They’re Making A New Version Of The Atari 7800

Who could have predicted we’d see this again, but there’s a new model of the Atari 7800 console coming to stores later this year. The 7800 Plus is not a “mini” version with a pre-installed number of games. It’s a fully functional, brand-new 7800 that takes all the carts the original model did, as well as some new carts made for the release.

The 7800 was introduced in the fall of 1986 to combat the rise of the Nintendo Entertainment System, a task it failed at. But collectors still seek out the console for its total backwards compatibility with the 2600 library. Also, if you can believe it, there were a few Nintendo games released on the 7800, but only because of a deal made back in the early 80s that was still valid — we’re talking the arcade stuff like Donkey Kong Jr.

While you can use the original hand cramp inducing joysticks the 7800 took in the 1980s, you don’t have to. Atari will introduce a “Wireless CX78+ Gamepad,” included in the box with the console, that does the job better. If you really miss it, a wireless version of the original joystick will also be sold separately. As we said, the 7800 Plus will take nearly every 2600 and 7800 cartridge ever made, and the same day, Atari will release six new 7800 carts and four new 2600 carts.

New 7800+ Cartridges

• Asteroids Deluxe expands upon the original with new mechanics and intense two-player modes that introduce competition and varied playstyles.
• Bounty Bob Strikes Back is a sequel to the cult classic Miner 2049er. For this port to a 7800+ cartridge, developer Robert DeCrescenzo added 10 additional caves.
• In Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, a popular homebrew sequel to Crystal Castles, you’ll find everything a platforming fan could possibly want…including one adorable bear.
• A brand new version of Berzerk brings the gameplay of the arcade classic to the 7800+. Evil Otto’s ominous grin definitely included!
• Charge your Phase Pistol and enter the fray in Frenzy, an Atari 7800+ version of the arcade sequel to Berzerk!
• Space Duel is the first-ever 7800 port of the original 1982 vector-based arcade game. The unique two-player mode tethers two spaceships together for interdependent action.

Robert DeCrescenzo, a talented member of the Atari homebrew developer community, programmed Asteroids Deluxe, Bounty Bob Strikes Back, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, Space Duel, Frenzy and Berzerk.

New 2600+ Cartridges

• A 2600+ release of Caverns of Mars brings the Atari 8-bit classic to cartridge for the first time. The adaptation by homebrew developer John W. Champeau adds new challenges to the original and an all-important save feature.
• The Epyx Game Collection combines the best EPYX sports games into one cartridge. Up to eight players can compete in multiple events in the Summer Games, Winter Games and the California Games, which introduced Pacific Coast sports including half-pipe, footbag, surfing, roller skating, BMX and flying disc.
• The M Network Collection combines the fast-paced action of Armor Ambush™, Astroblast™, Frogs and Flies™, and Star Strike™ onto a single 2600+ cartridge. These four titles were adaptations of popular Intellivision games created for the Atari 2600 by Mattel Electronics.
• In 1982, Atari responded to competition from the rival Intellivision by releasing a new series of sports games, including RealSports Baseball, Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis and Boxing. With the new RealSports Collection, they are available for the first time on a single 2600 cartridge, including the never-before-released RealSports Basketball.

The Atari 7800 Plus will be released this winter for $129.99. Controllers will be $35 apiece and game carts will be $30 apiece.