Since the announcement of Atari VCS (and later known as Ataribox), we have had many questions about it. While many remain unanswered, the presale date has been announced in a press release for the Atari VCS: It will go on sale on May 30.
How long does Atari wait for the new console? Well, you can find the Atari VCS for sale on Indiegogo with packages starting at $ 199.
Packages? Plural? Atari has confirmed some different packages, including a collector's edition Atari VCS with a retro wood front and a black Onyx version. Atari will also have packages that are grouped in a "Classic Joystick" or "Modern Controller" at prices that are likely to be higher.
Now comes the bad news: despite what has been a long wait since the announcement of this product, orders are not expected to be shipped until the spring of 2019.
Speak before taking my money
Beyond the dates, new details about the Atari VCS remain scarce.
The press release says that the console will run on a custom AMD processor but not specified with Radeon graphics. It will also support 4K, HDR and 60fps content (note: this should not be confused with games at 60 fps in 4K HDR). It will include expandable on-board storage and support connectivity through dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB 3.0, all of which will connect to a patented version of Linux that has a custom Atari interface.
Atari VCS will include access to 100 classic games in the Atari Vault, but you can already get on the air if you will be able to handle more current titles.
From practical experience with the Atari VCS, it seems unlikely that the console will come close in performance to an Xbox One S or PS4 despite having a similar price. Think of this as more of a collector's item than Atari's attempt to re-enter the console market.