PLAION and Atari, one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers, are proud to announce the Atari 2600+.

A modern day faithful recreation of the pioneering console that first appeared in 1977, will be launching worldwide in 2023.

Launching with ten of some of the most important video games in Atari’s history, including Adventure and Missile Command, the Atari 2600+ has been created using modern technology to authentically replicate the original 4-switch Atari 2600 Video Game System.

For those looking to relive the gameplay experiences of the ‘70s and ’80s, included with the Atari 2600+ is the CX40+ Joystick Controller, recreated with the same size and layout as the original 2600 Joystick Controller for that added touch of nostalgia.

“Making classic games accessible to everyone is a priority for Atari, and the release of the Atari 2600+ is a big step towards the preservation of 2600 and 7800 games,” said Atari Chairman and CEO, Wade Rosen. “In our mission in giving retro enthusiasts more ways to play iconic games, PLAION’s approach to a quality recreation of iconic Atari hardware made them a perfect partner when choosing to bring the 2600+ to market.”

“We’re excited to be working with Atari to bring back the Atari 2600 and help meet the growing consumer demand for retro hardware,” said Commercial Director of Retro at PLAION, Ben Jones. “For gamers who remember the thrill of playing arcade games at home for the very first time, the Atari 2600+ will take you right back. For everyone else, the offer is one of timeless fun and the chance to experience a golden age of video games in a way that could only come from Atari.”

PLAION and Atari also announce the availability of The CX-30 Paddle Controller with 4-in-1 multi game cartridge, and additional launch titles including Bezerk Enhanced Edition and Mr. Run and Jump will also be available on The Atari 2600+, as well as a standalone CX-40 Joystick.

The Atari 2600+ will be available from 17th November 2023.

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One of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers, today proudly announces that Atari VCS is the official name of its new retro-inspired gaming and entertainment platform, previously known by its working title “Ataribox.”

The company also marks this important milestone by sharing the Atari VCS, Classic Joystick and Modern Controller prototypes with press at this week’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, with the objective to reveal the exclusive pre-order date for the Atari VCS during the month of April 2018.

Inspired by the iconic silhouette of the original Atari 2600 Video Computer System, the new Atari VCS has already generated considerable excitement within the gaming community. Its skillful blend of modern lines and reverential details, combined with contemporary content technology and new innovation, has evoked positive reactions from Atari fans both new and old. The Atari VCS will of course serve up lots of classic content, but it is so much more than a “retro-box.” It is a completely new Atari connected device designed for today’s living room.

The new Atari VCS logo, like the new hardware itself, combines past and present, and is inspired by Atari’s rich history of progressive graphic design. Countless highly-memorable game logos, illustrations, ads and packages were generated by Atari’s legendary in-house Industrial Design and Graphics department during the 1970’s and 80’s.

Industrial design and graphics are essential parts of the brand’s DNA and part of what makes every Atari game an adventure for the player. Today’s Atari design, engineering, software and marketing teams all endeavor to bring similar levels of care and attention to the new VCS. Atari intends its new video computer system to change the way you interact with your TV, just as the original Atari 2600 Video Computer System first did more than 40 years ago.

“Every person at Atari and every partner involved with the new platform is just as fanatical about the brand and its heritage as our biggest fans are,” explained Michael Arzt, Atari COO of Connected Devices. “With the Atari VCS name, we know how important it is to get everything completely right and that’s why we briefly paused an imminent launch late last year. It was a difficult decision with the countdown underway, but we weren’t willing to go forward with even one thing out of alignment. We hope that Atari’s fans appreciate our extreme attention to detail and are as excited about the Atari VCS as we are.”

In addition to unveiling the official name and logo, Atari will be shifting all branding and communications channels to reflect the Atari VCS name including their social media channels.

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