Games

Atari Is Making a New Console For the First Time in Over 20 Years

by Blair Marnell
Jun 18 2017 • 12:00 PM

Atari is one of the key companies in the history of video games, and one of the initial giants in the console industry. Atari is arguably responsible for both the rise and fall of video games in the ’70s and ’80s. Atari has never entirely gone away; however, the company hasn’t released a new console in 24 years. But at E3, Atari indicated that a new console is finally on the horizon.Via Mashable, Atari announced that the upcoming console will be called Atari Box, and its exterior looks a lot like the classic Atari consoles, including the wooden finish. The exact details of the Atari Box have not yet been announced, but presumably it will be powerful enough to carve out a place for itself in a landscape that includes Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
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“We’re back in the hardware business,†said Atari CEO Fred Chesnais during an interview with GameBeats. Chesnais didn’t offer many details beyond that, but he noted that it will incorporate PC technology and the design is still being developed. Chesnais is the latest owner of Atari, as the company has changed hands many times in the past thirty five years. Under the current leadership, Atari has primarily made its money through mobile games and licensing its brand. Getting back into the console wars is going to be an uphill battle, but we’re curious to see what Atari Box is bringing to the table.Are you intrigued by the new Atari Box? Break out your old school joysticks and enter your thoughts in the comment section below!

Image: Atari