Atari to Launch Classic Game Compilation on Steam

Atari is one of the most iconic names in video game history and popularized the concept of interchangeable cartridges on a home console. Way back in 1977, Atari launched the Atari VCS which eventually become known as the 2600 after 1982. The system featured 128 bytes of RAM, an 8-bit MOS 6507 CPU running at 1.19 MHz and had a huge range of controllers. While the games look extremely primitive by modern standards, they were revolutionary in the early 1980s and helped establish the video game industry as a credible form of entertainment. Unfortunately, Atari struggled in their later years and couldn’t compete with SEGA or Nintendo. For example, the Atari Jaguar’s bulky controller, and poor software library made it a disaster.

Atari is now owned by French company, Infogrames and hasn’t really published anything of note. The only real exception which comes to mind is Test Drive Unlimited. Nevertheless, a new compilation is coming to Steam entitled, Atari Vault which includes a number of legendary games! The press release reads:

“Including 100 iconic, fan-favorite games like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Tempest®, Warlords®, and many more,Atari Vault enables fans to relive the classic gaming experience in the modern age, with an upgraded user interface, the addition of online and local multiplayer options, and Steam Controller support that provides significantly improved precision control. For the first time ever, fans from around the world can challenge other players on Steam Leaderboards and compete for arcade supremacy – all while rocking out to the games’ original 70’s and 80’s soundtracks. Atari Vault is under development by Code Mystics, and will launch in Spring 2016.”

Sadly, there’s no information regarding price, but I cannot imagine it will be too expensive given the library’s age and ability to emulate Atari games so easily. While I’m a huge fan of retro games, it can be quite difficult to look past the graphics on old school Atari classics, because they have aged quite poorly.

Image courtesy of 8-bitcentral