciated! Luckily the sound in PAL-mode is fine! Now I am going to buy one ;-)
That was just for you! 😁
@@GenXGrownUpThe left and right bracket keys [ ] work fine with my USB keyboard. I will try to find the inverse key ;-)
I can't wait!!
Video looks crisp!!
now i'm ready to buy.
I contacted Amazon about my 400 mini that was defective, well you talk about service I told them last night about replacement unit and. This morning I got a message from Amazon that my replacement has been shipped and will be here to tomorrow!
Woot! Glad to hear.
Ooh! I've got one of those 8Bitdo controllers with the wireless dongle! If I can get my hands on one of these, I'll have to try it out. 🙂
Nice review. It brings back so many memories of my 800 XL. Any news if any brick and mortar stores will be selling this?
Thanks for watching. I'm not privvy to distribution plans - you'd have to ask Retro Games.
Looks good will look for one after your review, to me it's got the same issues as the A500 mini regarding the mapping, I do wish they fix that up, they need to do Atari ST Maxi and A500 Maxi, some PAL games will run slow compared NTSC games as well and might find some hidden gems as Euro and America got well different ports in a bad way
My delivery date is supposedly Friday. Can't wait. I'll probably throw together my own little video about it.
Hover Bover is said with a hard 'v'. It's a play on a slang British pronunciation of 'Bother' 'Bovver'. Great review, many thanks.
Because of this console I became a game developer, I worked on a lot of the Atari 2600 line a few 5200. Now I have just about every home console running on a phone it’s crazy.
That's great!
The cable colors make this extra. That joystick is something, right? I kind of palm my joystick (ha ha) like you. Wonder how easy it would be to hit the buttons around the stick (primarily the West button). Is it manageable? Bro, expanding this thing is SO easy. Such an amazing feature for software dummies like me. LOL Not into basic but it will be interesting to see if a save option is found or created and to see if there is an influx of basic programmers. GREAT video, man.
BattleZone and Missile Command make it worth the admission price for me.
I look forward to trying out my original Trak Ball with my USB adapter with Missile Command.
M.U.L.E. and Necromancer, and of course, Star Raiders, were my very favorites back in the day, along with Ball Blazer and Eastern Front 1941.
The non-functional keyboard is frustrating to me. That's the best part of the Atari 400 I finally got back last week.
My favorite Atari controller is still the original CX40 joystick. This new update is innovative but it just puts a lampshade on the non-functioning Start, Select, Option, and System Reset keys.
I'm looking forward to the clear HDMI display.
The multi-disk option means I might get to play Omnitrend's Universe, a massive space trading game that comes on half a dozen floppies.
BASIC is really nice, but you can't save to the USB stick?!
Can I run my Assembler/Editor cartridge? Or MAC/65? Or Action! or Forth or Lisp? Dunion's Debugging Tool?
I guess that's what I have my Atari 400 for.
I mostly think of this as a stand-alone emulator, much like my Atari800MacX or your Altirra or RetroArch.
Close, but still not quite there. Yes, that's worth knocking off the half-star for.
I'm still looking forward to receiving The 400 Mini along with my new Atari VCS on Friday, but I'll still have to get a power supply from eBay for the 7800 (and a dozen carts) I rescued last weekend.
Atari has buried their foot on the accelerator this year. So much happening with them. I also understand that more downloadable content is coming up for Atari50! 🎉🎉🎉😊 I can't wait to see the 400 Mini modded with more games in your next video, or, maybe in this one?
No kidding - I'm so happy to have lived long enough to see Atari coming back to life!
Foot on the accelerator indeed. I just placed another order for more Atari stock shares $PONGF :)
Great review for The400 Mini. Thank you for going in-depth into the different features & multi-disk functionality. Can't wait to get mine & start messing around with it. 👍👍
if I remember right, with a keyboard command, you are able to switch to 2 Stick Control in Battle Zone like in Robotron... CTRL+T ?? something like that.
BTW... awesome Job u did on rhat Video 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
The fact that you can add your own games and you dont have to bother with hackchi CE, is a godsend.
I have all the atari 8 bit stuff and getting to add what i want is making me want to buy this system🙂
Great in-depth review! Will we finally be able to use a CX40 style joystick on a Retro Pie without an adapter? Better yet use the new CX stick on the Atari VCS to play 2600 games.
Good review buddy. I'm getting really tired of modern gaming and it's abundtely poor quality and high price. I'm going to gravitate back to retro gaming and I love these minis for consoles and computers. I have to say, I really like this one.. These computers like this and C64, etc were way ahead of my time so I obviously never owned any but I have to say, they have a ton of charm.
Great review! Can you show us how to do more than 3 disks? Thanks!
USB CX-40!! Now I can play H.E.R.O. on my PC emulator. I've never been able to play that game well without using the original Atari stick so I have to fire up one of my 2600s whenever I want to play that game (probably my favorite 2600 game).
I'm waiting very patiently, for the 65xe/130xe mini...finger crossed
I got my pre ordered 400 mini from Amazon just yesterday and of course I got a defective one. It will come on and you can start to play a game and it just shuts itself off! I tried several power units 5 V 1 amp and it did the same thing. I ‘m sending back to Amazon for replacement . I hope no one else has had a problem!
I'm sorry you had that experience. I hope your new unit arrives quickly for you!
Things they need to improve upon:
Fullscreen mode (no Bezels).
On the fly 50/60Hz switching.
Saving Basic Programs to the USB-Stick.
Automatic system detection via suffix (.a52) must be the 5200 system, right?
The Color Coded cables are a nice touch...
Great review, but I knew it would be!
A bit random, but your video reminded me how much I WISH I STILL HAD MY COMMODORE 64!!!😔😢😭
Waiting for mine to arrive. I would love to be able to purchase the media kit. I wish they would put that up for sale as an option.
Love your informational video.
Can you send a link on where you can get the keyboard stickers to put on a modern keyboard.
I hope you get loads of fun out of it. I said the same thing back when that 2600+ kit hit last year -- make it available as a "Collector's Edition" or similar to anyone who wants one, right?
Check the video description for links to the key decals.
Those of us who bought the C64 Mini and found it disappointing (one way or another, possibly several) look at this with a different set of initial expectations. However, credit where it is due, I had never heard anyone say "Atari 400" out loud even once in my life (not even in a podcast or youtube video) prior to the announcement of this mini console: it has revived interest in a software library that NEARLY been forgotten.
Hopefully, this turns out better, especially since they are charging nearly double what the C64 Mini was when that launched.
I'd love to see someone come up with a way to emulate 2600 and 7800 games on this. One-stop shopping!
When the shipping email came out. I started bouncing up and down at my desk. 😊
Entirely understandable!
It's nicer that I thought it would be. Not bad at all. I like it.