Atari 7800+: One-minute evaluate
The Atari 7800+ is the newest try at a retro console from the long-lasting gaming model. I used to be hopeful going into this one, as I used to be fairly keen on the earlier Atari 2600+ which I awarded 4 stars in my evaluate. Sadly, I really feel just like the Atari 7800+ is a step down total, providing little in the best way of quality-of-life enhancements and a genuinely horrible pack-in controller.
Now, I wasn’t the largest fan of the 2600+’s included CX40+ joystick, citing its stiffness as a serious level of rivalry. I just like the CX78+ even much less; the choice of wi-fi connectivity is sweet, however a scarcity of a pause or reset button (these are solely on the console itself) and its weird D-pad / analog stick hybrid make for a depressing play expertise. And don’t go pondering you possibly can simply swap it out for a third-party controller; the shortage of USB ports on the console implies that that is strictly not an choice.
On a extra optimistic word the VIP Boxset I used to be despatched for testing got here with a handful of Atari 7800 video games, and so they all are good enjoyable. That Atari allure remains to be in full impact right here, with its restricted graphical and audio capabilities nonetheless permitting for an interesting and distinctive gaming expertise. It’s a disgrace that every sport takes a good chunk of time to really load, however when you’re in, there’s undoubtedly loads of enjoyment available right here.
Total then, the Atari 7800+ is barely actually recommendable to critical Atari lovers. With its use of bodily cartridges (that might have to be purchased individually), lack of high quality modernities and no assist for third-party controllers, it’s genuine to a fault. For some, that’ll be nice information. However for a extra approachable and reasonably priced retro gaming expertise, you would possibly wish to take into account one thing just like the Evercade VS or the hand held brilliance of the Tremendous Pocket as an alternative.
Atari 7800+: Worth and availability
- $129.99 / £99.99
- Contains the console and CX78+ gamepad
- Additionally contains Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest bodily cartridge
The Atari 7800+ has been accessible since November 2024, and can value you $129.99 / £99.99. You should buy it instantly from Atari’s web site, or at retailers together with Amazon within the US and Argos throughout the pond within the UK. This is identical worth that the Atari 2600+ launched at, and given the 7800+’s compatibility with 2600 sport cartridges and controllers, it’s undoubtedly the one to decide on right now in case you’re deciding between the 2, although I do suppose the 2600+ is the extra enticing unit from an aesthetics standpoint.
It’s a reasonably costly funding contemplating the console solely ships with one controller and a single (comparatively easy) sport. However like units such because the Evercade EXP and Evercade Alpha, you’ll possible wish to purchase it within the curiosity of increase a group of video games. On that word, Atari 7800 and 2600 cartridges could be bought from the model’s web site for $29.99 / £24.99 a pop. These include genuine cardboard packaging, including to the general worth considerably.
Atari 7800+: Specs
Worth | $129.99 / £99.99 |
Dimensions | 9 x 6.5 x 2.3in / 228.6 x 165.1 x 58.4mm |
Weight | 1.1lbs / 0.5kg |
Connectivity (controllers) | 2x DB9 |
Compatibility | Atari 7800 and Atari 2600 cartridges |
Atari 7800+: Design and options
- Feels light-weight and hole out of the field
- CX78+ controller is fairly horrible
- Fortunately very simple to arrange
Let’s get the positives out the best way first. The Atari 7800+ is extremely simple to arrange, and you’ll be gaming with it inside moments of taking it out of the field. In stated field, you’re getting the console itself, a CX78+ wi-fi controller (extra on this factor in a second), and a single sport cartridge for Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest – a homebrew title from developer Robert DeCrescenzo. As an apart, I believe it’s a beautiful factor that Atari is so prominently selling members of its homebrew neighborhood right here, however I’ll discuss extra about this within the efficiency part beneath.
The field has most of every thing you’ll have to get the Atari 7800+ up and operating in your TV or gaming monitor together with a HDMI cable, a DB9 wi-fi dongle for the controller, and a USB-C cable for energy. The console will work just by plugging it right into a USB port, however if you wish to hook it as much as the mains, you’ll have to supply your individual USB plug. Atari cites this omission as a method to chop down on e-waste, which is honest sufficient.
The console itself has little in the best way of buttons or ports. The entrance homes two DB9 controller ports, whereas the rear has a single HDMI and USB-C port, in addition to a change to flip between 16:9 and 4:3 decision. The highest then has a big cartridge slot (which sadly doesn’t have a mud cowl), and energy, pause, choose and reset buttons.
As I alluded to on the high, it is a fairly genuine bundle, albeit with the addition of a HDMI port for contemporary shows. I do want Atari may’ve discovered some room for the standard USB port or two, to supply performance for the finest Xbox controllers or finest PC controllers like we see on the Evercade VS and Evercade Alpha.
That’s largely since you’ll be counting on the pack-in CX78+ wi-fi controller for gameplay. In a phrase, this factor is terrible. Whereas showing trustworthy to the unique 7800 controller, its boxy form doesn’t sit effectively within the palms and its D-pad / analog stick hybrid is past uncomfortable to play with. In equity, its two face buttons are simply advantageous, and it immediately paired to the console by holding down the pairing button for a second.
However there’s actually not a lot else to say in regards to the CX78+. It’s good that there’s one within the field, nevertheless it had me begging for third-party controller assist.
One final gripe I’ve is with the cartridge slot. Cartridges by no means fairly really feel like they’re securely in place right here. But concurrently, you actually must jimmy the cartridges backward and forward in an effort to dislodge them, which creates a somewhat uncomfortable squeaking sound as they arrive unfastened.
Atari 7800+: Efficiency
- Easy, however very charming sport library
- Emulation is broadly glorious
- Video games can take a while in addition
Now I get to speak about my favourite a part of the Atari 7800+ expertise – the video games themselves. Like with the Atari 2600+, I discovered myself shocked at how effectively many of those video games held up in addition to how a lot enjoyable I used to be having. Look, I’m outdated, however Atari was nonetheless earlier than my time. Reduce me some slack.
The pack-in sport, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, is great. That is an Journey Island-esque side-scrolling platformer with easy but charming visuals and surprisingly moreish gameplay. You’ll run from left to proper, dispatching enemies with a dependable projectile assault. Your well being bar additionally acts like a timer, counting down as you progress, however fortunately it may be topped up with semi-plentiful well being objects. It’s good easy enjoyable and has a good stage of problem to it.
I used to be additionally an enormous fan of Ninja Golf, which is precisely what it appears like. Right here, you whack your ball up a course, and also you’ll then must run in direction of it, eliminating enemy ninjas and wild creatures on the best way. It once more performs very effectively if you will get used to the CX78+ controller.
I additionally received to check out a powerful Rad Racer-like fight racing sport in Deadly Run, in addition to two comparatively less complicated experiences in Frenzy and Asteroids Deluxe. Total, there’s an excellent quantity of selection in case you’re planning to buy round for additional cartridges on Atari’s web site. I don’t personally personal any outdated 2600 or 7800 cartridges myself, however Atari’s web site claims the 7800+ has “near-perfect compatibility with authentic and third-party Atari video games.”
It’s value noting that every sport did take a stunning period of time in addition, typically upwards of 10 seconds for video games with extra detailed visuals like Ninja Golf and Deadly Run. It’s additionally fairly irksome that the CX78+ controller (possible for the sake of authenticity) doesn’t have a pause button – so that you’ll have to depend on the one discovered on the console as an alternative.
Ought to I purchase the Atari 7800+?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally take into account…
If the Atari 7800+ isn’t fairly doing it for you, you would possibly wish to take into account one in every of these different retro console units.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Atari 7800+ | Atari 2600+ | Evercade VS |
Worth | $129.99 / £99.99 | $129.99 / £99.99 | $99.99 / £89.99 |
Dimensions | 9 x 6.5 x 2.3in / 228.6 x 165.1 x 58.4mm | 10.6 x 7.1 x 2.8in / 269.2 x 180.3 x 71.1mm | 13 x 7.6 x 4.7in / 330.2 x 193 x 119.4mm |
Weight | 1.1lbs / 0.5kg | 1.5lbs / 0.68kg | 0.55lbs / 0.25kg |
Connectivity | 2x DB9 ports | 1x DB9 port | 4x USB ports |
Compatibility | Atari 7800 and 2600 cartridges | Atari 2600 cartridges | Evercade cartridges |
How I examined the Atari 7800+
- Examined over the course of every week
- Performed on a 24-inch AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor
- A big selection of video games examined
I performed the Atari 7800+ over the course of a few week, primarily with it hooked as much as a smaller show to get the very best outcomes out of its simplistic visuals. My monitor of alternative right here was the AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor, with video games performed by way of HDMI at 1080p decision. Although I did be sure that to check video games forwards and backwards between 16:9 and 4:3 side ratios.
Video games examined included Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, Deadly Run, Frenzy, Asteroids Deluxe and Ninja Golf. As I couldn’t play these video games with a third-party controller, I needed to make use of the pack-in CX78+ controller.
First reviewed February 2025
