Atari Revives Retro Classics with 2600+ and 7800+ Consoles
RETRO GAMING
Atari has quietly re-launched its classic consoles for modern gamers, announcing two new systems: the Atari 7800+ (already shipping) and the Atari 2600+ (with a special Pac-Man edition hitting pre-orders). These mini-consoles faithfully honor the originals but add contemporary conveniences. Crucially, both machines support all original game cartridges from the 1980s. In Atari’s words, the Atari+ platform is “backward and forward compatible” – for example, the new Atari 7800+ can play both 7800 and 2600 cartridges. Likewise the 2600+ plays 2600 and 7800 games. In practice, this means fans can dust off decades-old Atari game cartridges and plug them into these modern consoles, a feature practically unheard of in today’s retro market.
All-In-One Console Design
Atari 7800+ and 2600+ are essentially remade originals, scaled down for today’s homes. The 7800+ was released at $129.99 and “ships in 3–5 business days”, while the standard 2600+ console carries the same $129.99 price. (A bundled yellow Pac-Man 2600+ edition is offered at $169.99) Both systems feature the same iconic look as their 1980s predecessors – the 7800+ even sports the original European color scheme with a glowing “Spectram” logo – but include modern ports. Each has HDMI output for easy hookup to HDTVs and a USB-C power input. Setup is deliberately familiar: plug in the HDMI cable, insert a cartridge, and play – just as Atari consoles did 38 years ago. Atari’s own marketing highlights “no cartridge left behind”: these consoles work with hundreds of new and original Atari cartridges.
Full Library Compatibility: Both 7800+ and 2600+ play every game from their generations. These consoles support 7800 and 2600 cartridges natively. Atari’s site likewise emphasizes “backward and forward compatible” operation, with original accessories and games all working together.
Original Controls (Wired/Wireless): New controllers preserve the feel of the classics. The 2600+ uses the familiar one-button CX40 joystick (now with a wireless CX40+ option), and the 7800+ comes with an updated two-button CX78 gamepad. Atari advertises that the new pads match the size and weight of the originals. Wireless adapters (USB for console/PC) let players enjoy the freedom of modern play with old-school controllers.
Modern Display Features: Both consoles output 1080p over HDMI and offer selectable widescreen or original 4:3 viewing modes. In short, the graphics are upscaled cleanly to modern TVs without fuss, while a built-in switch lets purists return to square-pixel 4:3. Atari even improved the hardware – for instance, the 2600+ sports an “enlarged cartridge socket [to] reduce sticking”.
New Games Included: Atari bundles fresh content too. The 7800+ comes with Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, a brand-new sequel to the classic Crystal Castles. The Pac-Man 2600+ edition ships with a special 2‑in‑1 cartridge (“Pac-Man: Double Feature”) that includes both the original 1982 Pac-Man 2600 port and a new, arcade-style Pac-Man 7800 game. Atari is even re-releasing fan-favorite arcade ports – Galaga, Dig Dug, and Xevious – as new 7800 cartridges with retro-styled boxes, so fans can plug their own copies of those games into the console.
Official artwork shows the new yellow Pac-Man Edition Atari 2600+ console (with matching wireless joystick) and its game cartridges, including the exclusive Pac-Man Double Feature. The full Atari+ platform consoles play both 2600 and 7800 games.
Pac-Man Edition: Yellow Dot-Eat-Dot Delight
A centerpiece of Atari’s revival is the Pac-Man Edition Atari 2600+, a bright-yellow, limited-run console covered in Pac-Man graphics. This bundle celebrates Atari’s partnership with Bandai Namco – Pac-Man first appeared on the 2600 in 1982 – by infusing the hardware and packaging with PAC-MAN style. The console comes complete with a yellow Pac-Man CX40+ wireless joystick and the special “Double Feature” cartridge. That 2‑in‑1 game delivers Pac-Man 2600 (the original home port) and a brand-new arcade-style Pac-Man 7800, with retro-inspired box art.
Alongside the console, Atari is offering five themed wireless joysticks – one yellow Pac-Man and four in the ghosts’ colors (red, pink, cyan, orange) – each with wireless adapter cables for console and PC play. These plug-and-play controllers recharge via USB and look just like the stick that came with the 2600, satisfying collectors who want maximum nostalgia. The Pac-Man console and its accessories “merge old-school cartridge fun with modern convenience”, making it as easy for new players as for veterans to jump into the game.
Atari’s store now has the Pac-Man Edition up for preorder. The $169.99 bundle is scheduled to ship in late 2025 (around Halloween). (A standalone 2600+ without Pac-Man art is $129.99 and also on sale.) In short, fans can visit Atari’s official store to reserve the console and return to the classic dot-munching action.
Raising the Bar for Retro Consoles
By contrast to today’s typical retro plugs or emulation boxes, Atari’s new hardware is a real game console. Most modern “retro” systems come pre-loaded with a fixed set of games or run emulated ROMs on generic hardware. Atari’s approach is genuinely old-school: it’s literally the same game cartridges and controllers used in the original era, simply built into a modern case. As GamesRadar+ puts it, if you want “a way to play your old cartridge collection using HDMI,” the 7800+ (and 2600+) is well worth a look. In fact, these consoles prioritize simplicity and authenticity over bells and whistles, which is exactly their point.
Critics and fans alike note that the Atari+ platform keeps an era of gaming alive. The ability to pop any vintage 2600 or 7800 cartridge into a shiny new console – complete with up-to-date HDMI and wireless controllers – is a novelty not matched by other retro releases. Whether you lived through the 1980s arcade boom or are discovering it for the first time, the new Atari systems “offer an easy route back to simpler times”. In short, Atari is uniquely blending authentic retro play with modern convenience. By doing so, these releases set a new standard for retro gaming hardware – one where every original game, accessory, and even the 4‑color visuals can be enjoyed again exactly as fans remember. Preorder the Atari X Pac-Man bundle at https://atari.com/collections/atari-x-pac-man-collection.
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