Atari officially introduces the Atari VCS - Say hello to Atari’s new video game computer system

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.”

[AizenSosuke]

VCS new gaming system replacing XBox?
Dreams can people dream!

[TGG_overlord]

Time will tell, but I hardly doubt that Atari is trying to replace the Xbox. The Atari VCS console is more likely trying to bring together old and new Atari fans.

[Cobra951]

I'm one of the old ones. I was a young adult when the (original) VCS came out, and completely changed my perception of what game machines were about. Change the cart, and hey! totally different game on the same hardware. Amazing!

Problem is those primitive games have not aged well at all. A few are still fun in small doses, but by and large, they are best left in a museum. I certainly would not buy a new iteration of the VCS that just plays Atari games from the late 70s through the mid-80s. I don't need one for passive entertainment either. Let's wait and see what it actually turns out to be.

[link2Dpast]

I mean what does Xbox have to offer anyway in the category of games other than Halo and Gears. Those are the only games that move systems and they only care about the entertainment aspect of it all. So we wouldn't be really loosing anything with the departure of xbox

[Death]

@link,

You should open your mind a little if you think Gears and Halo are the only games on Xbox. Forza is the top rated exclusive racing game and is available in two different series, Motorsport and Horizon. Sea of Thieves is kind of hard to miss right now and Crackdown 3 is on the way. Quantum Break and Recore were nice exclusives as well as State of Decay. I know some gamers can’t tell the difference between an RTS and a FPS, but Halo Wars was a fun game if you are one of the few that knows the difference.

[killswitch80]

Quantum Break , and recore are terrible games, I wouldn't be surprised if Crackdown 3 is canceled. Players will quickly return to Monster Hunter World, Call of Duty, and PUBG after a week of Sea of Thieves launching. The best IP was canceled. Plus I can play all this garbage except for the worst Halo ever on PC. Come on down vote me but its the truth. I own all the major systems.

[darthv72]

I would be all over this if it really was an "ATARI" box. Meaning it spanned every game from Atari's console library (Pong to Jaguar) as well as Atari Arcade titles (published / developed).

[Atanasrikard]

@link2Dpast

I mean what does Nintendo have to offer anyway in the category of games other than Zelda and Mario? Those are the only games the move systems and they only care about the portability aspect of it all. So we wouldn't be really losing anything with the departure of Nintendo.

I can play that moronic game to. And it's just that, moronic.

[Jinger]

Why would you want something to replace Xbox?

[ChrisW]

Only members of an opposing faction would want that.

As to why? Who knows... Maybe they want something new to bash?

[GrubsterBeater]

@Chris

"As to why? Who knows... Maybe they want something new to bash?"

Bashing on the XBox, while easy, is just beating a vert, very, very dead horse.. So yeah, I guess it would be nice to bash on a different console, because XBox is like the brother that nobody knows about because he's an abomination that lives in the attic.

[chris235]

you can‘t replace something that‘s not really existant.

[subtenko]

To see if they can beat the record for having the least amount of exclusives

[InTheZoneAC]

Why wouldn't you? They are a cancer to the industry for what's best for us

[FallenAngel1984]

You beyond crazy if you think that can happen

[Xb1ps4]

Seriously.... it’s a retro console and the first thing that comes to mind is a replacement to the Xbox brand?!

I have no clue what dreams you have been having but if you think a retro console is worth the replacement of the Xbox brand..... then please go back to bed and keep dreaming while I hope that no one wakes your ignorant ass up...

Atari day one... right along my x1x and ps pro. No replacement needed #gamers!

Do you guy even realize how many retro games exist?

[Auron]

You sir are an Idiot.

[zerocarnage]

Fanboy by any chance..

We can only dream that people like you would stop being pathetic and just enjoy gaming from everywhere, instead of having a one track mind designed to hate..

[Nintentional]

Pathetic

[Neonridr]

"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."

so what it it? A retro emulator + netflix?

[TGG_overlord]

That would be my conclusion of it all. I have already signed up for a copy, because as soon as I saw that it runs on Linux, I was sold.

[Old McGroin]

Retro emulator + Netflix, already have all of that on the Nvidia Shield, or any android box for that matter.

[milohighclub]

Plus modern games from current studios.

[Gh05t]

If you have to keep telling everyone that you are "One of the world’s most iconic consumer brands..." you are not really that iconic.

Iconic brands need no introduction! THAT IS WHAT MAKES THEM ICONIC!

[TGG_overlord]

Point taken, and I wouldn't have used that slogan. I would just have gone with the old ones. Yep, that's correct (just look at Nintendo).

[Gh05t]

That was not meant to be directed at you. I assumed it was part of Ataris press release since that is the section I was referencing. I have heard Atari spokes"people" say something akin to this multiple times and its starting to become laughable like the turd in school that tries to tell everyone he is the cool kid, the ones who have to tell you they are cool... arent the cool ones.

[fr0sty]

While Nintendo is certainly to thank for the industry taking off to the point it is at now, Atari forged the market. There were other consoles before them, but they were the first to make gaming a mainstream thing. They also were part of destroying the market when people realized it was something that could be cashed in on and the lack of quality control meant a flood of garbage games ended up on store shelves, some that were fundamentally broken. Nintendo then resurrected it a few years later.

That said, we all know who Atari is, they are to thank for putting the gaming console in average joe's living room. They can claim to be iconic. Press releases often spend a lot of time bragging about the company, so this isn't too far out of the norm. That said, I did find it funny that they had to spend an entire paragraph bragging about the graphic design used to promote the console and its games, while not revealing a single fact about what the console actually does.

[OB1Biker]

To be fair there was a time I and everyone I knew were calling video games 'Atari games'.
So there's that.

[TGG_overlord]

I think that I might be one of the few that has never owned an Atari console before. However, I did play on my uncle's Atari Jaguar quite a bit in the 90s (not to mention Atari made arcade games). Anyways, I get what you mean ;)

[letsa_go]

I'd rather have a system from Atari Games(Midway, Warner Bros) instead of Atari Inc(Infogrames). Atari Games made all the good arcade games from the 80's & 90's like Gauntlet, Hard Drivin, Toobin, Hydra, 720, & APB. Atari Inc makes Rollercoaster Tycoon World, Pridefest, & Deer Hunter...ugh.

[joab777]

If you have an entire website asking people to order, but have no details at all, except cliche statements, what can we actually expect?

[Twinblade]

Gamers these days probably doesn't even know what Atari is.

[kneon]

I guess they need to play up the brand since that is mostly what they paid for when they bought the leftovers of the previous incarnation of Atari.

[rainslacker]

While true, Atari is pretty iconic. Granted, being iconic doesn't mean it's still relevant.

[Relientk77]

Definitely keeping my eye on this, and seeing what games this will get.

[TGG_overlord]

I'm going to ask Atari if they plan to roll out Atari Jaguar games on it, because I would love to play AVP again.

[FyBy]

Yes, it really depends on software platform. If there is intereface, which I can download games from 8bit/16bit(mainly atari XE and ST) era (or also from jaguar era), its very nice piece of work. If this is only 2600 emulator + some sort of steambox, it doesnt really appeal to me (I already have Ps4,Ps3, 3ds, PC, so I dont need another pc in a box). But thumbs up for Atari!

[TGG_overlord]

@Gh05t "That was not meant to be directed at you. I assumed it was part of Ataris press release since that is the section I was referencing. I have heard Atari spokes"people" say something akin to this multiple times and its starting to become laughable like the turd in school that tries to tell everyone he is the cool kid, the ones who have to tell you they are cool... arent the cool ones."

- Ah, sorry, my bad. I think that it would be better if they started over on a feash page instead. Simply put, that they try to find their own path and niche. Yep...

[gangsta_red]

Yes! I hope they can recreate the success of the Atari XE and the Atari Jaguar!

[Elda]

LOL!

[Twinblade]

I liked Ataribox better... this VCS sounds like VCR. I

[ocelot07]

I think this is more of a classic game + new indie game machine. Like the Ouya.

[ziggurcat]

specs?

[Kribwalker]

It runs on well wishes and unicorn farts.... in all seriousness this is all i’ve seen
“What we do know so far is that it will be powered by an AMD customised processor with Radeon Graphics. It will run Linux OS with a custom interface.”

[Protagonist]

so still no real info...

[spicelicka]

If it's another "retro" unit that runs purely on nostalgia and re-releases overpriced ancient games then count me out.

[Segata]

Have you played Atari today? Nope and neither will anyone else. Not clear on what it exactly does. Relies on a brand no one cares about anymore. It's already a crowded market with modern and retro-themed consoles. Also Atari VCS you mean like the Retro VCS or the Coleco Chameleon? lol get out.

[Uglyday]

Looks like a router.

[monkeyshawn60]

I wish it the best of luck, but if Google makes their new machine, The Switch, the ps4 and xbox. i highlz doubt this machine will make it.

[zb1ftw777]

I'm guessing it's an Android box.

Was I right?

[SierraGuy]

Linux...so no AMD chip (custom) Radeon graphics Ethernet port and a controller that looks similar to Xbox.

[ILostMyMind]

Better If It was an Android machine.

[zb1ftw777]

Android runs on Linux though.

How is this different?

[Xenophon_York]

Not sure why but I want this thing to succeed.

[TheOttomatic91]

Sorry current Atari (besides the name) is nothing like it’s original game centric counterpart and more in it for the the money and less about making quality products.

[nRicosS]

VCS? Video Call Sex? Interesting

[antikbaka]

i higly doubt it will have success

[ILostMyMind]

Maybe if it showed the time and weather... 🤔

[dunnyone]

Sorry, I don't like playing games that look like warmed over shit. Atari games look rough as fuck. Disagree if you like, nothing is going to change the fact that Atari games looked and played like shit. Bye bitch.

[Stanjara]

Nope!

[Einhander1971]

Don’t own Xbox but certainly want Atari:)

[Good-Smurf]

I subscribed for their email updates and haven't heard a peep since last year and now they revealed the console name?!
Were they that strapped for cash and employees that bad?

[Xenophon_York]

Atari is the equivalent of The Godfather of the video game industry. Yes, sadly the name is being squeezed out like the sweat rag of a dying man who has been stranded in the desert with no water for three days. Regardless, the original Atari games the Atari VCS will showcase are no less classic and monumental to the history of the past-time we all love.

Just the same as someone who claims to be a cinephile but hates movies such as Voyage to the Moon, Gold Rush, and Employees Leaving the Lumiere Factory is a hypocrite, so too are any gamers who belittle Atari classics.

[michellelynn0976]

Poor Atari. I remember them from my childhood.

[howiewowwee]

I hope it does more than play centipede and watch netflix. It does look great especially the wood grain.

[drunkenspy007]

I checked to see if this was April 1st...

[xtheblackparade]

Here's what range of games we can expect releasing on the new Atari system (from the Atari wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wi... ):
"On June 22, 2014, Atari announced a new corporate strategy that would include a focus on "new audiences", specifically "LGBT, social casinos, real-money gambling, and YouTube"."

[adaminoregon]

Anyword yet on what this thing actually does? Will it download games? Play discs? New games? Old games?

[InTheZoneAC]

DOA?

[OffRoadKing]

Pass

[Jon_Targaryen]

But can it run Kodi?

[JangoMan]

I heard great things about it. Some say it has the power equalant to dual GTX1080Ti's and Core i9. A 32GB of ram and 1TB SSD.
It's inner codename is "Once N4 All" after changing from " 4K My Ar$e". And it has Half Life 3 as a Launch title.

[Razuel]

might be interesting if comes loaded with this: i7-8809G

[ASBO-5]

More like "Say hell no to Atari’s new video game computer system"

[Richhard1]

Hopefully they’ll bring modern versions of old classics like pitfall.