# Atari Reintroduces the Legendary 2600 Console **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2023-08-22 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/atari-reintroduces-the-legendary-2600-console --- ## Analysis Atari announced the 2600+ console, a modernized reissue of the classic 1977 Atari 2600 with HDMI output, backwards compatibility with 2600 and 7800 cartridges, and a $129.99 price point. The article provides product specifications and pre-order details while offering personal nostalgia commentary and praise for Atari's recent retro gaming initiatives. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Atari 2600+ supports both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges — _Official Atari product specification from announcement_ - [HIGH] 2600+ priced at $129.99 with included joystick and 10-game cartridge — _Product pricing and bundle information from official announcement_ - [HIGH] First deliveries expected to begin in November — _Stated in article summary of announcement details_ - [MEDIUM] Atari's recent 'Recharged' series and Atari 50 Anniversary Collection are well-received — _Author opinion based on personal experience; characterizes as 'fantastic' and 'outstanding'_ ### Notable Quotes > "I had a Pong game when I was super little, but the Atari was my first real video game console. I remember the day that my Dad brought one home from Sears." > — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)** > _Nostalgic framing establishing personal connection to Atari brand and context for commentary on product announcement_ > "Things like the VCS and the speaker hat (HAHA) were real duds, but Atari seems to be on the right track now." > — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)** > _Critical assessment of Atari's previous product failures versus current strategic direction_ > "I give Atari a lot of credit for the moves that they've been making lately." > — **Article author (Knapp Arcade)** > _Positive sentiment shift regarding Atari's recent business strategy and product decisions_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Atari | company | Video game company announcing 2600+ console reissue; noted for recent retro gaming initiatives (Recharged series, Anniversary Collection) | | Atari 2600+ | product | Modernized reissue of classic 1977 Atari 2600 console with HDMI output, backwards compatibility, priced at $129.99 | | Atari 2600 | product | Original 1977 console; new 2600+ maintains cartridge compatibility | | Atari 7800 | product | Atari console; 2600+ supports backwards compatibility with 7800 cartridges | | Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration | product | Atari game collection; characterized as 'outstanding' by author | | Atari Recharged | product | Series of modernized versions of classic Atari games (Asteroids Recharged, Centipede Recharged, etc.); author plays on Steam Deck | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Source publication; author provides personal commentary on Atari products | | Sears | company | Retailer where author's father purchased original Atari console in childhood | ### Topics - **Primary:** Retro console reissues and nostalgia marketing, Atari brand strategy and product positioning - **Secondary:** Classic video game preservation and accessibility, Consumer pricing and product bundling ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.78) — Author expresses genuine nostalgia, praises recent Atari initiatives, credits company for brand stewardship, while acknowledging past product failures (VCS, speaker hat). Overall tone is supportive of Atari's current direction. ### Signals - **[market_signal]** Retro console reissue market segment showing continued consumer demand for modernized classic gaming hardware (confidence: medium) — Atari investing in 2600+ reissue with competitive pricing ($129.99) and modern features (HDMI, dual cartridge compatibility) - **[announcement]** Atari 2600+ console officially announced with HDMI, backwards compatibility, and November delivery window (confidence: high) — Official Atari announcement with full product specifications, pricing, and pre-order details - **[sentiment_shift]** Positive reassessment of Atari's strategic direction following past product failures (VCS, speaker hat); author credits company for staying on track (confidence: high) — Author states: 'Things like the VCS and the speaker hat (HAHA) were real duds, but Atari seems to be on the right track now. Good for them.' --- ## Transcript This isn't arcade or pinball-related, but it does involve classic video games so I'll allow it. This morning Atari announced that it is bringing back the legendary 2600 video game console. The new 2600+ console has HDMI output and plays Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges. Priced at $129.99, pre-orders are open now with the first deliveries expected to begin in November. The price includes the console itself, one OG Atari joystick and a 10 game cartridge. Additional original joysticks cost $24.99 each. A set of OG paddle controllers and a cartridge with four games is available for $39.99. The paddle games are Breakout, Canyon Bomber, Night Driver and Video Olympics. I had a Pong game when I was super little, but the Atari was my first real video game console. I remember the day that my Dad brought one home from Sears. I played the heck out of that machine in my youth. I still have my actual original Atari console and a bunch of the cartridges today. I used to LOVE games like Seaquest, River Raid, Combat, Air Sea Battle, so many good memories... I give Atari a lot of credit for the moves that they've been making lately. The Atari "Recharged" series of games based on classics like Asteroids, Centipede, etc... are fantastic. I play the heck out of them on my Steam Deck. The Atari 50: the Anniversary Celebration collection of games is outstanding as well. Things like the VCS and the speaker hat (HAHA) were real duds, but Atari seems to be on the right track now. Good for them. I like to see them keeping this iconic brand alive. I wish that Atari would acquire some of the old Activision titles that were available on its systems back in the day, like Pitfall, Seaquest, River Raid, etc... https://atari.com/products/atari-2600-plus "Enjoy your favorite Atari 2600 and 7800 games on one system. Not only does the Atari 2600+ pull double cartridge duty, it also features HDMI and widescreen mode for easy connectivity to modern TVs. Jump right in with the included CX40+ Joystick and a 10-in-1 game cartridge that features some of Atari’s most famous games like Adventure®, Missile Command®, and Yars' Revenge®. Features The Atari 2600+ is an updated version of the iconic Atari 2600 and has been enhanced in the following ways: - Plays both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges- HDMI output makes it easy to connect- Widescreen mode- Enlarged cartridge socket reduces sticking- Atari logo lights up when being played The system comes with a CX40+ Joystick which has been lovingly recreated to the same specifications as the original, and a 10-in-1 game cartridge featuring some of Atari’s most famous games: Adventure®, Combat®, Dodge 'Em™, Haunted House®, Maze Craze™, Missile Command®, RealSports® Volleyball, Surround™, Video Pinball™, Yars' Revenge®." _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 1bb19c49-05a1-4c0d-819c-b50799f02877*