Now that the Atari 2600+ is out on this planet, lots of the questions all of us had about it have been answered. How does it play video games? How does it evaluate to unique {hardware}? What’s within the field? It’s designed to be a reasonably simple machine, however there are a shocking quantity of things the again of the field received’t inform you. So this useful information will break down what it does, what it doesn’t do, and what else you could be sure to get probably the most out of your machine. 

Now, I do should specify that I’m not the last word professional on this factor. I’ve been taking part in the Atari 2600 all my life and I’ve a reasonably strong deal with on what does and doesn’t work with this new iteration. I’m not, nonetheless, in a position to inform you why some issues work on a technical degree. However I’ve had my machine for a short time now, and I feel I’ve settled into a pleasant understanding of the Atari 2600+’s quirks. So let’s get began! 

What’s within the field?

The field accommodates the system itself, a USB-C cable, one CX40+ joystick, an HDMI cable, and that’s about it. The system is roughly the identical dimension as an Atari 2600 jr., in case you’ve ever seen a type of. It’s received a comparatively small footprint, however not so small that it feels low-cost. This isn’t constructed just like the outdated Flashback methods, and even the newer Traditional Version mini consoles. The Atari 2600+ has a bit little bit of weight to it. Not very a lot, thoughts you, however sufficient in order that the power of the cables that plug into it aren’t sufficient to make the system transfer round and never sit the place you need it. 

The package deal additionally accommodates a multicart with 10 video games on it. These are chosen utilizing a collection of dip switches on the cartridge itself. The video games are:

• Journey
• Fight
• Dodge ‘Em
• Haunted Home
• Maze Craze
• Missile Command
• RealSports Volleyball
• Encompass
• Video Pinball
• Yars’ Revenge

This cart additionally works simply nice on unique {hardware}. 

The USB-C cable is the Atari 2600+’s energy provide, but it surely doesn’t embrace an influence brick. That’s one thing you’ll want to provide your self. We additionally carry them on our web site, in case you don’t occur to have one laying round. 

The HDMI cable isn’t something all that particular. It’s an honest high quality cable that has the Atari brand on it. Neat! 

That simply leaves the controller. 

How does the controller work? 

The controller included within the field is the CX40+. In case you aren’t an Atari nut, the traditional Atari joystick is named the CX40. The brand new CX40+, to my eyes, options only a few variations from its traditional counterpart. It isn’t as straightforward to disassemble because the outdated ones because the screw holes aren’t accessible on the underside anymore, and the stick itself appears to be a bit extra stiff, however that could possibly be simply because my outdated CX40s are so properly worn. 

It additionally needs to be identified that whereas the Atari 2600+ is appropriate with Atari 7800 cartridges, the CX40+ joystick doesn’t work with 2-button 7800 video games. Some Atari 7800 titles required using two completely different buttons, just like the NES or Sega Grasp System. Unique Atari 7800 controllers will plug in and work simply nice, however the included controller is not going to do the trick. 

Again to the CX40 comparability although, the most important distinction I might discover is that the cable is longer. This looks like an incredible factor, but it surely’s solely longer by a few foot. Which means the cable for the controller is just about 5ft lengthy, which most likely isn’t going to mean you can sit comfortably whereas taking part in, until you’re going for the traditional “sitting on the ground in entrance of your TV” expertise. It’s potential to get your self longer energy and HDMI cables so you possibly can preserve the system subsequent to you when you play, which is truthfully a incredible answer, because you’re most likely going to wish to change cartridges typically, and utilizing the Atari 2600+’s Reset and Choose switches is one thing you’ll end up doing much more ceaselessly than you could keep in mind. Nonetheless, if you wish to sit again whereas your console sits comfortably on a shelf, there are some nice choices on the market. 

What different controllers work?

Hyperkin makes a few strong Atari 2600 controllers that work fairly properly. First, there’s the Trooper. These have an identical type issue to the CX40, and have two face buttons for left or right-handed play. NOTE: These two buttons don’t perform with 2-button Atari 7800 video games. 

The opposite choice is the Ranger. This can be a neat little pad that has a thumbstick as a substitute of an enormous ol’ joystick, which is neat. However its greatest promoting level is its built-in paddle. It isn’t the identical as Atari’s outdated paddle controller (or their new Paddles so far as I do know, I haven’t gotten to attempt these but). It’s received much more resistance when twisting it, and for my cash it isn’t fairly as comfy to carry because the traditional paddles. That mentioned, it’s a very nice controller, and I’ve gotten an honest quantity of mileage out of mine. Each of those controllers have significantly longer wires than their official Atari counterparts. 

In fact, the only answer when it comes to making the included CX40+ work at a snug distance is to get your self some controller extension cables. Sega Genesis ones are the most typical to search out, and so they work simply nice with Atari 2600 controllers. I really received myself 2 of them to daisy chain collectively as a result of even with one extension, the cable wasn’t fairly lengthy sufficient to take a seat comfortably on my sofa. 

Do Sega Genesis controllers work? 

The brief reply isn’t any, at the very least not out of the field. However with a bit assist, that may be fastened. The unique Atari 2600 might be performed with Sega Genesis controllers, which makes the Atari 2600+’s lack of ability to make use of them sort of a ache, particularly since discovering working Genesis controllers is way simpler to do than discovering working 7800 joysticks, and having the ability to use a Genesis controller for these 2-button 7800 video games would have been an incredible answer. Thankfully, there’s a workaround! 

The Mega7800 from RetroHQ is a controller adapter that means that you can use Sega Genesis controllers on an Atari 7800 with particular performance for the 7800 GameDrive Flash Cart in thoughts. It additionally has the superior aspect impact of permitting you to make use of Sega Genesis controllers on the Atari 2600+! Customary 3-button controllers, 6-buttons, and even the formally licensed wi-fi controllers from Retro-Bit plug proper into the Mega7800 and work like a attraction. It really works on 2600 and 7800 video games, together with 2-button help for the 7800 video games that require it. So far as I’m involved, this factor is an absolute must-have for Atari 2600+ house owners. 

As a aspect word, Sega Grasp System controllers work simply nice on their very own, however not as 2-button controllers. I do not know why, and I feel it is bizarre. 

How do the video games work?

I’m not going to faux I’ve a grasp on the technical particulars of how the system reads the video games, however the primary idea is, you set a cartridge in, and it masses it up so that you can play. It’s, nonetheless, a a lot slower course of than on unique {hardware}. 

Video games really should load up on the Atari 2600+. The unique methods booted up close to instantaneously, however this new system has to take just a few seconds to load the sport, which could be a little bit of an annoyance. Nonetheless, and I can’t stress this sufficient, THE ATARI 2600+ SUPPORTS HOT SWAPPING. I want I knew this after I first turned the unit on as a result of it will have saved me a TON of time. 

When taking part in the unique consoles, the overall apply was to show the system off between video games as a result of, properly, that is the one approach they labored. If you happen to yanked the sport you have been taking part in out of your Atari 2600 with out turning the system off, it will make very indignant noises at you and the display screen would go all bug nuts. Due to this, it by no means occurred to me that I ought to simply depart the Atari 2600+ on whereas altering video games, however that’s precisely what it’s best to do. As soon as  you take away no matter cartridge you’re taking part in, the display screen will go black and return to the sport loading display screen, which is a lot quicker than making the system carry out its complete boot-up sequence each time you swap carts. There’s nonetheless some loading time, but it surely’s solely about 2-3 seconds on common. 

All that mentioned, the Atari 2600+ does appear to have a a lot more durable time with soiled cartridges than my unique {hardware}. I might take the identical cartridge and put it in my Atari 2600+ and watch it fail to load time after time, however then put it in my Atari 7800 and watch because it boots up instantly with no points in any respect. Cleansing my cartridges shortly turned an important activity, and happily we simply began carrying an entire line of cleansing merchandise from 1up Card. 

A very powerful factor to get would little doubt be the cartridge cleaner. Now, these items are available in two completely different sizes. The usual dimension ones will do the trick on nearly all of 2600 and 7800 video games, however the mini playing cards are most likely those you wish to go along with in case you’re particularly going to be cleansing Atari 2600 video games. A few of the older carts had these plastic shields on them. You should use one thing to prop them open (1upcard really makes a “cartridge key” that we needs to be getting quickly that helps with that) however doing so doesn’t depart you with a ton of room to suit the full-size 1upcard within the cartridge. The mini ones are the suitable instruments for the job. It’s additionally value mentioning that there’s some debate as as to whether swiping backward and forward or up and down is the “proper” technique to clear cartridges, and the official phrase from 1upcard is that there isn’t any unsuitable approach. Each appear to have their benefits, and each will get your cartridges clear. So go forward and swipe whichever approach you assume will get you the very best outcomes. 

The opposite factor to contemplate can be the Console Cleansing cartridge. It will clear your console’s cartridge slot, and in case you’re placing a bunch of filthy outdated carts into your Atari 2600+, this may most likely be a very good factor to have available. 

With that, your whole appropriate cartridges ought to work simply nice. 

Which video games work?

The Atari 2600+ is designed to work with unique Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges. It isn’t 100% appropriate with all cartridges, however the overwhelming majority of official Atari carts do perform with the system. A listing of appropriate video games might be discovered on Atari’s web site right here. 

Do Flash Carts work? 

Sadly, no. At the least not as of this writing. It’s potential that might change with future firmware updates. 

Do homebrew video games work? 

This one’s a bit tough. I imagine the present reply is “some.” Nonetheless, there are deliberate firmware updates that I imagine will embrace extra homebrew help. For example, it’s been confirmed {that a} future replace will permit Circus Convoy from Audacity Video games to play on the Atari 2600+. Neat! 

Can the system be up to date?

Sure. The precise system directions don’t say something about it, however the system will be capable of be up to date by way of its USB-C port. It’s not as handy as an SD card slot, but it surely’s higher than nothing. 

How does it evaluate to the Hyperkin Retron 77? 

Actually, they each work very equally. The Retron 77 has been on the market longer and there are a number of modifications that may be made to it to permit it to do numerous issues that it could actually’t do out of the field. Nonetheless, it doesn’t play Atari 7800 cartridges, which the Atari 2600+ does. For a greater visible aspect by aspect comparability, right here’s our Atari 2600+ overview video.

Is there the rest I must know?

On the finish of the day, the Atari 2600+ is a neat machine that serves a really particular objective. It isn’t the identical as taking part in on unique {hardware} on a CRT TV, however it’s a fantastic approach of simply taking part in unique cartridges on a contemporary HDTV. It appears to be like good on a shelf, and I’ve truthfully been having a ball with it. It’s an extremely area of interest machine although. If you happen to nonetheless have a functioning Atari 2600 or 7800, this isn’t going to do a lot for you aside from mean you can play your carts on an HDTV, which could not even be that a lot of a draw to you relying in your setup. But when that’s a novelty that holds luster to you, it’s a pleasant machine with some bizarre quirks.