Many were pleasantly caught off guard when Atari announced that it was working on a new console called the Ataribox. Since the announcement, Atari has been very quiet with regards to the console’s specifications. Until now.
Atari revealed more about their upcoming console, dubbed the Ataribox, in a simple newsletter. According to the newsletter, the console will be powered by a custom AMD processor and will use Radeon graphics technology. It also goes on to reveal that the console will run Linux and have an easy to use interface.
This has lead many to believe that the Ataribox might have more in common with a PC than its console counterparts. It will offer a “full PC experience” and will be able to stream content and, of course, play games.
Nostalgic fans will also be happy to know that it will also come pre-loaded with loads of classic Atari games. For those looking for something more modern, Atari confirmed that there will be current titles (although they have yet to confirm which titles) from various studios available on release day.
The Ataribox will cost around $250 – $300 (around R4000) and will ship in Spring 2018. The pricing will depend on which edition you purchase and, yes, there will be a Wood Edition Ataribox made with actual wood too.
While I like the idea of a new Atari console, there is no doubt that Atari will need to find a way of differentiating their console from the already established brands. In a market already saturated with gaming consoles, does the Ataribox have what it takes to distinguish itself from its competitors?
