Being born late into the ‘80s, the Atari 2600 was an intriguing thriller to me. By the point the N64 hit, the NES felt outdated to me, so the concept of a console even older than that was thrilling. This was earlier than you would soar onto YouTube to search for gameplay. I wished to see it for myself.

It wasn’t till school, across the time that the retro gamer id actually turned a factor, that I lastly discovered myself a 2600 Jr. Since then, I maintain tripping into 2600 video games. I personal round 60, which isn’t as spectacular as a few of my different libraries, however contemplating I by no means actively tried to seek out Atari 2600 video games, it says one thing.

A serious difficulty with this, nonetheless, is that each mannequin of the 2600 makes use of an RF output, and fashionable TVs hate it. Even late-model CRTs will generally refuse to show an Atari 2600, and people who do typically accomplish that behind a sheet of noise. I finally modified my four-switch 2600 to composite video to lastly get it to play good with my fashionable setup. Nonetheless, that’s not an possibility for lots of people.

For individuals who need the 2600 expertise with out all of the fuss, Atari themselves (and Plaion) have created the Atari 2600+.

Bringing again woodgrain electronics

The Atari 2600+ is predicated on the four-switch mannequin of the 2600. Clone variations of the console are hardly a rarity, for the reason that Atari Flashback has been round for practically 20 years. This one is exclusive, nonetheless, because it accepts Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges. However somewhat than simply be a copy, it outputs by means of HDMI and helps widescreen. It’s additionally a bit smaller.

In case you’re a retro fanatic, your first query goes to be what sort of emulation it makes use of. A whole lot of fashionable retro consoles have switched to utilizing field-programmable gate array (FPGA) {hardware} emulation somewhat than software program emulation as a result of it’s extra correct. The Atari 2600+, sadly, makes use of software program emulation by means of Stella for 2600 video games and ProSystem for 7800. Stella has been round since 1996, so it’s damned good software program emulation, nevertheless it’s software program emulation nonetheless.

The main drawback right here is that compatibility isn’t excellent. There are video games that received’t work on the Atari 2600+, however they’re uncommon. Atari has a listing of video games, and there are solely three fails as of writing, however there are fairly a couple of which might be untested, and some that I observed aren’t even listed in any respect. For instance, one in all my favourite Atari 2600 video games, 1986’s Solaris, isn’t listed. Nonetheless, I can verify that it’s a go.

One other draw back is that the system must load at startup. Whereas the Atari 2600 will get a picture on show the second you flip the change, the Atari 2600+ shows a splash display screen, then states that it’s loading, and then you definately get the picture. I don’t discover this to be that a lot of a nuisance, particularly since you may hotswap video games to keep away from the preliminary splash, however I do really feel it’s price noting.

If appears to be like may kill

Aesthetically, it’s fairly spot on. From the wooden panel entrance to the chilly, uninteresting click on of the switches, it’s a great copy. The large new additions are a change on the again that adjustments it from 16:9 to 4:3, and the brand on the entrance lights up. In any other case, it’s principally only a smaller four-switch 2600.

The controller can also be fairly actual. The CX40 joystick is likely one of the most iconic controller designs in online game historical past, nevertheless it additionally sucks. Nonetheless, it is a good copy, because it options the rubberized stick (some aftermarkets simply have a plastic stick), so lengthy play could offer you blisters. I didn’t pop it open to see if it makes use of the dome contacts of the unique or in the event that they modified it to carbon dot contacts. The screws are below the pads on the underside of the controller, and I simply don’t need to pry them off a wonderfully good CX40.

In fact, the CX40 is an uncomfortable controller with a single button that may’t even be reversed for left-handed individuals. I had the concept of plugging in a Sega Genesis controller, since each the CX40 and Genesis controller use DB9 ports. I’d swear this labored on my authentic 2600, however perhaps I’m mistaken, as a result of it doesn’t work with the 2600+. I attempted a 3DO controller as effectively. Nothing.

Management freak

What’s principally vexing about that is that the 7800 had a two-button controller. I personal a single Atari 7800 recreation, Pole Place II (one other unintentional acquisition). It requires a two-button controller, a button for brake, and one other for speed up. The CX40 has one button, so it doesn’t work. The above controllers don’t work both. I attempted a Sega Grasp System controller, and there’s not button mapped to speed up.

Atari has introduced they’re reproducing the Atari 78+ controller, which is kind of nice, but additionally not likely as a result of it’s not one of the best controller. Additionally, it’s a must to purchase it individually.

If we’re utilizing software program emulation right here, I’m undecided why I can’t use no matter DB9 controller I would like. I get that it’s attempting to be trustworthy to the unique {hardware}, however I really feel this might have been a spot the place we may have deviated sufficient for consolation’s sake. I’m simply saying it could be good to plug in my 8BitDo M30 and use it wi-fi. As it’s, if you would like wi-fi play, you’re going to have to seek out one of many precise 2600 wi-fi controllers from the ‘80s. Only a warning: these get interrupted if an ambulance drives by or somebody activates a microwave.

I’m undecided if this may be addressed later. The splash display screen states that that is v1.00, which suggests to me that the firmware (or software program layer) might be up to date. Nonetheless, if there’s a option to entry any software program settings, I can’t discover it. It might have been good should you may tweak sure issues in regards to the console should you’re savvy. Like, perhaps turning off the sprite limitations to do away with flicker on some video games. Scanlines, perhaps?

Within the slot

As for video games, the Atari 2600+ comes filled with a 10-in-1 cartridge. It consists of some apparent entries like Journey, Fight, Haunted Home, Missile Command, and Yars’ Revenge combined in with another widespread video games which might be much less well-remembered.

Curiously, the 10-in-1 and the 4-in-1 that comes with the CX30 paddle controllers each use DIP switches on the again of the cartridge to pick the sport you need. That is in all probability so they continue to be suitable with authentic {hardware}, as an in-game choice isn’t as straightforward to show. I form of discover it cool that they did it this manner, however I additionally suppose {that a} regular dwelling person may suppose it’s a bit intimidating.

Alongside the Atari 2600+ launch, Atari additionally launched Berzerk Enhanced Version and Mr. Run and Soar. 

I feel for Berzerk, it’s utilizing the homebrew hack created by Mike Mika, however I don’t see him credited anyplace. It’s principally simply the traditional 2600 model of Berzerk, however with a couple of added voice traces. Fairly neat, contemplating the {hardware}. The enemies may shoot diagonally now, making it extra in step with the unique arcade model. The voices are spectacular.

Mr. Run and Soar is an really new 2600 recreation. It was created by John Mikula of Graphite Lab and was transformed into a contemporary title that was launched this previous July. It’s an especially fundamental platformer, nevertheless it’s surprisingly slick for the 2600, which didn’t see many video games of the style. I’ve to notice that neither John Mikula nor Graphite Lab is listed on the packaging or within the recreation itself (until there are finish credit, which wasn’t widespread on the console). I suppose that’s very trustworthy to Atari’s traditional method of doing enterprise.

Credit might need been included within the manuals for these video games, however surprisingly, there aren’t any manuals. That is particularly bizarre for Berzerk Improve Version as a result of it has a lot of completely different recreation modes that you just select utilizing the Sport Choose lever on the console. Nonetheless, with out the guide, the one method of understanding what these are is by wanting it up on-line. Additional, Evil Otto doesn’t seem within the default recreation setting, so… What the hell?

You get what you get

You principally get what you get with the 2600+. It’s an Atari 7800 in a smaller Atari 2600 casing that’s powered by USB-C and outputs with HDMI. It’s not spectacular. In case you’re accustomed to 2600 video games and don’t like them, this isn’t going to alter your thoughts. Nonetheless, should you’re already considerably invested within the console and wish one which doesn’t use RF with out having to mod it, then that is in all probability for you.

I discussed that it does widescreen, nevertheless it’s simply 4:3 stretched to 16:9. I do know there are individuals who like filling their display screen with a stretched picture, however not on this home.

That period of dwelling consoles is much from my favourite. Every recreation is a brief expertise that normally can solely maintain you entertained for about 5 minutes earlier than you’re slotting within the subsequent cartridge. It may be satisfying with pals, particularly should you’re prepared to compete for prime scores. On the plus facet, your entire catalogue of the console continues to be fairly low cost. If you wish to construct up a stack of video games, it isn’t costly to take action.

And that’s that. If what you’re entering into, the Atari 2600+ will fit your wants. It does what it says it does and never a lot else past that. It is likely to be a great start line if you wish to construct a 2600 assortment. It’s undoubtedly a great way to get the complete bodily Atari 2600 expertise. However that’s it. It’s precisely what I anticipated and nothing extra.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the hardware purchased by the reviewer]}