Scam or Revolution? Everything You Need to Know About the Atari VCS Supposedly Coming in March 2020

It seems like everything old is new again. Stranger Things has brought the ’80s back to life on TV. Eighties properties like The Terminator and Ghostbusters are releasing new sequels. And in the gaming world, devices like the NES Classic and Sega Genesis Classic have everyone tapping that nostalgia vein.

On paper, this seems like the perfect time for an Atari comeback. And a new console inspired by the original Atari system is coming soon. Called the Atari VCS, the console is listed for release on March 31, 2020. Whether or not it makes that release date, however, remains to be seen, with the coronavirus being the latest threat to its release.

The Atari VCS is being marketed as a way to bridge classic and modern games as well as casual and serious gamers. However, skeptics maintain that this thing is more of a scam than a gaming revolution. Here is a handy breakdown of everything you need to know about the Atari VCS and the controversies leading up to its release.

What Is the Atari VCS?

The most basic question would be “what is the Atari VCS?” Despite the popularity of devices like the NES classic, the VCS is more than just an Atari machine (despite originally having the name of “Ataribox”). And it’s allegedly not just Atari’s version of the ill-fated Ouya.

This is Atari’s version of a Steam machine that uses Linux. It is a cheap, streamlined PC that will allow gamers to download new and old games for digital play. The name “Atari VCS” and its design are based on the original 1977 Atari Video Computer System (VCS), which was renamed Atari 2600 in the ’80s.

At launch, the console will come preinstalled with 100 Atari Vault games covering Atari’s arcade, 2600, and 5200 releases. It also includes access to 1,000 more Atari games through the Anstream streaming service.

Specs

The following specs have been released for the console, which will have a 400 system and an 800 system. The 400 system will be 1030p, while the 800 system will support 4K resolutions, HDR and 60fps gameplay.

CPU: AMD Raven Ridge 2

GPU: Ryzen

RAM: 4GB DDR4 (400 System), 8GB DDR4 (800 System) – both are upgradeable

Storage: 32GB eMMC and support for external HDD

Connections: HDMI 2.0, 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 4x USB 3.1

HDCP: HDCP 2.2 compliant

Operating system: Linux OS based on Ubuntu (Linux Kernel 4.10)

Power: Low TDP architecture

Weight: 1.36kg

Dimensions: 312.42 x 149.86 x 50.8mm

Pre-orders for the Atari VCS Onyx 400 list the retail price as $249.99. The Atari VCS Onyx 800 goes for $279.99. And the Atari VCS 800 Onyx All In System Bundle, which includes a wireless controller and joystick, will set you back $379.99.