Atari Revives the 800XL with Modern Features and Classic Gaming

Atari is bringing back its 1983 home computer, the 800XL, featuring modern connections, 25 classic games, and a working cartridge slot. A notable aspect of this revival is the ability to write custom software using Atari BASIC.

The new machine, officially named THE 800XL, is designed by Retro Games Ltd. and will be manufactured and distributed by PLAION REPLAI under license from Atari. It is available for pre-order at a price of $219.99 (AU$349.99, £199.99, or €219.99), with shipping expected to start on April 23, 2027.

More than a Games Console

The original Atari 800XL, released in 1983, came with 64 KB of memory, a full-sized keyboard, and dedicated graphics and sound chips. It served as a bridge between gaming and learning about computing.

The new version retains the classic low-profile design, featuring a 57-key mechanical keyboard and a functional cartridge slot. It modernizes connectivity with an HDMI output, supporting both 50-Hz PAL and 60-Hz NTSC formats, along with 4:3 and pixel-perfect display options. Optional CRT filters are available for those who prefer a retro aesthetic.

Four USB-A ports are included for controllers and USB storage, while a USB-C connection provides power. An HDMI cable and USB-C power cable are part of the package, although users will need to supply a compatible power adapter.

Atari has also introduced an updated joystick called THECXSTICK, which maintains the classic look but adds eight buttons for extra functionality.

Twenty-five Games and Programming Capabilities

THE 800XL comes pre-loaded with 25 games, including arcade classics like Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, BattleZone, and Berzerk, as well as home-computer favorites such as Boulder Dash, M.U.L.E., and Miner 2049er. Two hidden games, Castle Crisis and Super Breakout, can be unlocked with an analog controller.

The cartridge slot supports most cartridges from the Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE families, and USB storage can be utilized to load cartridge, disk, and cassette images. Atari also claims compatibility with software developed for its 5200 games console.

Players can save their progress with four save slots per game and use a rewind function, features that were not available in 1983.

However, the game selection mirrors that of the earlier THE400 Mini, which already supports loading Atari software via USB. For those primarily interested in playing these games on modern televisions, the new machine does not offer a significantly different software library.

The main distinction lies in its hardware, particularly the keyboard and cartridge slot.

Switching to Classic Mode transforms THE 800XL into a programmable home computer, allowing users to write, save, and run their own programs using Atari BASIC. This programming language introduced many home-computer users to the concept of instructing computers beyond pre-written software.

While modern laptops can facilitate learning programming in 2026, the simplicity of a dedicated machine that combines the computer, keyboard, and programming environment is appealing.

Recreation or Imitation?

A key question remains regarding how faithfully THE 800XL replicates the original machine’s internal hardware architecture. Retro Games Ltd. has not disclosed detailed information about this aspect, leaving open the possibility of either recreating the Atari 800XL’s behavior through modern software or directly reproducing the original hardware.

If the games function correctly, the cartridges are compatible, and BASIC operates as expected, the experience could be authentic, regardless of the underlying electronics.

For enthusiasts, compatibility and accuracy are crucial. Atari states that the cartridge slot supports most original cartridges, but this leaves some uncertainty about what will work.

THE 800XL enters a retro-computing market where familiar machines are increasingly being updated with modern features, such as the ZX Spectrum Next and Retro Games Ltd.’s own THE400 Mini.

This revival is noteworthy not just for reintroducing a classic computer but for encouraging owners to experiment with programming. Whether buyers will focus on writing BASIC programs or simply enjoy playing classic games remains to be seen. However, the educational aspect may extend beyond learning a programming language, highlighting the potential for computers to be tools for experimentation rather than mere consumption.

Forty years after grappling with ZX81 listings, the author reflects on the nostalgia this revival brings, even if they do not consider themselves a programmer.

 

Source: New Atlas