So, Atari is back in the hardware business. That Atari was (is) silently working on its next gaming console – its first in over 20 years now – came to light earlier at E3 when CEO Frederic Chesnais briefly touched upon the Ataribox. The Ataribox simply had a name back then and a teaser video that suggested it could be a vintage console in line with Nintendo’s NES Mini. Chesnais did share one important titbit though, that the Ataribox hardware had been years in the making and would be based on PC technology. On Monday, Atari gave the first ‘substantial’ glimpse into its next gaming console – the Ataribox.
Although we do not know for sure, the hardware details, nor the pricing and availability specifics of the Ataribox yet, we now know that it will be “something new that stays true to our heritage, while appealing to both old and new fans of Atari.” It will come in two versions with one of them clearly inspired by the classic wood found on the Atari 2600, the company’s first gaming console that was launched in 1977. The other will boast of glass.
In terms of connectivity, the Ataribox will come with four USB slots, an HDMI connector and support for expansion via SD card.
Classic Atari games that could be making a return on the Ataribox include Pac-Man, Pong, Space Invaders and Asteroids. At the same time, Atari’s new console will deliver current content although it isn’t clear how the company plans on doing that. “We know you are hungry for more details; on specs, games, pricing, timing. We’re not teasing you intentionally; we want to get this right, so we’ve opted to share things step by step as we bring this to life, and to listen closely to the Atari community feedback as we do so,” Atari further said.
It’s been all but nostalgia and trip down the memory lane the past few months for old-school gamers. Nintendo tapped that potential first with the NES Mini, and already it is hard at work on another retro console refresh, in the SNES Mini. The SNES Mini is set to hit the shelves sometime in September. Atari has, in the meantime, decided to not give away all its cards in one go and rather decided to take its own time as it should. The Ataribox has been a long time in the coming and Atari would be looking to make the most of it as and when it decides to launch the console.
Also Read: Microsoft unveils powerful Xbox One X: Top specs, features, price and everything you must know
[Source”indianexpress”]