Atari 2600+
A scaled replica of the Atari 2600 with HDMI output.
Evan-Amos · Public domain
The Atari 2600+ is a home video game console that Atari, Inc. and Plaion have been making together since 2023. It’s a scaled-down copy of the four-switch woodgrain Atari 2600, and it can play both original 2600 and Atari 7800 game cartridges. A 10-in-1 cartridge with classic games is included in the box.
The console is an 80% scale replica of the 1980 CX2600-A model, still bearing the Video Computer System name. It comes with a replica CX40 joystick that uses the same hardware as the original, so older joysticks work with it. Weighing 1.3 pounds, the system is less than a third the weight of the original. Video output goes through a single HDMI port, and power comes from a USB-C to USB-A cable plugged into a wall socket. Inside, it runs on a Rockchip 3128 processor.
Most Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges work with the 2600+, but a few don’t because the system relies on software-based emulation rather than a hardware chip that’s fully compatible. The bundled cartridge has its own switches to pick which game to play, offering ten titles: Adventure (1980), Combat (1977), Dodge 'Em (1980), Haunted House (1982), Maze Craze (1980), Missile Command (1980), RealSports Volleyball (1982), Surround (1977), Video Pinball (1981), and Yars' Revenge (1982).
Atari announced the 2600+ on August 22, 2023, with German publisher Plaion handling manufacturing and distribution. It launched in November 2023 across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Reviewers had mixed reactions. Seth Macy of IGN gave it a 7 out of 10, calling it an attractive emulator-based way to revisit the 1980s, with a dedication to the original experience that’s both a blessing and a curse. PC World’s Ida Blix rated it 4 out of 5, praising the design and cartridge compatibility but criticizing the price and the single included controller. Phil Hayton of GamesRadar+ described it as an awesome recreation, saying he might retire his original console after 46 years. Keith Stuart of The Guardian, however, noted that like many 1970s pop culture relics, its charm may fade quickly, and he found it expensive compared to the Atari Flashback.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Atari
- Manufacturer
- Plaion
- Generation
- Ninth
- Cpu
- Rockchip 3128
- Memory
- 256MB DDR3 RAM
- Display
- HDMI 2.0
- Release Date
- WW · November 17, 2023
- Dimensions
- 10.6 x 7 x 2.8 in
- Weight
- 1.3 lbs
- Compatibility
- Atari 2600 and Atari 7800
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Atari 2600+ was announced on August 22, 2023. Atari, Inc. worked together with German publisher Plaion, who served as the manufacturing and distributing partner. The console is an 80% scale replica of the 1980 CX2600-A model of the Atari 2600 and still carries the Video Computer System name on it. The system comes with a replica CX40 joystick that uses the same hardware, making it backwards compatible with older joysticks. The system weighs 1.3 lb, less than a third of the original unit.
The display output is provided through a single HDMI interface, while power is provided by a single USB-C to USB-A cable to a wall socket. The processor is a Rockchip 3128. The Atari 2600+ is backwards compatible with the vast majority of Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges, though a few cartridges do not function because the system uses software-based emulation instead of a binary compatible system-on-chip hardware.
The bundled cartridge has switches itself for selecting what game to launch. It includes 10 games: Adventure (1980), Combat (1977), Dodge 'Em (1980), Haunted House (1982), Maze Craze (1980), Missile Command (1980), RealSports Volleyball (1982), Surround (1977), Video Pinball (1981), and Yars' Revenge (1982).
Reader's Guide
The Atari 2600+ represents a modern reissue of a classic console, notable for its physical resemblance to the original four-switch woodgrain model at 80% scale. Its use of software-based emulation allows compatibility with the vast majority of Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges, though a few titles are not functional. The console was developed by Atari, Inc. with Plaion as manufacturing and distribution partner, and released in November 2023 across multiple regions. Reception was mixed: Seth Macy of IGN gave a score of 7 out of 10, calling it an attractive emulator-based solution with a dedication to recreating the original experience that is both a blessing and a curse. PC World's Ida Blix gave 4 out of 5, praising the design and cartridge backwards compatibility but criticizing the price and the inclusion of only one controller. Phil Hayton of GamesRadar+ called it an awesome recreation and stated that after 46 years he might retire his original console. Keith Stuart of The Guardian commented that the charm and novelty may wear off too soon and that it was expensive compared to the Atari Flashback. The console is part of a lineage that includes the Atari Flashback series and the Atari VCS (2021 console).
Did You Know?
- The bundled 10-in-1 cartridge includes games such as Adventure, Combat, and Yars' Revenge.
- The console uses a Rockchip 3128 processor and provides display output via HDMI.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atari 2600+?
The Atari 2600+ is a modern reissue of the classic woodgrain Atari 2600, produced jointly by Atari, Inc. and Plaion and launched in November 2023. It is an 80% scale replica of the 1980 CX2600-A "Video Computer System" model, updated with HDMI output and a Rockchip 3128 processor.
Can the Atari 2600+ play Atari 7800 cartridges?
Yes—unlike the original 2600, the 2600+ accepts both 2600 and 7800 game cartridges, letting you run titles from both eras on a single system.
What comes in the Atari 2600+ box?
The package includes the console, a replica CX40 joystick that shares the same hardware as the original (so any vintage 2600 joystick will also work), and a 10-in-1 cartridge bundled with classic titles.
How do you power and connect the Atari 2600+ to a TV?
You plug a USB-C to USB-A cable into a wall outlet for power, and the console outputs video over HDMI to any modern display.
How does the Atari 2600+ compare in size to the original 2600?
At 80% scale and just 1.3 pounds, the 2600+ weighs less than a third of the full-size woodgrain unit while keeping the same four-switch front-panel layout.
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