Get a Look at the First Images of the New "Ataribox" Console

[ffronw]

Get a Look at the First Images of the New "Ataribox" Console

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1418/1418738.jpgThe first images of Atari's promised console have surfaced.

Last month, the CEO of Atari announced that the company was "20-second teaser video [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/170581-Atari-CEO-Company-is-Back-in-the-Hardware-Business], and now the company has released the first images.

The images come from email sent to Atari fans, in which the company says that, "our objective is to create something new, that stays true to our heritage, while appealing to both old and new fans of Atari." The console will be available in two looks, one with black and red accents, and the other with the classic wood that Atari 2600 owners will remember so well. It boasts support for SD cards, a HDMI port, and four USB ports.

Atari also says that it plans to not only offer classic games on the unit, but "current content" as well. There's currently no word on just what games will be available, when the unit might release, its costs or really anything else. That being said, Atari is acknowledging that it's short on info. "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."

We'll keep you updated on information once Atari makes it available. Until then, enjoy the images of the unit.

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[viranimus]

Thank god they had the good sense to make it wood paneled.

However I just do not see what niche this potential console is going to be able to fill. The only real opening out there is an open source console and It is highly unlikely anyone will try that again any time soon after Ouya (which really wasnt all that open as much as it was empty anyway.)

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

I'm not particularly interested but I can appreciate how they're going about this whole process. The unit itself looks pretty sharp and at least they're owning up to their lack of details.

So, as always, time will tell.

 

[Jacked Assassin]

It looks like a router....

 

[Darth Rosenberg]

That being said, Atari is acknowledging that it's short on info. "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."

Arari has a community? Huh.

I played some form of Atari back in the day, but I never remember the number. Either way, I'm not exactly fussed about revisiting the past, and if a PS4 or a PC can't sway me, a new Atari doesn't stand much of a chance. Good luck to all involved - I hope you have financial safety nets in place...

It looks like a router....

A quite attractive router, to be fair. Consoles generally always look like crap anyway (I loved the Dreamcast but it looked like a toasted sandwich maker), and I think that Atari design's okay.

 

[MtnGamer]

It looks like a router....

I second this, that was my first thought when I saw it.

For personal preference, I would go with the classic wood style. Not a fan of the black body with bright red accents.

 

[L3D]

now the company has released the first images.

Could you give the source for the pictures, because those machines look like they were designed by hobbyist as a spoof.

 

[ffronw]

now the company has released the first images.

Could you give the source for the pictures, because those machines look like they were designed by hobbyist as a spoof.

They were sent in an email. I assume it was to everyone that signed up for updates on https://www.ataribox.com/, and not just us, since the whole internet is showing them off this morning.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

Yeah, I wouldn't have gone with the wood paneling. It does give it it's own look but it makes it look really dated and hipsterish in the process.

Also, has anyone noticed the complete lack of an optical drive on it?

 

[Trunkage]

So... this looks like the Atari 2600. So its like the mini-NES and SNES?
.
.
Actually, you know what, I don't care. As some who generally doesn't fall into the nostalgia trap, this seems to be a bad move.

 

[MrCalavera_v1legacy]

This looks good enough, i'd consider buying it purely for being an exposition piece.

It looks like a router....

Funny, one of the first comments i saw on a different site was someone wanting to buy one for the case itself, and turning it into a router.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

The most surprising part of this is that Atari somehow still have fans after their last few releases. But i guess if Sonic can maintain a fanbase and survive through whatever the hell you'd call its' modern day existence, anything can.

At least it looks more stylish than the current console selection of 'black box', 'black box with a slant [small](Also available in...white!!!)[/small]' and 'ipad/tablet with clip-on gummy bears.'

 

[Frezzato]

The only thing I think could keep this from crashing and burning is if Atari sold legit arcade conversions for this thing, not just terrible 2600 or 5200 titles. Those, in addition to Jaguar and Lynx libraries would get me interested.

 

[Borty The Bort]

Still not enough information on this. Seems intriguing enough though, going to watch what happens for the time being.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Really? Support for SD cards? I see a 3 possibilities here;

1- The console ships with no games, supply your own card, and download the ROMs from that Atari store (sold separately).
2- Ships with no games, games are available as collections on SD cards.
3- Turn your retro console and $2000 t.v in to a digital photo frame.

 

[FalloutJack]

It looks like a router....

My router is a tall rectangle that is white. I almost thought it was like a PS2 until I looked closer.

It DOES make me think of an Atari 2600, though. (Yes, I am that old. Shut up.)

 

[Commodore Vic Twenty]

Wow, they're making an Atari Flashback Ouya Coleco Chameleon.

Who are these people again?

 

[Fulbert]

I wonder if the controller is going to be true to the Atari heritage, as well.

 

[Jeroenr]

The first reaction was WAY?...
The Console market is full as it is.
I mean, i'm still not entirely convinced that the Switch needs to exist.
We don't need yet an other device that can play Skyrim.

On the other hand i do get that they would like some of that nes/snes Classic money.
But as i understand it will be a full blown games console, so back to reaction no,1.

 

[SupahEwok]

That being said, Atari is acknowledging that it's short on info. "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."

And the penny drops.

They're not sharing info because they don't have it. The console doesn't exist. They're trying to generate consumer interest to woo investors into putting money into the thing so that it can exist in the future. Betcha anything. It doesn't take much to get somebody to throw up a model for pictures to post on the internet.