I know some people complain and say it's not the real Atari, but I think they're doing an amazing job lately and are just as legitimate as any of the former incarnations of the company.
After the 5200 that was based on Atari's 400 computer, and had fancy analog controllers with a keypad, people saw the 7800 as a big step backwards. The 5200's controllers did prove to be problem prone with their fragile flex circuit and carbon coating on the button contacts that could wear off, and using the joystick boot for self centering instead of springs. A few prototype 5200 controllers with the issues addressed were made before Atari stopped 5200 production.
Retail version isn’t what’s shown here - the “VIP” set, which lets be real, it’s a press kit for YT influencers. The 30 second delay in loading games is a bit of a concern. 20:25 power on 20:57 game shown
We are really lucky to live in a time when niche-y retro machines that once would have required millions in investment to produce are now summoned into being for a fraction of that amount. I imagine one day we will be able to just describe what we want to an AI and receive it in our mailbox a week or two later. Amazing times we live in.
lol, yeah we’re so lucky to be in a time that rampant consumerism makes it so companies can release two versions of the same thing that just look a bit different and people will buy both because of that human FOMO.
@Hamdad sure the 7800 didn't have the chops to complete with NES, but not all the games are bad. I will say, they should have used POKEY for the sound and music and not the TIA chip and had more games with meat on them. Most of the 7800s library were arcade or computer ports.
There are 7800 games that use the difficulty switches. Xevious uses one to control firing, Tomcat and F-18 Hornet use them for jet functions, Tower Toppler uses them for the level select, etc.
*_Those happen to be the only two Atari® consoles I owned back then - the 2600™ & 7800™. I wanted the 5200™ when it was released but my parents didn't get that one for some reason. Once the next generation console arrived, and they got it for me, I was ecstatic!!_* 😁🏆 *_It was after that, that I'd gotten the Nintendo® Entertainment System™, Super Nintendo® Entertainment System™, Nintendo® 64™, Sony® Playstation™, Microsoft® XBOX™, Playstation 3™, Playstation 4™ & XBOX One S™!!_* 🎮
I think this review video, and you were right about the glut that came out on the same day, might be my favourite as it's the most in-depth but also appreciative. Also enjoyed MVG's video
It's beautiful. I still have my almost original...I got it used about 7 years after release. Ooooh.....these having serial numbers and a HDMI makes me sort of crazy. 🎉🎉🎉. I have a Sunnyvale Heavy Six with a fairly low number too that I've had about 25 years.......I have probably 200 carts among Atari systems. And I always still play the same 12 or 15 I always have.... LOL I don't need this. Yes I want it though. I'm usually using my Flashback 9 loaded these days. Part of me wants to buy now for a low number....then I think....hmmm....wait for price drop. Great video.
Great overview, Rees, thank you - and congratulations on getting on the VIP list 🙌 It's not sour grapes but unless I'm mistaken, I think it's a real shame that the only way to get your hands on these beautifully presented & packaged deluxe editions / press packs is if you are targeted as a TH-camr or similar. I'm sure some people would happily pay a premium for something similar (dependent on cost). The vanilla retail box and packaging pales in comparison. This is a missed opportunity for the companies in question in my opinion who could easily offer an additional 'deluxe' version. It's the same with the recently released 'The Spectrum' and many others as well as far as I know. I know it's Marketing, and just how these things go - and it's just my $0.02, quite possible I'm in the minority here 😂
I can still feel the childhood perma-bruise in the palm of my hand from that unbreakable thing. But that bruise was worth it to show off my devastating track and field technique. Also clocked defender with it. Good times. 7:19
It looks like Atari/Plaion have actually given options for 50/60 Hz, and CRT effects with this one... Watching the new review on GenXGamer, he showed them using a combination of the 3 buttons (Reset, Select, and Pause) which toggle a built-in menu before you put in a game cart. Pretty neat! 😉 I bought the 2600+ last year and enjoy that, but I love the look of this 7800+, and the improvements, so I'm seriously tempted..!!
Crazy how ahead of their time Atari was for this case design. Very sleek. I like all the attention they've put into this re-release, and especially the game lineup. Ninja Golf! Fatal Run! Wish they had re-released Dark Chambers, that one is too pricey these days.
The loading time is rediculous! It would be interesting to find out what they are _really_ doing during that wait time. It's definitely not just reading the ROM from that cart since any original console will do that in less than 1 second. I suspect Atari will be hammered about the loading times and should hopefully issue a new firmware quickly. I'm a collector of these smaller consoles but I am going to wait until the loading is fixed before getting one as I already have a 2600+. The only reason to get the 7800+ would be to get the proper fix for paddle games as they failed to solve the lag issue due to the 2600+ hardware/Rockchip not being capable of real-time analog feedback.
atleast the packaging is made to the classic atari build quality, what a charming detail jokes aside it looks like a fantastic piece of kit, would have loved for them to show some love to the often forgotten 5200 tho
If I’m not mistaking, I remember being able to use my Sega genesis controller in the Atari 7800. The ports I remember were the same. I can’t remember if it work properly but I know the ports were similar.
The 7800 was my very first console as a kid, so I was interested to see what they were doing with the 7800+. I have a 7800 still along with a nearly complete library. Unsure if I'll get the 7800+ itself but I was considering the homebrews and possibly the repros. Pretty interested in the controller too assuming it works well on the original 7800! I never did end up with one of the European joypads. I use an adapter to let me use a genesis controller safely on my 7800. 7800 may not have been a great console, but it will always be near and dear to my heart :). I do wonder what could have happened if Atari did a better job launching it though. Especially if the Pokey was on the console itself.
There were a number of PAL 7800 titles homebrews, and odd 2600 games including Pitfall II which didn't work with the 2600+ original firmware ( like many I have not updated mine as waiting for 1 final version with easy update instructions!) Would love you to test all the PAL 7800 titles & confirm they work on the 7800+ as it has better cartridge slot, improved firmware, and improved chios in it!🕹🕹🕹
You should update the 2600+ firmware. That last version has been out a year so unlikely they will issue more updates. They may port the fixes in the 7800+ to the 2600+ but either way the update instuctions will be the same convoluted mess.
Never even heard of this before. "it was a huge flop" I guess that's why. Very cool though! [edit: OMG, I want this just for the wireless, 9 pin compatible, controllers! How do I buy it? Atari's website won't let me give them money]
Yes, it was a flop because by the time Tramiel finally decided to release it, the NES already dominated the console market. Had it been released on its original date in 1984, they might have had a better chance of gaining market share. The 7800 itself is quite capable and in some ways more powerful than the NES. It just wasn't given the opportunity to shine in its day.
Wow, I liked that game when it came out as Adventure Island on the NES a million years ago with better graphics, sound, controls, and gameplay... I was really hoping for something novel here, Atari...😮
Off topic. I ordered a cx78 German 2600jr controller. The cx78 came with the 2600jr . But it is a double fire controller. Both buttons do the same thing. Not much info on it 🤷🏻♂️ still can’t play 2 button games on my 2600+ 😅
WOW.. the original 7800 was my first console.. my dad got it for me through an american PX.. it was not realeased in germany where i lived at that time.
Atari may be losing a sale by sending you one for free but they are gaining more sales from people like myself who watched your review and decided they had to have this.
Retail version isn’t what’s shown here - the “VIP” set, which lets be real, it’s a press kit for YT influencers. The delay in loading games is a bit of a concern. 20:25 power on 20:57 game shown
I dont understand why they get the vip when we have to settle for less😔 why couldn't they just give this bundle to everyone who would want this? I pre-ordered this when they first announced it😢
most likely due to the price. the vip bundle (console + 2 controllers + 8 games with boxes + large presentation box) likely would retail about $400+ and no way anyone is going to pay that much. People are already complaining about the $130 price of the retail box.
I've no idea who these new money people calling themself Atari are, but the real Atari is only a memory and is long gone. It feels to me like a random company buying somebody else's identity and history and then acting is if it was their history and identity instead. Very strange.
@@mindthreatx Perhaps they'll release it in the future? They're definitelly planning to do more re-releases. And I suspect there'll be an announcement sooner than later.
@@gameshack1985 well if you want to play any paddle games you will need the 7800+ as the 2600+ analog input is sub-par and too laggy. On the 7800+ they added an extra circuit and didn't use the built-in ADC.
No good, no flash carts, no FPGA and a big fat bloated firmware that has to load (probably Linux) before the game even starts! The new cartridges are a highlight though. I’ll give it a miss!
Wow, an emulator that has a catalog of games on it that fit onto a 1.5 floppy disk over 20 years ago. Now it all runs on any android device for free. Yet the morons of the world keep overpaying for a replica bit of oversized plastic of the original console with an android based emulator inside of it..... hmmm..... just put the games i want, or all of them for the hell of it on my phone or pc for free, aswell as whatever other console i wanna play up to abkut PS2 or 3 era, Or overpay to play a selected few games chosen by a company ripping everyone off at a 900% markup price of what its actually worth? And dont give me the whaaaa we can mod it crap 🙄
I had this in the original box up until 2016. It was inside a black garbage bag sitting in a closet since the late 80's when I got the Saga Master system. The bag got thrown out into a dumpster by mistake. I'm definitely interested in this.
So pleased you have finally been recognised by Atari. So many unrelated channels get given this stuff
It probably sells about as terribly as the original did...
Bounty Bob is new on 7800, and there really isn't much footage of it out there. It'd be great to see some.
2:24 you know you’re a VIP when you get one-day shipping.
I know some people complain and say it's not the real Atari, but I think they're doing an amazing job lately and are just as legitimate as any of the former incarnations of the company.
That's a gorgeous looking piece of kit!
After the 5200 that was based on Atari's 400 computer, and had fancy analog controllers with a keypad, people saw the 7800 as a big step backwards. The 5200's controllers did prove to be problem prone with their fragile flex circuit and carbon coating on the button contacts that could wear off, and using the joystick boot for self centering instead of springs. A few prototype 5200 controllers with the issues addressed were made before Atari stopped 5200 production.
Man they really make a good press kit 🥂
I don't own any of the original Atari consoles anymore, parents donated them back in the late 1990s. Will pick this up for sure.
Retail version isn’t what’s shown here - the “VIP” set, which lets be real, it’s a press kit for YT influencers.
The 30 second delay in loading games is a bit of a concern.
20:25 power on
20:57 game shown
I was hoping to get to see you getting a look at this machine todo when I saw stuff popping up about it. Looks like they have done a solid job.
We are really lucky to live in a time when niche-y retro machines that once would have required millions in investment to produce are now summoned into being for a fraction of that amount. I imagine one day we will be able to just describe what we want to an AI and receive it in our mailbox a week or two later. Amazing times we live in.
So lucky........the future of our landfills looks promising with all this retro "milking" that is going on for years now.
lol, yeah we’re so lucky to be in a time that rampant consumerism makes it so companies can release two versions of the same thing that just look a bit different and people will buy both because of that human FOMO.
As a former 7800 owner, midnight mutants was the best game on the system
I also liked one on one basketball with Dr J and Larry Bird
The kindest praise of any 7800 game, as Midnight Mutants warrants is, "I could mistake this for an NES game if I squint"
@Hamdad sure the 7800 didn't have the chops to complete with NES, but not all the games are bad.
I will say, they should have used POKEY for the sound and music and not the TIA chip and had more games with meat on them.
Most of the 7800s library were arcade or computer ports.
@@marccaselle8108 Yes, it badly needed Pokey built in, the CX78 gamepads as default US controllers, & to launch in 1984 as originally planned.
Congrats on your new elevated status. Please keep thinking of us mortals as you ascend to these new heights.
There are 7800 games that use the difficulty switches. Xevious uses one to control firing, Tomcat and F-18 Hornet use them for jet functions, Tower Toppler uses them for the level select, etc.
I don't think i will buy rhe 7800+ since i already have (and love) my 2600+ but I absolutely going to get a few of the new joysticks! Great revies!
*_Those happen to be the only two Atari® consoles I owned back then - the 2600™ & 7800™. I wanted the 5200™ when it was released but my parents didn't get that one for some reason. Once the next generation console arrived, and they got it for me, I was ecstatic!!_* 😁🏆
*_It was after that, that I'd gotten the Nintendo® Entertainment System™, Super Nintendo® Entertainment System™, Nintendo® 64™, Sony® Playstation™, Microsoft® XBOX™, Playstation 3™, Playstation 4™ & XBOX One S™!!_* 🎮
I think this review video, and you were right about the glut that came out on the same day, might be my favourite as it's the most in-depth but also appreciative. Also enjoyed MVG's video
It's beautiful. I still have my almost original...I got it used about 7 years after release. Ooooh.....these having serial numbers and a HDMI makes me sort of crazy. 🎉🎉🎉. I have a Sunnyvale Heavy Six with a fairly low number too that I've had about 25 years.......I have probably 200 carts among Atari systems. And I always still play the same 12 or 15 I always have.... LOL
I don't need this. Yes I want it though. I'm usually using my Flashback 9 loaded these days. Part of me wants to buy now for a low number....then I think....hmmm....wait for price drop.
Great video.
Cant wait to get mine. I never had one of these growing up, but I've enjoyed building a small collection of game carts
Btw. there's a demake of Baba Is You for the Atari 8-bit called Adam Is Me.
I had the Atari 7600 when I was young, it’s still one of my favorite gaming consoles.👍
Great overview, Rees, thank you - and congratulations on getting on the VIP list 🙌 It's not sour grapes but unless I'm mistaken, I think it's a real shame that the only way to get your hands on these beautifully presented & packaged deluxe editions / press packs is if you are targeted as a TH-camr or similar. I'm sure some people would happily pay a premium for something similar (dependent on cost). The vanilla retail box and packaging pales in comparison. This is a missed opportunity for the companies in question in my opinion who could easily offer an additional 'deluxe' version. It's the same with the recently released 'The Spectrum' and many others as well as far as I know. I know it's Marketing, and just how these things go - and it's just my $0.02, quite possible I'm in the minority here 😂
I can still feel the childhood perma-bruise in the palm of my hand from that unbreakable thing. But that bruise was worth it to show off my devastating track and field technique. Also clocked defender with it. Good times. 7:19
Neat! I enjoyed hearing about this on TWIR and now I get to see it. Great video.
It looks like Atari/Plaion have actually given options for 50/60 Hz, and CRT effects with this one... Watching the new review on GenXGamer, he showed them using a combination of the 3 buttons (Reset, Select, and Pause) which toggle a built-in menu before you put in a game cart. Pretty neat! 😉
I bought the 2600+ last year and enjoy that, but I love the look of this 7800+, and the improvements, so I'm seriously tempted..!!
(18:33) Actually, these little boxes come in the regular editions. Including the new Atari 2600 releases.
Oh wow! I know a real VIP! Well, I support him on Patreon. For exactly one month. But close enough! :)
Great Video !
Back in the day I owned the 600XL, loved it.
Just got my 130XE down from the attic after many years of storage. This new wireless controller would be a nice gadget for it.
I'm not interested in old Ataris, except for the ST. But I enjoyed the video, informative and interesting. Thank you for sharing 😊
Crazy how ahead of their time Atari was for this case design. Very sleek. I like all the attention they've put into this re-release, and especially the game lineup. Ninja Golf! Fatal Run! Wish they had re-released Dark Chambers, that one is too pricey these days.
The loading time is rediculous! It would be interesting to find out what they are _really_ doing during that wait time. It's definitely not just reading the ROM from that cart since any original console will do that in less than 1 second. I suspect Atari will be hammered about the loading times and should hopefully issue a new firmware quickly. I'm a collector of these smaller consoles but I am going to wait until the loading is fixed before getting one as I already have a 2600+. The only reason to get the 7800+ would be to get the proper fix for paddle games as they failed to solve the lag issue due to the 2600+ hardware/Rockchip not being capable of real-time analog feedback.
I quite the look of this one. The wireless controllers are a nice bonus.
I didn’t want anything for Christmas until now.
atleast the packaging is made to the classic atari build quality, what a charming detail
jokes aside it looks like a fantastic piece of kit, would have loved for them to show some love to the often forgotten 5200 tho
If I’m not mistaking, I remember being able to use my Sega genesis controller in the Atari 7800. The ports I remember were the same. I can’t remember if it work properly but I know the ports were similar.
Influencer: Deluxe Press Kit... Fans: Normal Cardboard Shit 🤢🤮 Why no Deluxe Set for all? 💩
The 7800 was my very first console as a kid, so I was interested to see what they were doing with the 7800+. I have a 7800 still along with a nearly complete library. Unsure if I'll get the 7800+ itself but I was considering the homebrews and possibly the repros. Pretty interested in the controller too assuming it works well on the original 7800! I never did end up with one of the European joypads. I use an adapter to let me use a genesis controller safely on my 7800.
7800 may not have been a great console, but it will always be near and dear to my heart :). I do wonder what could have happened if Atari did a better job launching it though. Especially if the Pokey was on the console itself.
There were a number of PAL 7800 titles homebrews, and odd 2600 games including Pitfall II which didn't work with the 2600+ original firmware ( like many I have not updated mine as waiting for 1 final version with easy update instructions!) Would love you to test all the PAL 7800 titles & confirm they work on the 7800+ as it has better cartridge slot, improved firmware, and improved chios in it!🕹🕹🕹
You should update the 2600+ firmware. That last version has been out a year so unlikely they will issue more updates. They may port the fixes in the 7800+ to the 2600+ but either way the update instuctions will be the same convoluted mess.
The promise of free stuff from a party purchasing your soul. I feel cheap or at least being convinced to be.
When I was a kid and friend had one in 1984 as LA was a test market for it.
This makes me want to play with my original 7600. I get to the point I'm scared of using it because being so old I expect it to die any year now
Is it any more compatible than the 2600+?
Never even heard of this before. "it was a huge flop" I guess that's why. Very cool though! [edit: OMG, I want this just for the wireless, 9 pin compatible, controllers! How do I buy it? Atari's website won't let me give them money]
Yes, it was a flop because by the time Tramiel finally decided to release it, the NES already dominated the console market. Had it been released on its original date in 1984, they might have had a better chance of gaining market share. The 7800 itself is quite capable and in some ways more powerful than the NES. It just wasn't given the opportunity to shine in its day.
Amazon
lools very nicely presented
*re-released in 1986 ;-)
Wow, I liked that game when it came out as Adventure Island on the NES a million years ago with better graphics, sound, controls, and gameplay...
I was really hoping for something novel here, Atari...😮
Still no SECAM support in the firmware ?...
That was a 70's/80's thing. Modern TVs support NTSC and PAL without any issues. If yours doesn't you bought the wrong model ;-)
Off topic. I ordered a cx78 German 2600jr controller. The cx78 came with the 2600jr . But it is a double fire controller. Both buttons do the same thing. Not much info on it 🤷🏻♂️ still can’t play 2 button games on my 2600+ 😅
How much
WOW.. the original 7800 was my first console.. my dad got it for me through an american PX.. it was not realeased in germany where i lived at that time.
No it’s not aesthetics. My question is ( is it already updated to play tunnel runner, or pitfall 2 . Great video. Thank you
7800 xevious uses difficulty switch to turn it into a 1 button game . Fire and bombs 1 button. I only have the 2600+ with only 1 button controller
In the 80's had an 800 XL and later Amiga 500
👍
Atari may be losing a sale by sending you one for free but they are gaining more sales from people like myself who watched your review and decided they had to have this.
Retail version isn’t what’s shown here - the “VIP” set, which lets be real, it’s a press kit for YT influencers. The delay in loading games is a bit of a concern.
20:25 power on
20:57 game shown
Does anyone know if these consoles use 60hz
Can pal carts be forced into 60hz
on the 7800+ you can switch the mode to 50 hz or 60 hz by holding start+select when no cart is inserted.
I dont understand why they get the vip when we have to settle for less😔 why couldn't they just give this bundle to everyone who would want this? I pre-ordered this when they first announced it😢
most likely due to the price. the vip bundle (console + 2 controllers + 8 games with boxes + large presentation box) likely would retail about $400+ and no way anyone is going to pay that much. People are already complaining about the $130 price of the retail box.
If this was the retail pack it would be more apealing to buyers depends on the cost
the cost would be the killer, it would be way more than the official retail pack, likely 3-5x more.
Complete with games you didn't want to play thirty odd years ago.
All we need now is the 5200+ for shits and giggles.
In all seriousness, whoever is in charge of the current incarnation of Atari deserves a raise.
I've no idea who these new money people calling themself Atari are, but the real Atari is only a memory and is long gone.
It feels to me like a random company buying somebody else's identity and history and then acting is if it was their history and identity instead. Very strange.
Actual good actual video, actually even if actually every other actual word is actually actual or actually.
Note to self... start a TH-cam channel 🤔
again a review unit/press kit no one gets instead of normal one
It's here my real atari 7800... Oh Shiney greatness
Missing Midnight Mutants
They would probably have to pay the heirs of Munster grandfather Al Lewis
@@VirutaFaiter I thought it wasn't official to begin with?
@@mindthreatx Perhaps they'll release it in the future? They're definitelly planning to do more re-releases. And I suspect there'll be an announcement sooner than later.
It looks great a great bundle but seems pretty pointless as the 7800 only had 58 games released for it...
well it also plays 2600 games as the slot is designed to take 2600 and 7800 carts..... so....
@g4z-kb7ct so it's pointless really as the 2600+ played the 7800 games...😂
@@gameshack1985 well if you want to play any paddle games you will need the 7800+ as the 2600+ analog input is sub-par and too laggy. On the 7800+ they added an extra circuit and didn't use the built-in ADC.
No good, no flash carts, no FPGA and a big fat bloated firmware that has to load (probably Linux) before the game even starts! The new cartridges are a highlight though. I’ll give it a miss!
Wow, an emulator that has a catalog of games on it that fit onto a 1.5 floppy disk over 20 years ago.
Now it all runs on any android device for free. Yet the morons of the world keep overpaying for a replica bit of oversized plastic of the original console with an android based emulator inside of it..... hmmm..... just put the games i want, or all of them for the hell of it on my phone or pc for free, aswell as whatever other console i wanna play up to abkut PS2 or 3 era, Or overpay to play a selected few games chosen by a company ripping everyone off at a 900% markup price of what its actually worth?
And dont give me the whaaaa we can mod it crap 🙄
№1 …..
Well it's official now. Rees is an Atari shill! That's all he's going to talk about now. Atari this, Atari that. Blah blah blah Atari. 🤣🤣🤣
Why would anyone buy this?
Nostalgia mainly I suspect. And why not?
It's called nostalgia
A sane and reasonable question
Many people bought the NES mini. 7800 games were not too far from it.
I had this in the original box up until 2016. It was inside a black garbage bag sitting in a closet since the late 80's when I got the Saga Master system. The bag got thrown out into a dumpster by mistake. I'm definitely interested in this.
A disaster at release. Awful controls and rubbish games. Why wouldn't anyone want it 😂
Unless reimagined games, pointless.
Another crap atari system what a waste.