Atari is Back! | Atari 2600+ Unboxing & Review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 гру 2023
- In this episode, we unbox and test out the Atari 2600+, an updated version of the classic system, and see if Atari is Truly Back.
For many gamers of a certain age, old farts like me, we started in the video game world with the Atari 2600. While other home consoles had been around for a few years before its release, the 2600 really elevated things to a different level. You didn't play video games, you played Atari. The terms had become ubiquitous, just like facial tissue and Kleenex. As time went on, however, the video game crash of 1983 did in this once great system.
As time has gone on, the Atari 2600 has found a very loyal following in the retro gaming scene. Atari, having changed hands several times since the early '80s, has seen a resurgence in recent years with systems such as the VCS. Their latest home console release, the 2600+, looks to take what everybody loved about the original Atari 2600, add some modern features to it, and release what they feel is the definitive version of the console.
The design team at Atari nailed the aesthetics of the 2600+. Absolutely nailed it. This has all the looks and feelings of the original, I'll be it about 20% smaller. The signature wood grain veneer on the face is here, and it still looks fantastic. One update has been made to the Atari logo on the face which now has an LED behind it to indicate when the system is powered on.
Perhaps the biggest improvement of the system is the addition of an HDMI port. This allows you to get clean, crisp images from the system to your modern flat-panel television. This is a welcome addition and something I was excited to see.
The system comes packed in with one CX40 controller, and a 10-in-1 multi-cartridge. The controller itself feels absolutely authentic, even though it is a bit stiff compared to what I remember from back in the '80s. The multicart includes an interesting mix of games. Instead of relying on an on-screen menu to load different titles, Atari opted to utilize dip switches on the back of the cartridge to indicate what game would load. Or a couple of times when I got confused about what switch position I needed to be in, but I eventually got it figured out.
Connecting everything up and getting it powered was super easy. I really appreciate the fact that Atari opted to go with USBC for power and not micro USB. I plugged in my HDMI cable, power cable, and controller, and inserted The included cartridge to get playing.
First and foremost, The Atari 2600 + does not play cartridges natively. Much like the Hyperkin Retron 77, the Atari 2600 + dumps the game from the cartridge into local onboard memory and that is what gets played. It should be less of an issue on a machine such as this compared to newer machines as these games could not save your progress. These ROM dumping sorts of systems can have issues when you try to save back to a cartridge.
Looking at the images on my TV I couldn't help but think man this thing looks crisp! Granted, the Atari 2600 graphics are pretty simplistic, but everything looked really really good. Much like the visuals, the audio is also something fairly basic, but everything seemed to be recreated accurately here. I have no complaints regarding pallets, audio quality, or anything along those lines.
Games compatibility was also excellent. In fact, there was a game that I tried to play on the Retron 77 that would not that now played successfully on the Atari 2600 +, that being Star Wars Return of the Jedi Death Star Battle. I could not get it to work no matter what on my Retron 77, but it fired right up here on the Atari 2600. That's great to see. I also love the fact that the Atari 2600 Plus is compatible with the Atari 7800 library of games. I don't have much experience with those, but the one in my possession, Galaga, played beautifully.
Why it RoX:
- Plays actual cartridges
- High games compatibility
- HDMI output
- USB-C for power
- Period Accurate joystick included
- Compatible with 2600 and 7800 cartridges
- That beautiful wood grain
What could be improved:
- I'd prefer to see it at $99
- Joystick a little stiff out of the box
- I just don't have the nostalgia for the 2600 that I do for a Nintendo systems
Should you buy one?
This is probably the best Atari 2600 clone I've ever tried, but that field is fairly small. I thought load times were decent, game compatibility was great, and the overall experience was fantastic. The visuals on a modern flat-panel TV were exactly what I expected, but granted the 2600 graphics were fairly simplistic. I don't know how much use this will get moving forward, but I'm glad to have it in my collection because now I truly have a viable option to play Atari 2600 games in HD.
#Atari #Atari2600 #VideoGames #PacMan - Ігри
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I'm definitely one of those people who did not grow up with the 2600 or any Atari system. It was just before my time unfortunately. This does seem something interesting enough for me to give it a try.
Great video Gary! I received my 2600+ on 12/30. I absolutely love it! I have a shoebox full of old 2600 games from 81-84, and they all work!! Thank you Atari!! I would like to see Hyperkin make a two button Ranger controller to play 7800 games. Happy New Year!
I'm considering getting this. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for checking it out
Looks like a solid console. I love that it plays 7800 games. Especially since my 7800 is broken.
Packaged nicely; man, when you opened it and just seeing that Atari unit was so satisfying.
I was curious about how tightly the machine grabs the carts; stuff like that worries me. I do think it's cool that it utilizes 7800 carts as well, though no lie I'm surprised you're not more familiar with them; you're full of surprises Gary.
Ha ha, Atari DK and the sound effects; it and Pac-Man are forever ingrained into my brain.
Glad you tried out the Sega controller as I was legit curious about that.
I got a nice package to show you!
I demoed the cartridge fitment, not an issue IMO
We never had a 7800, we weren't rich like the other kids.
I was born in 88 but I like the simplicity of the games of the 2nd gen. Have an atari flashback but definitely have been wanting the actual hardware.
So the 2600+ is definitely something I'm interested in
Always wanted an Atari as a kid in the 90s just because of the simplicity behind it… ended up getting an old 1982 black Vader.. color started going then for Christmas got the plus.. and am currently hooked on Yars revenge with the 10 in 1… 💙 grabbed an OG copy to do a gameplay comparison
I was the same way. My ownership of gaming consoles went like this:
1981-1989 Atari 2600
1989-1993 NES
1993-1997 Sega Genesis
1997- 2001 PlayStation
2001- 2002 PlayStation 2
2002- 2006 Xbox
2006-2013 Xbox 360
2013-2017 Xbox One
2017 to present Nintendo Switch
The Atari 2600 Junior was my first console. 🙂
I used to use a Master System controller on my old one, wonder of those would work?
7800 and 2600 both used the same soundchip as a cost cutting measure from what I understand. It was kind of funny to hear you say it sounded better.
Do you think they’ll be in Atari? That’s compatible with all the cartridges in the future and also great video bro. Keep up the good work. 🤙
I don't quite understand the question. Are you asking if I think that there will be an atari that sompatiible with all the cartridges? I think this one is, I'm not sure my Zaxxon is working and need to test on another machine.
The 2600+ isn't compatible with all 2600 cartridges and probably won't be ... for basically the same reasons the Retron 77 can't read some games via the cartridge slot. Now if there were some way to get games into the 2600+ OTHER than the cartridge slot, you could probably play stuff like Pitfall II on it, but not now.
@@chemicalburrito782 bro, the atari 2600+ is awesome. go touch grass.
Oh I see that's pretty cool that this one is compatible with all the atari cartridges because i know some have compatibility issues
@@chemicalburrito782 hum This is interesting to know. You know what I feel like the most forgotten system from atari is the atari S t Atari should try to release games From that system
I can't wait for Santa to bring me mine, yes, I stupidly asked the Mrs to get me it for Christmas rather than just pick it up for myself 🤦♂️
Galaga novice is quite slow. The speed picks up around level 10 or 12, even on novice. The high difficulties will start at level 10. I don't know if it's "arcade fast" but it's pretty good.
Will that item to clean 2600 cartridges also clean 7800 cartridges?
The cards will, I don't believe 7800 carts had the door
Any recommendations where I can buy old 7800 games ? Since they have better graphics
@@georgesargiss6730 Not really, retro game stores and conventions most likely
Nintendo should put out a nes and snes. I’d rather have that than the minis. This seems interesting as I was thinking of doing an xegs but maybe this is the better move. I didn’t grow up with Atari though. NES was my jam. I do remember a few games like pitfall and missle command but other than that… it’s tough to play. Not really games like Kirby or Mario 3 that are still awesome to play on nes. That being said. My next pickup will prob be a turbo Grafx 16. Didn’t grow up with that either but damn I always wanted one.
I wish 7800 games were not so expensive
But they're not that bad from what I've seen.
Dude, I know this is a bizarre comparison, but look at the Trimui Smart (mini, not pro) by comparison... it's a better way to play Atari 2600 games at a fraction of the price, and does so many other things besides... SMH...
Never heard of it, I'll have to look into it
@RoXolid Just another emulation handheld. In other words, it is completely irrelevant if you have any interest in a more authentic controller, collecting carts (or playing through your old collection), and possibly playing on a larger screen (once i saw what it was, I didn't bother checking on whether it had an HDMI out).
In my case, I just plain enjoy the tactile elements of cartridge consoles. Swapping a cart in, turning the console on, and watching the screen come to life. The 2600 was mostly before my time, but the use of switches for difficulty settings and options appeals to that same part of my brain. Emulation handhelds, of course, have none of that.
@@christopherdueck3680 Authentic controller? Eh, I think a lot of us who were around for the heyday of the Atari 2600 spent quite a few of those years looking for a way to play Atari games with something besides the stock Atari joysticks. They really were awful - Atari didn't care a thing about ergonomics when designing the 2600 joystick. A 500XJ or a Wico bat handle made those games SO much better.
And while the 2600+ nails the visual aspects of the Atari 2600, where it fails is replicating the experience of actually playing an Atari back in the day. You can't put in a cartridge and play instantly - instead it has to load (well, dump the ROM) . While you're not waiting that long (unless the 2600+ has decided that your cartridge is not clean enough and you have to clean it a few times before it'll read), the fact that you're waiting at all tells you that you're not playing a real Atari.
@@christopherdueck3680 correct. it's a lot of fun. And if you want a better controller on the 2600+ you can have it. Hyperkin ranger and trooper both work. So many jealous people out there being negative
@chemicalburrito782 Oh, the ergonomics of the stock controller wasn't designed with ergonomics in mind, for sure. The Genesis controller is a pretty popular replacement for this reason. I know a few people that had the system back in the day for which the nostalgia trumps that issue, though, and it seems that there's a decent number of people online that feel similarly.
As for the system startup time and the delay while the ROM is dumped, of course that's true, and of course that's not how the original console worked. As I said though, I'm very big on the tactile part of the experience. That's been replicated pretty well here, and the system startup time can be avoided while you're playing by just hotswapping carts.
If someone is just looking to play the games, an emulation handheld would certainly do the job, as would emulation on computers, phones, and any other number of devices. They don't render these sorts of modern clone systems pointless, though. They serve a slightly different purpose, and which someone will prefer will depend on what experience it is that they're after.
Why not just buy an original atari 2600?
Because the video quality is terrible
Can't play it on an hd TV.
You can but it looks terrible
Well, youd be running the risk of an already old console degrading with natural wear and tear. If you're a collector, this 2600 plus is awesome. Keep your older consoles, especially the 2600 as pristine as you can. Considering nothing lasts forever. With ease of access of connecting to an hdmi TV, (beings most people now have those in their homes), you don't have to worry about getting a co ax adapter, and spending even more money. Being able to play original cartridges is also a bonus given 2600 carts go for dirt cheap. You also don't have to worry about buying an original 2600 console and it not working properly due to its age. This thing all around is a sweet investment if you want a modernized feeling of a historic gamingmachine! Waiting for mine to show up in the mail. :)
does the 2600 plus have blue tooth sound capability?@@theafterhoureffect4741