Atari is resurrecting a classic video game system from the 1980s by releasing a modern remake of the 7800 console. On Tuesday, the company introduced the 7800+, which costs $129.99 and is already available for preorder. Customers can expect the retro console to ship this winter. The new model keeps the 7800’s original look but makes it a bit more compact while outfitting the hardware with modern tech, including an HDMI port. It also includes the “CX78+” wireless gamepad, a remake of the original controller for the European release of the 7800.
In addition, the product can play both game cartridges originally for the 7800 and for Atari’s 2600 console, which also received its own retro release a year ago. Atari is promising “near-perfect compatibility with original and third-party Atari games.”The 7800+ will also come bundled with Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, a brand-new game meant to be a sequel to the Atari game Crystal Castles.
(Credit: Atari)
The 7800 was originally released in 1986—two years after being first announced — to compete with Nintendo’s famed NES system during the 8-bit console war. It suffered from weak graphics and a slow game release, which caused the system’s sales to fall far behind the NES, the champion of the era.
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Still, the 7800 sold at least 1 million units by 1988 and received much love from retro gaming fans. To relaunch the console, Atari is also releasing 10 new game cartridges, “including official Atari releases for popular homebrew games and three multi-game 2600+ cartridges.” The titles include Asteroids Deluxe, a first-ever port of Space Duel, and a new version of Berzerk. The company adds that the CX78+ wireless gamepad can wirelessly connect to both the new 7800+ and 2600+ consoles and works with the original 2600 and 7800 hardware “using the included DB9 wireless adapter.”
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About Michael Kan
Senior Reporter
I’ve been with PCMag since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at PCMag, I was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
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