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He would have to scroll down to the initial Twinfinite report in 2017 to find the first rumors of a new Atari console. It was officially revealed a year later in 2018, before numerous delays made shooting outside of left field seem even more unlikely. But now we have the official word that it will certainly still come, which will launch later this fall for $ 399. Early users get a $ 10 discount for pre-ordering the package.
The Atari VCS 800 is now available for pre-order from Atari, Gamestop, and Walmart. It will be sold as part of a package that also includes a classic wireless joystick, modern controller, and a free copy of Atari Vault of 100 classic games and console games.
According to Walmart’s pre-order page, the console will ship on Friday, November 27. The last date to preorder packages at their current prices is July 31.
The console features a custom AMD Raven Ridge APU with Vega 3 graphics, combined with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal eMMC flash storage. The device runs a custom Linux operating system, but is also compatible with Linux, Windows, Steam OS, or Chrome OS if started from an external drive.
As for connectivity, it has Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n and Bluetooth 4.0. There is an HDMI 2.0 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and four USB 3.1 connectors.
The complete specifications through Hexus are as follows:
- Dimensions: 11.6 “x 5.9” x 1.9 “(Approx.)
- Weight: 3 pounds. (Approx.)
- Materials: plastic, metal, wood
- Operating system: Atari Custom Linux operating system (Linux kernel)
- APU: AMD Raven Ridge 2
- GPU: Ryzen
- Storage: 32GB internal eMMC, unlimited external USB HD / stick, cloud (subscription required)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM (upgradeable)
- Compatible systems: Linux, Windows, Steam OS, Chrome OS
- Power: Low TDP architecture – Less heat and noise
- Wireless Connections: Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n 2.4 / 5GHz, Bluetooth 4.0
- Wired Connections: HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 4x USB 3.1
- USB ports: 2x front, 2x rear
- External inputs: Classic joystick, modern controller, microphone, other TBDs
- Mouse and keyboard compatibility: yes, USB or Bluetooth
- 4K Video with HDCP 2.2 Integration: Yes
- Internet connection required: not for classic games, but required to access all features
Going forward, there is apparently a second, lower-powered console version called the Atari VCS 400 that will arrive sometime for $ 249.99. Expect it to come with just 4GB of RAM.
You can get an idea of how the Atari 800 VCS works in the following video that was released last week showing Missle Command: Reloaded in Action.
