Atari VCS (2021 console)
Atari VCS 800 Onyx, controllers, and PC USB | |
| Also known as | Project Ataribox |
|---|---|
| Developer | Atari |
| Manufacturer | |
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Ninth |
| Release date | |
| Lifespan | 2020–present |
| Introductory price |
|
| Units sold | 10,000+ as of Q4 2020 |
| Operating system | Debian-based (Atari OS) |
| CPU | 14 nm AMD R1606G Zen processor with 2 cores and 4 threads @ 2.6 GHz (up to 3.5 GHz) |
| Memory |
|
| Storage | Internal flash memory: 32 GB |
| Removable storage | Internal (user upgradeable) M.2 SSD, or external USB-based storage |
| Display | HDMI 2.0 |
| Graphics | Radeon Vega 3 APU architecture with up to 4GB shared graphics memory |
| Controller input | Classic joystick, modern controller |
| Connectivity |
|
| Online services | Atari VCS Store |
| Dimensions | 11.6 in × 5.9 in × 1.9 in (29.5 cm × 15.0 cm × 4.8 cm) |
| Weight | 3 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Website | www |
The Atari VCS is a home video game console produced by Atari VCS, LLC, an affiliate of Atari, Inc., part of the Atari SA group. It is part of the ninth generation of video game consoles, alongside Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series S and Sony's PlayStation 5. Its exterior encasing design is intended to pay homage to the Atari 2600; however, the console plays modern games and streaming entertainment via AtariOS, a Linux-based operating system that allows users to download and install other compatible games, including those compatible with Windows 10. The system shares a name with the original Atari's 1977 Video Computer System, usually shortened to VCS, which was renamed to Atari 2600 in 1982.
The system was first revealed as Ataribox in June 2017 and partially crowdfunded starting in May 2018. After several delays, the console was expected to ship in March 2020, but was delayed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial units for backers were shipped in December 2020, while the console had a general release in June 2021, in Australia, New Zealand and then in North America; shipping was initially restricted to the United States only by Atari and official distributors before it was expanded to include Canada by October 2021. The VCS has not been released in European, African or Asian territories.