Back in July Atari announced that they would be jumping back into the gaming console arena with a modernized take on its popular Atari 2600, the Ataribox. In anΒ email to their fans Tuesday the company released a few more tidbits regarding the highly anticipated console.Β Having owned a 2600 back in my youth the news definitely sparked my interest and nostalgia.
What we already knew
There will be two editions of the Ataribox, black and red and wood. The front panel of the console will be either glass or (real) wood and itβll have one HDMI port, four USB ports, and one SD port.
Whatβs new
Atari plans on releasing the console via an Indiegogo campaign in the next month or two and it will begin shipping sometime in the Spring of 2018. Fans who get involved with the campaign will have access to special editions and exclusive pricing. Prices will run $249-$299 depending on specific editions and memory configurations.
The console will be driven by custom AMD Radeon graphics technology and it will run Linux. With Linux, you will be able to customize and run the console like you would a Linux PC. According to Atari βAtaribox is also aΒ full PC experience for theΒ TV, bringing you streaming, applications, social, browsing, music, and more.β
You can also expect the unit to come preloaded with βtons of classic AtariΒ retro gamesβ, as well as βcurrent titles from a range of studios.β
Details about the Ataribox have been slow in coming and we still donβt have any details regarding which classic games will be included with the console at launch although the company says itβll βstart talking titles soon.β Another big question is whether or not the console will come with Atariβs classic joystick controllers.
Atari says it will have βlots more inΒ the weeks ahead.β In the meantime, you can head over to the officialΒ Ataribox website and sign up to be the first to know when more info is available.
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So only 90 years away, then?
So will the graphics be the blocky classic or cool high res?
…Hmm. Sounds like it might be a good SteamOS box.