Atari 7800+: One-minute assessment
The Atari 7800+ is the most recent try at a retro console from the enduring 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 assessment. Sadly, I really feel just like the Atari 7800+ is a step down general, providing little in the way in which of quality-of-life enhancements and a genuinely horrible pack-in controller.
Now, I wasn’t the most important fan of the 2600+’s included CX40+ joystick, citing its stiffness as a significant level of competition. I just like the CX78+ even much less; the choice of wi-fi connectivity is sweet, however an absence 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 considering you possibly can simply swap it out for a third-party controller; the dearth of USB ports on the console implies that that is strictly not an possibility.
On a extra optimistic notice the VIP Boxset I used to be despatched for testing got here with a handful of Atari 7800 video games, they usually all are good enjoyable. That Atari appeal continues to be in full impact right here, with its restricted graphical and audio capabilities nonetheless permitting for a captivating and distinctive gaming expertise. It’s a disgrace that every sport takes an honest chunk of time to really load, however when you’re in, there’s undoubtedly loads of enjoyment available right here.
General then, the Atari 7800+ is simply actually recommendable to severe Atari fans. With its use of bodily cartridges (that will must be purchased individually), lack of high quality modernities and no help for third-party controllers, it’s genuine to a fault. For some, that’ll be nice information. However for a extra approachable and inexpensive retro gaming expertise, you would possibly wish to contemplate one thing just like the Evercade VS or the hand held brilliance of the Super Pocket as an alternative.
Atari 7800+: Value 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 obtainable since November 2024, and can value you $129.99 / £99.99. You should buy it immediately from Atari’s web site, or at retailers together with Amazon within the US and Argos throughout the pond within the UK. This is similar value 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 immediately when 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 gadgets such because the Evercade EXP and Evercade Alpha, you’ll probably wish to purchase it within the curiosity of increase a set of video games. On that notice, 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
|
Value |
$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 straightforward to arrange
Let’s get the positives out the way in which first. The Atari 7800+ is extremely straightforward to arrange, and you can be gaming with it inside moments of taking it out of the field. In mentioned 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 group right here, however I’ll discuss extra about this within the efficiency part beneath.
The field has most of every part 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 way to chop down on e-waste, which is truthful sufficient.
The console itself has little in the way in which 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 swap 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 prime, it is a fairly genuine package deal, albeit with the addition of a HDMI port for contemporary shows. I do want Atari might’ve discovered some room for the standard USB port or two, to supply performance for the best Xbox controllers or best 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 devoted to the unique 7800 controller, its boxy form doesn’t sit properly within the arms and its D-pad / analog stick hybrid is past uncomfortable to play with. In equity, its two face buttons are simply positive, 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 concerning the CX78+. It’s good that there’s one within the field, however it had me begging for third-party controller help.
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 should jimmy the cartridges backward and forward to be able to dislodge them, which creates a relatively uncomfortable squeaking sound as they arrive unfastened.
Atari 7800+: Efficiency
- Easy, however very charming sport library
- Emulation is broadly wonderful
- Video games can take a while besides
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 properly many of those video games held up in addition to how a lot enjoyable I used to be having. Look, I’m previous, however Atari was nonetheless earlier than my time. Reduce me some slack.
The pack-in sport, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, is superb. 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 gadgets. It’s good easy enjoyable and has an honest degree of problem to it.
I used to be additionally an enormous fan of Ninja Golf, which is strictly what it seems like. Right here, you whack your ball up a course, and also you’ll then should run in the direction of it, eliminating enemy ninjas and wild creatures on the way in which. It once more performs very properly if you will get used to the CX78+ controller.
I additionally acquired to check out a formidable Rad Racer-like fight racing sport in Deadly Run, in addition to two comparatively less complicated experiences in Frenzy and Asteroids Deluxe. General, there’s quantity of selection when you’re planning to buy round for further cartridges on Atari’s web site. I don’t personally personal any previous 2600 or 7800 cartridges myself, however Atari’s web site claims the 7800+ has “near-perfect compatibility with unique and third-party Atari video games.”
It’s value noting that every sport did take a stunning period of time besides, 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 (probably 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 contemplate…
If the Atari 7800+ isn’t fairly doing it for you, you would possibly wish to contemplate one in every of these different retro console gadgets.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Atari 7800+ |
Atari 2600+ |
Evercade VS |
|
Value |
$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 wide array of video games examined
I performed the Atari 7800+ over the course of a couple of week, primarily with it hooked as much as a smaller show to get the most effective outcomes out of its simplistic visuals. My monitor of alternative right here was the AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor, with video games performed through HDMI at 1080p decision. Although I did be certain that to check video games backwards and forwards 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