Atari re-opens pre-orders for VCS console starting at $249.99

[Shawn Knight]

Something to look forward to: No matter how you slice it, nearly $400 for an Atari console (with controllers, because you probably want those, right?) in today's landscape is a tough sell. Atari does have a lengthy track record but its last major console release was the Jaguar more than 25 years ago. Can it succeed?

Atari at E3 on Tuesday announced a distribution deal with GameStop and Walmart for the company’s upcoming VCS console.

The Atari VCS first went up for pre-order more than a year ago on Indiegogo, raising roughly $3 million in the process. Those systems are still on track to be delivered in late 2019, we’re told.

The new batch of consoles is offered in multiple configurations with availability based on where you pre-order from. The entry-level VCS 400 packs an AMD processor with embedded Vega graphics and 4GB of RAM. It’ll set you back $249.99. The Atari VCS 800, meanwhile, with 8GB of RAM goes for $279.99 while an “all-in” system bundle with a gamepad and a joystick commands $389.99.

The gamepad and joystick are also available separately, priced at $59.99 and $49.99, respectively.

According to CNET, the retro black walnut design will be available exclusively from Atari. GameStop will be selling the all-black onyx design while Walmart will stock a version with gold accents on the front.

The systems pre-ordered from Indiegogo are still scheduled for delivery in late 2019, we’re told. This new wave of consoles won’t be available until March 2020. Look for pre-orders to open sometime this week (they aren't available as of this writing).

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https://www.techspot.com/news/80466-atari-re-opens-pre-orders-vcs-console-starting.html

 

[mbrowne5061]

Don't tell me this is several hundred dollars to just play classic Atari games?

 

[Lew Zealand]

If you already have the carts, just buy the Hyperkin RetroN 77 for $60.

 

[etempest]

"A tough sell, even for a veteran company like Atari"
The current Atari is from 2001, not the original from 1972.
Now, when if your talking about brand recognition, different story.

 

[ziffel66]

$400 to play ... what exactly?

 

[ghostf1re]

A tough sell, even for a veteran company like Atari

Given what's going to be on offer, no it isn't. Biased reporting much?

Don't tell me this is several hundred dollars to just play classic Atari games?

Maybe you missed a few important details about the system. Old classic Atari games don't need a Ryzen CPU with Vega GPU to run. So what do you think that performance power is for? Could it be new title offerings for a new platform? I think maybe so..

I think you're overly optimistic about this. Sony thought their classic console would sell well at a high price and it definitely did not do well. In fact, lots of stores are discounting them just to get them off the shelves. If Sony has an issue making their beloved classic system sell, there's no chance Atari does well with this.

Lets just pretend you're right and they are coming out with new titles. Why haven't they mentioned anything about them? It's because the system is not for new titles. Marketing the system's ability to play newer games would be incredibly important and there isn't a chance they would just not say anything about it before announcing this system.

They are not making this for newer games. They are making this to try to capture the same audience buying classic consoles right now. The thing is, no one in their right mind would pay that much for this system.

 

[madboyv1]

$400 to play ... what exactly?

How do you equate $400 when the article and Atari state $250. Did I miss something?

From the article:

while an “all-in” system bundle with a gamepad and a joystick commands $389.99."

So that is -almost- $400, if you throw a second of either two controllers (for a matching pair, some people care about that I guess) you exceed $400. *shrug*

 

[Fuzzy Dunalap]

If I go all in, I get an Linux OS and 80s Atari games (pass).

It seems like a nice NUC honestly. I'll pick it up once it hits the clearance shelf at Wally World, heh heh.