Summary

• The Atari 2600+ is a faithful replica of the original console, offering USB power connectors, HDMI output, and multiple screen resolutions for a modern gaming experience.
• The console is backwards compatible with both Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges, allowing players to enjoy classic games from the past.
• While the Atari 2600+ provides a fun nostalgic experience, it does have some flaws, including frequent crashes during gameplay that can be frustrating. However, overall, it is still a positive and enjoyable gaming console for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Some minor details in the review have been edited post-publication for increased clarity & accuracy.

The Atari 2600 is one of the first systems that often comes to mind with the thought of retro video games. Now the original console has been recreated in exquisite detail by PLAION and Atari with their updated version, the Atari 2600+. It is a nearly 1:1 replica of the original machine and even the same CX40+ Joystick, but now offers USB power connectors, HDMI output, multiple screen resolutions, and is backwards compatible with both the Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges of the past. It is a beautiful console that is incredibly fun for nostalgic purposes, but even after more than fifty years, it is not flawless in its gameplay mechanics.

The Atari 2600+ will be released on November 17, 2023 to a drastically different gaming market than its predecessor originally saw. The original Atari 2600 was released on September, 11, 1977 as one of the original consoles to bring video games into the home. Just shy of fifty years later, the nostalgia for that system, even among gamers who were not born when it was launched, remains high. Games such as Frogger, Adventure, Pitfall, and more all made their start on this iconic system and taught a whole generation how to blow dust out of cartridges.

Feels Just Like The Classic Atari 2600 But With Modern HDMI And USB

Even The Stiff Joystick

The Atari 2600+ offers a truly retro gaming experience. The main set can be purchased from Amazon and many other locations for $129.99 USD and includes the console, CX40+ Joystick, and a 10 Games In 1 cartridge. Several additional add-ons are also being released, including Paddle Controllers and additional games. Even the amount of resistance on the Joystick and switches on the machine have been made to be as identical as possible to the original, which can come as a bit of a surprise to players used to more modern joysticks. Its simplicity is perfect, and the feeling and look of the system truly hits the mark.

New HDMI And Widescreen Features, Plus Backwards Compatible

Plays Any 2600 Or 7800 Cartridge

While it is a bit laughable to see a game such as Mr. Run and Jump or Adventure up on a large, widescreen television, it is also very entertaining to be able to experience the games again. The images are crisp and clear, although in the above photo it was difficult for this non-photographer to capture a shot of Frogger with so many moving pieces and not have it look blurry. There is no pause in these games, remaining true to their original character.

The backwards compatibility of the Atari 2600+ is what really works in its favor. For the review, original copies of Ms. Pac-Man for the Atari 7800 and a very beat-up Frogger for the original Atari 2600 were tried on the machine, and they worked flawlessly. In fact, these games worked even better than some of the titles on the 10 Games In 1 game cartridge that was included with the console or the new cartridge of Mr. Run and Jump.

Fun To Play, But Don't Expect Perfection

Crashes Are Frequent

Even though there have been fifty years of technological advancements, many of the games played on the Atari 2600+ over multiple days crashed frequently. Although the crashes typically happened at opportune moments when there was already a Game Over, they were nonetheless disheartening to see. These issues arose most frequently when playing any of the games on the combination cartridges such as the 10 Games in 1 or 4 Games in 1 cartridges, although there were still a couple of occasions on separate cartridges as well. In a way, this can add to the nostalgia and retro feeling, but its not necessarily the good kind of nostalgia, and is certainly a frustrating feature.

Should You Buy The Atari 2600+?

Ultimately, purchasing the Atari 2600+ will be a personal decision. For any fan of retro gaming who wants to experience the classic console, this is a beautifully crafted machine and its backwards compatibility is a strong mark in its favor. Finding and collecting old games that will work on this system can be a fun adventure in itself. The Atari 2600+ does have some hiccups, but even with all the crashes experienced during the process of reviewing it, the overall experience was still a positive one.

Source: Amazon

The Atari 2600+ will be released on November 17, 2023. An Atari 2600+ and copies of Mr. Run And Jump, Berzerk, and 4 Games In 1 Cartridge were provided to Screen Rant for the purpose of this review.