First look at Atari's new console

http://mailchi.mp/fe72ea5be6f5/first-look-ataribox-design?e=72bab74604

Inspired by classic Atari design elements (such as the iconic use of wood, ribbed lines, and raised back); we are creating a smooth design, with ribs that flow seamlessly all around the body of the product, a front panel that can be either wood or glass, a front facing logo, indicator lights that glow through the material, and an array of new ports (HDMI, 4xUSB, SD). We intend to release two editions: a wood edition, and a black/red edition.

We know you are hungry for more details; on specs, games, features, pricing, timing etc. 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 Ataribox to life, and to listen closely to Atari community feedback as we do so. There are a lot of milestones, challenges and decision points in front of us in the months ahead. We’ll be giving you lots more information and status updates as we progress, and we are thrilled to have you along for the ride!

Hope you like where we are taking this, we’ll be in touch soon.

The Ataribox Project team.

Thought?

@no_bo_dy_83:

It looks like a cable/satellite receiver. What does it even do? It doesn't even look like a game console.

^They are planning to deliver their classic games alongside “current content" (mix of classic style games and modern style games) with this box. It's not very clear at the moment.

Looks beautiful!

Who could forget such Atari Classics as:

Rollercoaster Tycoon World or

Alone in the Dark: Illumination

I love those designs but I cant help but think this is going nowhere.

I got too much shit in the house, I don't need to add another console in the house as it is.

the specs can't be all that great with such a small form factor like that.

I feel like this is going to be just a beefed up Ouya box. Yeah you'll get classic atari games on it, but the rest of the games are just gonna be android mobile games.

If it's $100 or less might be pretty cool.

Another device! Another plug another controller. Can't take it anymore.

MY router looks better

Ewwww. Looks like it'll be digital only. I'll most definitely be passing on this.

Just seems like a total waste of money and resources.

Like, i get what the goal was...........but they had to know that it wouldnt be enough interest to really sell.

Like who was asking for this?

A small Nintendo, Xbox, PS2, Genesis, or Dreamcast? Yes, I see the desire for those online everywhere.

I never saw a single thread or mention of this....................ever.

If it gets some exclusive games maybe it can finally replace the xbox and give Sony some worthwhile competition.

I don't see a cartridge slot on this thing and I think that is a big mistake. The primary market that will be interested in buying this are nostalgic retro gamers and that is a market that likes their physical media.

I dont think that is really feasible with a retro console.

You have very few choices:

1. Ability to play original cartridges, which means finding them online, yard sales, local stores, etc........without the ability to be sure they work, of its a pirated copy, and have to deal with the different costs or price gouging.

2. New cartridges, which means having to renew licenses, partnering with a manufacturer and distributor, making new chips, etc.

3. Digital Only, meaning they can sell existing software that they have on their servers or have the licenses for.

Just seems obvious....

3rd parties get around this by not being a licensed product.

Looks like another stream box to me. I have the steam link and barely use that as is. Don't see a reason to get this.

Looks pretty damn sexy

I was actually excited until these pictures, no carts count me out. If they want the retro community to latch on having the ability to play original 2600/5200/7800 carts in hd should have been a no brainier, the wood grain is a nice touch though.

Cool ouya.

Games Atari.

Consoles live and die by Games, not Hardware.

I really like the design but I can't help but think that it's DOA while competing with X1X, PS4 Pro, and Nintendo Switch. It better be 4k compatible and have several GOTY contenders upon release. Otherwise it's a wrap lol

I would rather a physical media option.

I don't get it. Is it a modern console ? Is it meant to compete with Sony and MS? If so, then how?

why are people flipping out over the lack of physical media option?

20-30GB downloads are par for the course these days, yes? What's so good about discs other than the trade-in option?

@nomadic8280 said:

@killered3 said:

@no_bo_dy_83:

What does it even do?

that is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen.

I want to know what this actually is.

It looks cool. They say it's modern hardware.

I don't agree with those that say it's a retro and indie games box.

And I don't believe they went through this trouble just to do another Atari branded Android box.

I think it's interesting if the specs are a decent notch above base X1/PS4, but the price is lower than the Pro, they might have a niche in the marketplace.

But the problem is, why play on this console instead of the more established two? Have they actually gotten AAA devs to port to this machine?

I just don't see how they actually pulled off having 3rd party AAA ports and are offering anything unique to lure buyers.

X1X has the best console features and performance and console exclusives, PS4 has its library of complete exclusives, what can Atari offer, even if the specs are decent?

Going out on a limb and saying this will have a tablet level CPU/GPU in it. Maybe a Nvidia Tegra X1 or X2 chip? The form factor just screams RISC to me. The form factor reminds me of the Nvidia Shield TV.

A lot of gamers would like to have physical media of some sort.

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/07/ataribox-mini-console/#ampshare=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/07/ataribox-mini-console/

http://wccftech.com/atari-shows-off-ataribox-console/

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-atari-console-will-bring-current-gaming-conten/1100-6451738/

http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/07/17/atari-reveals-first-images-more-details-of-its-new-ataribox-console

I think its going to fail in today market. who are its target audience? what they support? same third party developers that microsoft and sony support since last gen. even microsoft and sony have less exclusives compare to prev generations.

maybe new atari will have some exclusives but what will they? today sony, microsoft and nintendo compete. i dont think 4th one have chance. especially PC also compete.

their business will fail.

It will be using PC technology, Atari has said this.

Don't worry about what exclusives Atari will have.

This console is probably being crowdfunded.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-07-17-first-look-at-ataris-newest-console

“To limit risk taking, this product will initially be launched within the framework of a crowdfunding campaign,” the note reads.

Meaning it will most likely never happen.

Im a PC only gamer. explain me why i should excited about a console who were only successful in 1970s.

Microsoft can't even sell the xbox. How the hell does Atari expect to sell this?

Could be nice, hope it comes with no gimmicky controller, and with right specs it could be a nice multiplatbox.

Hasn't the xbox one sold nearly 30 million unit. Pretty sure they would be happy with those figures.

Considering that you only like 4 games I think it's pretty safe to assume that no, you won't like this.

Coming from the virtual draw of the last gen I'm pretty sure they're not thrilled either. It's not only about money, that the competition has twice as many units sold puts them on a losing position for making deals and drawing interest from publishers. Just look at Metacritic, Sony has so many more games with scores higher than 75. More and more publishers are choosing to skip the Xbox One and that is a cumulative disadvantage.

Looks like as sorta Shield TV.

Expect Tegra.

If "can't sell the Xbox" means the same thing as "selling better than the 360" then yeah. LOL.

money-grab trash.

Infogrames (who owns Atari and has for a very long time) saw Nintendo do it and thought: "Hey we want some of that easy money, too!"

If you want to play Atari games go buy one of the many Atari games packs - I'm sure they are available on a number of platforms.

...is my initial reaction. We'll see in Infogrames actually comes up with a decent, worthwhile product here. I guess my point is: Don't buy trash because it leads to other trash in the market.

Eww, do not want.

Don't have room for this im going PC + SNES Mini and my Vita

Screw atari's ouya or whatever this crap will be.

so what are those "4" games?

It's using PowerPC and they intend for classic as well as modern games. So if modern games are on the table, I'm thinking they want 3rd parties to develop for it since they can't use Android (ARM) or x86 based games. I don't think there is a library of existing PowerPC games out there for general off the shelf hardware so they must have intentions of licensing.

@nomadic8280 said:

@killered3 said:

@no_bo_dy_83:

What does it even do?

The majority of you people wasn't even around when the original Atari was out.

Damn millennials.