Atari VCS – Nostalgia Gaming for the Future

Do you know in 1977 the common worth for a brand new dwelling was below $49,000? I do know trying again on costs and inflation many years in the past appears futile, however hear me out. Provided that residing prices in 1977 amounted to a lot lower than they do immediately, the costs of gaming consoles appear misplaced. The Atari 2600, for instance, launched for $200 that yr. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $859 for a gaming system. Nonetheless, the console exploded and helped create the online game panorama we all know immediately. Whereas corporations like Nintendo are nonetheless round, Atari moved away from consoles. Aside from retro plug-n-play emulators, they’ve quietly labored away on software program. That’s, till the announcement of the Atari VCS. The VCS is a console/PC hybrid hoping to capitalize on the rising panorama of virtualization in gaming. Right here’s what which means for players.

What’s the Atari VCS?

Picture Credit score: Atari

The Atari VCS is a new product launching someday later this yr. My first response to listening to concerning the VCS was to type of downplaying its impression. For probably the most half, players don’t look after retro consoles. Issues just like the NES mini bought like hotcakes at first however now sits on cabinets. Typically, it’s a matter of capitalizing on nostalgia in a contemporary method. Individuals like taking part in previous video games however they want one thing extra. The VCS is providing a ton extra. An AMD Ryzen processor is promising 4K streaming for movies and leisure. The streaming takes place via web-based websites that host content material. This consists of issues like Netflix in addition to the doable xCloud web solution Microsoft is engaged on.

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On high of the streaming capabilities, the console consists of Atari World. This platform is a Linux-based resolution that hosts over 100 Atari and arcade classics. Centipede, Breakout, and others are all included within the console. If you wish to play non-Atari world video games, then you’ll be able to boot up PC mode.

How Does PC Mode Work on the VCS?

Picture Credit score: Atari

PC Mode is actually a solution to flip your VCS into a pc that may play video games. You don’t have any OS loaded into the console, nonetheless. This is able to imply you’ll be able to load in your individual OS out of your laptop to play video games via the console. It’s unclear how this works precisely, however there are USB 3.0 ports and WiFi out there on the Atari. When in PC Mode, it seems as if the console can work so much like Steam streaming onto your TV. This time, nonetheless, you’ll be able to truly use the Atari as the pc and never one other gadget.

Is that this a promoting level for PC players? No, most likely not. These inquisitive about PC gaming and enamored with retro gaming, nonetheless, would possibly chew. I can’t foresee a selected viewers for this console outdoors of hobbyists. Whereas the console seems to be nice and mimics the unique Atari 2600 design, it’s falling wanting wowing me. I’m nonetheless impressed that the AMD processor is so sturdy. That would result in some actually nice gaming choices if issues like Steam or Sport Move work effectively on the gadget. Should you’re on the fence like I’m, then hopefully we’ll be taught extra quickly. I’d like to see a demo of this personally.

Any takeaways from the Atari VCS reveal? If that’s the case, then tell us within the feedback! Thanks for studying Comedian Years for all issues gaming, comics, and popular culture.

Featured Picture Credit score: Atari

Taylor likes to play video video games in his spare time. He has two levels in Political Communication and wrote his thesis on Marxism and the exploitation of school athletes. In his spare time, he loves spending time along with his spouse and two Toy Australian Shepherds. He’s all the time acquired headphones in, and he’s a diehard Cubs fan.