Atari is working on its first console in more than 20 years

[Vayra86]

The Atari VCS is delayed again until the end of 2019 due to the Excavator? APU being swapped for a Ryzen APU. I'm guessing their going with something similar to the Athlon 200GE?

"This upgrade will translate to better overall performance in a cooler and quieter box — all with minimal impact to our manufacturing processes.

"While additional specifications about the new AMD processor will be announced closer to launch, be assured that the new AMD Ryzen processor is a much better fit for this project in multiple ways and will further enable the Atari VCS to deliver on its promise to be a unique and highly flexible platform for creators."

https://www.theinquirer.net/inquire...-again-in-order-to-upgrade-the-amd-ryzen-chip

Fools and money shall be parted... look at all those other retro console releases. Its a one-off and they end up on a shelf collecting dust fast. There is no continuous development for it, there is no real platform support. This getting postponed for a CPU upgrade tells me enough, this reeks of dead on arrival.

 

[silentbogo]

...and still no prototype. It's pathetic, even by the "new" Atari standards. Even Smach Z managed to glue together some resemblance of the working system.

Regarding the CPU: don't hold your hopes high. Dual-core Zen mentioned in update is most likely V1202b, which only has 3 Vega CUs. With this kind of money involved, I highly doubt it's some miraculous "pinkie-swear-not-off-the-shelf" custom SoC.

 

[biffzinker]

Here's a look at the controllers.

Peripherals Update: Designed for Atari VCS, in partnership with PowerA

Atari VCS Classic Joystick and VCS Modern Controller updates!

medium.com

Atari's VCS controller is what you would expect, but its joystick is not

Earlier this month, we highlighted some of the most memorable game controllers of the last four decades. Right at the top of the list was the Atari...

www.techspot.com

 

[lexluthermiester]

Here's a look at the controllers.

Peripherals Update: Designed for Atari VCS, in partnership with PowerA

Atari VCS Classic Joystick and VCS Modern Controller updates!

medium.com

Atari's VCS controller is what you would expect, but its joystick is not

Earlier this month, we highlighted some of the most memorable game controllers of the last four decades. Right at the top of the list was the Atari...

www.techspot.com

Based on the buttons it would seem likely that they are going with Android as a base for their OS. I think that is a great choice if they do it right, kinda like the NVidia Shield.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Based on the buttons it would seem likely that they are going with Android as a base for their OS. I think that is a great choice if they do it right, kinda like the NVidia Shield.

I could of sworn recently I'd read it would be Linux based but I could be wrong..

 

[lexluthermiester]

I could of sworn recently I'd read it would be Linux based but I could be wrong..

Android is based on the Linux kernel, so this would still be true.

 

[Vario]

I agree with @lexluthermiester I would bet on an Android base just for the Game Library as much as anything. Probably similar to the Shield.

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Android is based on the Linux kernel, so this would still be true.

I know this though so is osx, I meant a custom Linux os and not android specifically, though it was a few weeks back so I can't be sure, though it could well be a custom android build also

 

[Chomiq]

If it continues like this the thread will have to be renamed to "Atari is working on its console for 20 years"

 

[lexluthermiester]

I know this though so is osx

OSX is Unix/BSD based.

I meant a custom Linux os and not android specifically, though it was a few weeks back so I can't be sure, though it could well be a custom android build also

I think that was last year. The idea that it's going to be Android based is a great idea IMHO.

 

[biffzinker]

It has been several years in the making but we may finally see the new Atari VCS this coming March, after numerous delays as well as hardware changes. Inside the box will be either an Xen based AMD Embedded R1606G with two cores and four threads with a maximum frequency of 3.5GHz, Vega 3 Graphics at 1.2GHz and a 12-25W TDP or the Embedded R1505G which also has two cores and four threads, but tops out at 3.3GHz with the same TDP and a Vega 3 running at 1GHz.
The two chips will be capable of providing 4K @ 60Hz, something the original Atari’s would consider absolute madness but is perfect for today’s TVs. They will be available at GameStop.com, Walmart.com, and AtariVCS.com, with delivery of your new console some time in March 2020, to distract you from the citizens of a near future London.

Source: https://pcper.com/2019/06/240074/

 

[lexluthermiester]

This is looking like it might be a very cool thing and not vaporware like has been bemoaned. Betting the ram upgradeablity will be in standard DIMM form.

 

[Ruru]

Isn't that modern controller just a third party Xbox One pad?

 

[lexluthermiester]

Isn't that modern controller just a third party Xbox One pad?

It's got a similar design, but it's doubtful to have the same internals. I like the look of it.

 

[Ruru]

View attachment 124781
I like it.

Me too, my point just was that there's nothing that special about it

 

[biffzinker]

 

[lexluthermiester]

Me too, my point just was that there's nothing that special about it

Beyond the aesthetics, not really and that's a good thing in my book. Solid and reliable design that is comfortable? Yes please!

Much better picture! I'm liking the D-Pad design.

 

[silentbogo]

This is looking like it might be a very cool thing and not vaporware like has been bemoaned.

Do you, guys, realize that 2 years later you are still drooling over 3D renders of VCS, instead of market-ready "Ataribox"?
Even on last week's fluff piece on FOX Business their CEO brought a shell of the old prototype, which means that this "new and upgraded" version still has no prototype with only 6 months left 'till supposed release.

Betting the ram upgradeablity will be in standard DIMM form.

If it ever comes out, it'll have DDR4 SO-DIMM(one slot), like on AMD R-series evaluation board, cause realistically that's the only thing they can glue-in on a short notice, given that the SoC series only got announced this April.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Do you, guys, realize that 2 years later you are still drooling over 3D renders of VCS, instead of market-ready "Ataribox"?
Even on last week's fluff piece on FOX Business their CEO brought a shell of the old prototype, which means that this "new and upgraded" version still has no prototype with only 6 months left 'till supposed release.

If it ever comes out, it'll have DDR4 SO-DIMM(one slot), like on AMD R-series evaluation board, cause realistically that's the only thing they can glue-in on a short notice, given that the SoC series only got announced this April.

Why in blue blazes do people feel the need to be a debby-downers all the time? Push off, quit your moanin' and if it turns out to be a dud, then fine. But it's not some tiny company that no one knows anything about, this is Atari who in recent years has done well and earned a good reputation.

 

[biffzinker]

Engineering Prototype

Arstechnica has news piece up on the Atari VCS.

While hackers won't be able to replace the system's central APU chip, the internal SSD and RAM can be easily accessed and replaced with standard parts, providing at least a modicum of "future-proofing," representatives said.

Turns out Android isn't the OS after all.

Sandbox mode will also let VCS users access the system's Linux 5.0 kernel directly and, with a mouse and keyboard plugged in to two front USB ports, and even develop their own games to submit to Atari's platform. Any game designed to run on Ubuntu should be playable on the VCS, representatives said, though developers may have to make slight changes to work with the VCS' full screen display buffer.

Atari’s new VCS isn’t a console, but it isn’t quite a computer either

Quixotic, $250 system is targeting tinkerers, user-generated content…

arstechnica.com

 

[lexluthermiester]

View attachment 124927
Engineering Prototype

Arstechnica has news piece up on the Atari VCS.


Turns out Android isn't the OS after all.

Atari’s new VCS isn’t a console, but it isn’t quite a computer either

Quixotic, $250 system is targeting tinkerers, user-generated content…

arstechnica.com

Well that's not bad either. A bit disappointing though. Android would have been an excellent base OS. I want that prototype shell though!

 

[advanced3]

A super expensive Raspberry Pi.

 

[WhiteNoise]

Price seems a bit much. Not sure I see the point at that price. I hope the MSRP is just that...an MSRP and the actual cost is a bit easier to take.

 

[Vayra86]

A super expensive Raspberry Pi.

Its really just another underpowered PC with a controller, or did I miss something...

 

[CJCerny]

I think their biggest challenge is that the nostalgia for the old 2600/VCS just isn't there anymore. Those of us that grew up with them as kids are now in our 50's and have lots of other stuff to occupy our time, not to mention the fact that 2600/VCS games were so simple that they just can't hold your attention for more than a few minutes. If it was $29 and the form factor was a 2600/VCS joystick with a HDMI output and all the 2600/VCS titles released built in, I would buy one as a stocking stuffer.

If it is intending to compete with the Xbone and PSX with all new titles, they had better get going on the titles and hope for some lucky breaks, especially with indie developers. They haven't exactly been terribly clear about what you are supposed to be able to play on this box. It's a mess.