Exactly one month ago, Atari said it would start taking preorders for its Atari VCS on May 30. The day is here, and as promised, the console is now available for pre-order.
Those interested can grab the Collector"s Edition, which includes one joystick controller for $299. The Collector"s Edition has a wooden texture on the front and rear panels of the console. A bundle which also throws in the Modern controller will cost $339.
If the wood finish doesn"t suit you, you can get the black Onyx version, which is sold with or without controllers. For a limited time, the standalone console costs just $199, but it"ll go up to $249 after that. You can also get it with the Joystick controller for $229, though that will also go up to $279 once the "early bird" offerings are over. A bundle with both controllers costs $319, with no early bird option.
If you choose to buy them separately, the Joystick controller is available for $29, while the Modern controller costs $49. You can bundle the two for $59.
Along with the launch, the company has also revealed the technical specs of the console, which include 32GB of internal storage, 4GB of RAM, and AMD"s Bristol Ridge A1 CPU and Radeon R7 GPU:
| Dimensions and weight | 14.5" x 5.3" x 1.6", 3lbs. |
| OS | Linux OS based on Ubuntu (Linux Kernel 4.10) |
| Connections | HDMI 2.0, 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet, 4xUSB 3.0 |
| External Inputs | Classic Joystick, Modern Controller, Microphone |
| Storage | 32GB eMMC, external HDD, SD card |
| Memory | 4GB DDR4 RAM |
| CPU | Bristol Ridge A1 |
| GPU | Radeon R7 |
| HDCP Integration | HDCP 2.2 |
| Second screen (screencasting) | Yes |
| Cloud Storage | Yes. Additional Service Offering |
| Required Internet Connection | Not for classic gaming but required to access all features |
| Cross Game Chat | Skype, Discord, etc. |
| Voice commands | 4-front facing mic array |
| Subscription needed? | No. Includes cloud and other services. |
| Live streaming | Yes with Twitch.tv |
| Mouse & Keyboard support | Yes |
The details of the controllers were also revealed, both featuring wireless communication and rechargeable batteries through USB Type-C ports and compatibility with PCs and Android devices.
The pre-orders are expected to start shipping early next year, with worldwide availability planned for mid-2019.
Source: Atari (Indiegogo) via Engadget