14 DAY TRIAL // After many months of silence, Atari announced that its upcoming Atari VCS gaming console and multimedia hardware platform would be available for pre-order at the end of the month, on May 30th, 2018.
The Linux-powered Atari VCS will finally be available for pre-order exclusively on Indiegogo, where potential customers will be able to buy a limited edition Atari VCS Collector's Edition that features a retro-inspired wood-front design. Besides the exclusive wood-front collector's edition, fans will be able to pre-order a sleek black version called Atari VCS Onyx, as well as early-bird Atari VCS packages including Atari VCS Onyx at only $199 USD and Atari VCS with Classic Joystick and Modern Controller.
"We continue moving forward on the Atari VCS project and are excited to see this pre-sale kickoff and to share more updates with our fans as we look toward the first shipments," notes Michael Arzt, Atari COO of Connected Devices. "We are building outstanding teams and forging alliances that will make this product great and truly worthy of the Atari VCS name. Expert hardware partners are helping make this project possible and we couldn't be more pleased with their contributions."
Atari VCS shipments planned for Spring 2019
Atari said that the first Atari VCS shipments are planned for Spring 2019, so fans will have to wait at least a year to finally get their hands on Atari's latest gaming console, which will include all-time favorite arcade titles like Breakout, Asteroids, Gravitar, Centipede, Missile Command, and Yars' Revenge. The console also promises to support popular modern titles that will be announced at later time. Besides games, Atari VCS gives users access to media and streaming content options so it can be dubbed as a TV and Media Center hardware.
Under the hood, Atari VCS will use a custom AMD processor with Radeon graphics technology for 4K video resolution support, as well as HDR (High Dynamic Range) and 60FPS content. The console also comes with dual-band Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth 5.0 support, USB 3.0 support, as well as onboard and expandable storage options. Hardware maker Power A will develop the new Modern Controller and the updated Classic Joystick controllers for the Atari VCS, which will be available for purchase as standalone or in select packages.
