Atari 800XL Hybrid Console Returns With HDMI, USB and 25 Built-In Games
The Atari 800XL is returning as a hybrid console and computer with HDMI, USB ports, 25 built-in games and a $220 price. Preorders are open, with shipments set for April 23, 2027.
The original Atari 800 line was a successful family of home computers before it was discontinued in the early 1990s. The 800XL was a refresh of the 1979 original, with a larger form factor and a distinct industrial design. The new version can do everything the original could while adding modern quality-of-life features, according to Engadget.
The hybrid console connects via HDMI and includes several USB ports for accessories. It comes with 25 pre-loaded games, including Centipede, Crystal Castles, Millipede and Missile Command. The machine is 8-bit, so its graphics technology is roughly on par with the original NES.
A cartridge slot accepts any titles originally released for the system, and USB connectivity lets users load games from various Atari systems, including the 400 and 5200 consoles. The package includes a period-accurate joystick that can be charged via USB.
Like the original, the 800XL is also a computer. It has a full-sized mechanical keyboard and provides access to the Atari Basic coding platform, allowing users to make their own games. Engadget reported that it can run homebrew content made in the past, giving users a look at what developers were doing in the 1980s.
The hardware was designed by Plaion Replai, the company behind remakes of the Commodore 64 and the upcoming Neo Geo. The Atari 800XL costs $220. Preorders are open now, but shipments do not go out until April 23, 2027.