NeoSprint marks the return of Atari's Sprint arcade series that first launched in 1976. Published by Atari, the new entry was first conceptualized by the company's long-time senior art director John Kauderer, and was developed by Headless Chicken Games, which has produced titles like Nickledeon All Star Brawl and CrisTales. This title manages to keep the spirit of its predecessors alive decades later while adding a host of modern improvements and creative customization options, though a few features could benefit from some time in the shop. 1o6g5h

From the perspective of modern computing, the Atari 400 seems like an awkward if charming object, boasting a difficult pressure-based keyboard and an unusual form factor with a central bulge for a cartridge slot. That cartridge slot, however, is the calling card of a machine that bridged home computing and gaming in a more intuitive way than its contemporaries could manage. Almost 45 years later, the Atari 400 Mini brings its namesake back to life in the now-familiar form of a downsized classic console, and it's a cleanly realized effort that could resonate within its niche.

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.

Atari’s Haunted House was an historic game of many firsts, and it’s receiving a serious facelift. Originally released in 1982, it served as the low-rez predecessor of the survival horror genre, featuring a large (at least for the time) navigable mansion map, and a vulnerable pair of spooky eyes as the avatar, and the looming threat of ghosts, bats, spiders, and even just the darkness of an unlit room.

There’s a hidden AtariBreakout Easter egg game available to play in Google Search — but only if you know how to find it. By modern-day standards, Breakout is hardly the most visually or mentally stimulating game. After all, it is just another version of Pong. However, when Breakout first launched back in 1976, it was very much a product of its time. It was a game that instantly attracted demand and proved to be a hit. While not responsible for the name or the idea, Breakout was designed for Atari by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

While it wasn't the very first of its kind, the Atari 2600 legitimized the concept of the home console and helped to usher in a new era of gaming. It's undeniably Atari's most iconic piece of hardware, and, from innovative arcade ports to endlessly entertaining original titles, it made an incredible and lasting impact on the industry.

UPDATED: 07/19/22: LEGO has now officially unveiled its Atari 2600 set, confirming Promobricks' earlier report. Original story as follows:

Iconic arcade and video game company Atari has revealed that it will be releasing another remastered title in its Recharged series, Gravitar: Recharged. The arcade sleeper hit was initially a financial failure before morphing into a cult classic, and will now be reimagined with new visuals and fresh music score.

The video game industry boomed in the 90s. After Nintendo's monopoly on the market in the late 80s, SEGA had come in and proved that there was room for more than one successful gaming company. Before long, new consoles - like the 3DO and CD-I - were popping up every year. Most, however, quickly faded into obscurity.

The Atari VCS is an interesting piece of hardware that will likely appeal to older players who the company fondly, but a somewhat obtuse menu system and overall lack of exclusive, exciting content make it more of a niche (and expensive) purchase than other available consoles. The retro video game classics on display are just as enjoyable as they have always been (especially with the traditional Atari Joystick) but, apart from providing a concise way to own a preserved form of those original 2600 and Atari Arcade titles, the Atari VCS doesn't offer much that isn't available elsewhere.