



What was once known as the Ataribox has a new name: Atari VCS. The new gaming console from Atari is based on PC hardware -- specifically, an AMD APU that has integrated Radeon graphics.

The Atari VCS, or Video Computer System, harkens back to the Atari 2600, and is available with faux woodgrain trim (if you really want to go retro) and a rather familiar chassis design. The console runs Linux and come preloaded with "tons of classic Atari retro games" while at the same time being capable of delivering a "full PC experience for the TV." And given its modern hardware, the Atari VCS will be capable of tackling more modern games as well.

In addition to the aforementioned AMD APU, there's also HDMI out, USB ports, an Ethernet port, Wi-Fi and an SD card slot; which is more than we can say for other retro gaming boxes like the NES Classic Edition and SNES Classic Edition from Nintendo.

“Every person at Atari and every partner involved with the new platform is just as fanatical about the brand and its heritage as our biggest fans are,” said Michael Arzt, Atari COO of Connected Devices. “With the Atari VCS name, we know how important it is to get everything completely right and that’s why we briefly paused an imminent launch late last year. It was a difficult decision with the countdown underway, but we weren’t willing to go forward with even one thing out of alignment. We hope that Atari’s fans appreciate our extreme attention to detail and are as excited about the Atari VCS as we are.”

There still isn't a set-in-stone launch date for the Atari VCS, but the company says that it will announce a pre-order date sometime in April 2018. So, we have an announcement of an announcement...

The console was originally supposed to go up for preorder on December 14th, but Atari announced a delay, stating, "Because of one key element on our checklist, it is taking more time to create the platform and ecosystem the Atari community deserves. Building Ataribox is incredibly important to us and we will do whatever it takes to be sure it is worth the wait."