I can't disagree with this assessment. Atari VCS is a niche ecosystem and it's commendable it continues to be supported by Atari. The Classic Controller adds a different dynamic to games, even when offered elsewhere. Like paddle functionality in various Recharged games, Thrustlander and Atari 50.
I just ordered one for a black friday deal of $99.00. It’s going to be a trip to have a modern Atari console sitting next to my PS and switch in the living room
I feel only cause its not in spot light like they were stadia everyone was basically waiting for it to die...and dreamcast well yeah the Dreamcast...is the Dreamcast lol
I've had my VCS for about 2 and a half years now. I wouldn't say it has replaced any of my other game systems, like my Xbox Evercade, or PC, but it's a nice console when I feel like using it. But I feel like if Atari advertised the VCS as a console with a store front dedicated to indie developers, then it would get more recognition by the gaming community. Indie developers could finally have a place to upload their games without having them get drowned out by AAA titles like on Steam or Xbox. The issues is, most people don't know what the VCS is! Atari seriously needs to invest in advertising for the VCS to grow.
Well, that's the problem - Atari/Infogrames is kinda broke after decades of mismanagement. They've been in the financial gutter for most of the 2010s and are only now making a resurgeance after becoming a publisher for indie titles.
I want to correct something you said in your video: only one game was removed from the VCS library: Tailgunner. This was by request from the developers as they dissolved their studio and didn't want to deal with royalty split/sharing after the breakup of the Studio. They pulled the game from all platforms, not just the VCS. So, while Tailgunner is not available for purchase, I have ensured that people who purchased it will still have access to the game (in case they have to re-download it for some reason). I just wanted to clarify. Thank you.
looks like atari has them on sale (for black friday 2024) from $80-100 💵(!) depending on bundle. Yeah, it's a 'rebuy steam games for twice the cost' console but...fine atari, I'll buy it.
Really appreciate your support of Atari VCS, John Hancock. It's great to see the Atari 2600, and especially Atari 7800 homebrew games coming onto the system. This is an area where they need to greatly expand the offerings, to really cut out & offer a niche of unique content not offered on other modern consoles. Let's see more & more homebrews for all old Atari systems - 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx, Jaguar, 8-bit, Atari ST, Falcoln. The VCS could become the ultimate place to access these games on a modern console.
@@Ken-h9r No, unfortunately, Atari does not make any games themselves. They are a publisher, not a developer. A couple years ago though in an interview they said that they may bring in developers into Atari itself, so then they would develop some of their own games. I really hope that happens. And how great would it be if some of these developers they bring in are people that worked & made games at Atari in their heyday or else some of the great Atari homebrew developers of the modern era.
They need to make a peripheral that allows you to play 2600,5200, and 7800 carts. I would buy it today if I could play all my old carts on it from a cart reader. I know there is the retrons etc that do this, but an official atari branded console would be amazing.
They should make a fourth generation 16-bit type console that's backward compatible with the Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridge games since Atari was absent in that game console generation. As for 5200 well I'm not sure because it's cartridges were different to those of the 2600 and 7800.
@@CANDYBREAKER3000 they have the Atari 400! It plays 5200 (effectively back in the day it was the same hardware) as well as the computer sw from the day.
I've been transitioning my home computer use (docs, paying bills, etc.) to my VCS and I'm enjoying the non-Windows experience. I haven't had the chance to delve back into playing games on it, but I'll get to it.
I didn't even know this was possible until now! I have Christmas with kids so my budget is gone but this 50% off is the price I feel it should have been... 100 for the basic bundle is great. God I wish I realized this was coming before!
Current price is going to have a surge of new users so hopefully they update the online store and not just offloading inventory before discontinuation.
Hey John! Thanks for sharing our game Circus Interstellar 🙂 we're worked really hard to try and get it running on the VCS and god willing we managed to pull it off! 😄 One thing you forgot to mention is that we made the most of the classic atari gamepad and it feels just like playing Berzerk 2600 🥰
A few days ago I had a replacement VCS classic controller shipped to my work. When I showed 10 of my co workers the box and explained the VCS they had no clue it even existed. This situation perfectly represents the overall problem with the VCS in the marketplace.
Just so everyone is aware, the VCS is on sale right now during Memorial Day. It's an extra 15 percent off if it's your first purchase on their site too so it's a great saving.
Thanks for the great Overview Mr. Hancock. We have been busy still trying to to get Windows on the Sata that I installed. It is going to be my sons PC/gaming system. I upgraded the Ram to 32g and got the 2tb sata as well as got a Mouse and keyboard for him. I managed to get one of those $99.99 Gamestop bundles they put out awhile back now. Hopefully we can get that PC side of it figured out so that he and myself to some degree can enjoy it.
An interesting console. It is good to see it is still working. I would not rush out and get one, I have an Xbox Series X. As a lot of the titles on the VCS are available on the Xbox. I am still disappointed that the Jeff Minter Collection did not get a physical release.
They could have released Mace the dark age or maybe some of the rush racing games back from the 90s. Hopefully we might see those games come to light on modern consoles as a collection some day.
Just ordered the all-in-one bundle for $99 directly from Atari. Got $16.05 credit for the Atari store... so can't complain. I'm a hardcore Linux user so it will likely get upgraded to 32GB of RAM and double as a desktop system.
I think the best case scenario for Atari VCS is for people who want to upgrade their Nvidia Shield devices to something with a more modern CPU and a retro look with some nice built in Atari classic games and having it as another emulator machine. A niche market for sure, but it's there.
Here in the UK we didn't get an Atari VCS release and I was gutted at the time but now I don't feel as though I've missed out. I actually follow the releases for the VCS and pick them up on Steam when released. I have an "Atari VCS" folder in my Steam library with a good number of games including the likes of Ca$h Cow. I also managed to pick up most of the Atari Recharged games for free on the Epic Game Store. If I saw one cheap on the second hand market, I might be tempted to pick one up but that's unlikely. Keep up the awesome work Jon :-)
you definitely didn't miss out. Get a low or mid-tier minisforum mini pc, load retrobat or batocera on it, get your favorite top-tier controller and go to town. i'ts more flexible and it's all about the games. Or get a Pi and get a case that looks like an atari (or build on) and load retropie on it, same thing.
@@michaelbuddy problem with that is too many games to play. Always boring to have list upon list with little idea of what to play, often end up not bothering.
I just wanna say thank you for the retronomic videos you do and I used your guide to change the Ram and add the sata to the Atari Vcs I bought awhile back. Still trying to get windows to work on the Sata but everything else has gone smoothly so far.
One thing that's scared me from the Atari VCS is how (allegedly) it's a HUGE pain to set the system up during 2023 and 2024. Lots of complaints on Amazon and other websites over how the console in it's current state is NOT updated and as a result will NOT work and a very ultra complicated set up has to be done in order to update the system (it's not like a PS5 or Switch where all you have to do is connect to Wi-Fi and just hit a button to update the console). I would get one, but they REALLY need to make updating this system easier and friendlier and have it working out of the box.
I would have picked one up out of curiosity but Atari won't ship them to europe - along with everything else in their online store. Great work guys, It's not like there's Atari fans over here!
Good video! I have been on the fence about getting an Atari VCS! At least this system came out, not like some unmentioned one, that never has! You right about getting one, when they are on sale.
I've had mine since December and I've been loving it. I like the option between the classic and modern controller. Love getting your games as well man. I'm glad Atari keeps supporting it.
Hey john this is a great vid. I haven't replaced my PS5, but it's great to play my VCS when i want something different. I also been trying ro help the VCS by going to Kickstarter and asking the developers of cool looking game to consider porting to VCS. I also have a friend who is trying to put his indie games on there since i recommend to publish there. Although he is having trouble doing so.
It is quite incredible that the console "they" said would never be released and that "they" said would never last...has been both released and active this long. It's already earned quite its place in videogame history, because of that alone.
I have a VCS, was an early backer that sprung for one of the collectors' edition models. Early on in the Indiegogo days, I always said "It needs exclusives, it needs exclusives, it needs memorable characters and IP's", etc. But it became very clear they weren't interested in that common-sense approach, so they went a different (less effective) direction. There was no way Atari would be able to make more than a niche following. If they had memorable characters and games that could only be obtained on the VCS, I have a feeling you'd be giving Atari a B grade instead of a C. On the flipside, I think they got the hardware right though-- the console is well-built and mine still works to this day. Controller feels awesome and the Atari paddle controller is _still_ the only modern paddle controller I know of that you can buy. The partnership with Power-A was an awesome decision on Atari's part, so I give them props for that. It's a very fun machine to tinker with if you're an avid techie. I also have to give Atari props for supporting the console this long. I honestly thought the company would be out of business by now. Not only are they still in business, but they bought Intellivision, so they must be doing something right that I'm just simply overlooking, lol. That said, today I honestly never touch mine anymore. It's still hooked up to my parents' TV in the den collecting dust. Its primary use in our household was acting as a "smart device" for Netflix/video streaming on my dad's 2010 non-smart Philips TV (because he absolutely refused to get a smart TV). When that TV finally died, my dad finally got a smart TV. Since then, the VCS hasn't been touched. I think I will fire up the VCS at some point and use it as an all-encompassing Atari machine for their old games.
Wonder how many are left- Atari is definitely throttling the sales by putting them 'on sale' once every 4-6 weeks. Anyone who buys one of these now at retail is just stupid. I almost bought one but ultimately settled for building one of those Dell mini office PCs, and putting compact AMD card in- basically a little Xbox One+ PC that runs everything at 1080p.
Hey John, long time fan from your appearances on other retro UA-cam channels. I JUST picked up an Atari VCS after they had an epic 50% off Black Friday sale, and my goal is to now turn this little thing into a little Steam Machine or living PC. I have 16gb of ram ordered, a 1tb M.2 SSD, and everything I need to make this the ultimate rig. My goal is to play Atari's remaster of The Thing on it by Christmas.
It’s an okay system. I’ve purchased several Recharged games, a few new ones and several 2600/7800 homebrews. I’ve also added Stella, Altirra and A7800 emulators. The emulators along with a couple of adaptors allow me to play the games the way they were meant to be played (OG trak-ball controllers, etc.).
Atari need to get optimize pc games on there that can utilize that AMD VEGA 3 APU at least have those games on Medium to LOW. Atari can even get older pc games that will max out at 60 fps with it, not saying you can play current titles but older ones from 2007 to 2017, emulation can be great , lets think bigger. I don't believe in cloud gaming because it requires internet and your playing off of Microsoft server hardware. Poly Gunner is a great example of hardware use.
I agree, good for them for not abandoning it. I have had mine for a year now and I do enjoy it. It's really different because of the classic controller. It doesn't get as much use an my PS5 but I still do enjoy playing on it from time to time
I am an orignal backer. Biased towards Atari as they created a lot of joy for me as a pre-teen/teenager. Overall, I am pleased with the current VCS. I also have a Switch and between the two consoles, I play the VCS more.
@@Lorfarius agreed. Atari has had so much turmoil over its life. For me the worst was when Infogrames rebranded themselves as Atari. That was a name only shame. Now at least there is a group of people who are making imho a decent attempt at making something Atari-like. I hope you too have had a long history with them and brought some enjoyment like they have for me. My brother and I got our first VCS in November of 1977.
I was also an original backer. I STILL can't buy games from the store. Got all updates. Contacted official support every major update. Still not able to buy games. Such a bummer
Thanka John, I didn't know the creator of Donut Dodo released a new game, I have to check it out because my game project is on those lines of style. VCS is like you said a mixed bag, but enough to be present and active, maybe not totally relevant, but hang in there.
I like the look of donut dodo, but is' way too hard to be fun. let's be real. That game is for the .0001% masochists and it didn't have to be. It just didn't. Better to copy the difficulty level of like a donkey kong jr, where you can actually get somewhere reasonably even if the game or game loop gets ore difficult.
@@michaelbuddy Yes, I understand thank you, Michael, I will take it into account since I agree that it should be accessible in difficulty, nobody have time to lose, but also offer some other options for those looking for a challenge. I think its difficulty is due to the fact that when they tried to distill the idea of what made those early games of the time what they were, they were left with difficulty either because "coin-ups" or because in those early years there were no schemes and theory of game balance at the level that exists today and in the collective consciousness memories that was a granted aspect of what make those games hard. Or maybe the fact that Donut Dodo has few levels, and somehow you have to maintain a duration of more than 2 hours to counter refunds on platforms like Steam, or I could be completely wrong. On the other hand, for me, they serve as reference material not for the gameplay, but for things like how they carry out the marketing and positioning of branding, how they recreate an early 80s arcade look and feel while being modern, average market sale price, hits and miss, etc. since technically I would compete directly with them.
I feel like the VCS does have its owm distinct identity. It has a collection of games that scream nostalgia and reimagining of the past with one foot half in the deep past and 90'5 and one in the present and future. They really have a cool box. Hope they find a better way to lower the price and then keep pushing it as a the Atari Experience.
I love my VCS, at the same time, I almost was a founder and paid the $300 or so for it prior to it's release. I'm glad I didn't do that. I don't think it's worth $300, $250, I got lucky and paid $99 for the Onyx bundle that Best Buy ran in 2021 which came with both controllers. I'd pay $100-$160 for this unit today if I didn't have one.
Pretty big Atari fan despite not growing up in the 70s or 80s. I’ve been holding off on this thing for obvious reasons, but I’m a bit liquid right now and decided to get one. We’ll see how it goes. I don’t own a PC so I’m excited to play Blood at least
I thought "this reminds me of minor 49r" then you said it and my brain melted. My mom is 84 and Minor 49r was the only video game she played when I was a kid. She was addicted. I have to get this for her
As a backer as well, I've enjoyed the console over the last few years. The UI has slightly improved as well although, regarding the payment issues, I'd love to see alternate payment options available as well.
I think that's a pretty good review of it.. I agree it just hasn't really established its own identity. Props to Atari for continuing to support it. The gaming market has been so saturated for so many years now, it's probably fortunate to have had the success its had.. I'm still glad they made it though.
Based on the passage of time and ALL of the mini PCs out there that have released since the VCS has, I don't think it's a good idea to buy a VCS unless a serious clearance price. I had one and sold it, I don't miss it. I'm glad people are enjoying it still. I think a couple games could be created that could really make it compelling again. Some wireless couch arcade controller peripheral could be very cool. A game that is a platform builder like mario maker, or a collaborative builder game like a mincraft as an exclusive could help it. They got a lot of things right and a lot of creativity. I will say this with Atari. I'd more likely buy a future atari than an XBOX. XBOX is dead to me. Playstation almost is dead to me too to be honest. An Atari, in my view, the target audience at this point is like somebody who wants a media play / kodi machine that has a cool UI. Somebody who might otherwise put a raspberry pi on their HDTV but having the atari is more fun. Unfortunately they currently fail at that without a proper app for kodi and youtube. The second demographic is Granpa who wants to co-op play games with grandkids when they come over. That's where the builder / platformer games come in. Ridiculously hard games, I'm sorry those are not compelling to either grandpa or grandkids. And I don't think a lot of people are tuning into speedruns of VCS games either. But playing a builder game is fun and where grandpa and a six year old can play together, nice. Forget the joystick controller though. It's not gonna be hable to handle anything and even though it looks awesome, it's kind of a fail let's be hones. Is stardew valey available on the VCS. If not, it should be. great console casual game.
Better advertising would have helped this console. I remember seeing it before it released but forgot until today when I was showing my wife the first gaming consoles. For $210 straight from Atari, this seems like a pretty decent buy. I just wonder what all games that it has.
Atari is well before my time, but I do like the aesthetics of the early consoles and cartridges. I have a PS5 and a PSVITA, and used to have a few Nintendo consoles. I do like to ponder what could have been with other less successful consoles and handhelds like the Bandai WonderSwan and the Sega Dreamcast had they been successful. The console monopoly created by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft does get under my skin, and I would like to see more variety in the console market. This monopoly has stagnated innovation and now consoles are getting displaced by PCs and gaming is becoming all digital. So sometimes I like to take a peak at the niche market and see what companies such as Atari are up to. I doubt it but it would be cool if Atari could develop something on par with the PS5 but with classic console aesthetics, and maybe a return to big cartridge style physical media storage like the 2600+ now that Atari is finding success in the physical media sales. Even if it's just glorified emulation.
Had no idea that thing was still around. An original VCS 2600 which I grew up with is kool....cartridges, boxes and manuals. Don't care about the digital age.
Thanks for the video. I agree with the Atari VCS having an identity issue. What is it exactly? What does it do different than the competition? That's the issue.
First I am not a programmer. When I was a kid in the 80s I might of had a glimmer of talent on the Atari computers and C64. But my thought for now is the Atari VCS would be perfect for something like a New Era Adventure Construction Set but allowing making any kind of game/program. Make it a visual programming system. Maybe enforce one limit: resolution so as to help insure better performance for the programs created by the really ambitious. Advantages to me cheap durable hardware. Make a environment that enables the person with good imagination but lack of skills to create/learn. The ability for advanced programmers i.e. true coders to create and submit upgrades/tools/features? The ability to submit items for approval and sale? Turn learning/fun into profit? I know probably implausible and dumb.
One of their biggest failings was never supporting a spinner controller for tempest, or a trackball for missile command. Instead of focusing on things that made Atari different....
I actually hope atari gets into the console game heavy now. With all the bs going on with Sony and Xbox it would be great if they launched a game console with similar specs!
I did look at the VCS but thought it was overpriced for what it was . I think it’s gone the same way the Jaguar went in the 1990s . Luckily I still have my Jaguar from back then , that has had a lot of support from 3rd party developers and Atari Age over the past 8 yrs. I think VCS will be another Atari console that will end up being a collector item like the Jaguar became.
I have my N64 collection complete in box so loose cart wise I’m not the best guy to ask. You can get cases and covers made to make it easy to stack/show what you have and looking online that might be one route.
People have been assuming this console to end support for a few years honestly. Atari 50 should be getting the DLCs, the problem and holdup being the file size. The support for the console is still there but is slowing down on releases and their next game(Fatal Run 2089) has a file size that would not fit on Atari VCS.
I ve been wanting to pick on of these up, however the thing that I m not clear about is, if I picked up one today from their website, will it work out of the box? videos and things I seen and read in the past have said there is a whole process you have to go thru to get it up and running with re flashing the firmware or something??? have they fixed that so that you dont have to do that when you purchase a new one?
It was a $300 system competing in a market dominated by $100 systems, with almost no titles to speak of. Sure you could use it as a low-performance PC, but we have PCs for that 😅
Atari VCS always seemed like it was unnecessary. Kind of like Amico. It didn't really solve a problem with gaming, offer anything new, so at this point for me it would be a curiosity at best that I would perhaps invest in when it's $50 bargain bin priced.
My VCS is in a showcase, but I have never plugged it in. I may make it into a PC some day. Atari, just sitting on a VCS, would kill Atari. Their position as an Indie publisher is not only smart, but brilliant.
Talking about a console that has no physical copies Atari VCS is all digital if Xbox goes all digital like Atari I’ll no longer buy an Xbox I’ll just have to wait and see
I got this system when Gamestop did a fire sale on them for $100 with the intention to upgrade the memory and put in a SSD hard drive. Between the memory slots being on the bottom of the systems board, the so so collection of games (a lot of the same ones as the Atari 50 collection) and the lack of an indicator that tells you when the controllers are charged its been little more than a dust collector for me. Unfortunately I had already bought 16GB's worth of memory to upgrade it with and after trying to get it "professionally" done (at Best Buy) and them saying no I just gave up and packed it up and stored it away. Otherwise the form factor of it is nice and the controllers are very good but the design of the internals is ridiculous. If I knew somebody who could have printed me a case with an easy access hatch to get at the memory easier I would have done it in a heartbeat.
Now, if I could only buy a game... That’s the most ridiculous nonsense. They can blame it on whomever else they want; it’s _their_ problem, at the end of the day... Absolutely love Atari, but their lack of attention to the VCS is worse than that to the 7800, Lynx, or Jaguar. That’s more than upsetting, unfortunately... To be fair, I haven’t tried, again, since Black Friday sale, but I’m not checking over and over, to see if their online store works. Next time I see a sale, ‘cause I’ve paid enough to support their (otherwise great) comeback, already...
Sorry, but to me this is not an Atari product in the sense that so many people (including you John) keep portraying it. This was made by a company that paid some money for the rights to the brands name, as other folks have done before. And this name, this word, those 5 letters is what you are paying for. I‘m honestly happy for everyone who gets enjoyment out of it, but I can’t see anything that isn’t available on any other system.
I can't disagree with this assessment. Atari VCS is a niche ecosystem and it's commendable it continues to be supported by Atari. The Classic Controller adds a different dynamic to games, even when offered elsewhere. Like paddle functionality in various Recharged games, Thrustlander and Atari 50.
I just ordered one for a black friday deal of $99.00. It’s going to be a trip to have a modern Atari console sitting next to my PS and switch in the living room
It's lasted longer than Stadia and Dreamcast.
I feel only cause its not in spot light like they were stadia everyone was basically waiting for it to die...and dreamcast well yeah the Dreamcast...is the Dreamcast lol
I'll take dreamcast over this hot garbage . Don't care for atari vcs
@@Mcchubz personally I have no idea how well VCS emulates Dreamcast. Need a separate hardrive to test that.
Dreamcast owns anything Atari has ever done.
Nickelback lasted longer than Nirvana too..
I've had my VCS for about 2 and a half years now. I wouldn't say it has replaced any of my other game systems, like my Xbox Evercade, or PC, but it's a nice console when I feel like using it. But I feel like if Atari advertised the VCS as a console with a store front dedicated to indie developers, then it would get more recognition by the gaming community. Indie developers could finally have a place to upload their games without having them get drowned out by AAA titles like on Steam or Xbox. The issues is, most people don't know what the VCS is! Atari seriously needs to invest in advertising for the VCS to grow.
Well, that's the problem - Atari/Infogrames is kinda broke after decades of mismanagement. They've been in the financial gutter for most of the 2010s and are only now making a resurgeance after becoming a publisher for indie titles.
Bought a couple ‘all in’ bundles for $80 from Atari’s Walmart marketplace late November 2024. Excited to play!
I want to correct something you said in your video: only one game was removed from the VCS library: Tailgunner. This was by request from the developers as they dissolved their studio and didn't want to deal with royalty split/sharing after the breakup of the Studio. They pulled the game from all platforms, not just the VCS. So, while Tailgunner is not available for purchase, I have ensured that people who purchased it will still have access to the game (in case they have to re-download it for some reason). I just wanted to clarify. Thank you.
I don't know the situation behind that, but why not license it under the public domain then? I'm just asking out of curiosity.
looks like atari has them on sale (for black friday 2024) from $80-100 💵(!) depending on bundle. Yeah, it's a 'rebuy steam games for twice the cost' console but...fine atari, I'll buy it.
I still really want to get one .
In case you're still interested, they're 50% off on the Atari website for Black Friday
$100 for 2024 Black Friday. Go for it.
Really appreciate your support of Atari VCS, John Hancock. It's great to see the Atari 2600, and especially Atari 7800 homebrew games coming onto the system. This is an area where they need to greatly expand the offerings, to really cut out & offer a niche of unique content not offered on other modern consoles. Let's see more & more homebrews for all old Atari systems - 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx, Jaguar, 8-bit, Atari ST, Falcoln. The VCS could become the ultimate place to access these games on a modern console.
Agreed. They're not doing enough for the vcs. Is "Atari" even doing any more new games development??
@@Ken-h9r No, unfortunately, Atari does not make any games themselves. They are a publisher, not a developer. A couple years ago though in an interview they said that they may bring in developers into Atari itself, so then they would develop some of their own games. I really hope that happens. And how great would it be if some of these developers they bring in are people that worked & made games at Atari in their heyday or else some of the great Atari homebrew developers of the modern era.
They need to make a peripheral that allows you to play 2600,5200, and 7800 carts. I would buy it today if I could play all my old carts on it from a cart reader. I know there is the retrons etc that do this, but an official atari branded console would be amazing.
They are, it' called the Polymega Remix which will be out this year.
They should make a fourth generation 16-bit type console that's backward compatible with the Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridge games since Atari was absent in that game console generation. As for 5200 well I'm not sure because it's cartridges were different to those of the 2600 and 7800.
@jestyjoshuaThat doesn't play 5200 carts
Atari has the 2600+ and soon the 7800+, both (afaik) play 2600 and 7800 games but not 5200 games
@@CANDYBREAKER3000 they have the Atari 400! It plays 5200 (effectively back in the day it was the same hardware) as well as the computer sw from the day.
I've been transitioning my home computer use (docs, paying bills, etc.) to my VCS and I'm enjoying the non-Windows experience. I haven't had the chance to delve back into playing games on it, but I'll get to it.
I didn't even know this was possible until now! I have Christmas with kids so my budget is gone but this 50% off is the price I feel it should have been... 100 for the basic bundle is great. God I wish I realized this was coming before!
I’m fascinated by this thing, honestly just the industrial design of the thing goes a long way for me
Just got one for $99, can't wait to try it
Current price is going to have a surge of new users so hopefully they update the online store and not just offloading inventory before discontinuation.
Hey John! Thanks for sharing our game Circus Interstellar 🙂 we're worked really hard to try and get it running on the VCS and god willing we managed to pull it off! 😄 One thing you forgot to mention is that we made the most of the classic atari gamepad and it feels just like playing Berzerk 2600 🥰
I will get that today
A few days ago I had a replacement VCS classic controller shipped to my work. When I showed 10 of my co workers the box and explained the VCS they had no clue it even existed. This situation perfectly represents the overall problem with the VCS in the marketplace.
I think it is terrific they are still supporting it even with a small userbase.
Just so everyone is aware, the VCS is on sale right now during Memorial Day. It's an extra 15 percent off if it's your first purchase on their site too so it's a great saving.
Thanks for the great Overview Mr. Hancock. We have been busy still trying to to get Windows on the Sata that I installed. It is going to be my sons PC/gaming system. I upgraded the Ram to 32g and got the 2tb sata as well as got a Mouse and keyboard for him. I managed to get one of those $99.99 Gamestop bundles they put out awhile back now. Hopefully we can get that PC side of it figured out so that he and myself to some degree can enjoy it.
An interesting console. It is good to see it is still working. I would not rush out and get one, I have an Xbox Series X. As a lot of the titles on the VCS are available on the Xbox. I am still disappointed that the Jeff Minter Collection did not get a physical release.
Give it time. The Jeff Minter Collection will most likely get a physical release from Limited Run, Strictly Limited or another publisher.
Black Friday added quite a more new adopters with those enticing $80 consoles.
They could have released Mace the dark age or maybe some of the rush racing games back from the 90s.
Hopefully we might see those games come to light on modern consoles as a collection some day.
Just ordered the all-in-one bundle for $99 directly from Atari. Got $16.05 credit for the Atari store... so can't complain. I'm a hardcore Linux user so it will likely get upgraded to 32GB of RAM and double as a desktop system.
I think the best case scenario for Atari VCS is for people who want to upgrade their Nvidia Shield devices to something with a more modern CPU and a retro look with some nice built in Atari classic games and having it as another emulator machine. A niche market for sure, but it's there.
Here in the UK we didn't get an Atari VCS release and I was gutted at the time but now I don't feel as though I've missed out. I actually follow the releases for the VCS and pick them up on Steam when released. I have an "Atari VCS" folder in my Steam library with a good number of games including the likes of Ca$h Cow. I also managed to pick up most of the Atari Recharged games for free on the Epic Game Store. If I saw one cheap on the second hand market, I might be tempted to pick one up but that's unlikely. Keep up the awesome work Jon :-)
you definitely didn't miss out. Get a low or mid-tier minisforum mini pc, load retrobat or batocera on it, get your favorite top-tier controller and go to town. i'ts more flexible and it's all about the games. Or get a Pi and get a case that looks like an atari (or build on) and load retropie on it, same thing.
@@michaelbuddy problem with that is too many games to play. Always boring to have list upon list with little idea of what to play, often end up not bothering.
@@Lorfarius You'll only have the games you choose to have
I keep forgetting I have mine. It’s still beautiful and I have two actually. Would be nice to find another use for it. Glad you’re still using it!
I just wanna say thank you for the retronomic videos you do and I used your guide to change the Ram and add the sata to the Atari Vcs I bought awhile back. Still trying to get windows to work on the Sata but everything else has gone smoothly so far.
@@gametourny4ever627 thanks! I appreciate that a lot
One thing that's scared me from the Atari VCS is how (allegedly) it's a HUGE pain to set the system up during 2023 and 2024. Lots of complaints on Amazon and other websites over how the console in it's current state is NOT updated and as a result will NOT work and a very ultra complicated set up has to be done in order to update the system (it's not like a PS5 or Switch where all you have to do is connect to Wi-Fi and just hit a button to update the console). I would get one, but they REALLY need to make updating this system easier and friendlier and have it working out of the box.
I would have picked one up out of curiosity but Atari won't ship them to europe - along with everything else in their online store. Great work guys, It's not like there's Atari fans over here!
Good video! I have been on the fence about getting an Atari VCS! At least this system came out, not like some unmentioned one, that never has! You right about getting one, when they are on sale.
I've had mine since December and I've been loving it. I like the option between the classic and modern controller. Love getting your games as well man. I'm glad Atari keeps supporting it.
Hey john this is a great vid. I haven't replaced my PS5, but it's great to play my VCS when i want something different. I also been trying ro help the VCS by going to Kickstarter and asking the developers of cool looking game to consider porting to VCS. I also have a friend who is trying to put his indie games on there since i recommend to publish there. Although he is having trouble doing so.
It is quite incredible that the console "they" said would never be released and that "they" said would never last...has been both released and active this long. It's already earned quite its place in videogame history, because of that alone.
Pretty sure Atari’s stake in Polymega was partly intended to result in a cartridge reader peripheral for the VCS. Anyone heard anything on that front?
Nothing
It'll be out later this year
Polymega hinted at a 'new system'.
I have a VCS, was an early backer that sprung for one of the collectors' edition models.
Early on in the Indiegogo days, I always said "It needs exclusives, it needs exclusives, it needs memorable characters and IP's", etc. But it became very clear they weren't interested in that common-sense approach, so they went a different (less effective) direction. There was no way Atari would be able to make more than a niche following. If they had memorable characters and games that could only be obtained on the VCS, I have a feeling you'd be giving Atari a B grade instead of a C.
On the flipside, I think they got the hardware right though-- the console is well-built and mine still works to this day. Controller feels awesome and the Atari paddle controller is _still_ the only modern paddle controller I know of that you can buy. The partnership with Power-A was an awesome decision on Atari's part, so I give them props for that. It's a very fun machine to tinker with if you're an avid techie.
I also have to give Atari props for supporting the console this long. I honestly thought the company would be out of business by now. Not only are they still in business, but they bought Intellivision, so they must be doing something right that I'm just simply overlooking, lol.
That said, today I honestly never touch mine anymore. It's still hooked up to my parents' TV in the den collecting dust. Its primary use in our household was acting as a "smart device" for Netflix/video streaming on my dad's 2010 non-smart Philips TV (because he absolutely refused to get a smart TV). When that TV finally died, my dad finally got a smart TV. Since then, the VCS hasn't been touched.
I think I will fire up the VCS at some point and use it as an all-encompassing Atari machine for their old games.
Wonder how many are left- Atari is definitely throttling the sales by putting them 'on sale' once every 4-6 weeks. Anyone who buys one of these now at retail is just stupid.
I almost bought one but ultimately settled for building one of those Dell mini office PCs, and putting compact AMD card in- basically a little Xbox One+ PC that runs everything at 1080p.
I really want Atari to do well. I’ll always have a soft spot for them.
I love your videos and your passion, John.
Hey John, long time fan from your appearances on other retro UA-cam channels.
I JUST picked up an Atari VCS after they had an epic 50% off Black Friday sale, and my goal is to now turn this little thing into a little Steam Machine or living PC. I have 16gb of ram ordered, a 1tb M.2 SSD, and everything I need to make this the ultimate rig. My goal is to play Atari's remaster of The Thing on it by Christmas.
I do have to say I like this thing I finally beat Reach End after 20 hours
It’s an okay system. I’ve purchased several Recharged games, a few new ones and several 2600/7800 homebrews. I’ve also added Stella, Altirra and A7800 emulators. The emulators along with a couple of adaptors allow me to play the games the way they were meant to be played (OG trak-ball controllers, etc.).
Atari need to get optimize pc games on there that can utilize that AMD VEGA 3 APU at least have those games on Medium to LOW. Atari can even get older pc games that will max out at 60 fps with it, not saying you can play current titles but older ones from 2007 to 2017, emulation can be great , lets think bigger. I don't believe in cloud gaming because it requires internet and your playing off of Microsoft server hardware. Poly Gunner is a great example of hardware use.
Just saw it on sale for Black Friday this year for $99. Is it worth it?????
I saw the same thing! I need answers
As a mini pc, I think so
@@yeezet4592
Definitely.
I agree, good for them for not abandoning it. I have had mine for a year now and I do enjoy it. It's really different because of the classic controller. It doesn't get as much use an my PS5 but I still do enjoy playing on it from time to time
I am an orignal backer. Biased towards Atari as they created a lot of joy for me as a pre-teen/teenager. Overall, I am pleased with the current VCS. I also have a Switch and between the two consoles, I play the VCS more.
This isn't the same Atari, just a company that bought the name.
@@Lorfarius agreed. Atari has had so much turmoil over its life. For me the worst was when Infogrames rebranded themselves as Atari. That was a name only shame. Now at least there is a group of people who are making imho a decent attempt at making something Atari-like. I hope you too have had a long history with them and brought some enjoyment like they have for me. My brother and I got our first VCS in November of 1977.
I was also an original backer. I STILL can't buy games from the store. Got all updates. Contacted official support every major update. Still not able to buy games. Such a bummer
Thanka John, I didn't know the creator of Donut Dodo released a new game, I have to check it out because my game project is on those lines of style.
VCS is like you said a mixed bag, but enough to be present and active, maybe not totally relevant, but hang in there.
I like the look of donut dodo, but is' way too hard to be fun. let's be real. That game is for the .0001% masochists and it didn't have to be. It just didn't. Better to copy the difficulty level of like a donkey kong jr, where you can actually get somewhere reasonably even if the game or game loop gets ore difficult.
@@michaelbuddy Yes, I understand thank you, Michael, I will take it into account since I agree that it should be accessible in difficulty, nobody have time to lose, but also offer some other options for those looking for a challenge.
I think its difficulty is due to the fact that when they tried to distill the idea of what made those early games of the time what they were, they were left with difficulty either because "coin-ups" or because in those early years there were no schemes and theory of game balance at the level that exists today and in the collective consciousness memories that was a granted aspect of what make those games hard. Or maybe the fact that Donut Dodo has few levels, and somehow you have to maintain a duration of more than 2 hours to counter refunds on platforms like Steam, or I could be completely wrong.
On the other hand, for me, they serve as reference material not for the gameplay, but for things like how they carry out the marketing and positioning of branding, how they recreate an early 80s arcade look and feel while being modern, average market sale price, hits and miss, etc. since technically I would compete directly with them.
I added an NVME drive to mine but never really use it. I put it back in the box and put it on the shelf.
I feel like the VCS does have its owm distinct identity. It has a collection of games that scream nostalgia and reimagining of the past with one foot half in the deep past and 90'5 and one in the present and future. They really have a cool box. Hope they find a better way to lower the price and then keep pushing it as a the Atari Experience.
I love my VCS, at the same time, I almost was a founder and paid the $300 or so for it prior to it's release. I'm glad I didn't do that. I don't think it's worth $300, $250, I got lucky and paid $99 for the Onyx bundle that Best Buy ran in 2021 which came with both controllers. I'd pay $100-$160 for this unit today if I didn't have one.
Great to hear about them trying to make the Yamaha sound work on the vcs for your game. That game really does not get old.
I just bought one so I am trying to give them a push!!! Enjoying it so far and running ubuntu on a usb for fun
Have fun!
Luner lander beyond on PS5 uses the shoulder buttons to show stress
I recently picked up a VCS and honestly? I have really enjoyed it! I actually did not expect to play it as much as I have
Now that Atari owns Atariage, MORE Atariage store aftermarket games is the answer to give the Atari VCS exclusivity.
Pretty big Atari fan despite not growing up in the 70s or 80s. I’ve been holding off on this thing for obvious reasons, but I’m a bit liquid right now and decided to get one. We’ll see how it goes. I don’t own a PC so I’m excited to play Blood at least
I thought "this reminds me of minor 49r" then you said it and my brain melted. My mom is 84 and Minor 49r was the only video game she played when I was a kid. She was addicted. I have to get this for her
As a backer as well, I've enjoyed the console over the last few years. The UI has slightly improved as well although, regarding the payment issues, I'd love to see alternate payment options available as well.
I think that's a pretty good review of it.. I agree it just hasn't really established its own identity. Props to Atari for continuing to support it. The gaming market has been so saturated for so many years now, it's probably fortunate to have had the success its had.. I'm still glad they made it though.
Nice review man
I love my VCS !!!!!
Talk about piss poor marketing. It's August 2024 and I just found out about this from a FB marketplace post that's selling a bundle.
Based on the passage of time and ALL of the mini PCs out there that have released since the VCS has, I don't think it's a good idea to buy a VCS unless a serious clearance price. I had one and sold it, I don't miss it. I'm glad people are enjoying it still. I think a couple games could be created that could really make it compelling again. Some wireless couch arcade controller peripheral could be very cool. A game that is a platform builder like mario maker, or a collaborative builder game like a mincraft as an exclusive could help it. They got a lot of things right and a lot of creativity. I will say this with Atari. I'd more likely buy a future atari than an XBOX. XBOX is dead to me. Playstation almost is dead to me too to be honest.
An Atari, in my view, the target audience at this point is like somebody who wants a media play / kodi machine that has a cool UI. Somebody who might otherwise put a raspberry pi on their HDTV but having the atari is more fun. Unfortunately they currently fail at that without a proper app for kodi and youtube. The second demographic is Granpa who wants to co-op play games with grandkids when they come over. That's where the builder / platformer games come in. Ridiculously hard games, I'm sorry those are not compelling to either grandpa or grandkids. And I don't think a lot of people are tuning into speedruns of VCS games either. But playing a builder game is fun and where grandpa and a six year old can play together, nice. Forget the joystick controller though. It's not gonna be hable to handle anything and even though it looks awesome, it's kind of a fail let's be hones.
Is stardew valey available on the VCS. If not, it should be. great console casual game.
Awesome vid bud
Better advertising would have helped this console. I remember seeing it before it released but forgot until today when I was showing my wife the first gaming consoles.
For $210 straight from Atari, this seems like a pretty decent buy. I just wonder what all games that it has.
Atari is well before my time, but I do like the aesthetics of the early consoles and cartridges. I have a PS5 and a PSVITA, and used to have a few Nintendo consoles. I do like to ponder what could have been with other less successful consoles and handhelds like the Bandai WonderSwan and the Sega Dreamcast had they been successful. The console monopoly created by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft does get under my skin, and I would like to see more variety in the console market. This monopoly has stagnated innovation and now consoles are getting displaced by PCs and gaming is becoming all digital. So sometimes I like to take a peak at the niche market and see what companies such as Atari are up to. I doubt it but it would be cool if Atari could develop something on par with the PS5 but with classic console aesthetics, and maybe a return to big cartridge style physical media storage like the 2600+ now that Atari is finding success in the physical media sales. Even if it's just glorified emulation.
Had no idea that thing was still around. An original VCS 2600 which I grew up with is kool....cartridges, boxes and manuals. Don't care about the digital age.
Thanks for the video. I agree with the Atari VCS having an identity issue. What is it exactly? What does it do different than the competition? That's the issue.
As much as I would like to buy a 2600+ and this one, why is everything immediately sold out? Especially the cartridges? 😔
If they sold it worldwide on their store, they would get more customers.
I have fancied one for a while, but not available in the uk from them!
First I am not a programmer. When I was a kid in the 80s I might of had a glimmer of talent on the Atari computers and C64. But my thought for now is the Atari VCS would be perfect for something like a New Era Adventure Construction Set but allowing making any kind of game/program. Make it a visual programming system. Maybe enforce one limit: resolution so as to help insure better performance for the programs created by the really ambitious. Advantages to me cheap durable hardware. Make a environment that enables the person with good imagination but lack of skills to create/learn. The ability for advanced programmers i.e. true coders to create and submit upgrades/tools/features? The ability to submit items for approval and sale? Turn learning/fun into profit? I know probably implausible and dumb.
One of their biggest failings was never supporting a spinner controller for tempest, or a trackball for missile command. Instead of focusing on things that made Atari different....
I actually hope atari gets into the console game heavy now. With all the bs going on with Sony and Xbox it would be great if they launched a game console with similar specs!
I did look at the VCS but thought it was overpriced for what it was .
I think it’s gone the same way the Jaguar went in the 1990s .
Luckily I still have my Jaguar from back then , that has had a lot of support from 3rd party developers and Atari Age over the past 8 yrs.
I think VCS will be another Atari console that will end up being a collector item like the Jaguar became.
JohnHancock can you suggest a good N64 cartridge display/storage solution? Have you ever done a video on cart display/storage?
I have my N64 collection complete in box so loose cart wise I’m not the best guy to ask. You can get cases and covers made to make it easy to stack/show what you have and looking online that might be one route.
As they appear to not plan to release the dlc for Atari 50, I can only assume support has ended.
People have been assuming this console to end support for a few years honestly. Atari 50 should be getting the DLCs, the problem and holdup being the file size. The support for the console is still there but is slowing down on releases and their next game(Fatal Run 2089) has a file size that would not fit on Atari VCS.
I ve been wanting to pick on of these up, however the thing that I m not clear about is, if I picked up one today from their website, will it work out of the box? videos and things I seen and read in the past have said there is a whole process you have to go thru to get it up and running with re flashing the firmware or something??? have they fixed that so that you dont have to do that when you purchase a new one?
From what I can tell, it still needs to be updated out of the box and somewhat difficult. The VCS discord helps.
I think its identity is its classic joystick. That cant be found elsewhere. Playing games with that is its identity in my opinion.
You look like frank fritz. Sweet
Looks great but $300 is too much compared to what you can get from Sony or MS
99 bucks on black friday.. im so tempted to get this or 7800+
Doesn't the Atari VCS support Atari 5200 and 8-bit Atari games too?
It was a $300 system competing in a market dominated by $100 systems, with almost no titles to speak of. Sure you could use it as a low-performance PC, but we have PCs for that 😅
Wait, 3.5 years?
Wow I was still wondering if it actually came out.
I bought one today it was on sale and i had a coupon so 55 percent off LOL
Atari VCS always seemed like it was unnecessary. Kind of like Amico. It didn't really solve a problem with gaming, offer anything new, so at this point for me it would be a curiosity at best that I would perhaps invest in when it's $50 bargain bin priced.
👍👍™️
I’d grab it for 100 bucks if they keep putting on 7800 post release games for sure
My VCS is in a showcase, but I have never plugged it in. I may make it into a PC some day. Atari, just sitting on a VCS, would kill Atari. Their position as an Indie publisher is not only smart, but brilliant.
Atari time we need to get back to Sega John
Talking about a console that has no physical copies Atari VCS is all digital if Xbox goes all digital like Atari I’ll no longer buy an Xbox I’ll just have to wait and see
If they sold outside US they'd sell a lot kore
How can you survive when you just sell 35 copies?
By keeping the day job.
$79.99 on walmart sold by atari now (nov 24th 2024)
I keep forgetting that this is a thing
I got this system when Gamestop did a fire sale on them for $100 with the intention to upgrade the memory and put in a SSD hard drive.
Between the memory slots being on the bottom of the systems board, the so so collection of games (a lot of the same ones as the Atari 50 collection) and the lack of an indicator that tells you when the controllers are charged its been little more than a dust collector for me.
Unfortunately I had already bought 16GB's worth of memory to upgrade it with and after trying to get it "professionally" done (at Best Buy) and them saying no I just gave up and packed it up and stored it away.
Otherwise the form factor of it is nice and the controllers are very good but the design of the internals is ridiculous. If I knew somebody who could have printed me a case with an easy access hatch to get at the memory easier I would have done it in a heartbeat.
Now, if I could only buy a game... That’s the most ridiculous nonsense. They can blame it on whomever else they want; it’s _their_ problem, at the end of the day... Absolutely love Atari, but their lack of attention to the VCS is worse than that to the 7800, Lynx, or Jaguar. That’s more than upsetting, unfortunately... To be fair, I haven’t tried, again, since Black Friday sale, but I’m not checking over and over, to see if their online store works. Next time I see a sale, ‘cause I’ve paid enough to support their (otherwise great) comeback, already...
The purchase bug is not impacting everyone and do not know if fixed. You always can reach out to customer service.
Atari bought Intellivision and 300+ games!
Sorry, but to me this is not an Atari product in the sense that so many people (including you John) keep portraying it. This was made by a company that paid some money for the rights to the brands name, as other folks have done before. And this name, this word, those 5 letters is what you are paying for.
I‘m honestly happy for everyone who gets enjoyment out of it, but I can’t see anything that isn’t available on any other system.
Doesn't help that the vcs comes inoperable out the box.
That fps gaming is lagging all over the place